Martha Jean Still (Jean), 77 of Benton, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was born March 27, 1945 in Malvern, Arkansas to the late Selma Ellis and Perry Hulsey. Jean was a member of the Forest Hills Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. She retired after 21 years from Benton Service Center,but held many titles throughout her life. Jean met her husband, Wayne Still in 1962 after a double date, in which they soon realized was with the wrong person. The couple were married September 5, 1963 and haven’t left each other’s side in 59 years. Jean was a housewife and full-time mother of four sons. She taught Sunday school, was a Cub Scout leader, and babysat a slew of children including her own great-grandchildren.
Jean was the kind of woman who never met a stranger. She loved her family fiercely and spoke with them daily. Some of her favorite things to do were to go on “Sister Trips” or spend time with her family. Jean was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening and all things Elvis Presley. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Mae Gentry and Vera Kincaid; infant brother, Oe Ritchey.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne Still of Benton, Arkansas; four sons: Michael (Sandy) Still of Benton, Arkansas, Terry (Nicole) Still of Benton, Arkansas, Mark (Kimberly) Still of Benton, Arkansas, and Paul (Karen) Still, Bela Vista, Arkansas; ten grandchildren, Cameron (Brittany) Still, Carah Still, Katlyn (Caleb) Webb, Holly Still, Ashley Still, Zachary (Devyn) Jones, Bailey (Colton) Smith, Hannah Still, Clera Still, and Asher Still; five great-grandchildren; three sisters: Tressie (Thomas) McJunkins, Ruthie (Lenard) McJunkins, and Jill McJunkins.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday at Ashby’s.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Traskwood Cemetery. Minister will be Junior McJunkins.
Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Nancy “Blair” McIlroy Taylor Ragsdale, 72, of Hensley, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on March 17, 2023. She was born February 10, 1951 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Jeff Blair McIlroy and Nancy Shores McIlroy.
Blair was a life member of the Mabelvale United Methodist Church where she served as the outreach director for over ten years. She was the most loving and giving person, who never met a stranger. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to her and she would do anything for them. Blair enjoyed cooking (which she was fabulous at), playing bridge with her group of friends, and going to the beach.
Blair leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband of over thirty years, Doug Ragsdale; son: Jeff Taylor and wife Katherine; daughter, Melissa Crosby and husband Kevin; son, Douglas B. Ragsdale; grandchildren: Hannah Crosby, and Shane Ragsdale; great-grandchildren: Gabe Ragsdale and Myleigh Blanchard; brother, Dick McIlroy and wife Cheri; sister, Nim Barnett and husband Larry; and a host of neices, nephews and family and friends who love Blair and will miss her forever.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 24, at Mabelvale United Methodist Church, 10500 Woodman St., Mabelvale, Arkansas 72103.
Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
J.D. Barnhill, 84, of Alexander, Arkansas, passed away March 18, 2023. He was born on March 20, 1938 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to the late James Tollar Barnhill and Ola Mae Morgan Barnhill.
J.D. worked in construction most of his life, with over 30 years of dedicated service with Royal-Windows and Doors. He was a hard worker and was extremely dedicated to family. J.D. was easy going and an all-around great guy. He enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing and listening to blue grass music. J.D. was loved by all who knew him.
Preceding J.D. in death are his parents; and sister, Wanda Welch.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Barnhill; son, Jim Barnhill; daughter, Patricia Skaggs and husband Steven; grandchildren: Erica, Trina, Andrew, Bradley, Ashley, and Alicia; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends who love J.D. and will miss him always.
Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 22, followed by funeral service at 11:00 AM, officiated by Rev. Benny Grant, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. Burial to follow at Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Arkansas.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Tina Marie Lowe, 60, of Benton, Arkansas passed away March 19, 2023. She was born on August 28, 1962 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Carroll and Anna (Harris) Martindale.
Tina was the best mother and loved her family more than anything. Going to the movies with her sons was the highlight of Tina’s week. Tina enjoyed spending time at the lake and being outdoors. Her special fur baby, Jax, was dearly loved and a part of the family.
Tina leaves behind to cherish her memory two sons: Micheal Lowe and Chris Lowe; grandsons: Brendon and Braedon; brothers: Terry (Dawn) and Mark; sister, Diane; and many family members and friends who love Tina and will miss her always.
Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM, Thursday, March 23 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas with graveside service following at Martindale Cemetery, Bigelow, Arkansas.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Lela Mae “Dean” Ellis of Little Rock, Arkansas went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the age of 86 years old.
Dean Ellis was born in Conway, Arkansas on Friday, September 18, 1936, and was the eighth child out of eleven children born to the late, Charley and Minnie Andrew James. Dean grew up in the Conway and Mayflower, Arkansas area and her father and mother were sharecropper farmers. She and her siblings learned at an early age how to work hard. She often told stories about being a little girl of three, picking cotton in the fields with her family and as she got older, cutting and hauling wood and helping with all the farm work with her father. She left the farm and moved to Little Rock in the late 1950’s, where she became a car hop at the Blue Goose Drive Inn. There she met and married the love of her life, John “Jug” Ellis.
Dean will be greeted in heaven by her husband, John; parents, Charley and Minnie James; brothers, Junior, Roy, Harold, CW, and Joseph; sisters, Mary, Pearl, Wilma, Josephine, and Martha; son-in-law, Glen Watts; granddaughter, Tamara Eason Cambron; and her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her four daughters, Jo Ann McCormack, Pam Forrest (Dewayne), Anita Bobo (Douglas), and Jackie Eason (Bill); five grandchildren, Bryan Stires (Jamie), Danielle Lindley (Matt), Jonathon Bobo (Rhea), Nathan Forrest (Jessica), and Brandon Forrest (Brianna); thirteen great grandchildren, Brandon Smith (Raquel), Kaleigh, Raley, and Kindle Stires, Mason and Elizabeth Ashcraft, John Ryan, Avery, Eli, and Easton Forrest, Brantley and Tensley Bobo, and Carma Cambron; three great great grandchildren, Oliver and Jasper Smith and Landon Stires; along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Dean loved the Lord and made a point to read her Bible and spend time in prayer every single day. She was a great prayer warrior for her family and friends. She was a member of Ironton Baptist Church and enjoyed her church and church family. She was a devoted daughter and took great care of her mother and father in their later years. Dean retired from Lucent Technologies in the late 1980’s. She was a hard worker and passed her work ethic onto her children. She was a determined person and she always made sure that her family had a nice home and that it was always clean and put together. She enjoyed going shopping and always looked forward to her Saturday shopping sprees. She loved to have pretty things all around the house and she loved to dress up. She always made a point to look nice. In her later years, she loved going to flea markets and specialty shops where she could find little treasures to take home. She also enjoyed attending antique car shows. She loved taking her trips to Branson, where she would go see her favorite group, “New South.” Some of the songs that are played today are from their CD’s.
Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. with the visitation held one hour prior at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
Click this link to see other obituaries.