Stories from Wednesday, April 11, 2001

by Bob Allen, editor It's just a small shop in the downtown area of Trumann, a downtown that has dwindled from a once bustling home for many businesses to its present status. A small sign near the top of the window proclaims its name and that's really about all...

The Yellowjackets softball team is looking good with a 4-2 record on the season. The Lady Jackets won against Manila on April 2, 4-2. The winning pitcher was Jodi Pratt. On April 3, the Jackets took on Buffalo Island Central and won by six. Winnning pitcher Jodi Pratt led her team to an 18-12 victory...

Continuing to rampage through the high school baseball season, the Trumann Wildcats are now at 10-3 on the year and have already notched a tournament title after taking the Poinsett County high school baseball tournament last weekend. The 'Cats then popped back Monday to defeat another county team when they blasted Harrisburg, 11-5, on the home field...

William Harrison Perry, 49, of Trumann, died Wednesday, April 4 at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., of natural causes. Perry was born in Rolla, Missouri and had lived in Trumann since 1985. He was a former employee of St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, in the environmental department; an Army veteran and a member of the First Assembly of God. Perry was preceded in death by his father, Irvin Perry...

William Garland "Bill" Mills, 83, of Trumann, died Monday evening, April 2, at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., of natural causes. Mills was born in Conway, and had lived in Trumann since 1968 and was formerly of Brinkley. Mills married his wife of 46 years, Mary Kathryn Barker, on December 12, 1954. ...

Sue Eloise Russell, 52, of Trumann, died Thursday morning, April 5, at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro, of natural causes. Russell was born in Tyronza and was a lifetime resident of Trumann. She was a former employee of the Singer Co. in Trumann and of the Pentecostal belief. Russell was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Ann Bloodworth in 1998...

Edith Olene Wilson, 78, of Trumann, died Saturday morning, April 7, at Rose Skill Care in Jonesboro, of natural causes. Wilson was born in Norfork and had lived in Trumann since 1958 and was formerly of Keiser. She was a housewife and member of the Maple Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Lee Wilson in 1992; one sister, Viola Torrance; three brothers, Billy, Manuard and Hubert Beard and was the daughter of the late Ed and Jane Whitehead Beard...

Janie Lucille Eldridge, 45, of Trumann, died Monday afternoon, April 9 at the family residence in Trumann, of natural causes. Eldridge was born in Marked Tree and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a former employee of Parker Hannifin in Trumann and of the Baptist faith...

Glendal C. Long, 73, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, April 8 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Long owned and operated Camet Furniture in Jonesboro. He had lived in the Jonesboro area for 56 years. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II. Long was a Mason of the Nettleton Lodge and a member of the American Legion. He attended the Bay First Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Alan Smith...

Lorene "Reney" Rains, 78, of Trumann, died Tuesday, April 3, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, of natural causes. Rains was born in Arkansas and had lived in Trumann for the past 25 years and was formerly of Marked Tree. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by six sisters, two brothers, and was the daughter of the late Henry and Nora Cheak Gatlin...

by Bob Allen, editor Easter spirit OK, let the confessions begin. Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It seems only appropriate that this Christian holiday comes in the spring when the spirit of renewal is at its peak. That is, after all, what Easter is about. ...

The first annual SpringFest sponsored by the Trumann Area Chamber of Commerce may not have been overwhelmingly successful, but officials at the Chamber were grateful for the participation shown, nonetheless. Chamber executive Jackie Ross emphasized this week that "we want to thank everyone who came out to enjoy the festival. And we also want to thank the vendors and others who took part for their contributions to this new event."...

by Bob Allen, editor The Trumann City Council took the first step toward hiring a director of parks and recreation Monday night and then heard concerns that a project that would eventually fall under a new director's guidance was lagging behind in its construction...

Bay's baseball team has had a bad run of luck over the past week, losing all of their last five games. The Bay baseball team is 2-10 on the season. In an April 2 contest played against Buffalo Island Central, the Jackets last 5-2. Losing Jackets' pitcher Brett Hogan did the best he could. Yellowjacket Jeremy Thomas had two hits, a homerun and a double to lead in the Jackets hitting efforts...