Classmate Obituaries - Letter B

These obituaries correspond with the yearbooks that are listed on this website. Whenever possible, the source of the obituary will be shown as well as the date.

Barnett, Larry Thomas

Larry Thomas Barnett, 64 of Alexander, died on March 25, 2015 in Little Rock due to complications with diabetes.
Larry was born on June 11, 1950 in Benton, Arkansas. He graduated from Benton High School and later attended Henderson State University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Larry served as a medic in the United States Army for two years during the Vietnam War.
Larry was a passionate individual who loved astronomy and enjoyed looking at the stars, working with electronics including building solar panels, and had a passion for learning.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald “Red” Eugene Barnett and his brother, Garry Lyn Barnett.
Larry is survived by his mother, Erma Lee Barnett, son, Brian Thomas Barnett and wife, Amanda Lynn, daughter, Jamie Lanelle Beaty Williams and husband, Dustin Tige, grandsons, Ryan, Cole, and Lukas Barnett, granddaughter, Melba Williams.
Cremation was through Ashby Funeral Home. A private memorial service will be held at his son’s home on Saturday, March 28 at 12:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry’s life.
The family would like to thank the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital staff for their outstanding care and comfort. His family remembers him as a passionate and caring individual with a humorous spirit. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton High School Class of 1968]

Bates, Shirley Darlene Golleher

Shirley Darlene Bates, age 64, of Benton passed away Monday January 12, 2015. She was born November 5, 1950, in Saline County. Shirley retired after 30 years as a registered nurse at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff Golleher and Johnnie Kyle Golleher.
Survivors, son, Larry Adam Bates, Benton; brother, Ricky Joe Ward, Benton; grandson, Jason Adam Bates, Benton; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Ashby’s.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at New Rosemont Cemetery. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1968]

Beaty, Lois Charlene Nalley

Lois Charlene Beaty, 82, of Benton died Sunday, October 29, 2006.
She was born August 24, 1924, in Benton to Charles and Daisy Nalley.
Mrs. Beaty was a member of the First Baptist Church in Benton and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Robert H. Beaty Sr.; and one son, Robert "Bob" H. Beaty Jr and wife Fonda; two daughters, Lois Hobby and husband Donald, all of Benton, and Freida Blackburn and husband Tommy of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; five brothers, Leroy Nalley, Leeman Nalley, Willis Nalley, Ted Nalley and John Nalley, all of Benton; two sisters, Elizabeth McPherson and Martha Rogers, both of Benton; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ashby Funeral Home, with Rick Grant officiating. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Pallbearers will be Brian Nalley, Kenny Nalley, David Nalley, Scotty Nalley, Randy Nalley and Mike Nalley. [from the Benton Courier, Tuesday, October 31, 2006] [Benton Class of 1944]

Beavert, Gary Dennis

Sulphur — Services for Gary Dennis Beavert, 57, Sulphur, are 3 p.m. Saturday, at Vinita Avenue Church of Christ, Tom Byrd officiating. Burial follows at Box X Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Vinita Avenue Church of Christ.
Mr. Beavert died May 27, 2004, at an Oklahoma City hospital. He was born March 10, 1947, at Benton, Arkansas, to Carlos Chastain and Marie McClane Beavert. He graduated from Benton High School in 1965 and attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Oklahoma Christian University.
He worked in the security department at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and was a member of Vinita Avenue Church of Christ.
He and Linda Cantrell were married September 30, 1967, at Benton.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Dwight Beavert and Phil Beavert.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Beavert, of the home; two sons, Richard Dan Beavert and wife Frances, Houston, Texas, and Don Andrew Beavert, Midwest City; a sister, Gail Bieber, Morristown, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
Bearers are Gary Mink, Gary Allmon, Rick Kesler, Larry Gay, Mike McCracken, Les Claggett and Louis Coberly.
The family says those who wish may make memorials to World Bible School, c/o Vinita Avenue Church of Christ, 12th and Vinita, Sulphur, OK 73086. [from Criswell Funeral Home] [Benton Class of 1965]

Beck, Keith

Keith Beck, 63, of Benton died November 27, 2012. He was born on November 30, 1948, in Little Rock to the late Herbie Fred Beck and Mardell Nash Beck.
Keith worked for Reynolds Metals for 13 years before joining the Benton Police Department as a sergeant where he retired. He was a past president of the Police Union, Fraternal Order of Police President, and a member of Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Keith loved boating and fishing and spending time with his friends at the VFW. He had a marvelous sense of humor who lived life to the fullest. He adored his family and loved the Lord with all his heart. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
He is survived by two daughters, Desiree Beard and husband Lyndell of West Plains, Missouri, and Angela Winfield and husband Rusty of Hope, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Winfield, Zachary Winfield, Spencer Beard, Austin Beard, Joshua Winfield, Weston Beard, and Olivia Beard; special friend Kay Bradshaw, and over thirty cousins.
Funeral service is 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2012, in the chapel of Roller-Ballard Funeral Home (315-4047) with Bro. Carl Ritchey officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander will Police Honors.
Serving as pallbearers will be Captain Jeff Besancon, Captain Scotty Hodges, Lieutenant Mike Kassel, Sergeant Hanley Taylor, Corporal Daniel Creasey, and Sergeant Justin Tittle. Honorary pallbearers will be Keith's grandsons.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening, November 29th at the funeral home. [from Roller-Ballard Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Bishop, Roy Elston

