Obituaries

Mary Dell Coleman, Strong

Published

5 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Mary Dell Coleman, 81, of Strong, Arkansas passed from this life on Monday, June 1, 2026.

Mary was born to Sarah and Talmadge Paxton on November 17, 1944 in El Dorado. She was the youngest of two children. She spent her childhood in Huttig and in Shreveport, LA. On February 28, 1968, she married John David Coleman, the love of her life and partner for more than 55 years. Together they lived in Laurel, MS, Haynesville, LA and El Dorado before settling in Strong, Arkansas in the mid-1970s, where they made their home and raised their family. John preceded her in death in 2022.

Mary was a woman of remarkable determination, grit, and independence. Her husband affectionately nicknamed her “Goat Head” because he said her head was as hard as a billy goat’s. She was never afraid of hard work and did whatever was needed for her family. Over the years, she drove a cement truck, handled bookkeeping for the family business, and approached every challenge with confidence and resolve.

A devoted public servant, Mary dedicated countless hours to improving her community. She served as a Justice of the Peace on the Union County Quorum Court for 1995-2005 and was actively involved in numerous civic organizations and boards. Her service included leadership as President of the New London Water Board and membership on the 13th Judicial District Criminal Detention Facility Review Board and the Union County Water Conservation Board, as well as Treasurer of the New London Cemetery. In 2012 she was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to serve on the Ouachita River Commission, with her term expiring in 2020.

Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church of Strong and a generous supporter of many causes close to her heart, including Union County Animal Protection Society, Life Touch Hospice, Ouachita Baptist University and Wings to Recovery.

While Mary loved serving her community, her greatest joys were found closer to home. She cherished her flowers, loved caring for her birds, and enjoyed spending time along the Ouachita River. She delighted in decoration for Halloween to the extreme, complete with large inflatable skeletons and monsters, and she never missed an opportunity to celebrate a birthday, believing every year of life was worth honoring regardless of age.

Mary as preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her older brother, Allen Paxton. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Tracey White (Randy) and Kelli Gathright (Ted); her grandchildren, Camille Gathright, Hayden Latimer (Carter) , Dustin Gathright (Megan), and Reid Gathright (Alexis Bougher); her great-grandchildren, Jackson, Audrey, Makinlee, and Holden; her sister-in-law, Dolores Paxton; and her beloved four-legged companion Xena.

Mary will be remembered for her strength of character, generous heart, quick wit, dry humor, steadfast faith, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the community she served, and the family she lived so deeply.

A Celebration of Life for Mary will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Strong. Visitation with family will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to New London Cemetery Fund, % Merri Holt, 3361 New London Road, Strong, AR 71765 or to UCAPS, P. O. Box 264, El Dorado, AR 71730.

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

Obituaries

Doris Hayes, El Dorado

Published

4 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

Doris Ann Hayes, 80, of El Dorado, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at her residence. She was born on July 4, 1945 to J.W. and Verdie Darden Phillips in Union County, AR.

Before her retirement, she worked as a supervisor at Prescolite. Doris loved to play spades, going to the casino, and was an excellent card player. She also enjoyed gardening, and a cold Coca-Cola. She dedicated her life post-retirement to her grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband John Tom “Tommy” Hayes; her son, Keith Hayes, her daughter, Renea Hayes; and her great grandchildren, Gunner Hayes Graves and Mayley Jay Graves.

Survivors include her daughter, Kimberly Ann Benson; grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Graves (Matt Graves), Chloe Benson White (Matthew Finney), Johnny Benson III (Morgan), Dylan Hayes (Haley); great grandchildren, Bentley Leach, Easton Graves, Leah Finney, Lilah Finney, Harper Benson, and Hadley Benson; her two very special sister-in-laws: Terry Hayes, and Sandy Ballard; and her very special friend, Larue.

A small graveside service for family will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026 at Olive Branch Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors and with Ashley Graves officiating.

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

Obituaries

Y’Vonne Owens, Shreveport

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2026

Grant Merrill

Y’vonne Owens, 95, of Shreveport, LA passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026. She was born on October 19, 1930 to C.T. Taylor, Jr. and Bonnie Elizabeth Attaway Taylor in Junction City, AR.

She was a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, and she was a homemaker.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Rev. Cecil M. Owens; son, James Marty Owens; brother, Gerald Taylor; and sister, Laverne Ware.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Maddox (Rocky) of Shreveport, LA, Judy Renteria (Benjamin) of Bernice, LA; seven grandchildren, Vernon Owens, Rocky Maddox, J.R Maddox, Jarrod Elliott, Haley Elliott, Courtney Tamez, Lacee Tamez; and fourteen great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Hopewell Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors, and with Dr. B.J. “Rocky” Maddox officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Young’s.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries

John Gross, Parkers Chapel

Published

3 days ago

June 1, 2026

Grant Merrill

John Edward Gross, 77, entered his eternal home in Heaven on May 28, 2026, where he was united with his Lord and Savior and his beloved daughter, Corrie Gross Bechtelheimer. Born on September 20, 1948, to Edward and Rosemary Gross, John lived a life marked by faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

John was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Sandy, for almost 57 years. Together they built a beautiful family and a legacy grounded in love, strength, and unwavering support. He was a proud father to Brian, Kristi, and Corrie, and “Poppy” to ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immeasurable joy to his life.

