Archive
July 8th, 2011
For the first time in her life, Benton alum JoAnna Curtis will not be going to softball practice.
Instead, she has given up the sport and has decided to focus her attention on some extracurricular activities, mainly being more involved with a local ministry.
âThere is so much to do here,â Curtis said. âLast year I got involved with what is called the Backyard Bible Club and we would go and work with kids in the community and share Godâs word with them.â
July 7th
Truman E. Ashcraft, 83, of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, July 6, at his home. He was born May 14, 1928, in Tull the son of Ernest and Delva Tull Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft was reared and received his early education in Tull and Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Alma Onice Winkler, 90, of Alexander, passed away July 5. She was born June 14, 1921, in Sheridan, to the late Winfred and Lila Middlebrooks Avery. Alma was a member of the Lawson Pentecostal Church in Little Rock.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Walter Winkler, brothers, Louis Avery and Grandval Lee Green.
Willard Drennon, 75, of Benton, passed away July 5. He was born March 20, 1936 in Paron to the late Noah and Grace Drennon. Willard was of the Church of Christ faith. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Drennon of Benton; sons, Anthony Demato of Sherwood and Willard Drennon, Jr. of Benton; daughter, Patricia Cavlvic of Kansas City, Kan.; brothers, Wilson Drennon, Duell Drennon, Donald Drennon, all of Hot Springs, Ronald Drennon of Benton; sister, Sherry Huggs of Hot Springs; three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
BENTON â Caleb Garrett hit a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning and gave the Bryant Black Sox Senior American Legion team a three-run cushion as the Black Sox defeated Benton McClendonâs Appliance 6-3 at Bernard Holland Park Wednesday night.
With a 4-3 lead, Bentonâs Coy Fitzhugh issued back-to-back walks to Pickett and Chris Joiner. However, Benton was able to double up when a fly ball to the outfield was caught and they forced Pickett out at second after he ran towards third on the hit.
July 6th
The calendar is full of holidays and ânationalâ days. In fact, about a month ago we here at the paper celebrated âNational Donut Dayâ with a box of two dozens glazed beauties from Daleâs. We are not one to ignore a perfectly good donut in the name of calorie counting.
Dora Dean Buckner, 80, of Benton, passed away Monday, July 4, at the Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock.
Dora was born November 3, 1930, in Colgate, Okla. to parents, W.W. and Clara Bradshaw. Dora was a retired registered nurse and she was of the Pentecostal faith.
She is survived by one daughter, Clara Wilson of Benton; Â one step-daughter, Martha St. Claire of England; one brother, Lawrence Bradshaw of Benton; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.
Cecil W. Wyllia, 55, of Alexander, passed away July 5. He was born October 10, 1955, in Little Rock to the late Arthur and Mottress Roberts Wyllia. Cecil was a Veteran of the United States Army. He attended the Pentecostal Church of God in Benton.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Tammy Wyllia.
Survivors include brothers, Ansel Wyllia and wife, Kathy of Alexander, Doug Wyllia and wife, Charline of Alexander and one grandson.
A graveside service is by Ashby Funeral Home and will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pine Crest Cemetery with Elizabeth Witt officiating.
Sophie McNeil, 69, of Alexander passed away Sunday, July 3. She was born Feb. 9, 1942, in Benton. Mrs. McNeil was a CNA and a member of Highway 5 Church of Christ.Â
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Chlloe Caple; husband, James McNeil; two sons, Ronald and Tony McNeil; three brothers, Roy, Coy and Norman Caple; and two sisters, Dannie Marie Evans and Dovie Sue Williams.
The Benton Sport Shop Junior American Legion team was eliminated from the district tournament in Sheridan with back-to-back losses to Little Rock Blue and the Genoa Dragons.
Against LR Blue, Benton scored two runs in the second and one in the third but lost 6-3 as Little Rock scored five of their runs in the first inning and a run in the fourth.
