Monday, July 23, 2007

OBITUARIES >> 07-21-07

Harold Rackley

Harold L. Rackley, 70, of Searcy was born May 6, 1937, and passed away July 18. He was an Army veteran and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

He and his wife were owners of Framecrafter Gallery in Searcy. He was a custom picture framer for 36 years. He was a member of Beebe Church of Christ.

Harold loved his family and friends very much and was loved and admired by his community.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Geralda Lay Rackley; his daughters, Debbie and husband Bob Morrison of Beebe and Cindi and husband Mike Brannon of Cabot; his sons, Greg and wife Cheryl Rackley of Beebe and David Rackley of Conway; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“He was from the old school; he believed in honest hard work, living a life of integrity and making sure his children had a much better life than he had. In that regard, his life was certainly a huge success,” according to his son David.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rose Bud.


Sammye Cruce

Sammye (Gigi) McKinley Cruce, 79, of Lonoke died July 18. She was born on April 10, 1928, to the late Sam R. and Ethel McKinley.

She was an active member of the Palm Street Church of Christ for 48 years. She showed her love for people in her caring and serving ways.

Survivors include her husband, James R. Cruce; son, Greg and wife Karen Cruce of Springdale; daughters, Phyllis and husband Larry Cash and Jan and husband Danny Hazelwood, both of Lonoke; sister, Maurice Burks of Searcy; six grandchildren, Scott and wife Tonya Cash, Ashley and husband Noah Rabb, Stuart and wife Dylana Cash, Amy and husband Josh Graham, Hunter Cruce and Tammy and husband Anthony Ponder; nine great-grandchildren and many other relatives and special friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21 at Palm Street Church of Christ in Lonoke with special friend Randy Rankin officiating. Interment will follow in Lonoke Cemetery.

The family extends a special thanks to Chambers Nursing Home and Arkansas Hospice for their loving care.
Arrangements by Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke.


Barbara Hall

Barbara Jean Wisdom Hall, 63, of Sherwood passed away July 18 after a long health-related battle. She was born Feb. 5, 1944, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to the late Imogene Starns and Edgar Wisdom. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed spending time with her family and caring for her grandchildren. She also liked golf, bowling and watching “CSI.”

She was of the Pentecostal faith and was employeed by St. Vincent’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Sherwood as a kitchen supervisor. She received the Employee of the Year award in 2004.

Her pastime was cooking. “She always had a pot of something on the stove anytime someone came to her house,” according to the family.

She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Paul Thomas Hall; two sons, Lance Hall and wife Sherry and Sean Hall; one daughter, Jeanie Smith; two sisters, Sharon Wigham and Carolyn Thompson; 12 grandchildren, Rickey Haney and wife Andra, Michael Hall and wife Megan, Melissa Hall, Christy Mathis, Scott Gossett, Jordan Hall, Jacob Hall, Devin Hall, Heather Meeks, Noah Slaughter, Madison Slaughter and Alyssa Caldwell; four great-grandchildren, Trey Haney, Aaron Hall, Cara Haney and Brooklyn Hall.

Graveside services were July 20 at Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Alexander with Bro. Richard Whittington officiating.


Rachel Bearden

Rachel Bearden, 74, of Heber Springs died July 17.

She was born Nov. 6, 1932, at Heber Springs to Walter and Alta Hackworth Fry.

She is survived by two sons, Danny Fry of Beebe and Walter Bearden, Jr. of Cabot; one grandchild; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Chester Fry of Concord and Dewey Fry of Heber Springs; two sisters, Ethel Hartsfield of Heber Springs and Polly Hester of Marana, Ariz.

Cremation arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe.