Obituaries
Wilburn Clifton Meriweather, 96, of Sherwood, died Jan. 12. A World War II veteran, Meriweather served as a Baptist minister. He is survived by his son, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Charles Eldon Tommey, 98, of El Dorado, died Jan. 14. A surgeon at the Surgical Clinic of South Arkansas, Tommey served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, El Dorado. He traveled to Nigeria with the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) to volunteer his surgical skills. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings. He is survived by his sister, five children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
James Neal Wood, 75, of Conway, died Jan. 14. Wood served as music director at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, three children and eight grandchildren.
Milestones
Kerry Powell was named pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Forrest City, during the church’s 150th anniversary celebration. Powell served as pastor at FBC Forrest City from 1974-1987 and holds the longest tenure. He has served numerous churches in Arkansas and Tennessee for more than 60 years.