Classmate Obituaries - Letter R

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.

Ramsey, Thomas "Tom"

Thomas "Tom" Ramsey 67 of Bryant passed away on December 3, 2016.
He was born on August 8, 1949, to Marshall and Lovie Ramsey in Bauxite, Arkansas.
Tom served his country, state and local civic and charitable organizations with distinction. He retired as a LTC from the Army as the state director, Selective Service System, as well as the Benton Police Department as a patrol sergeant. He was a member of New Hope Methodist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Kathy Ramsey; his parents; two daughters, Summer Scott (Gregg) and Candice Ramsey (Melissa); two sons, Nick Ramsey (Crystal) and Zach Ramsey (Cassie); six grandchildren, Tyler, Preston, Drew, Emma, Karalina and Allie; three sisters, Marsha, Marilyn and Missy; one brother, Tony and a host of family and friends who all loved him and will miss him dearly.
Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to www.curealz.org. [from Dial and Dudley Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1967]

Raney, Glenn Edward

Glenn Edward Raney, age 68, of Benton son of Victor Raney and Ida Bell Raney, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. He was born August 24, 1947, in Benton. Glenn was a 1965 graduate of Benton Senior High School and a 1966 graduate of Arkansas School of Business with a degree in Data Processing. He was also a 20 year veteran of the United States Air Force and retired with 20 years of service with the Pulaski County Assessor's Office. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents. He was a lifetime member of Sharon Missionary Baptist church. Glenn will be greatly missed by his close friends.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Ashby's Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Pipkin Cemetery with full Military Honors. Ministers will be Bro. Michael Reese and Bro. Jeff Hulsizer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sharon Missionary Baptist Building Fund. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Rasburry, Michael Andrew

Michael Andrew Rasburry of Benton, a heavy equipment operator, died Sunday. [Marker indicates Saturday.] He was 40.
He was a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his father, Porter Rasburry of Benton; his mother, Reba Pine of Little Rock; two sons, Jason M. Rasburry of Alexander and Gabriel Rasburry Day of Huntington, West Virginia; a daughter, Brandy M. Rasburry of Alexander; his grandfather, Coy Back [Black] of Alameda, California; and two sisters, Janice Tedford of Benton and Robbin Dohm of San Juan Capistrano, California.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Old Rosemont Cemetery with the Rev. Robert McDaniel officiating.
Scheduled to serve as pallbearers are Mark Tedford, Steve Rasburry, Stan Rasburry, E. W. Dickerson, Jimmy Shepard, and Jimmy Hawthorne.
Arrangements are by Ballard Funeral Home.
The family is at 521 Newcomb Drive.
Memorials may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill St., Wilton, NH 03086. [from the Benton Courier, Tuesday, May 8, 1990, page 2] [Benton Class of 1968]

Reeves, Gregory Keith

PFC Greg Reeves Killed in Vietnam
Marine Corps PFC Gregory K. Reeves, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Reeves, 707 Crestwood, Benton, has been killed in action in Vietnam.
Official notification was made to his parents last Friday, July 12.
PFC Reeves had served in Vietnam for five months. He was killed in the northern part of South Vietnam.
He was a 1966 graduate of Benton High School and attended Arkansas Sate College, Conway, before entering the Marine Corps in 1967. He took his basic training at San Diego and his advanced training at Camp Pendleton, California.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Benton.
Surviving are his parents; a brother, Ross Reeves, and a sister, Lisa Reeves, both of Benton; and his grandmother, Mrs. M. P. Crow, of Benton.
the funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. B. K. Selph officiating. burial will be in Ten Mile Cemetery with Ashby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. [from the Benton Courier, July 18, 1968] [Benton Class of 1966]

