WALLACE WAITS
Wallace F. Waits, Jr., 77, passed away at home on April 9, 2023.
He was born to Nina and Wallace Francis Waits, Sr. in Chickasha, Oklahoma on November 28, 1945. Later they moved to Magnolia, Arkansas. Three brothers completed the family: Jim, Larry and Tom.
While attending the University of Arkansas, Wally married Deborah Arnold. His son Wallace Francis Waits was born on August 1, 1976. His daughter, Misty Lea Waits was born on May 18.1979. He also has seven grandchildren.
Wally received his BS in history and later attended the University of North Texas where he received an MS in library science.
In June of 1991 he moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma to begin a job as the Local History and Genealogy Librarian at the Muskogee Public Library. He met his future wife, Faye Goff, two weeks later in Sunday school.
During Wally,s tenure at the library, he expanded the genealogy holdings to among the largest in the state. In addition to using up his book budget, he was skilled at finding books for free at other libraries. He liked both helping people research their family history and hearing their stories.
TRAVIS SMITH
Travis Smith, 72, of Magnolia, passed away Monday morning, April 24, 2023, at Magnolia Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with R.L. Reed Funeral Home in Magnolia.