Phillips Funeral Home

09/13/2026

Billy Joe Smith, 78, of Paragould, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was born December 29, 1947, in Sikeston, Missouri, to Warren and Ethel Marie Smith.

Billy Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Charles Smith and Jimmy Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Margaret Dean Smith; daughters, Keli Leighanne Smith (Tenneschia) and Victoria Cole (Jason); stepsons, Lenny M. Harris and Sean L. Harris; brothers, Eugene Smith, Jerry Smith, and James Smith; sister, Charlene Lindsey; 19 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 15, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home.

09/13/2026

Mary Ann Kingston, 87, of Paragould, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026. She was born February 22, 1939, in Beech Grove, Arkansas, to Artie and Willa Dean Scobey. Mary Ann loved her family and her church.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.T. Kingston; and daughter-in-law, Laura Kingston.

Survivors include her sons, Randy Kingston (Joanna) and Ron Kingston; daughter, Kim Nelson; brother, Kelly Scobey (Rheba); grandchildren, Karla Williams (Matthew), Kingston Edgar, Cason Nelson, Matt Kingston (Meaghan), Mark Kingston (Savanah), Anna Rook (Michael), and Guinn Kingston; great-grandchildren, Kate Brasher, Chesney Brasher, J. Collin Edgar, Michael Edgar, Jay Nelson, Piper Nelson, Oaklee Nelson, Connor Nelson, Hadley Kingston, Kingston Rook, and Riggs Rook.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 15, from 1:00 p.m. until service time at Phillips Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Cody Gray officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Matt Kingston, Mark Kingston, Kingston Edgar, Cason Nelson, Michael Rook, and Matthew Williams will serve as pallbearers.

09/13/2026

Cecil Edward Wilcox of Wentzville, MO, passed away on September 10, 2026, at the age of 85 years old. He was born on December 17th, 1940, in Paragould, Arkansas.

He loved and was loved by his family and will be remembered as a hard worker, a bit stubborn, and someone who took meticulous care of the things he owned. As a 45 year employee of McDonnel Douglas and Boeing, he loved aviation and would gladly talk about the F-18 fighter jets that he worked with for many years.

Ed is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mylene Wilcox (Russell); his two sons, Chris Wilcox (wife Marsha) and Brad Wilcox (wife Esther); two step-daughters, Rebecca Bobo and Brittany Cooper; his younger brother, Gary Wilcox (wife Carol); two sisters-in-law, Janice Wilcox and Connie Wilcox; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Woodrow Wilcox and Cleo Ophelia Wilcox (Brooks); his older sister, Drucilla Winscher and her husband Louis; and two younger brothers, Jim Wilcox and Fred Wilcox.

Services will be held privately by family.

09/12/2026

Linda Gail Batchelor, of Paragould, Arkansas, passed away on September 11, 2026, in Paragould. She was born on November 13, 1952, in Washington, D.C.

Linda will be remembered as a kind, loving, and caregiving woman whose presence brought comfort to those around her. She found joy in music and was a devoted fan of The Doors, Van Halen, and Sammy Hagar. She also loved cats, animals, and nature, and she was happiest when she could be outside, enjoying the beauty of the world around her.

Above all, Linda treasured her family. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Steven Batchelor; her son, Jonathan (Casey) Hill; her brother, Butch (Anita) Cooper; her sister, Gena (Kim) Smith; and her granddaughter, Margaret Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Evelyn Cooper, and by her brother, Paul Cooper.

No services are planned at this time.

09/11/2026

Randal Elwyn “Little Shot” Williams

Elwyn passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 11, 2026.

He was born to Presley and Ella Williams on July 6, 1935. He was of the Methodist faith. Elwyn was a farmer in the Beech Grove area most of his life, then worked several years for Delta Asphalt, and finally for the Greene County Road Department.

He married Harriet Pickett in 1956, and together they had two children and a lifetime of memories. He was an Army veteran, having served in his early years, and later an elected member of the Greene County Tech School Board. He enjoyed raising all kinds of livestock– from emu, goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs. He also loved buying and selling any kind of farming equipment and livestock.

Elwyn was an exceptional grandfather and would buy almost anything his grandchildren asked for at the sale barn or auction. They were his “number ones.”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Harriet Pickett, and his daughter Karen Sue Gramling, as well as five brothers and one sister.

