Kimberly Colette Behr, 45 of Benton, February 18, 1976-August 17, 2021. The dash between these two dates is so small compared to the “bigger than life spirit” our Kimmie had. She started her life in Little Canada, Minn. and moved to Benton, Arkansas with her family in 1984. She is loved and survived by her mother, Carol Dawson, father and stepmother, Don and Margaret Behr, brothers, Mike, Russell and Eric Behr, sisters, Jody Maloney and Kelly Henderson; along with their families. She enjoyed being Aunt Kimmie to all her nieces and nephews and being a niece to her own aunts and uncles. Kim was a member of Our Lady of Fatima, Benton where she attended grade school. She graduated from Benton High School Class of 1994 and UALR with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal arts in 2003. Kim absolutely cherished her friends, music and road trips. If all three of these things came together as one event, she was in her own personal heaven. From high school choir to car karaoke to the multitude of concerts she attended, she loved music. She enjoyed shopping, time at the lake, crafting, sewing and all things vintage orange/yellow Mushroom. Kim always had a way of bringing people together and stood by anyone who needed to lean on her. She was an absolute beautiful soul with a loving and generous heart. There wasn’t a single day that she didn’t make someone smile or feel special to her. We will all greatly miss your random texts and goofy antics. You sense of humor was certainly one of a kind. We will forever miss your crooked smile, your laugh and definitely your laugh-snort. We will do our lifelong best to honor your wish and direction to all of us: “Find your JOY! Do it! Buy it! Be it! A visitation, celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 4th at Ashby Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Paula Lewis Bermingham, 59, of Benton, passed away on August 25, 2021. Paula was born on July 15, 1962 in Benton, AR. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Elmer and Earline Lewis; her sister, Peggy Lewis; and her brother, Larry Lewis. She is survived by her husband, Brian Bermingham; her son, Michael Golleher; bonus son, Lance Bermingham; and a host of friends and family. She will be dearly missed and always remembered by those whose lives she touched. Visitation will be held at Ashby Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Monday, August 30th and the service will be held at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Ten Mile Cemetery in Lonsdale. On-line guest book at www.ashyfuneralhome.com.
Eloise Burrow Swayze, 92 of Benton, passed away on August 25, 2021. She was born in Benton to the late Lilburn and Tevis Williams Cloud. Eloise worked at the Arkansas Health Center for over 30 years as an LPTN. She was a member of the Church of Christ Church on River Street in Benton. Eloise was preceded in death by her parents, sons, Richard and James Burrow, husbands, David Burrow and William Swayze, sister, Wanda Drennan. She is survived by her nephew, Johnny Drennan and a host a nieces and nephews. Chapel services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 1st with burial to follow at New Rosemont Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday before services.
Billy Lyle Carman of Benton died on August 25. 2021, at the age of 91. He was born on January 29, 1930 in Blevins, Arkansas to the late Sylvester and Arbra D. McDonald Carman. He was a retired auto mechanic. He worked for Cox Brothers, Ryburn, Cliff Packer, Huey and Morehead Garage, Crain and Burton Ford, Harris Ford, and retired from Whitfield Tire Company. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Patsy Joyce Ramsey Carman; his sister Jean Speed; and his brothers William Robert and Manuel Carman. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Rodney Ford of Cabot; three sisters: Bobbie Lancaster of Dahlonega, Georgia; Janelle Lapaglia of Nixa, Missouri; Virginia Smith of Beaufort, South Carolina; two brothers: Winford Carman of Traskwood; Don Carman of Benton and a multitude of friends. Chapel Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Ashby Funeral Home on Saturday, August 28th with Pastors Carl Richey and Nick Calaway officiating. Burial will be at New Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ashbys. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Betty R. Phillips, “Sis”, “Mom”, and “Memaw,” went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her daughters and her husband of 58 years on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Born on August 19, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Floyd and Hazel Long, Betty was the oldest daughter, and the 4th of 6 children, 2 of whom died in infancy. She graduated from Bryant High School in 1959, and married C.A. “Barney” Phillips in 1962. She and Barney had 3 daughters, Tonia, Shana, and Erica. Together they built their forever home in Alexander in 1975. Betty worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas for many years before retiring in 1996. Betty was an accomplished seamstress, and could sew almost anything. She loved spending time with her family whenever she could. She and Barney also enjoyed traveling, both with their church group, and on their own. Betty is survived by her husband, C.A. “Barney” Phillips, her daughters Tonia (Chuck) Ray, Shana (Chad) Thornton, and Erica (Robert) Bradshaw; siblings Floyd “Sonny” Long, Jr., Cathy Salinas, and Joyce (Tommy) Roberts; grandchildren Chad (Rachel), Jordan (Alisha), Jess (Myranda), Chase (Mackenzie), and Katrina (Drake), Cody (Katie) 4 great-grandchildren (plus one due in December), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Grady Long, and Hazel (Cureton) Long. Visitation will be at 1pm on Saturday, August 28th, at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, AR, followed by a funeral service at 2 pm, with interment at Ten Mile Cemetery. Wearing a mask is required , and the family respectfully asks that you wear a mask if you attend.
