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Coy Ovid Davis
Coy Ovid Davis was born on February 5, 1933, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the fourth child born to Will and Cora Davis. He attended school at East End Elementary School, and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1951.
After graduation, he joined the United States Army in 1953 and received an honorable discharge after two years of service. He married Sarah Lou Facen, of Little Rock, Arkansas. To this union two sons were born (Victor and Karlos Davis). This marriage was terminated by divorce.
Coy attended night school at Arkansas Baptist College, where he majored in Social Science. He received a BA Degree in 1958.
Coy met the love of his life in the spring of 1962, Eleanor Carr, of Tyler, Texas. They were joined together in holy matrimony on August 26, 1962, and made their home in Little Rock. To this union four children were born (Ricardo, Ronaldo, Regina, and Reginald).
Coy and Eleanor joined St. Mark Baptist Church, 33rd & Gaines Street in 1971. Rev. Duggar Johnson appointed Coy coordinator of the Music Department. He served in that position for three years. During that time, Coy and Elanor organized the Little People’s Choir. The choir sang on the 3rd Sunday monthly and was invited to sing at numerous other churches in the Little Rock area. During the Christmas season, the choir would visit the Sick N’ Shut In singing Christmas carols and giving fruit baskets.
Coy also organized the Girls Softball team. They participated in the Little Rock Softball League. The team players received many trophies for outstanding performances during the season.
Coy and Eleanor continued working with the young people. They organized the Youth Outreach Ministry at St. Mark, where age-related Bible classes were taught including special activities.
Serving as Chairperson of the Trustee Board at St. Mark Baptist Church for 12 years, several projects were completed. Some of the projects were: burning of the church mortgage, purchasing land for additional parking area, upgrading the sound system, major interior repairs were made, and the parking lot was resurfaced.
Coy was employed by the U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital at Little Rock, Arkansas as a nurse technician in the Intensive Care Unit. In addition to carrying out his job at the V.A., Coy served as Equal Opportunity (EEO) Counselor, representative of the Hospital Employees. He received numerous awards: Special Contribution Award, Outstanding Rating Certificate, Performance Award, and Achievement Award for Special Act or Service Award. After 36 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1990, (prior to reaching retirement age), to assist in the health care of his ailing mother.
Coy earned the 32nd Degree Mason with the Trinity Lodge #33 in 1980.
Preceding Coy in death are his loving wife, Eleanor Faye Davis; parents, Will and Cora Davis; and sons, Victor and Karlos Davis.
Coy leaves behind cherished family including his children: Richardo C. Davis and wife Sheila, Ronaldo A. Davis and wife Delois, Regina F. Davis Howse and husband Curtis, and Reginald N. Davis and wife Jessica; grandchildren: Thomas McIntosh, Jonathan Southall and wife Shaniqua, Jordan Davis, Cydney Davis, Caris Davis, Rebekah Davis, Micaiah Davis and wife Christine, and Hadassah Davis; great-grandchildren: Jayden Southall, Kyrie Southall, and Neziah Davis; as well as a host of other family members and friends who will all miss him dearly.
Special recognition to his excellent and dedicated caregiving team led by Delois Davis and her staff, Sharon Wash for 10 years of service, and VA Home Based Primary Care, including Dr. Jennifer Shook, Nurse Matt Bishop, Social Worker, Betty Witherspoon, and many others.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, June 12, at Haven of Rest Cemetery, 7102 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Coy was a man of great stability, a mentor, role model, and was always willing to help those in need. His memory will remain in our hearts always.
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Herman Dewayne Harley
Herman Dewayne Harley, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on June 6, 2026. Dr Harley was a distinguished licensed certified social worker and esteemed leader in the field of mental health. Born on January 9, 1942, in Malvern, Arkansas, Herman devoted his life to advancing mental health services and advocating for individuals facing mental health challenges. His professional journey and community involvement leave a lasting legacy that has deeply impacted his community.
Herman’s educational accomplishments laid a strong foundation for his career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Henderson State University in 1962, followed by a Master of Science of Clinical Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 1966. Furthering his expertise, he attained a Ph.D. in Professional Counseling from Capella University in 2001.
