Obituaries from
The EARLE
(and other various articles)
From the Year 1951
Compiled by Debbie Yates
August-September 2003
Return
to Earle Enterprise Index
Earle Enterprise,
C. I. Phelps, Editor
Ruth Phelps, Associate Editor
Mrs. Wrenn Phelps, Society
Published every Friday by Phelps Printing
Company at
“I’LL GET THAT BABY OR DIE” – HE DIED
Ruthie Mae Davis, Negro, shot and killed her ex-husband, GEORGE ALEXANDER of Wynne, Sunday morning in a roadside argument climaxing a series of quarrels over the two-years period of their separation. Alexander was shot once with a .38 calibre pistol, the bullet piercing his heart.
The shooting occurred on the East-West Black Oak Road about 10 miles north of Earle and was brought to a conclusion by Alexander’s insistent demands for the custody of a 11-months-old baby belonging to Ruthie Mae.
According to Ruthie Mae, she, her husband and Wilson and Sylvester Green, Negroes, were driving down the road when Alexander passed them, got out of his car and flagged them. He walked down to their car, stepped on the running board and renewed the argument, which he concluded by saying, “I’ve come to get that baby or die.” She shot him.
Residents of the McKee Place, returning from Turrell, noticed the car parked with the motor running and lights burning and found his body lying on the roadside about 125 feet away. They notified Deputy Sheriff Robert Morris who immediately got into action.
According
to Deputy Morris, he was identified by papers in his wallet and after
questioning natives of the vicinity it was determined that his ex-wife was
staying with her father, Lee Cross, on
Services for Mrs. ELIZABETH JANE HEMPHILL BERRY, pioneer resident of Marion, was held
at 10 o’clock Friday morning at National
Funeral Home in Memphis with the Rev. Alfred Eason of Marion and Dr. W.
C. Aden of Memphis officiating. Burial was in
Mrs.
The daughter of the late Elizzabeth and
Robert Cooper Hemphill of
She was a member of the
In addition to Mrs. Blair, Mrs.
MRS. G. E. BEAM SUCCUMBS AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Mrs.
G. E. BEAM, died Thursday, December 6th, at Capitol Nursing Home
in
Mrs. Beam was the mother of Mrs. A. S.
Johnson, and Mrs. O. A. Pittman of Earle.
She was a pioneer of Earle having moved here in 1904 and made her home
here for thirty years before going to
Services were held Saturday at 10 a. m.
Burial was in
Besides her two daughters in Earle, she
leaves one son, Fred Taylor of
NEGRO MAN SLAIN IN FAMILY FEUD
An argument over family affairs which
began some two weeks ago, culminated in the fatal shooting of BUSTER BLANN by his wife, Azzie Lee,
Sunday morning about
According to Deputy Robert Morris, he and
Gladstone Williams, another deputy, arrest Buster about two weeks ago on a
complaint of his wife and carried him to
According to Azzie Lee’s testimony before
Justice of the Peace Clark at
Justice of the Peace
SERVICES HELD FOR JOHN C. BORUM
Services were held last Friday morning at
the
Mr. Borum was born
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Maybelle Woody
Borum; one son, Wells M. Borum of
ALSTON
BOYD JR., 38, of
Boyd was district manager for Douglas
Guardian Warehouse Corporation of
The northbound freight rounded a curve approaching the crossing, according to L. L. Lowe, assistant superintendent at Wynne, who investigated. Vision of the crossing from the curve is limited to about 100 years, he said. The crossing is about three feet higher than the two-lane blacktop highway.
Mr. Lowe said the train was going about 45 miles per hour when it rounded the curve. The auto, after being hit by the train, knocked down a railroad signal tower 30 feet away.
Mr. Boyd’s body was brought to Earle by
Holt Funeral Home and later taken to
MRS. DORA A. BUCKLEY DIES OF INFIRMITIES
Mrs. DORA
ANN BUCKLEY, widow of Charles Robert Buckley, died March 14th at
the
Mrs. Buckley was born at
She was a member of the First Presbyterian
Church,
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. T. L.
Pitt, Mrs. F. H. Barnett and Mrs. D. A. Ruffin of
Services were held last Thursday afternoon
at National Funeral Home in
CAR WRECK FATAL TO J. R. COX
Tragedy struck a car load of former Earle
citizens Sunday afternoon as they were enroute to their homes in
J.
R. COX, 30 year old Automobile mechanic of
Injured in the accident were, Mrs. Rosie
Drew Cox, wife of the victim; Mrs. J. R. Cox, his mother, who is reported to
have received a fractured spine; Mrs. Betty Dexter, Mr. Cox’s sister, and R. L.
Abbott, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Dexter, who sustained a broken leg. They were taken to
Three youngsters escaped injury in the accident. They were Jackie Dexter, 10 month-old daughter of Mrs. Dexter; Rickie Cox, 7, and Ina Bess Cox, 3, children of Mr. and Mrs. Cox.
Mrs. Dexter said Mr. Cox was driving the car in which they were riding. She said that when he attempted to pass the car occupied by the Negroes, the latter vehicle speeded up.
“My brother also speeded up and lost control of the car, we overturned several times but never did hit the other car,” Mrs. Dexter said. Arkansas State Police said the Negroes did not stop and they are being sought.
Funeral services for Mr. Cox were held in
Earle Wednesday at the Assembly of God Church with Rev. Burks officiating. Burial was in
Mr. Cox was a former resident of Earle and
student in
NEWS RECEIVED OF FORMER PASTOR’S DEATH
A much beloved former pastor of the Earle Presbyterian Church, the Rev. WILLIAM D. DENHAM, 84, of 1026 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, N. C. died at 10:00 A. M. in a Winston-Salem hospital, Sunday, October 28, after an illness of two months.
The Rev. Denham moved to
A native of
Funeral services were held in the Waughtown Presbyterian Church,
J. M. DEXTER DIES OF HEART ATTACK
Services for J. M. (Jim) DEXTER were held at the
Mr. Dexter died suddenly Thursday, January
18, at
Mr. Dexter was born on the
Besides his wife, Mrs. Isora
Dexter, he is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Daisy Sumpter,
Earle; Mrs. Mary McDaniel,
JOSEPH DILLAHANTY
JOSEPH
DILLAHANTY, well-known farmer and landowner, died at his home near
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Billie Dillahanty; two sons, Robert Driver of Osceola and W. H. Dillahanty of
R. L. “BOB” DREW SUCCUMBS TO ILLNESS
R.
L. “Bob” DREW, a lifelong resident of Earle and
Funeral services were held at the Assembly
of God Church, Wednesday afternoon at
“Bob” as he was familiarly known to the majority of our older citizens had been engaged in farming and other vocations until 1942 when he opened a small store and blacksmith shop on the east border of Earle where he enjoyed a lucrative business. His pleasant smile, and unfailing good humor and unselfish generosity made friends of all with whom he came in contact. His passing is a loss to the community.
Besides his wife, Mrs. Bessie Mae Drew, he
is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Harold Annis and Mrs. Rosie Cox of Earle
and Mrs. Jim Merideth of Osceola. Two sons, R. L. Drew Jr, Earle and Rector Drew of
WILLIE FISHER, SR. DIES AT HIS HOME HERE
Services were held last Thursday afternoon
at the
Mr. Fisher was born in
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ava Fisher, three sons, J. C. Fisher of Earle with whom he
made his home; George Fisher of Portageville, Mo. and Willie Fisher Jr., of
Jonesboro, Ark. Two
daughters, Mrs. Junnie Powell of Earle and Mrs.
Nadine Wilson,
CARD OF THANKS - We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness during the long illness and death of our husband and father, Willie Fisher Sr., [signed] Mrs. Ava Fisher and children
LAST RITES HELD FOR FORREST STARR GLOVER
FORREST
STARR GLOVER, 56, died at the
Mr. Glover was born in Jackson County,
Arkansas,
Forrest’s talents were many and varied. He could fix a typewriter, an adding machine, a Frigidaire or airplane. The Saturday Evening Post published an article a few weeks back which might well have been dedicated to his activities. He was the last (in this neighborhood) of a long line of “tinkerers” to whom the children, as well as grown folks went for assistance.
For years he followed the carpentry trade both as a workman and contractor. In later years he chose a less strenuous mode of existence. He had a host of friends in Earle and over the Tri-States, which he covered in active life, who are grieved at his departure.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude
Glover, a son William of Earle; three daughters, Mrs. J. M. Blankenship of
Crawfordsville, Mrs. C. J. Eden,
Pallbearers were, Albert Forehand, Fred Arthur, Jimmy Fullwood, Dalton Lancaster, Aubrey Lancaster Jr. and Alfred Griggs.
SERVICES FOR MRS. N. JENSEN HELD IN EARLE
Earle friends paid final tribute to Mrs. KIRSTEN JENSEN Sunday afternoon at
Mrs. Jensen died
Saturday morning, November 3, at
She
was born in
Mrs.
Jensen had been in ill health for the past several years. She has made her home in
LUCIAN D.
Mr. LUCIAN
D.
Born and reared in Tuckerman, Mr. Lawrence lived there until 1931, when he moved with his family to Earle and was employed with Barham’s Gin Company for 16 years. He retired on account of ill health in 1947 and has been confined to his home most of this time. He suffered a stroke on September 24th and did not regain consciousness. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hattie Lawrence. Holt Funeral Home of Earle was in charge of arrangements.
