Obituaries
Cecil Ray Bench
Jul 4, 2025
Cecil Ray Bench, 83, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on February 24, 1942, in Clinton, Arkansas to Jim A. and Lillie I. Kirkendoll Bench.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter: Vickie Laverne Pilgrim, two brothers: J.W. Bench and Garland Bench and three sisters: Jane House,...
Jeannie Nichols
Jun 29, 2025
Gloria Jean “Jeannie” Wike Nichols was born November 10, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mary Francis Watson Wike and Jesse McClain Wike. She departed this life June 29, 2025. Jeannie grew up in Marked Tree Arkansas, graduated from Marked Tree High School and then attended for two years, Mississippi State College for Women. At the age of 14, she met...
William Eugene Willis
Jun 20, 2025
William Eugene Willis, 75 of Payneway, Arkansas departed this life on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on March 27, 1950, in Lepanto, Arkansas to Garland Eugene Willis and Mary Margaret Orr Willis. He was a devoted member of Corners Chapel Baptist Church where he served faithfully and loved the Lord deeply. Known for his joyful...
Laura Louise Burfield
Jun 16, 2025
Laura Louise Burfield, 93, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on Monday, June 16, 2025, in Trumann, Arkansas. She was born on June 4, 1932, in Marked Tree to George W. White and Minnie Mildred Young White. She was an expert seamstress and made several beautiful wedding gowns and clothes. She was a devoted member of Neiswander Baptist Church...
Merrill Thomas "Tommy" Miller
Jun 5, 2025
Merrill Thomas (Tommy) Miller passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the age of 66.
He was born on May 25th,1959 in Memphis, Tennessee. Tommy grew up in Marked Tree, Arkansas and graduated from Marked Tree High School. He attended Arkansas State University and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in...
Roy Richard Coursey Sr.
Jun 5, 2025
Roy Richard Coursey Sr., 78, of Trumann, Arkansas departed this life on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his home. He was born on January 5, 1947, in Lake City, Arkansas to Lawrence and Mable Caviness Coursey.
Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, mechanical work, his guns and spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter: Stacey Matney,...
Gilbert "Hal" Smith
Jun 3, 2025
Gilbert “Hal” Smith, 65, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on January 11, 1960, in Memphis, Tennessee to James “Pete” Nelson and Wona Mae Locke Smith.
Hal was of the Methodist faith, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, he loved sharing stories from his time in the Navy. A devoted...
Pearl Lavay Dollar McGowan
Jun 2, 2025
Pearl Lavay Dollar McGowan, 87, of Leachville, Arkansas, departed this life on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was born on August 8, 1937 in Senath, Missouri to John L. Turner and Katie Ruth Eubanks Turner. Pearl was a proud and faithful member of Lepanto First Baptist Church. Known for her vibrant spirit, she found joy in dancing,...
James "Jackie" Scrape
May 31, 2025
James “Jackie” Scrape, 60, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Memphis Tennessee. He was born on November 10, 1964, in Tyronza, Arkansas to Jack Franklin and Emmalee Bratton Scrape.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one son: Justin Scrape and one daughter: Jennifer Scrape.
Jackie is survived by three daughters: Jamie Scrape of...
Charles David Hardesty
May 28, 2025
Charles Hardesty (76) passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John George & Lorene Hardesty, brothers, Billy Joe Hardesty, Woodrow Hardesty, Vernon Hardesty, and sister, Barbara Scrivner-Wallace.
A lifelong resident of Mississippi county, Charles proudly served his country during the Vietnam war. He was always willing to lend a hand...
Gary Lynn Humphreys
May 26, 2025
Gary Lynn Humphreys of Dyess, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, in Monette, Arkansas, at the age of 80. Born on April 12, 1945 to James Franklin Humphreys and Sudie May Bell Humphreys, Gary was a proud native of Dyess who lived a life rooted in hard work, compassion, and service. He honorably served his country as a...
William "Will" Henry French
May 22, 2025
William “Will” Henry French, Jr., 47, of Pittsburg, Texas departed this life Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on January 27, 1978, to William Henry French and Belinda June Beach French in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
Amber, Will’s fiancé’ shares her memories: Words will never be enough to say what Will meant to me. I know that I...
Thomas Wayne Criddle
May 18, 2025
Thomas Wayne Criddle, 74, of Lepanto, Arkansas passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2025. He was born on May 4, 1951 in Dyess, Arkansas to Robert Ellis and Gladys Odell Franks Criddle. A member of Lepanto First Baptist Church, Thomas was an avid outdoorsman who found joy in hunting, fishing, gardening and especially growing watermelons, cantaloupes and vegetables. His...
James Thomas "Jay" Truelove
Apr 23, 2025
James Thomas “Jay” Truelove, 60, of Collierville, Tennessee departed this life on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at his home. He was born on August 27, 1964, in West Memphis, Arkansas to James Ray, “J.R.” and Frances Joiner Truelove. Jay loved watching the Cardinals, Hogs and Cowboys play, spending time with Madison, Kinsley and the rest of his family and he...
Morris Ray Taylor
Apr 19, 2025
Morris Ray Taylor, 85, of Lepanto Arkansas departed this life on Saturday, April 19, 2025. He was born on October 5, 1939 in Lepanto, Arkansas to William Thomas Taylor and Johnnie Meryl Tolbert Taylor. He lived a life full of love and faith and was a member of Lepanto First Baptist Church. Morris found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He...
Sharon Denise Peyton
Apr 16, 2025
Sharon Denise Peyton, 66, of Marked Tree, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at her home. She was born on June 11, 1958, in Pocahontas, Arkansas to Ernest Lee and Alta Fern Thompson Waymon. Sharon was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marked Tree, and she loved spending time with her family and friends.
She is...
Billie Inez Jones
Apr 13, 2025
Billie Inez Jones, 75, of Batesville, Arkansas formerly of Etowah departed this life on Sunday April 13, 2025. She was born on January 16, 1950 in Osceola to Bill Lyman and Edna Inez Osborne Jones. Billie was a member of Little River Church of Christ and a former member of Brinkley Chapel Baptist Church. After years of working at American...
Elizabeth "Liz" Gail Rodgers
Apr 13, 2025
Elizabeth “Liz” Gail Rodgers, 57, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on Sunday, April 13, 2025. She was born on December 13, 1967 in West Memphis to Don and Neta Jo Harp Rodgers. Liz was of the Pentecostal faith, she enjoyed camping, fishing and loved being outdoors watching the kids play and the flowers bloom.
She is preceded in death by...
Dina Lynn Watts
Apr 9, 2025
Dina Lynn Watts, 54, of Parkin, Arkansas departed this life on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was born on May 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan to Harvey and Phillis Holt Blagg.
She is preceded in death by her parents, one daughter: Bridget Blagg and four grandchildren: Alex, Braxton, Will and River.
Dina is survived by her husband of forty...
Amy Nichole Pate
Apr 8, 2025
Amy Nichole Pate, age 39, of Arizona, passed away on April 8, 2025. She was born on September 25, 1985, in Paragould, Arkansas Amy lived a life marked by her passion for nature, travel, photography, and painting. Amy is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Pate and Donna Fires. She is survived by her sister: Heather L. Pate of...
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