Stories from Thursday, November 11, 2010

As a veteran of World War II, Otis Book of Piggott has a wealth of experiences and recollections from one of the most pivotal events in not only American history, but that of the entire world. "I'm proud to have done my part," Book said. "There were some good times and there were some things you hope to never see again. I wouldn't want to go through it again, but if the cause was there, I'd go again tomorrow if I could still soldier. We had to win that war. There wasn't any other choice."...

The Rector School District is continuing to look to the future. During Monday night's meeting of the Rector School Board, the decision was made to continue utilizing the services of Warner Concepts in preparing the district's state-required Master Plan. Schools are required to produce a Master Plan, detailing a projected enrollment and facility status for a period of 10 years...

In his career, Gary Morris has commanded the attentions of countless audiences on stages across the globe. On Dec. 10, the beloved icon of country and gospel music, stage and screen will perform a very special concert in Rector with all proceeds of the event going to the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation...

Hadleigh Watson (left) as White Rabbit, Sydney Simmons as Mad Hatter and Ashley Williams as Alice reflect on the fact that the White Rabbit has said she's late 354 times. Audience members were treated to a glimpse into another world during the RHA Drama Department's Nov. 6 production of "Alice in Wonderland"...

Ruby Janice Lee, 82, of Marmaduke passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Ruby was born Sept. 23, 1928, to the late Earl and Iva (Jones) Annis. She was survived by her husband, Monroe (Jack) Lee; one son,...

Irene Cook, 84, of Rector passed away Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Nov. 23, 1925, to the late Willie and Ozolia (Oliver) Geausaway in Clay County. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Merrill Cook; a daughter, Marlene Cook, and a son, Larry Cook...

Like millions of my generation, I followed the call sent forth from President Roosevelt and the 76th Congress who declared war upon the Japanese Empire after its "day of infamy" in 1941. I was proud then and I have been proud every day of my life since I joined the Navy. ...

I didn't hear the political candidates mention the military during their non-stop campaigns that flooded the airways. And kept my phone ringing off the wall. But while the rhetoric was going on, our men kept fighting in Afghanistan. I certainly identify with those men, but especially with their families back at home, waiting...

Standardized test scores continue to be an area of discussion for the Piggott School Board. During Monday night's meeting, Board members heard a report from district testing coordinator Barbara Batey offering a complete breakdown of scores received by students a year ago. According to Batey, the importance of reviewing the scores is to give the district an idea of which area students are having difficulties, as well as determining their strengths...

As a veteran of World War II, Otis Book of Piggott has a wealth of experiences and recollections from one of the most pivotal events in not only American history, but that of the entire world. "I'm proud to have done my part," Book said. "There were some good times and there were some things you hope to never see again. I wouldn't want to go through it again, but if the cause was there, I'd go again tomorrow if I could still soldier. We had to win that war. There wasn't any other choice."...

The Mohawks had the hammer down Thursday night, cruising to a 44-0 victory over the visiting Corning Bobcats in Piggott. The Senior Night festivities prior to the game had not only the family members and friends gathered emotionally charged, but also the players on the field, as the Mohawks played the game of football with an unrivaled fervor, imposing their will upon their outmatched county rivals...

Charles Winston Speer, 77, of Piggott died Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at the General Baptist Nursing Center in Campbell, Mo. Charles was born in Rector on May 3, 1933, to the late Archie Woodrow and Reba Hessie (Helms) Speer. He was married Feb. 22, 1956, in Hernando, Miss., to Bonnie R. Williams. Four children were born to this union...

Flora Read, 99, of McDougal, passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born Oct. 11, 1911, and was the daughter of the late Charlie and Angie Clemons Easley. She was united in marriage to Raymond Read on Feb. 20, 1929. He preceded her in death in 1974. She was also preceded in death by four children, Charles Read, Loretta Read, Bobby Read and Jerry Read; daughter-in-law, Letha Read, and son-in-law, Winston Johnson...

Pagene Cook, 80, of Piggott, passed away, Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born Jan. 9, 1930, and was the daughter of the late Claude Otis and Vera Mae (Braden) Montgomery. She was united in marriage to George Cook on April 16, 1953. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1993. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude Montgomery Jr. and Donald Montgomery, and three sisters, Twyla Baker, Alice Morrow and Elaine Bomar...

Pansy Elena Gross, 89, of Piggott, passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at Murphy Health and Rehab, where she resided for the past six years. She was born March 20, 1921, and was the daughter of the late Luther and Ada (Neeley) Nettles. She was married to Frank Gross on July 22, 1939. Frank, one daughter, Norma, and two sisters, Elvera Smith and Elvia Permenter, preceded her in death...

Jerry Holifield, 81, of Paragould, passed away Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett. He was born Sept. 29, 1929, at Piggott, and was the son of the late James Lloyd Holifield and Ora Bell Busby Niemeyer. He is survived by his son, Todd Holifield, of Louisville, Ky., and many other relatives and friends...

Marshall Edward Drake, 78, of Greenway was pronounced dead at his home Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010. Marshall was one of eight children born to the late Robert C. and Mildred "Luna" Drake. He was married to Ruth Evelyn McClure on May 10, 1955. She preceded him in death Feb. 7, 2007...

I didn't hear the political candidates mention the military during their non-stop campaigns that flooded the airways. And kept my phone ringing off the wall. But while the rhetoric was going on, our men kept fighting in Afghanistan. I certainly identify with those men, but especially with their families back at home, waiting...

The First Baptist Church Mission House in Piggott provides a needed community service. According to Josie Brandon, mission director, 57 families were served at the Mission House during October. Who are the people whose needs are met at the Mission? A single man needs a suit for a special occasion. ...