Mr. Richard W. Davis, age 83, of Forrest City, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at the Crittenden County Memorial Hospital in West Memphis.
Mr. Davis was born June 23, 1918, in Forrest City, and was the son of Winfield Davis and Kate Fields Davis. He lived in Forrest City most of his life, was retired from the Forrest City Post Office and had been a farmer. Mr. Davis was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by one sister, Bettye Davis of Memphis, and several friends.
Graveside funeral services will be held for Mr. Davis on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at 10 a.m., at Forrest Park Cemetery, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
Mr. Edward "Sonny Man" Gates Sr., age 84, of Haynes, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2001, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Forrest City.
Mr. Gates was born Oct. 17, 1917, in Haynes, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a retired janitor.
He is survived by wife, Maxine Gates of Haynes; five sons, Edward Gates Jr. of Camden, Herbert Gates of Peoria, Ill., Ronnie Gates of Garland, Texas, Christopher Gates of Dallas, Texas, and Tony Gates of Janesville, Wis.; eight daughters, Wilma Gates of Chicago, Ill., Maxine Hayes of Jefferson, Connie Cochran of Forrest City, Susie Gates and Betty Gates, both of Haynes, Vickey Gates of Garland, Texas, Greta Sanders of Detroit, Mich., and Minnie Gates of Dallas, Texas; 34 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation for Mr. Gates will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., at Clay Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001, at 1:30 p.m., at Spring Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Cedric Coleman officiating the service. Burial will follow in Casteel Cemetery under the direction of Clay Funeral Home.
Mrs. Marlene Hearn Ross, age 68, of Widener, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Forrest City.
Mrs. Ross was born Oct. 17, 1933, in Grenada, Miss., and was a retired nurses aid.
She is survived by her husband, John Dallas Ross of Widener; six sons, Norris Hardimon of Manchester, Ky., Victor Lee Hardimon and John E. Ross, both of Widener, James H. Hardimon of Alton, Ill., Luke Hardimon of Beloit, Wis. and Dwayne H. Hardimon of Las Vegas, Nev.; four daughters, Charlene McShan, Elaine Hardimon, both of Widener, Margaret Ann Hardimon of Forrest City, and Marlene Denise Ross of San Antonio, Texas; four sisters, Mattie Willis of Grenada, Miss., Belle Carter of Steele, Mo., Willie Mae Shack and Katie Tedford, both of Gore Springs, Miss.; 28 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Mrs. Ross will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at 2 p.m., at Widener Grove Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Ronald A. Williams officiating, under the direction of Clay Funeral Home.