Granvel Dean Arnold
Granvel Dean “Johnny” Arnold, 78, of Dierks, Ark., died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at his home.
He was born Aug. 7, 1937 in Dierks, the son of the late Jeff and Vera Kitchens Arnold.
He was an employee of Briar Plant for 43 years, was the pastor of Community of Christ Church near Dierks.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Arnold.
Survivors include: his wife, Roxie Duckett Arnold; two sons, Daniel Arnold, and Hubert “Eddie” Arnold and wife, Dana; two sisters, Wilma Cogburn and Jeffie Roth, both of Dierks; also grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Services were 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, at Newhope Freewill Baptist Church with Richard Leach and Scott Vaughn officiating. Burial followed in Hickory Grove Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
Visitation was 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28 at the funeral home in Dierks.
Register on-line at wilkersonfuneralhomes.com.
Ronald D. Kesterson
Ronald D. “Ronnie” Kesterson, age 70, a resident of Dierks, Ark.,, died Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark.
He was born June 14, 1945 in Dierks. He was a member of Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church, was a longtime barber of 52 years — almost 50 in Dierks. He loved his family, his church and his customers.
Mr. Kesterson was preceded in death by his parents, Kelsie and Cozie Kirby Kesterson; one brother, Donald R. Kesterson; one sister, Norma R. Kesterson; nephew, Jeffery D. Kesterson and a sister-in-law, Mary Kesterson.
He is survived by: his wife of 50 years, Sharon Kesterson; two daughters and son-in-law, Denise and Warren Roberson of Crandall, Texas, and Paula Kesterson of Bryant, Ark.; grandchildren, Joshua, Peyton and Baylee Roberson all of Crandall, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby D. and Gloria Kesterson of Dierks; one uncle and aunt, Jack and Chris Kesterson of Broken Bow, Okla.; nephews, Jerry Kesterson and wife Laci of Grapeland, Texas, and Joel Kesterson and wife Valerie of Bossier City, La.; niece, Michelle Kesterson of Waterloo, Iowa, and a number of other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Kesterson were at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Clyde Mitchell officiating. Burial followed in Burg Cemetery under the direction of Wilkerson Funeral Home in Dierks.
The family received friends from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29 at the funeral home in Dierks.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Holly Creek Van Fund.
You may register on-line at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com.
Hazel Young
Hazel Marie Young, age 84, of Texarkana, Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at her daughter’s home in Nashville, Ark.
She was born Jan. 22, 1931, in Antoine, Ark., and lived in Texarkana most of her life.
She was a homemaker and a longtime member of Oaklawn Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. She was also a member of Central Baptist Church in Mineral Springs, Ark.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Doyle Young.
Survivors include: her three daughters and two sons-in law, Barbara and Royce Scott of Nashville, Ark.; Pat Baker of Texarkana, Texas; and Doris and Larry McLellan of Ada, Okla.; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Allene Young of Prescott, Ariz.; a sister, Mary Margaret Schilling of Texarkana, Ark.; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a number of other relatives.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at Oaklawn Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas, with Rev. Steve Shipley and Rev. Ben Jones officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The family received friends at the funeral home Sunday afternoon from 6-8 p.m.
Register online at www.chapelwoodfuneralhome.com.
Lewis Allen Barefield
Lewis Allen Barefield, 92, of Little Rock died Nov. 19, 2015.
He was born May 4, 1923 at Mineral Springs to the late Clarence Hamilton and Ester Lena Hicks Barefield.
He was a graduate of MS High School, the University of Arkansas, Texas A&M and the University of Kentucky.
He retired in in 1988 as assistant director of the Arkansas State Plant Board.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Don Barefield, Paul Barefield, Ernest Barefield and Jim Barefield; and sisters, Frances Hedrick and Kathleen Portillo.
Survivors include: his wife of 63 years, Jetty Edwards Barefield; daughters, Rebecca Hill of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Cynthia Williams of Pine Bluff; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation was at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lifeline Baptist Church with services following at 3 p.m., the Rev. Jeff Dial officiating. Burial was Monday at County Line Cemetery near Nashville.
Otis V. Sivley
Mr. Otis V. Sivley, 96, of Nashville, Tenn., passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.
Mr. Sivley was born in Dierks, Ark., on March 27, 1919, the son of Grover and Anice Sivley. He entered the United States Army Air Corps at the age of 21 and subsequently became an officer and a B29 bomber pilot. Major Sivley retired from the USAF after over 25 years of active duty service and then went on to serve the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, Mo., for another 19 years.
Mr. Sivley married Lena Jo Shofner in 1945. She was the love of his life and they were married for almost 66 years. They had one son, Richard Daniel Sivley.
Mr. Sivley was modest gentleman of great kindness and strength. His family and friends cherished him. He served as an elder at the South Side Church of Christ in St. Louis, Mo., for 35 years and before that, served as an elder at the Fishinger and Kenny Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. He was most recently a member of the Bellevue Church of Christ. Mr. Sivley was an exemplary member of the Greatest Generation. The lives of O.V. and Jo continue to bless countless numbers in their community and family.
His wife and son, two brothers, and a sister preceded Mr. Sivley in death. Survivors include his devoted daughter-in-law, Joan Sivley; granddaughter, Bryn Sivley Toledano; grandson, Dan Sivley and his wife Lisa; and five great-grandsons, Spencer Sivley and Meyer, Shai, Levi and Ezra Toledano.
Visitation began at one o’clock and the funeral service was at two o’clock on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at the Bellevue Church of Christ with Tommy South officiating. Interment followed in Woodlawn Memorial Park with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions be made to Children’s Homes, Inc. 1126 Benton Street, Searcy, AR 72143.
Visit the online obituary: woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com.
