Obituaries from Saline County Arkansas October 28th
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Carolyn Kruse
Carolyn Kruse, of Alexander, ascended into heaven on October 25, 2026. She was born in Faulkner County, Arkansas on September 6, 1945 and lived in Damascus, Arkansas as a young child. Living a full life of 81 years. She was born to Clomer Doyle Ward Sr. and Gladys May Ward.
She lived in Harmony Grove where she attended school and then lived in Bryant after marriage and the remaining years of her life. She graduated from Harmony Grove High School on May 23, 1963. She worked at the First Missionary Baptist Church as a kindergarten teacher for several years. She also worked as a travel agent and Owned Point to Point Travel Service in Bryant. She spent many years as a homemaker where she spent much of her time loving her grand and great grandchildren.
She attended First Baptist Church in Bryant for over 60 years. She sang in the choir and was very active in the church. She attended Sunday School and raised her children to love the Lord. She was a true example of a Christian mother. She also loved spending summers on the lake with her family and enjoyed sitting in the swing and watching the kids fishing, swimming, and just enjoying everything that the lake had to offer her and her family. Some of the fondest memories were spent at the lake with family.
She was married to her loving husband, Fred Bernard Kruse, for 61 years. They had 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. She enjoyed rocking babies, singing lullabies and reading storybooks. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Carolyn enjoyed spending time with friends and family and absolutely loved watching the Carol Burnett Show.
She was preceded in death by her parents Clomer Doyle Ward Sr. and Gladys May Ward, her sister Mary Jane Ward, her husband Fred Kruse Jr and her brother, Tommy Ward (Margaret Ward).
She is survived by her brother Clomer Ward (Betty Ward), brother Bobby Ward (Marjorie Ward), Daughters Tina Copeland, (William), Tamara Sullivan (Jarrod), and her brother- in-law, John Kruse. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Patrick Copeland, Karissa Howard (Michael Baker), Devin Howard (Maci) and her great grandchildren Kylee Copeland, Karson Howard, Lorali Howard, Kruse Baker and Heidi Howard.
There will be a visitation at First Baptist Church in Bryant on HWY 5 North on Thursday, October 29 at 10:00 AM and the funeral will be held directly after at 11:00 AM. There will be a graveside service at Pinecrest Cemetery directly after.
Clyde Lee Lovell
Clyde Lee Lovell, Jr., 83, passed away on October 23, 2026. He was born on April 24, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Clyde L. Lovell, Sr., and Beulah Farrell Curtis Lovell. A good ol’ country boy at heart, Clyde was a hardworking man with a strong spirit, a straightforward way about him, and a heart big enough to make room for everyone.
Clyde grew up on his grandpa’s farm, where he learned the value of hard work and developed a toughness that stayed with him throughout his life. He carried that same work ethic into his career, running a commercial contract flooring business “Lovell & Son” alongside his son, Clyde Lee Lovell III. He took pride in his work and believed in doing things right. He was a no-nonsense kind of man who said what he meant and got straight to the point, but beneath that tough exterior was a man who cared deeply about the people around him.
Clyde never met a stranger. He had a way of making people feel welcome, included, and like they belonged. To him, nobody was to be left out or left behind. Whether you had known him for years or had just met him, he made room for you. That was simply who he was, and it was one of the many things that made him special.
Above all else, Clyde was a family man. He loved his family with everything in him, and he made sure they never had to wonder how much they meant to him. His love for his wives, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family was a constant throughout his life. Family was not just important to Clyde; it was at the center of everything he did.
When he wasn’t working, Clyde was happiest outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and skiing, and if there was an opportunity to head to the lake, he was ready to go. The lake was his home away from home, a place where he could enjoy the things he loved most and make memories with the people who mattered to him. He also never lost his connection to his farming roots. He loved his cows, even when they didn’t seem to love him back, and he had a special place in his heart for his tractor. He was a tough man who knew how to work hard, but he also knew how to enjoy life.
Later in life, Clyde and Ann Warren Caldwell enjoyed traveling together and seeing the country. Their adventures took them to places like Mount Rushmore, the Smoky Mountains, and the Arctic Circle. They even made three trips to Alaska. These travels allowed them to experience new places, share adventures, and build memories that would last a lifetime.
Clyde’s faith was another important part of his life. He was a longtime member of Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church and loved the Lord. Throughout the years, he taught Sunday school and served as a youth director at several churches. He took young people on numerous trips, helping them grow closer to the Lord while creating memories they could carry with them for years to come. His investment in those young lives was another reflection of his heart for people and his desire to make a difference.
Clyde lived life on his own terms. He worked hard, spoke plainly, loved deeply, and never forgot where he came from. He leaves behind more than a lifetime of memories; he leaves the example of a man who stood by his family, welcomed others as his own, and made sure the people around him knew they mattered. He will be remembered for his strength, his faith, his love of the outdoors, and the unmistakable way he made people feel like they belonged. He was a good man, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
Clyde leaves his memory to be cherished by his wife of 23 years, Ann Warren Caldwell; his children, Clyde Lee Lovell III (Helen) and Stephanie DeSio (Matt); his grandchildren, Hannah and Caleb Lovell; his great-grandchildren, Waylin, Emma, and Jaxson Lovell; his twin sister, Carol Shaw; his sister and Trish Knoedl (Mike); his bonus children, Wayne Caldwell (Melinda) and Tanya Hayes (Buck); 10 bonus grandchildren; 21 bonus great-grandchildren; and a host of close family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Louise Croy Lovell, and his parents, Clyde Lovell, Sr., and Beulah Farrell Curtis Lovell.
Clyde’s life will be honored on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, Arkansas. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Ida Mission Cemetery, 19020 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society and the Pulaski Co. Humane Society.
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Deanie Johnson
Deanie Johnson, aged 68, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on October 25, 2026.
Deanie was a beloved mother and Nana who cherished her family and her fur babies. She was as stubborn as they came, always doing things her own way, but she was also just as sweet. Deanie loved her family dearly, and that love extended to her fur babies, who held a special place in her heart.
Deanie raised countless children and loved them all like her own. She created countless memories with her loved ones, including her sisters and brother, who held a special place in her heart. Her family was an important part of her life, and she treasured the time they shared together.
Deanie enjoyed keeping her home clean and could hardly rest in a dirty house. Cleaning was one of her favorite hobbies, and she spent countless hours tending to her home. She also loved spending time with her beloved fur babies, Rocky and Baxter. However, her favorite pastime was spoiling her grandchildren, who brought her great joy.
Deanie leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory, her strong spirit, her sweet nature, and the many memories they shared.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, DeeAnn Surrett (Tommy) and Gerald Davidson Jr. (Amy); her grandchildren, Diana Vargas (Alex), Hector Vargas, Graci Surrett, Vivian Surrett, and Esperanza Weatherford (Jesse); her siblings, Buddy Pifer (Renee) and Ann Rice (Gail); and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Jerry Pifer, and her siblings, Lynn Howard and Sandi Lilly.
Deanie’s love for her family and the memories she leaves behind will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Woodson Cemetery.
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