FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICE - Key Persons
Alexis Olmstead Cranford has been a Cleburne County resident all her life. She graduated from Heber Springs High School in 2004 and attended Arkansas Tech University. Alexis returned to Heber Springs after attending college to work with her family at the funeral home and start a family. She is married to Preston Cranford and they have one child named George. Like her father, her funeral career started when she worked at the family's funeral home in High School. She is a funeral Apprentice and has worked with the family for 19 years. She loves having the opportunity to help families in their time of need.
Billy Robert Yates, the son of Edward Wayne Yates, SR and Shirley E. Hazelwood Rice was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky on May 14, 1974, and passed away in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 12, 2023, at the age of 48 years.
He was of the Baptist... Read More
Billy Robert Yates, the son of Edward Wayne Yates, SR and Shirley E. Hazelwood Rice was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky on May 14, 1974, and passed away in Little Rock, Arkansas on January 12, 2023, at the age of 48 years.
He was of the Baptist Faith and member of the Flat Rock Community Church. He loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed to be outdoors and spending time with his family. He enjoyed his pet cats and animals he acquired over the years. He loved riding his motorcycle. He was the most caring individual one could ever get the chance to meet. He would give you the shirt off his back. Not because you needed it, just because you liked it. The one who always had your back. He was just Bubba!
Billy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, William and Lillian Hazelwood, paternal grandparents, Walter and Alice Yates, and his bonus dad, Earl Jesse Rice. Survivors are his mom, Shirley E. Rice of Greenbrier, Arkansas, his dad, Edward Wayne (Pat) Yates, SR of Cecilla, Kentucky, brothers; Edward Wayne (Janie) Yates Jr of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Dannie (Leah) Yates of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Cody (Brittany) Rice of Quitman, Arkansas, sisters; Joanie (Joshua) Elliott of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Frankie Padgett of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and a host of beloved family, and friends.
A visitation will be on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Family Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 PM and funeral services will be on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Flat Rock Community Church at 2:00 PM by Rev. Stan Sutterfield. The burial will be in Flat Rock Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eddie Yates, JR, Travis Yates, Bobby Brown, Marc Roberts, Jerimiah Rice, Chris Reed, Kelly Gideon, Jason Kunde, Dewayne Skinner, Doye Whorton, Eddie Pryor, Wayne Carr, Devin Brown, and Cody Rice.
Bruce Stair, the son of Ruby May (Powell) Stair and Stanley Stair was born on July 15, 1939, in Ben, Arkansas and passed away on November 19, 2022 at the age of 83 years.
Bruce was the middle of five children. Growing up, he participated in at... Read More
Bruce Stair, the son of Ruby May (Powell) Stair and Stanley Stair was born on July 15, 1939, in Ben, Arkansas and passed away on November 19, 2022 at the age of 83 years.
Bruce was the middle of five children. Growing up, he participated in athletics during his high school years. After graduating from high school, he worked with his father at the Stanley Stair Lumber Company for eight years before receiving his BA in Mathematics. He returned to begin his teaching career in the Heber Spring School System. Realizing he preferred outdoor work, he joined the Arkansas Forestry Commission in 1976. In 1983, he was promoted to County Ranger for Cleburne County. He retired from this position in 2001.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Rose Patchell.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 65 years, Claudine (Stark) Stair, son, Stephen Bruce Stair (David Rousey), daughter, Leslie Ann Hopkins (JT Hopkins), granddaughter, Tasha Jo Jones (Joel Jones) and two great granddaughters, Anslie Jaise Jones and Sadie Kole Jones. Sisters, Joyce Ann McMillan, Lynda Fay Stair and brother, Richard Stanley Stair. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Bruce was a jack of all trades, and words cannot express his capacity for love and kindness.
No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bruce's favorite charity.
My prayers are with you all. Mr.Stair is the reason that I learned my best math skills. My childhood was shared with Phillip growing up in school. He was a great man that will be missed. God Bless each of you.
Charlie Freeman Coop, 79 of Heber Springs, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022. He was born October 22, 1942, in Nashville Tennessee to William and Sarah Coop.
Charlie was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Heber Springs where he... Read More
Charlie Freeman Coop, 79 of Heber Springs, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022. He was born October 22, 1942, in Nashville Tennessee to William and Sarah Coop.