MRS. MILDRED LOCKE DIES; AGE 89
Mrs.
MILDRED W. LOCKE died December 6th
at
Mrs. Locke lived in Earle thirty years ago and was known as “The Good Neighbor.” She was kind and gentle and never missed an opportunity to do good. The children in her neighborhood loved her and were always welcome at her house. Many who have grown up still remember her cookies.
She
is survived by three children, William A. Locke, former railroad clerk in
Earle, Mrs. Hazel Locke Greene, Musical Dramatist, who taught music here and
Mrs. B. L. Willey, principal of the
Burial
was in
WILLIAM MCCREARY INJURED IN WRECK (outcome unknown)
WILLIAM
MCCREARY, of
William operates the Gulf Oil Station in
JIM MCDANIEL
JIM
MCDANIEL, farmer of near Crawfordsville, died at
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
McDaniel; a son Ferguson McDaniel of Crawfordsville; two daughters, Miss
Lucille McDaniel of Crawfordsville and Mrs. William E. Burns of
EARLE OLDEST CITIZEN DIES; WAS 105
Born a slave, of slave parents, CLASSIE MINNIFIELD, Negro, died at her
home on the south side of the railroad Sunday, February 4, at the age of
105. She had always enjoyed good health
and her death was due to old-age infirmities.
She was buried in
Classie’s family were slaves of the McClure’s planters of Pinewood,
Classie was blessed with good eyesight, never having been forced to wear glasses. She lived in a two-story frame house on Highway 64 and was a familiar sight as she sat in the up-stairs doorway watching the passers-by. She leaves a daughter, Lillie Bobo, who is well known and has a host of friends, both white and colored in Earle.
MAYNARD NICHOLS
Services for W. MAYNARD NICHOLS, retired bank manager of
Mr. Nichols who was 70, died at his home
late Friday night following a heart attack.
He was born near Byhalia. For a
number of years he was an employee of Orgil Brothers
in
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Bess Hayes
Nichols, formerly of Earle, who is a sister of Mrs. H. Chalmers. A sister, Mrs. J. B. Bailey
of
SERVICES HELD FOR MRS. NAOMI OTT
Funeral Services for Mrs. NAOMI OTT, were held Saturday afternoon
at
Mrs. Ott, who
made her home in Earle with her brother, Mr. W. L. Beasley, died Thursday
morning at
She is survived by one sister Mrs. J. P. Fogg,
Pallbearers were: W. E. Crenshaw, Ellis Haddad, Charlie Cloar, Tom Cloar, Dana Patterson, Earle Brown and Tom Sellers.
RETIRED LUMBERMAN DIES; HE WAS 72
Funeral
services were held Saturday afternoon at
Born
in
He
leaves two daughters, Mrs.
HEART ATTACK FATAL TO EARLE PLANTER
Funeral
services were held last Friday afternoon at the Earle Presbyterian Church for
Mr. JIM W. RODGERS, a prominent planter in this community. Dr. C. V. Crabb
officiated.
Mr. Rodgers had been in failing health for the past few years and
died Thursday morning while enroute from his home
East of Earle, to the doctor’s office.
He was 70.
He
was born in
He
was engaged in farming in Phillips County Arkansas for many years before moving
to Earle about fifteen years ago. He was
an elder in the Presbyterian Church and the beautiful floral offerings and the
host of friends present at his funeral was evidence of the high esteem in which
he held.
Burial
was in
He
leaves his wife, Mrs. Cleo Rodgers; two daughters, Mrs. Howard Atkins and Mrs.
Bill Beattie Jr., both of Earle; one sister Mrs. Victoria Myers. Pallbearers
were Dr. H. S. Watson, H. W. Campbell, M. E. Klindworth,
W. A. Black, H. N. Rogers and Floyd Roberts.
CONFEDERATE VETERAN DIES; HE WAS 106
The fast-thinning ranks of known
Confederate veterans were reduced to 16 last Friday with the death of SAMUEL BENNETT RUSSELL at his home in
Mr. Russell served in the last
He has made his home in Heber Springs
since 1915. He leaves his wife and two daughters Mrs. McCracken and Mrs.
William Hamilton of
MRS. GEORGE SAIG PASSES QUIETY LAST SATURDAY MORNING
“Mother” Saig, as she was affectionately called by her many friends died last Saturday morning from a heart attack, at he home of her son Sam Saig. She was 77.
Born
Funeral services were held Monday morning
at
She was a devout Christian and a faithful member of the Earle Presbyterian Church where she was deeply loved and appreciated. She was a godly character, who lived unselfishly, and when one like she was goes hence, she leaves behind much of herself. She finished her days work. But her life’s work has just begun. The tomb is only a thouroughfare; it closes on the twilight, it opens on the dawn.