John first became known as a “Wonder Boy” while playing basketball at Arkansas Tech University, where he established himself as one of the university’s all-time greats and still holds the school record for rebounds. His remarkable athletic career earned him the great distinction of being inducted into the first class of the Arkansas Tech Sports Hall of Fame and the first inductee into the Parkers Chapel Sports Hall. He was also inducted into the Union County Sports Hall of Fame. In recognition of his accomplishments and lasting impact, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Arkansas Tech University, and the John Gross Sports Athletic Complex was dedicated in his honor.

But to those who knew him best, John’s greatest legacy was not found in trophies or records—it was found in the lives he impacted every single day.

His career in education spanned nearly five decades, during which he faithfully served generations of students, families, and educators as coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent. Much of his career was devoted to Parkers Chapel Schools, a place he dearly loved and proudly called home. Later, he served as Superintendent of Smackover-Norphlet School District before ultimately returning to Parkers Chapel to conclude his remarkable career in education. To countless students and colleagues, he was more than an educator—he was a mentor, encourager, and steady presence who believed deeply in people and in the value of hard work.

John never slowed down. Whether he was fishing, duck hunting, remodeling houses, or working long after most would have retired, he was happiest when he was busy and serving others. Even into his seventies, few could keep up with him. His work ethic was legendary, his determination unmatched, and his heart immeasurable. To all who knew and loved him, he truly was a Wonder Boy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rosemary Gross, and his cherished daughter, Corrie.

Left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife, Sandy Gross; son Brian Gross (Melissa); daughter Kristi Lowery (Ross), all of Parkers Chapel; brothers Tony Gross, Mark Gross, Timmy Gross, and David Gross; sister Martha Osbun (Bill); ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, former students, and colleagues whose lives were forever touched by him.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2026 at the Parkers Chapel Gymnasium. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at the Parkers Chapel Gymnasium, with interment to follow in Parkers Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Memorials may be made to #teamcorrie Cancer Foundation, 145 Parker Drive, El Dorado, Arkansas, or to HOPE Landing, Inc., P.O. Box 10215, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries

Kerrien Williams, Junction City

Published

3 days ago

June 1, 2026

Grant Merrill

Kerrien Lynn Williams, 58, of Junction City, Arkansas passed away Friday, May 29, 2026, in Junction City.

She was a homemaker.

Kerrien was preceded in death by her parents Carol (Sunny) Ramsey and Fran Hanes.

Survivors include her husband Shane Williams; daughters Hannah Williams, Shana Williams, and Chelsea Williams; three grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Cremation services are entrusted to Young’s Funeral Directors.

Condolences for the Williams family may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries

Janet “Maxine” Andrews, El Dorado

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2026

Grant Merrill

Janet “Maxine” Morgan Andrews, age 84 of El Dorado, entered the Kingdom of Heaven from the comfort of her home on May 23, 2026, after battling a brief illness. She was a lifelong Christian and is now joyfully reunited forever with her husband, Jim F. Andrews, Sr.

Maxine was born September 7, 1941, the third child of Noel L. Morgan, Sr. and Carl Fitzgerald Morgan. She, like her parents, grandparents, and other family members, grew up with humble beginnings in the Parker’s Chapel community. Upon graduating from high school where she was an accomplished basketball player, and with little more than her own grit and determination, she worked hard to become a degreed Registered Nurse and serve her community during five decades with healing hands. She was rightfully proud of her nursing service, which included working in the emergency room at Warner Brown Hospital and working as a school nurse in the El Dorado Public Schools as well as a nurse at several local nursing homes and doctor’s offices.

A couple of years into her career, Maxine met her “husband to be” by happenstance when he delivered a new refrigerator to her parents’ house. Thereafter, their relationship quickly blossomed, and they married and eventually made their home in Smackover, Arkansas, where they raised their three children. There was seldom a time when Maxine did not prepare a meal for her family or allow the laundry to pile up. Every ache, pain, cough, and sneeze in her home was promptly and dutifully treated. When Maxine found leisure time she enjoyed various crafts including knitting, crocheting, and ceramics as well as playing various board games with family and friends, who will miss her greatly.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Jim F. Andrews, Sr., by her two daughters, Wendy Andrews McFarland and Amanda Melissa Andrews, a son-in-law Dr. Gale McFarland, M.D., and by two grandchildren, Harrison Seals and Avery Seals. Her survivors include her son, Jim F. Andrews, Jr. and his wife Amanda Heath Andrews of El Dorado, Arkansas, along with their children, James F. Andrews, III, Sierra Hill, Fisher Hill, and Lauren Andrews. Survivors also include grandchildren, Max Seals of Waterville, Maine and Emma Seals of Mountain Home, Arkansas.

A celebration of Maxine’s life, and that of her recently departed daughter, Amanda Melissa Andrews, will be held at East Main Baptist Church, located at 1903 East Main Street, El Dorado, Arkansas on Saturday May 30, 2026. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Benjy McCann officiating. Friends and family are invited to attend. A private family interment will follow at Smackover Cemetery, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS) by contacting (870) 866-3223 or [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> and are greatly appreciated.