Archive - Obituary
February 3rd, 2012
Vonda Stiles Mashburn, of Simpson, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, Jan.13, at her residence. She was born on September 20, 1930 in Lonsdale to George W. and Mittie Crabb Stiles.
Vonda was preceded in death by her husband, James O. Mashburn and son, John Lowrance; sisters, Leatha French, Donna Zuvela, Lottie Parnell, Grace Martin, Velma Turner, Naomi Turner, Otholene Stiles, and Myrtle Styles and brothers, Vilous, Winfred, and Elmer Stiles.
She is survived by daughter, Linda Martin; son, James Mashburn; eight grandchildren, and eight grand-grandchildren.
Betty Moore Walker, 81, of Benton died Wednesday Feb. 1. She was born February 10, 1930 to Jacob and Salina Hicks Moore in Belfast. Betty was a retired foreman for Alcoa and a member of the First Christian of Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wright O. (Bud) Walker, four sisters, and two brothers.
She is survived by her sister, Claudia Graham of Whittier, California. She was the grandmother of two step children, Roselinda, of Oklahoma; and David Ashley, of Benton; and many friends
Donald Evans made his jubilant entrance into Heaven on Feb. 1, just one day before his 93rd birthday. He now rests from a lifetime of giving, loving, and serving Jesus well. He was born in Keystone, OK to hardworking parents and lived his childhood on the Evans Dairy farm with his six brothers and sisters; Elinor, Evan, Paul, Dale, Sally and Roberta. He studied engineering at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and thrived as the proprietor of Evans Jewelry, where he met his wife, Evangeline Malott. They married in 1949 and raised four children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Lafern Swint Hunter, 91, of Paducah, Kentucky, formerly of Benton, died Tuesday Jan. 31, in Paducah. Lafern was a homemaker and a charter member of Park View United Methodist Church in Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Beulah Swint, husband Glen, Sister Melba Lambert, and a granddaughter, Nikki Chapman.
She is survived by her son, David Hunter of Little Rock; daughter, Glynith Garner and husband, John of Paducah, Kentucky; grandson, Larry Garner of Kentucky; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nephew, Ronny Lambert of Benton.
Glenn Wayne Abbott, 63, of Searcy, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jan. 30, surrounded by his family.  He was born March 25, 1948 in Benton to the late A.G. and Murl Edwards Abbott. Prior to retiring, Mr. Abbott was employed with Coca-Cola for thirty-five years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Angela Michelle Abbott.
January 31st
John William Dunaway Jr. 84, Masonry contractor and World War II veteran, died of natural causes Jan. 29, at his daughter's home in Sheridan.He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 15, 1927 to John William Sr. and Mary Elsie Fryer Dunaway. In spite of his mother’s dismay, he left home at age 15 to join the Navy and serve his country during World War II. He was stationed aboard the USS Trutta and fought valiantly alongside his shipmates in the South Pacific. He was always proud of his service, but like so many others in his generation, he was reluctant to talk about it.
Orene Merchant Moore, 82, died Jan. 28, at her home in Bryant. Orene was born February 17, 1929 in McCaskill to Jesse Orrin Merchant and Olive Pauline (Folsom) Merchant. Orene was a Registered Nurse, training at Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital in Hot Springs before practicing at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. She spent 20 years as an Army officer’s wife. During retirement she researched her genealogy, traveling across the country doing research before joining the Daughters of the American Revolution.
January 30th
Sarah (Betty) Green Talbert, 85, of Little Rock, formerly of Sardis, passed away Friday, Jan. 27. She was born January 13, 1927 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Mrs. Talbert was a homemaker and a member of Primrose Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Willie J. Poe; husband, William Darrell Green, Sr. and a sister, Margaret Dobson.
Â
Mark Steven Meeks, 54, of Bryant, passed away Friday, Jan. 27, at his home. He was born on December 28, 1957 in Camden. Mr. Meeks was a project architect with Cromwell Architects in Little Rock for over 21 years, was of Christian faith, and loved his family and granddaughter. He loved riding his Harley, was a member of the Unforgiven Militia Motorcycle Club, and was an exceptional artist.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris (Garner) Meeks.
Frances Anna Buffington, 89, of Benton, passed away Jan. 26. She was born on December 13, 1922 to the late Robert and Melissa Hunt. She was of the Baptist faith.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Vernon Buffington, sons, Mac and Tim Buffington, daughter, Alpha Yates and granddaughter, Kathleen Yates.
She is survived by her son, James Buffington and wife, Margaret of Benton, sister, Delpha Chambers and husband, James of Paron, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Graveside services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at Fowler Cemetery.Â
