Russellville High School Class Of 1969 Russellville, Arkansas

Russellville High School
Class Of 1969

In Remembrance

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Melvin B. McMath
Funeral services for Melvin B. McMath, 14, who was electrocuted accidentally Friday at his home on Crow Mountain, were at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Zion Hill Church by the Rev. Alvie Emerson. Burial was in Zion Cemetery by Gardner Funeral Service. Pallbearers - Gene Eno, Aubry Pack, Raymond Tice, Wayne Pruitt, Loyd Harrison and Norman Anderson. Melvin was electrocuted when a length of copper wire he was playing with came into contact with a high-voltage power line near his home.

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Joe Pennington
Joe Pennington, 52 of Arkadelphia, formerly of Russellville, died Sunday, May 16, at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. Born on Jan. 18, 1952 at Russellville, he was the son of the late Forrest Laverne and Leatha May Wilson Pennington, a 1969 graduate of Russellville High School, attended Arkansas Tech University and was a member of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Pennington and a sister, Marion Pennington. Survivors include four brothers, Frank Pennington of Sherwood, Rodney Pennington of Russellville, Don Pennington of Russellville and Forrest Pennington of Perryville, two sisters Mary Pennington of England, Ark. and Nita Taylor of Russellville; and several nieces and nephews. There will be a private burial in Old Baptist Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service. Memorials may be made to NAMI - Arkansas, 712 West 3rd Street, Suite 200, Little Rock, Ark 72201.

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Ronnie Whorton
Ronnie Whorton, 52, of Russellville died Saturday, April 10, 2004 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. Born April 25, 1951, in Russellville, he was the son of Leonard and Oma Lee Vinson Whorton of London, and owner of Whorton's Sand and Gravel. He was a member of Valley Antique Auto Club and London Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his wife, Anna Whorton; a son and daughter-in-law; Tommy and Chasity Whorton of Russellville; his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Rex and Connie Whorton of London; and several nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and cousins. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Humphrey Chapel by the Rev. William Moody. Burial will be in East Point Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service. Pallbearers: Active - Jim Bowden, Buddy Irwin, Harry Jennings, Bill Teeter, Tommy Hindsman and Charlie McIllwain. Honorary - Buddy George, Kenneth Chesney, Gub Cochran and members of Valley Antique Auto Club. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home.

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Larry Don Metz
Larry Don Metz of Russellville died Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at his home. Born July 29, 1951 at Russellville, he was the son of T.A. and Orvie Norwood Metz, a graduate of the University of Arkansas, a farmer, a volunteer firefighter for Bayliss Fire Department, and a member, elder, Sunday School teacher, and past Sunday School president of Mount Caramel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served as presiden of the Pless Community Center, past board member of Arkansas Pork producers and a board member of United Producers. He was preceded in death by a brother, Danny Ray Metz. Survivors include his wife, Mary Metz; a son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Jennifer Metz of Carbondale, Ill.; two daughters, Sheena and Megan Metz of London; his parents of London; and three brothers, David, Tommy, and Charles Metz of London. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Carmel Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Carlton Bowden and the Rev. Lynell Brooks. Burial will be in Mount Caramel Cemetery by Humphrey Funeral Service.

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Gary Gritton
Gary Gritton, 53, of Russellville, died Saturday, March 6, 2004. He was born July 5, 1950 in Muscatine, Iowa. He was a retired prep cook for ConAgra. He was an avid participant in citizens band radio. Survivors include his parents, Robert and Deloris, "Dee" Gritton of Russellville; two sons, Terrel Gritton and Bradley Gritton, both of Atkins; a daughter, Lisa Mitchell of Russellville; a brother, Eric Gritton of Russellville; two sisters, Linda Hopson of Russellville and Cathy Chasteen of Searcy; and two grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Crossroads Cemetery with the Reverend Paul Northcut officiating.

Tronie Jean Wilson
Tronie Jean James, 52, of Atkins, died Saturday, February 21, 2004 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. She was born July 4, 1951 at Pottsville. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Clarence Wilson; a brother, Dennis Wilson; and a sister, Carolyn Bunton. Survivors include a son, Shannon Chronister of Little Rock; a daughter, Tammy Messmer of Missouri; her mother, Ruby Bench of Atkins; Three brothers, Nolan Wilson Kelley of Atkins, Eddie Plardoe of Warrensburg, Mo., and Don Bench of Russellville; three sisters, Lisa Godbey and Gretta Roark of Russellville, and Veta England of Atkins; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today at Oakland Cemetery by Chaplain Paul Northcut. Burial will be by Humphrey Funeral Service.

