Classmate Obituaries - Letter S

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.

Sample, Wayne W.

Wayne W. Sample, age 53, of Traskwood went to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 29, 1999. He as born on November 3, 1946, in Benton. Wayne was the owner and operator of the M & S Body Shop in Benton and a member of the Holland Chapel Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Sample; sons, Wesley Sample of Benton and David Sample of Bryant; daughter, Rebecca Morin of Traskwood; parents, James and Georgia Sample of Benton; sister, Carol Wood of Benton; three grandchildren, Hayley Sample, Brittany Morin, and Ryan Morin.
Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Pallbearers were James Prysock, Greg Middlebrooks, Johnny Dawson, Steve Lewis, Roger Bartnik, Floyd Keene, Phillip Brown, Jim Briggs. [from funeral keepsake folder] [Benton Class of 1966]

Scallion, Alphia Mae Louallen

Alphia Mae Louallen Scallion, 78, of Paron, died Sunday, April 6, 2008, at her home in Paron, Arkansas. She was born May 4, 1929, in Walnut Bottom Community to the late Joeseph and Rosa Louallen. She was Valedictorian of her 1948 graduating class of Bryant High School. Alphia was a very active member of Outreach for Christ Church in Benton, Arkansas. Survivors, husband, Hershel L. Scallion, sons, Don E. Scallion, Joseph N. Scallion, daughter, Linda K. Lattin, all of Paron, eight grand children and thirteen great grandchildren, brother, Bobby Louallen and sister, Fern Parson, all of Paron, Arkansas Graveside services by Ashby Funeral Home will be Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at Walnut Bottom Cemetery in Paron with Rev. D. B. and Caroline Baldwin officiating. [from Ashby Funeral Home online obituary] [Bryant Class of 1948]

Shell, Gary Michael

Tampa, Florida -- Gary Michael Shell of Tampa, Florida, died Friday, March 15, 1996. He was 48.
He was the senior vice president of marketing for Kash N Kary of Florida.
Survivors include his wife, Jerry Stockton Shell; two daughters, Shannon A. D'Anna and Heather Shell, both of Greensboro, North Carolina; his mother, Arcie Burks Shell of Benton; three brothers, Warren Shell of Little Rock, Terry Shell of Houston, Texas, and Philip Shell of Benton. F
uneral will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the River Street Church of Christ with the Revs. Everett Nutt and Bill Duncan officiating. Interment will be in New Rosemont Cemetery.
The family will be at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 tonight for visitation.
Family members request that flowers may be sent to the funeral home or donations may be made to the American Heart Association. [from the Benton Courier, March 18, 1962, page 2] [Benton Class of 1965]

Simmons, Barbara Ann

Barbara Simmons, of Hot Springs, known to her students as Miss Perry and to her friends and family as Barbie, died June 21. Her mother, Virginia Simmons, in Benton; her siblings, Gary and David Simmons, of Hot Springs, Mike Simmons, of Benton; Jeanne Miller, of Little Rock; and her partner, Debbie Ledford, of Hot Springs survive her.
Barbie taught and influenced more than 30,000 students as the Bryant High School librarian for 28 years. Upon retirement, she directed Bryant's Saline County Library for five years. She left a legacy of innovation, personal guidance and leadership for any job she undertook. She was a volunteer at Hot Springs' Garvan Woodland Gardens, where her colorful commentary entertained visitors on an occasionally exciting golf cart ride through the gardens. Her driving was conditioned by her commute to the gardens on her own jet ski.
Always understated about her own accomplishments, throughout her life, she very quietly provided prom dresses, books, travel money and other numerous gifts for students who needed her help. Throughout her life, she was greeted warmly by former students, who she met in her daily activities and by those who kept in contact with her after their graduation.
She was charismatic, without being domineering, direct without being offensive, and proud without being arrogant. She maintained her dignity to the very end of her battle with cancer, never whining, never complaining and greeting each day with a smile and a plan to get on with life. Her spirit was a gift to her friends, family and students. She more than lived up to her enduring wish to be remembered as "having played well with others."
Consistent to the very end, rather than a funeral service, she requested a private ceremony with friends and lvoed ones at a future date, yet to be announced. For those who wish to commemorate her, contributions should be made to St. Matthews Episcopal Church in benton. Her friends and family thank all those who have loved and helped Barbie on her journey.
Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home. [from the Sentinel-Record, June 23, 2009] [Benton Class of 1969]

