Stories from Thursday, December 29, 2011

Kinley Faith Wilbanks, infant daughter of John and Kathryn Simpson Wilbanks, was born and died Dec. 18, 2011, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Riley Wilbanks of the home; grandparents, Larry Wilbanks of Althelstan, Ark., Janet Field of Manila, Ark., and Josh and Jennifer Simpson of Manila, Ark...

Mr. Herman Utah McDaniel, 85, of Lake City, Ark., left this world to go to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the Lakeside Nursing Home. Mr. McDaniel was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Big Creek, Ark., to the late John and Hattie Mae Sea Perry. Mr. McDaniel was a member of the Church of God in Lake City and a former truck driver where he was accident free for over 60 years. He enjoyed gardening, truck driving, talking on the c.b. radio and spending time with his family and friends...

Thelma Jean Hilburn Hacker, 84, of Portia, Ark., died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at the Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, Ark. Born Jan. 10, 1927 at Black Rock, Ark., she was the daughter of the late James Homer and Dora Swindle Hilburn and had been a long-time area resident. Mrs. Hacker had been a member of the Church of Christ for 69 years and at the Portia congregation since 1976. She enjoyed music, sewing, gardening, and spending time with family and friends...

Lee Roy Cruce, 90, formerly of Knob and Jonesboro, passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. He was born April 11, 1921, to the late Pink and Mamie (Miller) Cruce. He farmed with his wife of 68 years, Aline [Bowers] Cruce, in the Knob community for 42 years. He served in the Army Aircorp during World War II...

Stephne Glaub, daughter of Jesselyn Glaub True and the late George Albert Glaub, was born April 7, 1953, in Rector, Ark., and departed this life Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, at the age of 58 years, eight months, 17 days. Survivors include husband Rick Skinner of Fayetteville, Ark.; her mother, Jesselyn and step-father Chester True of Holcomb, Mo., and one loving brother and sister-in-law, Ted L. and Laverne Glaub of Jonesboro, Ark...

Harold Delane Speer, 78, of Greenway passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. He was born March 9, 1933, to the late Earl and Emma (Cox) Speer. He lived life to the fullest and greatly enjoyed hunting, farming and working on his bulldozer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Derick Robertson, and four brothers, Windell Speer, Wayland Speer, Doyle Speer and Gerald Speer...

Local residents may have spotted someone driving a perfectly restored 1950 Chevy truck into Rector a few weeks ago. Rector resident Barbara Hamilton enlisted Frank Wierzba of Jonesboro to restore her father's truck, and the eight-year restoration project recently was completed...

The Piggott Lions Club partnered with the Clay County Department of Human Services (DHS) to help some area children enjoy the Christmas holiday. The caring Lions purchased and wrapped items from wish lists of 10 local children. A special agreement with Santa Claus himself allowed for an early delivery of the presents on Friday, Dec. 23...

The last year, like so many others in small, tight-knit communities like Piggott and Rector, has been filled with a full range of emotions. Time, the greatest of all equalizers, continued to play its role in the lives of all. As the days and weeks went by, the people and events of the community shaped the memories which will forever serve as reminders of what 2011 held for all...

The Cougars were able to outlast the Maynard Tigers in opening round action of the Division I bracket of the annual Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament Monday at the Arkansas State University Convocation Center in Jonesboro. Rector held on for a 58-46 victory in what was a close, competitive contest...

The top-seeded Lady Cougars had little trouble with the Lady Timberwolves of Cedar Ridge in their matchup Monday in the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Tournament at the Arkansas State University Convocation Center. Rector cruised to a 61-46 win over the ninth-seeded Lady T-Wolves, who advanced to the second round with a victory over Maynard...

The Lady Cougars advanced to the Division I finals of the NEA Invitational Tournament with a 61-57 win over Weiner Wednesday at the ASU Convocation Center. Rector trailed by one, 48-47, going into the final frame and fell behind by as many four points in the fourth quarter. ...

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- A former Piggott High School football player, who is also a decorated combat veteran, will attend the 12th annual Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, in January and be honored as a Soldier Hero. Second Lt. Walter Rau, a recent graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, was commissioned through the school's Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program. ...

Mabel L. Hamilton, 91, of Qulin, Mo., passed away Thursday, Dec., 29, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec.31, 2011, in the Hoggard & Sons Chapel. Burial is in New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Ark. Visitation is from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday...