Why do I keep reading obituaries?

When we hear them, researchers say, our brains synthesize the hormone oxytocin, triggering an empathetic response . Reading obits can make you feel the fear and pride of an immigrant who started over in a new country, the awe of a mountain climber, the pain of an addict, the patience of a schoolteacher.

Is it morbid to read obituaries?

Reading an obituary is not so much an act of mourning a death but of reviewing a life of notable accomplishment and celebrating it . Obituaries are capsule biographies.

Why do some people not do obituaries?

Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one . Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.

Obituaries in Fort Smith, AR | Times Record (2024)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Billy McDanielAge 79Fort Smith, ARBilly McDaniel, 79 of Van Buren passed away Monday April 22, 2024 in Ft. Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents William and...Billy McDaniel, 79 of Van Buren passed away Monday April 22, 2024 in Ft. Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Maggie McDaniel (Campbell); two sisters Betty Dye and Elizabeth Satterfield....Ocker Funeral Home Van Buren

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

William BoydAge 36Fort Smith, ARWilliam Romaine Boyd, III, Will, passed from this life on April 18, 2024, after battling a brainstem glioma. Born March 1, 1988 to William R....William Romaine Boyd, III, Will, passed from this life on April 18, 2024, after battling a brainstem glioma. Born March 1, 1988 to William R. Boyd, II and Jennifer Womack Boyd in Decatur, Georgia. He...Edwards Funeral Home

Joshua Ty HooperIt is "With heavy hearts we announce the passing" of Joshua Ty Hooper. Josh went to be with his Heavenly Family on Wednesday, April 17th,...It is "With heavy hearts we announce the passing" of Joshua Ty Hooper. Josh went to be with his Heavenly Family on Wednesday, April 17th, a beautiful spring day. Josh was born in Fort Smith,...Edwards Funeral Home

Monday, April 22, 2024

Paul CarruthAge 90Rogers, ARPaul Sanderson Carruth, 90, passed away on April 18, 2024 at Grand Brook Memory Care in Rogers, Arkansas. He was born December 24, 1933,...Paul Sanderson Carruth, 90, passed away on April 18, 2024 at Grand Brook Memory Care in Rogers, Arkansas. He was born December 24, 1933, in Camden, Arkansas, to Paul Fealey Carruth and Shelley Sanderson...

Pat ObersteSallisaw, OKGraveside Service for Pat Oberste, 89 of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Blair Cemetery at Sequoyah's Home...Graveside Service for Pat Oberste, 89 of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Blair Cemetery at Sequoyah's Home near Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin...Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Dixie SorensenAge 84Sherwood, ARDixie L. Sorensen, 84, passed away peacefully in her home on April 7,, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born the...Dixie L. Sorensen, 84, passed away peacefully in her home on April 7,, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born the second of five children in Hollywood, California to Opie and...

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Mary Agnes LeBrun Hambrick CrabtreeAge 87West Monroe, LAFuneral Mass for Mary Agnes LeBrun Hambrick Crabtree, 87, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at St....Funeral Mass for Mary Agnes LeBrun Hambrick Crabtree, 87, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at St. Paschal Catholic Church in West Monroe, LA, with Fr. Mike...Mulhearn Funeral Home

William A. Hanco*ckAge 83Stigler, OKWilliam (Bill) A. Hanco*ck passed away peacefully at his home with family and friends on March 27, 2024. Bill was born on May 11, 1940...William (Bill) A. Hanco*ck passed away peacefully at his home with family and friends on March 27, 2024. Bill was born on May 11, 1940 to Thomas E. and Geraldine L. (Relyeh) Hanco*ck in Canonsburg,...

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Cynthia Diane CooperAge 67Hackett, ARCynthia Diane (Hyatt) Cooper, born June 12, 1956, died April 11, 2024, at her home in Hackett, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Arthur...Cynthia Diane (Hyatt) Cooper, born June 12, 1956, died April 11, 2024, at her home in Hackett, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Arthur Cooper, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her siblings. She...

