DOROTHY LEOLA HENTHORNE, life-long resident of Saline County, died peacefully on Tuesday January 22, 2019, two days before her 101st birthday. Life began on January 24, 1918, on a winter night so cold that the doctor crossed a frozen Saline River on horseback. Preceding Ms. Henthorne in death were her husband, Horace R. Henthorne, parents, James Allen Lee Moore and Ruth Ellen (Robinette) Moore, sister, Lillian Mae Glidewell and grandson, Mark Gould. Survivors include brother, Lynn A. Moore, sister Linda Keaton, son, Richard R. Henthorne, daughters, Theresa Brown and Barbara Gould, grandchildren are Michelle Fincher, Michael Brown, Pamela Huffman, David Gould, Celeste Pitts, Teresa Hossley, Thomas Henthorne, Richard L. Henthorne, Christy Baker, and Angi Henthorne. She was blessed with great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and many Nieces and nephews. Ms. Henthorne was a licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse who had a 52-year career in the nursing field. Very special to her were the members of her Sunday School class and friends at First Baptist Church of Benton, where she was a member for many years. The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Martindale, the staff of Heartland Rehab and Nursing Care and the staff of Saline Hospice. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Friday at Smith Rosemont Cemetery by Ashby Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:00 AM Friday before the service at the cemetery. Pallbearers: Thomas Henthorne, Richard L. Henthorne, Michael Brown, David Gould, Jonathon Huffman, Evan Huffman. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
BARBARA LYNN TAYLOR, 63 of Benton, passed away on January 24, 2019. She was born on June 25, 1955 in Jefferson City, Kansas to the late Henry and Margie Sue Foshee Adams. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ronnie Adams and sister, Phyllis Adams. Barbara is survived by her sons, Glenn Tyson of Haskell, Trampas Tyson, Dusty Taylor and Francisco Ramirez all of Benton, daughters, Katy and Carmen Ramirez, both of Benton, brothers, Steve Foshee of Traskwood, Ricky Adams of Haskell, James Adams of Hot Springs and four grandchildren, Dalton Davis, Megan Tyson, Daliee Taylor and Kincade Richards. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 27 at Ashby Funeral Home, 5:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. On line guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
ODETTE CASTANON GOMBRICH was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on May 18, 1925 and went to be with her Savior on January 22, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose And Carmen Castanon, daughter, Deborah and son, Eric. Odette is survived by her sons and their wives, David (Laura) Gombrich, Robert (Diane) Gombrich, grandsons, Joshua, Christopher, Michael (Allison) and their children, great granddaughters, Ruby and Melody. She was a devout Christian that served her community for decades. Odette did everything from handing out sandwiches to the homeless in parks, to answering the phones for a local shelter. She gave of herself until she could no longer give. What she missed most was using her Hispanic heritage and ability to speak Spanish, to help non English speaking students and their parents in local schools. She was blessed with new friends and a very special teacher that became her closest friend. Odette was a fun loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved to travel, spend time with family, friends and volunteer. She will be greatly missed by all. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 26th at 3:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton. On line guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
JOY LEE TOWNSEND WESTBROOK, age 92, of Benton passed away peacefully on January 23, 2019 at Saline Memorial Hospital. Born Joy Lee Townsend on August 20, 1926, the second child and first daughter of Charlie Lee Townsend and Emma Jean Myers Townsend in Willow, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Thomas Edward Townsend, M.D. of Pine Bluff; a little sister, Billie Dove Townsend. Joy lost the love of her life, Aaron C. “Happy” Westbrook, Jr., her husband of 63 years on June 15, 2014. She is survived by two sons, Jeff Westbrook (Karen) of Tull and Curtis Westbrook of Benton; three grandchildren, Lt. Colonel Lance Westbrook (Tyler) of Toano, Virginia, Cameron Westbrook and April Westbrook of Nashville, Tennessee; one great granddaughter, Emery Catherine Westbrook of Toano, Virginia; five nephews and five nieces. Joy graduated from Gurdon High School in 1944. In the summer of 1944, Joy and several friends volunteered for service in the United States War Department in Washington, D.C. Joy worked in the newly completed Pentagon Building as a clerk/typist, writing notifications to families about their service members. About a year later she returned to Bauxite, Arkansas, where her parents were living. Joy enrolled at Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia in the fall of 1946. She pledged Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and was elected to the Homecoming Court in 1947. Joy was a member of Reddie Oracle staff, which was the campus newspaper. Joy left Henderson to work for the Arkansas Power and Light Company at Bauxite. She met Happy Westbrook of Benton in 1949 and married June 22, 1951 at the Bauxite Methodist Church. Making their home in Benton, they started a family with the birth of Jeff in 1952 and Curtis in 1959. Joy started working for the Bauxite and Northern Railway in 1955 and worked there for approx.. 15 years. Joy was also a volunteer for Saline Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Joy also helped with CJOHN. She was an early member of the Benton Talisman Club, where she had many lifelong friends and good times. Joy was a member of Benton First United Methodist Church for 67 years. Joy never met a stranger and with her smile and conversation, no one who met her ever forgot her. Chapel Memorial services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 2:00 p.m. on Monday with Rev. Randy Reed officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. before services. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Benton First United Methodist Church Music Department. Family comments: We thank from our hearts the present and past staff of Four Seasons Assisted Living for making the last two years and nine months a wonderful time. It was her home. On line guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
