Cave City & Batesville, AR Obituaries
Local obituaries for Sharp & Independence Counties in AR
Naomi Smith
Aug 24, 2025
Naomi was born March 27, 1935 in Leachville, Arkansas to Martin “Enoch” and Herbie (Payne) Milligan. She grew up and raised a family in Leachville, later moving to California, Little Rock and Batesville where she worshipped at North Heights Church of Christ. She went to her heavenly home on August 24, 2025. Per her request, a private Celebration of Life...
Brenda Kay Melton
Aug 21, 2025
Brenda Kay Melton, 71, of Strawberry passed away August 21, 2025 at Batesville. She was born June 23, 1954 at Batesville to Hue Dean and Virgie (Crabtree) Melton.
Brenda worked as a teacher and administrator for over 40 years in schools such as Timbo, Cave City, Poughkeepsie, Lynn, and Watson Chapel. The majority of her time was spent in the Watson...
Jennette June Duke
Aug 19, 2025
Jennette June Duke was born in Sidney, Arkansas, and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1961. On May 26, 1961, she married Harley Duke, and together they raised two sons, Gavin and Burton.
She spent most of her life in Batesville, Arkansas, where she worked as a Child Support Officer and later as a Legal Assistant with the Steve Bell...
Betty Jean Crutcher
Aug 18, 2025
Betty Jean Crutcher, 92, of Rosie passed away August 18, 2025 at Batesville. She was born December 28, 1932 at Rosie to J.M. Hooper and Pixie (Tucker) Hooper. She was a retired Circuit Clerk of Independence County and a member of the Rosie Baptist Church.
She enjoyed bingo (was lovingly known as Bingo Betty), church, feeding hummingbirds, grandkids and cooking out...
Donald Ray Jones
Aug 16, 2025
Donald Ray Jones, 75, of Locust Grove passed away August 16, 2025 at Batesville. He was born July 11, 1950 at Elaine, AR to Lee B. and Helen (Branscum) Jones. He was a pharmacist, a Forestry Field Technician, enjoyed fishing, four wheeling with his ATV/trucks and watching wildlife. Donald served in the Army National Guard.
He was preceded in death by...
Wanda G. "Jonnie" James
Aug 13, 2025
Wanda G. “Jonnie” James, 92, of Batesville passed away August 13, 2025 at Batesville. She was born August 17, 1932 at Moorefield to Munford Joe Pool and Ruthel Mae (Fry) Pool. She worked at White-Rodgers and was a member of Grace Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking and liked to travel.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Haddock James;...
JoAnn "Mamma Jo" Bryant
Aug 12, 2025
JoAnn “Momma Jo” Bryant, 65, of Smithville passed away August 12, 2025 at Smithville. She was born February 8, 1960 at Murphysboro, IL to Lonnie Dickerson and Linda Mae (Stone). She was raised by her mother and adopted by Donald Misselhorn. She was a housewife and a member of Soul’s Harbor Church. She enjoyed fishing, being on the water, spending...
John "Buddy" Eldridge
Aug 8, 2025
John “Buddy” Eldridge, 65, of Cave City passed away August 8, 2025 at Searcy. He was born November 23, 1959 at Flint Michigan to John C. and Georgetta (Henry) Eldridge.
He attended UACCB Community College in Batesville, was a retired over-the-road truck driver, and member of the Methodist Church.
He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, wood crafts such as building park...
Christy James
Aug 1, 2025
Christy James, 51, of Lebanon, Illinois passed away August 1, 2025 at Lebanon. She was born January 22, 1974 at Russellville to John A. James and Patsy (Ballard) James. She was a registered nurse and a real estate agent. She enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping, going to the beach, and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother,...
Barbara Gail Sandefur
Aug 1, 2025
Today, we gather to honor the life of a remarkable woman — Barbara Gail Johnson Sandefur. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful servant of Yeshua.
Barbara was a woman of quiet strength and unwavering devotion. Despite facing the challenges of dementia and Parkinson’s in her later years, her spirit never faltered. Her love endured — fierce, full, and...
Donald Fox
Jul 29, 2025
Donald Fox, 87, of Charlotte passed away on July 29, 2025 in Batesville. He was born on July 21, 1938 in Morganton, NC to Charles and Virgie Fox. He served 21 years honorably in the Arkansas Army National Guard. Donald was married to his lovely wife, June Fox, for 58 years before she went home to the Lord. A dedicated...
Don Crawford
Jul 26, 2025
Don Crawford, 78, of Batesville passed away July 26, 2025 at Batesville. He was born June 23, 1947 at Batesville to John Wesley Crawford and Nellie Marie (Lexon) Crawford. He was a truck driver and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and westerns.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his three daughters, Airica...
Velma Jean Wood
Jul 26, 2025
Velma Jean Wood, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Velma was born in Pleasant Plains to Jess and Wilma Beaver on September 4, 1941.
Velma was a member of Maple Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Velma looked forward to going to church every time the doors...
Vickie Lynn Burrow
Jul 25, 2025
Vickie Lynn Burrow, 56, of Strawberry passed away July 25, 2025 at Searcy. She was born February 4, 1969 at Granite City, Illinois to William B. and Vickie D. (Hahne) Dixon. She was raised by her step-father James L. Richey. She was a cook, a member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Strawberry, and known to all as Nana. She...
Lois Valenia Sharp
Jul 21, 2025
Lois Valenia Sharp, 88, of Concord passed away Monday, July 21, 2025 at Little Rock. She was born May 3, 1937 at Banner to Adam and Dorthy (Miller) Osborn. She worked 22 years at SKIL and was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Banner. She enjoyed family, friends, quilting, making crafts, and her flowers.
She was preceded in...
Steve Koch
Jul 16, 2025
Steve Koch, 70, of Locust Grove, entered into eternal rest on July 16, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 17, 1955, Steve lived a life full of hard work, deep faith, and fierce love for those he held dear.
A gifted carpenter and bricklayer, Steve began his craft at just 13 years old, mixing mud for...
Doyle Finley Lawrence
Jul 14, 2025
Doyle Finley Lawrence was born April 16, 1939 in Melbourne, Arkansas to Eugene Alvis Lawrence, Jr and Verna Lee (Finley) Lawrence. Doyle graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1957 and travelled the US working construction. Not realizing he had been listed as a draft dodger – no cell phones back then - he was arrested in Fort Smith and...
Charlette Cooper
Jul 14, 2025
Charlette Cooper, 65, of Batesville passed away Monday, July 14, 2025 at Batesville. She was born January 30, 1960 to John Ed and Wilma (Barnes) Ferguson. She was an LPN and enjoyed feeding her chickens and being with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Skip Ferguson and Joe Ferguson.
Survivors include her husband, Steven Cooper...
Gregory Duane Bradley
Jul 13, 2025
Gregory Duane Bradley, 59, of Cave City passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Batesville. He was born February 1, 1966 at Wichita, KS to Donald and Charlene Bradley. He was a landscaper and enjoyed motorcycles.
He was preceded by his parents; brother, Raymond Bradley and niece, Christy Bradley
Survivors include his brothers, Gary Bradley (Crystal) and Robert Bradley (Faye); nieces, Ramona...
Jennifer Taylor
Jul 7, 2025
Jennifer Renna Taylor, 52, of Cave City passed away Monday, July 7, 2025 at Cave City. She was born June 18, 1973 at Batesville to Don Taylor and Cheryl Wilkes. She was a homemaker and enjoyed consignment shops, antique stores, watching movies, playing video games, and her music.
Survivors include her parents; one daughter, Cheyenne Aaliyah Jackson; one brother, Chris Taylor...
