The annual Williams Cemetery Association business meeting and homecoming will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. The gathering will be held at the cemetery, located on CR 450 between Piggott and Crockett, and all are welcome to attend.
A large crowd was in attendance as family and friends gathered at the RHS gymnasium Tuesday, May 10 to honor student athletes of the 2021-2022 school year. As Coach David Hendrix said, “It was a good year to be a Cougar”. All senior high teams advanced to state this year and junior high teams were also very successful. The most prestigious awards given that evening were Male and Female Athlete of the Year given to John Ford Hendrix and Ellie Ford.
Allen Daniel Harper, 85, of Russellville, Ark., passed away, Thursday, May 12, 2022. The son of Allen B. Harper and Nora E. (McInturff) Harper, he was born July 17, 1936 in Rector, Ark. He attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class with The United States Air Force where he served from 1957 to 1961. He married Brenda Donnell Krech on January 6, 1960 at Piggott. He was a member and later served as Elder for over 25 years at the East 16th Street Church of Christ in Russellville. He worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad and later Union Pacific Railroad as a train engineer for over 40 years.
Enola Jane Shepard, 93, passed away at her home, Sunday, May 8, in Fort Smith, Ark. She was born December 12, 1928 in Burdette, Ark., to James Edgar and Verna T. Hoover Self. As a very young child, the family moved to Kennett, Mo. She married Melvin Arley Shepard at First Baptist Church, October 1, 1947. After residing in Kennett, and raising their children, they moved in 1980 to a small farm close to Piggott, Ark. When her husband passed away in 2015, she moved to Fort Smith to be closer to her children.
John Delmar Watson, 98, of Piggott, Ark., passed away May 9, 2022, in his home. He was born on June 21, 1923, the son of the late Bert and Clara (Allen) Watson.
BY GAYLA JOHNSON Times-Democrat News Staff Arkansas Delta Byways President Marcel Hanzlik visited Piggott Thursday, May 7, to present an Innovation Award to Darrell and Ellen Dalton for their Christmas in the Hollow during 2020-2021. The awards were presented to those who went above and beyond to promote tourism during the pandemic.
Contributions are being accepted for the Ryan Rogers Memorial Scholarship for the outstanding senior student-athlete at Rector High School. The scholarship is in honor of the late Ryan Rogers, who was the sports editor at the Clay County Times-Democrat and a great friend to RHS students. Those wishing to make a contribution to the scholarship fund may do so at Centennial Bank or by contacting Ron Kemp at 870-239-1599 or ronkemp84@gmail.com
Abby Dutka, of Piggott, along with three other students from Williams Baptist College will be heading to Puerto Rico May 21 through 27 on a mission trip. “I am so excited to go on my first ever mission trip,” Dutka exclaimed. “Please be in prayer for me and my team as we travel and share the word of Jesus!” Pictured are, from left, Kelsie Harris, Carson Coleman, Abby Dutka and Mary Kate Armstrong. (Courtesy photo)
The Piggott Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 4, for The Old Franklin Theater Antique Mall and Flea Market on the Piggott Square. Owner Chip O’Connor, second from right, was joined by members of the community as well as chamber board members for the occasion. The Old Franklin Theater Antique Mall and Flea Market has a large variety of items for sale. Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. (TD photo/Gayla Johnson)
Traveling through Clay County on an ancestry trip, Tammy Kelly of Flagstaff, Ariz., toured the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and was delighted to see so many quilts on display. While viewing the signature quilt in the quilt room, she saw the names of two women she is related to, Ida Polsgrove and Pearl Holifield. Her grandparents were Charlie and Mora Boyd, who resided in Blue Cane Township and called Piggott home. Boyd’s sister was Myrtle Boyd Polsgrove and was an avid crafter and quilter. Charlie Boyd was known to be a jolly fellow, barber and sorghum farmer, involved in the community. Kelly is proud to consider how much they contributed to the lives of others.