If you would like to have a full obituary published with pictures, click here to get started: www.mysaline.com/submit-obits
John Allen Arnold
John Allen Arnold, age 90, entered into heaven on September 13, 2026. John was born on September 27, 1935, in Corning, Arkansas to Omer and Nellie Arnold. John graduated from Pocahontas High School and entered the US Army in 1954. He served as a medic until 1957. In 1959 he met the love of his life, Wilma and they were married for 64 years. John went on to continue his education at Arkansas State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history, as well as his master’s degree. John began his teaching career in 1961 at Nettleton High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas and taught for the next 34 years until his retirement in 1995 from Fort Zumwalt High School in O’Fallon, Missouri. John was also an avid golfer. He coached the high school golf team while at Fort Zumwalt. Dad served as a deacon at the Fisher Street Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He also served a deacon and elder at the O’Fallon Church of Christ in O’Fallon, Missouri. Dad’s greatest accomplishment was his dedication to the Lord.
Dad is preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Nellie; his five siblings Bill, Wayne, Tommy, Anna, and Mary; as well as his beloved wife and our dear mother Wilma in 2024.
Dad leaves behind his three children: Dana Cooke of Benton, Arkansas; Cheryl (Gary) Wilson of Nashville, Tennessee and Joel Arnold of Huntsville, Alabama. Six grandchildren: Kimberly (Tyler) Shaw of Benton, Arkansas; Whitney (Cody) Barnes of Haskell, Arkansas; Amy (Trey) Sunday of Bixby, Oklahoma, Scott Wilson of Nashville, Tennessee, Carrie (Joshua) Eyman of Huntsville, Alabama, and Caleb Arnold of Huntsville, Alabama. Four great grandchildren: Jace Shaw, Elijah Barnes, Saddie Barnes, and Eleanor Sunday.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:30 Thursday at Ashby Funeral Home Chapel followed by services at 10:00 AM Thursday at Pine Crest Cemetery.
Betty Jean White Hogue
Betty Jean White Hogue, age 95, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026. She was born January 11, 1931, in Florence, Arkansas, to Jesse Monroe White and Lola Mae Hayes White.
Betty Jean was born and raised during the Great Depression. She lost her father when she was just three years old and was nurtured by the Florence community, her aunt and uncle, Otis and Effie Hayes White, and Selma Methodist Church-Mt. Tabor.
Betty Jean married Vance B. Hogue, Jr., and they shared 68 years together until his death in 2013. In 1954, they moved from Southeast Arkansas to Little Rock, where they raised their four children.
Betty Jean was a homemaker and a talented seamstress. She and Vance loved working in their garden, growing beautiful flowers and abundant vegetables that they generously shared with family, friends, and neighbors. Later in life, they retired to Little Fir Landing on Lake Ouachita, where they enjoyed catching crappie and catfish, and eventually moved to a little farm at Glen Rose, Arkansas.
Betty Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Vance B. Hogue, Jr.; her young daughter, Virginia Ruth; her parents and grandparents; brothers Lamar White (Vivian) and James White (Helen); sisters Ruth White and Frances Martar (Rastus) and daughter-in-law Marilyn Hogue.
She is survived by her son, John Hogue (Karen) of St. Louis; daughters Betty Jo Taylor of Rogers and Judy Wooten of Bella Vista; grandchildren Jennie Barron of Maumelle; John Hogue, Jr. (Caroline) of Plainview; Jason Taylor (Dalena) of Green Cove Springs, Florida; Travis Wooten (Sarah) of Joplin, Missouri; Allison Hogue (Mike Wickline) of Little Rock; and Kelsie Merrill (Travis) of Olive Branch, Mississippi; 15 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews; and an extended and cherished Hogue family.
Pallbearers will be Garrett Brown, Dalton Hogue, Jason Taylor, Ryan Taylor, Mike Wickline, and Travis Wooten.
