Oliver Marks 30 Years of Service to the City of Waldron
Today marks a major career milestone for Regina Oliver — her 30-year anniversary of serving the City of Waldron.
Oliver began the day by taking a photo beside a familiar combination lock at City Hall, a fixture she has mastered over the decades. “I could effortlessly open it with my eyes closed,” she joked, noting that behind the lock lies the start of another day dedicated to her role. Known for her punctuality, Oliver said she is always early and ready to get to work.
Reflecting on her three decades of service, Oliver emphasized the values of perseverance and commitment. “I feel deeply blessed to have had the privilege of working for the City of Waldron,” she said. “I’m proud to have worked under the guidance of numerous mayors, and I eagerly look forward to many more years of devoted service until my retirement.”
She expressed her gratitude to colleagues, city leaders, and residents for their support through the years, calling the milestone a reminder of the importance of dedication to one’s community.
Malloy Campaigns in Scott County, Highlights Senior Issues and First Responder Efforts
State Representative District 52 candidate Crystal Malloy made several campaign stops in Scott County on Wednesday, August 13, connecting with local leaders and community organizations.
Her first visit was with Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black, where the two discussed key issues facing the area. “She is interested in working on the Senior Center [funding] issue,” Black said. The conversation also touched on the LEARNS Act and the importance of avoiding political games when addressing matters that affect residents directly.
Later in the evening, Malloy attended the Northwest Scott Volunteer Fire Department’s monthly meeting. “I had the opportunity to attend the Northwest Scott Volunteer Fire Department’s monthly meeting. First Choice Ambulance joined the discussion, and it was great to hear from such a dedicated group of people who care deeply about their community,” Malloy said. She noted that the department stays busy answering numerous calls and is always striving for positive improvements.
Malloy shared that her favorite part of the evening was watching a junior fireman receive a promotion after responding to a fire with his mother, taking action, and helping save a home. She praised Chief Donnie Adkins’ junior firefighter program as an outstanding way to teach young people about service, responsibility, and leadership. “It’s inspiring to see the next generation stepping up to help keep their community safe,” Malloy said.
Montgomery Makes Campaign Stops in Waldron, Mansfield
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, State Representative District 52 candidate Brent Montgomery visited Scott County, making campaign stops in both Waldron and Mansfield.
Montgomery began the day in Waldron, delivering cookies to the Waldron School District. He was joined by Waldron Mayor David Millard and his wife, Gretta. Millard has publicly endorsed Montgomery in his bid for the seat.
From there, Montgomery traveled north to Mansfield, where he met with Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black. The two discussed issues including the Buffalo River and the LEARNS Act.
“People want to be heard,” Montgomery said. “That’s why Marcus [Richmond] has been a successful representative, and I want to follow in his footsteps.”
Mayor Black agreed, adding that he has always had a voice with Representative Richmond.
A small business owner, cattle farmer, and lifelong resident of Yell County, Montgomery is currently serving his second term as Justice of the Peace for District 1 of Yell County and also volunteers as a firefighter.
“I have enjoyed being on the quorum court,” Montgomery said. “I am proud of the work I’ve been a part of and the successes we’ve achieved.”
While acknowledging the sacrifices involved in running for state representative, Montgomery said his leadership experience has prepared him for the role and the tough decisions it requires. He expressed his commitment to continuing the work of his predecessor if elected.
Obituary: Hershal Sims (1931-2025)
On August 11, 2025, at the age of 94, Hershal O. Sims went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Born on May 14,1931, in Heavener, Oklahoma, Hershal was the fourth of six children, to Elmo and Bertha Sims. The family was rich in their love for each other and their love for God.
Growing up, Hershal spent his adolescent life helping his father and brother, Lloyd, raise cattle and went with his family for several years to California as migrant workers. During the later school years, he was active in FFA, raising animals to sell to help his family. He was also a skilled woodworker in his classes at school.
After graduation, he and Atha Mathews from Heavener, Oklahoma, were married July 8, 1950, at the Waldron courthouse. After working in the oilfields for a brief period, they returned to Heavener where Hershal became the youngest manager of the local Long Bell Lumber Company. Daughters Pam and Diana were born in Heavener. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas, when Hershal was transferred as manager to the Wichita Long Bell store. Hershal was later transferred as manager to McAlester, Oklahoma, where son, Hershal E. (Bud), was born. Rather than be transferred again as manager at a new location, Hershal and Atha decided to return closer to home and start their own business. Hershal went to Waldron, Arkansas, to find a location to start a business. He rented the old creamery, where their business is still located, and over several months, began forming Sims Building Materials. The family followed in 1962 when Sims Building Materials officially opened and son, James (Jamie), was born.
