Archive - Obituary
May 14th, 2013
James E. Ramsey, 86, of Benton, entered Heaven’s gates May 11, 2013 while surrounded by his family and loved ones at home. He was born March 6, 1927 in Bryant, to George and Esther Ramsey, the oldest of nine children. He was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Benton. Jim retired from Safeway Stores in 1987 after 27 years of safe driving. Jim was known by many for the garden he tended for years. If not working in his garden, he could be found on a lake with a fishing pole, in a church pew or visiting on the front porch.
Gerald Andrew Perry, 87, of Benton passed away May 11, 2013 in Benton. He was born March 30, 1926 in Cabot. Gerald was owner of Saline County Hardware and also worked at Peoples Lumber Co. in Benton and a long time member of River Street Church of Christ where he  sang in the choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Ernest Perry and Addie Adealia Parks Perry, wife of 55 years, Tessie Ann Austin Perry, brother, Richard T. Perry, John Ray Perry, sisters, Ruby Kelly, Lucille Lockridge, Mary Frances Perry, and Ernestine Cook Ragan, six nieces and nephews.
Jeff Hixson, 43, of Haskell passed away on May 9, 2013, with his loving family by his side. He was born on Aug. 26, 1969, to Jesse and Cissy Hixson in Ruston, La.
Vance Floyd Skillern, 88, of Crows Station passed away Friday May 10, 2013. He was born February 22, 1925 to the late Violet Garner Skillern and Floyd C. Skillern in Hot Springs.
Mr. Skillern was a retired electrical engineer; a member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church; a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II; a member of Local Union 619 & 295 and IBEW; and the recipient of a 70-year pin.
He was predeceased by his parents, Violet Garner Skillern and Floyd C. Skillern; his first wife, Ella Thomas Skillern; and one brother, Stanley A. Skillern.Â
Mary J. Marshall, 85, of Benton passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013. She was born June 2, 1927. Mrs. Marshall worked at the Benton Kroger store.Â
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Martin Marshall and Calvin E. Ray, Sr.
She is survived by four sons, John Pearson, Calvin Ray Jr., Richard Ray and Perri Ray; two daughters, Juanita Hathcock and Mary Ann Pearson; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a special friend, Katie Hill.
A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Avilla.Â
Marjorie Francille Sharp Foggo of Haskell died at age 85 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock on Thursday, May 9, 2013. She was born on Sept. 22, 1927, in Lockesburg to Merry Sharp and Veda Harrison Sharp. She graduated from Lockesburg High School near the end of World War II and became a registered nurse in 1950. She married Sidney Smith Foggo in her hometown of Lockesburg on Aug. 18, 1951. They eventually settled in Little Rock, where she worked as a nurse at Baptist Medical Center while they raised five children.
May 10th
Rachel V. Thornberry Weems, 91, of Benton, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013. She was born in Marianna, on April 22, 1922 to the late Joe and Ida Thornberry. She was a member of Benton Foursquare Church and retired as a nurse aid.Â
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Weems and one brother, JT Thornberry.Â
Jimmie M. Smith, 71, passed away May 7, 2013. Jimmie was born Dec. 10, 1941, in Texarkana to parents Bonnie McCoy and Carlotta Smith.
Jimmie attended First Pentecostals of Benton. He retired from UALR, where he was an IT specialist. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He was a civil engineer and a Microsoft engineer with certifications in C++ and Cisco.
Betty Jane Hester, 78, of Paron passed away May 8, 2013.
She was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Warren to Murray and Gladys Watson, and was the youngest of four children. Her early years were spent in Banks before moving to Saline County.
Betty was a retired hairstylist, a telecommunications operator with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a member of the North Fork Missionary Baptist Church in Paron.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Hester; and her siblings, Jimmy Watson, Louise Greer and Maudine Stroud.
T.O. (Talmage Oscar) Miller, 85, of Bryant was welcomed into Heaven on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, while in the presence of his family at the Heartland Rehab and Care Center in Benton.
He was born Feb. 2 1928, in Zion. He was a member of Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock.
