Stories from Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Two men went to pay their last respects to a friend. As they approached the casket, one said to the other, "Would you look at him now!" "Wow," came the response. "What a shame. Pat didn't believe in heaven or hell. And now he's all dressed up and has no place to go."...

If one looks around a lot these days, it won't take long to see the most common three words in the United States. Made in China. Manufacturing jobs are moving to China at an unprecedented rate -- leaving us to wonder what will become of our economy in the long run...

Often a high school graduate or an 18 year old thinks he or she has come of age. No longer will they be restricted by parental rules. They've been set free of restrictions. Hello? I have news. There are rules from age two to 92. All through life, there are restrictions, rules to be followed. Always, there will be someone to tell you what to do and what not to do...

Shirley Joan (Holifield) Morton died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at Collinsville, Ill. She was born May 4, 1944, to Doyle and Martha Jane (Glasgow) Holifield. Preceding her in death was her father. Survivors include her son and wife, Ricky and Julie Morton of Belleville, Ill.; daughter, Elizabeth Bruns and significant other, Scott Corey, of Edwardsville, Ill.; four grandchildren, Samantha and Andrew Morton...

Rivers Atwood Ford, 81, of DeLand, Fla., passed away Sept. 2, 2010, at Oakwood Garden in DeLand. He was born in Dexter, Mo., on Dec. 14, 1928, and went to DeLand four years ago from Bowling Green, Ky. Mr. Ford was a member of the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, the Tennessee Oil and Gas Association Board of Directors, life member of the Son's of the American Revolution, Southern Kentucky Genealogical Society and the Roots and Branches Genealogical Society...

Clay County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) members came out Thursday, Sept. 2, to support the re-opening of the 2650 Highway 49 office during a special open house event. The celebration took place in recognition of the office's return after it was closed for four and-a-half years. Visitors to the office, which is located between Rector and Greenway to serve all Clay County Electric customers, were able to meet with employees Thursday, as well as take part in delicious refreshments...

As First Congressional District Congressman, Marion Berry has been one of the most influential political leaders to form a bond with the Rector community. As longtime friends of Rector residents Richard and Shirley Simmons and Danny and Gail Ford, Berry and wife, Carolyn, have long been familiar with the Rector community and how important the small town is to those who make it their home...

It just keeps getting better. After a large turnout in 2009, considered by many to be a record setting attendance, response was even greater for the 2010 Rector Labor Day Picnic. "It's safe to call the 2010 Labor Day Picnic a success," event co-chair Mark Manchester said. "The crowds were spectacular. We had pretty big crowds throughout the day, without much of a decline in the late afternoon. It's simply amazing the way everyone comes out."...

"I can't say enough about these guys, and the way they battled back," coach Dave Hendrix noted following the Piggott Mohawks' 34-14 season-opening win over Marked Tree Friday night. The Tribe, coming off a disappointing 3-7 campaign, looked sharp in the win, although two key players sat out much of the second half with injuries. ...

1970 Over 5,100 Clay County residents voted in the Democratic Primary Run-off, about 300 more than voted in the primary. Doug Batey beat Frank Carpenter 2,720 to 2,419 for Clay County sheriff while Dale Bumpers beat-out former governor Orval Faubus by a wide margin...

Often a high school graduate or an 18 year old thinks he or she has come of age. No longer will they be restricted by parental rules. They've been set free of restrictions. Hello? I have news. There are rules from age two to 92. All through life, there are restrictions, rules to be followed. Always, there will be someone to tell you what to do and what not to do...

Diane Jackson, 66, of Greenway, passed away at her residence Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010. She was born Oct. 14, 1943, in Detroit, Mich., to the late Al and Virginia Studer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Jackson...

Loretta S. O'Guin, 76, died at her home in McDougal Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010. She was born to the late Elihue and Nina (Fields) Battle on Aug. 8, 1934, in Clay County, Ark. She was married Jan. 13, 1951, in McDougal, to Harold O'Guin and two children were born to this union...

Clarence Duren Mack, 78, of Piggott, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro,. He was born May 5, 1932, in Greenway, and was the son of the late Claude and Edna (Duren) Mack. Clarence began his first trucking company when he was 18 years old. He has owned Mack Trucking in Piggott for 60 years...

Two local sisters will mark milestone birthdays in the coming weeks, and a birthday celebration has been planned at Murphy Health and Rehab in Piggott. Dora McGhee of Piggott and Rachel Ridgeway of Pollard will be honored with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. ...

Clay County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) members came out Thursday, Sept. 2, to support the re-opening of the 2650 Highway 49 office during a special open house event. The celebration took place in recognition of the office's return after it was closed for four and-a-half years. Visitors to the office, which is located between Rector and Greenway to serve all Clay County Electric customers, were able to meet with employees Thursday, as well as take part in delicious refreshments...

The sights and sounds of a bygone era will come to life Saturday, Sept. 18, as the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center hosts its seventh annual Native American Day. Activities will be going on from noon to 3 p.m. that day on the grounds of the museum, located at 1071 Heritage Park Drive in Piggott. There will be no house tours that day and there is no charge for admission...

Longtime local businessman Clarence Duren Mack of Piggott died Saturday at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was 78. Mack, a native of Greenway, began his first truck company some six decades ago at the age of 18. He continued to own, and help operate with son Michael and grandson Mason, Mack Trucking in Piggott for 60 years...