Stories from Thursday, May 22, 2003

One of the worst storms to hit Poinsett County in recent history reined upon the Tri-Cities area Friday evening, with trees damaged, homes damaged and horrific flooding. The storm raged from Independence and Jackson counties on Friday afternoon and arrived in Poinsett County Friday evening. ...

Due to a recent decision by the Arkansas Activities Association, the following rule changes were adopted for football, for the 2003 season: The AAA will also use as a point of emphasis security and safety at contests; unsportsmanlike conduct, including profane language, taunting or baiting; offensive pass interference and chop blocks...

The East Poinsett County School District recently honored its athletes and their accomplishments during the 2002-2003 season, during their athletic banquet. In the banquet, held at the EPC-Lepanto Cafetorium, awards were presented to athletes in each of the sports that the school participates in. They include boys and girls basketball, baseball, cheerleading, football, golf, softball, tennis and volleyball. The school participates in the 3AAA-South in all sports...

James "Dub" White, 81, of Lepanto, died on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at the Veteran's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Born on January 26, 1922 in Decaturville, Tenn., White was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lepanto, former member of the Lepanto VFW, former member of the America Legion, Army WWII Veteran, and owner/operator of a service station...

Floyd Pollard, 65, of Caraway, died on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at his home. Born on January 30, 1938 in Caraway, Pollard was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Caraway and a retired truck driver. Survivors include his wife, Faye Pollard of Caraway; six sons, Billy and Joey Pollard of Caraway, Bobby Pollard of Evening Shade, Ark., Randy Pollard of Kilgore, Texas, Earnest Pollard of Linn, Mo. ...

Margaret Pilgrim, 56, of Lepanto, died on Thursday, May 15, 2003 at her home. Born is Russellville, Ark. on October 14, 1946, Pilgrim was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Lepanto and worked in the bookkeeping department of Amercian Greetings. She was preceded in death by her father, Oscar Wirth...

Stephen Kelly Lowe, 45, of Osceola, died at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2003. Born on March 26, 1958 in Osceola, Lowe was a lifelong resident of Mississippi County and a member of the First Baptist Church in Osceola. He was with American Greeting Corporation for 25 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Jim Lowe...

Amanda Dora Lewis, 86, of Osceola, died on Friday, May 16, 2003 at Baptist Hospital in Osceola. She was born on March 7, 1917 in Coffeeville, Miss. to Jack Davis and Ella Mae Gray. A resident of Mississippi County for over 30 year, Lewis was a housewife and a member of Grace Temple in Osceola, where she was on the mother board...

Luther Darrell Jester, 63, of Lepanto, died on Sunday, May 18, 2003 at the Manila Nursing Center in Manila. Born January 1, 1940 in Clark County, Ark., Jester was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Lepanto, former member of the Osceola Lions Club, retired commercial bee keeper, former executive board member of the American Honey Producers and retired school administrator...

Lottie Elizabeth Chism, 90, of Cordova, Tenn., died on Monday, May 19, 2003 at the Ave Maria Nursing Home. A homemaker, Chism was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include two sons, Harold B. Chism of Cordova, Tenn. and Larry Chism of Eads, Tenn. and four grandchildren...

Tyronza citizens are planning the Stars and Stripes Jubilee to be held on Saturday, May 24, beginning at 10 a.m. in Tyronza, honoring past and present military. The day will be full of fun events, including a Patriot's Parade of area veterans, floats, decorated vehicles, carnival type games and rides, and a special children's section. ...

The United States Postal Service announced last week that they will be offering a pictorial cancellation to commemorate the 2003 Tyronza Stars and Stripes Festival, Tyronza Postmaster Barbara Ross says. Ross told the Tri-City Tribune that individuals attending the event may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary post office station established there. ...

East Poinsett County and Marked Tree High School seniors received their diplomas this weekend, despite storms Friday night that postponed the commencements. East Poinsett County rescheduled their graduation until 8 p.m. on Saturday, while Marked Tree planned their ceremony for 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon...

The Tyronza City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 13. Mayor Marion Bearden told the council that the divider between town's sewer ponds is washing out. Bearden recommended using a by-product that comes from a nearby steel mill to build up the divider and help prevent the wash out. ...

Henry Grady Watkins, Jr., 67, of Lepanto died on Sunday, May 18, 2003 at his residence. He attended Central High School in Little Rock and graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy and University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He later attended the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University...

With a 7-4 record last year and a third place finish in the competitive 3AAA-South district, EPC Head Coach Mark Courtney is hoping to build upon last year's season. EPC has almost 30 players participating in spring football, with most of the players underclassmen. ...