Vencie Lee Cotten

Vencie L. Cotten, 92, departed this life on Sunday, July 2, 2017.  She was born February 22, 1925 in McComb MS to Lucious and Maggie McMorris.  She will be ascending to be with the Lord with her loving soulmate and husband of 40 years, Eddie Cotten, who preceded her in death in 1997.  Affectionately known as ‘Bigmomma’ and ‘Madea’, she was loved and cherished by so many in the Little Rock community.  She was a member of Greater Second Baptist Church for many years.  In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son; Joe Bryant Sr., brother; L.S. McMorris; sister; Ethel Mae Holmes. She is survived by son, Bernell Thompson (Marie), Milwaukee WI; Ruthie Dillahunty, Little Rock; Shirley Wilburn, Little Rock; Jo Jean Snow (Larry), Alpharetta GA., and Dewayne Cotten (Caletha), Grayson GA.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2017 11:00am, at Greater Second Baptist Church, 5615 Geyer Springs Rd, Little Rock. Interment to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 2810 Asher Ave., Little Rock. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, July 7^th, from 6-7pm at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., Little Rock AR. (501) 372-1305

Jeanette Robinson

Jeanette T. Robinson 82, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away peacefully July 4, 2017. Preceding in death by her husband, Ulysess Robinson, Sr.; sons, Ulysess Robinson, Jr. and Thomas Robinson. Survivors include: daughters, Sharon Washington (Melvyn) and Tara Robinson; sons, Kenneth Robinson and Mark Robinson and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be Friday, July 7, 2017, 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, AR. Family visitation: Today, July 7, 2017, 6-7 pm, both services at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home Chapel, 1200 South Chester St., Little Rock, AR (501) 372-1305.

John Thomas Nimmer, Sr.

John Nimmer, Sr. 72 of Little Rock, AR passed June 22, 2017, Survivors: children, Lanette Nimmer, John Nimmer, Jr., Quentin Nimmer and Cici Price; 10 grandchildren and a host of other relatives. Services; Thursday, June 29, 2017, 11:00 am. Viewing: Wednesday, 2-4:30 pm, both services at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home (501) 372-1305.

Willie Slater

WILLIE SLATER, 73, of LR, Ark., passed away on March 7, 2017, at AR Heart Hospital. Mr. Slater was proceded in death by his parents, Shelby and Fannie Slater of West Helena, Ark.; his daughter, Stephanie A. Slater; and his siblings, Joseph H. Varner, Elizabeth Varner, Eunice Varner, Moyse Varner and Marie Gray.

He is survived by his children, Pamela Smith (Larry) of Little Rock, Ark., Will Muhammed (Sheryll) of Tampa, Fla., Cortrez Slater of Little Rock, Ark.., Reggion Slater of Michigan City, Ind., and Anthony Slater (Charanda) of Maumelle, Ark.; his sister, Louise Duncan of Helena, Ark., a host of grands, great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Viewing on Friday, March 17, 2017, noon-4 p.m., at Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock, Ark. 72202, (501) 372-1305. Home going services will be held Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11 a.m., at Abundant Grace Christian Church, 9901 Leah Lane., Mabelvale, Ark. 72103. Interment will follow at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, NLR, Ark.

Imogene Smith

Imogene Johnson Smith, 76, passed Tuesday, February 28, 2017, surrounded by friends and family. She was preceded in death by: her loving husband, John W. Smith, Sr.; a sister, Alberta Baker; three brothers, Milton Johnson, Wesley Johnson and Theodore “Big Man” Johnson. She is survived by: a daughter, Allison Johnson; grandson, Michael Johnson; sister, Johnnie B. Baker; step-son, Harold Gene Smith; and step-daughter Joyce Hawkins and a host of family and friends.

Viewing Friday, March 10, 2017, 2-4:00 P.M., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock, AR. (501)372-1305.

Viewing will be at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 908 Cross St., 9-10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 11, 2017. Funeral service follows this viewing. Interment at New Hope Cemetery, Holly Grove, AR.

