Obituaries 10/12/2023
Alvon Gene Hill
COFFEEVILLE – Alvon Gene Hill, 82, of Coffeeville, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at his residence.
Gene was born August 11, 1941 in Calhoun County to Luster Alvin and Ruby Pearl Hill. He worked briefly as a lumber grader at Weyerhaeuser in Bruce before owning and operating his own sawmill as well as a logging crew. Gene always grew a big garden each year and found great pleasure in sharing the vegetables that he grew with friends and family. A gifted story-teller, Gene could always keep the attention of a crowd with his tales from years past. He was a member of Concord Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 7 at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Rev. Craig Baker and Rev. Billy Hill officiating. Interment followed in New Hope Cemetery near Coffeeville. Pallbearers were Richard Bennett, Lee Doubleday, Rayford Hill, Skylar Laird, Jay Jay Quarles and Hunter Weeks. Honorary pallbearers were Archie Bailey, Wayne Coleman, Tom Emel, Homer Melton, Douglas Shields and Raymond Stewart.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Bobbie Hill; three daughters, Betty Jean (Richard) Bennett of Coffeeville, Chastidy (Lee) Doubleday of Tillatoba and Bonnie Covington of Coffeeville; one son, Rayford Hill of Coffeeville; six sisters, Lucille Potts of Paris, Louise (Freddie) Buchanan of Bruce, Pat (Robert) Melton of Bruce, Margaret (Kent) Dye of Calhoun City, Kaye Hill of Bruce and Diane (Gary) Glover of Perkins, Mo.; two brothers, Earl (Emogene) Hill of Rossville, Tenn. and Roy Hill of Hamilton; a sister in-law, Marie Hill of Coffeeville; nine grandchildren, Carlie (Jason) Greer, Hunter Weeks, Kimberly Doubleday, James Quarles, Skylar Laird, Hunter Bennett, Dakota Bennett, Colton Bennett and Chelsie Bennett; and four great-grandchildren, Willow Grace, Peyton Jade, Haisley Nicole and Magnolia Gean.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Frances Marie Barefield and Meril Green; and a brother, John Thomas Hill.
James Mart Smith
COFFEEVILLE – James “Jim” Mart Smith, age 63, of Coffeeville departed this life Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at his home in Coffeeville. He was born July 24, 1960, in Bad Kreuznatch, Germany to Don and Dorothy Smith and grew up in southeast Arkansas.
After graduating from White Hall High School, James, went on to become a master electrician. When you think of Jim, you think many words: loving, hardworking, outdoorsman, stubborn, feisty, but always there for anyone who needed help. He was always a good friend to those around him and had a heart of gold.
James is survived by the love of his life, his wife Barb Smith; his children, Joey Smith, Kaitlin Smith, and Brandi Smith; his step daughter, Kimberly Baker Harrison; four beautiful grandchildren, a grandson, Colin Baker; granddaughters, Kristen Baker, Victoria Riley, and Imogen Cantu.
The family will hold a private memorial service in Arkansas at a later date. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge or arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Keumbu Rehema Children’s Home (keumburehemachildrenshome.org).