Obituaries

Robert Lee Taylor, 78, of

Jimmy Lee Shepherd, 85, Pocahontas passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. He was born in Colestin, Oregon on June 7, 1939, to the late William Clark and Sadie King Shepherd. On February 9, 1968, Jim married Mary Ann Newton in Medford, Oregon at the First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sadie King Shepherd and William Clark Shepherd; and brothers, Robert Allen Shepherd and William E. Shepherd. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Shepherd; two children, Christina (Nathan C.) Bamford of Bangor, California and Bradley (Gail) Shepherd of Fayetteville, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren, Logan, Nathan T., Riley, Andrea, Ethan, Nolan, and Jane Bamford, Katelyn Bamford Nsr, Benjamin, Samuel, and Abraham Shepherd; four great-grandchildren, Alec, Emersyn, Archer, and Theo Bamford; soon to be fifth great grand baby Nsr; and one brother, David (Lora) Shepherd of Nevada. Jim was a veteran of the United States Air Force and then served as an air traffic controller for the FAA until the Patco strike in 1981. He then retrained and earned an accounting degree. He had a bookkeeping and tax business in Pocahontas for 20 years until suffering a stroke in 2015. Jim will be laid to rest with military honors in the Fayetteville National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:30 PM with Chaplain Michael Ford officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Maynard Methodist Church. All services are under the direction of McNabb Funeral Home.

Dale Lewallen, 91, of

Lessie Mae McDaniel, 84, of Enville, TN, (formerly of Maynard, AR), went home to be with the Lord on December 12, 2024. She was born on February 21, 1940 to Leslie and Maudie Bickers, and married Robert McDaniel on September 11, 1954. Lessie was a loving mother who spent hours crocheting and sewing for her family and loved ones. During the summer, she would spend hours in the kitchen canning from the garden and making jams and jellies. In the fall she would bake delicious Christmas treats for the holiday season. She taught one daughterinlaw how to make the best biscuits! She is survived by husband, Robert, of the home, and her five children: Lynn McDaniel (Elaine) of Patton, MO., Jim McDaniel (Cathy) of Bristow, OK, Deborah Bryant (Ronnie) of Maynard, AR, Mary Montgomery (Jesse) of Jonesboro AR, and Ava Rutherford (Kevin) of Jonesboro, AR. In addition, she is survived by her 12 grandchildren, numerous greatgrandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, several

Archie Matheny Jr, age 93 passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the Flo & Hospice House of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Dr. William George “Billy” Coates Jr, DPM, 55 of Pocahontas passed away Friday, December 20, 2024 at his home. He was born February 12, 1969 in Jim Thorpe, PA to the late William George Sr. and Lucille Elizabeth Serfass Coates. He was a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine practicing for many years in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Lucille Coates. Billy is survived by his wife, Megan Coates; sons, Trey Coates of Madisonville, TN, Jackson (Haley) Coates of Paducah, KY, and Reece Coates of Little Rock; daughter, Caroline Coates of Fayetteville; two grandchildren, Sawyer and Cooper Coates of Paducah, KY; sister, Nancy Craig of Pocahontas; and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Monday, December 23, 2024 from 5-7 PM in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home. Cremation will take place following all services.

Janice Fern Ball, 84, of

Marbra Jean Lewallen, 89, of Pocahontas, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family with her beloved husband holding her hand. She was born on May 19, 1935, in Ingram, AR, to Joe Long and Pearl Linn Long. Jean worked as a transcriptionist at Randolph County Medical Center for 35 years. She attended Sutton Free Will Baptist Church; she was baptized at an early age. Jean enjoyed playing basketball in high school and being a member of the beta club and was an active participant in her children’s activities. She also devoted many years to Relay for Life. Jean considered her family as her greatest accomplishment and was their biggest fan. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Pearl Long; her sisters, Betty Long and Jenetta Moore; her son, William Dale “Bubba” Lewallen Jr.; and her mother-in-law, Carrie Lewallen. She is survived by her husband, William “Dale” Lewallen; daughters, Lesa Lewallen, Karen Jansen, Cindy (Joe David) James, Sarah (Dwayne) Carlson, Lori (Jim) Bergman, and Jeanie Lewallen; as well as thirteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren and many other family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will take place at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in the McNabb Funeral Home Chapel, with Kevin Barnett officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallb earers, while granddaughters and great- granddaughters will serve as honorary pallbearers. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Children’s Home in Paragould or the MS Foundation.