From the 1970’s

Janis Barnes Kovalsic is a grandma again!  Congraultions, Janis!

Cathy Alley, Class of 73, is a grandma!  Haven Grace Alley was born 6/9/07.  Miss Alley weighed in at 7 lbs even, 19.5 inches and 5 rolls of grandma's film.  Go to the yahoogroup site for a picture.

From the 1980’s

From the 1990’s

From the 2000’s

Faculty

DEATHS

From the 1930’s

Hazel Mathews Hopkins, 9/19/06

Jess Willard Red, Class of 1938.  Jess Willard Red, 90, of Benton died March 30, 2007.  He was born in Mabelvale on November 6, 1916.  He graduated from Mabelvale High School at the age of 22.  Obituary in Sunday's Benton Courier.  It can also be viewed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com    


Carl Martin, Class of 1930-WILLIAM CARL MARTIN, 96, died Friday morning, April 6, 2007, at his residence surrounded by his family. Carl was a lifelong resident of Mabelvale and was a descendant of one of the original settlers of the Mabelvale community. He was listed in Who’s Who in Arkansas. The Library at Mabelvale Middle School is named in his honor. He was well-known for his mechanical and engineering talent. He could design, build, or repair any mechanical or structural project. Carl was self-employed for many years after working at Alcoa for a time. 

He led the project to move the Pulaski County jail, a seven-story building, for a distance of three blocks when the new Main Street Bridge was being constructed in Little Rock. Carl was known as a collector and at the time of his death still possessed several of the columns from the original Little Rock Library building that was demolished in the 1960s. Two of these columns have been given to Mabelvale Middle School.

Carl has some unique events in his life. He was blown up in a dynamite
explosion, was kidnapped, was mugged and endured seven hip-replacement surgeries. He donated his body to UAMS Medical School. 

He was a member of Masonic Lodge and Mabelvale United Methodist Church.

Carl is survived by his wife, Leora Lorene Martin; son, William Carl
Martin Jr.  (Class of 1956) and wife Lucy; daughters, Carole Sue Schafer ( Class of 1960) and Betty Lynn McBurnett (Class of 1959) and husband Searcy; grandchildren, Jamey Blakley and Lynda Rogers; sisters, Mollie Wiseman ( Class of 1941) of Little Rock and Dorothy Mullis (Class of 1940) of North Carolina; three great-grandchildren; seven nieces and five nephews.

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Friday, April 20th at Mabelvale
United Methodist church. Memorials may be made to the church or Arkansas
Hospice.

Roller-Drummond Funeral Home assisting, (501) 455-5800. Online guest
book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ drummond.


From the 1940’s

It is with great saddness that I have to advise you of the death of my
sister. Ophelia Kellogg Lee. She died on November 22,2006. She graduated in 1944. The funeral is at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25 at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church on Arch Street Pike in Little Rock. Burial is in the church cemetery.

George Burnett Meyer, Jr., Class of 1944, died 3/24/06.  Condolences are sent to the family which includes  brother Ted Meyer, Class of 50 and a nephew, Ted Meyer, Jr., Class of 72.

Eva Jean Burks, Class of 1947, passed January 11, 2006

Harold Young, Sr., Class of 1948,  and husband of Francis Green Young (also 1948) passed 27 July 2006.

Polly Billings Seaman, Class of 1943, passed 2/4/06

Robert "Bob" Harvell, Class of 1943, passed 7/22/06

From the 1950’s

Glenn Alexander, class of ’53, passing on Monday the 25th of Sept.
His obituary can be accessed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com

I just read the obituary of Golda Mae (Dinger) Rummell, ( Mabelvale class of 1954,) who passed away Saturday the 16 of December.
Her obituary is accessible at:
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal

From the 1960’s

From the Class of 66, David Laman passed 3/16/06, please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Terry Joe Garner, Class of 61, Lydia Garner, Class of 66, and Phyllis Garner Moore, Class of 69, lost their mother in early March, 2006.  Our sympathies are extended to the family.

Johnny Ray Lester, Class of 66, passed on 6/20/06.

