Love those Mustangs!

Monday, November 24, 2008

David Courtney Obituary

Mr. David E. Courtney Sr., age 68, of Widener, died Friday at the St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. He had been in the hospital for the past week.

Mr. Courtney was born December 14, 1939, in St. Francis County and was the son of Richard Courtney and Genevieve Melton Courtney. He lived in St. Francis County most of his life, was a farmer, and a merchandiser. He was a Veteran of the National Guard, a member of the American Legion, the Civil Air Patrol, the Cross County Amateur Radio Club, the Arkansas Constable Association, the National Constable Association, was a Constable of the Griggs Township, and was a member of the Madison Baptist Church.

Mr. Courtney married Dorothy Long in 1958, and she survives him along with four sons; David 'Little David' Courtney Jr. of Derby, Kansas, Russell Courtney of Forrest City, Michael Courtney and Justin Courtney, both of Widener, two brothers; Dale Courtney of Widener, and Wayne Courtney of Forrest City, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He had one son, Rodney Courtney, who preceded him in death.

Services for Mr. Courtney will be held at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, with burial in Forrest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday evening 6:00 till 8:00 P.M., at Stevens Funeral Home with Stevens Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the on line registry.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Frances Trusty Ratliff's Husband Passed Away

Below is the obituary for Frances Trusty Ratliff’s husband, which was in the Forrest City Times Herald today. Please remember Frances and her family in your prayers.


James Howard "Dick" Ratliff

James Howard “Dick” Ratliff, age 71, died at his home on Saturday, October 11, 2008 surrounded by his family he loved and who loved him. Mr. Ratliff was born August 22, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, a son of the late Howard and Irene (Ingram) Ratliff. He was a Baptist; and was retired from the United States Postal Service. Dick had served in the United States Naval Air Reserve. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Trusty) Ratliff of Greenbrier; sons, James Howard Ratliff, Jr. and wife Gina of Greenbrier; Christopher Lee Ratliff of Caldwell; grandchildren, Kristen Kay and William Lee Ratliff; sisters, Angela Rosamond of Memphis and Bonnie Ratliff of Wynne. Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, 2008 in the chapel of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Arkansas. Local arrangements are by Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Conway. 501-327-7727. The family requests memorials be made to either the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

David Tyson's Kidney Transplant Was a Success!

Ben Bratcher talked to David Tyson’s wife, Carol, and she said David’s kidney transplant surgery on Sunday, 10/12/08, was a success. He will be in intensive care for a few days.

We wish him well.

Patricia Hughes Jones

Sunday, October 12, 2008

David Tyson is Having Kidney Transplant Today, 10/11/08!

Ben Bratcher talked to David Tyson today. David informed Ben that his kidney transplant is scheduled for 12:00 noon (Pacific Time) today.

Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Patricia Hughes Jones

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Message from Gene and Carol Martin

Dear Classmates and Friends,

Carol and I want to thank each of you for your response to assisting David Tyson and his family.

As to date we have had a response of 15 classmates and $2,500 in medical support. Additionally, there have been numerous phone calls, e-mails and prayers. David is very appreciative of your assistance, thoughts and prayers. He continues to be in good spirits. Julie, his daughter, is being prepared as a donor in the event a cadaver donor is not forthcoming by October. As of today, 9/10/08, David has been advised that he is on-call; i.e., a match is pending for the transplant.

Should you like to make an additional or first donation, the 501-3(c) has changed to:
Charles Massegee Evangelistic Service
CMES, Inc.
P.O.Box 96
Ranger, TX 76470
Payable to David Tyson Fund

Many of you have commented how admirable of me to sponsor this effort on behald of David. There is an ulterior motive on my part. I have spent forty-five years rendering service and care to people I don't know. Therefore, it is no stretch to do so for a friend and classmate since the 4th grade.

Additionally, most of you are not aware that in 1947 while in 4th grade, I came down with rheumatic fever. As a gesture to assist me through many hours and days house and bed bound January thru July, Mrs. Tyson (David's mother), my Sunday school teacher and Mrs. Geraldine Mosley, my Sunday school teacher and grade school music teacher, took up a collection and bought me a TV. What a God-send until I was able to walk again and go out to run and play! So, you see, helping David was a way to repay the thoughtfulness and generosity of these two exceptional women.