Marilyn NIchols
Marilyn J. Nichols Harris, 52, of Little Rock died Monday, November 3, 2003. She was born in Russellville to Charles and Evelyn Nichols. Survivors include two children, Leroy Harris Jr. and Cheryl Harris, both of Little Rock, her father, Charles Nichols Sr. of Russellville, two brothers, Charles Nichols Jr. of Clute, Texas and John Nichols of Findlay, Ohio; three sisters, Velva Nichols and Jackie Thompson of Russellville, and Caroline Brockman of Little Rock; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Church of God in Christ at North Little Rock. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville. Arrangements are by Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Service of Little Rock.

Bishop Bewley
Bishop "Sarge" Bewley, 45, of Russellville died Thursday, May 8, 1997 at Veterans Administration Medical Center at Little Rock. He was a native of Missouri and a disabled Army veteran. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife, Chong Bewley; three sons, Tad Bewley and Roy L. Bewley of the home and Halcon Bewley of Portland, Oregon; his parents, Roy N. and Juanita Bewley of Pottsville; two brothers, Roy Brennan Bewley of Baileyton, Ala., and James Carson Bewley of Pottsville; a half-brother,Laurell Bewley of Virginia Beach, Va., and two sisters, LaVella Dornam of El Dorado and Hilda Caudle of Russellville. Funeral will be a 2 p.m. Monday at Shinn Chapel by the Rev. John Sweigart. Burial with military honors will be in Shiloh Cemetery north of Atkins by Shinn Funeral Service. Active pallbearers include Howard Caudle, Shannon Briggs, Robert Bewley, Carl Holland, Tommy Langston and R. M. Tucker.

Ronald Bewley
Ronald Gilbert Bewley, 29, of London died Saturday, Aug. 9, 1980 at his home. He was a construction worker and was a member of First Baptist Church at London. Survivors include a son, Brian Bewley; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Bewley of London; a sister Mrs. Diana Bewley Huffman of Dover; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Lena Rylee of London, and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Geneva Ruth Myers of Los Angeles, Calif. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Humphrey Chapel by the Rev. Lonnie Guess and the Rev. Ralph Raines. Burial will be in Price Cemetery at London by Humphrey Funeral Service. Active pallbearers will be Buddy Martin, Kevin Martin, Red Demmitt, Rocky Clancy, Ronnie Whorton and Stanley Storment.

James D. Bishop Jr.
James "Jimmy" Dealous Bishop Jr., 40, of Little Rock died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1991 at University Medical Center at Little Rock. He was an employee of Thomas Tile Co. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Thomas Bishop; five children, Alpha, Katrina, Billy, Bobby and Christian Bishop of Wiscasset, Maine; three stepsons, Cody Thomas Weatherly, William Roy Holt and Corey Lee Holt of the home; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Snider of Russellville and Mrs. Garry Penman of Pottsville, and his mother, Bobbie Austin Elkins of Van Buren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lemley Chapel at Atkins by the Rev. Luther Hankins and the Rev. Tommy Morris. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at Russellville by Lemley Funeral Service. Pallbearers include Cody Thomas, Robert Brandsetter, Jimmy Lee Thomas Jr., Casey Lee Thomas, Jerry Davis and Kerry Austin.

Ralph Bray Jr.
Ralph Vaughn Bray Jr., 49 of Russellville died Wednesday, July 4, 2001. He was an U.S. Air Force veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Sr. and Jeanette. He is survived by two sons, Anthony Bray of Russellville and Noah Bray of Clarksville; two daughters, Jennifer Bray of Dover and Laura Bray of Atkins; a sister, Sandra Jones of New Blaine; and two grandchildren, Jeremiah Bray and Danyel Fry. Family and friends will gathered in memorial in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Hills in North Little Rock Saturday Visitation took place Saturday before the service at the funeral home.

Robert Gorman
Robert Gorman, 42, of Russellville died Friday, Jan. 22, 1993 in Tulsa, Okla. He was a heavy equipment operator and member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Russellville. Survivors include: his mother, Hazel Ross Howard of Russellville; and four sisters, Helen Thompson, Ellen Collins, Darlean Hendrix, and Danatta Patterson of Russellville. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church by the Rev. Delton Jones. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery by Acklin Funeral Home of Morrilton.