Rickard, Phyllis Beam

Phyllis Beam Rickard age 64 of Paron, Arkansas, died August 4, 2013, at home.
She is survived by her husband, Lannie C. Rickard and two sons, Lannie Eric Rickard and Brent Aaron Rickard and his wife Shawna and three grandchildren, Jeremiah, Waylon and Anna, all of Paron, Arkansas; her mother, Ruth Beam; a brother Bob Beam and wife Clara; a sister Shirley Eidson and husband Maurice of Benton, Arkansas; a sister, Sherry Polzin and husband Daniel of Paron, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her father, E. W. "Dub" Beam of Benton, Arkansas; a brother, Jesse D. Beam of Supply, North Carolina.
She was born and raised in Saline County, Arkansas. After graduating from Benton High School, she attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was a member of the Benton Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was employed several years at Smith-Caldwell Drug Store, Benton Public Schools, Benrock, District Court and Central Arkansas Development Council.
Phyllis was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her family was her life. She loved to travel especially going to Branson, she loved music, singing and antiquing. She spent many years traveling with her husband and sons following them on the pipe line and making a home for them where ever they went.
Funeral services will be held at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 8th with Pastor Michael Wolford officiating.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 7th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ashbys. Burial will be at Walnut Bottom Cemetery Paron, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Marc Nickolson, Harold Hunt, Brad Hunt, Danny Rickard, Jeremy Dodson and Tony Rickard.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation or the American Cancer Society. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [BHS Class of 1967]

Rickard, Rosa Lee Curtis

Rosa Lee Rickard, age 86, of Benton, passed away Wednesday December 17, 2008. She was born July 6, 1922, in Aplin, Arkansas. Mrs. Rickard was a homemaker and a member of Forest Hills Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jeffie Curtis; husband, Zollie Evans Rickard; four brothers, Allen, Ed, Don and Kelso Curtis and a sister, Eunice Jackson.
She is survived by two sons, Curtis Rickard and John Rickard both of Benton; two daughters, Phyllis Peters of Arcadia, Louisiana and Mary Blaylock of Paron; brother, Andrew Curtis of Benton; sister, Ellene Lancaster of Benton; seven grandchildren, Belinda Ramsey, Courtney Parks, Brandon Blaylock, Johnny Rickard, Stephanie Kidd, Jay Thomas and Heather Vaughan; eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday December 19 at Ashby Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday December 20 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Bolin Cemetery. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Paron Class of 1939]

Robbins, Dennis Truman

PFC Dennis Robbins Killed in Vietnam
Marine Private First Class Dennis Truman Robbins, 18, of Benton, was killed in action in Vietnam last week.
He was the seventh Saline County man to die in the Vietnam War.
Robbins was born September 26, 1949, in Orange, Texas. He moved to Benton from Arkadelphia with his family six years ago. He was a 1967 graduate of Benton High School.
He played shortstop on the Benton American Legion baseball team, had played baseball in other leagues when he was younger and participated in track his junior year in high school.
Robbins entered the Marine Corps in January and had been in Vietnam for about two months.
He was stationed near Da Nang, South Vietnam, with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
Robbins was single. He attended the First Baptist Church in Benton.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Truman Robbins, 823 W. Maple; two grandparents, Mrs. Alice Robbins of Norman, Arkansas, and Ivan J. Adams of Marion, Illinois; a sister, Mrs. Dowayne Shelnut of Benton; and a brother, Gary Don Robbins, of Benton.
Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced by Ashby Funeral Home. [from the Benton Courier, September 5, 1968, page 1, column 1] [Benton Class of 1967]

Funeral for Marine PFC Dennis T. Robbins, aged 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Robbins of Benton, who was killed in action in Vietnam August 26, was at 10 a.m. Monday at Ashby Funeral Chapel here. Burial was at Pine Crest Memorial Park Cemetery. [from the Benton Courier, Thursday, September 12, 1968, page 5B, column 2]

