Stories from Friday, October 17, 2003

At its monthly meeting Monday night, the East Poinsett County Board of Education heard from a Lepanto parent, concerned over a recent incident at the school. The parent, Jackie Lacy told the board about an incident that occurred at the school in September. ...

The Marked Tree Junior High Football team battled the elements last Thursday night to pick up a 30-8 victory over the Walnut Ridge Jr. Bobcats. Playing the game in a steady rain for most of the game, the Marked Tree Jr. Indians moved the football and overcame a late challenge by Walnut Ridge to pick up the win...

The East Poinsett County Warriors battled through an early challenge last Friday night, on their way to a 32-7 victory over Harrisburg in high school football action. EPC, who had lost the three games prior to last Friday against tough teams such as Marion, Rivercrest and Gosnell moved the football against a Harrisburg defense that defeated Trumann 20-12 earlier in the season. ...

With early season losses to Cross County and Earle, the Marked Tree Indians went into Friday night's game with Rector, seeking to redeem themselves before the stretch run of the 3AA District season. And Marked Tree did not disappoint, as Marked Tree rushed for 339 yards in a 42-8 rout of Rector last Friday night...

The East Poinsett County Warriors boys tennis team captured the 2003 3AAA-South District Tennis Tournament Monday afternoon. In the tournament, held in West Memphis, the team, coached by Tommy Ford won the boys singles title and finished runner-up in the boys doubles and girls doubles tournament. ...

Jeffery "Brother" Lane Spears Jr., 20, of Joiner died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003 near Pocahontas. He was a Baptist and a 2001 graduate of Rivercrest High School. He was also a graduate of Arkansas Fire Academy and a volunteer fireman for the Dalton Fire Department...

Betty Mae Smith, 73, of Monette died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. Survivors include three sons, Grady Millard Smith and Gary Don Smith, both of Osceola, and Burl Lynn Smith of Manila; one sister, Wanda Haile of Springdale; four brothers, Hershel Young of Shio, Ohio, and Carmen Young, Russell Young and Gerald Young, all of Springdale; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren...

Evelyn Etoile Simmons, 77, of Marked Tree died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was a homemaker and a Jehovah's Witness. Survivors include her husband, Deverl Simmons of Marked Tree; five sons, Jerrell Simmons and Larry Bruce Simmons, both of Marked Tree, Dennis Simmons of Colbert, Ga., Steve Simmons of Henderson, Tenn., and Chris Simmons of Trumann; three sisters, Maurine Tubbs and Sue Stricklin, both of Marked Tree, and Jo Ann McCrary of Payneway; and four grandchildren, Dawn Ellis, Ben Simmons, Lana Simmons and Tyler Simmons.. ...

Jess Pruitt, 94, of Etowah died on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Osceola. A member of the Etowah Baptist Church, Pruitt was a retired merchant. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Maudine Celeste Pruitt Griffith and his wife, Inez Cynthia Ann Low Pruitt...

Rose Cantrell Carr, 61, of Jonesboro, formerly of Osceola, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003 at her residence. She was a waitress and a former restaurant owner. Survivors include two sons, Dany Woodward of Osceola and Dale Woodward of Keiser; two daughters, Tammy Prude of Cordova, Tenn., and Diana Crump of Tennyson, Ind.; four sisters, Mary Elen Scott and Patsy Bradsford, both of Osceola, Doris Sulcer of Dyess and Dixie Wright of Wilson; a brother, Bill Cockram of Etowah; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.. ...

Area residents were in Tyronza last Saturday morning for the 1st Annual Tyronza Fire Department Fire Prevention Day. In the event, held at the Tyronza Fire Station, the TFD used the exercise to explain fire safety to residents and gave free blood pressure checks to residents. The event was held in connection with National Fire Prevention Week, held last week...

Three Marked Tree residents were taken to Jonesboro hospitals Sunday night, as a result of a two-vehicle accident on Elm St. in Marked Tree. According to Cpl. Andrew Harris of the Arkansas State Police, on Oct. 12, 2003, at around 9:40 p.m., the Marked Tree Police Department received a telephone call of a domestic call and fight in progress at 132 Owens St. ...

It was the Brett Hardin show last Thursday night, as the East Poinsett County Jr. High Warriors defeated Westside 22-0 in junior high football action. Hardin, an eighth grader led EPC's offense past the winless Westside Warriors, picking up two touchdowns on the ground and adding a two-point conversion. ...