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Virginia Diana Rankin, 59, of Benton, died Tuesday February 10, 2026 in Little Rock. She was born March 17, 1966 in Benton, Arkansas.
She graduated from Paron High School. She attended Southern Arkansas University Tech in El Dorado and then obtained her BA in physical education from University of Central Arkansas. She worked at BirchTree Communities in Benton for almost 30 years.
She loved cats, country life, gardening, the outdoors, cooking and helping others.
She attended both Congo Methodist and Old Union Baptist Churches.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gregory “Greg” Allen Rankin and her parents Waddell and Monterie (Satterwhite) Browning.
She is survived by her brothers, C.W. (Marvon) Browning of Springfield, Missouri and James Browning of Benton; her beloved cat Rey Ray; several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.
Service will be at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m.
Infant Ja`Varria Dellena Miller went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Dellena Watts, grandfather, James Miller, great-grandmother, Thressa Ledbetter, great grandfather, William Ledbetter.
Survivors, mother, Kacie Marie Scott, father, Ja`Lynn Davon Miller, brother, Deshawn Carter, sisters, Zariyah Walls, Mariyah Hearn, Dezarla Clay, uncle, Branden Barker, cousins Amari Barker, Branden Baker JR., grandmother, Joani Ward, aunts, Jus`tonica, Jan`tasaia.
Memorial services will be 11:00 Monday, February 16, 2026 at Ashby Funeral Home. Minister will be Curtis Combs.
Louise Teague, age 100, of Malvern, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 and was proud to be the oldest member of Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church. She was born June 8, 1925 in a small town outside of San Antonio, Texas. Her father was Elijah Holmes, whom married her mother, a widow with five young sons.
Her mother, Josephine Muldrew DeGarmo Holmes, was a forward thinking woman for the times and was described as quite beautiful. As such, Louise was raised to be a strong willed young girl catered to by five older brothers. All the DeGarmo brothers adored Louise and called her “Sis” till they all died.
The family moved to the Hot Springs area during the Depression Era. In 1937, her father built the Rock house below the Cutter Morning Star Methodist Church. The home still remains and Louise & her husband James Robert Teague lived there with their three children until 1960 when they moved to the Ten Mile Community.
Louise met the one and only love of her life, James Robert Teague in grade school at Cutter Morning Star School. They were married for 75 years until his death in May of 2019. They had three children, James Robert Teague Jr. whom was the late State Senator who died while in office June of 1984, Gary Douglas Teague who died in October of 2015, and Diana Gail Hughes who remains and lives in the Saline County area.
She was a woman of many talents and interests. A gifted Sunday School Teacher, Seamstress, and Artist. Louise loved her career years as a salesperson at Gingles Department Store and like to brag that she outfitted the best dressed people in Benton. She did indeed have perspective taste for coordinating colors and wardrobe designs.
Above all else, her devotion was to God and ministry of music & teaching. Louise served as the Church Organist for many years and was one of the founders of a ukulele band which she named “The Ready Strummers”: The band served as an outreach ministry to long-term care facilities and community events.
Louise took pride in caring for her family and cooked many meals for Sunday dinners and special events. She kept up with the careers of her children & grandchildren and maintained hundreds of newspaper clippings of their life events.
She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Stefany Teague; grandson, Paul Hughes; and great-grandsons, James Teague and Andreaus Teague.
Louise is survived by her grandchildren, Robert Dale Teague of Rogers; Michael Teague (Debbie) of Little Rock; John William Hughes (Niki) of Jonesboro; Jennifer Cuevas (Reuben) of Bryant; Steven Teague of Benton; and Tara Louise Hughes of Benton. In addition, there are many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren left to acknowledge her memory.
Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 17 at Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Ten Mile Cemetery. Brother William Diggs and Tony Phifer will be officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Atrium at Serenity Point and the Hospice caregivers who treated Louise with the respect, dignity, and love she so deserved.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made to the charity of your choice.
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Esther Maxine “Mackie” Hagood (74) of Benton, AR passed away at her home on February 13, 2026 surrounded by family who loved her. She was born in Houston, TX to Kenneth Williams and Mabel Jones. She grew up in Crossett, AR where she met her adoring husband of 57 years, Allen Hagood.
She graduated Crossett High in 1969 and later graduated from Cossatot Community College, becoming the first graduate from her program to be hired by the College. She worked in the banking world for years, retiring from Simmons First National Bank in 2013. She loved fishing, camping, hunting, traveling, playing cards, going to the beach, listening to Bluegrass, she had a great sense of humor and her laugh was loud and contagious. She took pride in being a huge supporter of her daughter Becky, and grandchildren Carlee and Brody in their many activities. She welcomed her son-in-law (Rusty) and grandson-in-law (Caleb) as though they had always been part of the family and showered them with the same love and support. If you talked to her for a few minutes you were sure to hear about one of them and how proud she was. She served as a faithful and encouraging wife and helpmate as Allen preached at several churches over the years. She loved being “Mac Mac” to an untold number of kids through her 25 years as the Tiny Tots teacher at Holly Creek MBC in Dierks, Oaklawn MBC in Hot Springs, and Southside MBC in Star City. She also loved being a member of Saline MBC in Tull and helping with the Senior Adults program.
She is survived by her husband Allen; her daughter Becky Hutchins (husband Rusty); grandchildren Carlee West (husband Caleb), and Brody Hutchins; her sister Kaye Spells (husband Tuffy); and brother Ray Williams; several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family that were loved by her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth Williams and Mabel Jones.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18 at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton.
