Classmates Obituaries - Letter B
These obituaries correspond with the yearbooks that are listed on this website. Whenever possible, the source of the obituary will be shown as well as the date.
Bailey, Sue Henderson - Sue Bailey, 69, of Hot Springs, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at her residence. She was born September 11, 1932, in Hot Springs.
She was a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, a volunteer for the Red Cross for several years and also for Methodist Outreach. She also was a member of Ester Circle, a loving mother and housewife.
She is predeceased by her husband, Edward "Puz" Bailey; father, Park Henderson; mother, Corine Leachman; and a brother, David Leachman.
Survivors include two sons, Lance Edward Bailey of Hot Springs and Bert Allen Bailey of Little Rock; two daughters and one son-in-law, Karen June Bailey and Deborah Lynn and Kenneth Howell of Lewisville, Texas; five grandchildren, Ali Bailey, Justin and Stephanie Bailey and Charles and Cheryl Howell; two step-grandchildren, Candy and Jason Meredith; a great-grandchild, Brooklyn Bailey; two step-great-grandchildren, Bailey and Sawyer Meredith.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Crooke and the Rev. John Miles officiating.
Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Charles Howell, Justin Bailey, Tom Atkins, Frank Arnold, Robert Atchley, and Kenny Harris.
Honorary pallbearers include Scott Hickam, Mr. and Mrs. Moman Bates, Tracy Whitley, Dr. William Cole, John Smith, Madge Lewis, Jean Humphreys, Hospice Home Care, Inc., Barbara Kelly, Karen Sexton, Victory Class and Ester Circle.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, Inc., of Hot Springs, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Disease. [Sentinel-Record; date unknown] [Class of 1950]
Baldwin, Betty Dean - Betty Dean Baldwin, 81, of Little Rock went to be with her Lord, October 22, 2006. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 50 years, Ikey Baldwin. She was born on November 12, 1924, to Fulton and Elsie Mae Dean in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and had life-long ties to the community. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was an active and devoted member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church for over 40 years. She taught school at Fountain Lake and later the Pulaski County Special School District. She was active in the local chapter of Kappa Kappa Iota and received her BSE in 1950 from Henderson State College. She is survived by her son and his wife, Phillip and Janis Baldwin; two grandsons Joseph Baldwin and Matthew Baldwin; three granddaughters, Stephannie Baldwin, Jessica Baldwin and Kendra Baldwin, all of Little Rock; one brother, L. Norman Dean of Hot Springs Village; a brother-in-law, John Baldwin of Little Rock; two nephews, Leonard Dean of Mount Ida and Mike Baldwin of Conway; three nieces, Dona Scott, Connie Davilla, both of Little Rock, and Kathy Duggar of Atlanta, Georgia. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2006, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel (501) 224-8300 with Dr. Paul R. Sanders officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Hot Springs...Memorials may be made to the church of the donor's choice. [Sentinel-Record, October 25, 2006] [Class of 1943]
Bales, William C. "Bill" - William C. "Bill" Bales was born in Jonesboro to James L. and Lessie V. Bales on June 1, 1940. He died in Hot Springs on March 28, 2000, at the age of 59 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by a loving wife of 34 years, Cheryl Hand Bales; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Jack and Polly Bales and Nancy Phipps; two sons, Scott and Brian Bales; a daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Chris Crary; his grandchildren, Taylor Bales, Ashley Robertson, Eryn and John French and Stephanie Crary; his mother-in-law, Hazel Hand; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Bill spent many years in the insurance business and was an avid sports fanatic, especially of the Arkansas Razorbacks or any team Brian coached. He traveled to every corner of the state (or farther) to support each of his children and grandchildren in everything from games in football, baseball, softball and basketball to cheerleading.
He was also a gifted musician who won honors in college and continued to inspired others with his beautiful voice and musical abilities.
