It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of James Robert “Bob” Parks, 89 of EL Dorado AR on April 3,2025. Bob was born on March 23,1936 in Memphis, TN to the late Russell and Cora Parks. A 1954 graduate of Humes High School where was active in numerous clubs and extra curricular activities. After graduating he enlisted in the US Army and proudly served his country. Bob had a long and fulfilling career in broadcasting, most of it spent as general manager of KAYZ-KELD in EL Dorado, AR. 24 of those years he was the commentator for EL Dorado High School football being dubbed “The voice of the Wildcats”. Many local residents likely knew him from over 50 years of radio ads he recorded for Smackover Motors owner and his long time friend James Langley. After leaving KAYZ Bob was called to the service of his Lord as a minister which he joyously pursued until his retirement. He was a long time member of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, EL Dorado Civitan Club serving as president, as well as other committees. Bob was a lifelong golfer, and long time bowler. He was a skilled calligrapher known for his beautiful penmanship, and a talented painter. A devoted and loving husband, father, and Papaw, Bob is survived by his wife Thanna Parks (Atherton), five children, Angela Hazzard of Dallas, TX, Robert “Bubba” Parks of EL Dorado, AR, Christopher Parks (Stacy) of Elkins, AR, Brandon Parks of Atlanta, GA, and Casey Adams (Jered) of EL Dorado, AR, 10 grandchildren, and many more family and friends. Per Bob’s wishes no memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers at Bob and Thanna’s request please consider making a donation in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.

Sylvia Milam Traylor, age 89, of Smackover, Arkansas, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, April 6, 2025. She was born August 22, 1935 in Junction City, Arkansas to the late Lawrence and Zelma Milam. Sylvia was predeceased by a sister, Melwyn Cox.

Sylvia is survived and missed by the love of her life, Don Traylor. They were married 50 years. There was nothing she enjoyed more than traveling with Don, whether it be to build a church or just enjoying life. They had a love for camping and took many trips together.

She is also survived by her sons, Mark Corley (Tonya) and Tim Corley, (Cheryl). Sylvia loved being “Grandmother or Gran”, and she also is survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Kevin Corley (Jana), Brian Corley, Ashley Hendricks (Brandon) and Haley Gee (Phillip). She adored her great-grandchildren, Luke and Grant Corley, Aubrey and Brynlee Hendricks, Riley, Rhett, Cohen and Traylor Gee. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the other members of her family, her caregivers for the past two years: Frances Ganter, Charlene Minor, Brittney Minor, Samantha Davis, Cindy Williams and Lois Moses.

Sylvia loved the Lord. She taught Sunday School and attended First Baptist Church in Smackover. She and Don were members of lay renewal teams and built churches in several states as members of Master Builders and Bethel Builders. Family dinners and get-togethers for holidays and any occasion delighted her as long as it included lots of family members. Sylvia also enjoyed her weekly Scrabble games with her close friends while they all could still meet together.

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Sylvia’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Smackover with Bro. Carley Davis with graveside services following at Smackover Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com

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He was a 1942 graduate of Smackover High School, and attended Ouachita Baptist University until he was drafted into the military. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1943-1946, and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1949 with a major in Business and a minor in Physical Education. His first job was as a Junior High coach in Hope, Arkansas. He became Physical Director of the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club in 1952. Cecil was a member of the First Baptist Church and loved working with the youth.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife of 67 years, Betty Zane Kellum; brother, Donald Kellum; and sister, Virginia Beard.

He is survived by one son, Mark Kellum of El Dorado; and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the First Baptist Church with Bro. Taylor Geurin, Tommy May and Bro. Brian Trostle officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

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Memorials may be made to the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730.

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

Sharon Kay Vaughan of El Dorado passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home. Born October 27, 1943, in Magnolia, AR, she was the daughter of Troy Atwood and Irma Victory McWilliams Walker.

She was the beloved wife of Michael Vaughan for nearly 60 years, after meeting on a blind date in 1965.

Mrs. Vaughan was a self-employed hair stylist at The Right Place and previously worked at Charlie’s Corner and other local salons since 1966. She was a member of Wyatt Baptist Church and enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship classes and HealthWorks.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Woody Walker and Darrel Walker.

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Survivors include her husband Michael Vaughan of El Dorado, two sons: William Vaughan of Pensacola, FL, and Steven Vaughan (Holly) of Columbus, GA. Also surviving is her brother, John Walker (Pat) of Haynesville, LA, and grandchildren, Virginia and Victoria Vaughan, both of Pensacola, FL, and Bethany, Carson and Meredith Vaughan, along with a sister-in-law, Susan Walker of Camden, AR.

Private interment services will be held at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors. A memorial graveside service will be announced later.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Hudson Memorial Nursing Home, 700 North College Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730.

The family expresses their gratitude for the care given to Mrs. Vaughan by the staff of Hudson Memorial Nursing Home and Arkansas Hospice.

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

Gloria Jane Porter Perdue 92 of El Dorado passed away peacefully on Monday, March 31, 2025, in El Dorado, AR.

Gloria was born on October 8, 1932, in Arnaudville, LA to Joseph Latiolais and Noelie Latiolais.

She was preceded in death by parents, her husbands, Gene W. Porter, Sr. and Earl Perdue, her daughter, Debra Kelly,  her grandson, Jake Porter, and a great granddaughter, Everly June Keene.

She faithfully attended Parkview Baptist Church as a longtime member.  She was a devoted wife, and loving mother to her five children.  Gloria and husband Gene W. Porter, Sr. were previous owners of Medic Pharmacy in El Dorado.  Gloria was also the owner of a children’s shoe Store, Hop Scotch Corner in El Dorado.

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Survivors include her children, Susan Porter Pages and husband Hector, Gene W. Porter, Jr., Stacey Porter and wife Terri, and Stuart Porter and wife Melissa. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.  She will be forever loved and missed.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. until funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Bailey Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Sandy officiating.  Interment will be in the Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado, AR