Roy Elston Bishop, 83, former mayor of Bryant, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011, at Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant. Mr. Bishop was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on April 28, 1928. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant.
Mr. Bishop was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Ercel Bishop and Bessie Ruff Bishop, and a brother, James Neal Bishop.
Survivors include his daughter, Roya Bishop Lloyd and her husband Jim; son Johnny Bishop, brother Wayne Bishop and his wife Melba; sisters Gene Jerry, and Margie Wingfield and her husband Albert; three grandchildren, Chelsea Bishop Ward and her husband Steve, and David and Colleen Lloyd; one great-grandchild, Addison Ward; his former wife, Venita Bishop; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bishop graduated from Bryant High School and attended Little Rock Junior College. He served as Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and was stationed in London, England. Upon returning to the states, he was employed by Alcoa as a laboratory analyst for 11 years. During that time, he also owned and operated two drive-in cafes, Whopper Burgers 1 and 2 in Benton, which were popular hangouts during the 60’\s. He later became an announcer at radio station KGKO in Benton, and a successful mobile home salesman. In 1973, Mr. Bishop served on the city council in Bryant, and was elected mayor from 1975 to 1978 and again in 1989, serving three consecutive terms afterward for a total of 14 years. While mayor he was appointed to the Arkansas Municipal League Executive Committee, and later presented an honorary lifetime membership in the league. Roy loved his community and served it well. He was a Scimitar Shriner and a member of the Alumina Lodge, No. 574. Other community activities include serving as president of the Saline County Riding Club, secretary/treasurer of the Saline County Fair Association, charter member and president of the Bryant Lions Club, Board member for the Lions World Services for the Blind, president of the Bryant Chamber of Commerce where he was specified Member of the Year four different times and presented and honorary lifetime membership. He was appointed by the governor to the State Board of Manufactured Housing, and served on the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors. He was also on the Board of Directors at Benton State/Regions Bank for thirty years. His interests were many. He loved the outdoors and for a period of time showed quarter horses and Basset hounds. He enjoyed water skiing and golf, traveling, and talking with friends while working in the yard. He was full of life, interested in people, and giving of his time and energy to those in need. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Ashby’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be at Ashby’s Funeral Home the following morning, Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Jimmy Hefner officiating. A Masonic burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bub Bishop, Terry Jerry, Bart Singleton, Daniel Ashcraft, Trey Bishop, and Ben Jerry.
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Fox Ridge, Saline Memorial Hospital, and the Hospice House in Bryant for the care of their loved one.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shiners’ Children’s Hospitals, Lions’ World Services for the Blind, or First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant. [from Ashby Funeral Hoe online obituary] [Bryant Class of 1947]

Bowen, Joanna Hobbs

Joanna Bowen, 55, of Benton died Saturday, August 12, 2006. She was born January 2, 1951, in Benton.
Mrs. Bowen was preceded in death by her father, Charles Hobbs of Hot Springs; her mother, Betty Hobbs of Benton.
Survivors include one son, Rodney Bowen and his wife Garbriela of Hot Springs; two grandchildren, Olivia and Joshua; two sisters, Druetta Craig and husband Jim and Connie Carter and husband Danny, all of Little Rock; two nieces, Alisha Smith of Alexander and Christina Leitch of Little Rock; and many other relatives and friends.
Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Forest Hills Memorial Park, with Calvin Turbyfill officiating.
Pallbearers will be Joe Stockton, Jerry Krebs, Allen Sykes and Dow Currier.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home.
Family comments: Anyone who knew Joanna was aware of her passion for animals and it is fitting that she would be honored by memorials to the Saline County Humane Society in the name of Joanna, Bitsy and Missy Bowen. She will be forever loved and missed by her family. [from Benton Courier online obituary] [Benton Class of 1968 - junior]

Bowen, Ronald

Ron Bowen, 50, of Hot Springs died Thursday, December 17, 1998, at home.
Born September 10, 1948, at Richmond, California, he was a U.S. Army veteran, member of Emory Street Baptist Church and worked for UPS. He was predeceased by his mother, Juanita Bowen, and a brother, Jerry Bowen.
Survivors include a son, Jason Brandon Bowen of Hot Springs; a daughter, Cassi Summer of Hot Springs; his father, Doyle Bowen of Hot Springs; three brothers, Melvin Bowen Jr. of Oklahoma City, Larry Bowen of Hot Springs, and Terry Bowen of Fayetteville; and a sister, Sharon Smith of Hot Springs.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home. [from the Sentinel-Record] [Hot Springs Class of 1966]