Brenda Kay RowlandAge 67Brenda Kay Rowland was born on September 21, 1956 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Floyd and Peggy (Hays) Rowland. On April 12, 2024, she took...Brenda Kay Rowland was born on September 21, 1956 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Floyd and Peggy (Hays) Rowland. On April 12, 2024, she took the "Trip of a Lifetime" from her earthly home in...Edwards Funeral Home

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Richard PattersonMuldrow, OKRichard Patterson, 81, of Muldrow, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Fort Smith. He was born Nov. 10, 1942 in Fresno, Calif. to...Richard Patterson, 81, of Muldrow, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Fort Smith. He was born Nov. 10, 1942 in Fresno, Calif. to the late Garth and Lucille (DeLuca) Patterson. He served...Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home

Monday, April 15, 2024

Kenneth BarnettAge 71Fort Smith, ARKenneth Wayne Barnett, 71 of Fort Smith, AR passed from this life on April 12, 2024. He was born February 20, 1953 to Wayne and...Kenneth Wayne Barnett, 71 of Fort Smith, AR passed from this life on April 12, 2024. He was born February 20, 1953 to Wayne and Nola McKenzie Barnett. Kenneth was a lifetime member of Park...Edwards Funeral Home

Betty BaumanAge 88Fort Smith, ARBetty Bauman, age 88, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024.Betty was born on January 26, 1936 in Charleston, Arkansas, and...Betty Bauman, age 88, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024.Betty was born on January 26, 1936 in Charleston, Arkansas, and graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1954.Betty was preceded...Edwards Funeral Home

Verna Lea JonesAge 95Van Buren, ARVerna Lea Jones, 95 of Van Buren passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 in a local nursing home. She was a homemaker and attended...Verna Lea Jones, 95 of Van Buren passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 in a local nursing home. She was a homemaker and attended Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church. She is a former resident...Ocker Funeral Home

Sunday, April 14, 2024

James "Rick" VandermillionAge 77Fort Smith, ARJames Richard “Rick” Vandermillion, of Fort Smith, Arkansas was born on July 2, 1946 to Richard and Norma Jo Vandermillion. He is survived by...James Richard “Rick” Vandermillion, of Fort Smith, Arkansas was born on July 2, 1946 to Richard and Norma Jo Vandermillion. He is survived by the love of his life, Elizabeth “Ann” Vandermillion, of 58...Lewis Funeral Chapel

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Yvonne Lynn SillsAge 54Quinton, OKLynn Sills, 54, of Quinton, Oklahoma, died Thursday, April 11, 2024. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were made with Hunn, Black...Lynn Sills, 54, of Quinton, Oklahoma, died Thursday, April 11, 2024. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements were made with Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be...

Friday, April 12, 2024

Billy R. ArnoldAge 41Van Buren, ARBilly R. Arnold, 41 of Van Buren passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024 in a local hospital. He was a bank manager for Arvest...Billy R. Arnold, 41 of Van Buren passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024 in a local hospital. He was a bank manager for Arvest Bank in Van Buren. He was a graduate with...Ocker Funeral Home

Francis Sue AtwellAge 79Van Buren, ARFrancis Sue Atwell, 79 of Van Buren passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 in her home. She was retired from Rheem Manufacturing in Fort...Francis Sue Atwell, 79 of Van Buren passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 in her home. She was retired from Rheem Manufacturing in Fort Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents...Ocker Funeral Home

Joann BushAge 91Fort Smith, ARBetty Joann Bush, 91, of Fort Smith, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 in Van Buren. She was born July 28, 1932 in Piggot...Betty Joann Bush, 91, of Fort Smith, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 in Van Buren. She was born July 28, 1932 in Piggot to the late Zelmer and Carmen (Hardin) Reeves. She...Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home

Freda Goforth DunnAge 95Ft Smith, ARFreda Goforth Dunn, 95, of Ft Smith, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024. Born on December 16, 1928, she was the beloved daughter...Freda Goforth Dunn, 95, of Ft Smith, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024. Born on December 16, 1928, she was the beloved daughter of Clyde and Gertrude Dixon. Freda found profound joy in...Edwards Funeral Home Chapel

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