As a result of my ordeal with rheumatic fever and helping Charles Ford when he had an asthma attack on the big slide at grammar school, I wanted to be a doctor. Well, I didn't become a doctor but did become the second best thing -- a respiratory therapist, assisting everything from a preemie no longer than the palm of your hand to heart attack patients, COPD patients and the terminally ill. What a ride!!! Now you know "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.

Thank you again, may God continue to bless you, and hope to see you at our next class reunion.

Gene and Carol Martin

Linda Eppes Horton Passed Away

Mrs. Linda G. Horton age 68, of Forrest City, Arkansas died Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at her home.

Mrs. Horton was born October 1, 1939 in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the daughter of John Robert Eppes and Lola Mae Davis Eppes. Mrs. Horton was retired and was a member of Faith Outreach Church in Helena.

Mrs. Horton married James Horton in 1988 and he preceded her in death in 2003. Mrs. Horton is survived by three sons, Tony Gore of Springdale, Jeff Gore of Forrest City and Stacy Gore of Osceola; two daughters, Stephanie Lucas of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Kim Jeffers of Wynne; a sister Viola Hollowell of Forrest City. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Forrest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 at the funeral home Thursday. The family request memorials to the Faith Outreach Church, P.O. box 2464, West Helena, AR 72390 or to Buzzy Sutherlin Ministries, P.O. box 941, El Dorado, AR 71731-0941. Visit online registry at stevensfuneralhome.net. Under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Frances Grisham Midgett's Husband Passed Away

Frances Grisham Midgett’s husband, Bill, passed away on July 15, 2008. The Visitation will be on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Stevens Funeral Home in Forrest City, Arkansas from 6-8 p. m. and the Funeral service will be held at Stevens Funeral Home at 2 p. m. on Friday, July 18, 2008.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Caldwell Baptist Church, Caldwell, Arkansas.

Frances asked me to include in this message that she and the family appreciate all the thoughts and prayers of everyone during this difficult time.

Patricia Hughes Jones

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

REGARDING GIFTS FOR DAVID TYSON’S KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

The nonprofit that has been collecting donations towards David’s kidney transplant expenses is moving from Nashville to Hollywood at the end of June. Therefore, another couple that The Tysons worked with back in the 70’s has offered to administer this life-giving charity through their nonprofit organization.

From this date forward, please send all contributions to CMES, INC. (Charles Massegee Evangelistic Service, Inc – www.massegee.org ***HIS WEB SITE MUST BE OPENED THROUGH INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY to view site!) No funds will be withheld for administration but will go directly to David and Carol to cover their expenses during surgery and recovery for the following three months. Make check payable to CMES, INC. You may make credit card payments online at their website. Click on: Invest and then Paypal at the bottom of the page.

The address for CMES, Inc is: Box 96, Ranger, TX 76470. If you have questions regarding the nonprofit please call Charles Massegee at 214.801.7383. Charles has been a full-time evangelist for 55 years. He and his beautiful wife, Beverly, have gone through 3 kidney transplants with their daughter starting at the age of 4 months! She is 27 now!

Please do not make the check out to: David Tyson Fund or even put this on the memo section of the check. Enclose a NOTE stating that these funds are “In Honor of David Tyson.” That way the nonprofit will not get in trouble with the IRS over “designated gifts”.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Appeal Letter from David Tyson

Dear Classmate,

In my 69 years, I never thought that I’d be in a position to have to beg for help for the funds that we so desperately need in order to have a life saving kidney transplant surgery. I’m fighting to save my life! I’m scared of losing my home since I have not been able to work for 18 months due to weakness associated with my dialysis. I’m scared for Carol and my family. I know God says, “Be not afraid”, but I’m not used to being in this predicament.

If you can help me, please send your gracious gift to the Nashville nonprofit that is administering our campaign. Some of you have already graced me with a donation. Maybe you have a friend that you could suggest that they make our cause their tax deductible gift for this year. If you know of companies or corporations that give to nonprofit organizations, we’d be eternally grateful for your referral. Maybe you can do more. We need some really big gifts in order to sustain us over the 3-4 month recovery period following surgery while we will not be able to work. I know how easy it is to forget to do something you really mean to do. Please respond soon. We’re thankful to God for each and every gift, thought and prayer.

