Obituaries

Helen Floyd, El Dorado

Published

8 months ago

July 7, 2025

Helen Marie Floyd went to be with her Savior on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Helen was the most loving, loyal, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, and sister. She was the sugar to life, making everything joyful and sweet.

Helen was born in her home in Booneville, Arkansas on January the 16th, 1936. She was the fifth daughter of McCullah and Edna Hodgson Wall. After baby Helen, came her beloved little brother, Wayne. The family worked and played hard and loved each other fiercely. Helen was taught about Jesus by her mother and daddy and gave her life to Him at an early age. She served her Lord all the days of her life.

Helen was a talented and active young lady. She played basketball and was captain of the cheerleaders at Booneville High School and even played the snare drums in the Bearcat marching band. She graduated with many honors and awards in May of 1953, but the biggest event of that summer was marrying her sweetheart, Tommy, on July 16th.

Helen met Tom one night at the movies and the two were inseparable until the day he went to heaven fifty-six years later. He would drive over to watch her play basketball and follow the school bus all the way back to Booneville just to get to drive her home. Their love was a testament to the steadfast, never-ending goodness of God. Their family is rejoicing that they are together again with their Lord.

Their family was complete following the birth of their two precious daughters, Debra Lynn and Sharon Leigh. The girls brought pure joy to their parents. Never was there a happier family! Helen was patient, loving, and kind as a mother and a wife and she made life at home feel like a fairytale. Her daughter’s friends always knew they were welcomed and loved by Tom and Helen. One such friend who became more like a daughter to them was Kay Hardin.

In her professional life, Helen was a schoolteacher. She taught K4 children at schools in Fort Smith, Springdale, and El Dorado. After her career in education, she teamed up with Tom in the insurance business where they served their customers faithfully for thirty years.

Church, however, was their favorite place to serve. Helen and Tom sang for Jesus everywhere they went, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, as Tom was Minister of Music for more than 20 years. Helen continued to use her gift of teaching as she faithfully prepared lessons for decades as a devoted Sunday School teacher to the precious women at her church.

Being the perfect grandmother came very naturally to Helen and most knew her by one of her favorite titles, Momma Helen. With five grandchildren, Helen’s grandmother years were full of performances, games, and recitals. Never missing a thing- big or small, she became Momma Helen to many more. She continued this trend as a great grandmother and attended her last baseball game in April.

Momma Helen is famous for her perfect chocolate oatmeal cookies and her love for all things sweet! She blessed members of her church, family and friends with her cakes, pies, and cookies. Maybe all of that sugar is what made her so so sweet! Whatever it was, Helen made an indelible mark on the world and left a little sparkle wherever she went. She is and will forever be deeply missed.

Helen Marie Wall Floyd was preceded in death by her parents, McCullah and Edna Wall, her beloved husband of 56 years, George Thomas Floyd, sisters Beatrice Owens, Wilma Fouts, Dorothy Hunter, and Ruth Virginia Jacobs, and brothers Jimmy Dale Wall and Grady Wayne Wall.

Helen is survived by her two daughters Debra Lynn Hendricks and her husband Mike and Sharon Leigh Phillips and her husband Don, grandchildren Brett Hendricks, Jeff Hendricks and his wife Jenny, Jenny Farias and her husband David, Jay Phillips, and Caroline Phillips, and great-grandchildren Bella and Jet Rogers and Walt, Anne Claire, and Helen Hendricks.

Services for Helen Floyd will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas on Tuesday, the 8th of July at 12:00 with visitation at 11:00. Service will be officiated by Bro. Don Phillips. Burial will follow at Burns-Ebenezer Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Online condolences may be made at youngsfuneraldirectors.com for the Floyd family.

Obituaries

Susan Harper, El Dorado

Published

2 weeks ago

February 24, 2026

Grant Merrill

Susan Hurley Harper, 69, of El Dorado, Arkansas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Susan was born on September 27, 1956, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She grew up in El Dorado and graduated from El Dorado High School, Class of 1974 and went on to attend the University of Arkansas where she formed lifelong friendships.

Susan exuded positivity and shared that joy with everyone she encountered and she always had a smile on her face and Hershey Kisses in her purse. She thrived on time spent with her family and especially treasured her grandbabies. She had a lifelong love for animals, particularly her dogs and cats. Susan was well known for her incredible Chèvre, which she made daily after milking her beloved goats. Even Oprah loved her Chèvre so much she sent a team to film her making it and invited her to appear on her show with Martha Stewart.

An adventurous and creative spirit, Susan loved reading cookbooks and watching the Food Network, revealing an undeniable talent in the kitchen. Her travels were often guided by culinary discoveries as she sought out special foods and delicacies she had researched. She also enjoyed fly fishing, traveling, needlepoint, crafting and spending time with her many dear friends.

Susan was a devoted member of the Daughters of the King and the El Dorado Service League. She both worked and volunteered at the South Arkansas Arts Center where she contributed her time, energy and love for the arts to the community.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William “Bill” Harper and her parents, Edward and Shirley Hurley.

