Stories from Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame Classic brought out the outstanding athletes of today through a full schedule of basketball action, while paying tribute to the standouts honored as part of the 2011 Hall of Fame Class. The Classic featured several area teams in hardwood matchups in addition to the Lady Cougars, Cougars and Junior Cougars games which are covered elsewhere in this edition...

By RYAN ROGERS Times-Democrat Sports Staff The Cougars survived a slow start in one of the most exciting matchups of the second annual RHS Sports Hall of Fame Classic held this past weekend in Rector. In action with the Kennett Indians Saturday night, Rector made it through a 12-0 Kennett spurt during the bulk of the first quarter to fight back for a 50-44 victory...

The Lady Mohawks had the difficult task of facing the 3A-3 powerhouse Hoxie Lady Mustangs on the road Monday night. Piggott was downed by their hosts, 55-25, on the night. Junior Mallory Wright led Piggott with 10 points. The Junior Lady Mohawks notched a big 34-20 win over Hoxie. Statistics for both contests were incomplete as the Times-Democrat went to press Tuesday, but will be included in the next edition...

The Lady Cougars notched another big win Monday night, knocking off the visiting Walnut Ridge Lady Bobcats, 58-43, in Rector. Sophomore Kendal Gunn had the hot hand for the Lady Cougars, scoring a game-high 19 points in the victory. Allison Harmon continued her strong play in the post, filling up the stat sheet with 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks. Kelsey Wynn also scored in double figures, netting 10 points in the victory...

The Mohawks ran rampant through the Cooter Invitational Tournament, winning all three games to emerge as the top team in the annual event. Piggott defeated host Cooter Saturday, 68-45. The Mohawks got things going in a hurry, blasting the hosts 20-6 in the first quarter. Zach Redmon and Lucas Brewer started strong for Piggott, notching seven points each in the opening frame to build a big advantage early...

Crowds turned out throughout the day to enjoy the annual Piggott Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest Saturday around the court square. Numerous vendors set up stands for the annual event, while several local stores and shops offered special sales and attractions...

In late October, the congregation at Rector's First Baptist Church (FBC) welcomed their new pastor and his wife, Richard and Jennifer Williams, to Rector. Rev. WIlliams was born in Walcott and received his religious foundation at the Mount Zion Baptist Church at Walcott. ...

As the assistant director and facilities manager of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center, Diana Sanders has been a vital part of the Piggott attraction for the past 26 years. Sanders, who lives near Monette, began her work with Arkansas State University's restoration and education project by working with director Dr. ...

The Clay County Arts Council presented its 11th annual Night of Chocolate Saturday night and once again declared it to be a rousing success. More than a hundred guests filled the tables to celebrate together as they showed support for the Clay County Arts Council and its many community projects...

The world is changing. So is coffee. Have you noticed that the Maxwell House coffee container is smaller, not the normal 2 pounds 1.9 ounce container? Folger's Coffee, too, has introduced smaller packaging. Maybe they thought we wouldn't notice because both products are still packaged in their traditional designs and colors...

Herbert James Faries, 57, of Rector passed away Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. He was born March 19, 1954, to the late William and Isie (Ragsdale) Faries in Blue Cane. Preceding Herbert in death were his parents, William and Isie; his wife, Debbie Faries, and a sister, Mary Morris...

Donald Ray Johnson, 85, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at the Piggott Community Hospital. He was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Piggott, Ark., and was the son of the late Rossie Loton and Mary Belle Vaughn Johnson. He was united in marriage to June Stewart on Dec. 26, 1952. To this union two children were born. June preceded him in death on Jan. 6, 2000...

Margie Ellen (Blanton) Gatewood, 85, of Rector died Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. She was born Aug. 12, 1926, to Tom and Pearlie Blanton in Datto, Ark. She married James Jewell Gatewood on March 17, 1944...

Albert Milburn, 86, of Corning, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at the Corning Therapy and Living Center. Albert was born April 14, 1925, in Rector to the late James Monroe and Sopia (Oliver) Milburn. He spent many years self-employed, working as a saw mill operator. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending time hunting and gardening. He was a longtime member of Hickoria Missionary Baptist Church...

Billy Ray Williams, 57, of Lewisburg, Ky., formerly of Piggott, passed away Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Piggott Hospital. He was born June 25, 1954, to Bill and Frankie Williams. He was retired from the Navy and worked at the United States Department of Agriculture and belonged to the United Assembly of God Church...

Aaron Stackhouse of Denair, Calif., was born on Aug. 28, 1916, to Virgil and Mintie Stackhouse in Rector, Ark. He was raised on a small farm where he learned to work, play in the woods, and fish in streams. His mother, Mintie, was a great cook, and the house was often full of cousins and other relatives...

Mary Yates, 81, of Marmaduke passed away at her residence on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. She was born Feb. 15, 1930, to the late Tillman and Lela (Valentine) Gillis in Harrisburg, Ark. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Marmaduke and was a very loving mother and grandmother...

William Coin, 80, of Trumann, Ark., died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. Born Sept. 16, 1931, in Portia, Ark., he was the son of the late Robert and Ola Willis Coin and had been a long time area resident. Mr. Coin attended The Church of God of Prophecy in Trumann. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, coin collecting, photography, playing games on the computer and spending time with family and friends...

Billy Ray Kinder, 69, of Brookland, Ark., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. Born Sept. 2, 1942, at Charleston, W. Vir., he was the son of the late Isom and Melvina Kinder. Mr. Kinder was retired from the United States Navy after 30 years of service and 15 years of civil service. He enjoyed bowling and spending time with family and friends...