OBITUARIES
Arkadelphia and Camden Obituaries
Local obituaries for Arkadelphia and Camden, AR area
Carl E. Cummings
Oct 6, 2026
Carl Edward Cummings, affectionately known throughout Arkadelphia as “Black Brotha,” was born on August 1, 1955, to John Carl Cummings and Lauretta Tate. He grew up in Arkadelphia and attended Arkadelphia High School.
In 1973, Carl enlisted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully. During his military service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, qualified as a...
Kathia L. Betts
Oct 5, 2026
A Beautiful Life Remembered
Kathia (Matlock) Betts was born on December 4, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio, to her loving parents, Shandria and Earthie L. Giles Matlock. She was a cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose life reflected strength, kindness, and compassion.
Family was at the heart of Kathia’s life. She treasured time with those she loved and brought...
Annie M. Rucks
Sep 30, 2026
Annie Mae Washington Holmes Rucks was born on May 27, 1953, in Yazoo City, Mississippi to LC and Bessie Mae Holmes. Annie was raised in Clarksdale, Mississippi by her grandparents CW and Annie Mae Thomas.
Annie accepted Christ into her life at a very early age. Annie attended and graduated from Clarksdale High School. Annie was a member of St. Clair...
Flozell Blevins
Sep 29, 2026
Flozell Blevins was born on January 4, 1935, in Curtis, Arkansas, to the union of Christine McNeil Jones and Lymon L. Williams. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Savior and became a faithful member of Mt. Friendship Baptist Church in Curtis, Arkansas. On September 29, 2026, the Lord called His daughter, Flozell, home to be with Him.
She...
Dorsey Henry
Sep 26, 2026
Dorsey R. Henry passed from this life leaving behind a legacy shaped by strength, discipline, and an unbreakable bond with God’s creation. Born with a heart that beats outdoors, Dorsey lived a full life. He was born on October 28, 1956, in Gurdon, Arkansas. He was number 13 of 18 children born to John Mack Henry and Samella Hicks Henry.
He...
Johnny Lee Hale
Sep 25, 2026
Johnny Lee Hale was born on April 8, 1947, in Okolona, Arkansas to the union of Imon Hale and Corenthia Osborne Hale. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of First Baptist Church, Okolona. The family moved to Los Angles in 1964 where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1966.
He moved back to Okolona...
Alvern House-Thomas
Sep 21, 2026
Alvern House Thomas was born into this life on March 5, 1961, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to the union of Amboline and Benjamin House. At an early age, she accepted Christ and became a member of Oak Grove AME Church. Alvern was a graduate of Mountain Pine High School, although she obtained majority of her education through the Arkadelphia Public School...
Barbara Horton Smith
Sep 15, 2026
Barbara was born on February 23, 1949, in Curtis, Arkansas, to her loving parents, Sam Horton and Ietta Mitchell Horton. She peacefully departed this life on September 15, 2026, in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Barbara graduated from Peake High School in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1967. She attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff before moving to Wichita, Kansas, with the love...
George B. Mays
Sep 14, 2026
George Barnett Mays, affectionately known as “Big Poppie” and “Big Paw” and also “Bruhe,” entered the world September 8, 1940 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, born to Barnett George Mays and Dorothy Greenlee Mays. He departed on his divine journey on September 14, 2026.
From an early age he was taught faith and community. George accepted Christ at a young age...
Cal Marie Grigsby
Sep 9, 2026
There are some lives that are remembered not simply by the years they lived, but by the strength they displayed, the love they shared, the prayers they prayed, and the lasting impression they left upon others. Cal Marie Perry Grigsby, lovingly known to her family as “Nana,” lived such a life.
Cal Marie was born on October 19, 1943, in Arkadelphia,...
Otis Love
Sep 5, 2026
Otis Love, 60, passed from this life on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Baptist Health Medical Center in El Dorado, Arkansas. He was born March 31, 1966, in Mt. Holly, Arkansas.
Otis was raised by his mother, Virginia Lee Gulley, who taught him early in life the importance of hard work and making an honest living. Those lessons stayed with him...
Teresa A. Waters
Aug 31, 2026
Teresa Waters was born on November 25, 1961 in Prescott, Arkansas. From the very beginning, Teresa possessed a spirit that was fun, loving, caring, and full of life. She had a big heart, and an unforgettable personality. To know Teresa was to know someone who loved people—and people loved her right back.
Teresa was a proud 1980 graduate of Okolona High...
Tammy "Tammie" Ederington
Aug 31, 2026
Tammie Ederington was born in Camden, Arkansas to the union of Grady Ederington and Flora Ann Tatum Ederington on July 11, 1963. Tammie is one of eleven children born into the large Ederington family.
She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age at Macedonia AME Church in Camden and later became a member of Victory Church in Camden. She...
Ruth "Ruthie" Harvell
Aug 27, 2026
Ruth Harvell, affectionately known as “Ruthie,” was born on January 4, 1965, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Cornelia Ross. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and cherished member of her community. Ruth departed this life leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, determination, and countless memories that will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew...
Effie L. Porter-Johnson
Aug 25, 2026
Effie Lee Porter Johnson was born on April 11, 1948, in the big city of Chicago, Illinois. She was the beloved daughter of Louis and Mary Bittle Porter.
Effie grew up in Gurdon, Arkansas, where she attended Bell High School and graduated with the Class of 1966. Shortly after graduation, she returned to Chicago and continued her education at Malcolm X...
Daren O. Penny
Aug 21, 2026
"WOO" Penny
Daren was the youngest son of Ozell and Betty Johnson Penny. He was born and raised in Gurdon, AR. At a very young age, he accepted Christ into his life. He was a member of Bethel AME under the leadership of Pastor H.H. Scott.
Daren attended Gurdon Public School, class of 1983. During his years as a Gurdon Go-Devil, Daren...
Marva R. Porchia Baxter
Aug 18, 2026
Marva Ree Baxter, 85, of Camden, Arkansas, passed away on August 18, 2026. Born August 3, 1941, to Reginald and Priscilla Porchia, Marva lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service to others.
A lifelong member of Good Hope Baptist Church, Marva dedicated herself faithfully for decades — serving on the kitchen committee, singing in the choir, and lovingly caring...
Sean D. Jenkins
Aug 14, 2026
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”
—Job 14:1
Sean Douglas Jenkins was born on November 8, 1969, in Camden, Arkansas, to Brenda Joyce Jenkins. He accepted Christ at an early age and united with C.M.E. Temple Church, where the foundation of his Christian faith was established.
Sean attended both Camden and Fairview Senior High...
Margaret Dailey Temple
Aug 13, 2026
Margaret Dailey Temple was born on December 9, 1925, in Princeton, Arkansas. She was the youngest of nine children born to Will Dailey and Bertha House Dailey and became the last surviving member of her generation of the Will Dailey-House family lineage.
Margaret was raised in Princeton, a small, close-knit community where the Dailey family was highly respected among neighbors and...
Charles Newborn
Aug 6, 2026
Brother Charles Newborn was born on August 20, 1937 in Witherspoon, Arkansas, to the late Charlie Newborn and Azolete Scott Newborn. He was the ninth child of ten children.
Charles accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Savior. Throughout his life, he touched countless lives as an educator, electrician, mentor, hunter, veteran, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His legacy is one...
