Stories from Monday, November 29, 2010

We hear an increasing number of people expressing the view that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday of the year. Of course, it could have something to do with the turkey and dressing, rolls and gravy, pumpkin pie and on and on. And it does. But we are sure many refer to the day of peaceful reflection, the time with family and friends and the opportunity to pause and just be thankful for our many blessings...

A courageous lady has proven beyond doubt it's never too late for a person to reach their goals. Wanda L. Ray recently completed her course work at the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) in Rector. The results of her final test have come back with great news, informing Ray she has earned her GED, general equivalency diploma, at the age of 80...

Safety measures have been taken to help protect children walking along Rector streets. New crosswalks and signs have been put in place at some of the high-traffic areas in town, where the likeliness increases of children walking to school encountering motorists. New signs warning drivers of the potential presence of children also have been added, thanks to sponsorship by Liberty Bank of Rector...

Rector residents of all faiths lifted their voices in thanks Sunday in the 10th annual Community Thanksgiving Service, held at the Rector Community Center. First General Baptist Church pastor Marston Carpenter gave the invocation and welcomed those present, expressing his love for the Rector community, widely-known for its warmth, generosity and caring...

Carl F. Beck, Jr., of Rector passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born on Dec. 9, 1938, in Risco, Mo., and was the son of the late Carl and Beatrice Morris Beck. He was united in marriage to Shirley Owens on Dec. 9, 1957, and to this union seven children were born...

Martha Zaria Tidwell Bane, daughter of the late Thomas Edgar Bolden and Dixie (Baker) Bolden, was born March 27, 1923, in DeWitt, Ark., and departed this life on Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at the age of 87 years, seven months and 26 days. Martha married John O. Tidwell in 1940. He preceded her in death in 1976...

Helen Geraldine Watson, 77, of Paragould, formerly of Rector, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born Oct. 9, 1933, to the late Cecil and Eva (Fowler) Miller in Risco, Mo. Surviving Helen is her husband, Harley Watson; one son and his wife, Dennis and Connie Watson of Homa, La.; one daughter...

Dorothy Christine Ellington, 84, of Brookland, formerly of Marmaduke, passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at the Belle Meade Nursing Home in Paragould. She was born Nov. 1, 1926, to the late Zade and Flora (Jernigan) McCoy in the Blue Cane area. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Joseph Ellington, and a son, James Ellington...

Newton Edward Wells, Sr., 86, of Greenway passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at his home. He was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Birdell and was the son of the late Bynum W. and Tuela "Perrin" Wells. On Aug. 24, 1946, Valley P. Wright united Newton Wells and Dorothy Jean Hill in wedlock. Six children were born to this union...

It's time to emphasize the positive. Tomorrow as families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we count our blessings. The number around the table may be fewer, but there are blessings just the same. Sure, the economy has nosedived, but for most of us there's still food on the table and a warm place to sleep at night...

Thomas Jefferson did it best of all when he enumerated what he perceived as our God-given rights those of life, liberty, and our pursuit of happiness. Abraham Lincoln borrowed his theme when he gave to posterity his literacy gem at Gettysburg. We have come at Thanksgiving time to elaborate our spirit of gratitude in creating variations on the same theme...

The Cougars may have lost their game against Izard County Consolidated, 42-33, in the Highland Classic Saturday, but the event gave the squad the opportunity to log more time on the court against a quality opponent. "Every little bit of experience helps," coach Matt Mills said, "especially in our case where we're looking to make a run in the postseason. Any time you can play against a good team like Izard County early in the season, it helps you improve."...

The Lady Cougars looked sharp Monday night in Rector, pounding the visiting Maynard Lady Tigers, 67-39. The Lady Cougars led 19-5 after the first frame and built a nice lead, 39-17, at halftime. Rector maintained a 47-28 advantage heading into the fourth quarter...

Upcoming federal environmental requirements may require changes to the diesel engine-operated generators used by the City of Piggott. During Monday's City Council meeting, Floyd Gilzow, director of members relations and public affairs of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA), offered some insight into the approaching new requirements...

Faye L. Tucker, daughter of the late Henry Wayne and Ethel Haire Huffines, was born Aug. 10, 1930 in Hornersville, Mo. and passed away Nov. 20, 2010 in St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 80 years. Mrs. Tucker was married to Marion E. Tucker on March 11, 1956 in Hernando, Miss. Mr. Tucker preceded her in death on Oct. 1, 2008...

Richard Dale Schultz of Perryville, Mo. passed from this life on Nov. 8, 2010 in Perryville while residing at the Holiday Residential Care Facility. Richard was born in Chicago on Nov. 5, 1930; he was 80 years and three days at the time of his death. ...

Carolyne Casey Potts, 65, of Poplar Bluff, passed away, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born Dec. 21, 1944, in St. Louis, and was the daughter of the late Ivan and Carl Cagle Casey. She was united in marriage to Stanley Potts on Oct. 24, 1985...

Clarence Ray Lack, 81, of Lewiston, Mich., formerly of St. Francis, died Nov. 20, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 18, 1929, to the late Buster and Vera Stewart Lack near St. Francis. He was married to Loretta Ruark in February 1951. She survives...

Helen Holifield, 87, of Piggott passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. She was born April 6, 1923, in Malden and was the daughter of the late Arthur and Gertie Taylor Vancil. She was united in marriage to Lewis Holifield on Aug. 21, 1940. He preceded her in death on May 8, 1990. To this union two daughters were born...

Ricky Gene Donehoo of LaPorte, Tex. passed away Nov. 8, 2010, in Galveston, Tex. He was born January 25, 1956, in Piggott to Joe Donehoo, who preceded Ricky in death, and Joyce Donehoo. He leaves behind his wife Donna Brady; his two sons, Keegan and Caleb Donehoo; his mother, Joyce Donehoo, and numerous aunts, uncles, family and friends...

Margaret Dorothy Dalton, 91, died on Nov. 19, 2010, at General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell where she had made her home for the last few years. She was formerly of Piggott. She was born Jan. 2, 1919, at St. Francis, one of five children born to the late Jack and Hattie (Boyd) Dalton...

Sue Crum, 78, of Piggott, formerly of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at St. Bernards in Jonesboro. Sue was born January 2, 1932 in Campbell. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff and was a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, camping, fishing and dancing at different area senior citizen dances...

Carl F. Beck, Jr., of Rector passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born on Dec. 9, 1938, in Risco, Mo., and was the son of the late Carl and Beatrice Morris Beck. He was united in marriage to Shirley Owens on Dec. 9, 1957, and to this union seven children were born...

Newton Edward Wells, Sr., 86, of Greenway passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at his home. He was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Birdell and was the son of the late Bynum W. and Tuela "Perrin" Wells. On Aug. 24, 1946, Valley P. Wright united Newton Wells and Dorothy Jean Hill in wedlock. Six children were born to this union...

It's time to emphasize the positive. Tomorrow as families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we count our blessings. The number around the table may be fewer, but there are blessings just the same. Sure, the economy has nosedived, but for most of us there's still food on the table and a warm place to sleep at night...

The Traditional Women of Piggott are hosting the annual Christmas Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. This year's featured homes are the residences of Delane and Tobey Burns on Clay Street and the home of Don and Marlene Parton on County Road 450 in Piggott...

Piggott native Alan Morris was expected to arrive home Tuesday night, Nov. 23, following a harrowing mission trip to Haiti as part of a national assemblage of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA). The group had planned to provide motorcycles to Christian pastors in Haiti, as well as help with the construction of new buildings...

The Mohawks had a tough night Friday, falling to Tuckerman, 77-65, in Piggott. Tuckerman led after each quarter: 19-14; 36-23 ad 54-44. The Mohawks continued to have difficulties at the free throw line, making just two of 10 attempts from the charity stripe. The poor performance at the line is something head coach Josh Robbins and his squad have been working to improve...

The Lady Mohawks fell in a pair of heartbreakers over the past week, dropping two games by a total of five points. "The senior high is competing every game," head coach Alan Rabjohn said. "When you lose by two or three points, you know you're right there in the game. ...