Josie Maye Smith, 52 of Benton, passed away on May 6, 2022. She was born on September 29, 1969 in Little Rock to the late George and Annie Moore Pritchard.
Josie was survived by her daughters, Jennifer Renee Brown, Beverly Gail Brown, Maggie Lue Brown and Beth Ann Brown, step children, Nychole Willingham, Scott Morris, Michael Morris, Vicki Smith, Miranda Smith and Thomas Smith, numerous grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Josie touched many lives and will be missed by many.
Walker (Buzz) Duff Ragland, 71, of Benton and formally of Wabbaseka, made his last wildly inappropriate and probably sarcastic comment May 17, 2022. He was born on December 4, 1950 to Lillian and Frank Ragland. Buzz was raised in the Wabbaseka community at Ragland Farms where he wreaked most of his havocs but enjoyed every moment of it.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother and one sister, Jane Grigg.
Buzz leaves behind to cherish his memory, two daughters, Jennifer Owens and Leah Atherley (Chad). In addition, one sister, Frances Ragland Moore, three grandsons, Jacob (Jake), Ethan (Opie) and Jackson (Happy Jack), and one granddaughter, Jillian (Rabbit) and a host of family and beloved friends.
Although a less than average life span, Buzz did not live an average life. He traveled where he wanted to travel, made inappropriate comments at every chance, learned what he wanted to learn, fixed what he wanted to fix and loved who he wanted to love.
The family would like to thank Divine Home Health Care, LLC for their attentive care. Karen, Sara, Sandy, Iris, Jasmine, Yury and Jordan, you all were a delight and we will never forget how well you took care of our father.
The family will have a celebration of life at the home of Leah and Chad Atherley on Saturday, May 21st from 2 p.m. until the last drop of Johnny Walker is gone. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The home is located at 2900 Coldwater Drive, Benton, Arkansas 72019.
Howard Gaston, 85, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away May 13, 2022. Howard was born January 5, 1937 to the late Howard Gaston and Tess (Wandaloski) Gaston.
Howard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Resa (Long) Gaston; two daughters, Dawn Steward and Shannon McKinzie; two sons, Scott McKinzie and Shawn McKinzie; grandchildren: Ashley, Dylan, Easton, and Ryan; great-grandchildren: LuLu, R.J., Mariah, Zane and a sweet great-grandbaby on the way; sister, Karen; special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Tommy; as well as a host of other family members and friends that will miss him dearly.
Howard worked for 30 years as an Engineer. He taught for 20 years and always enjoyed his work. He was also in the Air Force for four years. Howard loved his family most of all. He was a jack of all trades, even if he had to go buy a book to study it. Howard enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, puzzles, and traveling.
Graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 18 at 10:00 at Forrest Hills Memorial Park,10200 AR-5, Alexander.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com
Billy Wayne McChesney passed away peacefully in his sleep in Bryant, Arkansas on May 14, 2022, surrounded by his family as he went to be with his Heavenly Father. Billy was born January 15, 1942, in Harmony Grove, Arkansas to Luke and Trevah McChesney. Billy loved spending time with his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Billy Graduated from Harmony Grove High School in 1960. He worked at Colvert’s Dairy for three years before moving to El Dorado, working for Ouachita Valley Dairy for 16 more years. The end of his working life led him to being employed by Sears for 11 years until his retirement in 1991. Billy married Sharon Kaye Martin on September 1, 1961, in Lawton, Oklahoma at Calvary Baptist Church and were happily married as each other’s lifelong companions for 61 years. They were blessed with two children, Kevin and Karen.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Billy was an avid reader and active member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church. Other hobbies of Billy’s were gardening, wood working, and forever adding new updates to his home in Bryant, Arkansas. Billy will be remembered for his laughter, making jokes, pranks on his wife and family, traveling, playing games, recording important moments, taking pictures, and having fun with his children and grandchildren. His laughter was infectious and was known as the epitome of unconditional love for his family and friends. His spirit strengthened everyone around him, and to him, no one was ever a stranger. He was beloved by so many and had the sweetest soul. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Billy is survived by his loving wife, Sharon McChesney, two children; Kevin McChesney and wife, Rachelle, and Karen Spears and husband, Allen; his brother, Bobby McChesney and wife, Delores; sister, Betty Johnson and husband, Bill; nine grandchildren, Heather Golden and husband, Paul, Holly Johnson and husband, Jacob, Tyler Brown, Justin Brown and wife, Wendy Brown, Ashley Cooper and husband, Caleb Cooper, Matthew McChesney, Leah McChesney, Kristin Brown and Austin Brown; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Parker Golden, Esther Johnson, Jared Brown, Jonah Brown, Harlie Brown, and Paisley Cooper.
A Funeral Service will be Friday, May 20, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., in the Chapel of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, 6700 Alcoa Road, Benton. Visitation will be Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home. Interment following the service will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
Marilyn Edith Lequieu, 82, of Benton, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, May 17th, 2022. She was born to the late, Gordon and Gladys Mullins Wright, on Thursday, July 27th, 1939, in Benton, Arkansas. Marilyn enjoyed antiquing and working in the flower beds, but most of all, spending time with her family and church family.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Steve DePriest; daughter, Paula James; and granddaughter, Ashley James.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Lequieu; four children, Ricky, Kevin, Steve (Ronda) Depriest, and Robin (Crystal) Lequieu; eleven grandchildren, Jason, Karla, Kamron, Lane, Cheyenne, Henry, Hadley, Zach, Paige, Hunter, and Tanner; nine great grandchildren; two brothers, Sam Wright and Tommy Wright; one sister, Lucille Bagley; along with a host of other family and friends who all love her and will miss her dearly.
Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 19th, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Sharon Baptist Church: 402 Shenandoah Road, Benton, Arkansas 72019 with visitation held on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.
Services provided by Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.