Glynn Davis, Class of 67, passed on 6/24/06.  Click here: Roller Funeral Homes 

Lowell Smith, Jr., Class of 1966, passed on 6/28/06.  Click here: Little Rock Funeral Home: Obituaries 

David Smart, Class of 1960, passed 7/4/06.

(Lamoin) Buddy Tripp died from complications of a stroke, 8/1/06.  Visitation for Buddy will be held in Malvern, Arkansas at the Regency
Funeral Home at 1839 Pine Bluff Ave from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 3
August 2006.

A grave side service will be performed at 11:30 am on Friday the 4th
of August in the Shadowland Cemetary located directly across the road
from Regency Funeral Home on Pine Bluff Ave in Malvern. This service
will be performed with full military honors. During Vietnam Buddy was
awarded not only the highest Air Force Honor of the Distinguished
Flying Cross but was also awarded the associated Oak Leaf Cluster as
well, he had also been awarded with other medals as well a true hero
in his own right but never given the praise he had deserved.

As a brother, he will always be my hero!!.....Scott Tripp

Linda Smith Murray from the class of ’64 lost her husband Leon on Tuesday, Sept  26.  Leon was 63 and had siblings who attended Mabelvale as well. He was diagnosed 2 months ago with cancer.  Linda’s brother Ronnie Smith was in the class of ’66 and her sister, Janice was in the class of ’67, I believe.  Janice died several years ago with cancer also.  Linda’s address is 15432 S. Nash, Alexander, AR 72002. 

 
   Michael L. Dempsey, age 57, of Little Rock died
Thursday, December 14, 2006.  He was born in Little
Rock on October 20, 1949 the son of William F. and
Bernice Crook Dempsey.  He was a sales and computer
analyst and was a United States Army Veteran.

    Michael loved the outdoors, hunting, and fishing.
and was also a dog trainer.  He served as a
board-member of Arkansas Squirrel Hunters Association.

    He was preceded in death by his parents and his
grandmother, Flossie Crook, who raised him from 6
months of age.

    He is survived by his wife, Vicky Hardcastle
Dempsey; a stepson, Joseph Ederington of Scott; and
two grandchildren, Isaiah Ederington and Sarah
Ederington.

    The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday,
December 18, 2006 at Martindale Baptist Church with
Reverend Jay Weaver officiating.  Interment will be at
Pinecrest Memorial Park.

    The family will receive friends at Roller-Chenal
Funeral Home (501)224-8300 from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m.,
Sunday.

John Conrad, Class of 66, passed 12/30/06.  Information pending.

HENSLEY - Sharrell Tate (McClain), 61, of Hensley, Ark., was born in
LittleRock on July 11, 1945 to Luster V. Tate, Jr. and Bonnie Lyons
Tate. She passed away on Monday, Jan. 29 at Baptist Memorial Hospital,
North Little Rock. She was employed with the Little Rock School District
for 19 years and was loved,respected and cherished by her family and
many friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Lyons Tate and sister
Alicia Tate McCroskey. She is survived by her beloved sons, Daron
McClain (Missy) and Phillip McClain (Mary), sister, Debbie Watkins (Ron)
and brother, Steve Tate (Robin) and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the
First Baptist Church of Sherwood. Immediately following the ceremony,
friends and family are invited back to her home for a celebration of her
life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharrell Tate
memorial fund at any Metropolitan Bank.

Bill Beck, Jr., passed 11/09/06, and is sorely missed by his family.

Bobby Hughes, Class of 1969, was killed on 2/24/07, while helping a stranded motoroist.  Please check the link below for additional information.  Please sign the guest book.





From the 1970’s

Gary Davis, Class of 74, died 5/8/06.  He is survived by his wife, Belinda Davis,  two sisters, Barbara Davis Gray (Class of 1975) and Mary Davis Caple (Class of 1965), four brothers, Ralph "Reagen" (Class of 1958), Bob (Class of 1961),  Roy Earl (Class of 1965),  and Henry (Class of 1968).  Also, he is proceeded in death by his oldest brother, Charles (Class of 1955).  Memorial Services

3/30/06, Steven Pierkowski, Class of 72, died in Greenbay, Wisconsin.  He is survived by his wife, children and other family members.

