IOLA HAWKINS
Iola Silas Hawkins, 72, of Jacksonville was born Oct. 22, 1936, in Shaw, Miss., to the late John Silas and Artie M. Morton. On Nov. 9, 1952, she was united in holy matrimony to Elijah J. Hawkins. She confessed a faith in Christ at an early age, when her pastor was the late Rev. E. J. Shead.
Mother Hawkins went to be with the Lord on April 23. Preceding her in death were her husband; her youngest son, Earnest R. Hawkins, and a brother, Robert Silas
She was a devoted member of Evangelistic Ministries Church in Jacksonville where she participated as a prayer warrior, a spiritual adviser to many and she served on the mothers’ board.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Larry J. Hawkins, Odell Williams, Minister Otis L. Williams, Bobby Sutton, Minister Darlene Cherry and her husband Eugene, Ricky Hawkins and his wife Monica, Darryl Hawkins and his wife Betty and Artie M. Hawkins; a brother, John Silas Jr.; sisters, Emma J. Stewart and Barbara Williamson; grandchildren, Jimond Applegate, Shandrica Hawkins, Andrea Hawkins, Vantia Hawkins, Larry Hawkins Jr., Jamaal Hawkins, Colvin Williams, Alexandria Wil-liams, Otis Williams Jr., Brandon Williams, Deon Mitchell, Tiffany Cherry, Eugene Cherry Jr., Marcus Butts, Natasha Beadle and husband Brandon, Ricky Hawkins Jr., Brittaney Hawkins, Tiarra Alexander, Crystal Alexander, Angela Cherry and Joseph Felton; great-grandchildren, Bianca Mitch-ell, Uriah Williams, Noah Williams and Jordan Beadle, as well as a godson, James Ball; a god-baby, Nikyjay Toney, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A service of remembrance will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at Evangelistic Ministries Church in Jacksonville with Bishop James Bolden officiating. Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Wood-Bean Funeral Home.
VIRGINIA RAY
Virginia Irene Ray, 50, of Jacksonville died April 26. She was born Jan. 22, 1959 in Little Rock. She was the daughter of the late Virginia and Jackie Jackson. Mrs. Ray was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Mrs. Ray is survived by her husband, Joel Paul Ray, and 11 children, Robert Everett of North Little Rock, Jacquelyn Fisher of Sherwood, Penny Sparks and Benny Brannon, both of Toneyville, Nick Ray, Joel Ray, Virginia Ann Ray and Linda Ray, all of Jacksonville, Edna Thompson and Kelley Ray, both of Furlow, and Angel Cordell Ray of Little Rock. She is also survived by five brothers, Jackie Jackson, James Jackson, Mike Brannen, William Brannen and George Jackson, all of Jacksonville, as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, May 1 in the chapel of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home with burial in Chapel Hill Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.
ZELPHIA REESE
Zelphia L. Reese, 72, of Jacksonville passed away April 23. She was born July 2, 1936, to Toncie Callahan and the late Rue L. Ford. She was a member of Church of Christ and an avid quilter.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her father; a brother, Junior Ford, and a sister, Ena Hicks, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Reese is survived by her loving husband, Douglas M. Reese; daughter, Lisa Varney and her husband Donald of Jacksonville, and sons, Ronnie Wethington of Campbellsville, Ky., and Donnie Wethington of Cabot.
She is also survived by her siblings, Shirley James of Central, Ind., Lana Ford of Campbellsville, Ky., Gary Ford of Elkhorn, Ky., Eric Ford of Campbellsville, Ky., Daniel Ford of Florida, Ray Ford and Carl Ford, both of Louisville, Ky., Wilma Combs of Casey County, Ky., Anita Elmore of Central, Ind., Marsha Cox, Gelois Cochran and Ina Humphress, all of Elkhorn, Ky., and Ruby McDonald of Louisville, Ky., as well as one grandson, Donavon Lee Varney.
The funeral was April 27 in the chapel of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home with Dennis Carrow officiating. Interment was in Chapel Hill Memorial Park.
GARY COOK
Gary L. Cook, 58, of Jacksonville passed away April 23. He was a warehouse manager for the Department of Human Services, former employee of Aegon Insurance Co. and a member of Levy Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Cathy Weeks Cook; two daughters, Carie Cook and Kimberly Warner and her husband James, all of Jacksonville; mother, Helen Cook; brother, Pat Cook and his wife, Carolyn, all of Hazen, and three nieces.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 N. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72207 or Levy Baptist Church, 3501 Pike Ave., North Little Rock, Ark. 72118.
The funeral was April 28. Arrangements were by North Little Rock Funeral Home.
