Barbara Sue Hinkson, age 87, of Benton passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at her home. She was born August 26, 1935 in Grant County. Barbara was a retired retail sales clerk and a member of Old Union Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Young and Violet and Ralph Maynard, two daughters, Jayme Hinson and Vicki Reynolds.
Survivors include her husband, David Hinkson and two grandchildren, Weston Hinson and Devin Reynolds.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Old Union Baptist Church. Minister will be Bro Philip Hinkson.
In lieu of flowers gifts may be sent to Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries at 9701 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Franklin Elvis Wright, 88 of Alexander, passed away on February 10, 2023. He was born on October 20, 1934 in Woodruff County, Arkansas to the late David and Chloe Holmes Wright. Franklin was a member of Avilla Missionary Baptist Church and was a Perfusionist for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Eugene Wright and Ronald Wright.
Franklin is survived by his wife, Lois Wright, son, Elvis Lynn (Paula) Wright and daughters, Virginia Ann (Ronald) Burnett, Tara (Nigel) Peet, brothers, Roger Wright, Clarence Wright and sister, Joyce Hedgebeth, five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Reaves, Michael Reaves, Nigel Peet, Josh Wright, Gavin Wright, Calvin Hill and Honorary Pallbearer, Ron Burnett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avilla Missionary Baptist Church.
Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at Forest Hills Cemetery and Church services at Avilla Missionary Baptist Church will follow the graveside at 12:00 p.m. with Bro. Kirby Caple officiating.
Ted Pritchard Polk, age 94, Magnolia, AR, died February 10, 2023 in Benton, Arkansas.
Ted was born July 10, 1928 in Hamlet, North Carolina. He worked 35 years as a geologist in the field of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. He worked for the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, and the Monterey Oil Company of California. He retired with the Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Company in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
A long-time member of Magnolia First United Methodist Church and later Greer’s Chapel Methodist Church, at the time of his death Ted was a member of Sardis UMC in Bauxite, Arkansas. Ted was also a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the New Orleans Geological Society, and the Lafayette, Louisiana Geological Society. He received a B.S. degree in geology from Duke University and a M.S. degree in geology from Texas A&M University, both of which gave him great pride. A man of deepest integrity, he loved cars and planes and throughout his life talked fondly about his boyhood experiences as a young pilot in Hamlet.
Ted was preceded in death by his loving wife Nancy White Polk, his parents Ted and Ada O’Brien Polk of Hamlet, North Carolina, his half-brother Howard Lackey, also of Hamlet, and his grandson Daniel Polk of Benton, AR. Ted is survived by his son James P. Polk and wife Patty of Benton, Arkansas; his daughter Martha L. Johnston and husband Kerry of Cary, North Carolina; his son Robert B. Polk and wife Caroline of Alexandria, Virginia; and grandchildren Emily Polk Sparks and Jonathan Polk; Kirsten Johnston Davis and Matthew, Meghan, and Kyle Johnston; and Kristina and Thomas Polk.
The family is grateful to all the caregivers of both Pleasant Hills Adult Senior Services and Saline Memorial Hospice, both of Bryant, AR, for the wonderful care offered during Ted’s final weeks of life.
The family will hold a graveside service at a later date for Ted, whose ashes will be buried at the Old Minden Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana. Memorial gifts may be made to either Sardis UMC at 10517 W. Sardis Rd, Bauxite, AR 72011 or Pleasant Hills Senior Services at 3418 Main St #100, Bryant, AR 72022.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Son, Husband, Daddy, Paw-Paw, Friend, Santa, Gentle Giant. These are just some of the words used to describe Jerry Runyan.
Jerry Stuart Runyan, Jr. was born on August 11, 1957. From the moment he was born, he had a larger than life presence. He was welcomed to this world in Fort Smith, AR to Jerry Stuart Runyan, Sr, Rosemary Runyan, and an overprotective big sister, Lynne. He graduated high school from Pine Bluff High School in 1975. His first job was at Pizza Inn, where he learned to sling pizza dough like a pro, a skill he would use for years to come to impress family and friends. He then got a job stocking Coke machines on college campuses. It was during that time he realized all the pretty girls go to college, so he was going to go to college, too.
