All Obituaries

Earlene Tate, 71, of Batesville passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019 at home with her loving family. Earlene was born November 13, 1947 in Batesville to Lester and Georgia (Caldwell) Harris. She was of the Christian faith and loved fishing, antiquing, crafting, and being a loving, caring homemaker for her family. She and her husband Earl Dean Tate have celebrated 56 years of marriage. She is preceded in death by both of her parents and her son Earl Wayne Tate. She is survived by her husband...

Ronald Lee Wells, 73, of Batesville, AR went to be at rest with the Lord Jesus in Jonesboro, AR May 13, 2019. Ronald was born January 31, 1946 to Theodore Wells Sr. and Hattie Lee (Herron) Wells in Batesville, AR. Ronald was of the Christian faith and attended church at Friendship Baptist Church in Batesville. Ronald’s family recounts the light heartedness and joy that he brought to their lives and the lives of all he touched. He was always singing and being a “Jokester”....

Thomas Junior (T.J..) Gates, 72 of Batesville passed away May 10, 2019. He was born in Flint, Michigan on March 11, 1947 to the late Thomas Earl and Anne Gates. He was a professional welder an avid horseman for many years. He was a loving man and hard worker who loved his family tremendously. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Lorraine Perkins, 2 brothers Lee and Edward Gates. He is survived by his wife Judy Gates of 33 years. Six children, four daughters:...

Henry C. Long, 86 of Batesville died on May 8, 2019. He was born on September 17, 1932  in Newport, Arkansas to Clay and Bessie Long. He was of the Baptist faith. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and he loved going to the Casinos, NASCAR, going to horse races and delivering cars to automobile dealerships. He was preceded in death by his parents,wife Katherine Long, daughter Wanda Long, son Terry Long, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He is survived by his grandson...

Keith Lawrence Jackson, 58, of Pleasant Plains has passed into eternal rest. He was a member of the NRA and loved guns. Keith was born October 18, 1960 in Detroit, MI to James and Novis (McCollum) Jackson. He is preceded in death by both parents and is survived by 3 siblings: his brothers, James Jackson (Roswell, NM) and Kevin Jackson (Anchorage, AK), and his sister Terry Sheppard (Grand Rapids, MI). Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR

Gayle H. Collier, 83 died on May 1, 2019. He was born on December 16, 1935 to Earl and Gladys Collier in Vernon, Texas. He was a member of the Harrison Street Church Of Christ of Batesville. He loved woodworking, and collecting cars. He was a resident of Batesville for 47 years. He retired from the oil company  in Texas after 31 years of service and also 31 years of service while owning Car Connection Automobile of Batesville. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and Air Force...

Sandra F. Hightower, 65 of Batesville died on May 1, 2019 at White River Medical Center. She was born on September 29, 1953 to James and Virginia Bumpous. She was a cook for a truck stop in Bald Knob. She loved to do gardening and collecting ceramic frogs. She was proceeded in death by her husband Vernon Gene Hightower and mother Virginia Faye Bumpous. She is survived by her father James B. Bumpous, one son Michael Gene Hightower of Batesville, brother Pete Bumpous of Southside, sisters...

Gene F. Rummells, 93, of Evening Shade passed away April 29, 2019 at Eagle Crest Nursing and Rehab in Ash Flat, AR at the age of 93. Gene was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country honorably. Services are entrusted to Willis Fuenral Service of Batesville, AR with interment to follow at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

    Freddie Talmage Bates Sr. of Batesville, AR passed away Wednesday April 24, 2019 at the age of 70. Freddie was born in Brooks, Georgia on April 30, 1948 to John and Rachel (Chambers) Bates. Freddie was described as the “cornerstone” of his family and was truly, deeply loved and cherished. Freddie enjoyed many hobbies such as fishing and hunting but mostly he was best known in the community for being the man to go to for produce at the local Farmers Market. He...

Mary Elizabeth Walbert, 73, of Batesville, died Wednesday April 24, 2019.  She was born in Batesville, AR on April 25, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harrell and Roberta Walbert, of Batesville, AR.  She is survived by a sister, Martha Nelle Walbert Twitty, a niece, Elizabeth Handford Bunch (Vernon), a niece Laura Twitty Roach, and two great-nephews Taylor Handford and Dane Roach. She was of the Methodist faith and a member of Central Avenue United Methodist...