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Harvey Claud Martin, Sr.
Harvey Claud Martin, Sr., 79, of Mabelvale, Arkansas, passed away August 15, 2026, in Benton, Arkansas.
Claud was born September 29, 1946, in Morganton, Arkansas, to Harvey Otto and Lillian Wright Martin. He spent his early years in Van Buren County before his family moved to Mabelvale, where he attended Mabelvale High School.
As a young man, Claud worked as a house painter and enjoyed hunting. Before illness changed the course of his life, he built the little house in Mabelvale that became his family’s home. He could not have known how important that house would become, but it gave his family a good, sturdy home and the security of knowing they would always have a place to live. It still stands.
In 1967, Claud married the love of his life, Lena Evelyn Martin, in Benton. They shared thirty-one years of marriage until Lena’s death in 1998.
Claud developed a serious illness as a young man that affected much of the remainder of his life. The illness changed many things he was able to do, but it never changed some of the most important things about who he was.
Claud never lost his faith. As a young man, he received Jesus Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. He was a longtime member of Mabelvale Missionary Baptist Church, and through more than fifty years of illness and difficulty, his faith remained.
Claud was cared for at the Arkansas Health Center by loving nurses and staff members on the Aspen and Willow units. His family is grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed him throughout the years.
Claud was kind and generous, and he loved people. He did not have much of his own, but what he had, he shared. Jay would bring his dad treats, only to discover that Claud had given most of them to another patient.
He loved to laugh and talk, eat watermelon, listen to music, and work in the garden. He especially enjoyed breakfast at the table of his sister and brother-in-law, Betty Sue and Richard Squires, before working in the garden with Jay. He also treasured breakfast mornings with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Bill Voss. Claud loved frying peanuts in a pan, and they were delicious if you could stand all the salt he put on them.
Claud loved animals and became especially attached to his son’s family’s goldendoodle, Sarah, who loved him too. Claud, Jay, and Sarah spent countless hours riding around together.
Music brought Claud particular joy, especially music from the 1950s and 1960s, the Beatles, and rhythm and blues. During those rides, Jay would sometimes ask his dad what song he wanted to hear. The answer was almost always the same: “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals. Jay would put it on, and they would keep riding.
Most of all, Claud loved his family. He was proud of his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters and treasured the family that surrounded him. His life reminds those who loved him that a person’s life cannot always be measured by accomplishments, positions, or possessions. Sometimes a life is better measured by faith that endures, kindness freely given, laughter shared, and love that remains.
Claud was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lena Evelyn Martin; his parents, Harvey Otto and Lillian Wright Martin; his sister, Betty Sue Squires; and his brother, James M. Martin. He is survived by his son, Harvey Claud “Jay” Martin, Jr., and wife, Dawn; granddaughters Hallie, Karis, and Sloane Martin; sister, Mary Lou Voss; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, August 21 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton. A celebration of Claud’s life will be Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, with Rev. Rod Loy and Rev. Jay Martin officiating. Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Summit Cemetery in Benton.
Pallbearers are Gabriel Decker, Mark Dixson, Malcolm Jones, Rex Martin, Lamar Taylor, John Paul Yarberry, Paul Yarberry, and Larry Farrow.
Claud loved “Amazing Grace” and treasured the promise of Romans 8:28:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
—Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Joe Donald Magness
Joe Donald Magness, age 93, died August 17, 2026. He was born in Plainview (Yell County), Arkansas, on August 17, 1933, to the late Fay R. and Nelia Forrest Magness.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Billy Magness; and sister, Betty Magness. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Morphis Magness; sons: Larry (LD) Magness (Ruthy) of Alexander, and Gregory Magness of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter: Missa Hancock (Michael) of Longview, Texas; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Joe was a graduate of Russellville High School, attended Arkansas Tech University, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers and Tau Beta Pi. He was employed by the Arkansas Highway Department for 32 years and later by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 23 years. He and Bonnie enjoyed 72 years of happy marriage and traveled to all 50 states, twelve foreign countries, and five Canadian Provinces.
He was a member of Geyer Springs Baptist Church for 57 years, where he taught intermediate boys’ and girls’ Sunday School and sang in the Adult Choirs.
To honor and celebrate Joe’s life, a visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Geyer Springs Baptist Church, with a funeral service starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.
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David Stuart Long
David Stuart Long, 72, of Benton, Arkansas, went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 14, 2026.
David was born on March 3, 1954, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to James Long and Carolyn Long. Growing up in Little Rock he graduated from Hall High, attended U of A Fayetteville, and received his Juris Doctorate from Bowen Law School. He had a passion for work, justice, and supporting his family. David enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies from gardening, graphic design, home improvement, movies, and music but most treasured his pets and friends.
David is survived by wife, Ann Long, and his three children, Parker Long, Jessica Long and husband Corey Gattin of St.Paul, Minn., and Madeline LeFèvre and husband James Hill of Nashville, Tenn.
He is survived by his brothers, James Long Jr. and wife Sandy of Bartlett, Tenn.; Steven Long and wife Aimee of Little Rock; and Fred Long and wife Jeanie of North Little Rock.
He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Ashlee; Emalee, Leslee, and Joseph Long all of Little Rock; Shane Long and wife Katie of Sherwood; John Long and wife Ashlee of North Little Rock; and Brent and Kyle Long of North Little Rock.
He’s survived by his cousins Vicky and husband Chuck Draper; and Debbie Boye.
A celebration of life will be held privately for family members. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Husky Halfway House Foundation at https://www.huskyhalfwayhouse.org/ways-to-give. Huskies were one of David’s favorite animals and he leaves behind his beloved pet Nollie with his wife.
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