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Dolores Ann Brady
Dolores Ann Brady, 86, of Benton, Arkansas passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 18, 2026. She was born on September 23, 1939 in Oppelo, Arkansas to the late Richard and Luwanda Wilcox. As the oldest of four, Dolores was a caring and protective older sister. She loved playing games with her sisters, buying them clothes and toys, and always served as a listening ear. After graduating from Central High School in 1957, she worked as a secretary for a short time before meeting the love of her life, Robert Vaughn Dell Brady. They were married soon after and Dolores turned her focus to starting a family.
As a mother, she faithfully raised her four daughters and instilled in them lessons in independence, service to others, and above all the importance of family. Dolores adored and often bragged about her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who in turn loved and admired their Nanny. She will be remembered by all for her fiery spirit, strong will, and endless love and devotion to her family.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband of 40 years, Robert Vaughn Dell Brady, and granddaughter Alesa Smith.
She is survived by her sisters Sandra Criswell (Max), Marilyn Sue Hampton (Ken Dowless), and Vicki Moore; children Tracy Smith (Doug), Terry Burchfield (Edward), Teresa House (Jerry), and Tina Brady Brown (Robert); grandchildren Misty Heward (Doug), Dana Bloch (Clayton), Caitlin Martin (Blake), Tyler Burchfield (Tori), Rachel Smith (Jordan), Michael Burchfield, Hayley Tibbitts (Travis), Jonathan Smith, Laura Maltos (Juan), Dawson Brown, and Noah Brady; and twenty-four great grandchildren.
The visitation will be May 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 13901 Quail Run Drive in Little Rock, AR, followed by the memorial at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at the Fairplay Cemetery immediately after.
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Dr. Richard Franklin “Dick” Simmons Sr.
Dr. Richard Franklin “Dick” Simmons Sr., 89, of Benton, Arkansas, peacefully left this world for his heavenly home on May 19, 2026.
Richard was born on January 4, 1937, in Dell, Arkansas, to Sam and Rhettie Simmons. Raised on a cotton farm, he learned the value of hard work early in life — something that defined the way he lived, worked, and loved others.
He graduated from Dell High School in 1954 and three months later at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Army, eager to build a life beyond the farm. Yet the farm life and values he grew up with remained one of his greatest loves.
While visiting his father at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Richard met the love of his life, Gean Wilson, a dark-haired nurse who quickly captured his heart. Sam Simmons often told visitors that his son was going to marry that nurse, and he was right. After a short three-month courtship, Richard and Gean were married on August 24, 1957, beginning a beautiful marriage and life together that would span nearly seven decades.
Richard attended UALR before moving with Gean and their young family to Kansas City, where he earned his dental degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry. During those years, Gean worked at the VA Hospital while Richard worked his way through school — including selling shoes and “jumping bars for bets,” stories he loved retelling with a grin.
After graduating dental school in 1964, Richard returned to Little Rock to begin his dental practice. In 1973, he moved his family to Benton, Arkansas, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, and the country life he loved. After 33 years of caring for patients and serving the community, he retired from dentistry in 1997 at the age of 60.
Retirement became one of the most fulfilling seasons of his life. Whether traveling with lifelong friends, spending time at the lake, on the golf course, in the garden, or gathered around a table full of laughter, Richard found joy simply being together with his family and friends.
His faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. Through church, Bible Study Fellowship, and years of serving others, Richard grew into a devoted follower of Christ. He served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, church handyman, mentor, and community leader. His grandchildren — and honestly anyone who stopped by to visit — could always count on hearing about Papa and Mema’s latest Bible study or receiving a little sermon of encouragement, whether they asked for it or not. It became one of the many things his family will forever cherish and smile about, and those moments of testimony, wisdom, and sharing God’s Word helped shape and mentor their own personal love for Christ.
Richard had a gift for storytelling and humor. Full of mischief, jokes, and unforgettable stories, he never met a stranger and never lacked material from growing up as the youngest of six Simmons siblings. One family joke was that a book could have been written about him titled How I Survived the Fourth Grade. To know Richard was to know laughter, generosity, hard work, and the love of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Gean Wilson Simmons; his children, Lynn (Wyatt) Ferguson, Rebecca (Jimmy) Sandidge, and Deborah (Brent) Jones; daughter-in-law Sandra Simmons; grandchildren Allison (Jeremy) Oliver, Jessikah (Ross) Camferdam, Kyle (Christen) Ferguson, Kurt (Lindsay) Ferguson, Kelly (Connor) Smithson, Bobbie (Jake) Price, Matthew Sandidge, and Ava and Ella Jones; along with many beloved great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Rhettie Simmons; his siblings Margaret Brownlee, Jimmy Simmons, Jeanette Fowler, Bobby Simmons, and Donna DiCicco; and his beloved son, Richard F. “Rick” Simmons Jr.
Richard’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the stories he shared, and the family he loved so well. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
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We would like to extend a special thank you to the employees of Pleasant Hill Senior Services and The Manor of Bryant for the love, compassion, and care shown to Richard. Your kindness not only brought joy and comfort to his life, but also to our entire family.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home in Bryant. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with Pastor Kim Hammer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dental Missions with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, a ministry that faithfully reflects Richard’s lifelong love for dentistry, faith, and helping others in need.
Checks may be mailed to:
Arkansas Baptist State Convention
c/o Missions
10 Remington Drive
Little Rock, AR 72204
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