Earnest Merl Johnson, 92, passed away on May 1, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 26, 1931, in Marsden, Arkansas to the late Horace Wade Johnson and Martella Robertson Johnson. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Pvt in Comp A 206 HV.TK.Bn. Upon discharge from the US Navy, he entered the University of Houston, Texas, and studied engineering. After marriage to Sandra West, he relocated to Arkansas. He and his wife were self-employed and owner of E and S Logging, and Johnson Equipment and Supplies for 20 years. He changed his career path and worked for Combustion Engineers as Field Director in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma until he retired after 22 years of service. He again re-entered the work field as yard supervisor for 25 years for WS Richardson Pulpwood Inc. After a second retirement he was self-employed as owner and operator of a small saw mill he managed from his home. He permanently retired at the age of 88 to care for his wife until her death. His passion and hobby was WORKING and making sure everyone around him worked. He was a member of the Blue Lodge in Warren, Masonic Lodge #33, Warren, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Houston, Texas. He was a member of the Shriner-Sarah Temple in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a member of various local clubs. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church in Warren, and a devoted member of the Fisherman's Sunday School Class.

William Hogan (WH/Dub/ Bill) Ashcraft, 79, gained his wings at home, treasured by loved ones, on May 2, 2024 after his valiant struggle with cancer. He was a licensed minister who loved to tell people about Jesus during the years that included working with rehab ministries and jail ministries, along with everyone he came in contact with. He is now resting with his Lord and Savior.

Joseph Grady "J.G." Howsen, 89, of Warren, AR, passed away April 30, 2024, at home with his wife and children surrounding him. He was born and raised in the Pleasant Valley Community.

Patricia Louise Lawhon, 81, of Hensley went to be with her Lord on April 24, 2024. She was born April 6, 1943 in Hensley, AR to the late Edgar Davis Raley and Dorothy Louise Palmer Raley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill Lawhon, her daughter Tammy Smith, her sister Kathy Mizell and her brother Jesse Raley. Mrs. Lawhon was a faithful member of East End Baptist Church and enjoyed going to yard sales, flea markets, sewing and painting. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Stephen Ray "Red" Winston of Sheridan, Arkansas, passed away on April 23, 2024, at the age of 70. He was born in Pine Bluff on August 28, 1953, to Jack and Peggy "Hope" Winston. He was a 1971 graduate of Rison High School and a proud member of the Rison Wildcat 1970 Class A State football championship team. Steve attended Henderson State University and was a starter on the football team. In time, he returned to his hometown of Rison, Arkansas, and married his love, Belinda Brown Winston, whom he was married to for nearly 47 years. Steve was employed by Union Pacific Railroad for 34 years before retiring in August of 2013. He and his wife had two children, Leann and Jared. In 2010, Steve became a grandfather and he loved his grandchildren unconditionally-they fondly referred to him as "Da." He was an avid outdoorsman and loved turkey and deer hunting with his family. Steve was an active member of Rison Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Peggy Winston of Rison, and his brother, Tim Winston of Rison. He is survived by his wife, Belinda of Sheridan, his daughter, Leann King (Maburn) and grandson Winston of Sheridan, his son Jared (Katy) and grandchildren Klaire, Kyndall, and Rhett of Benton, and his brother Danny (Christy) Winston of Arkadelphia.

William Vernon Reed, 80, of Calmer went to be with his Lord on April 22, 2024. He was born October 30, 1943 in Calmer to the late Daniel and Mary Reed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Reed and his sister Pauline Cross. Mr. Reed retired from the Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked as an Engineer. He was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed playing his guitar, singing, riding horses, motorcycles and working in his yard. His favorite times were spent with his grandchildren.

Thomas Carroll Butcher, Jr., 85, of Rison, Arkansas went to be with his Lord on April 18, 2024. He was born July 18, 1938 in Little Rock to the late Thomas Carroll Butcher, Sr. and Jimmie Doogrey McAuliffe Butcher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Lynda Marie Brewer Butcher, his daughter Patricia G. Butcher Cooper, and his sisters, Jamie Butcher Todd and Diane Butcher White. He was a faithful member of Rison Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and was a member of the choir. Mr. Butcher was a retired veteran serving 42 years in in the United States Army and Army Reserve. He retired from the 3215' Materials Management Center in El Dorado, Arkansas. He worked 26 years for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service with the United States Department of Agriculture. He took early retirement to become a full-time poultry producer for Tyson Foods as owner and operator of Tom-Lyn Farms. After retiring from poultry farming, he and Lynda traveled by RV across the U.S seeing sights and spending time with family and friends. He had a love for gardening and being outside on his tractor. He never met a stranger and could talk for hours on end about any subject anyone was willing to discuss. To know Tommy was to know the things that brought him the most pride: his family, his military service, and his BSA scouting career. He began his scouting career as a scout in Troop 13 in Helena, AR. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1955 and went on to become Scoutmaster of Troop 13 in the late 1960s. He also went on to be Scoutmaster over Troops in Malvern and in Rison. His dedication to scouting is evidenced by his many awards including: Distinguished Commissioner, Order of the Arrow Brother, Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Venturing Leadership Award, and the Silver Beaver Award. He was as dedicated to Cub Scouts as he was to Boy Scouts. He served on the Desoto Area Council Executive Board with the Boy Scouts of America. He attended college at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. During college he joined the U.S. Army Reserve. The majority of his 42 years of service were spent with the 321' MMC in El Dorado, AR operating under the 377th TAACOM in Baton Rouge, LA. The men who served with him in this unit were among his dearest friends. His service took him to trainings at military bases across the U.S., to Honduras, and eventually to active duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and was affectionately known among his army friends as 'Chief.' He was Past Commander, Historian and Lifetime member of the American Legion and Past Vice Commander & Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War. Tommy served as a Workforce Investment Board Member and Executive Committee Member for many years until the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife Mildred Butcher, his children, son-in-law Roger Cooper of Athens, OH, Lynn Butcher Wilson and husband Jeff of Rison, Thomas Carroll 'Butch' Butcher, III of Rison, one brother, David M. Butcher (Ann) of Kirby, grandchildren, Kaatie Cooper Vance (Ian) of Kent, OH, Jac Cooper of China, Jacob Wilson (Carly) of Sheridan, Anna Wilson of Rison, Taylor Williams (Blake) of Harmony Grove, Nathan Wilson (Alison) of Marion, and Riley Butcher of Rison, greatgrandchildren, Grady and Curtis Ballard and Hud and Mia Williams. Pallbearers will be David Chane Butcher, Rusty White, Dwight Simpson, Coy Hartsell, Rickey Fore, Cleve Reed, Larry Summerhill, and John David Todd. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Cunningham, Lee Pete, Keith Shumway, Steve Pickering, John Orton, Tex Gordon, Lonnie Hardin, and Jimmy Todd. Funeral services were Monday, April 22, 2024, at Rison Baptist Church with Bro. Wade Totty and Bro. Iverson Jackson officiating. Interment followed in Black Cemetery with military honors.

Martha Ann Duncan, nee Granderson, know as “Aunt Mot,” ‘‘Mot” or “Granny” to her family and many friends, of Kingsland was called to join the Lord on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the age of 82.

Mark Rhoden Halley, 67, of Rison went to be with his Lord on March 19, 2024. He was born April 7, 1956 in Bradley County to the late Ann Rhoden Halley and Bernie Clyde Halley.