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Submitted: 8/21/20 • Approved: 8/30/20 • Last Updated: 9/2/20 • R1335365-G1335364-S3
AJ
SERGEANT US Army
Korea
April 7, 1929 - March 30, 2016
*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sunday, April 3, 2016
ROGERS — A.J. Brightwell, 86, of Rogers, went to his heavenly home Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born April 7, 1929, to Elgan and Minnie Brightwell in Newport, Ark. He married the love of his life, Helen Teters on Aug. 19, 1954.
A.J. served in the United States Army earning the rank of Sergeant as a tank mechanic during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he and Helen married in Lynwood, Calif., where he worked in the grocery industry before returning to Springdale, Ark. in 1962. A.J. and Helen bought and ran the Nob Hill Grocery for eight years before selling it. He then began his career at Harps Food, Stores Inc. as a store manager in Springdale. He retired after 23 years.
While growing up in Newport, Ark. A.J. developed a love for boxing which continued throughout his life. He was known as the 'Arkansas Flash". He fought as a semipro boxer in the welterweight division while in California.
After retiring, A.J. and Helen enjoyed traveling, especially to Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nev. He and Helen moved to Rogers in June of 2009. A.J. loved spending time with his family and grilling out. Everything he cooked was well done!
A.J. accepted Jesus as his savior later in life and was a faithful member of New Hope Fellowship Church of Springdale. He loved attending Sunday services and Tuesday Seniors Bible study.
A.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Elgan and Minnie May Brightwell; two brothers, Cecil and Powell Brightwell and one sister, Grace Lowery.
He is survived by his wife Helen, of the home; one son, Arthur 'Art" and wife Jackie of Sacramento, Calif.; daughters, Anita Brightwell and Annette Brightwell both of Rogers, Ark.; and Angela Ariola and husband Robby of Fayetteville, Ark.; five grandchildren, Chrissy Jackson and husband Bernard, Cole Brightwell, Christopher, Chelsea and Cameron Ariola and six great-grandchildren, Aaleyah Carson, Emma Grace Jackson, and Elijah, Malachi, Israel and Emory Ariola; one sister Pauline Sena of Oceanside, Calif.; and honorary daughter, Patti Jennings of Rogers, Ark.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be Monday, April 4, 2016, at 10 a.m. at New Hope Fellowship Church in Springdale with the Rev. Cliff Jenkins and the Rev. Joe Layman officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in Bluff Cemetery in Springdale.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Fellowship Church of Springdale or Circle of Life Hospice Care at Legacy Village in Bentonville.
Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.
Helen
October 13, 1928 - June 16, 2018
*Obituary
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
ROGERS — Helen M. Brightwell of Rogers, went to her heavenly home Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. She was born Oct. 13, 1928, to Myron (Pete) and Zulema Teters in Springdale, Ark.
She married the love of her life AJ Brightwell on Aug. 19, 1954. Helen graduated from Springdale High School in 1947. After graduation she attended The Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tenn., graduating as a registered nurse in 1950.
After moving to California, she met and married AJ Brightwell in Lynwood, Calif., in 1954. In 1962 they returned to Arkansas where they bought and ran the Nob Hill Grocery for eight years. She then returned to her nursing career working at Springdale Memorial Hospital until retirement.
Once retired, she volunteered at the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store and later at House of Hope Rescue Mission in Springdale. Helen received the Arkansas Volunteer Award from the Governor's Office of Volunteer Services in 1982. During her retirement AJ and Helen enjoyed traveling, especially to Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nev. In June of 2009 they moved to Rogers to be closer to their daughters and enjoyed spending time with their family. Helen was a faithful member of New Hope Fellowship Church of Springdale. She enjoyed attending Sunday services and the seniors Bible study on Tuesdays.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, AJ Brightwell; parents, Myron (Pete) and Zeluma Teters, and two sisters, Louise Plumlee and Shirley VanWinkle. She is survived by one son, Arthur J. Brightwell and wife Jackie of Broken Arrow, Okla., three daughters, Anita and Annette Brightwell both of Rogers, Ark., and Angela Ariola and husband Robby of Lowell, Ark.; five grandchildren, Chrissy Jackson and her husband Bernard, Cole Brightwell, and Christopher, Chelsea and Cameron Ariola; six great-grandchildren Aaleyah and Emma Grace Jackson, Elijah, Malachi, Israel and Emory Ariola; two sisters Marie Dunivan of Tahlequah, Okla. and Carolyn Bailey of Owasso, Okla., and one brother Jimmy Teters of Springdale, Ark.; and honorary daughter Patti Jennings of Rogers, Ark.; as well as many nieces and nephews and friends.
Services will be Friday, June 22, 2018, at 10 a.m. at New Hope Fellowship Church in Springdale, 850 Gene George Blvd., with Rev. Cliff Jenkins and the Rev. Joe Layman officiating. Burial will be in Bluff Cemetery in Springdale.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to House of Hope Rescue Mission in Springdale or Circle of Life Hospice Care at Legacy Village in Bentonville. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.
Contributed on 8/21/20 by wfields55
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Record #: 1335365