Epting Funeral Home of Gravette

08/28/2025

08/07/2025

Johnnie “John” Phillip Fitts, went to be with the Lord on August 4, 2025. John was born on June 15, 1945 at Tehechapi, California to Johnnie Earl Fitts and Ruby Gladys Fern Thackett Fitts.

John served in the United States Marine Corp, the United States Navy, and the San Diego Lowdy Sherriff’s Department as a deputy. He graduated from Hill 881 (1965) and KHE Santi (1968). He attended San Diego Community College.

John was a long time member of the John Birch Society, the National Rifle Association, The Jews for the Preservation Ownership, John was an avid Pro-Life Worker.

John married Delores Ann Lierike on March 5, 1993.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Delores, two brothers, Carl Wayne Fitts, Gene Fitts, and his Ward Josh Manning, and his son Jimmy Cooper.

John is survived by: his brother Roy and his wife Vera of Farmington, Arkansas, daughter; Genevieve A. Quick, son; John E. W. Fitts, of Watts, Oklahoma, daughter; Mary M. Harper, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 930am at Union Star Cemetery located in West Fork.

No flowers please, make donations to: Northwest Arkansas Respect Life, located at 1200 West Walnut, Rogers Arkansas 72756.

07/15/2025

Donald D. Harris of Gravette, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at Ozark Community Hospital. He was born August 3rd, 1949 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Lloyd and June Harris (Hendon).

Don grew up in Northwest Arkansas, graduating from Gravette High School. He spent a lot of time as a truck driver, traveling around the country for work. In his latter days, he passed the time walking around the town of Gravette, drinking free coffee, and rooting for his favorite team, the Razorbacks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and June; one brother, James Michael Harris; and one nephew, Larry Harris.

Don is survived by one nephew, Robert Harris of Gravette; one niece, Brandy Harris of Jane, Missouri; one grand-niece, Lillian Kay Harris of Gravette; as well as many friends and acquaintances.

A Visitation will be held at the First Christian Church in Gravette on Friday, July 18th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a private Graveside service at Lee Cemetery in Sulphur Springs (off of Beatty Rd.), Pastor Donald Miller officiating.

06/18/2025

Eunice Madeline Woolard, 82, of Sulphur Springs passed away June 16 at her home. She was born November 7, 1942 in Mesa, Arizona to Leonard Misener and Frona Edmonston Misener.

She was a longtime resident of Northwest Arkansas, having moved from Miami, Oklahoma. She enjoyed flower arrangements, decorating (especially at the church where her husband pastored), going to church, and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Woolard; her parents; 3 sisters: Wanda, Leona, and Kim; 3 children: Eddie Woolard, Scott Woolard, and Ginger Simpson; and one grandson, Jordan Simpson.

Survivors include one son, Michael Woolard (Monnie) of Sulphur Springs; one daughter, Carla Woolard of Sulphur Springs; one sister, Krista Pendergraft (Darren) of Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Eunice’s life will be Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:00pm at Truth Apostolic Church in Gravette.

To send a condolence to the family, please fill out the online form provided at the bottom of this page. We will ensure the family receives your sympathies. To see all obituaries submitted to the local newspaper, use the following links. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

05/30/2025

Bernice Imogene Bates, 81, of Sulphur Springs passed away May 29th in her home surrounded by family. She was born April 12, 1944 in Searcy, Arkansas to Jesse Bratton and Pearl Miller Bratton.

Bernice had lived in Northwest Arkansas for 52 years after moving from Southwest City, Missouri with her husband, Donald, who preceded her in death. She was a homemaker who enjoyed doing puzzle books and talking on the phone.

Along with her husband, Bernice was preceded in death by her parents.

Bernice is survived by three sons: Ronald Leon Bates of Decatur, Freddie Dean Bates of Sulphur Spring, and David E. Bates of Sulphur Springs; two daughters: Donna Spence of Colcord,Oklahoma, and Rebecca Jo Herron of Sulphur Springs; three sisters: Ruby, Mae, and Geneva; one brother, Omar; 23 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Bernice will be Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 10:00am at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Gravette.

05/29/2025

Private Rodger Dean Andrews, 19, of Gravette, Arkansas was killed in action on the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was born on December 26, 1924 to Dean Joseph Andrews and Ella Philo Rodgers Andrews.

He registered for military service in 1943 and was a member of the U.S. Army, Company C, 37th Engineer Combat Battalion.

Private Andrews was assigned to serve as an engineer and, during the D-Day Invasion was tasked with clearing German defenses to allow troops to land on Omaha Beach and begin the liberation of Europe.

Private Andrews was among the more than 2,500 American servicemembers killed on that day and his name was inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

On June 5, 2024, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that they had identified Private Andrews’ remains and more than 80 years after his death, Private Andrews’ remains would be returning home to Gravette, where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents.

A graveside service for Private Andrews will be held at 2:00pm Monday, June 9th, 2025 at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas.

05/18/2025

Coins placed on military headstones are a traditional way for individuals to express respect and remembrance for fallen service members, with each coin denomination often carrying a specific meaning.

