All Obituaries

Vera Ruth Gatling, 84, of Crossett, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021.  She was born on January 1, 1937, to her parents, Charlie and Manie Rhodes Upshaw, was a resident of Crossett for the past fifty-five years, and a devoted member of Pine Forest Missionary Baptist Church. Vera retired as a small bag inspector from Bemis Bag Company and later worked for “Meals on Wheels,” delivering delicious meals to those in need.  Vera loved to cook and often baked...

Brenda Ragar, 76, of Crossett, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at her home.  She was born in Monticello, Arkansas, on September 17, 1944, grew up in Collins and attended school in Dermott.  For most of her life, Brenda lived in Crossett.  She worked for Wal-Mart as a sales associate for forty years and was a faithful member of the First Assembly of God Church. Brenda was a prominent member of the well-known Andy’s coffee group, where she actively participated in...

Sherma Jean Shairrick, 71, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the UT Health Center in Tyler, Texas.  She was born in East Prairie, Missouri, on July 17, 1950, and was a member of the Church of Christ faith. Sherma was highly intelligent and very proficient in technology, having earned an associate degree in computer programming.  She was also an exceptionally talented seamstress and painter who created beautiful art using both oils and acrylics in addition to...

UPDATE:  SERVICE LOCATION CHANGED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS  The service will be held in the Medders Funeral Home Chapel, 1564 Hwy 52 W, Crossett at 3:00 p.m. Jeanene Stewart, 83, of Hamburg, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the Ashley County Medical Center.  She was born on August 6, 1937, to her parents, Hiram Alexander and Goldie Burnett Tumlison.  She was a resident of southeast Arkansas most of her life. She was a member of the Wilmot Church of Christ and led...

Royce Gene Oden, 77, of Crossett, passed away on, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the St Francis Medical Center in Monroe.  He was born on May 10, 1944, in Milo, Arkansas, to his parents, Odell Franklin and Mary Lavon Ray Oden.  He was a lifelong resident of Ashley County and a devoted member of Cloverdale Assembly of God Church in Crossett.  Royce worked as a paper maker for Georgia Pacific until his retirement after 43 years of service. Royce was a true gentleman who will be...

Tonya Ann Lee Mashburn, 52, of Crossett, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe.  She was a lifelong resident of Crossett and a 1987 graduate of Crossett High School.  For twenty-one years, Tonya worked as a bookkeeper at First National Bank, where she often won “employee of the month” recognition awards and even “employee of the year.” By far, the most important day for Tonya was when her son, Gabe, was born. ...

Rev. John Carroll Williams, 79, of Sheridan, Arkansas, was promoted on Friday, July 2, 2021, at his home, surrounded by family.  He was born in Hamburg, Arkansas, on March 26, 1942, to his parents, Johnnie and Willie Crosby Williams.  At the age of ten, his family moved to Brazoria, Texas, where he later played football for the West Columbia High School Roughnecks. In 1960, he enlisted and served proudly in the United States Navy and was deployed as an Aircraft Director...

Rhett M. Garrett, 79, of Ringgold, Louisiana, formerly of Crossett, passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the Carpenter House Hospice Center in Shreveport.  He was born on July 23, 1941, to his parents, Basil and Marie Estelle Garrett.  He grew up in Crossett and was a 1959 graduate of Crossett High School. Throughout his life, he worked many years as a Wood Product Salesman for Georgia Pacific and other companies.  A career that not only allowed him to provide for his...

Richard Earl Head, 69, of Junction City, formerly of Crossett and Huttig, passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 16, 1951, to his parents, Earl and Marion Binns Head.  He was a 1969 graduate of Huttig High School and a member of Beech Street Baptist Church in Crossett. Richard worked most of his life as a Field Service Technician and Engineer.  He was a brilliant man who could quickly master anything put in his...

William “Bill” Lewis Garner, 73, of Mountain View, Arkansas, passed away at his home on Monday, June 21, 2021.  He was born on September 18, 1947, in Atkins, AR.  He spent most of his childhood in Hattieville and was a member of Herpel Missionary Baptist Church. At the age of seventeen, Bill enlisted into the United States Navy, serving as a radio operator on the U.S.S. Enterprise during both the Vietnam Conflict and the Korean War. The outdoors was his...