Ronnie Dale Wells, 71, of Benton, Arkansas passed away peacefully in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 13, 2023.
Ronnie was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to his parents Ruby J. Milton Wells and Joseph L. Wells on December 31, 1951. Ronnie proudly served his school districts by pursuing a career as a school custodian. Ronnie worked for the Benton School system for 17 years and Safeway for 20 years. When Ronnie wasn’t providing safe environments for others he enjoyed farming, playing the drums, and WWE wrestling.
Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Kathy Wells, their children Paul Wells, and Phillip Wells, and daughter-in-law Joana Wells. His grandchildren; Riley Wells, Alex Wells, Zeke Wells, Bryan Wells, and Zach Wells. Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, son Brian Foy Wells, and siblings, Richard Wells, and Sylvia Upperman.
A visitation for Ronnie Wells will be held at Roller-Alcoa funeral home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Roller-Alcoa funeral home on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 10:00 am. A burial will follow at Orion Cemetery in Sheridan, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in Ronnie’s honor.
Horace Abbott, 84, of Benton, Arkansas passed away peacefully in his home in Benton on January 13, 2023.
Horace Abbott was born on June 16, 1938, to Roma Griffis Abbott and Chester Abbott in Floral, Arkansas. Growing up, Horace had the heart to serve and began his career in law enforcement. Horace would spend his working career as a police officer and become Sheriff for his community. When Horace was not protecting others, he would be woodworking or tinkering around his home.
Horace is survived by his children: Ray Abbott, Angie Abbott, Sherrie Wilson, Kecia Zumbrunnen, Tammy Pettit, Melinda McClendon, Eddie Jones, and Lisa Wiley. Grandchildren: Jayson Ellinston, David Pettit, John Pettit, Christie Wilson, Billie Jean Wilson, Brandy Vaughn, Bonnie Vocgue, Dustin Jones, James Crutchfield, Christina Crutchfield, and Brandon Gresham. Sibling, Jerry Abbott, great-grandchildren, friends, and members of the community.
Horace is preceded in death by his wives, Mary Abbott, and Patsy Abbott, and other family and friends.
A visitation for Horace will be held at Roller-Alcoa funeral home in Benton, Arkansas on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 1 pm-3 pm.
DAVID ALLEN PRINCE, 39, of Avilla, AR passed away unexpectedly January 10, 2023, in Benton, AR, of suspected heart failure due to an enlarged heart.
David was born March 2, 1983, in Lafayette, LA. He grew up in Bryant, AR and was a 2001 graduate of Bryant High School.
David is preceded in death by his father, Ron Prince. He is survived by his mother, Kelly Pollnow, his sister, Amy McGavran and her husband Joe McGavran, their children Ellie and Jackson, and by David’s young son Henry David Allen Prince. He is also survived by many other family members including grandparents, aunts, uncles, half-siblings, cousins, and other loved ones, along with countless dear friends who loved him like family.
David loved being in nature and exploring God’s creation. He enjoyed camping and foraging. He loved swimming in Lake Norrell and spending warm days on a sandbar in the Arkansas River. He liked to shank golf balls into the woods, much to the chagrin of many startled birds, raccoons, squirrels, and the occasional neighbor or two. He loved Superman, sleeping late, Elvis, doing cartwheels in cow fields, The Simpsons, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Each night he would go to sleep listening to The Naked Bible podcast from the Bible scholar and ancient Semitic languages expert Dr. Michael Heiser. He had a love for God’s word and the mysteries hidden in it. He was discovering it anew in the last few months leading up to meeting the Lord face-to-face.
David was unique and always just a big kid at heart. He didn’t really fit into any mold. You could say he made his own mold, and it would change frequently. He lived for the moment and ONLY the moment. He was unworried by what might happen next, because he was too busy squeezing all the life out of the moment he was in. He was smart, but not always wise. He was hilarious, but not always appropriate. He would regularly irritate, exasperate, agitate, and flat out infuriate his mom and sister. Just when they would reach that boiling point (or after), he would make some strange comment from left field or crack an ill-timed but hilarious joke that couldn’t help but crack them up. He kept his mom on her knees in prayer and in stitches with laughter.
David loved others deeply and fully. He could disarm you with his charm, comfort you with his compassion, and delight you with his quick wit. He was generous to a fault, even if he was without resources. He was wholly unconcerned with money and preferred a life unburdened by material sandbags. Sometimes that meant he had to use YOUR money to give to the stranger who needed gas and couldn’t afford it! He was a giver. He was never perfect, but he was perfectly David.
David struggled. He had an illness. He made bad choices. He succumbed to the enemy’s schemes to knock him off track. He reached rock bottom. And that is exactly where Jesus met him. David hit that sweet and terrible spot where the only place to go is up. He felt the heaviness of his past and for the very first time, he was ready to let it go. He cried out to the Lord and the Lord picked him up, out of his guilt, out of his sorrow, out of his shame. He came to a place of repentance for his poor decisions and their consequences. He received the forgiveness of his Savior and was able to express how amazed and thankful he was to his mom for never giving up on him. He made sure she knew just how much he loved her. He assured the others in his life of his love for them, and he felt it all so intensely. He was nervous about the path to recovery, but he was excited to take it. Again, for the first time, he felt the freedom God had given him. He no longer had to be shackled by the chains of addiction and depression. And as a last, wonderful gift, his final days were spent in that place of peace. He was sober, clean, and forgiven.
A memorial service honoring David is being held on Monday, January 16th, at 1:00pm, Dial & Dudley Funeral Home, 4212 Hwy 5 North, Bryant, AR, 72022, next door to New Life Church.
Immediately following the brief service, we will reconvene at First Southern Baptist Church,
604 S. Reynolds Rd. in Bryant. Follow the cars to the the south side of the building, around to the left, and enter under the canopy. There we will have a time of remembrance, sharing anecdotes, enjoying snacks, and rejoicing for David and his new heavenly home. Please join us and share your stories!
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for David’s headstone. Contributions can be made directly to Dial & Dudley Funeral Home. They have graciously agreed to maintain the fund. Once collected, they will release the proceeds and present the family with a check to pay headstone expenses.
Dial and Dudley Funeral Home
4212 Hwy 5 North
Bryant, Arkansas 72022
(501) 847-9099
Email: [email protected]
“Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, GNT
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