2020 Community Honorees
Alice Phillips-Butler
Alice Phillips-Butler is the daughter of the late Margia Whitaker Phillips and Lem Phillips. She and her nine siblings were raised to value education and religion. Alice graduated Salutatorian of the Immanuel High School Class of 1944. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from A.M. and N College (presently the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). Upon graduation, Alice taught for 33 years with the St. Charles School District. St. Olive Baptist Church is her church home. She was married to the late Duncan Butler. The couple had one daughter, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Clara Mae Geans-Cross
Clara Mae Geans Cross was born in Keaton Township on October 31, 1929, to Ornette and Susie Geans. She recalls attending Mount Pisgah School through the eighth grade. Clara Mae spent most of her adult life in Arkansas County except for a short time in Chicago, Illinois. She now resides in Stuttgart, AR. She has five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She spends her time serving the community at Stuttgart Senior Citizens Center. The administration and staff at Stuttgart Senior Center admire her gracious and giving spirit. An avid flower gardener, she shares this passion with those at the Center. Clara Mae has been inspirational in continuing the preservation of Mount Pisgah Cemetery.
fredah Elnora Baker-Eldridge (Posthumous)
Fredah Elnora Baker-Eldridge was born and raised in Bay, Arkansas. She was educated in Jonesboro School District and moved to Keaton Township in early 1960. She was the wife of Dr. Fred Nix Eldridge, a prominent optometrist in Stuttgart. They had one child, Sara, who resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Fredah’s loving spirit enveloped and nurtured anyone in her presence. She saw the heart and soul of the people in Keaton Township and embraced the uniqueness that each community family offered. Fredah instinctively knew how to lovingly encourage and gently motivate promising young township girls to reach beyond perceived social boundaries. Because she served as a mentor, a Naomi, to numerous neighborhood girls, Fredah was a living beacon of light for them.
Girstine and George Jeffery
(Posthumous)
Girstine-Toney Jeffery and George Jeffery wed in January 1939. Together, the couple had fourteen children. They were also proud surrogate parents of seven Holt children. The couple was married for 53 years.
Girstine, who was affectionately known as Dewbaby, was born on April 11, 1920. She graciously served as a wife, a mother, and a friend to many in the community. George Jeffery, Sr. was born on August 29, 1919. His parents were Maud Ice-Jeffery and Eddie Jeffery of Casscoe, AR. As a homemaker, Girstine made a tremendous impact in her home, church, and community. George was a farmer who delighted in caring for his family. Girstine and George built and managed a thriving farming business for over four decades in Almyra/Casscoe community. They were God-fearing individuals. The couple devoted their lives to the service of others. Their legacy lives on in the countless lives they touched in Keaton Township.
Nora Hooker-Sims (Posthumous)
Nora Hooker-Sims lived in the Keaton Township Community of Lookout, AR. She was the owner of a general grocery store in the Lookout community and also served as the Lookout Postmaster. Along with managing the general store, she was responsible for sorting the mail for the community as a whole. Community members recall her kindness and generosity. Charlotte Thompkins, a resident of Lookout, fondly remembers her outpouring of love and warmth to all who came into her store.
Nora relocated to Detroit, Michigan, when her health began to fail. There was an immense void left in the Lookout community when she left the area. She was an example of a strong businesswoman who gave much to her community.