He is survived by his son Doug (Dana) Williams, grandchildren, Abby (Jonathan) Knox, Shana (Ryan) Cupp, Luke Williams, and Kelsey (Derek) Matheney, and great-grandchildren: Theodore Knox, Maggie Cupp, William Cupp, Karter Matheney, and Hunter Matheney.

There will be a graveside service at Greene County Memorial Gardens on Monday, September 14, at 2:00 p.m.

09/11/2026

Grief can sometimes feel disjointed - a cry here, a burst of anger there; a deep sadness today, a crush of guilt tomorrow. In this article, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, renowned author and grief counselor, urges us to trust the process of grief. As you surrender to the mystery, your experience of love and grief will create a changed you. A you who has not only survived but who has learned to thrive again in a new form and in a new way. Click the link to learn more!

In our lives, we all participate in rituals. To learn more about the healing aspects of rituals, take a few moments to read this article.

09/11/2026

Today is a day of remembrance. As we honor all the people who lost their lives on that fateful day, what story of courage most impacted you?

09/10/2026

Update on Kalyana
Not the best news today from the vascular surgeon, but we were expecting to hear this. Kalyana's left renal vein transposition failed and it already has severe narrowing. The next step is a kidney autotransplant. This moves the left kidney to her right side. The vascular surgeon is contacting the UAMS Transplant Team to discuss Kalyana's case. He will be in contact once a plan is established.
Please pray for Kalyana and the doctors caring for her.
Many of you have asked how she is doing, please know we appreciate you. Thank you for all the prayers.

09/08/2026

James Carl Barnhill, who was born on June 23, 1938, passed away on September 7, 2026.

Mr. Barnhill was a retired corporal with the Paragould Police Department and an Army National Guard veteran. He was known to many as “Barney” during his years as an officer, a nickname remembered with affection because he always kept one bullet in his front pocket. He will also be remembered as a good Christian man who attended Center Hill Church of Christ, and as a devoted father, husband, and grandpa whose life was centered on those he loved.

Above all, James treasured his family. He shared 61 years of marriage with his wife, Diana Barnhill, and together they built a family that remained a lasting source of pride and joy in his life. He is survived by Diana; by his son, James Cameron Barnhill; and by his daughter, Connie Barnhill Bowden and her husband, Paul. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Dylan (Courtney), Lane, Cheyenne, Logan, Carsten, and Carleigh, as well as his great-grandchildren, Presley, Kinley, Jovie, and Ever. Their lives stand as part of the legacy he leaves behind, and his love for them will continue to be carried forward in the memories they share.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Barnhill; his mother, Lucille Barnhill; his brother, Clarence Franklin Barnhill Jr.; his niece, Sheryl LeJune; and his nephew, Clarence Franklin Barnhill III.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with military honors, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. Funeral services with Michael Meredith officiating will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service at Pine Knot cemetery.

Dylan Barnhill, Kord McCormick, Chris Vick, Jeff Vick, Josh Crossno, and David Powell will serve as pallbearers.

Lavoy Sanders, Manuel Johnson, Ed Jernigan, Weldon Parkinson, and Terry Sanders will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Please consider making a lasting memorial in honor of James to the Center Hill Church of Christ Food Pantry, 4904 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.

09/08/2026

Brian Keith Loyd, 57, of Paragould, Arkansas, passed away on September 6, 2026, in Paragould. He was born on June 16, 1969, in Aurora, Illinois.

Brian will be remembered for the simple joys that meant the most to him. He enjoyed fishing and watching cartoons, and he especially treasured spending time with family. Those who knew him will also remember his playful spirit and the way he liked giving his girlfriend, Julia, a hard time, a reflection of the humor and familiarity he shared with those closest to him.

He is survived by his son, Logan Hinkley (Keeley); by his brothers, Raymond Loyd (Kathy) and Timothy Loyd; sisters, Lisa Barber (Dennis) and Joyce Brown (Curtis); girlfriend, Julia Gardner; 3 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Loyd and JoAnn Pruitt, and by his sister, Shirley White.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Monday, September 14, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Brother Dennis Barber.

Brian will be remembered with love by those who knew him, and his memory will remain in the hearts of his family and friends. If one wishes to help with funeral expenses, please contact Phillips Funeral Home at 870-236-4904 or click on the “Make A Payment” tab in the upper right-hand corner of the website.