Ed Lewellen, Class of 1972, died 2 April 2006.  Our condolences are extended to his wife, Kathy O’Brian Lewellen,  1973, and his brother, Jeff, Class of 1975.  Our prayers go out to all his family.

David Laman, Class of 72, passed 3/16/06.

Gregory Trawick Harrelson, age 51, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2006, in North Little Rock. Born in Little Rock on December 2, 1954, he was the son of Doyle Harrelson and the late Mary Juanita (Trawick) Harrelson.

A former resident of Little Rock, Greg had lived in Heber Springs for two and a half years and was an employee of National Home Center. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Heber Springs.

Survivors include his son, Roy Trawick Harrelson of Ward; his father and stepmother, Doyle and Jessie Faye Harrelson of Heber Springs; one brother, Gary Harrelson of New Orleans,(Class of 70),  Louisiana; and two sisters, Pat Hirst (Class of 63)  and her husband, Bill, of Sherwood, and Jan Harrelson,  (Class of 68) also of Sherwood.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Greg’s Earthly Angel, Denise Oberle Purdy, ( Class of 1973), who was a wonderful friend to Greg and provided many hours of support and encouragement to him as he fought his illness. 

Marcia Toon Pinson, Class of 1972, passed 7/5/06  Click here: Griffin Leggett Funeral Homes and Cemeteries 

Randall Baker, brother of Kirk Baker, Class of 74, passed 7/19/06.  Click here: Griffin Leggett Funeral Homes and Cemeteries

 Craig lost his battle with cancer around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon (1/12/07).  Below is the funeral information.   

northlittlerockfuneralhome.com

Visitation:  1/16/07  6-8pm  NLR Funeral Home, Main St, NLR 

Service:  1/17/07   1pm  St Luke's Episcopal, JFK, NLR with entombment at St Luke's

 

It’s a little past noon and the phone rings.  Not unusual – Craig had already received several calls during the time I was there for a visit at the hospital.  This one was different.  It was a wrong number.   The caller was inquiring about her friend, the previous occupant of the room.  Without hesitation Craig introduced himself, explained that he didn’t know her friend, but began to ask about the person, comforting the caller.  Anyone else would have simply said “You have the wrong number” and would have quickly hung up.  Not Craig – his whole life was about connecting with people.   

My running joke with Craig was that I was never able to have lunch with him without someone recognizing him and starting an enthusiastic conversation.  One lunch, I thought I had him.  We are almost back to my car when someone from across a long parking lot yelled, “Hey Craig – remember me from high school.”  Craig had won again. 

Craig loved people.  He would experience an almost childlike frustration when someone responded to one of his trademark greetings coldly.  Why wouldn’t someone want to start a conversation?  He genuinely enjoyed finding the commonality in a person – seeing differences not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to break down a barrier. 

 As much as Craig loved people, he loved his family even more.  Despite the frequent late night battles with Mary’s Parkinson’s, he would arrive at work ready to give 110 percent.  He considered it to be his exclusive privilege to hold Mary during the night when the tremors came.   I have countless memories of Craig, with a father’s pride, retelling stories of his kids.  His family was his crown jewel of this life. 

 It’s now almost 12:30 and Craig’s lunch has arrived – Salisbury steak, not his favorite.  With a chagrined look, Craig knows he needs to eat - physical therapy is just moments away.  As we say our goodbyes, his mom instinctively begins to cut up his food.  Craig’s limited mobility made even the simplest tasks a challenge.   The love between a mom and her always “little boy” would be the last visual image I would have of Craig as I left the hospital.  Two and a half hours later, Craig would be gone. 

Craig is now completely healed, freed by the One he had yielded to years ago – the person of Jesus Christ.  Craig’s life while on earth was just his title page – the first chapter of his life is just now beginning to be written.  That is the hope that is available to all. 

In the end, you can only truly measure someone by the legacy they leave behind.  Craig’s heritage will be the lesson that even during incredibility difficult times, God is always sovereign, people matter, and having a family is never a burden - it is an amazing privilege.   .

Mickey Davoust, Class of 1971, passed on 3/18/07.  No details at this time.

Gilbert Lee Walqamont, Class of 1974, passed on 3/29/07.  No details at this time.