Please send gifts to: LAUREN INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Must be made out to them for tax credit!)
In Honor of David Tyson (not the David Tyson fund)
1012 11th St., North
Nashville, TN 37208 Lauren will shut us down June 30 because he is moving from Nashville back to Hollywood.
If you prefer to make a credit card gift call 310-770-8108 to utilize their Paypal acct.
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. THIS FUNDRAISING IS ADMINSTERED BY LAUREN INTERNATIONAL, INC. A 501c3 NONPROFIT


When your hut's on fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground; it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of Go

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Frances Grisham Midgett and family need your prayers.

Many of you are aware that Frances Midgett's husband, Bill, has Alzheimer's. She has been caring for him at home with little assistance. Hospice recently became involved and Frances also located a lady who can help with his care a few hours per week.

Frances, Bill and family need your prayers during this extremely difficult time.

I am sure that a card would be greatly appreciated.If you want to send a card, but do not have their mailing address, please contact me.

This message was approved by Frances, prior to posting.

Thanks!

Patricia Hughes Jones
pjones1959@comcast.net

Update on David Tyson from Gene and Carol Martin

Dear Classmates and Friends,

Carol and I would like for you to join us in assisting David Tyson through a major health and financial crisis.

David has end-stage renal failure and requires a kidney transplant as soon as possible. His daughter is a match, but the doctors at UCLA told him that it would require several months to prepare her and that sooner is better than later. He has been placed on the cadaver donor list and is currently No. 3, as well as being on a 30-day call notice.

David has been undergoing renal dialysis for many years and is currently undergoing dialysis three times a week. As a result, he hasn’t been able to work and has no income for the past year and a half. He says, “I’m not poor because I am rich in friends and people who love me. However, we are financially at the bottom of the barrel.”

The cost of the operation will be covered by Medicare and Social Security (approximately $250,000). However, the cost of travel, living expenses post-surgery for three to six weeks in LA for follow up, and home mortgage payments are beyond his resources at the present time. He knows that he can return to work following the transplant.

Carol and I ask that you come to his aid in any manor you can; a monetary donation, a card or e-mail, a phone call or a prayer. If you feel comfortable, you might ask a friend to contribute to the David Tyson Fund rather than their favorite charity this year.

At the class reunion we were all touched and said that it was more like a family reunion than a class reunion. Well, I think we all agree that David is FAMILY. I know each of you will do what you can with no hesitation.

Should you want to make a monetary donation, do so by personal check, money order , pay pal or cash to:

Lauren International, Inc.
Payable to: David Tyson Fund
1012 Eleventh Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37201

Lauren Stalnecker, cell No. 310-770-8108
Lauren International is a 501 C3 non-profit foundation specializing in children.

Lauren Stalnecker is the son of Bette Stalnecker with whom David was associated for many years in the Christian music ministry. He has agreed to assist David through his foundation and all donations (100%) in his name will go to David for expenses.

You can contact David at David Tyson, 5414 Cordova Ct, Fontana, CA 92336
Cell Phone: 909-586-5850
e-mail: david@davidtyson.net

Carol and I thank you in advance for caring and look forward to seeing you and David at our next class reunion, if not before. GO MUSTANGS!!!

Sincerely,



Gene and Carol Martin

phone: 903-825-3422; cell no. 903-330-4344

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Obituary of Roger Kelso

Mr. Roger Paul Kelso, age 71, of Forrest City, died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Mr. Kelso was born April 2, 1936, in St. Francis County, the son of Floyd Monroe Kelso and Jenny Florence Melton Kelso. He lived in St. Francis County most of his life. Mr. Kelso is survived by five sisters, Nettie Bateman and Ruby Nichols both of Forrest City and Ruth Barnes of Belvidere, Ill., Peggy Godair of Horn Lake, Miss. and Carolyn Ramsey of Lexa and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation for Mr. Kelso will be held Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of Stevens Funeral at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. Burial will follow in Hughes Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit the online guestbook at www.stevensfuneralhome.net. The family requests memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice.