Archive
June 4th, 2011
Mary Gusaline Thompson, age 80, of Benton, passed away Friday, June 3, 2011. She was born November 18, 1930, in Bauxite, Ark.Â
Mrs. Thompson was retired from Saline Memorial Hospital and a member of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church.Â
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus Alfred and Audrie Neal Shiftlett, and a sister, Carmen.
BENTON — It didn't take long for Bauxite senior Tristan Rogers to find her groove. Before Friday's annual charity basketball game, Rogers said "it had been a while" since she had shot the ball or played.
It didn't seem to matter though as she scored three points off the bench in the first quarter and would finish the game with about 14 points, including four three-pointers.
Rogers, an all-conference player for the Lady Miners, said afterward, "You never lose it."
June 2nd
Jerry Dean McVay of Durano, Colo. died of coronary heart disease Monday, May 23, 2011, at his home. He was 60.
Mr. McVay was born August 24, 1950, to Gerald and Mildred McVay in Iowa. During his life he lived in Iowa, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Arkansas. He lived in Arkansas for 22 years before moving to Durango in April 2007.
He worked as a janitor at Walmart for more than a decade, first in Arkansas and then in Durango.
Mary Virginia Barrett, age 79 of Little Rock, passed away on May 28, 2011. Mrs. Barrett was born on May 9, 1932. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold F. Barrett and her parents, Lynn E. and Marie Thompson.
Henry Joe Hajek, Jr. of Benton passed away on May 31, 2011. Henry was born on November 24, 1927, in Flatonia, Texas to the late Henry, Sr. and Angelina Hajek. Mr. Hajek was a veteran of both the Army and Navy and was retired from Pat Salmon & Sons. He was also a member of Highland Heights Baptist Church.
Helen Price of Benton passed away Monday, May 30, at age 78. She was born April 17, 1933, in Cabot. Mrs. Price was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, E. C. Price; parents, David Allen and Lissie Mae Johnson; brother, Harold Snyder; and sister, Betty Bryant.
Linvel Henry Cranford, 90, of Little Rock passed away on Monday, May 30, 2011. Linvel was born in Amity on August 26, 1920, to William and Laura Cranford who have preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Violet.
Lena Mary Ramsey, age 95, of Benton, passed away May 28, 2011. She was born July 16, 1915, in Palestine, to the late William Alfred Clark and Lovie Gillis Clark.Â
Ms. Ramsey had a deep faith in Christ, and was very independent. She was often called “Sunshine,” as she always looked toward the positive side in life. She owned a store and flower shop for many years.Â
She was preceded in death by her husband, Newell P. Ramsey. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Jerome Clark and Nathan L. Clark and three nephews, Aubrey Dean Brewer, Robert Clark, and Calvin Ritchey.Â
Mr. Ben Harvey Holiman age 86, of Benton died Friday May 27, 2011. He was born September 28, 1924 in Sheridan.
Ben was a loving Father and Grandfather who loved spending time with his “girls”, son-in-laws, grandchildren and other family and friends.
Ben loved to hunt, fish and garden. He never met a stranger.
 Ben and Jean operated the Yellow Cab Co. and Trailways Bus Station for 43 years. During that time they serviced the community and individuals many of who referred to him as “Mr. Ben”. He retired from Spivey Chevrolet Co. in 1977. He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church.
May 26th
Robert Vance, 71 of Alexander, passed away Monday, May 23, 2011 in Benton. He was born on November 15, 1939, in Danville, Ill.; he was the son of Albert M. Vance and Dorothy Mae Howard-Vance. Robert was a retired United States Navy and Coast Guard Veteran. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Sandra Vance and Judy Vance and one brother. Survivors include his wife Diddy Vance; children Vicki Alimboyoguen, Carla Stacker, Robert Vance Jr., Justina Rollins, and Michael Vance, 15 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two brothers William Vance and Albert Vance.
