Obituaries

Boyce N. Cole

Jan 14, 2009

Boyce Neil Cole, 93, of Batesville, Arkansas, died Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at his son’s home in San Antonio, Texas.

Born in rural Newark, Arkansas on September 15, 1915, to Walter and Effie Arnold Cole, Boyce lived in Memphis and Jonesboro before moving to Batesville where he lived several years. He was a retired accountant and worked...

Lois Mccrackin

Jan 13, 2009

Lois Ines McCrackin, 94, of Springdale, died Tuesday at Westwood Health and Rehab in Springdale. She was married to Elder Jewel L. McCrackin for 71 years until his death. Together they served many churches in the area for many years. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Bob & Betty McCrackin, Springdale, Jerry Van & Gail McCrackin, Little...

Ronnie Gene Thomas

Jan 13, 2009

Ronnie Gene Thomas, 54, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. Born in Batesville, Ronnie lived most of his life in Jonesboro. He was a construction contractor and was affiliated with Faith Freewill Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman, a former Jonesboro Police Department Reserve Officer and Craighead County Sheriff Reserve Deputy. He...

Mable Jewell Harper

Jan 13, 2009

Mable Jewell Harper, 88, of Jonesboro died Tuesday morning at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born in Lake City, she lived much of her life in Houston, Texas where she was Assistant to the Dean of Education at the University of Houston. She retired in 1982 and moved to Jonesboro. Upon her retirement, the Jewell Harper Scholarship Fund was established...

Jeanne Coleman

Jan 11, 2009

Jeanne H. Coleman (3/1/1933 to 1/11/2009) Jeanne H. Coleman, adored wife and mother, died Sunday, January 11th at the age of 75. Jeanne was born and raised in Little Rock and worked for South Western Bell where she met her beloved husband of 53 years, Clyde E. Coleman. After their marriage, they soon moved to Jonesboro where they lived...

Bertha Pauline Etter

Jan 10, 2009

Bertha Pauline “Granny” Etter, 87, of Jonesboro, passed away on January 10, at her home. A native and life long resident of Jonesboro, a homemaker, and a member of the North Main Baptist Church, where she served as the “Nursery Granny” for forty nine years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie “Pop” Etter, her...

Bertha Mae Hightower

Jan 9, 2009

Mrs. Bertha Mae Hightower, 93, of Jonesboro, died Friday, January 9, 2009, at Skil Care Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born in Batesville, Mrs. Hightower lived in Davenport, Florida before moving to Jonesboro 38 years ago. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Jonesboro and was retired from Holly Hill Orange Juice Company in Florida. She was preceded...

Braden Lee Painter

Jan 9, 2009

Braden Lee Painter, two-month old son of Robert, Jr. and Amanda New Painter of Jonesboro, died Friday, January 9, 2009, at his home of natural causes. He was born in Jonesboro on October 29, 2008. In addition to the parents, survivors include: Brother, Kyle Painter; sister: Hailey Painter; Grandparents: Gail New, and Robert Painter, Sr., both of Jonesboro; Great...

Randy Lynn Hoskins

Jan 8, 2009

Randy Lynn Hoskins, 49, of Jonesboro, died Thursday, January 08, 2009, at his home of natural causes.

Born in Flint, Michigan, Randy was a 1978 graduate of Jonesboro High School. He lived in Richardson, Texas for 24 years before moving back to Jonesboro in 2004. He was a project engineer in the telecommunications industry and worked several...

Verlene Horton Kroe

Jan 7, 2009

Verlene was born to Omage and Elsie Horton of the Canaan community on May 12, 1915. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Edard James Kroe; a son Dr. Donald James Kroe (a Duke University pathologist who practiced in Jonesboro, Arkansas and was born in Canaan, Arkansas). Verlene is survived by a son, Dr. Michael...

Darrell A. Lewis

Jan 7, 2009

Darrell A. Lewis, 69, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday at his home. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Beth Waldrup officiating. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bobby F. Wood

Jan 7, 2009

Bobby Fletcher Wood, 67, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born near Morrilton, Bobby lived in California before moving to Jonesboro 30 years ago. He worked several places in Jonesboro, including teaching school, Dealers Service of Arkansas and Quality Gladiolus before retiring from St. Bernards Medical Center as a...

Marie Bone

Jan 6, 2009

Marie Bone, 74, of Jonesboro, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. She had lived in Jonesboro for three years moving here from Munster, Indiana. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Hammond, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Hightower; two brothers, Charles Ray Hightower...

Vernon Mather

Jan 6, 2009

Vernon J. “Vern” Mather, 73, of Bay, Arkansas, formerly of Matteson, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at NEA Baptist Hospital. He was the past president of Sertoma, a girls softball coach and an avid Chicago Bears and White Sox fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother. Vern is survived and loved...

Donald Albert Eshenroder Jr.

Jan 2, 2009

Donald Albert Eshenroder Jr, 56, of Jonesboro passed away Friday January 2, at St. Bernards. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri and lived in Jonesboro for two and a half years, moving here from Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was of the Catholic faith; member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He devoted his work...

Coach Don Riggs

Jan 2, 2009

Don Riggs, 73, longtime Jonesboro High School coach and athletic administrator, died at his home Friday.

Riggs spent more than 40 years at JHS, serving as head football coach from 1965 until 1987. During that span, his teams won two state championships, were three time state runner-ups and won eight conference championships. He was head coach of...

Ernest Eugene Pennington

Jan 2, 2009

Ernest “Eugene” Pennington, 52, of Jonesboro died Friday January 2, at his home. He was born in Galveston, Texas and lived in Jonesboro for six years, moving here from Paragould. He was a factory worker for Thomas and Betts. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Patsy Baker Pennington. He is survived by his wife Vicki...

Billie Lois Barkley

Dec 31, 2008

Billie Lois Barkley, 79, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at Skil Care Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Born in Trumann, Billie lived most of her life in the Jonesboro area. She was a retired sales clerk in the clothing profession and was a member of Cathedral Baptist Church. She enjoyed yard work and gardening, and was preceded in...

Marie Zisk

Dec 30, 2008

Marie Elizabeth (Prusinski) Zisk, 90, of Cherokee Village died Tuesday at Craighead Nursing Center. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Cherokee Village. She is survived by three daughters, Josephine Beatty (Joe) of Jonesboro, Florence Kozub (Jack) of Parma, Ohio, and Rose Skurla (John) of Danville, Indiana; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in...

Buren Ballard

Dec 29, 2008

Buren Ballard, 88, of Bay, died Monday afternoon at his home. He was born in Hodges, Alabama but had lived most of his life in Bay. He was a member of the Bay First Baptist Church where he served as deacon. At one time he was the chair of the deacons. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and loved farming;...