Jo Gayle Fowler

Jo Gayle Fowler, 68, of Gravette, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.

She was born Jan. 23, 1944, in Hereford, Texas. She was employed at Concordia Retirement Community in Bella Vista. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading and watching Dallas Cowboys football games.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Heaton; her mother, Lois Heaton; and her brother, David Heaton.

She is survived by two daughters, Connie Guild and husband Doug of Gravette, and Dana Nims of Bella Vista; one son, Carl Fowler, Jr., and wife Lisa of Bentonville; 13 grandchildren; and three sisters, Caryl West of Gravette, Phyllis Garza of Waco, Texas, and Pegi Frisbee of Amarillo, Texas.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Gravette Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 10909 Hwy. 59 S. Arrangements are by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville.

Goldie Hardcastle

Goldie Emmaline Norton Hardcastle, 99, of Siloam Springs, died Jan. 2, 2013, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab.

She was born Feb. 7, 1913, in Havilland, Kan., to Clarence O. Norton and Myrtle E. Bowles Norton. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved to northwest Arkansas with her family. She lived in California from 1953 to 1985. In 1985, she moved back to Siloam Springs. She was a supervisor in human resources in the garment industry. She was affiliated with Eastgate Church of Christ, Siloam Springs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, R.C. Hardcastle, in 1999; four brothers; and one sister.

Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Dellinger Foreman of Siloam Springs and Nancy Stanfill of Gentry; three sons, Ronald Dellinger of Tulsa, Okla., Roger Lynn Dellinger of Springdale, and Terry Dellinger of Rogers; 16 grandchildren; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Norman Norton of Oregon; and one sister, Violet Lytle of Grants Pass, Ore.

Funeral services were Jan. 5 at First Baptist Church, Gentry, with Robin Cowin officiating. Burial followed at Gentry Cemetery. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Beverly Johnson

Beverly Ann Johnson, 78, of Siloam Springs, died Dec. 31, 2012, at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, Siloam Springs.

She was born July 14, 1934, in Fall City, Neb., to Francis Sweetland and Ruby Goslen Sweetland. She was a homemaker and a member of the Robinson Baptist Church, Robinson. In April, 1959, she married Robert E. Johnson, in Las Vegas, Nev.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and one sister, Opal Sweetland.

Survivors include one daughter, Eileen Wright and husband Roger of Fayetteville; two sons, David Williams and wife Nancy of Siloam Springs, and Keith Williams and wife Linda of Gentry; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joetta Courtney of Fountain, Colo., and Stella Gayler of Yucca Valley, Calif.

Graveside services were Jan. 3 at Yell Cemetery, Benton County, with Wil Gardner officiating. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Elizabeth “Betty” Hayes

Elizabeth Dorothy “Betty” Hayes, 93, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., died Jan. 2, 2013, at Excelsior Springs Convalescent Center, Excelsior Springs.

She was born July 12, 1919, in Kansas City, Kan., to Ernest Sixta and Elizabeth Klein Sixta. She was a former owner/operator of the Maytag Laundromat in Gentry. She was a member of the Springtown Seventh-day Adventist Church, Springtown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Myron Fuller, in 1999; and one son, Lewis Fry.

Survivors include three daughters, Coriene McGraw of McLouth, Kan., Tina Borserine and Keren Larson of Excelsior Springs; 25 grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; two greatgreat-grandchildren; four brothers; and eight sisters.

Funeral services were Jan. 5, at Springtown Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Tony Cash officiating. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

Edna Melton

Edna Kathleen Foster Melton, 87, died Jan. 6 at Agape Health & Rehabilitation Center, Rock Hill, S.C.

She was born in Blacksburg, S.C. She worked for many years as a CNA at York General Hospital and Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill. She was a charter member of Eastview Baptist Church, where she was active in various aspects of the church.

Surviving are her children, David Melton and wife Wanda, Roger Melton and wife Joann, Betty Russow and husband Mark of Gravette, Barbara Russow and husband Mike of York, S.C., and Terri Ensley and husband Wayne of Blacksburg, S.C.; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Vernie Foster Hudson, and her husband, John Junior Melton.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 9, at Eastview Baptist Church, Rock Hill, with Rick Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the committal service.

Cleta Jo Norton

Cleta Jo Norton, 62, of Centerton, died Dec. 30, 2012, at her home in Centerton.

She was born Jan. 19, 1950, in Gravette, to Leslie Swank and Anna Lea Allen Swank. She lived all her life in northwest Arkansas. She was a member of Centerton Methodist Church. She owned and operated her own salon, “Total Concepts,” which she later sold.

She was preceded in death by her father; one son, Jeff; and one brother, Don Swank.

She is survived by her mother, Anna Lea Swank of Centerton; one son, Troy Norton and wife Rachel; three brothers,Vernon Swank of Rogers, Kenneth Swank of Centerton, Frank Swank of Gravette; one sister, Deanna Haughn of Gravette; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service was Jan. 4 at the Bella Vista Funeral Home Chapel, Bella Vista.

Phagan Shelley

Phagan Shelley, 79, of Colcord, Okla., died Jan. 1, 2013, at Jamestown Nursing and Rehab in Rogers.

He was born March 11, 1933, in Delaware County, Okla., to John Shelley and Teelie Braden Shelley. He was a farmer and a member of the Gentry Masonic Lodge. He served as a member of the Gentry School Board for 12 years and was a member of First Baptist Church, Gentry. On Sept. 1, 1957, he married Wilma Sullivan in Delaware County, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, Kaitlyn; and two brothers, Kenneth and JD.

Survivors include his wife Wilma of the home; three sons, Johnny Shelley of Gentry, Charles Shelley of Fayetteville, and Chris Shelley and wife Stephanie of Watts, Okla.; one daughter, Cindy Shelley of Pineville, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lonnie Shelley of Colcord, Barto Shelley of Siloam Springs; and one sister, Maxine Allison of Pea Ridge.

Funeral services were Jan. 4, at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, with Bruce Holland officiating. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.

James "J.G." Taylor

James “J.G.” Gerrain Taylor, 85, of Gentry, died Jan. 6, 2013 at Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale.

He was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Rector, to Hubert Taylor and Blanche Johnson Taylor. He married Ella Crowson on May 28, 1949, in Piggott. He worked as a builder for many years before entering the ministry in 1977. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bentonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Louise Thetford and Betty Graves; and one brother, Lavaughn Taylor.

Survivors include his wife, Ella; two daughters, Linda Syfert and husband Don of Gentry, Judy Brown and husband Jerry of Kansas, Okla.; two granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and one brother, Joe Taylor of Paragould.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Gentry Seventhday Adventist Church, with Duane Lauer officiating. Burial will be at Gentry Cemetery in Gentry.