Throughout his professional career, Herman held prominent roles at every tier of the public mental health system, distinguishing himself as the first non-M.D. Director of the Arkansas Mental Health Division. His unique ability to combine administrative leadership with clinical practice allowed him to effectively address complex mental health needs. His specialties included marital and relationship problems, depression and anxiety, trauma, and family systems. Herman’s professional tenure included key leadership positions such as CEO of Birch Tree Communities; co-founder of Harley and Harley Counseling, LLC; Director of the Community Support Program with Community Counseling Services in Hot Springs; Director of Mental Health Services for the Arkansas Division of Mental Health Services in Little Rock; Founder and Executive Director of the Counseling Clinic in Benton; Director of the Social Work Department at Benton State Hospital; and Child Welfare Supervisor with the Arkansas Department of Public Welfare.
Herman’s contributions were extensively recognized by a variety of esteemed organizations. His accolades included the Presidential Award (1985), Community Service Awards (1987 and 1994), Practitioner of the Year Award (2002) from the Arkansas Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Professional Awards from the Autism Society of Arkansas (1986) and the Arkansas Alliance for the Mentally Ill (1987), the Presidents Award from the Mental Health Council (2009), and the John C. Stockburger Award (2012). Beyond individual recognition, Herman’s accomplishments involved active leadership in community organizations, including serving as Board Chairman of the Mental Health Council of Arkansas, President of Water Users LLC and the Southwest Water Users Association, President of the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Alcohol Treatment Consortium, President of the Arkansas Council of Mental Health Centers, and as a notable Kiwanian President. His early leadership was evident through honors such as the Order of DeMolay in 1956 and attaining the rank of Eagle Scout that same year with Troop 20 in Malvern, Arkansas.
Herman ardently believed in the principle, “work together to achieve the best,” was not only seen in his professional life but in the life of his family. Herman found enjoyment in a variety of activities with his family and friends that enriched his life, including bowling, golfing, water skiing, horsemanship, and woodworking.
Herman is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Kay (Springer) Harley of Benton, Arkansas; daughters Sherrie Dianne Harley Loyd and Vickie Christine Durham, and her husband Michael, all residing in Benton; grandchildren Glen Loyd and his wife Brittany, Amanda Andres and her husband Jon, Cole Durham and his wife Emily, and Hailey Luckett and her husband Jacob; as well as great-grandchildren Abbi Andres, Drake Andres, Harper Loyd, Brantley Renfroe, Ashlyn Loyd, Blakely Durham, Willa Durham, Sloane Durham, Luke Luckett, and Everett Luckett. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Sherry Lee Springer Bartholow, nephew Bradley Bartholow and his wife Nicole, and a host of family and friends who cherished and will profoundly miss him.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Wanda (Fitzhugh) Harley, and siblings Louise Cox, Catherine Russell, and Buddy Harley.
A visitation will be held on June 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service beginning at 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at 200 S Market St, Benton, Arkansas 72015. These services will provide an opportunity for family, friends, colleagues, and community members to honor Herman’s exemplary life and enduring contributions. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to CJCOHN at PO Box 1146, Benton, AR 72018, or to Habitat for Humanity https://habitatsalinecounty.com.
Herman Dewayne Harley’s unwavering dedication to improving mental health care, his pioneering leadership, and compassionate advocacy have left an indelible mark on his community. His legacy will continue to inspire those who work toward the betterment of mental health services and the well-being of individuals and families for generations to come.
Tonya Leann Nelson
Tonya Leann Nelson, 58, passed away on June 8, 2026. She was born on May 10, 1968, in Benton, Arkansas, and spent her life devoted to the people she loved most.
Tonya worked as a bookkeeper for 32 years, putting her associate degree in accounting and strong work ethic to good use throughout her career. She was dependable, hardworking, and took pride in doing things right.
More than anything, Tonya loved spending time with her family and friends. Her greatest joy in life was her granddaughters, who held a very special place in her heart and were her entire world. Whether she was attending family gatherings, sharing time with friends, or making memories with those she loved, Tonya treasured every moment spent together.
She also loved dirt-track racing, spending time outdoors, tending to her flowers and garden, and finding simple pleasures in everyday life.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Shawna Edenfield; grandchildren, Tristan Barker, Kylar Abbott, and Harley Wright; brothers, Rickey Caple and Ronnie Caple; best friends, Gina Smith and Barbara Marshall; and her special friend, Bert Stribling.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Letha Caple.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 10:00 until 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m., at Smith Family Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street in Benton.
To honor Tonya’s life, the family kindly requests that charitable donations be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society. Your gift will honor her life while supporting the fight against cancer.
Tonya will be remembered for her kind heart, her love for her family, and the lasting friendships she built throughout her life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
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