Epting Funeral Home of Gravette

12/18/2025

Johnny Lee Tucker, age 73, Of Gravette died Monday, December 15, 2025 at his residence. He was born December 11, 1952 in Maysville, Arkansas the son of Billie Lou Marsh and Roy Lee Tucker.

He served in the U.S. Air Force where he earned an Honorable Discharge. He was an auto mechanic, and was a multi-generational farmer and loved working his farm. He enjoyed fishing and spending quality time with his family.

Johnny was preceded in death by: his parents, his two brothers; Courtney Tucker, his three year old brother Ronald Tucker, and his wife Mary Tucker.

He is survived by: three sons; Andy Tucker and his wife Shannon, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Mike Tucker and his wife Kristi, of Fayetteville, Levi Tucker and his wife Jennifer, of Sherwood, Arkansas, two brothers; Donnie Tucker, of Maysville, Arkansas, Eric Tucker and his wife Shanna, of Maysville, Arkansas, 8 grandchildren, one great-son, and two more great-grandchildren that are twins coming soon.

A graveside service was at National Cemetery located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Full military honors were provided by Northwest Arkansas Honor Guard of Rogers.

A celebration of Johnny’s life will be, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10am at the Maysville Community Center located in Maysville, Arkansas.

Memorials may be sent to: the Maysville Community Center.

12/18/2025

It is with great sorrow that the Tyson family announces the passing of Chance Lee Tyson of Decatur, Arkansas. He was born on March 14, 1992 and passing much too soon at the age of 33 on December 16, 2025 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his father Bradley R. Tyson , one brother Bradley R. Tyson Jr., his two uncles; Chris Tyson and Scotty Tyson, his grandfather; Leroy Tyson, and his maternal grandmother; Barbara Dowdle.

He is survived by: his loving soulmate; Shanna Nichole Tyson, three sons; Treyden R. Tyson, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, Tony I. Tyson; of Decatur, Arkansas, Landyn C. Tyson, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, his mother Jannie L. Mann, of Decatur, two brother; Bryson R. Tyson, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, Jessie R. Tyson, of Decatur, Arkansas, four sisters; Misty Miller, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Candice M. Tyson, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, Mary Tyson, of Decatur, Arkansas, Kalyn Tyson, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, and 14 nieces and nephews.
Chance will be remembered fondly for his fun loving spirit and bold sarcasm. He was a loving and devoted soulmate, father, son, uncle, and brother. He had a free spirit a gift for playing pranks on friends and family and a deep compassion for all those he considered family. He came from a family of 12 and enjoyed spending time reaching out to each of them to let them know they were important to him. Chance struggled with addiction for 10 years and was baptized while going through the CAAIR Program https://caair.org/ in Jay, Oklahoma. He strongly believed that if he could turn his life around, anyone could. “We will carry you with us in our hearts forever and always.”

Viewing will be at DeArman’s Funeral Home in Sulphur, Oklahoma on Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 2-4pm.

A Celebration of Chance’s life will be Monday, December 22, 2025 in Mill Creek Pentecostal Church located in Mill Creek, Oklahoma.

11/26/2025

11/12/2025

Betty Jo Bradley, 79, of Gravette died Saturday, November 8, 2025 at her residence. She was born on August 9, 1946 in Garnett, Kansas the daughter of Mary and Raymond VanHorn.

Betty enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, smoking ci******es, casino trips, and a good gossip session with her granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 siblings, Bob VanHorn and Billie Barker.

Betty is survived by two sons, Scott Bradley and his wife Melissa of Gravette, Jack Thomas of Southwest City; one daughter, Alpha Davis and her husband Sam of Fayetteville; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Nancy Payne and Eydie Hamman; 1 brother, Jim VanHorn and many other family and friends.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held Saturday, November 15th at Ozarks Community Hospital event center in Gravette at 10AM.

09/25/2025

Ruth Marie Taylor 65 of Gravette, Arkansas went home to be with the Lord on September 18, 2025. She passed away in her home. She was born December 17, 1959 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to James Eugene Taylor Sr. and Mary Maud Taylor.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James E. Taylor Jr., and her sister Lou Ann Taylor.

She is survived by her husband/partner, Duane Grubb of Gravette, Arkansas, her cow cat named Bugaboo, her son Drew Black of Gravette, Arkansas, her sisters Mary Ann Sutherland of Gravette Arkansas, Tammy Lynch Rogers of Tontitown, Arkansas, and Pammy Washington of Lake City, South Carolina.

Ruth loved gospel music and she so enjoyed playing those songs on the piano. A memorial gathering will be held at a later time to celebrate her life.

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

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.