Benny Joe Bagley, 81 of Benton, went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2021. He was born on December 22, 1939 in Traskwood, Arkansas to the late James Samuel and Roxie Louise Anderson Bagley. Joe was retired from the Arkansas Hwy Dept. after 35 ½ years. He was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church. Joe enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and bicycles with his kids and grand kids He was preceded in death by his father, James Samuel Bagley and mother, Roxie Louise Anderson Bagley Cross, brother, Harvey and sister, Mary L. Silvey, grandchildren, Colton and Judd Bagley. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucille Wright Bagley, daughters, Lisa (Johnny) Mitchell, Jolene (Floyd) Palmer, son, Joey (Lori) Bagley and brother, Howard (Margaret ) Bagley, grandchildren, Jayce (Samantha) Mitchell, Matt (Danielle) Mitchell, Makayla(Corey) Lindsey Bailey (Morgan) Palmer, Dustin Palmer, Jessica (Jacob) Metcalfe and Bryce Bagley, great grandchildren, Silas Mitchell, Naomi Mitchell, Blakleigh and Brantlee Palmer, Lillie and J.J. Creekmore, Riley Metcalfe, Oaklynn and Harlan Palmer; Addy Eddlemon; several nieces, nephews and friends. Church services by Ashby Funeral Home will be at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church 10:00 a.m. on Thursday with burial to follow at Sharon Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday at Ashby Funeral Home, 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Alicia Renee Ives, age 53, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021. She was born October 29, 1967 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of Larry and Linda Ives. Alicia was a graduate of Bryant High School and attended the University of Arkansas. She enjoyed working as an accountant and retired from Siemens AG. Alicia was a devoted caretaker to her elderly parents. She loved to read and accumulated enough books to start her own library. Alicia was best known for having the biggest, kindest heart & smile that could light up a room. She was loved by so many and in return she loved them. She is preceded in death by her mother, Linda Kay Ives and her brother, Kevin Ives. Alicia is survived by her father, Larry Ives and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Visitation will be 11:00 to 12:00 Monday, August 30 at Hurricane Lake Baptist Church with services beginning at 12:00. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Bro. Benny Grant will be officiating. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Saline County @ 7600 Bauxite Hwy, Bauxite, AR 72011 or www.hssaline.org
Wanda “Gayle” Willis was born September 16, 1946 in Hopkinsville, KY and passed August 26, 2021 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, AR. Gayle graduated high school in 1965 from Todd County High School. She retired from Heritage Livestock, Oakland, KY. Gayle was a member of First Baptist Church in Benton, AR and Red Hat Society of Bowling Green, KY. Gayle was preceded in death by her father, Paul Sisk and mother, Estelle Robinson Sisk. She is survived by spouse, Benny Lee Willis, married on January 27, 1966 in Trenton, KY; two daughters, Paula Willis James (married to Steven Carey living in Charlotte, NC), and Kelly Lea Goodwin (married to Wade Goodwin living in Benton, AR); three grandchildren: Eli Williams, Anna & Kate Goodwin and two step grandsons, Seth Carey, US Army, Fort Bliss, TX and Trey Carey, US Army, Fort Campbell, KY; two great-grandsons Ayden Carey and Christian Carey; siblings: Eleanor Brown (Clarksville, TN), Betty Murdock (Hendersonville, TN), Vivian Moore (Hopkinsville, KY), and Robert Sisk (Hopkinsville, KY); and many family members and friends who will miss her always. Visitation held from 10:00-11:00 AM, Monday, August 30 with Memorial service, officiated by Bro. Clay Cunningham, at 11:00 AM, at First Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church of Benton. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Mona Caradine, 82, passed away peacefully at home on August 23rd, surrounded by her loved ones. Mona grew up in Benton and was a member of the River Street Church of Christ. She was a hardworking, Christian woman who brought love and kindness wherever she went. Mona was retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 33 years of employment. She enjoyed gospel music, gardening, and fresh roses. She will be dearly missed and always remembered by those whose lives she touched. Mona was preceded in death by her parents, William and Della Caradine, and siblings Christine, Truman, J. P. Caradine and Evelyn Hooper. She is survived by her siblings, Leah Caradine, Joyce Martin, Oma Dell Hill, and Charles Caradine, her son Bode, her two grandsons, Adam and Brandon, nieces, nephews, and a host of special friends. There are no funeral events planned, as she requested. Burial will be in the family plot at Mt. Harmony Cemetery. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Clifton “Norris” Medlin, 75, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away Friday August 27, 2021, at Baptist Medical Center – Little Rock, Arkansas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 19,1946 to the late Carl Guthrie and Lillian Medlin in Richmond, VA. Norris enjoyed worldwide traveling and anything his daughters were involved in including years of coaching softball. He served on the Bryant school board for over a decade and supported the Bryant Hornets as a member of the chain gang. He was a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church for over 20 years. Norris loved his family, especially his grandchildren who kiddingly referred to him as “Naughty Norris” or “crazy Clifton”, but most days lovingly as “Poppi” Norris is preceded in death by his parents, Carl Guthrie, and Lillian Medlin. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy Medlin; three daughters, Becky Reynolds “Chris”, Elizabeth Phillips “Michael”, and Sarah Fuller “Matt” six grandchildren, Ava Grace, Carson, Canyon, Grant, Maylee Jo, and Travis; one brother, Del; a host of family and friends who all love him and will miss him dearly. Celebration of Life will be at 12:00 pm at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Arrangements made by Dial & Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Arkansas. Visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com to sign Norris’ online guest book.