The service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 19 at Saline Missionary Baptist Church in Tull with a 4:00 p.m. graveside service at Crossroads Cemetery in Crossett, AR. Bro. Kim Hammer and Doney Blackerby will be officiating.
The family wishes to thank Elite Hospice care for their compassionate care during the last few months. They were essential in helping us navigate the questions and concerns, and gave us time at home together. We also wish to thank Saline MBC for their unwavering support and love providing food, visits, rides to appointments, prayer, and love over the last months, especially when Mackie was no longer able to attend services. This is the true example of being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around you. A special thank you to Pastor Kim Hammer for constant support and friendship for years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Building Fund at Saline Missionary Baptist Church in Tull, AR, P.O. Box 554, Benton AR 72018.
Nelson Mac Ashcraft, 80, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026. He was born on April 26, 1945, in Louisville, Kentucky, and over the years built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and a good laugh.
Nelson spent much of his career selling heavy-duty truck parts, a job he approached the same way he did everything else—with honesty, grit, and a handshake you could count on. Before that, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, something he carried with quiet pride throughout his life.
If you knew Nelson, you knew he could make you laugh—sometimes when you least expected it. He had a sharp wit and didn’t sugarcoat much, but the people closest to him knew how deeply he cared. Beneath that straightforward exterior was a tender heart, especially when it came to his family.
He shared 46 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Jackie. Their love was steady and true, and she stood faithfully by his side, especially through his illness. Together they built a life full of devotion, laughter, and unwavering support.
As a member of the Baptist church, he leaned on his beliefs in both good times and hard seasons, and those values shaped the way he treated others.
Nelson’s happy place was his shop. He had a lifelong love for antique cars and was, as many knew, a true ’32 fanatic. He could spend hours restoring, trading, building, or simply tinkering. It wasn’t just a hobby—it was something that lit him up. He also had a deep love for auto racing and spent many years involved in the racing community. Nelson served as the track announcer at both I-30 Speedway and Beebe Speedway, where his voice became familiar to drivers and fans alike. Whether in the shop or at the track, he was right at home around engines and the people who loved them.
Above all else, Nelson loved his family. Being “Pepaw” was one of his greatest joys. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and delight, and he treasured every chance to spend time with them.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie Ashcraft; his son, Lee Shelburn Ashcraft and wife Shelly; his daughter, Bonnie Carmody and husband Justin; his grandchildren Ryan Ashcraft and wife Whitney, Will Ashcraft, Scott Ashcraft, Tate Ashcraft and wife Kimbree, Chase Sellers-Karn and husband Haidyn, Lindsay Hess and husband Jayson, Anna Claire Brown and her fiance’ Garrett Fikes, and Brennan Brown; and his great-grandchildren Luke Ashcraft, Nolan Ashcraft, Ella Jo Ashcraft, Hayden Hess, Landon Hess, Kendri Hess, Cevanah Hess, Elvin Hess, and soon-to-arrive Whitlee Ashcraft.
He is also survived by his sister, Sally Sheffield and husband Don; his cherished fur baby, Anna; his beloved “Hot Rod Friends”; many cousins in Fort Smith and Tull; and a wide circle of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Shelburn and Nan B. (Smith) Ashcraft, and a special fur baby, Coco.
A graveside service will be held at Ebeneezer Cemetery in Tull, Arkansas, on February 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to gather to honor a man who loved deeply, laughed often, worked hard, and left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Billy Harold Hudson, age 85, of Alexander, Arkansas, went home peacefully on February 12, 2026. Born June 11, 1940, Billy was a steady presence in the lives of so many — a devoted husband, proud dad and Papaw, faithful friend, and a man you could always count on.
Billy owned and operated his own paint contracting business with his longtime business partner, Sissy Webb. If you ever saw the words “Have brush, will travel,” you knew it was Billy. He took pride in his work and believed in doing the job right, treating every customer like a neighbor.
But more than anything, Billy loved his family. For 61 years, he and his wife, Brenda, built a life side by side, sharing the everyday moments that mattered most. He was proud of his daughter, Donna, and his granddaughter, Alex, who brought him so much joy. He is also survived by his sister, Onita Murry; his nieces, Tammie and Tasha; his nephews, Danny and Ray; along with many great-nieces, great-nephews, and “bonus kids” who knew they were loved just like his own.
Billy’s faith was the foundation of his life. He served faithfully at Lawson Apostolics as a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. If the doors were open, Billy was there — usually early, ready for donuts and coffee, and always willing to lend a hand on workdays. He didn’t just talk about serving; he showed up.
He was soft-spoken, patient, and observant — a man who listened more than he spoke. He enjoyed the simple things: old westerns on TV, Saturday nights at I-30 Speedway with his racing buddy, Howard Winkler, and traveling to cheer on his favorite driver, Tim Crowley. He also loved fishing and found peace by the water whenever he could.
In true Billy fashion, his last meal was a hamburger Happy Meal from McDonald’s — hamburger, fries, apple slices, and sweet tea. Simple and just right. He often said, “Be slow of tongue and quick of eye,” and that’s exactly how he lived — thoughtful, steady, and paying attention to what mattered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Harold and Ruby (Padgett) Hudson; his sisters, Brenda, Pam, and JoAnn; his brother, Bobby; and his nephew, Butch.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, also at the funeral home, with burial following at noon at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander.
Billy lived a good, full life. He loved well, worked hard, kept his faith, and left behind a family who will carry his memory forward every day. He will be deeply missed.
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