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Ike Carter IV
Ike Carter IV was born in Little Rock, AR June 13, 1982 to Ike Carter III and Karen Carter.
Ikey, as he was known to all, shared his birthday with his father. He attended schools in Benton, and eventually moved to the Hot Springs area.
Ikey is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ike Carter Jr., Sue Carter Eaves, Stanley and Juanita Hester, and his mother, Karen Lea Carter. He is survived by his Father, Ike Carter III, his daughter Jillian Carter, his sisters Celia Carter Simmons (Mark), Desiree’ Singletary (Vince), and his life partner, Susanne Griffin, (formerly Carter).
Visitation is at Ashby Funeral Home, Benton, AR Monday August 24, 2026 6pm-8pm with a private burial service at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Tuesday August 25, 2026.
Ikey Carter was known by many as a fun-loving life of the party person. He enjoyed being with his friends and always being out and about and busy. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and enjoyed being around the water whether it was the pool, lake or beach.
Ikey never knew a stranger and was able to strike up a conversation with anyone on any given day. He enjoyed meeting people and hearing about their stories.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Rest in peace little buddy.
Felicia Kaye Childress Oswalt
Felicia Kaye Childress Oswalt, age 66, of Benton, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2026. She was born November 13, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas. Felicia was a licensed Nail Technician.
She was preceded in death by her father, Felix Childress; husband, Larry Oswalt; and a grandson, Brennan Oswalt.
Felicia is survived by her mother, Marilyn Childress; brother, Randy Childress (Colleen); three children, Trevor Oswalt, Mandy Ferguson (Shane), and Timmy Oswalt (Krisda); and seven grandchildren, Meaghan Oswalt, Abby Oswalt, Grayce Rigsby, Cohen Ferguson, Tate Ferguson, Addison Oswalt, and Andy Oswalt.
She loved beautiful flowers, her doggies, gospel music, reading God’s word everyday, and enjoying her time with friends & family. Felicia will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23 at Ashby Funeral Home @ 108 W. Narroway in Benton, Ar. 72015.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 24 at Trinity Baptist Church @ 702 Church St. in Benton, Ar. 72015 with burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Bauxite.
Memorials may be made to the Mt. Olive Cemetery Association or Felicia’s Funeral Expenses c/o Ashby Funeral Home.
Wendell Hyatt Ray
Wendell Hyatt Ray, age 70, of Roland, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on August 22nd, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Wendell was born on October 22, 1955 in Little Rock, to Clarence Ray, Jr. and Elna Hyatt Ray. Wendell grew up in Roland, Arkansas, and he graduated from Robinson High School in 1973.
Wendell lived life with adventure, fearlessness, and a passion for everything he did. He never met a stranger and never backed down from a challenge. His friendship and kindness touched many lives, and he will be deeply missed.
He loved racing motorcycles, spending time on the water and at the beach, collecting classic motorcycles, and being outdoors. He also enjoyed cutting trees and delivering firewood to his loyal customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.
Above all, Wendell cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren, who were truly the greatest joy of his life.
Wendell is survived by his son, Jordan Hyatt Ray and wife Jade, and granddaughters Ellie, Emmie, and Livie Ray; all of Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Elna Ray, his brother Russell Ray, Jordan’s mother Sandra Lynn Barnes, and grandson Hyatt Ray.
A visitation will be held on August 27, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home. A private celebration of Wendell’s life will be held at a later date.
The family appreciates all the thoughts and prayers over the last several weeks.
Robert N. “Bob” Hardin
Robert N. “Bob” Hardin, age 90, of Benton, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. He was born January 14, 1936 in Haskell, Arkansas to the late Joe D. and Marie McClendon Hardin.
Robert was also preceded in death by his son, Robert (Mike) Hardin.
Survivors, include his wife of 67 years, Betty B. Hardin; children, Kelly (Chuck) La Mendola, Chris May (John), Jan Jones (David), and Joe C. Hardin; eight grandchildren, Frankie Black, Juliana La Mendola, Daniel and Caroline May, Alex Jones, Gracie Jenkins, Ceci and Lucy Hardin.
Robert was a former prosecuting attorney for Saline, Hot Spring and Grant Counties (7th Judicial District of AR) for 6 years. He was a member of the local, state and national trial lawyers association and admitted to practice in all state and federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a graduate of Benton High School, Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Law School.
He is a US Army Veteran, a retired Capt. in the U.S.A.R., and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday August 27, 2026 at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:00 at the cemetery.
Lena “LuAnn Penland”
Lena “LuAnn Penland” 93, of Benton, Arkansas, passed away August 21, 2026. She was born January 22, 1933, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Will and Faye McCarthy.
Luann spent many years working in the banking industry, where she served as a manager.
LuAnn was truly one of a kind. She had an outgoing personality, rarely met a stranger, and possessed an incredibly generous heart. She loved giving to others and had a special way of making people feel welcomed and included. Throughout her life, she made many treasured friendships through her work, travels, and time spent at dog shows.
She enjoyed photography and traveling, but animals held an especially tender place in LuAnn’s heart. She loved dogs and found great joy in being around them. That same big heart extended to the people in her life. Family was not always defined by blood to LuAnn, and over the years she lovingly welcomed “bonus daughters” who became family simply because she chose to love them as her own.
LuAnn shared 58 years of marriage with her husband, John Penland, before his passing. Together they built a lifetime of memories and a family that meant so much to her. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Will and Faye McCarthy; and brothers, Charles McCarthy and Dicky McCarthy.
LuAnn leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Debra Sain, Steve Penland, and Rick Penland; grandchild, Casey McCarthy; great-grandchildren, Riley McCarthy and Willow McCarthy; cousin, George Craig, who was a very important and special part of LuAnn’s life; her bonus daughters; and many dear friends who were blessed to know and love her.
LuAnn will be remembered for her generous heart, her love for animals, her adventurous spirit, and perhaps most of all, for the way she opened her heart and her life to others.
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Lynn Arlan Hoggard
Lynn Arlan Hoggard of Benton, Arkansas departed from this life at age 85 on August 20, 2026, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on December 11,1940 to Lorel Victor Hoggard and Rutha Sue Hoggard. He grew up in England, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school in 1959. He received a Bachelor of Music Education at Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) and a Master of Music Education at Wichita State University in Kansas. He then served as Band Director in schools in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas, primarily at Bauxite and Bryant high schools. For many years Lynn served Saline County in the assessor’s office. After retirement he enjoyed being appointed to two terms on the Equalization Board.
From the time he started singing in church at age 3, his life was filled with music. In college he sang with The Four Jacks, a quartet that performed throughout the country and released several popular songs on vinyl including “Like Man, It’s Spring.” He sang with numerous groups throughout the years and accompanied many musical productions at the Benton Royal Theater on his upright bass. As a member of Salem UMC, he sang in the choir and led music at the annual camp meeting for 20+ years. He also directed the handbell choir at Benton First UMC for over a decade –without ever playing a note!
Lynn was an artist. He loved to paint and draw. Lynn could be found late at night in his shop carving wooden sculptures and walking sticks.
Lynn was predeceased by his parents and his first granddaughter Annie Ruth Hoggard. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Couch Hoggard, two sons, Christopher “Skip” Hoggard (Lisa) of Little Rock and Keith Hoggard (Jacqueline) of Fayetteville and three adoring grandchildren – Marlee Lynn Hoggard, Bennett Hoggard, and Reynolds Hoggard, along with many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, former students, and friends.
The family would like to thank Elite Hospice and Divine Home Care for their compassionate care in his last days.
The memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Benton on Friday August 28 at 11:00AM. Visitation will be one hour before the service in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to Lynn’s favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity – www.habitat.org
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