Obituaries

Jeffrey Allen Watson, 39, of Pocahontas, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022. Jeffrey was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Charles and Sharon Medley Watson on September 20th, 1982. Jeffrey is preceded in death by his father, Charles Watson; grandfathers, Luther Medley, and Doyle Watson; and his grandmother, Reba Crofford. Jeffrey is survived by his mother, Sharon Medley Watson; wife, Libby Watson; two sons, Ethan Frankenberger (McKenzie Smith) and Andrew Dunnivant both of Pocahontas; daughter, Bailey Frankenberger (Scoob Higginbotham) of Pocahontas; mother-in-law, Bonita and Don Busch of Mammoth Springs; father-in-law, Clyde and Jeannie Hutson Jr. of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Marcia Kerley; brother-in-law, Tony Kerley; grandmother, Bonnie Medley; brother, Charles Watson Ruff; a special little girl, Brynlee (BB) Higginbotham; and his furbaby, Roxy. All services will be held in the chapel of Hope Gardens Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 14th, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Jeffrey’s funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 15th, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., Nathan Kirkley will be officiating, and a procession will follow immediately after to New Hope Cemetery. Honored to carry Jeffrey to his earthly resting place are Mark Johnson, Raymond Renfro, Tony Kerley, Shawn Ashcraft, Joseph Jansen, and Eric French. Honorary pallbearers are Ethan Frankenberger, Andrew Dunnivant, David Medley, Scoob Higginbotham, and Greg Chesser. Jeff will be forever remembered by many things. Things that aren’t found in many people, but these are the things that Jeff was loved the most for. He had a wonderful and contagious smile that would spread to everyone’s faces. Jeff was full of life and cared about others deeply. He was passionate about the things he enjoyed, such as sports and cars, and last, but most certainly not least, Jeff was a hard worker who did everything he could to take care of his family that he loved so much.

On July 26, 1938, Vance Allen Hudson was born to Herbert and Iris (Lance) Hudson in O’Kean, Arkansas. He departed this life and entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Harold Andrew Kazzee, 77 of Pocahontas passed away April 22, 2022 at his home. Harold was born October 2, 1944 to the late Andrew Kazzee and Cecil Hill Kazzee in Pocahontas. He was a loving father, husband, and friend and will be dearly missed.

Fran Black, 75, of Corning passed away May 8, 2022 at home. Frances Suzanne Zepecki was born April 28, 1947 at Scott Field, IL. She worked as a Physical Therapist at Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Later, she worked tirelessly as a wife, mother and grandmother. Those were the greatest joys in her life. She was a frequent substitute teacher at Corning High School. She also served as interim CHS Spanish class teacher and Band Director. Mrs. Black was a Pee Wee Basketball Coach and Minor League Coach for many years in Corning. She later served as the Principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Paragould. She was a member of St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church in Corning where she took on roles such as playing the organ, cleaning the church, bookkeeping, and serving as Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults Director.