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Submitted: 1/19/17 • Approved: 1/22/17 • Last Updated: 1/25/17 • R1171203-G1167314-S3
Gerald Dee
Apr 10, 1941 - July 23, 2012
Oneita Mae
Jan 29, 1943 - Jan 17, 2017
Obituary
rollerfuneralhomes.com
Oneita Mae (Fortner) Fowlkes 73 was born on January 29, 1943 to Dolphus and Lilus Fortner. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 17, 2017.
She was married to Gerald D. Fowlkes who passed away July 2012.
She is survived by her son Tony Fowlkes (Debra), daughter Sherry Lee (Alan). Grand children Anthony and Samuel Fowlkes, Justin Lee (Amanda), Nicholas Lee (Ami), Zachary Lee (Victoria), Great- grandchildren, who were the sunshine of her life, Madeline Lee, Rylan Lee, Madison Lee, Mark Lee and Kobin Fowlkes.
Brothers Wayne (Shirley) Fortner, Ronny Fortner, Donny (Judy) Fortner, Randy (Rita) Fortner.
In Laws are Brenda Fowlkes, Freddie (Beverly) Fowlkes, Ronnie (Linda) Fowlkes, Karon (Jerry Williams, Jonny (Jackie) Fowlkes) and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a loving Mother, sister, aunt and “Nana”. She will be greatly missed by all of her family.
We would like to thank her Hospice family for the great care and love you have shown her and her family.
Visitation will be Tuesday January 24th 6-8 pm at Roller McNutt Funeral home in Conway. Service will be January 25th at 10:00 am at CenterPoint Freewill Baptist Church at Vilonia. Burial; will be at the Vilonia Cemetery.
The family will be at the home of her daughter.
Gerald Fowlkes, 71, of Vilonia passed away to his heavenly home on July 23, 2012. He was at home with his family.
Born In Vilonia on April 10, 1941 he was the eldest son of the late Aaron and Lorene (Furgerson) Fowlkes. He and the love of his life Oneita Fortner went to Stillwell Oklahoma and were married on August 22, 1959. In his younger years he worked for several different places but went to work for Weaver and Bailey around 1962. While working for them he helped to build the JFK Dam that we all cross at Heber Springs. Later He and his brother Tommy started their own construction business. Then he moved on to start his own construction Business, even continuing to work after suffering a stroke in 2001. If someone would hoist him up on his dozer he would do a job just like before. He had become friends with many contractors and builders over the years. He retired in 2009 after many years of hard work.
He and his wife enjoyed attending Bluegrass Festivals and met many friends as they would travel from place to place. It was his dream to attend the festival in Kentucky this last spring but was unable to attend due to his health. But he would watch it on TV every chance he got.
Many of you will remember his determination to get out and be active riding his Golf Cart to get around. He would gather aluminum cans as a past time and would set for hours crushing them until he had enough to take for trade. So many people would help him out by bringing him cans. It was nothing to come home and someone had brought a big bag and set out by his driveway or under the big tree.
He was a charter member of the Vilonia Fire Department and on the Department for 25 years before retiring. He served on the Vilonia City Council for 13 years. He was Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector for the City of Vilonia for many years. He also was a part-time Police officer for the City for 5 years. He served as Constable for the Cypress Township for 18 years.
He and his family owned and operated the Midtown Cafe 1980-81. He was a member of the Vilonia Jaycees and Optimist Club and other organizations through the years. He was a Member of the Arkansas Constable Association, where he also served on the board.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Oneita (Fortner) Fowlkes. His children, Tony Lynn (Debra) Fowlkes and Sherry Renee (Alan) Lee all of Vilonia; grandchildren, Anthony Fowlkes, Justin (Amanda) Lee, Samuel Fowlkes, Nicholas Lee, and Zachary Lee; greatgrandchildren, and the joy of his day Madeline (Maddy) Renee Lee and Rylan Nicholas Lee. He is also survived by his siblings, Tommy (Brenda) Fowlkes, Freddie (Beverly) Fowlkes, Ronnie (Linda) Fowlkes, Karon (Jerry) Williams, and Johnny (Jackie) Fowlkes, and a host of nieces and nephews.
His Children went on in their careers to follow in his footsteps; Tony has his own construction Company and Sherry works with the City of Vilonia with the Court Department at Court Clerk.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 26, 2012 at
Center Point Free Will Baptist Church in Vilonia with the Bro. Alton Wall Officiating. Interment will follow at Vilonia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Roller- McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.
Pallbearers will be members of the Vilonia Police Department and he will be escorted to the Cemetery by members of the Vilonia Fire Department.
The family would like to say Thank you to the team of Odyssey Hospice and Dr. Brad Tilley for their gentle and loving care during his last days. To Brother Alton Wall for your visits and spending time with Dad, to all the people that came by to visit or bring food. He had many doctors before going on to Hospice and we thank you all.
Also a special thank you to Debra his daughter in law that set with them during the week so everyone else could go to work.
The family will be at his daughter's home at 14 Cemetery Street in Vilonia.
Parents:
Aaron T Fowlkes (1916 - 2004)
Lorene J. Furgerson Fowlkes (1925 - 2010)
Sibling:
Gerald D. Fowlkes (1941 - 2012)
Thomas Carrol Fowlkes (1942 - 2015)
Contributed on 1/19/17 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1171203