If you would like to have a full obituary published with pictures, click here to get started: www.mysaline.com/submit-obits
Linda Brashears Brown
Linda Brashears Brown, 77, of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away September 13, 2026. She was born February 26, 1949, in Monroe, Louisiana, to the late Adrian and Geraldine (Jones) Brashears.
Linda was a hardworking woman who believed in taking care of the people she loved. In fact, she retired not just once, but twice—first from Avaya and later from SSA Marine. As a single mother, Linda worked tirelessly to provide for her family, showing through her life the strength, determination, and devotion that those closest to her knew so well.
Above everything else, Linda loved her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. There was very little she wouldn’t do for those she loved. Rarely did a night pass without Linda calling to check in, making sure everyone was okay and that all was right in their world. That was simply Linda—always thinking about the people she loved.
She was especially proud of her grandchildren and made every effort to attend their events and activities. Having Grandma there cheering them on was something they could count on.
Linda also had an incredibly giving and generous heart. She enjoyed participating in charitable events and supporting causes that mattered to her, including cancer walks, autism awareness events, and many others. If there was an opportunity to help or encourage someone, Linda wanted to be part of it.
Linda and her husband, Robert, were avid Arkansas Razorback fans and proud season ticket holders. Their support didn’t stop with the regular season—they traveled to cheer on the Hogs at their bowl games as well. Linda also had a place in her heart for the New Orleans Saints.
Some of Linda’s favorite memories were made while traveling. She especially looked forward to the many “girl trips” and cruises she shared with her daughter and other family members. Whether she was traveling somewhere special, cheering on her favorite team, settling in to watch a Netflix show, or simply spending time with the people she loved most, Linda knew how to enjoy the moments that made life special. She also loved hummingbirds and cardinals, whose beauty always seemed to capture her attention.
Linda’s life was centered around love—love for her family, generosity toward others, and a genuine desire to make sure the people around her knew they mattered. Her frequent phone calls, faithful presence, generous spirit, and unwavering support will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those blessed to know and love her.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Geraldine (Jones) Brashears; siblings, Evelyn Stoner and Larry Brashears; and father-in-law, W.G. “Buddy” Brown, Jr.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband of 27 years, Robert Brown; daughter, Stacy Brashears Shanto; sons, Robert W. Brown and wife Jennifer and William Ray Brown and wife Katie; grandchildren, Ryan Brashears, Izabella Torrance, and Terry Hicks; brothers, Robert Brashears and wife Patsy and Charles Brashears and wife Barbara; brothers-in-law, Stoney Stoner and William G. Brown, III; sisters-in-law, Pam Crosswhite and husband David and Teresa Ellithorpe; mothers-in-law, Carol Ann Brown and Saundra Morton; best friend since high school, Sally Russell; and many beloved nieces, nephews, family members, and friends who love Linda and will miss her always.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
Family will hold a memorial service at a later date.
Colonel John Renvil Bailey
Colonel John Renvil Bailey (retired, Arkansas State Police), 79, of Bryant died Monday, September 14, 2026 following a sudden cancer diagnosis in July this year. He was a dutiful public servant having committed 27 years of his life ensuring the public safety of Arkansans.
John was born in Little Rock on August 27, 1947 to George and Evelyn Bailey and graduated from Mabelvale High School in Pulaski County. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, graduating with a degree in marketing.
In 1971 John answered a calling from law enforcement and joined the ranks of the Arkansas State Police, where he remained until 1983.
During his initial years of service with the state police, Trooper Bailey accepted assignments in the governor’s protection detail, highway patrol division, criminal investigation division and internal affairs section. His success and demonstrated leadership caught the eyes of officials within the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, Division of Highway Police. In 1983 John became the assistant chief of the department’s law enforcement division, and in 1986 was named chief of the AHTD Highway Police.
In 1994, former state police Colonel Tommy Goodwin announced his plans to retire, and Governor Jim Guy Tucker wasted little time considering who would lead the ranks of troopers and civilian staff. During a state law enforcement summit at the state capitol, John was called to the governor’s office and was asked to consider taking command of the state’s largest law enforcement agency and on June 1, 1994, he was appointed director of the state police, rising to the rank of colonel.
During his four year tenure as state police director, John worked under the gubernatorial administrations of both Governor Tucker and Governor Mike Huckabee.
Immediately upon his appointment, Colonel Bailey raised the bar for what would be expected of state troopers under his command. He would require new and higher levels of leadership and accountability among the ranks. His legacy as state police colonel can only be best described as a comprehensive modernization of the entire department.
Evidence of what the new colonel began 32 years ago remains in place today. Among his first projects was the planning and design of a new 177,000 square foot administrative headquarters located in southwest Little Rock along Interstate 30. He also laid the groundwork for a first generation of computerization inside the state police which would eventually lead to a network linking every state police office site and all patrol cars. In short-order after taking command, John launched the state’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) which entailed merging at that time more than a half-million Arkansas fingerprint cards maintained by the state police into a digital database and interconnected the system with an interstate network of federal and state law enforcement agencies. One of his proudest moments was leading nearly 100 newly hired state troopers onto the floor of the Arkansas General Assembly. The number of Arkansas State Troopers had dwindled to new lows during the 1980’s. Already a supporter of Community Oriented Policing concepts, Colonel Bailey turned to the federally funded COPS program and reinvigorated the state police force to set a new record high in the number of troopers spread across each Arkansas county.
