Stories from Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Thomas Jacob Olden, 68, of Rector died Wednesday, July 29, at Evergreen Healthcare in Rector. Born March 28, 1941, in Fredrick, Md., he was a veteran of the Army and a truck driver. He is survived by his ex-wife, Linda Olden of Kennett; four step-children, Larry Young, Tammy White, Danny Young and Lisa Wright, and 14 grandchildren...

Sevada Erbadell Smart, affectionately known as "Erbie," was born February 12, 1926, to Frank Adams and Jewell Lee (Speer) Adams. Her father lost his life in a train wreck when she was a small child, and Edmond Carroll Poole became her dad and raised her as his own child when he married Jewell. ...

The August heat always is somewhat dreaded by high school football players as they begin the infamous "two-a-days" in preparation for the fall season. This year promises to be a slight improvement over normal as the temperature continues to be relatively mild in Northeast Arkansas...

Summer is the time for homecomings and reunions. Last week my family held their annual family reunion in Missouri. Sadly, the number keeps dwindling. This year the circle of prayer around the dining room table was smaller. The grandchildren who normally attend weren't there. One was in Jefferson City spending the summer before heading off to college. Another had other things to do...

WASHINGTON - Clay County Electric Cooperative Corporation will receive $5,979,807 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to an announcement Tuesday by U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry and John Boozman...

Debbie Smith, who just completed her first year as administrator of Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation in Rector, had only words of praise for the facility in a recent talk to the Rector Lions Club...

Members of the Rector City Council approved the placement of a new stop sign at the corner of First and Phillips Streets in a meeting Monday night, converting the busy intersection to a four-way-stop situation. ...

Bethany Sisneros is a bright young woman who hopes to build a strong future. Thanks to her keen mind, willingness to work hard and assistance from the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, the 2009 RHS grad has put herself on a path to make her hopes a reality...

Famed lighting director Allen Branton directed an impressive crew in designing extraordinary lighting for the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's second annual benefit concert Tuesday night at the RHS gymnasium. ...

Recently the NEA-North Junior League District team took their district title at Jonesboro and in doing so qualified for a trip to the state tournament at Arkadelphia. The team, which included three players from Piggott, one from Corning, and six from Walnut Ridge then went on to finish second in the state to the host team from Arkadelphia...

The Lady Mohawk volleyball teams began pre-season practice and conditioning this week with both the junior and senior teams seeing time in the gym. This photo was taken Tuesday morning as the senior girls were put through their paces by head coach Melissa Williams (far right). ...

The Piggott girl's summer league tournament finals were played Friday evening, after the finals were rained out on Thursday. The league, which is organized by PHS tennis coach Paul Seegraves, allows players a chance to hone their skills prior to the upcoming high school season...

1969 The Piggott area now has direct dial long distance service thanks to new technology installed by General Telephone. Mayor Ernest "Buck" Thomas was pictured making a call along with aldermen Charlie Bill Smith, Ernie Hampton and W.G. ...

Summer is the time for homecomings and reunions. Last week my family held their annual family reunion in Missouri. Sadly, the number keeps dwindling. This year the circle of prayer around the dining room table was smaller. The grandchildren who normally attend weren't there. One was in Jefferson City spending the summer before heading off to college. Another had other things to do...

Gerald Eugene Johnson, M.D., 88, of Winchester, Tenn., died Friday, July 24, 2009, at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Elbert and Hattie (Carpenter) Johnson. He was survived by his wife of 52 years, Myra (Miller) Johnson; sons, Mark K. ...

Glenda (Hoggard) Goundry, 74, of Jacksonville, Ark., died Sunday, August 2, 2009, at Hospice Home Care, Inc. in Little Rock. She was born September 27, 1934, in Manila, and was the daughter of the late William and Grace (Richardson) Hoggard...

Mary M. Crowson, 87, of Greenway, passed away Monday, August 3, 2009, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell. She was born November 4, 1921, at Carryville, and was the daughter of the late Martin Luther and Ethel (Henson) Stephens...

Tressie Louise (Crafton) Batey Byrd, 85, of Pollard, died July 31, 2009, in the White County Medical Center at Searcy after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was a long-time member of the New Hope Baptist Church of Pollard...

Sevada Erbadell Smart, affectionately known as "Erbie," was born February 12, 1926, to Frank Adams and Jewell Lee (Speer) Adams. Her father lost his life in a train wreck when she was a small child, and Edmond Carroll Poole became her dad and raised her as his own child when he married Jewell. ...

Former Clay County Clerk Seveda Erbadell Smart of Piggott died Tuesday, July 28, at Piggott Community Hospital. "Erbie" as she was fondly known by family and friends, was appointed county clerk in May of 1987 following the death of her husband Lavon "Sonny" Smart. ...

Taylor Davis of Piggott (center), daughter of Troy and Julie Banning, was crowned Miss Greenway 2009 at the annual picnic Saturday evening. First alternate was Jessica Garner of Rector (second from right), daughter of John and Mary Garner, second alternate was Katelynn Christine Moore of Piggott (second from left), the daughter of Gary and Angel Moore, third alternate was Jessie Scheffler of Piggott (far right), the daughter of Bradley and Sandy Scheffler and the fourth alternate was Rachel Lampkin of Rector (far left), the daughter of Jerry Lampkin. ...

In grand style, the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Education Center in Piggott celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday, July 30, with the unveiling of a new permanent exhibit and a visit from the grandson of famous author Ernest Hemingway...