Simmons, Jerry Otis

Jerry Otis Simmons went to be with His Lord on Friday, January 9, 2015. He was born June 12, 1947, the son of Elna Graves Simmons and James Arthur Simmons. He grew up in Benton, Arkansas, and graduated from Benton High School in 1965. He was Valedictorian of his high school class. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Shortly after graduation, Jerry went in the aluminum business and also earned his PE (Professional Engineering) designation. His career took him and his family to Portland, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Charleston, South Carolina, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, before returning to North Little Rock in 1980. He spent time with Stone Container Industries in Jacksonville, Arkansas, before spending the last 17 years of his career as a project engineer with the State of Arkansas before retiring in 2012.
Over the last two years, Jerry fought a courageous battle against complications from diabetes. The family would like to thank the many physicians and health care providers for their compassionate care of Jerry.
Jerry was affectionately known as “Pappy” to his two grandchildren who he doted on immensely. He also had a deep love of the Arkansas Razorbacks who he passed on to his Family. Jerry also took pride in having an immaculate yard and spent many hours manicuring the lawn. Jerry was a very well read person who could literally hold a conversation on any topic, with anyone. His specialties were the New York Yankees, Arkansas and American History.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy Lasiter Simmons, son, Alan and wife Amie Ward Simmons, and two grandchildren, Sutton and Presley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Louis and Raymond Simmons.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home, Bro. Jim Ward officiating.
Please consider donations in his name to the American Diabetes Association or Baptist Health Foundation. [from Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1965]

Simpson, Arnold Wayne

Local candidate dies
Local resident Wayne Simpson, who was a candidate for a Benton City Council position in the November 6 general election, died early today at Saline Memorial Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack at his home. He was 39.
Simpson lost the City Council race to the incumbent, Sid Gipson. In his campaign, Simpson noted that he had come from a middle-class working family and said he wanted to create opportunities open to all citizens.
A native of Vilonia (Faulkner County), he was a self-employed salesman.
He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Order of DeMolay and New Life Missionary Baptist church in Benton.
He attended Benton public schools, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and Arkansas Real Estate School.
He had served as a substitute teacher for the Benton School District, was a real estate broker, insurance agent and manager of a fast-food restaurant, worked at the Department of Human Services, and owned a maintenance service and real estate and insurance business in Benton.
Survivors include his wife, Janis Kay Simpson; a son, Arnold Wayne Simpson Jr. of Benton; a daughter, Sandra Kay Simpson of Benton; his mother and stepfather, Gladys Simpson Goodson and Larry Goodson of Benton; two brothers, Carmen Wendell Simpson and Jody Wade Simpson of Benton; and his grandmother, Ada Jones of Benton.
Funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Ashby Funeral Home. Burial will follow at New Rosemont Cemetery.
The family will be at ... [from the Benton Courier, January 14, 1990] [Benton Class of 1969]

Skoog, Faith Riley

Faith Skoog, 60, of Hot Springs died September 8, 2009, at a local hospital.
She was born April 10, 1949, in Hot Springs to Jack Willard Riley and Mary Lou (Blackledge) Riley. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Skoog of Hot Springs; brother, Jack Phillip Riley and wife Kathy of Maumelle, Arkansas; sisters: Mary Jacqueline Longinotti and husband Jerry of Hot Springs; Phyllis Vaughn and husband Cliff of Hot Springs; Mary Lou Tucker and husband Rick of Sheridan, Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, September 11, 2009, from 5-7 p.m. at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2009, at First Baptist Church with Bro. John McCollum officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jack Vaughn, Alex Brown, Damon Brown, and Ricky Tucker Jr.
Honorary pallbearers are the Ouachita Pirates, Dr. Jim Campbell, Dr. Laura Hutchins, Carl Crow Jr., Bill Walker, Dick Antoine, Terry Wallace, Bill Barnes, Bill Crone, Elaine Lieneman, staff of St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center, staff of UAMS, and all of her many friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Hot Springs Relay for Life. [from Caruth-Hale Funeral Home online obituary] [Hot Springs Class of 1967]

Small, Chester Allen, Jr.

