OBITUARIES
Arkadelphia and Camden Obituaries
Local obituaries for Arkadelphia and Camden, AR area
Levester Blakely
Jan 17, 2026
Ms. Levester Warren Blakely, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. She was born on June 25, 1942, by a midwife in Rosston, Arkansas, to Bernice Warren and Stella Mae Martin Warren.
Ms. Levester was known for her impeccable style and took great pride in her appearance,...
Harold "Buckwheat" Jones
Jan 14, 2026
Harold Thomas Jones affectionately known as “Buckwheat,” passed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. He was born on September 27, 1954, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Tommy Jones and Genoa Summerville Jones. He was a gentle giant and a charismatic presence in every room.
He graduated from Sparkman High School in 1972, excelling in both baseball and football. A proud veteran, Harold enlisted...
Jennifer Lambert
Jan 13, 2026
Jennifer A. Lambert, 59, of Benton, Arkansas, passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2026, in Malvern, Arkansas.
Jennifer was born on January 9, 1967, to Walter “Teddy Boy” and Opal Watkins Lambert in Camden, Arkansas. She was a graduate of Barden High School. Jennifer worked as a security guard for Allied Universal for 14 years and later for Securitas for five...
Nannie Virginia Wheeler Hudson
Jan 10, 2026
Nannie Virginia (Wheeler) Hudson was born on November 3, 1934, in Gum Springs, Arkansas, to Abraham and Nannie Bell Wheeler. She was their firstborn and was raised in the close-knit communities of Gum Springs and Arkadelphia, where she developed the values of faith, education, and service that would guide her throughout her life.After graduating from Peake High School in Arkadelphia,...
Donnie Ray Marshall
Jan 8, 2026
Donnie Ray Marshall, 64, of Fordyce, Arkansas, passed away on January 8, 2026.
Donnie was born on July 13, 1961, to the late Jerald Marshall and the late Virginia Marshall. He was a fun-loving man, full of life and always joking, with a kind heart and a willingness to help anyone in need.
Donnie had a deep love for music and especially...
Henry Albert Helms, Sr.
Jan 6, 2026
A life well lived, rooted in faith, family, and hard work, came to a peaceful close after 94 years on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, when he passed away at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, surrounded by the love of his family.
Henry Albert Helms, Sr. was born by a mid-wife in the close-knit Spring Hill community on the outskirts...
Alice Wilson
Jan 4, 2026
Alice Faye Wilson was born on January 25, 1944, in Phoenix, Arizona to the union of Robert Brown and Gennie V. Beasley Cunningham. From the moment she entered this world, Alice carried a spirit of generosity, strength, and love that would leave a lasting imprint on all who knew her. She became nothing short of a legend in the city...
SFC(RET) Wendell E. McPeak
Jan 3, 2026
SFC(RET) Wendell Edward McPeak was born on August 15, 1960, in Gurdon, Arkansas to the union of Willie E. McPeak and Aletha Phifer McPeak. Growing up in the Piney Ridge Community outside of the city limits of Gurdon, Arkansas was the perfect haven for Wendell to grow and explore life in a loving and nourishing country environment where most everyone...
Darryl G. Pickens, Sr.
Dec 31, 2025
Darryl Gawain Pickens, Sr. was born on March 9, 1960, in Springhill, Louisiana, to Bonnie Jean Thomas Pickens and James Pickens. He lived in Louisiana until age nine, when his mother married Robert L. Hill and the family relocated to Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Darryl attended school in Arkadelphia and graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1978. He was widely known for his...
Henry Al Helms, Jr.
Dec 31, 2025
Henry Albert Helms, Jr., affectionately known to all as “Al,” was a man whose life told a story of resilience, purpose, love, and quiet greatness. Born on August 9, 1952, in Oakland, California, he was the oldest son of Henry A. Helms, Sr. and Annie E. Williams Helms, two hardworking parents who migrated from Arkadelphia, Arkansas to California in search...
Donald A. Horton
Dec 30, 2025
Donald Andrew Horton was born on December 3, 1946, to the loving union of Sam Horton and Ietta Mitchell Horton. Through their example, they instilled in him strong Christian values, integrity, ingenuity, and a deep sense of responsibility—qualities that helped shape a solid, caring, and close-knit family environment. His parents were highly respected throughout the Curtis community, and that legacy...
Charles Whitaker
Dec 25, 2025
With hearts full of gratitude and love, we celebrate the remarkable life of our beloved father, grandfather, veteran, patriarch and community pillar who peacefully transitioned on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. He was 92 years old, and true to his character, he worked hard and lived fully until his health finally required...
Hilda Kaye Newborn
Dec 21, 2025
The beautiful and sweet life of Hilda Kaye Mitchell Newborn peacefully came to a close on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at her home. She was 83 years old.
Hilda Kaye Mitchell Newborn was born on August 13, 1942, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to the union of Carsno Mitchell and Helen Marie Hildreth Mitchell. She loved the Lord with all her heart, accepted...
Larry Hunter
Dec 11, 2025
Larry Eugene Hunter, smooth in spirit, sharp in style, and unforgettable in presence unexpectedly passed away Thursday December 11, 2025.
Larry embodied an overwhelming passion for his family, love of music, cooking and playing spades. He always occupied a place of laughter, fashion, love for his jewelry, and smiling with love. Larry never arrived without being dressed to the nines. From...
Claretta M. Scott
Dec 6, 2025
Claretta Marene Bradley-Scott was born on June 17, 1954, at St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas, to Charlie “Red” and Virginia Bradley. She was the beloved sister of Thomas Jerome Bursey and Dianah Watson.
Claretta graduated from Liberty-Eylau High School in June 1972 and later attended Prairie View A&M University. During this time, she met and married her first husband, Kenneth...
Ricky Henderson
Dec 4, 2025
Ricky Henderson was born on November 3, 1952, to the late Anderson Henderson and Essie Jewel Ball Henderson in Rison, Arkansas. He was also preceded in love and legacy by his extended parents, the late Deltho Lee O’Neal, Sr. and Daisy Lee O’Neal of Stuttgart, Arkansas. At an early age, Ricky professed his hope in Christ and united with Union...
Myrpleane Smith
Dec 4, 2025
In Loving Memory of Myrpleane Smith
Myrpleane Smith of Arkadelphia Arkansas passed away on Thursday, December 4th at Blossome Nursing Home in Little Rock, AR. Myrpleane was born to Alford and Purdie (Ingram) Purifoy on October 28, 1952. She later married James Smith and to that union two children were born: Patrick Smith and Corey Smith. Myrpleane is survived by her...
Nancy M. Louis
Dec 2, 2025
Nancy Marie Louis peacefully entered eternal rest on December 2, 2025, at her home in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of 74. She was born on April 17, 1951, in Tate County, Mississippi, to Marcus Scruggs and Lorsie Mosley. As a young girl, Nancy moved with her family from Mississippi to Chicago, where she received her education in the...
Mary Alice Walker
Nov 27, 2025
The sweet and beautiful life of Mary Alice Young Walker, affectionately known as “Sister,” came to a peaceful close on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025, with her loving family at her side. She was 79 years old.
Mary was born on April 1, 1946, by a mid-wife in Whelen Springs, Arkansas to the union of Odie Young and Artie Bell Cooks...
Lawrence Dwayne Graves
Nov 25, 2025
Lawrence DeWayne Graves passed from this life leaving behind a legacy shaped by strength, discipline, and an unbreakable bond with God’s creation. Born with a natural gift for athleticism and a heart that beat for the outdoors, Lawrence lived a life full of purpose, passion, and quiet determination.
He was born on January 3, 1964, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His mother...
