Walnut Grove Cemetery

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Burials since May 2013 Decoration
(Most current listed first)

WILLIAM H. "BILL" NICHOLS - Luke Section, Row L, Lot 11

William H. "Bill" Nichols, 81, of Branson, Missouri, formerly of Russellville, died Thursday, February 20, 2014, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born January 1, 1933, in Russellville, to William Conway and Nola Mae Duvall Nichols.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University, and received his Masters' Degree in Music from the University of Oklahoma. He was an ordained music minister through the Assemblies of God and served several churches over the years as the Minister of Music, including First Assembly of God in Russellville. He had the Nichols School of Music in both Fort Smith and Branson, and was the founder of His Kingdom Ministries in Branson. Most recently he was the Professor of Music at the College of the Ozarks at Branson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ginia Nichols; and a sister, Imo Hickman. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Malcolm and Caroline Nichols of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Anthony "Tony" Nichols of Hector; a daughter and son-in-law, Ginda and Ron Miller of Pocola, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Brittany Miller-Keen and her husband, Trent, Roxie Miller, Jessica Carr, Jeremiah Nichols and his wife, Shasta, Sarah Nichols, Luke Nichols and Catherine Nichols; and three great-grandchildren, Isabel Nichols, Nate Carr and Emma Carr.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014, at the Round Rock Church, officiated by the Rev. Chuck Hefley. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Hector, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Active pallbearers will be Jeremy Nichols, Jason Carr, Trent Keen, Ron Miller, Danny Bewley and Joe Hickman. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Lorenz, Brent Lorenz and Larry Neal. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m., on Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Music Department of the College of the Ozarks, 1 Industrial Place, Point Lookout, Missouri 65726.

OLLIE FAE FREEMAN - Mark Section, Row M, Lot 04

Ollie Fae Freeman, 83, a resident of Hector, died Monday, December 30, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born July 12, 1930, in Okemah, Oklahoma to William Henry "Bill" and Ora Theopolis Frazier Chisum. She married Willie Freeman on April 7, 1945, at Falling Water. She was a member of the Falling Water Church and enjoyed crocheting, hunting, fishing, quilting and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sons, Bill Lewis Freeman and Jerry Lee Freeman. Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Willie Freeman of Hector; three sons, Cecil and Linda of Pelsor, Larry Don and Missy of Dardanelle and Steve and Debbie of Hector; two daughters, Mary and Dave of Little Rock and Oretta and Eddie of Russellville; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Walnut Grove Cemetery at Hector with the Rev. Leonard Chisum and the Rev. Shane Williams officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Active pallbearers will be Randy and Matthew Butts, Steve Michael Freeman, Lee Burris, Jonathan Bradley and Dave Pierce. Honorary pallbearers will be George Freeman, Odell Freeman and Eddie Woestman.

LINDA ESTER RILEY - Paul Section, Row F, Lot 14

Linda Ester Riley, age 71, of Hector, died Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. She was born May 28, 1942, in Little Rock, to Jeff and Honer Iva McCurry Harris. She was a member of Hector First Assembly of God, where she sang in the choir.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Joe Riley; her parents and stepfather, Fred Jordan; a son, David Wayne Riley; and one brother, William "Bill" Harris. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Danny Joe Riley, Dennis Lee and Jeannie Riley and John Benjamin and Jaime Riley all of Hector; three daughters and sons-in-law, Belinda Kay and Randy Smith of Edmond, Oklahoma, Rebecca Jane and Danny Bradley of Greenbrier and Pamela Ann and Buck Gililland of Hector; three sisters; Sue Standrige of Dardanelle, Brenda Duvall of Mt. George, and Joyce Sanders of Dover; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 22, 2013, at Hector First Assembly of God with the Rev. Shane Williams and Rev. Dean Caldwell officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

WILLIAM DON STORY - John Section, Row B, Lot 19

William Don Story, 86, of Bentonville, died Sunday, November 10, 2013, at his home. He was born June 4, 1927, in Hobo, son of the late William Freeman and Mabel Hillis Story. He was a member of the Open Door Baptist Church in Rogers.

He is survived by his wife, Flo E. Story; three sons, Bruce Story and wife Jenny of Ozark, MO, Brent Story and Morris Story, both of Bentonville; daughter, Dawn and husband Roger Burke of Springdale; and grandchildren, Joe Story of Kansas City, MO, Angela Story Brown of Springfield, MO, Balyssa Story Taylor of Exeter, MO, and Aubrey and Dulcie Burke of Springdale; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service and burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, November 12, at Walnut Grove Cemetery with Rev. David Downum officiating under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins.

CHARLES KENNETH BOWDEN - Moses Section, Row J, Lot 02

Charles Kenneth Bowden, 82, of Hector, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2013, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville.

He was born August 31, 1931, in Hector, the son of Ernest and Mae Duncan Bowden. He was a mechanic for 35 years and loved hunting; he never met a stranger, always had a smile, and was a good husband and father. He was a member of Hector First Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Judy Lynn Bowden; and two sons, Jerry Wayne Bowden and Gary Don Bowden. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vigil Bowden of Hector; son, Kenny Bowden and fiancé Rhonda; and a granddaughter, Sierra Dawn Bowden, all of Russellville.

Funeral services are 10:00 AM Wednesday, October 30, at Lemley Chapel with Bro. Gary Harvey officiating. Burial is in Walnut Grove Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday. Pallbearers are Sam D. Warren, Sam (Will) Warren, Danny Crow, Danny Mewborn, Tommy Hill and Melvin Emerson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charles Bowden Memorial Expense Fund, c/o Lemley Funeral Service, P.O. Box 126, Atkins, AR 72823.

UBA BEAVERS - Luke Section, Row G, Lot 14a

Uba Beavers, 97 of Russellville passed away Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.

She was born May 4, 1916, in Cash, Texas, to John Pearson and Ellen Freeman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Beavers; and her parents. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Horace and Ann Beavers of Russellville; two grandchildren, Raymond Beavers of Russellville, Laura Denton of Flora, Miss.; two great-grandchildren, Johnny Childress of Flora, Miss., Lauren Shearer of Brandon, Miss., and one great great-grandchild, Stone Shearer. Uba attended Bethel Worship Center in Russellville.

Visitation will be conducted from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Broussard Funeral Chapel, 3323 E. 6th St., Russellville.
Graveside funeral service and burial will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Hector, under the direction of Broussard Funeral Home. 

RAYMOND BEAVERS - Luke Section, Row G, Lot 14b

Raymond Young Beavers age 91 passed away February 7, 2007.  He was born August 9, 1915 to A.U. Beavers and Mattie White.  He was the husband of Uba Thelma Pearson.  At his request, his body was donated to Medical Science.

His family placed an urn with his ashes in the casket with his loving wife, Uba Thelma Pearson Beavers on August 20, 2013 at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Hector, Arkansas.

THERON WAYNE RILEY - Luke Section, Row F, Lot 25

Theron Wayne Riley, 78, of Hector passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at his home.
He was born March 1, 1935, in Atkins, to Albert and Gracie Riley. Theron was a farmer and heavy equipment operator.

He is preceded in death by his wife, ...Sharon Riley; a son Steven Riley; his parents; three brothers, Junior Riley, Charles Riley and Earl Gene Riley; and his sister, Betty Bentley. He is survived by his brother, Jack Riley of Ledville, Colo., and several relatives and close friends.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Hector, officiated by Mr. Ricky Parks, under the direction of Broussard Funeral Home of Russellville. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, at the funeral home.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Jackie Riley, Jake Riley, Raymond Riley, Horace Beavers, Greg Riley and Lance Riley.

JANICE MARIE RENFRO - Calvary Section, Row R, Lot 13

Janice Marie Renfro, 81, of Lavaca, formerly of Russellville, died Friday, August 2, 2013, at her home. She was born November 7, 1931, at Chicago, Illinois, to August Antone and Mildred Ann Minnett Hoogstra. She had retired from Con-Agra Frozen foods after 20 years of service, and active at the Lavaca Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dolan Renfro; a daughter, Mildred Decker; and all of her brothers and sisters. 
Survivors include two sons, Dolan Ray Renfro Jr., of Georgia, and David J. Renfro of Russellville; a daughter, Linda Renfro of Charleston; and five grandchildren. 