Could she speak to her devoted family I think she would say: “Life, we’ve been long together through pleasant and through cloudy weather; ‘Tis hard to part when friends are dear – Perhaps ‘t will cost a tear; Then steal away, give little warning, Choose thine own time; Say not Good Night – but in some brighter clime bid me Good Morning.”
Besides her two sons in Earle she leaves
two daughters, Mrs. Eugene Massey of Bogata,
Pallbearers were Paul Baddour, Edward Haddad, Mitchell Baddour, James Tucker, Sam Baddour and Ellis Haddad. Holt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
MRS. LIZZIE EMMA SMITH
Funeral services were held at the
Mrs. Smith had been a resident of the
Earle community for the past 25 years.
Burial was in
ALEX STIREWALT DIES
IN
ALEX STIREWALT of Gilmore, on of Crittenden County’s most prominent planters and a civic leader died Sunday morning at 9:07 at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis, where he had been a patient since Dec. 17.
Services were held Monday afternoon at 3
at Citizens Funeral Home in
Mr. Stirewalt
was born
At the time of his death he was a part owner of the Ed Talbot & Co. plantation at Gilmore. In addition to farming, he had ginning and mercantile interests. He suffered a stroke on Dec. 15 while at work.
Mr. Stirewalt
was a Methodist and Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the
H had served as chairman of the Crittenden
County Selective Service Board since its establishment prior to World War II
and for more than a decade had been chairman of the Crittenden County
Production and Marketing Administration Committee. He was a stockholder and director of Citizens
Bank of
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Ola Jordan Stirewalt: a son Mayor
Alex Stirewalt Jr., of Turrell; a daughter, Mrs.
Carter Short of Fayetteville, a sister, Mrs. Almonta
Smith of
PIERRE
SWEPSTON, former Crawfordsville mayor and
Services, conducted by
the Rev. Jack Glass of Crawfordsville, was held at the
Mr. Swepston was the son of the late Wilsie Wise Swepston and Mary Wille Denton Swepston, early residents of Crawfordsville. He was a lifelong resident of Crawfordsville, and had farming and mercantile interests.
A graduate of Bingham School of Ashville,
N. C. he served as a young man as
For 47 years he was a trustee of the Crawfordsville Methodist church. He was formerly chairman of the Crawfordsville School Board and served on the Building Committee for the present school building.
He leaves his wife Mrs. Virginia Maynard Swepston; a daughter, Mrs. Buford Wallace; a son, John
Maynard Swepston, and three sisters, Mrs. T. S. Hare,
Mrs. S. D. Bond and Mrs. Egbert Jones all of
Crawfordsville. Another
sister, Mrs. C. H. Neely of Oak Grove, La., and a brother Judge John E. Swepston of
RETIRED MERCHANT IS CALLED BY DEATH
W.
D. VARLEY, an Earle resident for almost 40 years died at his home at
Services were held at 2 Monday afternoon at
the
Born in
Mr. Varley was civic minded and took prominent part in all worth-while programs of the town until ill health forced him to curtail his activities. He was a Past Master of the Crittenden County Lodge F. & A. M., a member of the Board of Stewards of the Methodist Church and had at one time served for 25 consecutive years as Superintendent of the Sunday School. He also served as Mayor or Earle and sponsored many civic projects. He was the instigator of the move to close business houses in Earle during summer months, a custom that is still observed.
Mr. Varley
passed away quietly having returned from town and was sitting in a chair
relaxing and apparently died in his sleep.
A member of the family, Mrs. M. M. Thompson, found him and summoned
help. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Christman Varley, and a brother
J. A. Varley of
NOTICE
In the Probate Court of
An instrument dated
All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six months form the date of the first publication of this notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded form any benefit in the estate.
This notice first published, this 9th
day of February, 1951 - Fred Wasmer, Executor,
EARLE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BUSY YEAR
In 1950, the fire department answered 52 alarms. The worst were confined to the colored section of town.
The most tragic fire of the year was the LOTTIE YOUNG fire in which two children were burned to death with Lottie receiving severe burns which later proved fatal.
ELEVEN EARLE BOYS SEEK TO ENLIST
Seven High School students and four other
recent graduates left Monday to volunteer for duty in the Armed Forces of the
An aptitude test had been given and as
this is written (Wednesday) some are in
Those making the trip were; JIMMY PHILYAW, CLARENCE BURNS, HARVEY ROEDER, LEONARD LINDSEY, EDWARD DANIELS, JACK GREER, ALVIN CARRIER, HESTER MARTIN, SONNY BAKER, ED SIMONS and JOE WOOD.
Cemeteries Index | Links Index
| Home Page
| Births/Deaths Index
© Deborah Lunsford
Yates, 2000 – 2003
Last Updated Sunday, December 21, 2003, 10:06:14 PM CST