Stories from Monday, December 23, 2002

Mary Katherine Williams was chosen by the Lepanto Community Christmas Committee to lead the 14th Annual Christmas Parade last Saturday. "To be considered as grand marshal of the parade, the committee always looks for someone who is beneficial to the community and works hard promoting and enhancing Lepanto. She represents all of these qualities," said Kaye Holiman, committee chair, of Williams...

Frank O' Roark, 88, of Marked Tree died Tuesday, December 11, 2002 at his residence. O'Roark, a member of Marked Tree First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and a Sunday School teacher, was a past president of the Brotherhood, past president of the Marked Tree Lions Club and a former alderman. ...

Albert Johnson, Jr., 48, of Osceola died Friday, December 6, 2002 at Baptist Hospital in Osceola. Johnson, a member of Gospel Temple in Luxora, is survived by his wife, Dora Johnson of Luxora; four sons, Marcus Johnson of Blytheville, Antonio Johnson of Luxora, Gregory Johnson of Luxora, Matthew Johnson of Luxora; three daughters, Barbara Johnson, Jessica Johnson, and Renada Johnson of Luxora; six sisters, Shirley Jarrett of Blytheville, Mae Watson of Chicago, Queen Thurman and Margaret Johnson of Luxora, Velvia Sanders and Felvia Sanders of Saginaw, Mich. ...

Born at Benton Harbor, Mich., she had lived in Jonesboro four years. She was formerly of Lepanto. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Odie Prichard. She was a graduate of Trumann High School and of Delta Vo-Tech...

O'Neal "Fat" Gibbs, 70, of Harrisburg died December 15, 2002 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. A farmer, Gibbs was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Tyronza and a member of the Woodsmen of the World. Gibbs is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bonnie, of Harrisburg; one son, Nathan Gibbs of Marion; one daughter, Vicki Gibbs Terrell of Tyronza; four sisters, Mable Eloise Wood of Waterloo, Ala., Vera Owen of Maumelle, Ark., Betty Bruce of Cordova, Tenn. ...

The First United Methodist Church of Marked Tree will be holding its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. The service will include special music by a family choir under the direction of the Rev. Jane Steinegger, Associate Pastor of Music as well as from the bell choir under the direction of Mr. ...

"Who's Who," published by Educational Communications, Inc., Austin, Texas, is the largest recognition program and publication in the nation honoring high achieving high school students. Students are nominated by high school principals and guidance counselors, national youth groups, churches and education organizations based upon the students' academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. ...

Christmas on the Rainey Farm By GENEVA YERBEY Special to the Tribune Every year when Christmas draws near, I can't help but be thankful for the opportunity I have to go out and buy a live tree or sometimes go cut my own at a tree farm. I remember when I was six years old, we moved from the red hills of Alabama where the cedar and pine trees grew abundantly, to the black dirt in the flat delta country of Arkansas where there are no cedars or pine, but mostly pecan and tall cypress trees...

The Lepanto City Council voted Monday night to approve a resolution, dealing with expanding water service to areas outside Lepanto. In the meeting, held in the Lepanto District Courtroom, the council voted 8-0 to approve receiving the $80,000 grant, based on public bonds with the USDA. ...

John Stewart, 66, of Osceola died Saturday, December 7, 2002 at Baptist Hospital in Osceola. Stewart, a member of Gospel Temple in Blytheville, is survived by his wife, Prince Stewart of Osceola; one son, John Stewart, Jr. of Osceola; one daughter, Carla Stewart of Osceola; three sisters, Sadie Coleman of Osceola, Christine Caruthers of Osceola, and Bessie Walker of Keiser and one brother, Lish Stewart of Keiser. Stewart is also survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren...