Monticello Live

Johnnie Merrion “Cowboy” Hilburn 82, of Tillar, Arkansas passed away April 14, 2012. He was born July 23, 1929 in Bluffton, Arkansas to the late Thomas and Ocie Hilburn.

He was a member of Richland Baptist Church in the Richland Community and a retired farmer. His son Johnnie Hilburn and daughter Peggy Hood preceded him in death.

His wife Juanita Hilburn and two sons, Jimmy Hilburn of Monticello, Arkansas and Tommy Hilburn of Crossett, Arkansas, one sister Vivian Carter of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive him.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel and services, Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 pm and burial following at Jefferson Cemetery with Rev. Bill Hilburn officiating. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Arkansas.

Heaven received a new angel…….Sara Frances McMahon Marter, age 61, of Monticello passed away Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at the home of Jennifer and Randy Gavin after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sara was born March 11th, 1951 in Monticello, Arkansas to Van Felton Sr. and Marguerite McMahon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Marguerite, a very special friend, Mary Vining and by her husband of 40 years, Charles R. Marter, Sr.

Sara’s biggest pride was being “Granny”. She loved her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. A lot of the children that called her Granny weren’t related at all but that hardly seemed to matter. She enjoyed drawing and sketching, arts and crafts, taking pictures, researching family history, “her girls night out”, shopping, time spent with friends and she was an avid “facebooker”. She was raised as an Assembly of God; she loved the Lord Almighty and Jesus Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Gavin and husband Randy of Monticello, Krista Newkirk and husband Lester of Hot Springs, one son Charles Marter, Jr. and wife Andrea of Monticello. Six grandchildren; Heath Loveless, Cassidy Gavin both of Monticello, Jeffrey Newkirk of Hot Springs, Taylor, Trenton and Sydnee Marter all of Monticello, and Shannon Gavin of Rye. Two great-grandchildren Autumn and Noah Gavin of Rye. One honorary great-granddaughter, Micah Montgomery of Hamburg. One sister, Diana Shoptaw of Magnet Cove, one brother, Van McMahon, Jr. of Monticello, two brothers-in-law, James Marter and wife Debbie of Monticello, Don Marter and wife Donna of Monticello, two sisters-in-law Nancy Forrest Doggett of Monticello, Juanita Smith and husband Shine of Oak Grove, LA Sara left behind many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A day-care of children that new her as Granny, and a very awesome group of ladies she called her best friends; Deed Shoptaw, Kim Reed, Lynn Marshal, Erma Lee Maness Foster, Dolly Rhodes Farmer, Jeannie Coffman, Sharon Hoppers Barnes and Lisa Coon. One dog, Sheba, her crazy cat, Dahli and his sidekick Toby.

A special thank you to Dr. Tim Simon, his staff at Monticello Medical Clinic, especially Mandy Hayden, Dr. Mark Gibbs and the nurses of the 6th floor oncology wing at Baptist Hospital and to Dr. Omar Atiq and his staff at the Arkansas Cancer Institute…….each and every one of you were so loving and kind.

Sara donated herself to science through the Genesis program in Memphis, TN. Any memorials can be made to Relay for Life at Arkansas Cancer Institute, Team Name “The Incredibles” Contact Person is Kelly Peckham 7200 S. Hazel St., Pine Bluff Ar, 71603.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date. This lady will be forever missed and if you knew her she will always be engraved somewhere in your heart.