Roberts, Mary Odessa Taylor

Mary Odessa Roberts, 88, of Hot Springs died Friday, October 30, 2009, at a local nursing home. She was born June 5, 1921, to Martha Jane Hinson Taylor and Joe J. Taylor in Paron, Arkansas.
Mrs. Roberts and her husband owned and operated Roberts Dairy Farm; she was a retired secretary with Alliance Rubber Company; a member of Centerfork Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, T. J. Roberts Sr.; one son, T. J. Roberts Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Reba Roberts and three sisters, Lorraine Williams, Pauline Lancaster and Thelma Hill.
Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jerry and Pat Roberts of Hot Springs and Lon Roberts of Benton; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2009, at Hot Springs Funeral Home. Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009, at Hot Springs Funeral Home with Pastor Lynn Baxter and Pastor J. O. Passman officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Andy Roberts, Rhett Roberts, William Roberts and Arvin Williams. Honorary pallbearers are Bob and Mary Lou Messersmith, Dr. Martin Koehn, Louis Pittman, her Sunday school class, members of Centerfork Baptist Church and the staff of Garrett Manor. [from Hot Springs Funeral Home online obituary] [Paron Class of 1941]

Roddenberry, William Dorsey "Rod"

William Dorsey "Rod" Roddenberry, 56, lifelong resident of Hot Springs, died Sunday, November 6, 2005, at a local hospital.
Born July 28, 1949, Rod graduated from Hot Springs High School and attended Henderson State University. He married Patty Carlson on October 18, 1968, and their union produced three beloved children, Mirna, Will and Jennifer. Rod and Patty established Rod's Pizza Cellar which has been a premier Hot Springs Italian eatery and fixture since its opening on July 4, 1975.
Rod was a lover of nature, enjoyed listening to National Public Radio, was a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews and doting master to his dogs, Murphy and Stute.
He is predeceased by his mother and father, Lois Stonecipher Roddenberry and William Dorsey Roddenberry Sr. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Patty, his son Will Roddenberry of Hot Springs, and daughters and son-in-law, Mima Roddenberry of Seattle, Washington, and Jennifer and Derek McCumben of Lowell, Arkansas; his sisters, Lois Cook of Selingsgrove, Pennsylvania, Marcia and Charles Riggs of Bella Vista, Sara Doyle of Hot Springs and brothers Mike and Trible Roddenberry of Maumelle, Steve and Becky Roddenberry of Hot Springs, and Mark and Michelle Roddenberry of Mountain View. Other survivors include brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Carl and Martha Carlson of Longview, Texas; special niece and nephew Abbey and Garrett Carlson of Longview, Texas; and many more precious nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Jim and Jane Campbell, Kerry Lockwood and Ray Owen Jr., Susan and Charles Harper, Rosalind and Earl Hudson, Dr. Diane Goltz, Lance Dunn, Faith and Mike Skoog, Dora Jane and Trice Ellis Jr., Dinah Merriweather, Susie Wilson, Ted Greis, Richard and Judy McEarl, Bill and Christy Wisely, Harold Duke, Dr. Sue Pilkington, Dr. Donetta Grisham, Doug and Wendy Johnson, Lisa Riley and employees of Rod's Pizza Cellar.
Visitation will be held at Hot Springs Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
A memorial celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, November 9, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Officiants will be the Reverend David Wilson and the Reverend David Crooks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Step School, Mid-America Science Museum, the Cooper-Anthony Children's Advocacy Center or the charity of donor's choice. [from the Sentinel-Record, November 8, 2005] [Hot Springs Class of 1967]

Rogers, Billy Norman

Mr. Billy Norman Rogers, age 66, of Glen Rose died Saturday, February 5, 2011. He was born December 8, 1944, at Detonti, Arkansas. He was a retired mechanic, a member of New Song Community Church and a US Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Winfred and Alta Rogers, and a granddaughter, Kaylee Burnett.
Survivors, daughters, Jacinda Ashley, Carrie Rogers-Rivera, Katrina Burnett and Amy Wilson, brother, Hollis Rogers, sister, Barbara Massey, two nephews, Greg and Tommy Rogers, two nieces, Holly and Brittany Rogers, six grandchildren. Billy was also survived by a special friend Karen Tester.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Fairplay Cemetery.Minister will be Bro. Bob Burchfield.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Ashby's. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Rogers, Martha Ann Nalley