Chester "JR" Allen Small Jr., 56, of Hot Springs died Sunday, December 25, 2005, in a local hospital.
Born December 27, 1948, at Hot Springs to Chester A. Small Sr. and Hazel Looper Small, he was of the Baptist faith, owner of J.R.S. Electric, Fraternal Order of the Moose Lodge 1252, XXX-Hunting Club and Alamo Hunting Club.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Kelley Small of Russellville; two grandchildren, Zach Allen Small and Mariah Small, both of Russellville; his life companion, Teresa Stewart of Hot Springs; and numerous extended family and friends.
The service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 205, in Gross Funeral Home Chapel, 120 Wright Street, with the Rev. John Small, the Rev. Art Parker and Donald Moody officiating.
Pallbearers will be Paul Hamilton, Donnie Tillery, Jack Small, Zach Small, Brian Small and Butch Breckenridge.
Honorary pallbearers are Donald Moody, Steve Crossno, Kerry Kaufman, Wayne Thomas, XXX-Hunting Club and Alamo Hunting Club.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. [from the Sentinel-Record, December 27, 2005] [Hot Springs Class of 1967]

Smith, Dennis Keith

Dennis Keith Smith, 62, of Sherwood formerly of Benton, passed away Monday, February 11, 2013.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judy Clayton Smith; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith Allen and Kris Smith of Sherwood, Chad Clayton and Sarah Smith of Bentonville; four grandsons, Grant, Trent, Ben and Ethan Smith; mother, Dorothy Smith Jones of Benton; two brothers, Lonnie Smith of White Hall and Travis Smith of Benton; two sisters, Reba Miller of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kay McCardle of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, Leon Rush Smith.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Smith Family Funeral Home Benton Chapel. Burial will be in Fowler Cemetery, Paron, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Benton Chapel. [from Smith Family Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1969]

Smithers, Clomer Dyer

Clomer Dyer Smithers of Benton died Monday. He was 67.
He was the son of the late Charles O. Smithers, a former Saline County judge, and Eula Smithers.
He was a former furniture and real estate businessman, a member of First Baptist Church of Benton and a 32nd-degree Mason.
Survivors are his wife, Bettye Poindexter Smithers; a son, Charles Dyer Smithers of Benton; a daughter, Katherine Dortch of Little Rock; three sisters, Doris Melton and Lois Cook of Benton and Charlene Reid of Richardson, Texas; and five grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church by the Rev. Greg Kirksey and Dr. B. K. Selph. The eulogy will be given by Melvin Dunn. Burial will be at Fowler Cemetery at Paron by Ashby Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Buddy Parker, Frank Whittle, Charles Adams, Joe Lee Hathcote, Leland Turbyfill, Jim Foster, Bob Hardin and Jack McGee.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to Our House in Little Rock.
The family will be at ... [from the Benton Courier, May 5, 1991, page 2] [ Benton Class of 1943]

Snearly, Wililam Leon, Jr. (Butch Ji Tasen-Alish)

Butch Ji Alish-Tasen, born William Leon Snearly Jr., 58, of Dallas, formerly of Benton, died Monday, November 23, 2009. He was born December 30, 1959 [believe that date is incorrect], in Victoria, Texas. Mr. Tasen attended school in Benton. He owned karate schools and health spas within the state of Arkansas before moving to Texas in the 1980s. He was a 10th-degree black belt in two different martial arts forms and set world records in his martial arts work. In the 1980s, he became involved in the oil business, in which he was working at the time of his death. However, he still maintained his work with his students in the field of karate and had operated schools in Arlington, Texas, and in Dallas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Fanny Mae Snearly. Survivors include two daughters, Magdalena Aurora Alish Tasen of Houston and Lisa Dodson of Benton; a sister, Iris Snearly Cole and husband James of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; a nephew, Justin Cole of Louisville, Kentucky; a niece, Jamie Wall of Bowling Green, Kentucky; two great-nephews; a great-niece; and four cousins, Joyce Carmen and husband Bill, Analeta Hunnicutt and husband Gary, Trent Young and Nelda Miller.
Memorial service was held November 25 in Garland, Texas. There will be a memorial service in the Springdale area in the spring. Arrangements by Eastgate Funeal Home in Garland, Texas. [from the Benton Courier, December 23, 2009, page 3A] [Benton Class of 1969]

