Archive - Jan 2013 - Obituary
January 16th
Sam “Pokey” Gipson Sr., 73, of Benton passed away Jan. 14.Â
He was born Sept. 13, 1939, in Benton to the late Marshall and Ruth Gipson.
Pokey served in the U.S. Air Force from Aug. 8, 1957, to Aug. 7, 1963.
He retired from both the Benton Police Department and Saline County Sheriff’s Department.
At the time of his death, he was serving on the Benton Civil Service Commission.
January 15th
Daniel Ward Moore, 59, of Benton left this earth on Saturday, Jan. 12, to spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. Daniel was an Army veteran and served our country faithfully for six years.
All that knew him would agree that he had a large heart and that he helped and touched more people than he ever knew. He was a good son, brother, and father and loved his family and they loved him.Â
Bernard V. Heldebrand, 82, of Benton passed away Jan. 11 at Saline Memorial Hospital.
Bernie was raised in Camden, Arkansas. After high school, he served in the Air Force for 22 years. He retired as a flight engineer and lived in Hawaii and then Las Vegas. After his wife, Grace, passed away, he moved back to Arkansas. where he learned to fly small airplanes at age 67, bringing great joy to his life.
January 14th
Cecil James Powell, 87, of Benton passed away January 11. Cecil was born on May 16, 1925 in Plumerville, to James and Mary Ellen Powell.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years; Jewell Powell, his children; Glinda Potts, Shelton Powell and wife, DeeDee and Christina Powell, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren; two sisters; Arteen Merritt and Vurnice Hardy and numerous nieces and nephews.
Henry Bernard Grafe, 91, of Avilla, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 12. He was born in Liepzig, Germany on October 18, 1921 to the late Albert and Freida Grafe. Mr. Grafe came to the United States at six weeks of age with his parents.  He was a WWII US Marine Veteran. He was a member of Avilla Zion Lutheran Church in Avilla and worked as a dairy farmer and painter.Â
He was preceded in death by his parents, his spouse, Wanda Grafe, one son, Henry B. Jr., two grandchildren, Jeremy and Cassie Grafe, and two sisters, Anna Smith and Martha Praasterink.
Steven Wayne Carlton, 53, of Benton, formerly of Rockwall, Texas, went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 12, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Plant City, Florida on March 14, 1959. He was a master mechanic and was excellent with small engine repair, which he taught at Garland High School in Garland, Texas. He was a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God in Bryant and loved anything outdoors including hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing.
Randall Jay Brown
Randall Jay Brown, 75, of Benton, passed away Saturday, January 12, at Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice House in Bryant. He was born February 10, 1937 in Benton to the late John and Nina Brown. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Benton and a US Navy Veteran. He was a retired pipe fitter and was a member of the Plumbers and Fitters Union #155. He loved to hunt and fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jacob Miller Brown.
Chloe Chandler, 91, of Benton, died Saturday, January 12. She was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school classes for the fourth and fifth grade girls. She was also the co-owner of Chandlers Grocery with her husband Lester for 39 years. She was a charter member of the Art Guild of Saline County.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Chandler of sixty-five years and their only daughter, Martha Chandler, her parents, E.B. Reeves and Connie J. Reeves, six brothers and one sister, several nephews and one niece.
Maxine Marie Bryant, 65, of Benton, passed away Saturday, January 12. She was born April 3, 1947 in England. Mrs. Bryant was a LPTN and retired from the Alexander Youth Center. She was a member of Palestine Baptist Church.Â
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Thomas White, Sr. and Thelma Covert White and a sister, Martha Jean Goodwin.
Cheryl Lynn Cottingham, 51, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, January 9. She was born May 30, 1961 in Little Rock. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Gordon and Alma Willene Johnson.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey David Cottingham and wife Tabitha; daughter, Stephanie Marie Cottingham; brother, Mike Johnson; two sisters, Tanya Johnson and Teresa Johnson and four grandchildren, Sierra Harper, Alexis Harper, Devin Harper and Jaxton Cottingham.
A memorial graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15 at Fairplay Cemetery. Bro. Kim Hammer will be officiating.
