John Forsyth

John Forsyth, age 74, of Board Camp, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on Saturday, November 27, 1948, to John and Bonnie Mae Forsyth in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

John was an active member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Mena. His favorite motto was “Carpe Diem” and he always did seize the day. He had a beautiful singing voice and was part of the choir for the Church of England in Canberra. John also had the honor to sing in the choir for the 9/11 services for the Ambassador and Prime Minister of Australia. He was passionate about music and loved opera, deep south and country music. John liked to stay occupied and had many various careers and even became a realtor after retirement. He was a talented chemist, creating ink formulas for many countries and companies. John enjoyed genealogy, exploring local and obscure history. He also liked to go to auctions and find hidden treasures to bring home. John lived all over the United States throughout his life and worked in many countries including India, Australia, and China. He enjoyed all the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren and loved his wife with all his heart. John leaves behind many dear friends and will be missed by all who knew him.

John is preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Linda Graham.

John is survived by his loving wife, Annet of Board Camp; one son and daughter-inlaw, James and Lillie Forsyth of Comanche, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Gary Delzer of Texas; grandchildren, Sarah, Thomas, Anorah, Noah, Natalie, and Nathan; honorary grandchildren, Cody and Hope; one sister, Jane Forsyth Miers of Little Rock; nephews and niece, Collier, John, and Elizabeth; and a host of other family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mena, Arkansas with Pastor Bill Sietz officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. A private interment will follow the service. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the funeral service in the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church at 904 Church Ave, Mena, AR 71953.

Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Vernon Lee Garret Sr.

Vernon Lee Garrett Sr., age 87, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Greenhouse Cottages in Mena, Arkansas. He was born on Monday, November 25, 1935, to Henry and Bessie Garrett in Wewoka, Oklahoma.

Vernon was a man of faith and loved the Lord. He read his bible daily and was a member of the Chant Lane Pentecostal Church in Boles, Arkansas. Vernon served in the Army and enjoyed traveling all over the United States. He was proud to help build two churches in Colorado where he also was part owner in a gold and silver mine.

Vernon always felt like Arkansas was his home so he settled in Boles and helped to build the church he currently attended. There he and his loving wife Theresa enjoyed working side by side with their Church Vacation Bible School. Together they purchased a farm with laying houses and raised their children. Vernon loved his children and grandchildren. He was proud of them all. Vernon loved to be outdoors. He became a small engine mechanic and worked on lawnmowers and classic cars. Vernon watched the news daily and enjoyed watching Andy Griffith and Hee Haw. Vernon was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bessie Garrett; his loving wife of 50 years, Theresa Garrett; one brother, Edward Benn Garrett; four sisters, Lydia Mae Garrett Harris, Lucy Lorene Garrett Stiles Jones, Amy Pauline Garrett and Bessie Denise Garrett; and one special son-inlaw, Monte Williams.

Vernon is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dewey Lee Garrett and wife, Karla of Lowell, Arkansas, Vernon Lee Garrett Jr. and wife, Paula of Wetumpka, Alabama; two daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa Paulette Garrett Williams of Beaumont, Texas, and Melinda Carol Garrett McMellon and husband, Tim of Mena, Arkansas; one sister, Alice Mitchell of Moore, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren, Derrick Williams, Michelle Garrett, Dewey Garrett Jr., Laura Page,

Michael Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Alisha Parnell, Julie Wells, Christopher McMellon, Brandon Garrett and Stephanie Garrett; several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Mike Shadden officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Six Mile Cemetery. A general visitation will be held on February 14, 2023, from 11:30 A.M to 12:30 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Derrick Williams, Michael Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Christopher McMellon, Brandon Garrett and Isiaha Stipe. Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Terri Sue Keith, age 60, of Siloam Spring, Arkansas, passed away on February 7, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Terri was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to C.L. and Patsy Cockburn on October 31, 1962. She went to high school at Mena High School and attained a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Florida Metropolitan in Florida. She married Gary Keith on September 1, 1990, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She worked as the Chief Financial Officer for St. Francis House in Northwest Arkansas.

Terri and Gary have been married for 32 years and they cherished their time together. Both shared a passion for fishing and horses and they rarely spent time a part.

Terri is preceded in death by her brother Richard Landon Cockburn.

She is survived by her husband Gary, her brother Kyle Cockburn, parents C.L. and Patsy Cockburn; nephews and their spouses Andrew and Gabby Cockburn, Trever and Kiley Cockburn, and great niece Hope Cockburn.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are by the Martin Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking any donations be sent to the care of the Martin Funeral Home to help with the unexpected medical expenses. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our family, friends, and co-workers for all their support and prayers.