Miss Linda Cheryl Harmon
Miss Linda Cheryl Harmon, 25, of Norristown died Monday, Feb.14, 1977 at Memorial Hospital at North Little Rock. She was the daughter of the late Ralph L. Harmon, a certified speech pathologist at North Little Rock speech and Hearing Clinic and was an honor graduate of Russellville High School and Arkansas Tech University. She received a bachelor degree in English and speech from Arkansas Tech University and master of arts degree in speech pathology and audiology from Vanderbilt University. She was a member of American Speech and Hearing Association, Arkansas Speech and Hearing Association and Westside Church of Christ. Survivors include her stepfather and mother, Mayor and Mrs. Ray Birmingham; a brother, Ralph M. Harmon of Springdale; four stepbrothers, Edwin Ray Birmingham Jr., Eric Lane Birmingham and Edward Birmingham of Little Rock and Jon Birmingham of the home; a stepsister, Mrs. Bruce Dickey of Russellville; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Harmon of Morrilton and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Linson Stroud of Morrilton. Funeral will be at 2 p.m Wednesday at Shinn Chapel by Jim Couch. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service.

Ronald Harris
Ronald Harris, 50, of Russellville died Wednesday, March 28, 2001 in Russellville. A son of Emma Jane Mason Harris of Russellville and the late Grady Levi Harris. He was born July 31, 1950 in Russellville. In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Gerald Robinson of Pottsville and three aunts, Betty Phillips of Havana, Pat Kirkley of Russellville and Opal Kirby of Jonesboro. The body was cremated. Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service. The family will conduct a private memorial service later.

Eugene Haulmark
Charles Eugene Haulmark, 47, of Russellville died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998, at Dardanelle Hospital. Born March 15, 1950, at Russellville, he was the son of the late Charles Wheeler Haulmark, an employee of Wayne Poultry at Danville, a graduate of Russellville High School and a member of River Valley Beagle Club. Survivors include a son, Charles Eugene Haulmark Jr. of Enola; his mother, Maudie F. Dowdy Brown; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Michael Haulmark of Russellville, and Jay and Lavonda Haulmark of Dardanelle; a stepbrother and stepsister-in-law, Leroy and Elaine Brown of Atkins; two sister and brothers-in-law, Mary "Polly" and George McNiece of Russellville and Peggy and Michael Smith of Green Forest; a stepsister and a stepbrother-in-law, Linda and Darrell Griffin of Russellville. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Shinn Chapel by the Rev. David Harrison and the Rev. Jimmy Noland. Burial will be in Pisgah Cemetery at Pottsville by Shinn Funeral Service. Pallbearers include members of the River Valley Beagle Club -- Michael Smith, Mike Ellis, Kevin Cook, Bill Basinger, Ken Hottinger, Joe Harper, Jackie Summitt and Michael Fox. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Gordon Houston
Gordon B. Houston, 43, of Winslow died July 14th, 1994. Born November 24, 1951, at Russellville, he is the son of Charles L Houston Jr. of Russellville. Gordon was an active participant in the Little League baseball program at Winslow. Survivors include his wife Cheryl Dempsy, two sons, Brent and Cheyne Dempsey of the home and a brother C. L. Houston of Virginia.

David Martin
David W. Martin, 32, died Monday, Sept. 24, 1984, as the result of an apparent accident while repairing a washing machine. He was a native of London, son of the late John Walter and Nancy Ellen Murphy Martin and a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Janet Robertson Martin; two sons, John and Walter Martin of the home; two daughters, Deirdre and Joan Martin of the home; a stepson, Gene Smith; a stepdaughter, Joyce Dotson of the home; two brothers, John Martin of Russellville and Harold Martin of Atkins; two sisters, Mrs. Marie Freeman of Dover and Mrs. Mary Helen Whorton of Russellville, and a grandchild. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Calvary Community Church by the Rev. Terrel Brashear Jr. Burial will be in Price Cemetery at London by Humphrey Funeral Service. Pallbearers: Active -- Robert Martin, James Cowell, Butch Bewley, Larry Hardcastle, Clarence Smith and Lynn Smith. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Humphrey Funeral Home.

Celestine Mitchell Porchay
Celestine Porchay, 45, died Monday, Aug. 12, 1996 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. She was a native of McGehee and a daughter to the late Ivory Lee Mitchel Sr. and the late Nettie May Finney Mitchell. She was a food processing production worker and a member of the Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church in Russellville. Survivors include four sons, Lonnie I. Mitchell of Grady, Alex D. Landrum and Joe Nathan Landrum, both of Russellville, and Ray Alan Prochay of Dardanelle; two daughters, Connie Jo Tucker of Vanburg, Germany, and Penelope I. Landrum of Russellville; three brothers, Bobby I. Mitchell, Ivory Mitchell Jr. and William Mitchell, all of Russellville; three sisters, Gwenda Harris and Diana Linzy, both of Russellville, and Stacy Mitchell of Jacksonville; four grandchildren; and a host of nephews and nieces. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church with the Revs. Delton Jones, Ivory Mitchell and Sylvester D. Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Pallbearers will be Cecil Foster, M. J. Moody, Edward Thompson, William Ross, Tyrone Williamson and Louis Landrum. Flower bearers will be Tina Mitchell, Bertha Foster, Nita Patterson, Tish Landrum, Irma Jean Jackson and Joyce Ann Moody. The family will receive friends today from 3-4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church.