MARY ELOUISE FISCHER, age 86, of Benton passed away Friday January 25, 2019. She was born April 23, 1932 in Lonoke County to the late Rudolph and Minnie Coffman Walker. Elouise was a retired Cafeteria worker for the Benton Schools and a Housewife and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Benton. She was also preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Survivors, husband, Paul Fischer, Benton; sons, Mike Fischer, Lonsdale; and Steve Fischer, Benton; daughters, Susan Krone, Hope; Paula Kaskie, Denver; sister, Joann Bibbs, Maumelle; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Rosary services will be held at 6:00 PM Monday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with visitation starting at 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Church services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Benton. Online guest book at ashbyfuneralhome.com
STELLA RUTH ADAMS, 79, of Mabelvale, Arkansas passed away on January 20, 2019. She was born on May 1, 1939. Service arrangements are currently pending and will be updated when determined. www.dialdudelyfuneralhome.com
ETHEL LOUISE GREENABAUM, 72, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on January 23, 2019. She was born to Nick and Mary Steadman on May 13, 1946. She loved to dance and go shopping. She loved to spend time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Marvin Dale Miller; second husband, Milton Kurttila. She is survived by her loving husband, William “Bill” Greenabaum; son, Robert Miller; two sisters, Kathy Eley from Dallas and Patti Reed (Russell) from Tucson; along with a host of other family and friends who love and miss her dearly. The celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.
JERRELL FLAKE WILKINS, 87, of Alexander Passed away on January 24, 2019.He enjoyed Camping and traveling, fishing and spending time with his church family and friends and he loved his animals. Jerrell is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Peggy Ruth Wilkins. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Miller (Steve) of Little Rock. The visitation will be held Monday January 28, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. The celebration of life, will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 1:00p.m at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Otter Creek, Arkansas. To sign online guest book please go to www.dialdudelyfuneralhome.com
ESTHER MARIE ROGERS, 74, of Traskwood, Arkansas passed away January 24, 2019. She was born May 18, 1944 in Benton, Arkansas to the late Roy and Juanita (Foster) Smith. Esther served the Lord with all her heart and was of the Baptist faith. She was a talented quilter and seamstress. Esther’s greatest joy was raising her children, and her special granddaughter whom she obtained custody of and was her name sake, Kailee Esther. She loved her dogs, Lucky and Jughead, who were her constant companions. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Dorothy Lawrence. She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Juanita Rogers-Johnston of Traskwood, Arkansas, Robert Rogers, Kelly McGee, Samuel Rogers, and Louis Rogers all of Benton, Arkansas; grandchildren: Tristan Lequieu, Krystal Rogers, Liz, Bobby, and Mark McGee, Albert, Amy, and Christopher Rogers, Brandy Quantz, Monica Greer, Joseph Johnston, Grayson, Kailee, and Dick Rogers; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings: George Smith and wife Patricia of Oklahoma, Mac and Vera Smith of Leola, Arkansas, Wayne Smith of Benton, Arkansas, Sue Burks of Jessieville, Arkansas, Bobby Lee and Amanda Smith of Traskwood, Arkansas, and Doris Dean Keene of Russellville, Arkansas; special caregiver, Jessica Greer; and a host of family and friends who love Esther and will miss her always. Reception visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM, Tuesday January 29, 2019, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas with Graveside service following at Social Hill Cemetery in Benton. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook:www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
BILLIE ANN HOBBS, 78, of Alexander, AR, passed away on January 24th, 2019. She was born in Dallas, Texas on December 17th 1940 to parents Ruby Lee and B.F. Tidwell. Billie was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Bill, as well as the family’s dogs: Max and Bruiser, who are all celebrating her arrival in Heaven. Billie had a mischievous, fun personality and loved to pull pranks on her family to get a laugh out of them. Those left to cherish Billie’s memory are her two children: Jason J. Hobbs of Little Rock and Lori A. Hobbs of Alexander; one granddaughter, who was the apple of her eye: Haley Hobbs; her sister: Eva K. (Harold) Heflin of Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 27th, 2019 from 5 to 8 PM at Pinecrest Funeral Home (7401 HWY 5 N, Alexander, AR, 72002) and a funeral service will occur the following day at the same location, Monday, January 28th, 2019 at 1 PM.