John is also credited with implementing a new regimen of training for both new troopers and recurring training for incumbents. Additionally, he implemented a department K9 section assigned to the highway patrol division and introduced helicopter operations and trained specialty pilots within the state police aviation section. In 1994 he formed the Arkansas State Police Honor Guard, a special unit of select troopers who lead the department’s ceremonial assignments and serve as representatives of the department to bestow special honors at funeral services for troopers killed in the line of duty as well as retired troopers.
Despite his constant strides to update operations within the state police, John never lost his personal devotion to Jesus Christ as his savior. He established a chaplaincy program in each of the twelve ASP troops realizing not every trooper had a faith family that could be called upon during difficult assignments or personal challenges.
Almost as quickly as it began, John made the difficult decision to end his appointment as state police director and in December of 1998 submitted his state retirement documents. Following a brief period of relaxation, he entered private enterprise, working a ten year stint as chief of security for Affiliated Foods.
John was blessed with a family that supported him constantly, both at work and at home. His wife of nearly 50 years, Sharon (Paxon) Bailey and their children, Matt, Anna and Sarah folded their lives around John and their extended ASP family.
Outside of the Arkansas State Police, John was the founder of 10-33, a faith based law enforcement and leadership development organization. He was the former Executive Director of the Union Rescue Mission in Little Rock. John was a graduate the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Course and the FBI’s National Executive Institute. He was an author, and in response to innumerable requests to officiate weddings and funerals, John acquired his ministerial license and continued to fill the roles of deacon and interim pastor. A man of many hobbies, he was also an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, baseball player and guitarist.
John is predeceased by his parents, George and Evelyn Bailey and his wife, Sharon.
Survivors include, his sister Judy Bailey Hutcheson and husband, Butch of Benton, son, Matthew Renvil Bailey and wife Brooke N. Brown of Washington, D.C., two daughters, Anna Marie Bowman and husband Brad of Mabelvale, and Sarah Beth Voth and husband Jared of Benton and eleven grandchildren, Christina, Corley, Paxon, Cash, Evie, Charis, Lucie, Cedar, Josiah, Elliot, and Everly.
Visitation with John’s family is scheduled for 5 PM – 7 PM, Thursday, September 17th at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1 PM, Saturday, September 19th at Life Church in Otter Creek, 9415 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock. A burial service will follow at 2:30 PM at Smith-Rosemont Cemetery in Benton.
Memorial gifts in honor of John Bailey may be directed to any of the following: Arkansas State Police Foundation, Fostering the Arts, or Foundation for Biomedical Research.
READ MORE OBITUARIES BELOW
Donald Clifton Bryant
Donald Clifton Bryant, 81, of Benton, Arkansas, entered into eternity on September 14, 2026. He was born on February 6, 1945, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Dewey and Mildred Bryant. One of six children, Don was a man who loved deeply, lived loudly, and never met a stranger.
Don worked as a boiler operator at Alcoa, where he met many lifelong friends who formed a group known as “The Fishing Buddies”. He also proudly served his country in the United States Air Force but never sought recognition for his military service. Quietly doing his part without expecting praise was simply who Don was.
Don was rarely still. He was always busy with something, whether tending his garden, hunting, fishing, or enjoying a good football game. He never claimed a favorite team because, to Don, he simply loved football. He loved his coffee and could be counted on to drink it all day, every day. He had an amazing laugh, a stubborn streak, and a personality that was impossible to overlook. He was loud and proud, full of life, and to know Don was to love him.
Above all, Don loved Jesus. He loved his church and often said that Jesus was his best friend. His faith was the foundation of his life, and his love for the Lord was evident in the way he lived and loved others.
Don loved his family more than anything in this world except the Lord. Yet of all the roles he carried in life, none meant more to him than being a Papa. His grandchildren were the center of his world, and he treasured every one of them. Being their Papa was, without question, his greatest accomplishment and one of the greatest joys of his life.
His memory is left to be cherished by his daughter, Velesta (Shannon) Parson; brothers, Leon, Wayne, and Stanley (Karen) Bryant; grandchildren, Bekka (Trey) Combs, Bryana (Dylan) Herron, Garrett (Jessica) Bryant, Hayleigh Kelley, Jayme (Blake) Yenner, and Grady Parson; numerous great-grandchildren; his fiancée, Janis Rafferty; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and church family who loved him dearly.
Welcoming him home with open arms were his beloved wife of 52 years, Vivian Bryant; his daughter, Adriel Taylor; his son, Dennis Bryant; his grandson, Grant Taylor; and his sisters, Donna Jean Smith and Betty Ann Teer. Don and Vivian were married on March 18, 1967, and shared a beautiful marriage as they raised their three children together. After a lifetime of love, Don is now reunited with those he held dear.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who prayed for Papa. Your prayers meant the world to him, and he felt every one of them. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saline Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 554, Benton, AR 72018.
Services celebrating Don’s life will be held Friday, September 18, 2026, at Saline Missionary Baptist Church, with Brother Kim Hammer officiating. Visitation starts at 9:30 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in Tull, Arkansas.
Pallbearer honors have been entrusted to Garrett Bryant, Grady Parson, Blake Yenner, Dylan Herron, Keith Hammer, and Holly McCormick. Leon, Wayne, and Stanley Bryant will serve as honorary pallbearers.
If you would like to have a full obituary published with pictures, click here to get started: www.mysaline.com/submit-obits
