Reba Jean Abbott

 

Reba Jean Abbott, 84, of Fort Smith, AR passed away Monday, January 17, 2022 in Ft. Smith.  Reba was born February 19, 1937 in Waldron, AR to Dero & Lois (Addison) Abbott.    ­She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lillian Carol Dunning; brothers, Earl W., Samuel Jones, Hank, and Charles D. Abbott; and sister, Bonnie Allen.

Reba was a distinguished lady of class and education, and a very fine person that was a devout Christian from a very early age. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all of her heart. We were extremely proud of her and what she had done with her life. She accomplished much with her time here on this earth and was a true servant of God having even been in the mission fields earlier in her life as a part of team members of Christ for The Nations carrying the gospel all the way to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Venezuela in South America, just to name one thing amongst many that she had done in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. She loved people and loved her life, was very outgoing and went on many adventurous trips across the nation. She loved ALL of her family dearly and WE loved her. She told us many times she was ready to go be with the Lord when her time came and did not fear death. She's basking in heaven's glory with God and the angels tonight.

She was extremely UNIQUE. An old school SPECIAL LADY from a better time of grace and morals. We will miss visiting with her.

Survivors include her sister, Dora Abbott Escobar;  nieces & nephews; David & Connie Abbott, George Ann & Ross Noe, Joe & Diana Chester, John Chester, Sam & DeLaun Abbott, Cathy & Darrin Pitman, Bill Abbott, Robert & Kim Abbott, Malcolm & Rhonda Allen, Mark & Kathy Allen, Michael Allen; great nephew, John Chester II; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

 

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, January 21, 2022 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Tim Beasley officiating.  Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.  Pallbearers will be Samuel Abbott, Nathan Pitman, David Abbott, John Chester II, Malcolm Allen and Darrin Pitman.

Billy Jack Pierce

 

Billy Jack Pierce passed away Saturday, January 15, at the age of 94.  He was born in Ft. Smith, AR to Myrtle Iva (Beaty) and Edwin Jameson Pierce on October 15, 1927.  Bill graduated from Ft Smith High School in 1944.  He served in the US Coast Guard.  He attended the University of Arkansas where he played Trombone for the Marching Razorbacks.  He completed his training at the Spartan School of Aeronautics and was employed by the US Weather Bureau as a meteorologist in Lubbock, TX. 

          He married Patricia Louise Pettigrew on December 10, 1947. He served as a bookkeeper for Arkansas Freight Lines (now ABF).  In 1955 he bought interest in Turman Buick Co. which became Turman- Pierce.  His affiliation as a Goodyear dealer, also gave him the opportunity to travel globally.  He opened Pierce Tire Center in 1987. Bill was very active in the Poteau Community.   He was past president of the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Kiwanis Club.  He was a Shriner and a member of United Commercial Travelers in Fort Smith. He was an initial Stockholder of Poteau State Bank. Bill was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Poteau.  Among his bigger interests were traveling and following the Razorbacks.  He and his wife we charter members of the Arkansas Roadhogs.  He loved taking his family to Grand Cayman for family retreats and attended Rotary Club when he was there.  He considered Grand Cayman as his ‘home away from home’.

          Bill leaves three children, Linda Winton (Gary) of Lake Tenkiller, OK, Jean-Anne Shankle, Bill C. Pierce (Brenda) all of Poteau; 3 grandchildren, Lance Owen of Evergreen, CO, Steve Winton (Carrie) of St. Louis, MO and Katie Stubbs (Zach) of McAlester, OK; 3 great grandchildren; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; his parents, and a sister, Mae Pierce Sias of DeLand, FL.

          Due to Covid risks, there will be a private family service.

          Please feel free to sign the book at the funeral home or leave messages of condolence on the funeral home website.