Bill was a devoted husband, a caring son and brother, a strong yet loving father, a kind and involved grandfather and a loyal friend. His love for his family and friends was second only to his love and commitment to Jesus Christ. He spent the last years of his life ministering to those he loved as well as strangers he came in contact with. Bill had perseverance for the Lord and he died a complete man.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church. [from The Sentinel-Record; date unknown] [Class of 1958]
Batterton, Opal Chitwood Grisham – Opal Grisham Batterton, 94, of Hot Springs died Thursday, September 23, 2004, in a nursing home. Born July 25, 1910, at Hot Springs to James A. and Margaret Florence Harrison Chitwood, she was Baptist. She was predeceased by two husbands, Allen R. Grisham and Elbert Batterton; one daughter, Charlotte Hurst; one sister, Jewell McCowan; and one stepson, Howard Batterton. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Iris Grisham of Hot Springs and Dan S. and Retta Grisham of Steilacoom, Washington; one son-in-law, Elmer Overton Hurst of Little Rock; one stepdaughter-in-law, June Batterton of Hot Springs; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; nieces; and nephews. The service will be 10 a.m. Monday in Gross Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Tony Ellis officiating. Pallbearers will be Allen Hurst, Raymond Sebren, Don Tempel, Joe Higdon, Steve Batterton, Randy Batterton, Greg Batterton and Blake Ellis. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1000 Amity Rd, Hot Springs, Ar; or Hospice Home Care Inc, 3634 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71913. [Sentinel-Record, September 25, 2004, page 8A] [Class of 1928]
Bearfield, Imogene Arnold - Imogene Bearfield, 76, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, formerly of Hot Springs, died Sunday, May 20, 2007.
She was born April 17, 1931, at Pearcy to Dewey "D. L." Arnold and Carrie Coleman Arnold. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Bearfield, and three brothers, Leslie Arnold, Loal Arnold and Bill Arnold.
Survivors include one brother, Jerrel Arnold of Hot Springs; one sister, Ercel Teal of Hot Springs; one niece; and two nephews.
The service will be 10 a.m. Friday in Lowe Cemetery with Brother Darryl Sulton officiating. [Sentinel-Record, May 24, 2007] [Class of 1949]
Beasley, Genevee "Jenny" Green – Genevee “Jenny” Green Beasley, 60, of Hot Springs, died Thursday, October 19, at a Fayetteville hospital. A native of Hot Springs, she was a registered nurse. She was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Jones. Survivors include her husband, Max Beasley of Hot Springs; two daughters, Becky Denison of Little Rock and Anna McCraw of Fayetteville; two sons, Max Beasley II and Mark Beasley, both of Fayetteville; one sister, Barbara Arnold of Troy, Missouri; one brother, Bill Green of Hot Springs; 2 grandchildren; and 7 nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Hot Springs Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Brian Disney of Fayetteville officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Hot Springs Funeral Home. [Sentinel-Record, October 21, 1989, page 8B] [Class of 1948]
Beasley, Sidney Max - Sidney "Max" Beasley, 78, of Fayetteville died Wednesday, March 12, 2008. He was born August 29, 1929, to Edward L. and Florence Meyers Beasley. He was retired from Alcoa Co. and was a retired real estate broker. He was a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church in Hot Springs and was a veteran of the U. S. Army. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Genevee Beasley, and his second wife, Helen Goforth. Survivors include two daughters, Rebecca J. Denison of Little Rock and Anna J. McCraw of Fayetteville; two sons, Max Beasley of Fayetteville and Mark Beasley of Springdale; a brother, Ed Beasley of Little Rock; and a sister, Judy Cole of Hot Springs. Visitation will be 9-10: 30 a.m. today at Beard's Chapel of Fayetteville. Burial will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. [Northwest Times online obituary] [Class of 1947]
Black, Bonnie Nicksic Branch - Bonnie Black, of Pacific Palisades, California, passed away peacefully on July 3,2008, at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, at the age of 76.
Bonnie was born in South Chicago, Indiana, and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1946. She is the daughter of Peter and Mildred Nicksic, of Hot Springs. Bonnie was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and was crowned Miss Arkansas in 1952. Following that, she was a model for the Patricia Stevens Agency in Chicago. Bonnie married Robert Branch in 1956.
