Stories from Thursday, March 1, 2012

Over forty years ago singer Peggy Lee recorded a song during the big band era. It was titled "Is That All There Is?" It was a pensive melancholy refrain about life. The lyrics tell about when she was a small child and watched her house burn down. Her daddy held her in his arms as they watched the fire...

The skills of the competitors was only outshined by the smiles of the participants, as more than 200 athletes gathered at the Piggott High School gymnasium Friday, Feb. 24, for the Area One Special Olympics basketball skills competitions. Participants from area schools, including Piggott, Marmaduke, Pocahontas, Walnut Ridge, Hoxie, Paragould and Greene County Tech, and adult centers Abilities and Focus of Paragould and the Lawrence County Cooperative in Walnut Ridge took part in this year's individual competitions. ...

For father and son Terry and Bret Palmer, farming is not just an occupation, it's a lifestyle built upon generations of hard work, appreciation and respect. Bret and Terry continue to live and farm near Holly Island on land their family has worked for over 100 years. This bond with history, and above all family, continues today in a number of ways...

The First United Methodist Church in Piggott hosted the Clay County Arts Council Sunday afternoon as the council presented an "Arts Celebration." Also billed as "A Concert of Clay County Talent," the program lived up to its promise. Miss Sydney Simmons of Rector, serving as Mistress of Ceremonies, gave a welcome address and introduced the performers. ...

Robert White of Rector narrowly escaped last week from a fire which totally destroyed his home on Highway 90 near Boydsville. Witnesses at the scene said White was lying on the ground when firefighters first arrived after escaping from the blazing house. ...

The Cougars gave conference champ and Class 2A powerhouse East Poinsett County all the Warriors wanted and more in the finals of the 2A-North Regional Tournament Saturday at Monette. Rector battled EPC, falling 62-52 in a competitive contest. "We made them sweat," Rector coach Matt Mills said after the game. "We played them (EPC) about as well as anybody has."...

The Cougars advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 2A State Basketball Tournament Wednesday in Newark, holding on for a 59-56 win over Two Rivers. Rector held on for the win with clutch free throws down the stretch. Sophomore Alec Scott made three of four from the stripe during crunch time with Denver Knight adding two free throws with the game on the lines. ...

, 86, of McDougal, Ark., passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 26, 1925, in Mounds, Ark., and was the son of the late Clifton and Lillian Cathy Wright. He was united in marriage to Lois Marie Duke on Aug. 16, 1957...

Donald Odell Crow, 83, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at the Piggott Community Hospital in Piggott. He was born on Nov. 18, 1928, in Clay County, Ark., and was the son of the late James Oliver and Esta Scott Crow. He was united in marriage to Wanda Lee Bradford and to this union three children were born. Wanda preceded him in death in 1999. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Archie and J.T. Crow...

Oneida Glenrose Pittman Gatlin, 93, of Piggott, Ark., passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Piggott Community Hospital. She was born Jan. 21, 1919, in Qulin, Mo. She was a member of the General Baptist Church in St. Francis, Ark. Oneida was married to Alfred Howard Gatlin on Feb. 23, 1935, and he preceded her in death on June 29, 1993...

Sammy G. Hicks, 68, of Caraway, Ark., died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at his home after a prolonged illness. Born April 25, 1943, at Milligan Ridge, he was the son of the late Sam David and Mary Stoner Hicks and was a long-time area resident. Mr. Hicks was a brick mason, enjoyed working in his garden, tractors and spending time with family and friends...

Millard Wells, longtime Islamorada, Fla., resident and accomplished watercolorist, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Arkansas, where he was born. Millard was born in Imboden to Oliver and Essie Wells (nee Brooks) in 1921. He was a cousin to brothers Newton Edward Wells (deceased) of Greenway and Irvan Clay Wells (deceased) of Oklahoma, both of the Bynum Wells clan...

Kenneth C. Crowson, 74, departed from this life on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Mitchell Cemetery in Greenway, Ark. White's Azle Funeral Home of Azle, Texas, is in charge of arrangements...

Bobby Phillips, 47, of Manila, Ark., died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. Born in Stuttgart, Ark., he was the son of Bobby and Wanda Story Phillips. Mr. Phillips was a long-time area resident and was a former oil rig operator...

Charles H. Henry, Sr., 79 of Manila, Ark., died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. Born Sept. 12, 1932, in Sedgwick, Ark., he was the son of the late Dewey and Georgia Henry and had been a long-time area resident. Mr. Henry owned Henry Brothers Incorporated in Manila and enjoyed walking, driving and watching squirrels. He was of the Baptist faith...