Charlie was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Heber Springs where he served as a Deacon for many years. He retired with the rank of Sergeant from Shelby County Sherrif's Department in Memphis, Tennessee where he was a school resource officer at Collerville High School, Collerville, Tennessee. He was an accomplished artist who had a passion for crafting beautiful things. Also, he loved being outdoors, fishing and taking care of his flowers and his yard. Charlie loved nature and all of God's creation. He had a healing hand of nurturing hawks and falcons back to their healthy habitat, His greatest accomplishments to be treasured in his life were his dedication as a loving husband, father, grandfather and a kind-hearted man.
Survivors include his wife Linda Coop, of the home, two sons; Phillip Harper of Little Rock, Arkansas, Kirby Harper of Heber Springs, Arkansas, a daughter, Stacy Coop of Memphis, Tennessee, two grandchildren; Phillip Ryan Harper, Jessica Nichole Reed, two great-granddaughters, numerous other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jim Coop, and a sister, Pat Swain.
Charlie was a Christian, Deacon at Grace Baptist Church and a conservitive. He contributed to numerous Native American Schools around and charities. He was a member of Shelby Teachers Association. He ws a street rod enthusist, gospel music and a lover of music he grew up with in his area. He was an artist in wildlife and nature. He was retired from the Shelby County Sheriff Department. He trained in the traffic investigation and was in the fugitive squad and traveled to pick up prisionors and return them to Tennessee.
Christine Mary (Aaron) Brewer the daughter of Lloyd B. and Mary E. (Mandeville) Aaron and a sister of Briony Aaron Tomalesky, wife of James B. Brewer went home to the Lord on April 8, 2022 suddenly, after a very short illness. Chris lung cancer from ... Read More
Christine Mary (Aaron) Brewer the daughter of Lloyd B. and Mary E. (Mandeville) Aaron and a sister of Briony Aaron Tomalesky, wife of James B. Brewer went home to the Lord on April 8, 2022 suddenly, after a very short illness. Chris lung cancer from 4 years ago had returned.
As we all know, Chris lived life to the fullness, being busy and giving of herself to others was her passion. Chris graduated from Stetson University in 1965 with her bachelors Degree in Biology. She got her Masters Degree in Guidance in 1966, then her Educational Specialist in School Psychology from the university of Florida in 1967. She served in the Lake County Florida School System as a Guidance Counselor for 33 years. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in Heber Springs at 3:00 PM
Christine Mary (Aaron) Brewer the daughter of Lloyd B. and Mary E. Aaron, sister of Briony Aaron Tomalesky, aunt of Sara Tomalesky Simpson, wife of James B. Brewer passed away on April 8, 2022. Christine graduated from Stetson University (BA) in 1965 (MA) in 1966, and (EDS) from University of Florida in 1967. She retired from the Lake County Florida School System after 33 years. She touched the lives of many students throughout her career as a counselor at Eustis High School and Clermont Jr./Middle schools and as a Hospital Homebound Instructor. Christine had a giving spirit. If anyone ever needed anything - she gave. She was a lifetime blood recipient because every year she donated gallons of blood all throughout her life. Christine was responsible for obtaining land and overseeing the creating of an animal shelter on McKinley Road, just east of State Road 19 in Lake County Florida when she was President of the Humane Society in the 90's. Christine loved to travel - she walked the Great Wall of China, saw the tulips bloom in Holland, saw the icebergs in Alaska, said that the waters around Hawaii were cold compared with those of Barbados, traveled to Europe and the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Christine loved antiquing, gardening, and flower arranging. Christine taught Sunday School and did church work throughout her entire life. The week before she died, Christine was volunteering at a church Food Pantry and delivering Meals on Wheels. The world has lost a giving soul. May she be at rest in peace with Tisha, Smokey, Brandi and all her other beloved pets and with her parents in heaven. Donations appreciated to Humane Society of Lake County Florida.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director / Embalmer
Debbie Crawford lives in Heber Springs. She has 2 children, Dustin and Alison, and a dog, Reba. They are her pride and joy. Debbie earned her funeral science degree from Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. She has worked as a funeral director and embalmer for 4 years. "She loves what she does, and is grateful God has given her the ability to find her calling."
Donald H. Sims, the son of Opie Sims and Vernelle Herring Sims was born in Conway, Arkansas on March 18, 1946, and passed away at his home in Quitman, Arkansas on September 14, 2022, at the age of 76 years.
He was a retired police officer with ... Read More
Donald H. Sims, the son of Opie Sims and Vernelle Herring Sims was born in Conway, Arkansas on March 18, 1946, and passed away at his home in Quitman, Arkansas on September 14, 2022, at the age of 76 years.
