William H. “Bill” Shutt, 85, of Bryant, Arkansas passed away on December 12, 2021, due to complications related to COVID-19. Bill was born on March 2, 1936, to Clarence and Ada Cone Shutt in St. Charles, IA. He was married on June 20, 1958, to Norma Jean Kelly Shutt in West Des Moines, IA. They were married almost 50 years until her death on January 12, 2008. He served in the Air National Guard of Iowa for three years. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ada Shutt; brother, Russell “Butch” Shutt; two sisters, Shirley Lindsay and Loretta Lamb. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Shutt of Benton, AR; his son Rick (Deana) of Benton, AR; granddaughters Taylor (Chris) McDade of Benton, AR and Krissy Shutt of Springfield, MO; three great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and close friends. His absence is deeply felt, but his presence in our lives will forever be cherished and never forgotten. At Bill’s request there will not be a funeral service.
Ida “Faye” Boyette Wise, 93, of Benton went to her heavenly home on December 12, 2021. She was born July 4, 1928, to Odie and Donnie Camp Boyette. She was faithfully married to Walter L. Wise, Sr. and was a member of Harmony Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, and two brothers, Don and John Boyette. Mrs. Wise was a loving homemaker, a poet, and a published author. She is survived by three sons Walter L. Wise, Jr (Judy), Joe Wise (Linda), and Mark Wise (Cindy) and one daughter Cheryl Cook (Mike), nine grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Butch and Dale (Karen) Boyette, and one sister, Linda Taylor. Mrs. Wise was a member of the AR Poet’s Roundtable since 1982 and in 2002 was the recipient of Arkansas’ Merit Award for outstanding service to the organization. She had been selected by the executive board of the Poets Roundtable of AR as one of five honorary positions in the membership. She was also the recipient of many other awards for her poetry. She has also judged many contest categories and sponsored poetry contests in honor of her husband. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 14 at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant, Arkansas from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be held Wednesday, December 15 at 11 a.m. at Harmony Baptist Church with interment at Harmony Baptist Cemetery in Perryville, Arkansas.
James Lathaniel Tolleson, age 92, of Mabelvale, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021. He was born May 6, 1929 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. James was a Korean War Air Force Veteran and retired from Texas Eastern Pipeline Company. He was a member of 1st Southern Baptist Church in Bryant for 44 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lemmie & Clara Tolleson; wife, Mary Charlotte Tolleson; brother, Bill Tolleson; and a sister, Mattie Lee Owens. James is survived by two sons, Keith Tolleson (Maria) and Larry Tolleson (Susanna); two daughters, Gail Tolleson and Teresa Reed (Jerry); brother, Lavon Tolleson; two sisters, Lois Pinkard and Clara Bray; eleven grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 16 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 12:00 noon Friday, December 17 at 1st Southern Baptist Church in Bryant with burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Bro. Peter Cunningham will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Center.
Mildred Kitchens, 82 of Benton, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. She died peacefully in her home with family. Mildred was born on December 13, 1939 to the late Frank and Beatrice Johnson Zinn. She was a retired bookkeeper and clerk for the Benton Police Department. She was a member of the New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, late husband of 62 years, Bill Kitchens, brother, George Zinn and sisters, Sudie Wimberly and Tennie Drennan. She is survived by her daughters, Pam (Craig) Halpain, Jackie (Curtis) Burrows, grandchildren, David and Kelly Halpain, Daniel and Ashley Halpain, Michelle and Wesley Sample, Todd and Kristen Burrows, great grandchildren, Paige (Alex Lawhon) Halpain, Jackson Halpain, Grant Halpain, Caleb Halpain, Madison Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Jakob Burrows; one great great granddaughter, Presley Rose Lawhon and her best friend “Mac” the dog. Pallbearers will be Jackson Halpain, Hunter Johnson, Alex Lawhon, Wesley Sample, Terry Williams and Wayne Burrows. Honorary Pallbearer, Jakob Burrows. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 17 at Ashbys, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Chapel services at Ashby Funeral Home will be Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. with Bro. Herbert Kitchens officiating. Burial will follow at Old Rosemont Cemetery.
Johnny Eugene Cockman, 74 of Benton, passed away on December 10, 2021. He was born on March 6, 1947 in Dinuba, California to Edward E. and Charlene Burnette Cockman. Johnny was a graduate of Benton High School in 1966 and served in the United States Army from 1969 until 1971. He was retired from Coors Tek as a CNC operator. Johnny was preceded in death by his father, Edward Cockman, brother, Ronnie Jo Cockman and step sister, Levita Bigler. He is survived by his mother, Charlene Tatum, brother, Doug (Crystal) Cockman, sister, Connie Tatum, step mother, Alita Cockman and step sister, Juanita (Franklin) Ford, many nieces and nephews that lovingly called him “Uncle Gene”, Sarah, Kelsey, Tyler, Debbie, Jordan, Alita and Gary; many more family and friends. There will be a visitation service at Ashby Funeral Home on Thursday, December 16th, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
James Robert McCoy, age 57, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He was born September 3, 1964 in Turkey. James was the owner of JRM Contracting. He is preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Olga McCoy. James is survived by his son, Jared McCoy (Jess) of Heber Springs; daughter, Jaymie Hendrix (Dexter) of Benton; brother, Steven McCoy (Denea) of Benton; sister, Norma Beatty (Jim) of Conway; and three grandchildren, Chloe, Callie, & Owen Hendrix all of Benton. Everyone who knew J. R. knows that he had a personality that cannot be forgotten. He was always making a joke to make the entire room laugh and was definitely the loudest in the room. J. R. enjoyed hunting and riding motorcycles with his son Jared and loved spending time at deer camp. Spending time with his son and daughter and their spouses and kids was what truly made him the happiest. Pallbearers: Mark McCoy, Matt McCoy, Kevin Elrod, Jon Edgin, Ike Carter III, Dexter Hendrix. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 19, at Ashby Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 20, at Forest Hills Cemetery. Bro. Marcus Blakley will be officiating.