February 2022

Celia Ann Coffman Tatum, 83, of Pocahontas, passed away on February 6th from a broken heart, after the loss of her husband of 47 years, William J. Tatum, just days earlier. She died peaceably in her sleep, wanting nothing more than to join Bill. Celia was born on January 2, 1939 to Etta and Cecil Johnson in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Graduating from Pocahontas High School in 1956, Celia moved to Illinois and landed her first job as a telephone operator, where she met her first husband, Franklin D. Coffman, a soldier in the U.S. Army. With Frank she had three children, Pam, Mark, and John, and traveled all over the world, from Hawaii to Europe, until Frank’s death in 1973. After moving back to Pocahontas, she was married to William (Bill) Tatum on April 13, 1974, and together they had a wonderful life raising their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Celia was predeceased by her parents, Etta Bates Johnson and Cecil Loyd Johnson, and her husbands, Franklin D. Coffman and William J. Tatum. She is survived by her brother Robert E. Johnson. She is survived by: Daughter Pamela Flanigan and son in law Randal Flanigan of Pocahontas, grandchildren Victoria Tarver, Kyle Goleman, Verrandah Flanigan, Tanya and husband Chris Smith, Joseph Flanigan, and great grandchildren Hanna, Ally, Ryan, Ana, Atley, Garrett, Kacey, Katelyn, Korinna Donovan, Hailey, Sydney, and Joseph Jr. Son Franklin Mark Coffman and daughter in law Dawn Coffman of Pocahontas, Arkansas, grandchildren Brook and husband Michael Bernhardt, Franklin J. Coffman and wife Sheisla, Charles Andy Coffman and wife April, and great grandchildren Isabella, Gabriel, Maria, Charlie, Sophia, Benjamin, Asher, and Penelope. She was preceded in death by his first great-grandson, Franklin Scott Coffman. Son John D. Coffman and wife Patsy of Bono, Arkansas, grandchildren Trey, Kaitlyn, Chase, Brittany, and Sterling, and great-grandchildren Sadie, Clara, Chloe, Carly, Evert, and Levi.She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. There will be no Visitation only a private family memorial Those who choose to give a gift to honor Celia are asked to make a contribution in her name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Benny Dewon Burgess, 58 of Maynard departed this life on February 9, 2022. He was born October 17, 1963, to Zaniel Dewon “Strawberry” Burgess and Sharon K. (Bates) Burgess in the Little Flower Clinic in Pocahontas. Benny was a loving father and husband. Benny was preceded in death by his father, Zaniel “Don” “Strawberry” Burgess; brother, Scotty Burgess; grandfathers, Ed Bates and Zan Burgess; grandmother, Ulear Burgess. He is survived by his son, Ean Burgess; wife Nita Kaye Burgess; mother, Sharon K Burgess; siblings, Tim and Teka Burgess of Pocahontas, Dotty and Rod Hindson of Pocahontas, Le- Anne Burgess of Maynard and Scott and Angela Hancock of Pocahontas. Visitation will be held 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 13, 2022, in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. with Gene Cullum officiating. Cremation will take place following all services.

Charlcie Crismon Hufstedler, 103, of Pocahontas passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Randolph Home. She was born November 26, 1918 in Attica to the late William Talmage and Anna Isabelle Sago Crismon.