Bonnie was a successful realtor in Pacific Palisades and Beverly Hills for 30 years and also spent many years judging beauty pageants in several states. Bonnie was an active member of the WAIF as well as other community charitable organizations. She was a devoted member of St. Matthew's Parish in Pacific Palisades. Bonnie married Charles Black in 1982.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Charles Black; her beloved mother, Mildred Nicksic, of Hot Springs; daughter, Laura Branch Rehnert, of Weston, Massachusetts; son, Peter Branch, of Westchester, California; five grandchildren; and three stepsons.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal School - Debt Reduction Campaign, P.O. Box 1117, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Interment will be in Hot Springs. A celebration of Bonnie's life will be held, at a date to be announced, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades. [Sentinel-Record, July 9, 2008; page 11A] [Class of 1950]
Bonner, Betty Marie - Betty Marie Bonner, 75, of Hot Springs died Friday, June 16, 2006, in a local nursing home.
She was born May 19, 1931, at Hot Springs.
The service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery with Brother Billy Kitchens officiating.
Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. today at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. [Sentinel-Record; June 18, 2006] [Class of 1949]
Braughton, Vernon Eugene – Vernon Eugene “Gene” Braughton, 59, a lifelong resident of Hot Springs, died Thursday, October 11 in Hot Springs. He was a retired chemist with Reynolds Aluminum Co., most recently teaching math at Quapaw Vo-Tech. Braughton graduated from Hot Springs High School, attended Southern Methodist University and graduated from Henderson State University. He was a veteran of the US Army. He sang in the Grass Roots Opera in Raleigh, North Carolina, and studied music locally with Marjorie Lawrence. He was a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Sue Braughton of Hot Springs; two sons, Kevin and Brad Braughton, both of Fayetteville; one daughter, Allison Ramsey of Little Rock; his mother, Ruth Braughton; two sisters, Barbara Baber and Laura Beth White, all of Hot Springs. Services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Gross Funeral Home chapel with Jack Smith and the Revs. Jim Keith and Joe Wilkerson officiating. Pallbearers will be Tommy Robertson, Bob Curtin, Larry Braughton, Terry McLarty, Phillip Baber and Joe Fish. Honorary pallbearers are the faculty at Quapaw Vo-Tech school. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens under the direction of Gross Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Richard Street Church of Christ or Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. The family is at the family residence. [Sentinel-Record October 13, 1990, page 2A] [Class of 1948]
Bright, Charles E. - Charles E. Bright, 67, of Hot Springs died Sunday, March 6, 2005, at home. He was born April 30, 1937, in Hot Springs, the son of Floyd E. and Myrtle Brown Bright. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was married September 12, 1958, to Oleta Nichols. Charles was a member of Hot Springs Baptist Church where he served on the grounds crew. He was a member of Hot Springs Cruisers Car Club and the Christian Motorcyclists Association. He enjoyed gospel music. He was a retired highway route contractor for the U. S. Postal Service. He is survived by his wife, Oleta Nichols Bright; two sons, Randy Bright and his wife Elizabeth, and Greg Bright and his wife Linda; three grandchildren, Ben, John and Beth Bright all of Hot Springs; one sister, Anita Walton of Hot Springs; one niece, Cherri Taylor of New Bern, North Carolina; and one sister-in-law, Doris Brown of Benton and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2005, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs. Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery... Pallbearers will be Dean Stafford, J. M. Eslick, Hughie Lambert, Wade Spainhour, Harold O’Neal and Mike Karber. [Davis-Smith Funeral Home online obituary] Class of 1955
Brown, Belva Jean - Belva Jean Brown, 77, of Hot Springs died January 26, 2009. She was born October 8, 1931, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Herbert G. and Rose V. Sanders Brown. She worked as a secretary for Entergy for 25 years.
Belva is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Warren E. Brown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her sister Betty Irons of Hot Springs, Arkansas, her Aunt, Frances Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas and several cousins.
A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2009, at Memorial Gardens in Hot Springs.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the employees of Golden Living Center on Golf Links Road and the employees of Dierkson Memorial Hospice. (Caruth-Hale Funeral Home online obituary] Class of 1949