Helen Pauline Arthurs Draper
Helen Pauline Arthurs Draper went to be with her heavenly father on Friday, April 5, 2019, at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab. She was born at home to Clifford "Skip" and Thelma Wasson Arthurs on September 17, 1926. Helen married O.A. Draper in 1944 in Siloam Springs by a Justice of the Peace. She attended school at Brush Creek School near Tontitown, Arkansas. She worked at Bear Brand Hosiery, and the Medical Center of Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital for many years until she retired. Helen was a member of the Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, O.A. Draper; parents, Clifford and Thelma Arthurs; brother, Oliver Arthurs; and sister, Maxine Alderson.
She is survived by a son, Dale Draper and wife Mary Beth of Siloam Springs; a daughter, Patty Eaton and husband Bob of Springdale; grandson, Lonny Draper and wife Anita of Siloam Springs; granddaughters, Danette Cripps and husband Vester of Gentry, Tresa Craft and husband Rick of Siloam Springs, and Jennifer Chappel of Springdale; brothers, Carrol Arthurs and wife Judy, and Harold Arthurs and wife Barbara; eight great-grandchildren, Casey Draper, Clay Draper, Britney Mather, Chris Craft, Aaron Saindon, Clint Thurman, Travis Thurman, and Kyle Thurman; four great-great-grandchildren, Paxton and Parker Sumter, and Mason and Elizabell Thurman; several nieces and nephews; and her little dog, Curly. The family would like to send a special thank you to all the caregivers that have taken care of Helen throughout the years
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, with Mr. Steve Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Weddington Cemetery in Wedington, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Lela Frances (Rich) Pendergraft
Lela Frances (Rich) Pendergraft, daughter of John Ab Rich and Pearl Mae (Rowley) Rich, was born September 21, 1925, on her father's farm northwest of Lincoln, Arkansas, and departed this life to be with her Lord in Heaven on April 8, 2019, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 18 days.
When Lela was only 18 days old, her mother died due to complications from childbirth. Thereafter, three loving aunts, Lillie, Beda, and Luna Rich helped raise Lela. She spent her childhood days enjoying farm life and attending Beaty School, a one-room district school near Lincoln. As a teenager, Lela accepted Jesus as her Saviour during church services held at the Beaty school house.
A 1944 graduate of Lincoln High School, Lela later attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and began a course of study in elementary education. She later taught third and fourth grades at White Rock School in Jane, Missouri.
On August 12, 1951, she married Alvin Leroy Pendergraft in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To this union were born two children: Sherrie Delela and Frances Maxine. An adopted daughter, Barbra Sue, completed their loving family.
In 1969, Alvin and Lela purchased a farm northwest of Westville, Oklahoma, where they raised cattle and poultry. Lela worked as a homemaker, a substitute elementary teacher, and a dressmaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Westville. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and visits from her family and friends.
In 1995, Lela and Alvin sold their farm and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. There they attended Harvard Avenue Baptist Church. Following Alvin's death in 2009, Lela continued living by herself until age 93. In late 2018, she became a resident of Quail Ridge Living Center in West Siloam Springs, where she received attentive care from friendly nurses and staff.
Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Pearl Rich; special aunts, Lillie, Beda, and Luna Rich; her loving husband of 57 years, Alvin Leroy Pendergraft; and two daughters, Frances Maxine Pendergraft and Barbra Sue (Pendergraft) Sackett.
Lela is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sherrie and Tommy Williams of Westville, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Luke Williams of Westville, Oklahoma, and Lagenna (Williams) Bennett and husband, Ryan, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and three great-grandchildren, Clara, Clayton, and Caleb Bennett of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home prior to the service on Saturday, April 13, 2019, from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.
Funeral services for Lela will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Pastor Tim Bailey officiating. Interment will follow at Beaty Cemetery near Lincoln, Arkansas. Services are under the direction of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home. Please go to www.backstrompyeatte.com to sign online guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Richard 'Gene' E. Wilmoth
Richard "Gene" E. Wilmoth, 86-year-old resident of Decatur, Ark., peacefully entered the presence of Jesus surrounded by family on Saturday, April 6, 2019. He was born on November 4, 1932, in Decatur, Ark., to Jack and Opal Wilmoth. Gene married Norma Jane Shook on January 21, 1950. They were married for 68 years.
He attended and graduated from Decatur High School in 1949. Gene stayed in Decatur, where he worked for Peterson Industries, from which he retired as the company's executive vice president after 50 years. During his career, he served on various committees of the National Poultry Federation, as well as on the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Decatur State Bank. Gene was active in the community, having served on the Board of Directors of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Decatur School Board, and in numerous capacities as a member of Decatur First Baptist Church since 1954. Gene was widely regarded by family and friends as a man of uncompromising integrity and a deep, abiding faith in the Lord.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Opal Wilmoth; his wife, Norma Jane Wilmoth; sister, Lorraine Peterson; and brother, Jack Wilmoth.
He is survived by his daughter, Teresa W. Allen, and son-in-law, Roderick L. Allen of Siloam Springs, Ark.; his daughter, Paula W. Still of Benton, Ark.; five grandchildren, Josh and wife Stacey, Shannon Allen, Nick Allen and wife Autumn, Jackson E. Still, and Malea McElyea and husband Bobby; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Wilmoth; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
A celebration of life service was held 11 a.m. April 9, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Decatur with Pastor Justin White officiating. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Parkinson's Foundation or Alzheimer's Foundation. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were by Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs.
PAID OBITUARY
Richard Allan Woods
Richard Allan Woods, 59, of Monett, Mo., died April 5, 2019, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.
He was born Aug. 17, 1959, in Aurora, Mo., to Jesse James Woods and Shirley Mae Haddock Woods. He graduated from Watts High School in Watts, Okla., with the class of 1977. He had worked for many years at Journagan's True Value in Aurora and later at Race Brothers in Monett. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening, of which he would generally give away the fruits of his labor.
He married Deborah Lynn Waggoner on July 28, 1988 in Monett.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Frank Woods; and one sister, Teresa Woods.
He is survived by his wife; his son, Chris Hartman and wife Gretchen, of Linn Valley, Kan.; his daughter, Doris Robinson and husband Joshua, of Siloam Springs, Ark.; two brothers, Sam Woods and wife Tammy, of Pierce City, Mo., and Jamie Woods, of Hoberg, Mo.; two sisters, Barbara McVickers, of Monett and Carol Estes and husband Charlie, of Stotts City, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were April 7, 2019, at Buchanan Funeral Home in Monette. Burial followed at the IOOF Cemetery in Monett.
Buchanan Funeral Home of Monett was in charge of arrangements.
General News on 04/10/2019