Travis Wilson, son of Randy (1971) Wilson and Karen Clark (1970) Wilson

TRAVIS CLARK WILSON, 25, of Little Rock, passed away on Thursday, May31,
2007. Born Jan. 16, 1982, in Little Rock, Travis was a graduate of
Central Arkansas Christian School in 2000, attended the University of
Central Arkansas and was presently attending the University of
Arkansas-Little Rock. A sports enthusiast,Travis enjoyed baseball,
hunting, fishing, wake boarding and water sports, and coached Upward
Basketball. He was a life-time member of Henderson United Methodist
Church. Travis was a loving son, a true friend and will be missed by many.

He is survived by his parents, Randy and Karen Wilson; paternal
grandparents, Lloyd and Hazel Wilson; uncle, Ray Wilson and wife Pam;
cousins, Nicholas and Andrew Wilson; godparents, Steve and Becky
Singleton; girlfriend, Laura Cook; numerous other extended family
members and many friends. He was preceded in death byhis maternal
grandparents, Ray and Eula Clark; and uncle, Bill Clark.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 3,
2007, at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills, 10200 Hwy. 5 North, Alexander
(501) 455-1067. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June
4, 2007, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Forest Hills
Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in
Travis’s name to your favorite charity. To sign Travis’s online guest
book, please visit www.griffinleggett.com.

VANESSA GAIL ZORN (Class of 73), age 51, of Little Rock, Ark., died Sunday, June
3rd,2007. She was born Dec. 22nd, 1955, in Pine Bluff, Ark., to the late
Rev. Jessie Darrell and Margaret Sanders Selvey. Her husband, John
Christopher Zorn, and daughter, Christie Suzanne Zorn, precede her in
death. Vanessa is survivedby her son: Stephen Zorn of North Hollywood,
Calif.; brother: Skip Selvey of Fayetteville; sister: Kathy Bentley of
Philadelphia, Pa.; and stepsister: Peggy Winesberg of Russellville.

Funeral services are Wednesday, 10 a.m. June 6th at Rest Hills Funeral
Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117, with burial
following at 2 p.m. in Bryants Cove Cemetery, Pontoon, Ark. Visitation
will be from 9-10 a.m. prior to services. Online guest register:
www.griffinleggett.com.

From the 1980’s

Also, two members from the class of 88 -- Ralph Brink and Christie Barbee Brink - lost a son this past week.   Maddox Brink was born in September 2006.  I think his funeral is today in Little Rock.

Paul Dean Purkiss, 6/2/05.  No information.

Amy Michelle Hoover Goldbaum, Class of 1988, passed 7/2/06.  For information:  Click here: Griffin Leggett Funeral Homes and Cemeteries 


Dorothy Storey, long time teacher at David O’Dodd and known by many alumni passed 2 August 2006.

Tina Richele (Sanges) Eubanks, 40, went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2006. She was born at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock on June 23, 1966. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Kime Eubanks; three children, Jessica Richele, 12, Parker Kime, 8, and Rileigh Elizabeth, 5; parents, Anita Bradley Sweeney and Bill Sanges; a brother, Bryan Sanges; a nephew, Chris Sanges, all of Benton; a grandmother, Nettie Smith and an aunt, Katherine Purcell of Rialto, Calif.

Tina was a 1984 graduate of McClellan High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Tina and Kime are the recipients of the 2006 Arkansas Parents of the Year Courage Award. She was proud to be a stay-at-home mom, and her career and the focus of her life was the loving care of her three beautiful children, being a devoted wife and a friend to everyone she met. She home schooled all three children. Tina leaves behind a multitude of friends, each of whom she loved dearly. The phrase that is so often said about her is “I am a better person for having known Tina Eubanks.” She is a very special person and leaves behind a legacy of love, which will live on through her children.

Funeral Services will be conducted under the direction of Roller-Ballard Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at The Church at Rock Creek with the Revs. Greg Kirksey and Doug Pruitt officiating. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, December 18, 2006 at Geyer Springs Baptist Church in Little Rock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Church at Rock Creek or ACCESS Schools, both of Little Rock.

From the 1990’s

From the 2000’s

Faculty