Martha Ann Rogers, age 82, of Benton; passed away Sunday March 23, 2008.
She was born March 7, 1926, in Benton, Arkansas.
Mrs. Rogers was a cosmetologist and a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Daisy Nalley; husband, Lewis W. Rogers; two brothers, Carl "Boose" Nalley and Louis T. Nalley Sr. and two sisters, Lois Charlene Beaty and Doris Wright.
She is survived by her son, Mike Nalley and wife Joyce of Benton; daughter, Linda O'Neal and husband George of Bryant; brothers, Leroy Nalley, Willis "Coke" Nalley, Ted Nalley, John Nalley and Leeman Nalley; sister, Katie Elizabeth "Babe" McPherson all of Benton; grandchildren, Matt and Debbie Nalley of Benton, Kevin and Amy Nalley of Springdale, Cheryl and Eddie Jones of Bauxite, Tamara and Chuck Lunsford of Benton and Jennifer and Marc Wake of Bryant and great-grandchildren, Austin Armstrong, Joseph and Elizabeth Nalley all of Benton, Kinlee and Jax Nalley of Springdale, Derek and Dustin Jones of Bauxite and Bradley and Layne Lunsford of Benton.
Pallbearers will be Louis Nalley Jr., Bob Beaty, Randy Nalley, David Nalley, Steven McPherson, Tim Phifer, Kenny Nalley and Greg Nalley.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday March 25, 2008, at Ashby Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday March 26, 2008, at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Sharon Cemetery. Bro. Scotty Nalley will be officiating.
Family Comments: She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed. The family extends their special thanks for the prayers and visits during her illness and especially Troy Smith and the Saline Memorial Hospice and the Benton Healthcare Center. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1946]

Rogers, Norman Lynn

January 27, 1947 - December 17, 2006
Mr. Norman Lynn Rogers, age 59, of Benton died Sunday in Benton. He was born January 27, 1947, in Saline County to the late Jessie and Annie Belle Rogers. Mr. Rogers was retired from Reynolds metals Co. and a member of Kentucky Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors, wife, Rhonda Kaye Rogers, Benton; sons, Christopher Lynn Rogers and Stephen Tracey Rogers, both of Benton; daughter, Rhonda Leigh-Ann Hinkson, Benton; sister, Betty Sue Bryant, Stuttgart; grandchildren, Megan Crawley Rogers, Sara Rogers, Aubree Rogers, Clayton Lynn Rogers.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Pinecrest Cemetery. Minister will be Dennis McClintic.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Ashby's. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1965]

Rowland, Ben Gordon

Mr. Ben Gordon Rowland age 61, of Winslow, Arkansas, died Sunday in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born June 1, 1947, in Benton. Mr. Rowland was a retired US Navy Veteran and a member of Prairie Grove Church of God.
Survivors, sons, Mike Rowland, Fairview, Arkansas; Brent Rowland, Spiro, Oklahoma; daughters, Tina Rowland, Clovis, California; Raelyn Rowland, Spiro, Oklahoma; parents, Buddy and Martha Rowland, Benton; brothers, Randy Rowland, Benton; Bob Rowland, Benton; sisters, Cathy Hughes, Winslow Arkansas; Paulette Rowland, Benton; three grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Sharon Baptist Church in Benton with burial at New Hope Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby's.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice and Palliative Care, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1966]

Rowland, William A.

Benton, Feb. 11 - Funeral for First Lt. William A. Rowland, who was killed when his F-84 Sabrejet crashed in Texas, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Methodist Church of Benton by Rev. J. M. Hamilton and Rev. H. O. Bolin. Burial will be at Pine Crest Memorial Park by Ashby Funeral Home of Benton. (from the Arkansas Gazette) Class of 1943

Ryburn, James H., Jr.

