2023 Community Honorees
Arthur Doris Holt (Posthumous)
Arthur Doris Holt, the son of the late Celie Ice and late Freddie Holt, was born in Almyra, Arkansas, on January 27, 1926. He was the oldest of seven children born to his parents. Mr. Holt learned about life's challenges at the age of thirteen when he and his six siblings lost their parents. By grace, he was welcomed into the home of Girstine and George Jeffery, who raised the Holt children as their own.
After honorably serving his country in the United States Army, Arthur became a sharecropper to support himself and his siblings. Arthur was a gifted creative who mastered the art of carpentry, began his carpentry business, and shared his knowledge with other young men in the community. Because of his passion for helping others, the Arthur D. Holt Memorial Scholarship awards financial assistance to students seeking trade careers in honor of his memory, service, and love.
James Wallace Phillips
James Wallace Phillips attended DeWitt School District and graduated in 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Agriculture Business from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1975. In 1978, he earned Bachelors of Agriculture Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Upon graduating, he taught for a total of 38 years.
His community service includes 29 years on the Arkansas County Conservation Board of Directors, 21 years on First Electric Co-op—Board of Directors Operation Round-Up, and the Arkansas County Extension Ag Committee. He also serves as a Deacon of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, a member of DeWitt Masonic Lodge #343, and an active member of the Graduate Chapter of Kappa Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc.
He began farming as much as 1100 acres initially with his late wife, Deborah Hatter Phillps, and then with his current wife, Eddie. He lives in Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas. Together, James and his wife Eddie have three children: one son, two stepdaughters, and three grandchildren.
Odella May Smith
Odella May Smith was born in St. Charles, Arkansas, on February 5, 1941. She married the late Eddie Hue Smith after graduating from Immanuel High School. They have six children and 15 grandchildren. Odella is a member of St. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Her servant's heart has led her to serve as Sunday School Superintendent and the church announcement clerk. Mrs. Smith has also served as the librarian and secretary for the White River District Churches for Christian education.
Odella worked for the DeWitt Shoe Factory for ten years. She then worked for 25 years with the Stuttgart Public School District as a Social Worker and ParaLiasion. Odella enjoys reading, watching game shows, and helping others in her spare time. Being a Christian and worshipping the Lord are the things she values most of all.
JoHn Ed Tarkington
John Ed Tarkington has been a resident of Keaton Township his entire life. He is the son of Ruth Taggert and James Ed Tarkington. With service as his hallmark, John tirelessly gives back to his community. He is a member of First Christian Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas, where he has served in many roles, such as the Sunday School teacher, Chairman of Elders, and Chairman of the Worship Committee. He is also the former President and Vice-President of Stuttgart Grain Dryer, Past President, and Vice-President of Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, a Board Director of White River Irrigation District, a Founding member of the Yoder Ruritan Club, and many more. Faith, family, and farming epitomize his life.
John's wife is Beverly Conrad Tarkington. Together they have two sons, Sam and Will, a grandson, four granddaughters, and two great-grandsons, and are expecting a great-granddaughter in June 2023. The six-generation farm family owns and operates Triple T Farms, Inc. in Almyra, Arkansas.
Sugar Ray Wofford
Sugar Ray Wofford was born on July 10, 1953. He has called Casscoe, AR, home his entire life. Ray attended Stuttgart High School in 1971. He attended Arkansas Technical College upon graduation, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BA). He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Ray enjoyed a 35-year-long teaching career with Stuttgart School District from 1978 – 2015.
Ray Wofford's faming lineage is unique in that he is a descendant of the Wofford and the Montgomery Farm Families. He is married to Betty Wofford. He has four children, three daughters, and one son.