He attended UCA where he met the prettiest of all the girls, the love of his life Sharon Dains, on the front steps of the cafeteria. From that moment on, they were inseperable. Jerry and Sharon were wed on May 20, 1978.
Jerry chose to take a break from college to start a family but was always determined to finish his degree. He graduated with his Social Work Degree in 1984 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
In 1984, Jerry and Sharon moved to Benton, AR to set deep roots. They had 3 beautiful (and just as stubborn as their Daddy) daughters: Rosemary, Rachel, and Catherine. Summers were always spent camping, going to Silver Dollar City, and seeing who could hold onto the tube the longest when Daddy was driving the boat. He prided himself on being able to scare off boyfriends coming to pick up his girls just by opening the front door. All 3 daughters were Daddy’s Girls, through and through.
Jerry was a Social Worker for the Arkansas Department of Corrections for 25 years. In his time, he helped start the BootCamp Program, worked to write the programming for Mental Health in the system, and eventually became Mental Health Coordinator for the State of Arkansas Department of Corrections. The number of lives he touched and changed during his service is immeasurable.
Throughout his life, Jerry seemed to always bring joy with him by choosing to find the good in every situation. He was a mountain of a man at 6’7″ but had a heart of gold. He was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church. He was one of the best church league basketball players, the most fun youth counselor, and continued to support the childrens and youth programs through the years.
He was passionate about the Razorbacks and was their #1 Arm-Chair Coach. He was famous in the neighborhood for his extra loud coaching and cheering. If the windows were open, the whole street could hear his yelling at the TV. Like any true hippie, he loved rock and roll and everything tie-dye. He was notorious for saying “I’ll go, but can I still wear my tie-dye?”
Of all the titles he held in this life, Paw-Paw was one of his most favorite. Jerry had 3 grandchildren: Raeghan Powell, Will Heyl, and Corbin Heyl. They were the light of his life and best friends. Paw-Paw had the coolest toys (including over 13,000 Hot Wheels cars), the best jokes, and always snuck extra chocolate for dessert when parents weren’t looking.
Jerry spent the last several years fighting multiple health issues, but boy did he ever fight! His family was everything to him and he was determined that nothing was going to take him from his family. He fought with every ounce of his being until the very end. Surrounded by his family, on Feb 11 at 1:34am, Jerry took his last breath here on Earth and was welcomed Home by his Savior, his parents, sister, and special family friend Amy.
The family wants to say a special thanks to the medical staff that cared for and saved Jerry many times the last few years, notably Dr. Deb Quade, Dr. Lewis Porter, and APRN Lori Wise.
Pallbearers are family friends Steve Emmons and Chuck McGinty, Brother-in-law Mike Schmidt, and sons-in-law Kier Heyl, Russell Powell, and LJ Marlett.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 16 from 6-8pm at Roller Alcoa Funeral Home. Services will be officiated by Rev Justin Ledbetter on Friday, February 17 at 1pm at Salem United Methodist Church in Benton with Graveside to follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salem United Methodist Church Youth Group.
Hugo Carl Frank, Jr. 87 of Alexander, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 11,2023.
Carl was born on February 12, 1935, to Hugo Carl Frank Sr. and Nadine (Machen) Frank in Lampasas, Texas. After Carl graduated from Lampasas High School he went on to study business at Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches, Texas.
After graduating with a degree in business and a 3-year 6 month stint in the United States Army, he went on to work in the insurance field for over 35 years until he retired. After retirement he enjoyed many years fishing, gardening, and spending all his free time with the love of his life Peggy, his spouse for over 44 years.
Carl is proceeded in death by his parents Hugo Carl Frank Sr, and Nadine Frank, brother Ben William, sister Elva Jean McFaull, and brother-in-law Steve. Carl is survived by his wife Peggy, one niece, 5 nephews, and numerous cousins and friends.
Graveside service for Carl will be held at Straley Cemetery in Adamsville, Texas on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 11:00am.
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