Obituaries from Saline County Arkansas October 9th

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Christopher Michael New

Christopher Michael New, born October 12, 1973, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away October 5, 2026, following a brief illness.

Christopher was the son of Kennie Sue Bailey Birch and Ricky Fay New.

Chris had an easy way with people. He made friends quickly, could strike up a conversation just about anywhere, and had a gift for making people feel comfortable, welcome, and at home. He loved gathering around good food with good people, and he was an animated storyteller who could make even an ordinary story considerably more colorful.

Family mattered to Chris. He often relied on advice from his father and stepfather to tackle DIY projects around the house or troubleshoot car problems. The bond he shared with his mother, Kennie, held a particularly special place in his life, and their relationship grew stronger than ever, especially during his illness.

He was a voracious reader with wide-ranging curiosity, equally at home with a book about Middle Eastern geopolitics or a rock-and-roll biography. He became an avid Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed kayaking, being outdoors, and the adventures he always wished he had made a little more time for.

Chris was also an excellent dog dad, a committed, supportive, and loving partner, and the kind of friend people knew they could count on. He was a good time, a good sport and, most importantly, a truly good friend. The lives he touched will forever be a little brighter — and a little funnier — because he was part of them.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Calvin Phillip Birch; his brothers, Michael Birch and Phillip Birch; his maternal grandparents, Joe Marks and Kenneth Bailey; his maternal great-grandmother, Mama Rose Davis; and his paternal grandparents, Fay New, Mildred New, and Opal New.

Christopher is survived by his mother, Kennie Birch; his father, Ricky (Rita) New; his sister, Vikki (Devon) Hudgens; his brother, Jeremy (Amanda) New; nephew, Joseph Birch; his aunt and uncle, Barbara and Fay Breeding; his life partner, Tricia Larson; close family friend Bill (Roxanna) Atherton; and a host of extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 10 at Saline Independent Methodist Church in Benton.

Christopher will be deeply missed by the many people fortunate enough to have known, loved, laughed, and shared a story with him. 

 

Linda Dianne Kelley Gerrald

Linda Dianne Kelley Gerrald was born on July 21, 1950 in Galena Park, Texas and passed from this life on October 6, 2026 at the age of 76.

She grew up, attended school and church all within a few miles of where she was born. Linda married her husband, Warren Gerrald on March 20, 1970 just before she turned 20 years old. She and Warren lived in Houston until Warren graduated college whereupon they moved to Lamar, Colorado where their first child Audra was born. They moved from there to Durango, Colorado and lived there for about a year and a half. When Warren decided that he was not able to support his family there they moved to the Benton, Arkansas area in January of 1974 and have lived in the area ever since. There were 4 other children born to them (Benjamin, Jennifer, Katrina, and Melissa). Linda was not a stranger to grief having lost Jennifer at the young age of 5, but she overcame the loss and continued to be the type of woman described in Proverbs 31.

Linda is survived by her husband, 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Her life was blessed in too many ways to count. She loved painting and produced some excellent work, then when she was offered an opportunity to purchase a huge quilting machine she immediately started producing some excellent quilts many of which she gave away or donated to the local fire department. She did all of this while making sure her family was fed and clothed; gardening and canning vegetables made the job easier. Her loving care for others made her loved and admired by everyone who knew her!

Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10 at Ashby Funeral Home with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Bro. Charles Baxter will be officiating.

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Doris Faylene Kennemer Moore

Doris Faylene Kennemer Moore, 94, of Benton, went home to be with the Lord on October 6, 2026. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Dave and Mabel Kennemer. She was a faithful member of Sharon Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, David Riley (June) Kennemer Jr., Juanita Dyke, Patsy Ruth Kennemer Nalley, J. D. Kennemer, and Wayman Kennemer; husband Charles Allen Moore; and a son, Baby Boy Moore.

She is survived by her sons, Jackie Moore (Debbie), Michael Moore (Rhonda); five grandchildren, Chad Moore (Amanda), Tony Moore (Danielle), Derek Moore (Jessica), Tina Moore, Brittany Collins (Tyler). Seven great grandchildren, Kimmie Neff (Jordan), Kailey Yarn (Jordan), Allen Moore, Cheyenne Chambers (Tyler), Isaac Cain Moore, Roman Moore, Judah Collins; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and faithful friend Paula Thompson.

Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 11, 2026 at Ashby Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 12, 2026 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at New Rosemont Cemetery. Bro. Michael Reese will be officiating.

Family comments: All who knew her well will know these sayings:

“I’m gonna whoop you!”

“You know what I mean, Vern?”

“I heard that, I did!”

“Well whoopie!”

“OHHHHHHH!”

She will be greatly missed.

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