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Jack Ramsey
Jack Ramsey, age 86, of Benton, was born on November 4, 1939 and passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026 leaving behind a rich legacy of faith, family, and fellowship that will be cherished for generations.
Jack’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. It was the guiding light that shaped his character and influenced all who knew him. He was a committed student of the scriptures and was devoted to ensuring that his family was raised to love the Lord and remain faithful to the church. His life was a living testimony of steadfast belief, humility, and service.
A longtime member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church, Jack faithfully attended there for more than 80 years and was ordained as a deacon. He recently joined Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church where his love of the Lord continued to grow. In fact, church was his greatest joy. He loved attending every service, singing the old hymns, and listening to good preaching. For many years, his voice rang out as a steady and constant “Amen,” encouraging preachers and uplifting congregations—a familiar and beloved presence to all who worshiped alongside him.
Jack graduated from Benton High School in 1958 and worked at Chicopee for 38 years where he served as the president of the union.
Outside of work and the church, Jack had a deep love for softball. If you ever played softball in Saline County, there is a good chance Jack Ramsey was part of your story—whether he coached you, played with you, or beat you. He loved the game and even more so the fellowship it brought. Sunday lunches with family were often filled with lively retellings of every play from the previous week’s games.
Jack also had a passion for building porch swings and then spending many hours in them, solving all the world’s problems with the crew from McDonalds, pitching horseshoes and owning antique cars. He traveled across the country with his wife and sisters in search of the next addition. One memorable trip took them all the way to California to purchase a car—only for Jack to decide it wasn’t quite right. True to form, they simply turned around and drove back home.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Mattie Ramsey, who faithfully served him throughout their life together. He is also survived by his children: Karen (Alan) Hilborn of Benton, Karla (John) Jacobs of Russellville, and Kent (Debbie) Ramsey of Benton.
Jack leaves behind seven grandchildren: Aaron (Amanda) Hilborn of Benton; Ashley (Rory) McKean of Franklin, Tennessee; Jake Jacobs, Jackson (Taylor) Jacobs, and Justin (Haley) Jacobs, all of Russellville; and Taylor Ramsey and Kelsey Ramsey of Benton. He is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Hollyn, Heston, and Hewitt Hilborn; Jayce and Maddie Jacobs; Collins, Colbie, and Merritt McKean; Camryn and Graycen Jacobs; and Karsyn Jacobs.
He is also survived by four sisters: Martha Jean Lequieu; Louise (Albert) Houpt; his twin sister Janie Penn; and Carole (Bernie) Gaiser, all of Benton. He is further survived by his brother- and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Sherry Warren, and Lois Abbott, along with an extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to count.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, George and Esther Ramsey, and his brothers and their wives: Jim (Hazel) Ramsey, George (Billye Jean) Ramsey, Billy (Claudine) Ramsey, and Bobby Joe.
Jack Ramsey’s life was marked by faithfulness—in his walk with the Lord, in his love for his family, and in his commitment to his church and community. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to live on in the lives he touched, the family he nurtured, and the faith he so boldly lived each day.
Pallbearers will be Euell Ramsey, Elbert Ramsey, Richard Ramsey, Bob Ramsey, Stanley Ramsey, Britt Ramsey, Brad Lequieu, Scott Houpt, Kendall Penn, Keith Penn, Neil Gaiser, and Shawn Warren. Honorary pallbearers will be Dub Grant, James Hallman, and Grover Preston.
Special thanks to Dr. Mark Albey and the “girls” from Divine Home Care for their loving care. Romans 8:18
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1 at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Sharon Cemetery. Rev. Laramie Lequieu will be officiating.
John Wesley Petty
John Wesley Petty, 86, was called to be with the Lord on March 29, 2026. John was the proud husband of Mary Sue Petty. They shared a devoted and loving marriage that began in June 1974.
John was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to parents Clyde Petty and Okla Latch in 1940. In 1960, he started his own business and took great pride in serving the greater Little Rock area for more than 40 years as an independent roofing contractor. Upon his retirement from his roofing business, “Mr. John” (as the school kids called him) continued to serve his local community as an East End Elementary school bus driver. He retired from the East End School District in 2014 after 15 years of faithful and dedicated service to our youth.
John enjoyed the simple things in life. He would simply sit for hours and watch the wildlife from his front porch rocking chair. While he loved to laugh and enjoy the simple things, what he loved most was his beautiful wife and family.
John is survived by his loving wife of more than 51 years, Mary Sue; his daughter, Laura; and his son John II. He is preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca Sue Judy, and his two brothers, Junior Kilmer and Bill Kilmer.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 08, 2026, at 2:00PM at the Smith Family Funeral Home located at 322 N. Market St. Benton, AR 72015.
“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you”. (John 16:22)
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Mary Irene “Momo” Clement
Mary Irene “Momo” Clement, age 102, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on March 21, 2026, where she was greeted in Heaven by Jesus and reunited with her beloved husband and son.
She was born on March 17, 1924, in Sheridan, Arkansas, to Joe Ira and Addie Pierce Williams. Irene was raised and educated in Grapevine, Arkansas, where she graduated from Grapevine High School.
Irene later made her home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she and her late husband, T.C. Clement, raised their family and became proud owners of the Montgomery Ward store. After retirement, she moved to Benton, Arkansas, to be closer to her grandchildren.
She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Benton. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—playing Skip-Bo with friends, gardening, traveling, cooking, and hosting elegant gatherings for those she loved.
Her greatest passion was painting. After moving to Benton, she studied under Dianne Roberts, refining her artistic talents. She took great pride in her oil paintings, and her work will remain a lasting legacy for those who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, T.C. Clement; her son, Jeff T. Clement; her parents, Joe Ira and Addie Pierce Williams; and her brothers, Victor B. Williams and Chester E. Williams.
Irene is survived by her daughter-in-law, Sarah Clement; her grandchildren, Racheal Price (Dustin) and Christopher Clement (Julieta); her great-grandchildren, Alyssa Faith, Rylee, Wyatt, and Bennett; her son, Tom D. Clement of Denver, Colorado; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Ramick Cemetery in Grapevine, Arkansas, with Dr. Rick Grant officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to Dial and Dudley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas.
We Love You Momo!
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