Bradberry, Larry Lee

Larry Lee Bradberry of Little Rock died Saturday, April 27, 2002. He was 53.
He was born November 24, 1948, in Little Rock to Frank and Thelma Bradberry. He was a foreman for the Asplunda Tree Service, and was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, He was preceded in death by four brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Bradberry; a son, Jason Bradberry of Louisiana; a daughter, Kristi Bradberry of Benton; four stepchildren, rose Giles, J. R. Giles, and Darrick Giles, all of Little Rock, and Dedrick Jackson of California; two brothers, Bill Bradbury of Malvern and Tom Bradbury of Sheridan; four sisters, Linda Eslick of Malvern, and Bonnie Hunnicutt and Becky Carter, both of Benton, and Ruby McCurry of Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will follow at Kentucky Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, 778-2544. [from the Benton Courier, April 29, 2002, page 2] [Benton Class of 1966]

Brizzolara, Janet Louise Yarbrough

Janet Louise Brizzolara, age 57 years, of Little Rock, passed away December 25, 2005, after a long illness. She was born July 12, 1948, in Benton, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Byron and Ann Yarbrough. Mrs. Brizzolara was a graduate of Benton High School before graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in English. Before her illness she taught at Miss Selma’s School and at Holy Souls Catholic School. After her illness she loved “needle pointing," collecting figurines and she loved playing the piano. She maintained an up beat pleasant demeanor at all times no matter how she was feeling.
Janet is survived by her husband of 35 years John P. Brizzolara of Little Rock, a daughter Tricia Ann Maudlin and husband Todd of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a son John P. Brizzolara Jr. and wife Abigail of Little Rock, two granddaughters, Mollyann and Isabella Maudlin of Oklahoma City, two sisters Cathy Dicus of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Vicki Johnson of California.
There will be a Rosary Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ruebel Funeral home, followed Wednesday with a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church at 11 a.m. with The Very Reverend Monsignor David LeSieur as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements are under he direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers; Tommy Jones, Jim Niedermeyer, Charles Dicus, Jonathon Dicus and Junior Holleman.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the St. Vincent Infirmary Foundation. [from Ruebel funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Brookins, Patricia L. "Patty" Ryan

Patricia L. "Patty" (Ryan) Brookins, 66, of Benton, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Predeceased in death by parents Nolan and Hazel Ryan of Benton, Arkansas.
She retired from Baptist Health after 35 years of nursing; and has practiced nursing for 44 years. She was of the Baptist faith. Her family and friends will remember her caring and compassionate spirit, having received numerous honors from her career. She will also be known for her strong and perservering disposition.
Patty will be remembered by her loving husband, Clay Brookins and her children: Monica VanHorn and Bryan Lovell and her stepchildren Candy Shelton and Randy Brookins. She is survived by sister Terry Turner; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a nephew and two nieces.
Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday. Funeral will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Forest Hills. 501-455-1067. [from Griffin Leggett Forest Hills online obituary] [Benton Class of 1965]

Bryant, Johnnie Inez Keen

Johnnie Inez Bryant, age 67, of Benton passed away Sunday February 23, 2014, at her home. She was born January 27, 1947, in Benton to the late Hubert Lamar Keen and Frankie Christina Moody Keen. Johnnie was a 1966 graduate of Benton High School, a housewife and a member of Grape Chapel Church of God.
Survivors, husband, Alvin Clay Bryant, Benton; son, Dustin Clay Bryant and his wife Katherine, of Benton; daughters, Haley Morgan Bryant, Benton; Melissa Michelle Waynescott, Hot Springs; brothers, Butch Keen, Mt. View; George Keen, Malvern; sister, Dorcas Vance, Owensville.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Bryant, Maxine Marie White

Maxine Marie Bryant, age 65, of Benton, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013. She was born April 3, 1947, in England, Arkansas. Mrs. Bryant was a LPTN and retired from the Alexander Youth Center. She was a member of Palestine Baptist Church. Mrs. Bryant was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Thomas White Sr. and Thelma Covert White and a sister, Martha Jean Goodwin.
She is survived by her husband, Warren Albert Bryant; two sons, Jon Bryant and wife Valerie and Jackie Bryant and wife Janie all of Benton; brother, Carl Thomas White Jr. of Heber Springs; sister, Mary Jane Lemons of Benton and two grandchildren, Kinsey and Grace Bryant.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15 at Ashby Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 16 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Hicks Cemetery. Bro. Clyde Chenault will be officiating.
Family Comments: A special thanks to the staff at Heartland Rehab and Care Center. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1965]

Burroughs, Linda Sue

Linda Sue Burroughs of Benton died Sunday, March 28, 1999. She was 51.
Burroughs was born in Hot Springs, was a Baptist and was employed by Ashby Funeral Home in Benton.
Survivors include her mother, Helen Burroughs of Hot Springs; a foster parent, Tom Renegar of Benton; three brothers, Johnny, Robert, and Joe Burroughs, all of Hot Springs, and David Burroughs of Dallas.
Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ashby Funeral Home with the Rev. Carl Wright officiating.
Burial will follow at New Rosemont Cemetery in Benton.
Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. [from the Benton Courier, March 29, 1999] [Hot Springs Class of 1967]