Dr. Vestal B. Smith, Sr.

Dr. Vestal Beecher Smith, Sr., age 86, of Marked Tree, AR, passed away on September 4, 2011 at his home. He was born in Hot Springs, AR on June 12, 1925 to Virgil and Georgia Rhoads Smith. He attended Hot Springs schools until the 10th grade, when his family moved to Amity, AR. In 1943, he graduated salutatorian of his senior class, and went on to study pre-med at Ouachita Baptist College and New York University during a three year Army stint. He entered the Arkansas College of Medicine in 1946 and graduated in 1950 as a Doctor of Medicine, then returned to the Army for his internship.

He married Melodean Fisher in 1948 and they had three sons, James Ronald, Michael Gene and Stephen Duane. He served as a battalion surgeon in Germany during the Korean War. After practicing medicine for a short time in Arkadelphia, AR, he and his family moved to Marked Tree, AR where he set up a general practice. In addition to a growing offi ce practice that included many house calls, Dr. Smith delivered babies in private homes and at Verser Hospital in Harrisburg, AR. After the death of his first wife, he married his wife of 51 years, Mary O. Capooth on October 21, 1960. Togetrher they had one son, Vestal Beecher Smith, Jr.

Dr. Smith had a busy life that included working six and one half days a week, while alwayss making time to coach Little League baseball and attend all of his boy’s many sporting and school events. He was an avid golfer and charter member of the Three Rivers Country Club. In addition to his family life, he was devoted to serving his community. In 1958-1959, he was the Commander of the 326th Medical Detachment of the Arkansas National Guard in Marked Tree. In 1964, he was President of the Craighead/ Poinsett Medical Society and President of the Marked Tree Lions Club. That same year, he was elected to the Marked Tree School Board, on which he served as President unitl 1980. He served as the examing physician for the Selective Service Board, was on the Poinsett County Red Cross Board, and served as the Poinsett County Health Officer.

He was the Medical Director of the Three Rivers Nursing Center from the time it opened in 1963 until 2002. Dr. Smith was honored in 1982 by the City of Marked Tree along with Dr. Glenn Swingle, when the town declared a “Doctor Appreciation Day”. He contined to serve his country as well, and retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserve in 1985.

From 1994 until his death, he served on the Marked Tree City Council. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Marked Tree. He taught the Men’s Bible Class and served on the Board of Trustees, where he acted as chairman for a number of years. He served on the church Finance and Administrative Council committees, and served for a time on the District Board of Trustees. He was also a current member of the Pastor Parish Committee. He was a devoted member of the chancel choir. He loved the Lord and his church family and could be counted on to be in attendance when the doors were opened.

Dr. Smith is survived by, his loving wife Mary, four sons: James Ronald Smith of Denver, CO, Dr. Michael G. Smith of Maryville, TN, Stephen D. Smith and his wife Cheryl of Gentry, AR, Dr. Vestal B. Smith, Jr. and his wife Denise of Little Rock, AR and one brother, Steve V. Smith of Nashville, TN. He leaves 9 grandchildren: Mary Helen, Julia, Michael, Sam, Ruston Beecher, Emily, Corbin, Garratt Vestal and Bethany, 2 great grandchildren: Max and Bryan, as well as a devoted cargiver, Janice Stroud of Harrisburg. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and loving friends.

The family wishes to thank St. Bernard Hospice for caring for him in such a loving and professional manner.

A memorial service was held at the First Methodist Church in Marked Tree, AR on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Carpet Fund of the First United Methodist Church in Marked Tree, or to the charity of their choice in his honor. The Reverend Ron Williams conducted the service.

Bonnie Boling-Holly

Bonnie Juanita Boling-Holly, 87, of Gravette, died Sept. 13, 2011, in Springdale.

She was born Nov. 2, 1923, to James and Cordia Harris, in Hiwasse. She was active in the Pentecostal church. She married Ray Boling June 17, 1940, and had three children. In later years, she married Dick Holly. She owned B and D Clothing in Decatur.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ray; four brothers and two sisters; a daughter, Diana Dreibholz; and a granddaughter, Debbie Duncan.

She is survived by her children, Johnie Lee Boling of Wichita, Kan., and Judy Huse and her husband Dick of Gravette; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Sept. 17 at the First Assembly of God Church in Gravette. Burial followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements were by Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.

Daniel Ennis

Daniel “Danny” Ray Ennis, 69, of Gentry, died Sept. 12, 2011, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

He was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Gentry, to Morgan Bart and Lura Newberry Ennis. He was a car dealer in Gentry.

Survivors include two sons, James Ennis of West Fork and Morgan Bart Ennis of Pryor, Okla.; three daughters, Tammy Stout of Siloam Springs, Tammy Sue Ennis of Pryor and Teresa Gordon of Gravette; three brothers, Fred Reinhardt of Siloam Springs, Cary Ennis of Decatur and Randy Ennis of Gentry; five sisters, including Susan Philpott of Sulphur Springs and Sandra Bradley of Siloam Springs; 21 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Sept. 16 at Springtown Cemetery. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home of Siloam Springs.

