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Photo: Yates, Simmons, Marshall, McAlexander

Joella May Marshall

Joella May Marshall, 98, of Prairie Grove, Ark., went peacefully in her sleep from this tired world into her new adventure with her Lord and Savior, Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Prairie Grove.

She was born July 14, 1919, in Topsy, Texas, the daughter of William Hutsie and Abner Druecilla Pierce Simpson.

From the age of about five years old and into her twenties, she and her family worked the cotton fields of west Texas and east New Mexico. Planting, chopping, picking or pulling cotton was her daily life. Unable to afford one of the new-fangled automobiles, Joella's father, mother, two brothers and six sisters traveled by covered wagon from one farm job to the next along the Texas and New Mexico state line. Picking up work where they could during the Great Depression and later through the Dust Bowl years, their team of horses, Brownie and Big Boy, got them where they had to be. At night the women would sleep inside the wagon and her father and brothers would sleep under it. Joella often had her meals cooked over cow chips which she and her sisters had to search around for.

In the later '30s and now married with small children, still pulling cotton, she would often lay a child on top of her 14-foot cotton sack to allow the child to nap while she continued to drag the ever heavier sack down one-mile-long rows.

Moving from New Mexico to Prairie Grove, Ark. in 1951, she worked many years at Bear Brand Hosiery in Fayetteville, Ark. Then, she worked 30 years for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company retiring as a Lead Supervisor. She absolutely loved to work her garden and was extremely proficient at her second favorite pastime of playing dominos.

During her final days at Prairie Grove Health and Rehabilitation, her nickname among her many friends there was, Smiling Jo. In her 98 years Joella witnessed the advent of the automobile to the Space Station.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Carroll Marshall; two brothers, Richard Simpson and Wenford Simpson; six sisters, Sarah Glen Simpson, Jewell Strain, Bell Heflin, Winnie Green, Johnnie Howard and Gwenn Kaiser; two grandchildren, Steven and Michael Ledbetter; one great-grandchild, Elisabeth Ledbetter.

Survivors include two sons, Howard Marshall and wife Nadine of Prairie Grove and Carroll "Ed" Marshall and wife Mary Jean of Cane Hill, Ark.; three daughters, Betty Shamberger of Blue Ridge, Texas, La Nelle Davis of Jonesboro, Ark., and Kay Mayes and husband Preston of Paradise, Mont.; one sister, Patsy Jean Lee of Albuquerque, N.M.; 15 grandchildren, Randy Ledbetter, Kerri Sampson, Dwayne Shamberger, Ceila Torres, Pamela Westberg, Debbie Hillman, Paula Brister, Howard Edwin Marshall, Danny Wade Marshall, Van Quincy Marshall, Wesley Edwin Marshall, Scott Alan Marshall, Jowana Buckner, Tina Jennings, and Bobbie Hall; 31 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren;

Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday April 10, 2018, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove and no graveside services were held.

To sign the online guest book visit www.luginbuel.com.

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove was in charge of arrangements.

Lynn Jennings McAlexander

Lynn Jennings McAlexander, 57, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at his home.

He was born April 20, 1960, in Searcy, Ark., the son of Richard Lindburg and Mildred (Jennings) McAlexander.

He was an avid Hog fan, he loved to cook and entertain all with his wit. He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Chris Coyle McAlexander; and two sisters, Debbie Wiley and husband Rob of Memphis, Tenn., and Lori Gearhart and husband Bill of St. Charles, Mo.

Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Ark., is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Elise Elaine Simmons

Lois Elise Elaine Simmons, 87, died on April 6, 2018, in the Prairie Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded in love by family and dear friends. She fought a long battle with vascular dementia for many years, spending time at the Tonitown Senior Daycare, daughter's home and later the Prairie Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center. Her wish for the family was to love her dearly but let her go.

From her birth in Meadow Grove, Neb., on Sept. 13, 1930, to her death she had a life and love for teaching. She also was a caring and faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a fun-loving and witty individual whose quick spark would make you laugh. She valued her time with family and built lifelong relationships with friends and students. Her special interests and hobbies included teaching special education, bowling, PEO Chapter, Springdale Kiwanis, Fred Hartman school presentations and gardening.

A native of Newman Grove, Neb., she grew up attending Newman Grove High School. After graduating high school, she started a career in accounting and worked at the local Chevy dealership. Next, she explored a career in cosmetology as a hair dresser and instructor. She later obtained an undergraduate degree in Education at Kearney State College and began teaching ages K-12 at a one room local country school.

It was in Oakdale, Neb., where she met Mr. Simmons. One of her favorite memories with Mr. Simmons was dancing at the Lawrence Welk Dance Hall. They enjoyed many loving years of working together remodeling homes and traveling to explore new places.

She was preceded in death by her parents, August William Herman and Elsie Clara Martha Zessin Pittack; husbands, Lyle Leroy Simmons and Norm Clizer; son, Keith Lee Simmons; stepson, Larry Simmons; and stepson-in-law, Fred Grothe.

Left to honor her and remember her love is her daughter, Peggy (Donald) Hatfield; stepdaughter, Arycle Grothe; two grandchildren, Rob (Amanda) Hatfield and Wendy (Rusty) Hazzard; and three great-grandchildren, Jake Hazzard, Noah Hatfield and William Hazzard; four stepgrandchildren; nine stepgreat-grandchildren; and nine stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Prairie Grove First United Methodist Church, 1401 E Parks St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Springdale Circle of Life Hospice or Alzheimer's Foundation.

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Ark., was in charge of arrangements.

Carl Yates

Carl Yates, 88, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Sunday April 1, 2018.

Born in 1930 in Roe, Ark., L. Carl Yates was just three years old when his family moved to Northwest Arkansas. After graduating from Elkins High School in 1948, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, whereupon he completed officer training and served as a 2nd Lt. during the Korean War. After his discharge in 1953, he remained active for many years in the Army Reserve with the rank of captain, and attended the University of Arkansas. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Fayetteville and Mount Comfort Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Ann Broyles Yates; a daughter, Sandy Yates Rainey of Fayetteville; a son, Dr. Carl Douglas Yates of Columbia, S.C.; a sister, Lena Mae Tripplett of Prairie Grove, Ark.; a brother, Curtis Yates of Fayetteville; five grandchildren, Holly Yates Stewart, Clark Yates, Walker Rainey, Tyler Rainey, Cole Rainey; and one great-grandchild, Liza Yates.

The funeral service was held April 5, 2018, at Mount Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville. Burial was at Farmington Cemetery, under the direction of Moore's Chapel.

Although we are saying farewell to Carl, his legacy and life's work will benefit generations to come. Memorials may be made to Children's Home Inc., 5515 Old Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.

To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Moore's Chapel Funeral Home of Fayetteville was in charge of arrangements.