A penny indicates a visit to the grave, a nickel signifies training together at boot camp, a dime means serving together in some capacity, and a quarter suggests the visitor was present at the service member's death.

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03/12/2025

James Lee Watkins, age 78, of Gravette died Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Mercy Medical Center located in Rogers. He was born December 24, 1946 in Portland, Oregon the son of Hazel Sloan and Quinten Watkins.

He was a brick mason for many years and later worked at Wal-Mart.
He was preceded in death by; his parents, his sister Linda Scott, of Elm Springs, and his wife Cheryl.

James is survived by: his sister; Donna Williamson, of Elm Springs, his brother; Rex Watkins, of Lowell, his son; Brian Watkins, of Elm Springs, one granddaughter; Jordan, of Cabot, and great-grandchildren; Kaden, Aubree, and Alexee.

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02/26/2025

Alan Lee Keith, age 66, passed away at his home in Hiwasse, AR, February 25, 2025. Alan was born on July 15, 1958 to Hurshel and Billie (Douglas) Keith, the fourth of their five children. He was preceded in death by his mom, his dad, and his brother-in-law, Gary Hutcheson. He is survived by his son, Andy (Rachel) Keith of Kennesaw, Georgia, two grandsons, Owen and Henry; and four siblings, Larry (Regina) Keith of Hiwasse, Paula (Chuck) Hutcheson-Chism of Bentonville, Sally (Carl) Bennett of Little Flock, and Betsy (Mike) Meek of Bella Vista; nephews, Paul Keith of Gravette, Brett Meek of Bentonville, and Brandon Meek of Gravette; nieces, Sherry Stalls of Bentonville, Christy Hutcheson-Slocum of Bella Vista, Ashley McKenzie of Hiwasse, numerous cousins and good friends.

Alan was a life-long resident of Hiwasse, never having lived in any other location. He passed away in the home in which he lived most of his life. He helped his dad and mom on the farm from teenage years, taking over the turkey production in his adult life. In his younger years he was a rodeo aficionado, breeding bulls to be used in bull riding. He loved to cut wood and build fires. Big fires! He also loved to set off dynamite and we had some close calls on the 4th of July. He could repair any equipment and on a turkey farm, there is always something to repair. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, and whittling when he had time.

Dad finally got tired of loading us all in the back of the old pickup (gasp!) and taking us to the swimming hole, either at Buck Wiseman’s or White Bluff in Jane, MO, so he bulldozed out a lake for us (Larry’s Lake) on the west side of the farm. We spent many, many hours in the lake. It lasted until a Fayetteville resident showed up one day stating, “We heard you have a great swimming hole here.” According to Earnie Lawrence, that was an attractive nuisance and dad would be responsible for any accidents. Bulldozer took it out the next day. We all have fond memories of Lake Larry.

Alan owned and operated the Hiwasse Store for several years (now the Hiwasee Mercantile). The immediate family helped in that endeavor also.

Alan also took care of mom and dad in their senior years, along with the other four siblings. They all happened to be retired or between assignments when needed. Billie and Hurshel wanted for nothing, due to Alan living in and the other four coming in often. In this day and age, it is remarkable that they had all five children to help with their needs.

Visitation for Alan will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in Hiwasee, on Monday, March 3rd from 10-10:30am with service immediately following, with Hank Killgore officiating.

02/17/2025

Kendall Toller Sr. age 61 of Gravette, AR passed early morning Thursday February 6th of 2025. Kendall was born in Maysville, Kentucky April 11, 1964.

Kendall moved to Arkansas as a teenager and then moved to Illinois. He met Kim, the mother of his children at Roto-Rooter and they lived in Streamwood, IL and also Kirkland, IL before moving to Gravette, AR in 1997. Kendall established Reasonable Rooter Sewer and Drain and did calls with his son teaching him the business until Kendall retired early due to physical issues. Kendall was a very loving Dad to his children and called “ Papaw” by his Grandchildren who he loved spending time with. Kendall Sr, was a friend to many, he would give the shirt off his back to help others with whatever they needed. His passions included his 1955 Chevy pick up truck, trading items and taking care of his Grandson Kendall III since his birth in 2022.

Kendall Sr was preceded in death by his mother and step father Betty and Wade Jennings, his brother and sister Billy Toller and Iva Cropper, and his aunt and uncle Winford “Winky” Lanthorn and Evelyn Lanthorn.

He is survived by his brothers James Toller and Johnny Cropper, his sister Lisa Hill, the mother of his children Kimberly Burgner, his daughter Heather Black and her husband Danton Black, his son Kendall Toller Jr and his wife Kasandra Bowen, and his grandchildren Madison, Brianne, Jaxun, Morgan, Kinzlee, Mason and Kendall lll.

Kendall's celebration of life will include a potluck type gathering, and will be held Saturday March 8th from 3-6pm at the Gravette Civic Center.

To send a condolence to the family, please fill out the online form provided at the bottom of this page. We will ensure the family receives your sympathies. To see all obituaries submitted to the local newspaper, use the following links. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette