Stories from Thursday, December 23, 2010

If I live to be a hundred (and I'm getting close), I'll never understand men. Now I have this email buddy who evidently has been watching all this holiday cooking on television. In fact, almost all talk shows are featuring chefs and holiday recipes...

Birtlee Stephens Statler was born Oct. 25, 1922, and left this earth on Dec. 15, 2010, and was changed to her spiritual body in the twinkling of an eye. She was the daughter of Mack and Mary Stephens and was born in Caraway. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Barney Rufus Statler, who left for heaven in 1951; two sisters, Lou and Vada Stephens, and her second son, Joe, who left for heaven in 2003...

Erie Wayne Collier passed away Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, at the age of 90. He was born July 28, 1920, to George Tom and Adda Pearl (Gibbs) Collier in Rector. Wayne grew up at Tywhop and attended Union Grove School 1-10th grade. He then graduated from Rector High School in 1938...

Mary Milde Loveless, 63, of Piggott passed away Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Jan. 27, 1947, in Piggott, and was the daughter of the late Carl and Flora Jones Milde. She was united in marriage to James Loveless on April 3, 1968, and to this union two children were born...

Karen Coomer has long been a respected educator at Piggott High School. During her 28 years of teaching, she has offered students instruction in math, family and consumer sciences and driver's education. Coomer recently achieved a professional and personal milestone, completing her National Board Certification...

A Piggott family is enjoying a miracle during the holidays. When 10-month-old Andrew Glenn Redmon came into the world, he arrived ahead of schedule. Born premature, three months earlier than predicted, little Andrew weighed just one pound one ounce and was 11 inches long when doctors at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett were forced to deliver him...

For over 30 years, Frank Staples has had a passion for photography. In that time, Staples, an admitted shutterbug, has seen photos graduate from the lengthy dark room development process to the modern age of digital capturing. Staples's fascination with photography began in the late 1970s. He had seen many people, including his brother-in-law, using 35 millimeter film cameras. He was captivated by the memory-captured boxes and the relative ease in their operation...

Lady Mohawk volleyball standout Breanna Yates will be taking her game to the next level. The Piggott senior signed a letter of intent Thursday, Dec. 16, to play volleyball for the Lady Pioneers of Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould. "I was so excited," Yates recalled of being invited to join CRC by head volleyball coach Cindy Henry. "I almost didn't have anything to say. When she (Henry) asked me if I was interested I said, 'Yes, I'm very interested.'"...

The Cougars were outscored 12-4 in the final two minutes of their meeting with rival Marmaduke Friday night in Rector, succumbing to the Greyhounds, 54-42. The visitors sank 12 of 18 free throws in the pivotal stretch. By comparison, the Cougars were 0-2 at the line late and missed several opportunities late. A three-pointer by senior guard Dan Blackshare pulled the Cougars close, 45-42, with 1:03 remaining, but Rector could manage no more as the 'Hounds made the most of their trips to the line...

All who hear the amazing voice of Gary Morris agree it is uniquely beautiful. But for Kentucky resident Sherrie Turner, Morris' voice is more than entertainment -- it helped her survive two major surgeries and the loss of her voice. She has repaid him by being one of his most dedicated fans, and she and friend Debbie Sumpter were among those who attended Morris' Dec. 10 concert in Rector...

Following a longtime Democrat tradition, several of our readers were asked to share their thoughts on "What Christmas Means to Me." Pamela Sain-Mills Wife and Mother Had you asked me this question a few years back, I'm afraid of what my answer might have been. ...

An incredibly generous donation has made the holidays even brighter at the Rector Public Library. On Saturday, the library received a $40,000 check from the estate of the late Patricia Joyce Lynch of Dallas. "All I could think when I opened the envelope was 'Oh my gosh,'" library director Deana Mills said. "This is a holiday miracle!"...

If I live to be a hundred (and I'm getting close), I'll never understand men. Now I have this email buddy who evidently has been watching all this holiday cooking on television. In fact, almost all talk shows are featuring chefs and holiday recipes...

Erie Wayne Collier passed away Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, at the age of 90. He was born July 28, 1920, to George Tom and Adda Pearl (Gibbs) Collier in Rector. Wayne grew up at Tywhop and attended Union Grove School 1-10th grade. He then graduated from Rector High School in 1938...

Almus Cecil Grayham, 91, of Marmaduke, Ark., passed from this life on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Surviving Mr. Grayham is his wife, Delle Tucker Grayham, of the home; two sons, Ray Grayham of Marmaduke and Glen and Belinda Grayham of Paragould, and two grandchildren, Taylor and Tanner Grayham...

William Douglas Morrisett, 67, of Lafe passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, at the St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born April 9, 1943, to the late Richard and Mildred (Stone) Morrisett in Piggott, Ark. He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Prince) Morrisett; three sons and their wives, Stevie and Marla Morrisett of Rector, Timmy and Leigh...