- E. D. Robinson, Principal
- Mildred L. Sanders, Educator
- Artis Williams, Educator
Edward Daniel (E. D.) Robinson Ex-educator, youth worker dies at 74.
Edward Daniel Robinson, aged 74, of 3110 High Street, [Little Rock, AR] a retired educator and juvenile correction worker, died Friday.
Mr. Robinson had taught in high schools at Lewisville, Stephens, McCaskill, El Dorado and Blevins and was a supervisor of counselors in a program for youths who served time in correctional institutions.
He was a graduate of Philander Smith College and Fisk University at Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Robinson was a former treasurer of the Leadership Roundtable, a former president of the Hempstead County Teachers Association and a former member of the Arkansas Teachers Association. He also was a former vice president of the Union District Association and resident director of the Trans-Continental Insurance Company.
He was a member of the Arkansas Juvenile Correctional Association, the NAACP and Urban League. 
He was a deacon and Sunday school superintendent at Mount Zion Baptist Church and secretary of the state and district Baptist Laymen's Association. Survivors are his wife, Elizabeth Thompson Robinson; a stepson, Jerry L. Jackson of Yokoto, Japan; two daughters, Eudora G. Mitchell and Martha Y. Brantley, both of Moreno Valley, Cal.; a brother, O. D. Robinson of Chicago; two sisters, Elveine Sims of Chicago and Willie Jane Forest of Little Rock, and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Dubisson Funeral Home.
—This article appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Submitted by Virginia Carson Burrell.
Mrs. Mildred L. Jefferson Sanders, the daughter of Samuel Jefferson and Susie Elizabeth Evans was born on September 11, 1922 in Waldo, Arkansas.
On Friday, March 1, 2013, she entered into eternal rest at Magnolia Regional Medical Center. She was a resident of Wentworth Place in Magnolia.
She was married to Rayfield Sanders. To this union three sons were born.
Mildred, at an early age, was a member of St. James African Medthodist Episcopal Church in Waldo, AR. She later united with St. John No. 2 Baptist Church in Waldo, AR. She held a number of offices in her service for Christ.
She was a 1945 graduate of Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas where she received her bachelor's degree in English. She did further studies at the University of Arkansas.
Her professional experience involved teaching at Columbia High School in Magnolia, AR and Stephens Public Schools. She is best remembered by the faculty and students, as well as the parents and community of the former Carver High School in Stephens, AR where she taught English and was a librarian for many years. She was a dedicated teacher who believed that "Teaching is a Work of the Heart". Mrs. Sanders was a teacher with great love, interest, empathy, and compassion for her students and fellowmen. Her life was the epitome of genuine concern for others, and an example worthy of emulation by all that love their fellowmen. One of her major concerns was her students, and she was considered by many to be a "Master Teacher". Upon on her retirement from Stephens, she moved back home to Waldo, AR. She remained active in the Columbia-Lafayette County Unit of the Arkansas Retired Teacher Association where the motto: "To Serve and Not to be Served" was one one of her basic beliefs. She was also active in the Waldo Development Organization and the Waldo City Coun
cil.
Preceding her in death are her parents, a step-father, Reverend Dolbest Zackery, a step-brother and his wife, J.C. Zackery Sr., and Henrietta Zackery.
She leaves to cherish her memories: (4) loving sons: Dr. Samuel Ray (Cathy) Sanders of Yuba, CA; James Earl Sanders, Oklahoma City, OK; Rev. Lee Morris (Alethea) Sanders of Norphlet, AR and Tony Darryl (Shushelia) King of Tampa, FL. The most loved grandchildren, Shekita Lorraine Sanders, David Ian Sanders, India Ari King and other relatives and friends.
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." —John 14:2
Deacon Artis Williams, 77, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2013 at his home in Stephens, Arkansas. He was born on November 5, 1935 in Stephens, Arkansas, to the late John and Martha Williams, Sr. Deacon Williams married Ruby Sims of Selma, Arkansas in 1965. They had been happily married for 47 plus years. Together, this union has one son, Cedric (Brandye) Williams, and two granddaughters, Tyra and Sydni, of Sherwood, Arkansas.
He was a 1957 graduate of Carver High School in Stephens, Arkansas. After high school, he attended Arkansas Baptist in Little Rock, Arkansas; AM&N (University of Arkansas) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he received a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science; Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received a Masters degree in Science Education; and continued to gain more knowledge through further studies at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Deacon Williams returned home to Stephens and was an educator in the Stephens Public School System for 34 years and retired. He later returned, part-time, to the McNeil Public School District for two years.
As a member of the St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, he walked in the ministry of Deacon where he served as Chairman for many years. He has served as a Youth Sunday School Teacher, and initiated the Stephens High School Senior Day, held annually at St. Stephens at 6 pm, the first Sunday in May. This program has spanned 30 years and was designed to exhort and honor students as they embark on the journey into the next chapter of their lives.
In the community, he was a member of St. John lodge #456 where he served as Most Worshipful Master for many years and J.C. Corbin Consistory no. 204; Ouachita Conservation District; Farm Bureau Insurance Board; the Buena Vista Water Association; President of Carver High School Reunion Committee; and a volunteer at the Stephens Community Outreach Center.
Yes, over the years, Deacon Williams has accomplished much — a family Man, an Educator, a Pillar of his community — and we applaud him. Although he achieved much, he always maintained his quiet, temperate, poised, spiritual standard across every walk of life — his many accomplishments did not change the Man. Therefore, we celebrate his life today for the example he has set for us as a Man of God in all aspects of his life.
Deacon Artis Williams is survived by his spouse, Ruby Williams of Stephens, Arkansas; his son, Cedric (Brandye) Williams of Sherwood, Arkansas; his daughters, Cecila Williams of Newport, Arkansas, Andria Williams of Guy, Arkansas; his sisters Louise Manley of Texarkana, Arkansas, Ellen Futch of Detroit, Michigan; his brothers Johnnie Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, Lonnie (Rosie) Williams of Stephens, Arkansas; his grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. A special thank you to Caregivers Brenda Torrence, Rosemary Stevens and the staff at Lifetouch Hospice of Eldorado, Arkansas.