Stories from Thursday, May 26, 2011

Nola N. Long, born May 23, 1918, in West Frankfort, Ill., the daughter of Monroe and Grace (Rumsey) Scott, passed May 17, 2011, in South Lyon, Mich. As a very young girl, Nola traveled by horse-drawn wagon to Piggott and Greenway with her family. Nola was a resident of South Lyon, Mich., from 1953 to 1979. ...

Rose Aline Cruce, 85, formerly of Knob and Jonesboro, passed away Monday, May 23, 2011. She was born March 19, 1926, to the late Fred and Ethel (Henry) Bowers. She farmed with her husband in the Knob Community for 42 years. In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and Fredman Bowers...

James Milton Horner of Swartz Creek, Mich., age 77, died Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at his home. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2011, at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 6273 Miller Road, Swartz Creek. Pastors Steven Thomas, Tony Lynn and Chris Yager officiated...

Doyne Simpson, 86, of Piggott passed from this life on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. Doyne was born on Dec. 13, 1924, to the late Edward and Hettie "Haywood" Simpson in Greenway, Ark. Doyne was preceded in death by two sisters, Bessie Hollis and Ruth Girtman, and three brothers, Vernon Simpson, Hulon Simpson and Emil Simpson...

Georgie Pauline Settlemire, 89, of Rector passed from this life on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the Rector Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on Dec. 31, 1921, to the late Jesse and Lulu (Cole) Baker in Monette, Ark. She spent many years working hard as a farmer and was a member of the Rector First General Baptist Church...

Richard Mathis Sr., 71, of Boydsville died Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the VA hospital in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Services are under the direction of Irby Funeral Home in Rector. Those who wish may sign the online register book at www.irbyfuneralhome.com...

Agencies throughout Clay County took part last week in a communications-centered drill designed to help improve readiness in the event of a disaster. Operating under the auspices of having been hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7, numerous departments throughout the area joined together to test communication equipment under mock-emergency situations...

The reception for the fifth annual student art contest, "The Art of Imagination," sponsored by the Clay County Arts Council, was held on Saturday, May 21, at the Rector Community Center. Council president, Gail Burns, announced and gave prize money to the winners, as well as giving grant money to participating art teachers...

Grammy award winning musician Rodney Crowell will be a featured artist at the Aug. 4 Johnny Cash Music Festival at Arkansas State University to benefit the ongoing Dyess memorial project. Crowell came from a musical family. His parents are James Walter Crowell and Addie Cauzette Willoughby. One of his grandfathers was a church choir leader and the other a bluegrass banjo player. His grandmother played guitar and his father sang semi-professionally at bars and honky-tonks...

As a member of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), Richard "Dick" Wesserling of Piggott was part of a unique unit during World War II. The elite group was composed entirely of Norwegians and Americans, like Wesserling, of Norwegian descent. The 99th received specialized training in skiing to go along with their combat readiness, allowing the group to have a greater range of mobility through the snow-filled Scandinavian fronts of the war...

Yesterday I saw some balloons floating in the breeze. It reminded me of mama and her best friend. I remember the day we told mama the sad news. She lowered her head, clasped her hands together, and cried. Her dearest friend had died in her sleep. That afternoon as I listened, mama talked about her friend and the good times they shared...

To those whom have had the opportunity to watch him play, Hayden McMillon's ability on the baseball field is immediately apparent. The 18-year-old son of Brett and Julie McMillon has delighted fans of the game for years with his stellar play at shortstop and his skills at the plate...

The recent rains and threat of additional thunderstorms was not enough to dampen the fiery fervor of the 2011 Piggott Heritage Park Car Show and Cruise. Piggott residents and visitors from all over made a point of attending the 13th annual event, as a passion for unique vehicles and a fun atmosphere combined for a truly special occasion...

Cougar fans will notice the absence of a familiar face next season, as football and softball coach Bob Alberson is departing Rector High School. Alberson has accepted a position as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Hillcrest High School in Memphis...