On 16 June 1933, Laura Ann Robinson died in Okolona, Clark Co., Arkansas. She was survived by two daughters: Ola May (nee Robinson) Sampson of Chickasha, Grady Co., Oklahoma; and Dona Ann Robinson of Okolona, Clark Co.

There is no record among the Sampsons of what happened to Aunt Dona Ann Robinson.

Any leads/information will be greatly appreciated.

I have checked all the Volumes of "Happenings in Okolona and Antoine Township" from the Southern Standard and Gurdon Times that were compiled by Allen B. Syler.

The last volume is VI 1943. Dona was still alive in April of 1943. "Mr. and Mrs. Guy Riley and Miss Dona Robinson made a business trip to Prescott Monday".
Southern Standard 4-15-1943
page 64 col. 1.

Wanda Sloan Karnes

Okolona Cemetery - Okolona, Arkansas
also known as Thornton Field in DAR records

Emma C. Shackelford 1857 - 1935

Happenings in Okolona and Antoine Township 1931-1936
From the Southern Standard and Gurdon Times
Compiled by Allen B. Syler
Mrs. Emma Shackelford
Mrs. Emma Shackelford died at her country home one mile south of Okolona at 11:30 Sunday night after an illness extending over a period of three years. She was born in Monroe, La., June 4, 1857 and moved to Arkansas in early childhood. At the age of 16 she was married to Fletcher Stewart and became the mother of three sons. In 1880 she was left a widow. She married J.M. Shackelford in 1882 and to this union six daughters were born. In addition to this large family she cared for two step-children and adopted a daughter, Annie Andrews, now Mrs. Annie Lisenby, of Little Rock. She joined the Christian Church early in life and was ever constant in her christian duty and her attendance upon the services of the church. In the days when the annual camp meeting was held at the Mineral Springs Camp Ground she was always there with her entire family and many there are who still speak of her gracious hospitality there and in her own home. Even after she became unable to attend services she would go to the church with the family and sit in the car outside in order to hear the sermon and the sacred music she loved so well.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Stewart of Little Rock, and Don Stewart of Okolona; five daughters, Mrs. Lilla Riley, Miss Mattie Shackelford and Mrs. John Dickey of Okolona, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson of Prescott and Mrs. Sammie Bingham of Temple Texas; 25 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Always a devoted mother, she was the companion of her daughters until the end. Her seven children were at her bedside when the end came and she was consious to the last, her passing being literally "a closing of the eyes in sleep".
Funeral services were conducted from the Christian Church at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Highsmith of Prescott, former pastor of the church. The music was furnished by a quartet composed of Misses Cilla Andrews and Mary Elinor Osborn, L.O. Baker and Erith Shackelford. "The old Rugged Cross", her favorite song, was sung by L.O. Baker.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. John Alford, Dr. F.A. Hughes, George Ethridge, M.O. Hill, Arch McGill and Mack Coffee; active, Bert and Joe Wingfield, Charles A. Hill, Rome Shackelford, Buren Hardin and Gus Ross.
She was laid to rest in Okolona Cemetery.
Gurdon Times 10-24-1935

Old Rome Cemetery, Okolona Arkansas
This cemetery is located 6 1/2 miles south of Okolona on Hwy 51.
Fletcher H. Stewart 1852 - Oct. 24, 1881

J.M. Shackelford 27 - Mrs. Emma Stewart 30
16 Nov. 1882 Book JK page 177 Clark County

Okolona Cemetery
Lilla S. Riley 6/16/1884-8/4/1965
(I remember Mrs. Riley)
this may be Mrs. John Dickey
Kate Dickey 1890-1988
John S. Dickey 1884-1965 double stone

Let me know if I can look up something.
Wanda Sloan Karnes

Fantastic! You're a dear heart, Wanda. I have long fussed over the thought that Great-Grand Aunt Dona was all alone in Okolona after her mother, Laura Ann (nee Dickerson) Robinson died in 1933. I am happy to hear that she had Aunt Emma Shackleford and Stewart/Shackleford cousins nearby.

I still have hopes of locating information regarding her place and date of death, but at least now I know she was alive as late as 1943.

The obit for Emma Shackleford (a.k.a. Emily Dickerson) pulls together bits and pieces of information that I have collected over the last three days. I now understand why Laura and daughter Dona moved to Okolona after the death of Laura's husband James Luke Robinson: Laura had family there.

I have Laura's obituary but am uncertain of the source. I suspect it's from the Gurdon Times. Laura died 16 June 1933 and was also buried in Okolona Cemetery. Can you confirm the source data?

Thanks again!!!!

I am guessing that Dona died after 1950 because her name is not on the Arkansas Death Index 1914-1950. I think you might request a search for the death certificate, in Little Rock and you would have the death date and location of burial. I think she is likely in the Okolona Cemetery with all the Shackelfords , Rileys, her mother and Sammie Shackelford Bingham. I have looked at the entire inventory of the cemetery and Dona is not listed. The list I have was compiled March 16-25, 1992. I am wondering if there may not be a tombstone for her.

In Happenings in Okolona and Antoine Township, the entire year of 1933 is missing, so I cannot help with Laura's obituary. Someone at the Archives at Ouachita University could look for the obit. on microfilm and confirm for you.

Let me know if I can look up something.

Wanda Sloan Karnes

how did you find this information for okolona,arkansas

my grandfather(deceased in december, 2001) lived in okolona/antoine arkansas all of his life. he was 88 years old when he died. i have been trying to get other information about okolona/antoine.

anything you can give me will help

thanks.
jay

I have quite a few Clark County books, and the information I gave was from those books. I was born and grew up near Okolona. Let me know what information you need and I will try to help you.

Contact me at wandakarnes@yahoo.com.

Wanda Sloan Karnes

hi my name is jackie and back in may, 2009 i asked alot of questions in regard to antoine/okolona arkansas. any information you can give me will help

I live in California and have never been in Arkansas. The little bit that I know about ancestors and family who lived in Clark Co. Arkansas came from a family bible and from census records which I have access to through my annual subscription to www.ancestry.com.