Stories from Thursday, October 27, 2011

Leo Stokes, age 70, passed away on Thursday Oct. 20, 2011, at Millers Merry Manor in Tipton, Ind. He was born in Marmaduke on Aug. 14, 1941, to Arnold and Veda (Miller) Stokes. On Nov. 7, 1959, Leo married Carolyn (Micenhamer) Stokes and she survives. ...

Naomi Irene Ross, 81, of Kennett, Mo., died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, at her home. Born Jan. 18, 1930, in Cotton Plant, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Hiram Rolland and Daisy Edwards Ross. Mrs. Ross was a graduate of Senath High School and had been a long-time area resident. ...

Ms. Kensie Noyes Laffoon, 91, of Paragould, Ark., died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at the Craighead Nursing Center. Ms. Laffoon was born Aug. 18, 1920, in Perdue, Ala., to the late Benjamin Franklin and Ada Cordelia Laffoon. Ms. Laffoon was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and attended meetings in Paragould. She loved to talk to anyone about Jehovah's word and blessings and she also enjoyed gardening...

David Alan Garner, 50, of Jonesboro, Ark., died Oct. 20, 2011, at his home after a brave battle with cancer. Mr. Garner was born Oct. 29, 1960, in St. Louis, Mo., to John and Cynthia Thomas Garner. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and pottery...

Dr. Kenneth A.Threet, 80, of Jonesboro, passed away Friday evening, Oct. 21, 2011, at his home in Jonesboro. Dr. Threet was born in Lead Hill, Ark. and had lived in Jonesboro for the past 11 years after moving from Lead Hill, with his wife of 59 years, Ruth Threet, who preceded him in death in March of this year. ...

Loyd Dewayne Cato, 71, of Piggott died Oct. 19, 2011, at Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Dec. 23, 1939, to the late Loyd Elmo Cato and Blanche Lorene Stidham Cato. He was married to Judy May Banks, Nov. 20, 1959, and she preceded him in death. He was of the General Baptist faith and was a farmer by trade...

We can't remember where we read it specifically -- perhaps it was a perceptive letter to the editor -- but one observer of the current scene said politics/government now is consumed with artificiality. That clearly is an accurate assessment of what we are facing as we "prep" for the 2012 election...

The Junior Cougars had the unenviable task of facing the undefeated, 2A-3 conference leading McCroy Junior Jaguars Thursday night on the road. Rector had a tough time against one of the state's best 2A squads, falling 44-0. Six turnovers hurt the Junior Cougars on the night, killing drives and giving the skilled McCrory squad extra chances on offense...

Any meeting with the Earle Bulldogs is going to be a struggle, and Thursday night's football game was no exception for the visiting Junior Mohawks of Piggott. The young Tribe saw a hot start fade away, falling 22-12 to the 3A-3 conference power house...

The Mohawks' Lucas Brewer made a diving catch in the end zone to pick off a Manila Lion pass and bring an end to Piggott's Homecoming night contest in a thrilling 30-22 overtime win Friday night. The teams were forced into bonus time in the conference meeting after ending regulation in a 22-22 bind...

The Piggott boys' tennis team earned runner-up in the Arkansas Class 3A State Tournament last week at Harrison. Piggott notched four points in the event, securing second behind champion Episcopal Collegiate School, who finished with 14 points. In singles play, Mohawk Bryan Cook defeated Smackover's Josh Ziegler, 6-0 and 6-1, to advance. ...

With the deep agricultural background of Clay County, many in the area are no strangers to the work involved with faming. One of the most lasting memories of farm work, particularly those of earlier generations, is picking cotton directly from the field...

Red Ribbon Week in is full force this week at Rector Elementary, according to Red Ribbon Week coordinator Candy Williams. Williams and her GT students have been sponsoring the event for the past three years. "I think it is crucial to educate children about drug use at an early age," she said. "The more they know about the harmful effects of drugs, the better decisions they will make in the future."...

Students at Piggott Elementary gathered Monday to celebrate the start of National Red Ribbon Week. Special activities are scheduled through Friday, as the school and community support the students in their pledge to live a life free of the influences of illegal drugs...

Rector is once again bringing internationally-known, world-class artists to the Rector stage in a concert to benefit the RHS Helping Hands Foundation. Organizers have announced the next concert in the popular series will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the RHS gymnasium...