Nova Ennis

Nova Christeen Ennis, 86, of Siloam Springs, died Sept. 16, 2011, at Westwood Health and Rehab in Springdale.

She was born Oct. 16, 1924, in Carney, Okla., to Pete Small and Bertha Cole Small. She was a lifetime resident of Siloam Springs and was a caregiver to the homebound elderly. She married Irven Ennis in Gentry on Aug. 16, 1941. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church, Siloam Springs.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years; three brothers, Elmer Small, Clifford Small and Andrew Small; and two sisters, Alvena Colwell and Florence Harlander.

Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Arnold of Gentry; one son, Bob Lee Ennis and wife Suzanne of Fayetteville; three grandsons, Terry Wise of Gravette, Bill Arnold of Gentry and Bob G. Ennis of Sugarland, Texas; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Frances Beck of Gentry and Zona Swank of Galesburg, Ill.

Funeral services were Sept. 20 at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, with Gary Wheat officiating. Burial followed at Springtown Cemetery in Springtown. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Nancy Harrington

Nancy Elaine Harrington, 56, of Galveston, Texas, died Sept. 8, 2011, near Galveston.

She was born in Siloam Springs and lived most of her life in Texas. She graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She was a social worker for the county social services in Galveston.

Survivors include her brother, Timothy Ray Harrington and wife Tracey of Decatur.

Memorial services were Sept. 20 at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home.

Georgia Logsdon

Georgia Mae Logsdon, 76, of Pineville, Mo., died Sept. 16, 2011, after a long illness.

She was born Dec. 5, 1934, to Joseph and Ethel Brown in Logan County, Okla. She graduated from Chase (Kan.) High School. She married Edgar Logsdon on March 28, 1953, in Lyons, Kan. They lived in McPherson, Kan., Chanute, Kan., and retired to Pineville, Mo. She was a longtime employee for Walmart and was a member of the First Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents of Catherine, Kan.; two daughters, Debbie Childers of Rogers and Susan Yocum of Cave Springs; and one grandson.

She is survived by her husband of Pineville, her son-inlaw and daughter, Chris and Tamie Adams of Cave Springs, and son-in-law Steven Yocum of Cave Springs; seven grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren.

Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 21, with funeral following, at Rollins Funeral Home, 1401 W. Hudson Road, Rogers.

Glades McFadden

Glades Louise Johnston McFadden died Sept. 12, 2011, at the Hospice House in Bentonville.

She was born March 8, 1925, in Ozark, to Will and Lydia Ross. She was preceded in death by husbands Albert Johnston, Burton McFadden and Willie Neimann; nine sisters; three brothers; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

She is survived by five daughters and two sons, Dane and Zeta Johnston of Carthage, Mo., Carlos and Jody Qualls of Hillsboro, Ore., Eddie and Debbie Clark of Bentonville, Kathy and Henry Meeks of Wheaton, Mo., John McFadden and Judy Maloney of Gravette, Barbara Held of Bella Vista, and Tina and David Moore of Old Town, Fla.; one sister, Shirley Winnard of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four granddaughters; three grandsons; and two greatgranddaughters.

Graveside services were Sept. 16 at Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements were by Benton County Funeral Home in Rogers.

Virgil Watts

Virgil Harvey Watts, 81, of Gravette, died Sept. 14, 2011, in Bentonville.

He was born Jan. 31, 1930, in Malvern, Iowa, to Harvey and Mertyl (Addy) Watts.

He served in the United States Army National Guard and was retired from the railroad and Walmart. He enjoyed riding horses, spending time at the Gravette Senior Center and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma (Christensen) Watts, in 2008; and two sisters, Mildred Doss and Beaulah Fanning.

He is survived by his two daughters, Debbie Watts Maes of Rogers and Tammy Sue Watts Martinez of Pettigrew; one sister, Marie Goldsberry and husband Earl of Iowa; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

Memorial services were held Sept. 17 at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel in Rogers, with David Holmes officiating. Arrangements were by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers.

Robert Wilkins

Robert “Bob” Ugene Wilkins, 73, of Gravette, died Sept. 13, 2011, at the Ozark Community Hospital in Gravette.

He was born March 13, 1938, in Decatur, to Hubert Earl and Aline Wilkins. He was a graduate of Decatur High School, where, in 1955, he became the first quarterback for the Decatur High School football team. He married Mary Nell Varner in Noel, Mo., on Oct. 10, 1958. He was a farmer and worked several years for Peterson Farms and was the owner/operator of the Gravette Locker for 16 years. He was a member of the Maysville Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Bruce Wilkins of Gravette, Mark Wilkins and wife Kim of Decatur, Bryan Wilkins and wife Reta of Decatur; daughter, Mary Sandeford of Colorado; six grandchildren; two sisters, Eva Mae Bradley and husband Bill of San Bernardino, Calif., Wanda Truitt and husband Neale of Decatur; three brothers, Howard (Bud) Wilkins and wife Betty of Decatur, Max Wilkins and wife Carolyn of Flippin, Michael Wilkins and wife Patsy of Decatur.

Funeral services were Sept. 17 at the Decatur High School gym in Decatur, with Raymond Scott officiating. Burial was at the Georgia Flat Cemetery, west of Gravette.