Over the past 63 years, Hershal has been instrumental in the development of Waldron. Hershal served as Mayor of Waldron from 1967 to 1975 implementing many much-needed improvements to the city including annexations, acquiring the airport, paving streets, and laying new water lines.
Hershal was a charter member of the Lions Club in McAlester, Oklahoma. He achieved the distinction of 32nd degree Mason with a 50-year membership to the Heavener Lodge. He helped establish the Gideon Camp in Waldron where he served in various positions for over 40 years,
Hershal was ordained as a Deacon in 1954 at Independence Baptist Church in Heavener, Oklahoma. He served in many roles in the churches he attended through the years. He was an active member for 63 years in the First Baptist Church, Waldron, where he is a Deacon and taught Sunday School.
Hershal always said his financial and personal success was attributed to God. He served the Lord willingly and faithfully. He loved his family fiercely and served as an example to them by the life he lived.
Hershal is survived by his wife of 75 years, Atha Sims; children Pam Butler (Randy), Diana Sims, Bud Sims (Shelley) and Jamie Sims (Tammy); grandchildren Lara Bench (BJ), Jenny Butler, Angela Schnabel (David), Kevin Payne, Jason Sims (Abi), Nathan Sims (Lauren), Aaron Sims (Kelsie), Andrea Sims and Ashley Sims; and great-grandchildren Madi and Katie Bench, Cali and Rylee Sims, Georgia Sims, Kynslie and Everett Sims who all love him dearly and are thankful to have had him in their lives. He is also survived by his sisters, Patsy Elder and Glenda Elder, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elmo and Bertha Victor Sims, his best friend and brother, Lloyd, and his two sisters, Verna Blackwell and Gracie Crownover.
Visitation is Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:00 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, followed by a celebration of his life at 2:00. Burial will follow at the Square Rock Cemetery north of Waldron on Hwy 71.
Pallbearers will be the grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be the Gideons of the Waldron camp.
You may honor Hershal’s life with the purchase of Gideon Bibles. Memorial cards are available from any Gideon, at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, and online at https:// Gideons.org.
Ferguson Leads Lady Bearcats Win at Little Creek; Boys Finish Runner-Up
Anna Ferguson (Photo contributed by Glenn Parish)
By Glenn Parish
Playing her first tournament of the season Monday senior Anna Ferguson shot a 49 and was the girls division medalist at Little Creek.
Ferguson (shown) also combined with Alycin Pearcy (57) and Lexy Pearcy (59) for a team score of 165 to win the tournament by seven strokes over Scranton.
Also playing her first tournament, Makinley Ensey completed the Lady Bearcat field.
Paris was third as a team and Charleston was represented by a single golfer.
The boys division saw the Bearcats finish as the runner-up in the five team field with Cutler Haller leading the way with a 43.
Parker Smith and Toby Weaver both shot a 44 to complete the 131 team score, which was seven shots behind Charleston who had the medalist golfer shooting a 40, completing the team score with a pair of 42s.
Also on the links for the Bearcats were Chase Posey at 46, Karson Tillery at 48, and Tayden Washburn at 49.
Kass DuPree, Drake Brackney, and Hayden Daniel completed the Bearcat contingent.
Paris had two golfers under 50 and was third as a team at 140. Hector and Scranton also had teams on course and Subiaco had a lone golfer.
The next outing for the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats is at Waldron on Wednesday.
Carylon “Susie” Sue (Strozier) Manes
Carylon Sue “Susie” (Strozier) Manes, 79, of Greenwood, Arkansas died Sunday, August 10, 2025 in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones. She was born May 13, 1946 in Greenwood, Arkansas to Hugh Franklin and Betty Sue (Scott) Strozier. She attended the Free Range Cowboy Church of Greenwood.