Visitation will be 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22 at Ashby Funeral Home with funeral services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery. Pastor Kim Hammer will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to one of the following: Circle of Life Hospice 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy Bentonville, AR 72712 or the Betty & Marilyn Hogue Community Service Scholarship for the Miss Greater Little Rock, Metro & Saline County Organization, 1323 Pine Valley Rd. Little Rock, AR 72207.
READ MORE OBITUARIES BELOW
Faye Laverne Counts Hiblong
Faye Laverne Counts Hiblong, 93, peacefully passed away on September 14, 2026. She was born on July 29, 1933, in Huntsville, Arkansas, to John E. and Myrtha Counts.
Faye retired from Pulaski County Food Services, where she worked as a cook. A gifted cook and baker, she won many ribbons at the fair over the years, including ‘Best in Show’ for her angel food cake. She was also a talented quilter who lovingly made many quilts throughout her life. The consummate homemaker, Faye took great pride in caring for her home and making everyone who entered it feel welcome. She loved having visitors, and her door was always open.
Sweet and quiet by nature, Faye’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was being “Nanny.” She loved her grandchildren fiercely and treasured every opportunity to have her family gathered around her. Until recent years, Sunday dinners at Nanny’s were a beloved family tradition, filled with good food, time together, and memories her family will always treasure.
Faye possessed a strong and steadfast faith in the Lord. She was a faithful, longtime member of East Union Missionary Baptist Church. Ministry ran deeply through her family, as four of her six brothers were pastors, and her son, David, also followed a calling to ministry. Surrounded by pastors and faithful servants throughout her life, Faye’s faith was a treasured part of who she was and the legacy she leaves with her family.
Faye was married to the love of her life, Howard Hiblong, until his passing in 2014. Together, they shared 63 happy years centered on faith, mutual respect, and devotion to their family. Even after his passing, the love Faye and Howard shared remained close to her heart, and each year, she honored their life together by writing him a beautiful, heartfelt poem.
Faye’s memory will be cherished by her children, Barbara (Gary) Alexander, David (Vickie) Hiblong, and Lisa (Jerry) Smith; grandchildren, Paige (Jeff) Brown, Jeff Alexander, Paul (Jordan) Hiblong, Mark (Allison) Hiblong, Crissy (Don) Nichols, Ross (Bailey) Smith, and Bryce Smith; great-grandchildren, Josh Brown, Giovanni Hiblong, Ethan Nichols, Jenna Alexander, Jamey Nichols, Ruth Hiblong, Patrick Hiblong, Miller Hiblong, and Lewis Smith; and two more great-grandchildren on the way, Lexi Smith and Evelyn Nichols.
She is also remembered by her sister, Linda Sue (Don) Masters; four sisters-in-law with whom she shared a particularly close bond, Kaye Counts, Eloise Pledger, Rose Hiblong, and Betty Jean Counts; and many extended family members and dear friends who loved her and will miss her deeply.
Faye was welcomed with open arms into Heaven by her beloved husband, Howard Hiblong; her parents, John E. and Myrtha Counts; and her siblings, Carl, Ken, Curt, Betty, Loy, Bill, and Bob Counts.
Faye will be remembered for her quiet and gentle spirit, her deep faith, her open door, and the fierce love she held for her family. The meals she prepared, the quilts she stitched, and the traditions she created will remain treasured reminders of a life devoted to caring for others.
Visitation will be held from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Smith Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. A funeral service honoring Faye’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, also at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Sharon Cemetery.
Pallbearer honors have been entrusted to her grandsons, Jeff Alexander, Jeff Brown, Paul Hiblong, Mark Hiblong, Ross Smith, and Bryce Smith; and her great-grandsons, Josh Brown, Giovanni Hiblong, Ethan Nichols, and Jamey Nichols will serve as honorary pallbearers.
If you would like to have a full obituary published with pictures, click here to get started: www.mysaline.com/submit-obits
