KING H. BISBEE Mr. King H. Bisbee, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away in the early morning hours of February 11, 2017 from a short bout with cancer. He was born in Pryor, Oklahoma to the late Lewis Henry Bisbee and Mary Lucinda Tucker Bisbee. King grew up in Depression style on a farm around Vandervoort, Arkansas. After working with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Shady, he entered WWII and served as a Flight Engineer on a B-24 bomber flying missions over Japan. Like so many soldiers of that era after the war, he immediately married his wartime sweetheart, Mary Katherine Hardy. They bought a farm near Vandervoort and had two sons, Ronald Gene and Lyndell Dee. Eventually they moved to Houston, Texas where King worked in a factory making wire rope and various other jobs for forty years. They enjoyed living close to Katherine’s family and fishing on the Texas coast. King’s favorite activity on the coast was dragging a shrimp net in the bay. After retirement, King and Katherine moved back to his beloved hills of Arkansas and settled in Mena. He became active in the Mena Elks Lodge and was recognized as the State Elk of the year for 1993-94 and served as Exalted Ruler for 2000-01. He was also a member of the American Legion and drove the DAV van carrying veterans to Little Rock for medical treatment at the VA hospital for a number of years. As a member of First Presbyterian Church, he served on the Session for a term. King was a very active man, never liking to just sit around. Mowing grass (4 acres), raising a garden, and cutting firewood for the fireplace was enjoyment for him. As was tinkering around in his shop fixing things and making cutting boards for his friends. He was always willing to use his many talents to help others with such things as building garages, fixing cars, or repairing lawnmowers. His parents preceded him in death, as well as seven of his siblings including: William Lewis (Bill) Bisbee, Leatha Lucinda
Sprinkle, Mary Irene Phyllis McElfresh, Walter James (Jim) Bisbee, Elsie Marie Daniels, Ralph Royce Bisbee and Lynn Holden Bisbee. He is survived by wife, Katherine, of 71 years; sons, Ron and his wife Brenda, Lyndell and his wife Carolyn; and sister, Ima Jean Davis of Pomona, California. Also surviving are four grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Beasley- Wood Chapel with Pastor Bill Seitz officiating. Interment follows in Witherspoon Cemetery in Vandervoort under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday evening, February 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Mena at 904 Church Street, Mena, AR 71953. Pallbearers will be Tommy Daniels, Nathan Bisbee, Jared Bisbee, Wayne Hardy, Bobby James, Mike Hardy and Nathan Cline.
MELVIN RAYMOND DAVISON Melvin Raymond Davison, Jr., age 70, passed away on Feb. 5, 2017 at home with his family. He was born to the late Melvin Raymond Davison, Sr. and Stella Johanna Nolte in Harris County, TX on Feb. 14, 1946. He was an independent, professional truck driver and heavy equipment operator who specialized in hauling super heavy loads and was certified to haul anything. He drove cross country and enjoyed taking his wife and children with him when the opportunity arose. He was an old-school biker, who owned several Harley Davidson’s throughout his life, and an award-winning custom-made bike. He loved taking his soul mate and wife, Robyn, on rides through the countryside. He was a Christian and a loving family
man who was always willing to help his family without hesitation. He was a man of strong faith and had the heart of a hero. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. He was a free spirit, full of laughter and kindness. He loved his family unconditionally. He made friends with many, didn’t judge people, and was always quick to forgive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin, Sr. and Stella, a brother, John Dee Davison, an infant sister, Pauline, and his soulmate and loving wife of 32 years, Robyn Lynn Bledsoe Davison. He is survived by his son Harley Davison; daughters, Debra Davison Randles, Bonnie Davison Peterson, Jennifer Davison Zarnes, Amanda Davison Sorel, and Rebecca Davison Scull. He has 26 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren. The family is planning a memorial for Feb. 2018 and will announce details closer to time.
MADGE CARPER JOHNSON Madge Carper Johnson, age 94, of Mena Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at St. John’s Home in Rochester, New York. She was born on September 25, 1922 in Hatfield Arkansas to the late Alex & Dora Carper. Her family moved to Mena when Madge entered high school. She worked for her family at their store in town called Carper-Dover Mercantile. She met her future husband, Ralph E. Johnson, Jr. in high school. After a few years in college and right after Ralph enlisted in the United States Air Force they were married on June 12, 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After the war, they settled in Mena where they built their home on Magnolia Avenue and lived for over 50 years. She was an active member of the community where she was a Lioness, a member of the PEO Sisterhood, the Bill Spencer Sunday School Class, and the First United Methodist Church of Mena. Madge and her husband, Ralph owned and operated Ralph’s Buick Pontiac GMC Company on
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February 15, 2017
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Highway 71 North in Mena for over 30 successful years. She lived her last remaining years in Rochester, New York. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, Gigi, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed greatly. Madge was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters, Maxine Hall and Taddy Magbee, and her beloved daughter, Dianne Dawn Johnson Pegg. Survivors include granddaughter, Emily Pegg Haines and husband Timothy of Pittsford, NY; son-in-law, William J. Pegg of Henrietta, NY; great-grandson, Jonathan J. Haines of Pittsford, NY; nephews, Howard Hall and wife Martha of Wylie, TX, Keith Wood of Bentonville, AR; niece, Lynn Ashley of Mena, AR; nephew, Ken Wood and wife Kathy of Prosper, TX; niece, Beth Strickland and husband John of Bentonville, AR; niece, Priscilla Hackney and husband Wes of Raleigh, NC; great-nephew, Wesley Hall and wife Suzanne of Russellville, AR; great-nephew, Brent Hall and wife Pam of Little Rock, AR; and many extended family and friends in NY, AR, OK, TX and NC. There was a Memorial Service in the Chapel at St. John’s, 150 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 on Friday, February 10th at 2:00 PM with Reverend Chava Redonnet officiating. All family and friends are welcome. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 17th, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Mena Arkansas with Pastor Ann Ferris officiating. Interment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Timothy Haines, Jonathan Haines, Howard Hall, Brent Hall, Wesley Hall, Ken Wood and Keith Wood.
January 6, 2016
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