Stories from Thursday, January 20, 2011

The home of Mark and Jodie Watson and their two children at 9375 Highway 90, about three miles north of Rector, was completely destroyed by fire Sunday night, Jan. 16. There was no one home at the time of the fire, and when the Watsons arrived after receiving a call, they said they had gone to visit his parents, James and Darla Watson, who live near Rector...

Wayne Parker may be one of the most widely-known people in Clay County. While his easy-going attitude and infectious laugh have garnered Parker many friends throughout his life, it's his love of going places -- even if just a few miles down the road -- and his method of travel which helped him become familiar to so many residents...

A slow start hurt the Lady Mohawks in action against Rivercrest Monday night in Wilson. Piggott was outscored 21-1 in the first quarter in a 58-32 loss. The Lady Mohawks trailed 38-21 at intermission and 54-35 going into the fourth. Mallory Wright led Piggott with 16 points in the loss. Also scoring for the Lady Mohawks were Breanna Wright 7, Allison Gurley 4, Chelsea Covarrubia 2, Hallie Vannada 2 and Kayla Morgan 1...

Downed 57-49 by long-time rival Corning on the road last Tuesday, things didn't get better for the Mohawks Friday night at home. Piggott ran into a tough, talented Manila Lions squad which has been on a roll. The Mohawks were felled, 68-35, in the home stand with Manila...

The Piggott Parks and Recreation Committee is continuing its efforts to humanely reduce the population of Canadian geese at Heritage Park. The geese have been a concern at the park in recent years, as their growing population is creating a series of problems. While their presence may have added a sense of life to the surroundings, the effects of the geese being in the park often are left behind...

The Clay County Democrat and the Piggott Times will merge beginning with the Feb. 2 issue. "This is something we have been looking at for several years," publisher Ron Kemp said. "The new publication will contain all the same features currently in both newspapers and will give advertisers better coverage of the area market."...

I was married for 35 years so that makes me an expert on marriage. In my lifetime, I've seen what I consider good marriages and not so good. At first, young marrieds are so enamored with each other, they see no faults. Time passes, and differences begin to surface...

Louise Simpson, 84, of Linden, Mich., died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden. Rev. Dan Lashley will officiate. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to St. Jude Children's Hospital...

Robert Lee Varner, 86, of Piggott, formerly of Rector, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the Poplar Bluff VA Hospital. He was born Jan. 27, 1924, to the late Sylvester Ellsworth and Alma Henrietta (Barnett) Varner. He is survived by his wife, Gladys (McCain) Varner; two sons and their wives, Paul and Linda Varner of Qulin, Mo., and Donnie and Donna Kay Varner of Rector; two daughters and their husbands, Diane and Gary Rogers of Paragould and Jackie and Steve Hardin of Rogers; 10 grandchildren, Regina and Steve Stahl, Remona Varner, Renee and Brad Deaken, Jerry and Laura Varner, Chad Varner, Timothy and Carolyn Varner, Brad and Jennie Lee Rogers, Darren and Natalie Rogers, Samatha and Joe Berry and Ben Hardin; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Orvil Varner of Colt, Ark.; one sister, Verniece Smith of Forrest City, along with a host of other family and friends.. ...

Shelton DeGarmo, 67, of Conyers, Ga., died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011. Shelton was a member of Philologia Masonic Lodge # 178 F. & A.M., Yaarab Shrine, Potentate Escort, Royal Order of Jesters, # 91 and the Bilikin Club. He is survived by his wife, Audrey DeGarmo; children, Chris DeGarmo, Craig DeGarmo, Christy Kill, Joseph Harvey and Diana DeGarmo; brothers, Larry DeGarmo and wife Darline, Eddie DeGarmo and wife Susan, Mike DeGarmo and wife Wanda, several aunts, uncles and cousins...

Novel O. "Bo" Gray, 100, of Corinth, Miss., formerly of Piggott, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. He was born Jan. 26, 1910, to the late George and Lula Brown Gray. He was a farmer and of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Chester O. Gray; two sisters and five brothers...

The Lady Cougars picked up an all-important conference victory Monday night in Lake City, topping host Riverside, 50-38. Senior Chelsea Drope continued to burn down nets across the region, torching the Lady Rebels for a game-high 23 points. The early-going was back-and-forth, as the two teams stayed close on the scoreboard. Rector led 12-11 after the first quarter and was in front, 25-23, at intermission...

The Cougars picked up a pair of conference wins last week, topping Marked Tree and Maynard to move into a tie for second place in conference 2A-3 play. Rector was forced to come from behind at Maynard Friday, picking up the 57-49 win thanks to strong play in the final frame by Mitchell Weber and Kirk Horton. ...

Lark Sigsby has been named interim director of the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center in Rector. Her appointment to the position was announced Monday by Mayor David Freeman. "Ms. Sigsby has many years of experience in Northeast Arkansas education administration," Freeman said. "In this role, she will seek to maximize the potential of the NEAITC and will work closely with Vicki Kuykendall at the Greene County Industrial Training Center in Paragould."...

The Clay County Democrat and the Piggott Times will merge beginning with the Feb. 2 issue. "This is something we have been looking at for several years," publisher Ron Kemp said. "The new publication will contain all the same features currently in both newspapers and will give advertisers better coverage of the area market."...

As a senior at Rector High School, Bailey Buck is among that special group of students on the cusp of transitioning into adulthood and making her way into the world beyond the familiar walls at RHS. Buck, the 18-year-old daughter of Billy and Ann Buck and Debby Buck, has enjoyed her time as a student, being a member of the National Honor Society and Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). ...

We learned in Latin Class years ago about a great lady whose name was Cornelia. She made the history books when she declared that her beloved children were her jewels. Thus counted, I believe I would be among the wealthiest of all the ancient Romans when I consider how precious are my own treasures -- jewels indeed, to make a veritable diadem. These are my offspring, and I need to tell my share of the world how they have made an aging sire most proud...

Perhaps the most disturbing economic reality in modern America is the vanishing middle class. When one thinks to the "golden age" of our nation, the mind goes back to the post-World War II era when opportunities began expanding for the average American. These included, of course, the GI bill that opened educational avenues to an entire generation...

Katherine Marie Kirkpatrick Bateman, 79, of Marmaduke passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at her residence. She was born Dec. 9, 1931, to the late A.W. "Slim" and Ruby (Long) Kirkpatrick in Rector. In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Velis Ray (Tootie) Bateman; a daughter, Janet Bateman, and two sisters, Melva Dean Wiley and Betty Jean Kirkpatrick...

Robert Lee Varner, 86, of Piggott, formerly of Rector, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the Poplar Bluff VA Hospital. He was born Jan. 27, 1924, to the late Sylvester Ellsworth and Alma Henrietta (Barnett) Varner. He is survived by his wife, Gladys (McCain) Varner; two sons and their wives, Paul and Linda Varner of Qulin, Mo., and Donnie and Donna Kay Varner of Rector; two daughters and their husbands, Diane and Gary Rogers of Paragould and Jackie and Steve Hardin of Rogers; 10 grandchildren, Regina and Steve Stahl, Remona Varner, Renee and Brad Deaken, Jerry and Laura Varner, Chad Varner, Timothy and Carolyn Varner, Brad and Jennie Lee Rogers, Darren and Natalie Rogers, Samatha and Joe Berry and Ben Hardin; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Orvil Varner of Colt, Ark.; one sister, Verniece Smith of Forrest City, along with a host of other family and friends.. ...