Graveside service at Walnut Grove Cemetery Saturday August 10 at 2 P.M. All service arrangements are private, and are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

AC UTLEY - Paul Section, Row D, Lot 27

AC Utley, age 95, of Hector died Sunday, July 21, 2013. He was born September 14, 1917, in Dover, Arkansas, to Garfield A. & Ida Mae Torbit Utley. AC was a member of Welcome Home Free Will Baptist Church, Hector Masonic Lodge # 497, and Russellville Eastern Star # 505. He was a United States Air Force Veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Theda Dixon Utley; second wife, Lucille Harper Utley; two brothers, James and JW Utley; sister, Lucille Eakin; and son-in-law, John Enslen. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Condley Utley of Hector; four sons and spouses, Al and Brenda Utley of Arlington, Texas, Kylan and Sharon Utley of Hector, Sheldon Utley of Wroclaw, Poland, and Durlan and Linda Utley of Powderly, Texas; two daughters and spouses, A. Karén Enslen of San Jose, California and Agalia R. and Terry Baker of Russellville; a stepson and six stepdaughters; a brother, Glen Utley of San Leandro, California; a sister-in-law, Anita Utley of Dover; eight grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, July 25, 2013, at Welcome Home Free Will Baptist Church in Hector, officiated by Rev. Troy Coffman and Rev. Jonathon McEntire and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Janice Mitchell, 1464 Welcome Home Road, Hector, AR 72843, or Welcome Home Free Will Baptist Church, 233 Welcome Home Road, Hector, AR 72843. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Arkansas Department of Health Hospice and Deann Vick, RN in particular.

ROBERTA TURNER - Abraham Section, Row B, Lot 11

Roberta Turner, 83 of Hector, AR departed this life Wednesday, July 03, 2013 at her home.

She was born October, 30 1929 to James and Josephine Holderman. She was of the Christian Faith and was a retired nurse. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dr. Charles W. Turner; one sister, Martha Jeanne Pike; two brothers, Jim and Bill Holderman. Survivors include many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Although she had no children of her own, she was a mother to many.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2013 at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Hector, Arkansas under the direction of Broussard Funeral Home of Russellville.

BESSIE REVA HENSLEY COFFMAN - John Section, Row G, Lot 20

Bessie Reva Hensley Coffman, age 91, of Russellville, died Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. She was born January 11, 1922 in Sulphur Township in Pope County, to Irvin Virgil and Mary Margaret Clinkenbeard Hensley. She was a member of the Valley Antique Car Club. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, and painting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Lavoin "Speck" Coffman; a son, Michael Leroy Coffman; two brothers, Alvin and Berlin Hensley; two sisters, Eva Cain and Goldie Burnett; two nephews, Michael Hensley and Bob Cain; and a great-nephew, Mark Wright. Survivors include a son, David Coffman of Russellville; a daughter and son-in-law, Reva and Michael O'Barr of Russellville; four grandchildren, Chris Gray of Fayetteville, Matt Gray, and Cade and Carlee Coffman, all of Russellville; a sister, Vada Hensley of Winsboro, Texas; a brother-in-law and wife, James and Marilyn Coffman of Batesville; a nephew and wife, Charles and Sandy Wright of Russellville; three nieces and husbands, Jana and Gary Johnson of Winsboro, Susan and David Parker of Batesville and Saundra and Paul Gori of Georgia; and a great-niece, Ronda Allen of Fort Smith.

The graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Hector, officiated by Mr. Bill Roderick and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.

ARNEATA COFFMAN COOPER - John Section, Row R, Lot 07

Arneata Coffman Cooper, age 75, of Russellville, died Friday, June 7, 2013, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Hector, to Leamon and Emogene Hamilton Coffman. She graduated with honors from Hector High School. She retired from the Russellville School District, was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, an ordained elder of the church, a member of the choir, seekers Sunday school class, and Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministry. She had served as Church Treasurer and Director of Christian Education. She was a life member of Russellville Junior Auxiliary and served on the National Scholarship Committee for 6 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judy Coffman Thacker. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Gearl D. Cooper; her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Mike Williams; one grandson, Blake Michael Williams; one sister, Joann Coffman Hays; and brother-in-law, Jack Thacker and his wife, Dana.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013, at the Shinn Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Steve Mosley. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery near Hector, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Active pallbearers will be Andy Kinslow, Eddy Kinslow, Steve Cochran, Tom Butler, Sam Coffman, Ronnie Coffman and John Flippo. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, from 1-3 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1200 North Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72801

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Last updated: February 24, 2014