She is survived by two sons, Joe Manes and wife, Pam and Tim Manes and wife, Marilyn; one daughter, Tammie Sue “Sis” Cochran; daughter-in-law; Lori Manes; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and six brothers, Pete, Bill, Jimmy, Charlie, Terry and Odie Strozier. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Donald Ray “Donnie” Manes, her eldest son, William Ray “Willie” Manes and her brother, Reuben Marshall “PeeWee” Strozier.
A family directed celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 16 at the Free Range Cowboy Church in Greenwood. Susie will be cremated and her ashes spread under the lilac bush at her home with her husband and son.
Honorary pallbearers will be her brothers, Pete, Bill, Jimmy, Charlie, Terry and Odie Strozier.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Susie’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.
Obituary: Bonnie Gray (1942 – 2025)
Bonnie Lea (Hansard) Gray
January 10, 1942 – August 6, 2025
Bonnie Lea (Hansard) Gray, 83, of Waldron, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025. She was born on January 10, 1942, in Harvey, Arkansas. Her days were 83 years, 6 months, and 27 days.
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12
Family
Bonnie was preceded in death by her father Bratcher Oren Hansard, her mother, Vena Mae Stewart Hansard Kitchens; her sisters Velma Florene Owen and Bettye Jean Taylor; and her husband, Ishmael Thomas “Buddy” Gray.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
She is survived by her four children: Michael Anthony Gray (Sheila) of Springdale, Arkansas, Jada Lea Gray of Sheridan, Arkansas, Dr. I. Torin Gray (Maegan) of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Lael Liana Lynch (Samuel) of Springdale, Arkansas. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many steadfast friends and relatives around the world.
Life and Legacy
Bonnie was baptized at First Baptist Church of Waldron on April 20, 1958. After graduating from Waldron High School, she attended nursing school at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She served her community as a Registered Nurse, first at St. Edward Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith and then at Mercy Hospital of Waldron. For more than 50 years she assisted the delivery of Scott County’s babies and aided the dying in their final agonies. An industrious woman, she and Buddy built and operated a cattle operation. They were the first to establish the Simbrah breed, a hybrid of Simmental and Brahma, in Scott County.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; Ecclesiastes 9:10
Bonnie was known for her unwavering determination and strong convictions. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and stood firm in her principles throughout her life. Those who knew her could always count on her fierce loyalty and devotion. She approached every challenge with perseverance and maintained a tireless work ethic that inspired her family.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Services
To accommodate Bonnie’s global family, visitation will be on Friday October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. Her funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4th, at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. Interment will be at Duncan Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions
The family wishes to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of the GastroArkansas, CARTI Cancer Center, Arkansas Cardiology, Baptist Health, Briarwood Rehabilitation, and Hospice Home Care for their compassionate care and many acts of kindness. We are especially grateful for her dear friends who sacrificed so much to assist her and our family these past months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Baptist Memorial Nursing Alumni Scholarship. https://bmhgiving.org/how-we-help/bhsu/bhsu-nursing-alumni-scholarship
Two Hwy. 28 Bridges Set for Rehabilitation
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has announced that two bridges on Highway 28 in Scott County will undergo rehabilitation work this weekend.
“The closure starts late Friday night/ early Saturday morning (August 15, 16),” shared District 4 Maintenance Engineer Chad Davis. “We are shooting for starting the closure at 12 a.m. The road will then be closed Saturday and Sunday. I am hoping that we that we get it back open sometime Sunday, but there is a chance that it stretches into early Monday morning. Baring something beyond our control, we will have it back open by 5 a.m. on Monday morning.”
Davis stated that residents directly affected by the work have already been notified. Crews will begin at midnight on the 15th and expect to wrap up the following day.
“We will be working in a time to hopefully have the least amount of traffic impact,” Davis explained. The bridges are not being replaced entirely but will have their channel beams rehabilitated to extend their overall lifespan.
“These bridges are old,” Davis noted. “They have some exposed steel, but are not dangerous… however, they are weight posted.”
While work is underway, the road will remain passable for local traffic to ensure “no one will be stuck.” ARDOT will finish work on one bridge before moving to the next. Davis hopes both projects can be completed in one weekend but cautioned that an additional weekend with the same schedule may be needed.
The bridges set for rehabilitation are:
- M-0683 (Lookout Creek) west of Hon on Hwy. 28
- M-0680 (Jerico Branch) west of Chalybeate Road
