Stories from Thursday, November 18, 2010

The efforts of those serving America in the armed forces were honored during a special Veterans Day ceremony held Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Rector High School gymnasium. The students of Rector turned out to show their respect and appreciation for all the men and women who have served their country with honor...

Santa Claus, floats, beauty queens, antique cars and a variety of other entries are getting ready for the annual Rector Christmas Parade set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate in the event, which coincides with the illumination of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town. Persons who plan to have an entry in the parade may contact Kim Romine at the Rector Water Department office, 595-3035...

Being a part of the Rector High School Band has meant a lot to senior flute player Keelie Baker. "The band is like a family to me," Baker said. "It always has been. We know each other and we interact all the time. It's sort of like a dysfunctional family. It's been a big part of my life."...

Iva Lea Hill, 87, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at St. Bernards' Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born April 3, 1923, to the late Vernon and Floy (Montgomery) Grimes. She was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church at...

Nancy Almarea Dale, 94, of Rector passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, at the Rector Nursing and Rehab. She was born March 20, 1916, to the late Cord and Etta Maude (Burkhead) Holifield in Boydsville. Almarea is survived by three sons and their spouses, Bill and Betty Copeland of Rector, Quinton and Dorothy Copeland of Rector and Donald (Rass) and Carol Copeland of Paragould; two daughters and a son-in-law, Jean Foster of Kennett and Anna Belle (Lou) and Clay Robinson of Rector, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a great- great-granddaughter.. ...

I had another birthday this month. Two of my girlfriends had to rub it in. They took me to lunch at the Diner, then they gave me over the hill cards. My age is not broadcast, but these ladies were determined to find out my chronological age. That morning they made a special trip to the cemetery to take a look at my gravesite...

Scarcely had the final "Trick or Treat" passed from thousands of juvenile throats when we heard the decree that yet another season celebrating the birth of our Lord was at hand, despite the calendar date. Recession or no, it was again time to spend, spend, spend! This time once more we will be treated with such items as the career of a red-nosed reindeer, the gift of a small boy's drum-playing, and someone's mama kissing a mythical Santa Claus. ...

A sense of appreciation and a somber reminder filled the air in a special Veterans Day ceremony held Thursday, Nov. 11, in front of the Clay County Courthouse in Piggott. Veterans, their loved ones and those who just wanted to pay their respects gathered near the flagpole and memorial for the presentation of a wreath honoring all those who have fought to preserve the freedoms and ideals of America...

The Black River Area Development Corp. (BRAD) assists many elderly or disabled senior citizens in the local area to provide them with hot meals, games, exercise and weekly to monthly trips. "The meals are great and very helpful to all of us," Marilyn Evans said during her visit to the Community Center for a luncheon...

One of Piggott's historic buildings on the square has benefitted from an old-fashioned addition. The building at 209 West Main, which houses Feather Your Nest, has caught the eyes of many passersby with its unique mural on the side of the structure. A retro-style OshKosh logo has added a touch of days-gone-by to the building, giving the site additional charm...

Brenda Steuart Smith, 57, of Greenway, passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born Feb. 8, 1953, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Charlie Bill and Betty Seals Smith. Survivors include her daughter, Angel White of Greenway; two grandchildren, Colby Shaye Lynch and Carly Marie White, both of Greenway; one brother, Charles L. Smith of North Little Rock, and many other relatives and friends...

Cora May Skidmore, 85, of Piggott died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Aug. 21, 1925, in Holcomb to the late Robert Earl and Allie May (Rideout) Green. She was a member of the Gravel Hill General Baptist Church. She worked as a seamstress for the G.W. Gossard Company at Malden. She and her late husband also worked 20 years through DHS as foster parents. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and working with her flowers...

Mary Jo Latta, 82, of Pollard, passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born March 16, 1928, in McDougal, and was the daughter of the late Clyde and Mary Emma (Battles) Conley. She was united in marriage to John Robert Latta on March 15, 1947. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1977...

Elizabeth Brawner Bryant, 65, of Dyersburg, Tenn., formerly of St. Francis, passed away Nov. 2, 2010, in Dyersburg, Tenn. She was born Aug. 4, 1945, in Mt. Pisgah, Ohio, and was the daughter of the late William and Eva Hawkins O'Neal. Survivors include her son, Jim Brawner and wife Robin of Dyersburg, Tenn.; granddaughter, Morgan Tank of House Springs, Mo.; two brothers, Pete O'Neal and Jim O'Neal, both of Ohio; three sisters, Judy Caldwell, Linda Poppas and Barbie Wood, all of Ohio, and many other relatives and friends.. ...

Carol Ann Raybon, 61, of Fayetteville, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. She was born Sept. 4, 1949, at Piggott, the daughter of James and Josie Duckworth Brandon. Carol was an active member of University Baptist Church in Fayetteville. ...

Louise Blankenship of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, in Hospice of Northwest Ohio-Toledo at the age of 81. She was born to Connie Robert and Era Ines (Crain) Brown in Campbell, where she also attended Campbell High School. Louise worked at Jeep, where she was known as "Grandma" and retired in 1990. ...

Iva Lea Hill, 87, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at St. Bernards' Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born April 3, 1923, to the late Vernon and Floy (Montgomery) Grimes. She was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church at...