 

 

Ella Chism

Ella Mae Deffebaugh Chism 87, of North Little Rock, AR., passed March 5, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mashburn Bolden Chism, Sr.; son, Timothy Chism and both parents. She was a dedicated and loyal employee with Baptist Medical Center for many years. She’s survived by her loving children, Charles, Hobert, Sue, Bernidean, Gloria, Lavenia, Leatha and Lorraine Chism and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, March 10, 2017, 10 am, at First Baptist Church, 811 S A Jones Drive, North Little Rock, AR. Interment will follow at Little Rock National Cemetery. Viewing: Friday, 9-10 am, prior to service, at the church. Arrangements by: Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St. LR (501) 372-1305.

Ella Chism

Ella Mae Deffebaugh Chism 87, of North Little Rock, AR., passed March 5, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mashburn Bolden Chism, Sr.; son, Timothy Chism and both parents. She was a dedicated and loyal employee with Baptist Medical Center for many years. She’s survived by her loving children, Charles, Hobert, Sue, Bernidean, Gloria, Lavenia, Leatha and Lorraine Chism and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, March 10, 2017, 10 am, at First Baptist Church, 811 S A Jones Drive, North Little Rock, AR. Interment will follow at Little Rock National Cemetery. Viewing: Friday, 9-10 am, prior to service, at the church. Arrangements by: Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St. LR (501) 372-1305.

Thomas Dorsey “T.D.” Bailey, Sr.

Thomas Dorsey “T.D.” Bailey Sr.  73, was born April 1, 1943 to Sam & Eudora (Broyles) Bailey in Keo, AR. He was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday March 1, 2017.

He was preceded in death by Hura Mae (Miller) his wife of 47 years; a son, Thomas Jr. (June), father, mother, 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

He leaves to cherish his memories; five children: Dannette Tabor, Eudora Bailey, Sharon (Charles) Bryant, Toney (Robbie) Bailey and Carmen Weaver; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, James L. Bailey; two sisters: Erma Jean (Crawford) and Earlee Walker and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m., on Saturday, March 11, 2017, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., at Union Valley Baptist Church, Hwy 70 & Hwy 15 North, Lonoke, AR. Interment: St. Matthews Baptist Church Cemetery 6411 South Kerr Road, Scott, AR. Services are entrusted to: Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester St., Little Rock, AR (501) 372-1305.

 

Curley Edmond Ford, Sr.

Curley E. Ford 83, of Little Rock, AR., passed peacefully on February 20, 2017. He graduate from Philander Smith College. Curley thought school at JC Cook and Eastside High School in Menifee, AR and retired from the Department of Workforce. Curley was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is survived by his children, Orlando Ford of Chicago, ILL., and Joe Gregory Hale of Los Angeles, CA; brothers, Robert Ford, Hosea Ford (FeEaster), and Leodis Ford; sisters, Glenner Ford (Toney), Lizzie Nichols, Gloria White (Robert), Genice Bowles, Ester Settles and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services: Saturday, March 4, 2017, 11:00 am, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1900 Simpson Street, Little Rock, AR. Viewing will be Saturday, 10-11 am, prior to the service, at the church. Visitation: Friday, 12-4 pm, at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester Street, Little Rock, AR. (501) 372-1305. Interment with honors will be Monday, March 6, 2017, 11:00 am, at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 Maryland Ave. NLR, AR.

Sandra Faye Pitts

Sandra Faye Pitts 42, of Little Rock, AR., departed this life February 21, 2017. She leaves to cherish her memories: husband, Albert Pitts; mother, Ella Mae Grant; father, W. G. James; three sons, Emmanuel Lewis, Jonathan and Christopher Martin; three stepchildren, Jason, Desiree, Jasmine Pitts; two sisters, Sonia Williams and Tina Grant of Little Rock, AR; a very special cousin, Evelyn White and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017, 11:00 am, at South Temple COGIC, 2623 S. Arch Street, Little Rock, AR. Interment will follow at Elmlawn Cemetery. Family hour: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, 6-7 pm, at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St. Little Rock, AR.