Spradling, Nona Louise Alley

Nona Louise Alley Spradling, 79, of North Little Rock died February 28, 2001. She was born September 29, 1921, in Benton, Arkansas, to the late Calvin and Gertrude Nelson Alley. She was a retired Little Rock public school registered nurse and a member of Park Hill Presbyterian Church, Circle of Joy Sunday School Class, Little Rock chapter of AARP and Little Rock Retired Teachers Association.
She is survived by two brothers, Paul Alley of Benton and Charles Alley of Fort Smith; eight nieces, Lou Jane Wills, Susan Wills, Toren Adams, Ariel Adams, Melinda Alley, Sharon Guest, Julie McAlister, and Trudie Moore; and eight nephews, Jack Adams, Robbie Wills, Eli Adams, Isaac Adams, Phil Alley, Ronald Alley, Gary Alley and Calvin Alley.
Funeral services will be 12 noon Friday at Park Hill Presbyterian Church with Rev. Floyd R. Whatley officiating. Interment will be in Rest Hills Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, the Blinded Veterans Association, 477 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001-2697 or the Arkansas Society for Hearing Impaired. [from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette] [Benton Class of 1939]

Steele, Curtis Clifton

Curtis Clifton Steele went to be with his Lord on April 16, 2007. He was born November 29, 1946, in Benton, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Faye Watts Steele, his grandparents, Samuel Steven and Susan Jeanette Watts, David Samuel and Mary Elizabeth Burton Steele, and Toye V. Honea.
Curtis is survived by his wife, Lawanda Bourland Steele, three children, two biological; Mary Elizabeth and her husband Johnny Ferrell; one son, Steven Wesley and his wife, Lauren; her daughter and his bonus daughter, Lendsi Allen; three precious grandchildren, Sydnee Leigh, Jordan Wesley and Karlee Elizabeth Steele; his brother, David and his wife, Linda Steele; five nephews and three nieces; his mother-in-law and father-in law, Tommie and Wallace Hall; three sisters-in-law, Debbie Crouse, Dorothy Bourland and Jenifer Prather; one brother-in-law, Dale Bourland; his dear friend, Tommy Dean Ramsey and his wife, Micky; many cousins as well as friends, aunts and uncles and their precious puppy girl, Chloe.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2007, at Roller-Ballard Chapel (315-4047) with the Rev. Thomas Hale officiating. Interment will follow at New Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Fowler, Scott Fisher, Mike Holiman, James Duren, James Steele and Kevin Rollins. Honorary pallbearers will be Wallace Hall, Dr. Greg Pineau, Dr. Jerry Lorio, and Ray Watts. [from Roller-Ballard Funeral Home online obituary] [Benton Class of 1965]

Suggs, Gary David

Gary Davis [his tombstone marker shows David] Suggs of Benton died Friday, September 26, 2003, at Saline Memorial Hospital. He was 56.
Born January 23, 1947, he was a son of Jasper and Thelma Suggs.
He was a Methodist.
Survivors include several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at New Rosemont Cemetery in Benton. The Rev. Lane Northcutt will officiate.
Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ashby Funeral Home. [from the Benton Courier, Sunday, September 28, 2003; page 2A] [Benton Class of 1965]

Swihart, Barbara L. Melugin Harvey

Barbara L. Harvey Swihart, 65, of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed away Monday, August 25th, 2014. She was born April 25, 1949, in Hot Springs to Cleveland and Mary Lou Dawson Melugin.
Family meant everything to Barbara. She was a very loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend to many. She was known as a devoted Christian lady, having been a lifetime member of Oaklawn Church of God. As a believer in Jesus Christ, she is now a resident of Heaven! She worked for the Witness Production and Ed Hogaboom for several years, and worked for Leek Associates for the last few years.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Jimmy L. Harvey; and two brothers, James and Kenneth Melugin.
Cherishing her memory are her husband, Roger Swihart; two children, Kim Ward, and Chris Harvey (Debbie); step-children, Andra Otwell (Bob), and Shane Tatum (Teri); grandchildren, Micah Ward, Zachary Ward, Lauren Harvey, Emily Harvey, Brandon Otwell, Drake Tatum, Montana, Dallas, Gatlin ; two sisters, Louise Loy and Mildred Nease; many nieces, nephews; and a host of special friends that she loved dearly.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday August 29, 2014, at her church, Oaklawn Church of God, with Rev. Steve Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday at Gross Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oaklawn Church of God. [from Gross Funeral Home online obituary] [Hot Springs Class of 1967]