Funeral services for James H. Ryburn, Jr., 33, Benton business and civic leader dying from an auto crash Monday night, will be held at the First Methodist Church by Dr. William E. Brown at 4 this afternoon.
Mr. Ryburn was pronounced dead on arrival at the Saline Memorial Hospital shortly after the auto he was driving went out of control on Highway 35 about five miles from Benton. Deputy Sheriff Bill Dyer said he received the call about the accident at 11.
The indications were, Deputy Dyer said, that the auto went over on a soft shoulder, and rolled over twice. Lavelle Langley, Benton radio man with the victim, was quoted as saying that he was dozing at the time of the tragedy, and couldn't provide any explanation about its cause.
After treatment for minor injuries, Mr. Langley was released by the hospital, and kept under observation two days by his physician.
Ford Firm Partner
On a very small scale, Mr. Ryburn went into the used car business here, and developed it into a large volume before he became a partner in the Ryburn-Packer Ford Agency here with Cliff Packer.
In many civic projects Mr. Ryburn gave unsparingly of his time and money. He was a past president of the Benton Lions Club, the Benton Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Saline County Fair Association, and held numerous committee membership and project directorships in these civic agencies.
After graduating from Benton High School, he attended Henderson State Teachers College, and served in the Navy in World War II.
Memorial Planned
Friends of Mr. Ryburn already have begun plans for the installation of chimes at the First Methodist Church, of which he was a member, as a memorial to him. The plans were begun Tuesday night by his fellow members in the church and in the Lions Club.
They reported yesterday that enthusiasm for the plan had mounted highly after it became known. Funds are being received in a special account at the Benton State Bank and at the First Methodist Church office.
Burial in Rosemont
Survivors include his wife, Sue; two sons, Tommy and Michael; a daughter, Janet Susan; three brothers, Joe and Donald of Benton and Johnny, stationed with the Army in Japan; two sisters, Mrs. Jean Engle of California and Mrs. Faye Tatum of Benton; his parents.
Burial will be in Rosemont Cemetery by the Ashby Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Willie Vance, J. T. Whitlock, Eddie Weise, Johnny Gipson, Roger Darnell, Bill Ford, David Carter and Wilbern Adams. (from the Benton Courier, March 12, 1959) Class of 1943

Ryburn, Joe Edgar

Joe Edgar Ryburn, 84, of Benton died Thursday, March 31, 2011. He was born March 25, 1927, in Fort Smith to the late James H. and Myrtle Ryburn. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, James H. Ryburn Jr. and his stepmother, Inez Ryburn. Joe was a veteran of World War II, was retired from Alcoa, and was an active member of First Baptist Church of Benton.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Florence Ryburn; two sisters, Jean Ryburn Wayne of Peoria, Arizona, and Faye Ryburn Jones of Benton; two brothers, John Ryburn (Pat) of Grove, Oklahoma and Don Ryburn (Charlotte) of Mena; two stepsisters, Betty Hanvey of Benton and Sue Ruff (Seth) of Harrison; one son, Joe Don Ryburn; two daughters, Bonnie Ryburn Scott (Scott) and Beth Ryburn Whitlow (Chuck); six grandchildren, Jennifer, Joe Douglas, and Lee Ryburn of Benton and Ian, Courtney, and Erin Whitlow of New Orleans, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 4, 1011, at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home (315-4047) prior to the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Dr. Rick Grant. Burial will follow in New Rosemont Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Benton, 211 S. Market St., Benton, AR 72015 or Saline Memorial Hospital Hospice House, 23157 Hwy I-30, Bryant, AR 72022.
We would like to thank the many loving caregivers of Saline Memorial Hospice for their wonderful care of our loved one. [from Roller-Ballard Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1945]