He was a retired police officer with 30 years of service in the Arkansas State Police and 20 years in the Cleburne County Sheriff Department. He was a member of Howard General Baptist Church. He loved the LORD and enjoyed his family, friends, horses and Donimar Farm.
He was preceded in death by his parents Opie and Vernell Sims and a brother Joe Sims. Survivors are his wife Mary Jean Hooper Sims, a son Jeff Sims, a daughter Kim Reynolds and husband Rickey, and a son Brad Sims and wife April, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, and friends.
Dulcy Carlene Powers Clark Davis, was born June 9, 1932, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, to Charlie E Powers and Mattie Gaunt Powers Carr. She passed away at the age of 90, in the home of her son Don Clark on December 30, 2022. She was a member of the Lak... Read More
Dulcy Carlene Powers Clark Davis, was born June 9, 1932, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, to Charlie E Powers and Mattie Gaunt Powers Carr. She passed away at the age of 90, in the home of her son Don Clark on December 30, 2022. She was a member of the Lake Light Church of God, Heber Springs, Arkansas (formerly Heber Springs Church of God). She retired from Skil Corporation in 1994 where she worked for several years. She loved to read her Bible, and go to church with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mattie Carr of Rockholds, Kentucky and Charlie Powers of Drasco, Arkansas, two husbands Loyd T. Clark and Garner Davis, two sons, Walter Everett Clark and Jerry Lynn Clark, one grandson, Jerry Thomas Clark.
She is survived by five children; Larry (Linda) Clark of Manchesney Park, Illinois, Lois (Wallace) McDoniel of Newark, Arkansas, Don (Rose) Clark of Heber Springs, Joyce (Johnie) Richie of Searcy, Arkansas, Connie (Carl) Pierce of Salem, Arkansas, one special cousin, Ralph (Pat) Roaden of Corbin, Kentucky, thirteen grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
B. Dwight Olmstead was born in Dallas, Texas in 1951 while his father was attending Mortuary School. I am a 1969 graduate of Heber Springs High School where I participated in athletics, was a 4 sport letterman and graduated from University of Central Arkansas as a 2 sport letterman in 1974 and The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1975. I am a licensed funeral director and embalmer. I married Lisa Barnes in 1977, she is a licensed funeral director and we have 3 children, Ryan who is a funeral director and embalmer and two daughters Alesha and Alexis who are funeral directors. My daughter in law Shanda is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and a son in law Preston who is a funeral director. Together we all have over 143 years of funeral experience.
I have participated in local and state associations. I am past president of the Heber Springs School board the Past Vice President of the Arkansas State School Board, the past president of the Heber Springs Airport Commission. Past member of Rotary International, Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce, past Finance Chairman of Heber Springs First United Methodist Church. I have been active in the funeral Industry, being past President of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association, past president of the Arkansas State Burial Association Board, past president of the Arkansas State Club of Burial Associations, past policy board member of the National Funeral Directors Association and was awarded the MOTS (Morticians of the Southwest) Award as the Arkansas Funeral Director of the Year in 2003. I have been licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 50 years and myself and my family will continue to operate funeral homes in Arkansas and will provide the most dignified and respectful services to families with the personal service they deserve.
Edith has been there for us when each of our children were born! She has always been there for us whenever we needed her. Her and Donna would come to help and rescue us.
My name is Cathy Hutto Avery. My husband Sam Avery and I have been married for 2 years. I have one child, Tori Green and two grandsons, Mason and Colby Green. I retired from the Cleburne County Sheriff's Department after 15 years. I have been a licensed Funeral Director since 1992. I am honored to serve people in their time of need.
Lisa owns Clinton Funeral Service with her husband of 44 years., Dwight Olmstead. We have 3 children who are fifth generation funeral directors/embalmers. We have 5 grandchildren. Lisa got her Funeral Directors license in 2010. She owned and operated Heber Springs Florist and Gifts for 22 years. She has worked for Teleflora Wire Service as well as the Past President of Arkansas Florist Association and Arkansas Teleflora Unit. She has worked for Heber Springs School District for 19 years. Serving people and helping them in their time of need is a honor.
Preston Cranford has been a licensed funeral director at Family Funeral Service for three years. He and his wife, Alexis Olmstead Cranford, have a 11 month old son and reside in Heber Springs. Preston attended high school in Heber Springs and college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He takes pride in being part of a family owned business and providing caring, professional service.