Archive - Obituary
April 10th, 2013
Billie Sue Hunt, 76, of Benton passed away April 8, 2013. She was born Oct. 3, 1936, in Woodville, Calif.. to the late Virgil and Edna Chastain Taylor. Billie was of the Baptist faith. She was a singer and songwriter and the family will cherish her many songs that she recorded for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, John Michael Hunt; a granddaughter, Bobbie L. Hunt; two brothers, Rogie Taylor and John “Gub” Taylor; and a sister, Kathy Blake.
Vanessa Ruth Pirl, 58, passed away April 2, 2013. Vanessa was born Dec. 20, 1954, in Little Rock. Vanessa loved spending time with her grandchildren. A few of their favorite times were spent rock hunting and going out for ice cream. She loved to party and go to the arcades.
Vanessa was preceded in death by her parents, John Whitlock Pirl and Vera Wilbanks; and her sister-in-law, Jeanie Holiman.
Betty Joye Woodard, 83, of Benton, died Saturday, April 6, 2013, at home. Betty was born April 21, 1929, in Banks, a daughter of the late Robert C. and Addie E. McLeod of Banks.Â
She was a graduate of the Banks School System. Betty was a member of Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church and was retired from Smith-Caldwell Drug Store.Â
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Harold Lee Woodard Sr.; and her older sister, Frances Lorine McLeod Rigsby.
Kelly Thomas Black, 48, of Benton, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013.Â
She was born Dec. 26, 1964, in Lynnville, Ky. She was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church and worked for Arkansas Women’s Group.
Bethel Dougan Dawson, 81, of Benton passed away Sunday, April 7, 2013. She was born Nov. 24, 1931, in Prattsville.Â
Mrs. Dawson was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and Tyndall Park Missionary Baptist Church, where she was the pianist for many years. During her lifetime, she worked for Westinghouse, Mac’s Garden Center and West’s Department Store.Â
Mrs. Dawson was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Dougan; her husband, Dale Eugene Dawson; a son, Alan Wayne Dawson; two brothers, Lewis Dougan and R.C. Dougan; and a great-grandson, Wyatt.
Debra Joyce Whitfield, 56, passed away April 5, 2013. Debra was born March 17, 1957 in Benton. Debra was a member of the Mars Hill Baptist Church. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Her children said she was the best mom in the world, she loved to cook and she made the world’s best pot roast and chicken and dumplings. She delighted in having a spotless house and enjoyed cleaning it.
April 4th
Wayne W. Shelnut, 84, of Benton died Tuesday, April 2, 2013. He was born Sept, 12, 1928, in Benton. Wayne was retired from the U.S. Air Force and he was a Baptist.Â
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marie Shelnut; his a parents, Elbert and Bertha Shelnut; two brothers, James Shelnut and Connie Shelnut; a sister, Sherry Austin; and a grandson, Cody Dobbins.
Gerald E. Scott, 89, of Benton passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013. He was born March 13, 1924, in Dillon, Kan. Mr. Scott was a World War II Navy veteran, a self-employed heavy equipment operator and a member of Zion Lutheran Church.Â
Mr. Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Flossie Scott; four brothers; three sisters and one grandson.
Theodore Paul 'Ted' Helmich
Theodore Paul "Ted" Helmich, 74, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at his home in Benton. He was born March 27, 1938, in Benton to Edward and Edna (Hill) Helmich of Benton.
Ted graduated from Bryant High School and attended Arkansas Tech University. After two years in the U.S. Army as a mechanic, he graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas with a degree in mechanical engineering. Ted retired from Alcoa after 28 years of service.
April 3rd
Frank Walter Seaton Sr., 84, of Alexander passed away Monday, April 1, 2013. He was born Dec. 4, 1928, in Hartford, Conn.
Mr. Seaton was a U.S. Army Veteran and worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Development Services. He was a member of the Bryant Senior Adult Center in Bryant, the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic faith.Â
Mr. Seaton was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Bella Marie Seaton and four brothers, Walter, Eddie, Emil and John Seaton.
