Kathryn Porterfield, 71 of Kuttawa, Kentucky, formally of Traskwood, Arkansas passed away on January 25, 2023 at her home after an extended illness. She was born on August 6, 1951 in Little Rock to the late Clarence and Gertrude Lawrence. Kathryn was retired and a member of Glen Rose Missionary Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, William “Keith” Porterfield.
Kathryn is survived by her sister, Eva J. Morris, daughter in law, Lena and husband, Leo Bourg of LaFayette, Louisana; three grandchildren, William, Micah and Elizabeth along with several great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Micah Porterfield, William Porterfield, Shawn Scroggins, Hunter Scroggins, Doug Evans and Wes Pate.
Graveside services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Fairplay Cemetery with Bro. Tony Williams officiating.
Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton on Tuesday.
Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Bonnie Lou (Gammill) Jeffus was born to Delmar P. and Minnie Marie (Tedford) Gammill on January 10, 1948, in Nashville, Arkansas. She went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2023.
Bonnie was a Glen Rose High School graduate who then attended nursing school. Ultimately, she became an LPTN and retired after 32 years with the State of Arkansas.
While in nursing school, friends introduced her to Jesse Samuel Jeffus, Jr. After a time of correspondence and dating, she married this young naval officer on May 22, 1967. The couple welcomed their son into the world on December 26, 1975 and then their daughter on January 23, 1978. They enjoyed 36 ½ years of marriage before Sam’s death on December 23, 2002.
Bonnie was a longtime member of Glen Rose Missionary Baptist Church. She loved sports, working outside, and crocheting. She was a faithful and diligent volunteer, active in church and the community.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Samuel “Sam” Jeffus, Jr.; parents, Delmar P. and Minnie Marie (Tedford) Gammill; brothers: James Harold “Bo”, John William “Bill” Gammill, and Kenneth Dale Gammill; and sister, Delmarie Kelly.
Bonnie is survived by her son, Samuel Dale Jeffus of Traskwood; daughter, Maria Louise (David D.) Gatlin of Traskwood; four grandsons: David Anthony (Layla M) Gatlin, Johnathan Blake Gatlin, Jesse Daniel Gatlin, and Philip James Gatlin, all of Traskwood; two great-grandchildren: Anna Leigh and Levi Houston Gatlin of Traskwood; sister, Ruth Ann (JH) Crites of Malvern; brother, David Earl Gammill of Benton; friend and companion, Johnny Drennan of Malvern; 12 nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of beloved friends and church family who will all miss her dearly.
Memorial service will be held by family at a date to be announced.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook:www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Katherine “Katie” Saddler, 38, passed away January 25, 2023. Katie was born June 26, 1984 in Little Rock to Linda (Young) Saddler and Harvey Saddler.
Katie is survived by her daughter, Maebry; parents, Linda and Harvey; stepmom, Carolyn; sisters: Sarah (Travis) and Cora; nephew, Conner; nieces: Carsyn, Aven and Atkin; a host of family-aunts, uncles and cousins; and friends who love her and will miss her always.
Katie loved the Lord and was a member of East Union Baptist Church. She loved her family and her precious baby girl Maebry, who was the light of Katie’s life. Katie’s favorite pass time was watching the Real Housewives. She loved to cook. Katie was a teacher for over 16 years. She was a very devoted teacher and loved the children she taught.
Memorial Service is at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 28 at East Union Baptist Church, Hensley, AR.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Brandon Kevin Gretz, 32, of Benton, Arkansas passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in Benton.
Brandon was born on April 19, 1990 in Little Rock to Kevin and Ann Gretz.
Brandon graduated from Benton High School in 2008. He went on to earn an associate degree in applied science, diesel, and heavy equipment from Oklahoma State University at Okmulgee.
For the next ten years Brandon worked in many different facets of the heavy equipment industry. He specialized in hydraulics, electrical, and natural gas processing.
These skills allowed Brandon to achieve his dream of opening his own company, BG Diesel, in 2020. His business served a wide range of clients in the Arkansas construction industry and was still expanding at the time of his passing.
Brandon enjoyed spending time with his family and rooting for the Green Bay Packers. He particularly loved playing and completing projects with his six nephews, who cherished every minute with their “Unc Unc”. He was also an active supporter of his nephew’s school and sports programs.
Brandon is survived by his parents, Kevin and Ann of Benton, his sisters, Dayna Christian (Gordon) of Benton and Tamara Pudinas (Kyle) of Benton, his grandmothers, Eileen Gretz of Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Janet Brockhoff of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and his six nephews, Logan, Charlie, and Austin Pudinas and Barrett, Mitchell, and Carter Christian- all of Benton. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Kenlyn and Lynn Gretz (God Father), Kim and Deb Gretz, Kurt and Linda Gretz, Kelly and Lorie Gretz of Wisconsin, Keith and Robin Gretz of Michigan, Cheryl Benthien (God Mother), Tom and Janelle Ray, and Mike Brockhoff of Wisconsin, as well as numerous cousins and friends.
Brandon was preceded in death by his uncle, Dean Benthien, of Mishicot, Wisconsin and his grandfathers, Kenneth Gretz of Two Creeks, Wisconsin and Melvin Brockhoff of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at Roller Ballard Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 31st from 6-8pm with a Rosary being held prior at 5:30pm.
Brandon’s funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Benton on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 11am.
Memorial Donations may be made in Brandon’s name to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, 818 W. Cross St, Benton, AR, 72015.
Kyle Imogene Cloud Hester of Benton died on January 25, 2023. She was born June 27, 1922, in Monticello to Thomas Richard Cloud, Sr. and Lila Covington Cloud. She is preceded in death by her husband James Hester; sons, Gary Hester and Jimmy Hester; parents, Lila and Thomas Cloud, Sr.; and eleven siblings. Kyle is survived by many nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.
Kyle attended Monticello schools where she played on the high school softball team as a pitcher and made the all-star team. She later attended Monticello A & M College and Draughon Business college in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Kyle was a secretary in the president’s office at the medical school and worked as Moving Inspector at the Ordinance Plant in Jacksonville, AR. She met and married her husband after the war, and they moved to Missoula, Montana, where he attended University. They moved back to Arkansas four years later where she supported both sons during their school years serving as PTA President. She also was elected to the Hot Springs YMCA Board of Directors and worked as a Pink Lady at Saline Memorial Hospital.
Kyle was a member at Baptist churches in Benton, Hot Springs, Monticello, Murfreesboro, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Missoula, Montana; and Many, Louisiana. She was a proud member of the Saline County Art League, the International Art Guild in Hot Springs, and the “Paint Gang”.
She taught pre-teen Sunday classes in Murfreesboro, Pine Bluff, and Hot Springs. She was active in Sunday School, senior adult choir, and Joyful Strummers. She loved yard work, walking, cooking, sewing, creating art, and traveling throughout the United States. She also visited the Holy Land, Jerusalem, Egypt, Germany, Hawaii, and thirteen European countries. She was known by her family and friends for her fried pies and pink divinity.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, at Roller-Alcoa, with burial to follow at Crestview Cemetery in Hot Springs, AR.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Benton building fund.
Nicki Cochran,51, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. She was born to the late, Ronnie White and JoAnn Hedge, on Tuesday, November 23, 1971, in Harrisburg, Arkansas.
Nicki is preceded in death by her father, Ronnie White
She is survived by her husband, Delphard Cochran; mother, JoAnn; along with numerous family and friends who all love her and will miss her dearly.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 at Cameron Cemetery at 1:00 P.M.
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