Obituaries

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.

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.

Lois Patricia Funcell Guarnett, 90, of Pocahontas, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, February 9th, 2022 at home. She was born September 8, 1931 in Ellington, New York to the late James J and Mildred Nelson Funcell.

Nita Kaye Cox Burgess, 63 of Maynard departed this life February 9, 2022. She was born April 7, 1958, to Leo Rodger Cox and Francis Jean Cox in Pocahontas. Nita was preceded in death by her husband Benny Dewon Burgess; sister, Carol Lynch and grandparents, Earl E. Karr and Blanche McKinney Karr; father-inlaw Zaniel “Don” “Strawberry” Burgess She is survived by her son, Ean Burgess of Maynard; parents, Leo Cox and Francis Jean Cox; mother-in-law, Sharon Burgess; siblings, Bob Lynch, Tim & Teka Burgess of Pocahontas, Dotty and Rod Hindson of Pocahontas, LeAnne 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.

Martin Ray Wren, 86 of Pocahontas passed away February 7, 2022, at Flo and Phil Hospice House in Jonesboro. Martin was born March 30, 1935, in Pocahontas to the late Dan Wren and Catherine Throesch Wren.

Clarence “Gene” Watson, 74, graduated to Heaven on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Beloved husband for 53 years of Gerry Watson (nee Stover).

Mary Deleta Rice, 91 of Pocahontas passed away February 6, 2022, at St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas. Mary was born on October 30, 1930, to the late Homer Hamilton Higgins and Bessie Pauline Moore Higgins in Pocahontas. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon William Rice, parents Homer and Bessie Higgins. She is survived by Lyn Rice and wife Jane Obermeyer of Grand Island, NE., Libby Rice of Kansas City, MO. and Steve and Louise Rice of Pocahontas; grandchildren Zach Rice of Tx and Kalyn Still of AL; three great grandchildren. Cremation has been chosen as final deposition. There will be a Graveside service at a later date.

David June Glisson, 62, of Maynard, Arkansas, peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. David was born in Odessa, Texas on Saturday, July 18, 1959, to Bill Glisson and Evelyn Johnson Glisson.

Jerry Alexander Dean, 57, of Doniphan passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2022 at his home. He was born December 14, 1964 in Pocahontas to the late James “Junior” Alexander and Mary Ruth Turner Dean. He was a graduate of Doniphan High School and the owner/operator of Dean’s Package Store since 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Mary Ruth Dean; his wife of 35 years, Pamela D Brooks Dean; sisters, Bobbie Lynn Dean and Elma Grace Dean Gimlin; and brother, James “Joe” Leroy Dean. Jerry is survived by his daughter Jade Alexandria Dean of Doniphan; sisters, Betty (Charles) White of Pocahontas, Anna (Wayne) Dean of Pocahontas, and Katie (James) Tracy of Arnold, MO; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 12-2 PM in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home with a funeral service beginning at 2 PM. Burial will follow in Poynor Cemetery.