Vonda Lea Chandler Beaty, affectionately known as “Memaw” by her family entered her heavenly home on November 5, 2022 at the age of 92.
Vonda was born in Malvern, Arkansas on June 30, 1930 to the late Roland Wayne Chandler and Ada Holland Shepard Chandler. She graduated from Harmony Grove School in May of 1948 and married Girdle Beaty, Jr. six days later on May 20, 1948. They lived in Benton their 35 years of married life, raising three sons, Michael, Dennis, Alan, and a daughter, Melinda.
Vonda was a longtime active member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church until health conditions prevented her. She was active in Sunday School classes, refreshment coordinator at Vacation Bible School for years and years, and helped with hospitality meals, parent sponsors on youth trips, and numerous other activities at church. She enjoyed Keenagers immensely. Her life-long friendships formed through church were an important part of her life.
Her ancestry and family were also important to her. She was very proud of her Chandler and Shepard lineage. After her husband died, Vonda served as a volunteer in the Auxiliary at Saline Memorial Hospital for approximately 30 years. She was proud of all the hours she served and loved every minute of it.
Vonda Lea was preceeded in death by her parents, Wayne and Ada Chandler; her husband, Junior Beaty; a son Alan Dale Beaty; brothers, James Donald Chandler, Bobby Wayne Chandler, and Jerry Howell Chandler.
She is survived by son and daughter in law, Mike and Jo Anne Beaty of Waco, Texas; son, Dennis Beaty of Benton, Arkansas; and daughter, Melinda Beaty of Little Rock, Arkansas. Vonda is survived by grandchildren, Zack (Becca) Beaty of Santiago, Chile; Daniel (Allison) Beaty of Austin, Texas; Tamara (Craig) Beaty Scott of Lakeland, Florida; Jonathan (Becky) Bednar of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Ashlee-Paige (Daniel) Holmes of Little Rock, Arkansas. She loved and adored twelve great grandchildren as well, Xander, Anna-Leigh, and Camden of Chile; Blythe, Fisher, Aubrey-Lea, and Hallas of Florida; Cate and Jack of Tennessee; Ava-Lane, Jackson, and Wynne Lea of Arkansas.
Also surviving, sisters in law, Jean Chandler and Frankie Chandler, five nieces, and one nephew that were loved and cherished. Vonda also leaves behind a close friend, much like a sister, Pat Stuckey.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Bednar, Daniel Holmes, Craig Scott, Blythe Scott, Steve Chandler and Gary Thompson.
Visitation will be at Ashby Funeral Home on Thursday, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Church services by Ashby Funeral Home will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church at 2907 Congo Road, Benton, Arkansas with Bro. Herbert Kitchens officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery in Benton.
In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be made to Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church or Saline Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Elmer “Leo” Mercer, 85, of Hensley, Arkansas passed away November 5, 2022. Elmer was born May 23, 1937 to the late Charles Mercer and Josie Mae (Garner) Mercer.
Elmer loved his family more than anything. He loved his wife until the day he passed. He would tell his wife and family members how beautiful she was daily. No matter what he always put his wife first. If anything was broken, he could always fix it. He was even the “shade tree mechanic” and fixed everyone’s cars. Elmer was feisty, yet was also the most caring man. If anyone needed something, he would always step up and take care of it. He worked for Entergy for over 18 years. Once he retired, they lived their lives to the fullest. Elmer loved the outdoors, especially camping and fishing. He loved the Lord with his whole heart. When someone would come over and ask how he was, he would always respond, pretty good, mostly pretty. Elmer was a wonderful man that will be missed dearly.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents: Charles Mercer and Josie Mae (Garner) Mercer; and daughter, Janice Sue Mercer.
Elmer is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Elva (Brazil) Mercer; son, Gregory Mercer; daughter, Tammy Houge and husband, Danny; grandchildren: Amanda Archer and husband, Chris, Jennifer Carlson and husband, Austin, Timothy Houge and wife, Robyn, Carrie Kirkman and husband, Johnathon, Corey Hogue and wife, Elizabeth, Teddy Barnard and wife, Savanah, Dalton Mercer and wife, Haley, and Coleman mercer; 19 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other family members and friends that will all miss him dearly.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St, Benton, AR 72015. Funeral Service is Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 AM, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home followed by a burial at Salem Cemetery, East End, Arkansas.
Services entrust to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Mary “Frances” Williams, a devoted homemaker and mother, a woman who loved well and was well loved, gained her wings at the age of 89 early Saturday morning, November 5, 2022, on her late mother, Perry Lou’s birthday. What a wonderful reunion that must have been in heaven.
Frances was the third of four children, born November 11, 1932 to Floyd and Perry Lou Wallace in Paron, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her parents and two of her siblings: Johnnie and James “Dub” Wallace, and her daughter, Mary Ann Gardner.
She is survived by her sister, Betty (Bill) Abbott of Benton, Arkansas; three daughters: Patricia Williams and Julie Williams both of Paron, Arkansas and Alice (Charlie) Rogers of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; three sons: Dwight Williams of Benton, Arkansas, James Williams and Gerald Williams both of Paron, Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews; and her little dog, Cupcake aka “Cuppie”.