Susan is survived by her children: Caroline Hardin of Fayetteville, Arkansas; William Harper and wife Whitney of Little Rock, Arkansas; Annaleigh Quinn and husband Luke of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Suzannah Harper of Hope, Arkansas. She is also survived by her sister, Annette Hurley and partner Candi Grace, along with many extended family members and dear friends who will cherish her memory.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25 with a reception to follow. The family asks that bright, colorful clothing be worn to reflect the bright light that shined from Susan.

Thanks be to God for Susan Harper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hope Landing, El Dorado, Arkansas. Or to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church: https://www.stmaryseldorado.com/give.

Obituaries

Helen Hastings, El Dorado

Published

2 weeks ago

February 24, 2026

Grant Merrill

Helen Janell Hastings, 91, of El Dorado, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Timberlane Health and Rehabilitation. Born December 23,1934 in Ashdown, AR, she was the daughter of Hubert and Elsie Carver Sutton.

Mrs. Hastings was retired from Robinson Buchanan Real Estate. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Lady Golf Association.

Preceding her in death along with her parents was her husband, John Charles Hastings; and sister, Modine Sutton.

Survivors include her son, Charles David Hastings (Cynthia) of El Dorado; daughter, Vikki Hosford of El Dorado; grandchildren, Michael Nordin (Ashley), Aaron Hastings, and Carly Hastings; and four great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026 at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Young’s.

Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/, or to Life Touch Hospice, 403 W. Oak St., Suite 201, El Dorado, AR 71730.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Hastings family.

Obituaries

Mary Alice Carelock, North Little Rock

Published

2 weeks ago

February 24, 2026

Grant Merrill

Mary Alice Carelock, 95, of North Little Rock, formerly of El Dorado, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in North Little Rock.

Born August 7, 1930, in Smackover, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Amos Jackson and Cleatus Thurlkill Jackson. Mary Alice earned an Associate Degree of Practical Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas in 1982. She had been a music minister traveling extensively, ministering in Maui, Hawaii, Nigeria, Ghana, and Haiti, including serving at Women’s Aglow retreats and numerous churches.

She was a gifted musician who played clarinet since high school, and also played any instrument. She recorded two albums, “His Hand in Mine” and “He Has Made Me Glad.” She had also been employed by the State of Arkansas as a tax collector.

Preceding her in death along with her parents were a brother, John Amos Jackson, and a sister, Cleta Faye Ellenburg.

Survivors include three sons Danny Carelock, David Carelock, and Glenn Carelock; grandchildren Marcie Carelock, Jeremy Carelock, and John Carelock; and great-grandchildren Lunelle Lowry, Brilee Carelock, John Daniel Carelock, and William Carelock.

Cremation services entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas, 11300 North Rodney Parham Road, Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72212.

Online condolences for the Carelock family may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com

Obituaries

Helen Orren, Smackover

Published

3 weeks ago

February 11, 2026

Grant Merrill

Helen Orren, 86, passed away Tuesday February 10,2026. Services will be held Friday February 13,2026 at Perry’s Funeral Chapels. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm with services following at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Smackover Cemetery in Smackover, Arkansas.

Obituaries

Kyle Gleghorn, El Dorado

Published

3 weeks ago

February 11, 2026

Grant Merrill

Kyle Reed Gleghorn, 74, of El Dorado, Arkansas passed away February 10 at Timberlane Health and Rehabilitation.

Kyle was born January 31, 1952, to Bob and Bertie Gleghorn in El Dorado, AR. Kyle was the first born son to be followed by Gifford and Toni a couple of years later. Although Kyle spent most of his life in his hometown, he moved as a young boy to Sweetwater, TX for two years. From that time on, the Texas blood started flowing through his veins, and he has loved all things Texas, especially the Texas Longhorns. Kyle graduated from El Dorado High School in 1970 where he represented his school as a delegate to Boys’ State. In 1973, Kyle married Stephenie Dumas. Five years later they welcomed their only child Andria who has always been a “daddy’s girl.” Kyle started working at United Parcel Service at 21 and worked there for 30 years. He loved his job. He never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone laugh–two things that led to him being a fun UPS man! His territorial town Magnolia celebrated him with a “Kyle Gleghorn Day” upon his retirement. Kyle was raised at First Presbyterian Church but converted to the Baptist faith upon marriage. Wyatt Baptist Church became his home church. He loved the Lord and loved to sing, a legacy he passed on to his daughter.

Kyle was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Bertie Gleghorn.

Surviving him are his wife of 52 years Stephenie and his daughter Andria, his brother Giff Gleghorn (Rhonda), his sister Toni Robertson (Carlon), his brothers-in-law Don Dumas (Pat) and Stephen Dumas. Kyle has several nephews and nieces that adored him-Dustin Foster, Nathan Gleghorn (Angie), Blake Foster, Jennifer McElroy (Mark), Joshua Dumas, and Christian Dumas.

A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 2:00 with visitation at 1:00.

Donations in Kyle’s memory can be made to the Barton Gives Back Fund at Barton Junior High where Kyle was a proud Wildkitten!

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Gleghorn family.