Randell Ramsay
Miss Randell Claire Ramsay, 42, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Russellville, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1992 at her parents� home in Russellville. She was a counselor of rehabilitation of the deaf having worked several years at the Deaf Action Center at Dallas and was a volunteer worker for the past 10 months at the Association of Retarded Citizens. She was a member of Shakespeare Guild, Producers Club and Munger Place United Methodist Church at Dallas. Survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ward J. Ramsey of Russellville, and a sister, Mrs. Finley P. (Raye) Turner of Russellville. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church by the Rev. Mackey Yokem and the Rev. Barbara Marcum. A private burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park by Shinn Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Randell Claire Ramsay Fund, Deaf Action Center, 3225 Crestview Drive, Dallas, Texas 75235 or Munger Place United Methodist Church at Dallas.

Robert C. Storment, Jr.
Funeral for Robert "Bob" C. Storment Jr., age 34, of 513 Libby Lane, North Little Rock, who died Tuesday, May 14, 1985, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at North Little Rock Funeral Home by Rev. Freddy Holmes. Burial will be in National Cemetery. The family will be at 48 Silver City Courts, North Little Rock. He was disabled and was a Vietnam war veteran. Survivors are his wife, Carol Beaulieu Storment; three sons, Bryan Matthew Storment and Michael Joseph Storment of Fort Smith and Bobby Storment of Little Rock; a stepson, David DePew; his father, Robert C. Storment Sr., and his mother, Christine Wyles, all of North Little Rock; a brother, Kenneth Wayne Storment of Knoxville, Tenn., and two sisters, Linda Sue Camp of Alexander and Paula dobbins of North Little Rock.

Mike Wheeler
John Michael "Mike" Wheeler, 44 of Russellville died Monday, March 6, 1995. He was an employee of ConAgra, a brick layer, son of the late Willie and Esther Wheeler, and attended Atkins Christian Center. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Joanne Canady Wheeler; a son, James William Wheeler of Bryant; a sister, Freda Jo English of Pottsville; his stepgrandmother, Annis Wheeler of Russellville, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Wilma Canady of Russellville. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Shinn Chapel by the Rev. Bobby Norman and the Rev. J.C. Kinder. Burial will be in Old Baptist Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service. Pallbearers: Active -- Larry"Pee Wee" Harris, Randy Findley, Jim Findley, Gary Goree, Donald Loveless, and Thomas English. Honorary --employees of ConAgra. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Paul Wilkinson
Paul Ray Wilkinson, 46, of Russellville died Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. Born March 2, 1951, in Russellville, he was a brick mason. He was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Luther Wilkinson. Survivors include a son, Paul Ray Wilkinson II of Russellville; a daughter, Kerri Mathis of Russellville; his mother, Wanda Wilkinson of Russellville; two grandchildren, Justin Wilkinson and Kayla Mathis, both of Russellville; two brothers, John and Don Wilkinson of Russellville; and a sister, Anna Hogan of Atkins. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Humphrey Funeral Service chapel, with the Rev. Roy Chisum officiating. The body will be cremated. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Jerry Workman
Funeral for Jerry Lynn Workman, 21, of Thornton, formerly of Russellville will be held Dec. 6 at Grace Baptist Church. He was killed instantly Dec. 4, 1972, when the car he was driving smashed into a parked truck on Hwy. 167, seven miles south of Sheridan. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Debbie Titsworth Workman of Thornton; his parents, Roland and Lillie Workman of Thornton; four brothers, Russell Workman, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, Jeffrey Allen, U.S. Army, Fort Polk, Ken and Paul Workman of the home; three sisters, Brenda Roberts of Russellville, Debbie and Cindy Workman of the home. Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery by Gardner Funeral Home.

Buford 'Butch' York
Funeral for Buford "Butch" York Jr., 36, of Russellville, who died Friday, Nov. 27, 1987 will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at New Prospect Baptist Church by the Rev. John D. Holland. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery by Shinn funeral Service. Pallbearers: Active -- Willie Lee Grant, Jerry Wayne Williamson, Harry C. James, Tyrone Williamson, Randy Hendrix and Lloyd Black. Honorary -- members of the James Park softball team. Flower girls -- Chandra Jackson, Mary Jane Pevey, Glenda Ross, Catherine Merriweather, Barbara Lackey and Benda Zanders. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Shinn Funeral Home.