Graveside service will be held Thursday, November 10 at Fowler Cemetery in Paron, Arkansas with visitation from 10:00-10:30 AM and funeral following at 10:30 AM. Assisting as pallbearers are Jesse Reising, Stetson Reising, Robert Purifoy, Sr., Jerry Moore, Jason Martin, John Martin, Wesley Martin, and Parker Nally. Honorary pallbearer is Bill Abbott.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Joyce Faye Earnest, 81, of Benton, Arkansas gained her angel wings on Friday, November 4th, 2022. She was born to the late, Charles and Fannie Mae (Archer) Horn, on Tuesday, January 28th, 1941, in Chickalah, Arkansas. Joyce enjoyed taking care of her plants, flowers, and all the neighborhood animals. She also enjoyed watching football. She had a very challenging childhood, but through all she was delt, she was such a caring and thoughtful person. She always opened her doors to anyone that needed a warm place to sleep and a full belly. She didn’t turn anyone away. Joyce’s kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry Jackson Earnest, Sr.; two brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her six children, Charles Earnest (Melanie), Cindy Gunter (Keith), Jackie Earnest (Tina), Janice Blakley, Henry Earnest, Jr., and Patricia Adams; thirteen grandchildren, Rickey (Amy), Somer (Jonathan), Preston, Steven (Amanda), Charlie, Brooke, Amber, Crystal (Joey), Crystal (Justin), LaTasha (Jerry), Dakota (Aleena), Joshua, and Joni; thirty two great grandchildren, Kimbree, Andee, Macee, Riley, Raylin, Beckett, Cora, Madison, Hunter, Kaitlyn, Brooklyn, Lane, Everly Rose, Karley, Katy, Karson, Rylee, Zadin, Ben, Blaklee, Whitney, Tyler, Jolie, James Jr, Isabella, John Henry, Kayla, Michael, Peyton, Faye Anne, Jackson, and Tabitha; along with a host of other family and friends who all love her and will miss her dearly.
Joyce’s visitation will be held on Thursday, November 10th, 2022, from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the funeral home.
To sign her online guestbook, visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.
Services provided by Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.
Thomas Robert Napton
Born: Great Falls, Montana on November 10, 1943
Died: Little Rock Arkansas on November 5, 2022
Tom was the second of three sons of Welling and Alice (Hogan) Napton.
Tom’s family moved from Great Falls to Missoula shortly after Tom’s birth where Tom attended Saint Anthony Grade School, Loyola High School (Class of 1962), University of Montana (B.A. in history/Political Science) class of 1966 and University of Montana School of Law (Juris Doctorate) Class of 1976.
Tom spent his career as a Legal and Compliance Counsel. Tom provided legal and compliance counsel, via senior level management positions, for over 25 years. Mostly in Aero Space Industries. He is a member of the National Air & Space Museum’s Wall of Honor. He retired and lived in Merritt Island, Florida, Abbeville, South Carolina and finally Bryant, Arkansas to be near his wife’s family.
Tom was married to Margaret (Peggy) Sorge on November 17, 1979. They lived in Missoula, Seattle and Seal Beach, Ca. with her two children, Stacia Talpai now of Seabeck, Washington and Brett Copeland now of Los Angeles, California. Margaret (Peggy) passed away from cancer in 1989 in Long Beach, Ca.
Tom remained in California. After the kids were out of the house, he retired from Boeing and moved to Summerland, Ca to own a video store. While there, he met Carol Van Dyke and they were married February 26, 2000. Tom then went to work for the United Space Alliance in Cape Kennedy, Florida. They remained there until Tom’s final retirement, and they moved to Greensboro, South Carolina. After a few years, they moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas to be near Carol’s family.
When they both had health issues they moved into The Manor in Bryant, Arkansas. Tom passed away after a long series of illnesses and Carol remains at The Manor, cared for by her daughter, Jerri Lynne Van Dyke and family.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol, her daughter, Jerri Lynne, her son, Ronald Van Dyke and her grandson, Jared Cohen, his brother, Denis Napton of Orcutt, California and his step kids, Stacia and Brett, niece, Kim (Napton) Hunt, many cousins and innumerable friends.
He is preceded in death by his big brother, William (Bill), in 1994 and his wife, Peggy in 1989.
His life was a big life and he leaves an unfillable space.
Cynthia Dian Evans, 64, of Traskwood, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 5, 2022. She was born to, Floyd James and Flora Mae (Jackson) Moore, on Friday, December 6, 1957, in Malvern, Arkansas. Cynthia enjoyed singing at her church, Walnut Church of God, and around the house!
She is preceded in death by her father, Floyd Moore; one brother, Gary Moore; and her husband, Edgar “Bubba” McCool.
She is survived by her son, Daniel Evans (Kayla); mother, Flora M. Moore; grandson, Daxton; two sisters, Deborah Gail Smith (Butch) and Karen Lynn Bowen; special friend, Randall Carroll; her dog, Gracie; 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 Friday, November 11, 2022, at 12:00 P.M. with the visitation one hour prior at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Arkansas.
To sign her online guestbook, visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.
Services provided by Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.
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