Stories from Friday, October 24, 2003

At the Marked Tree City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, the council discussed several business items, including a purchasing ordinance, a report from the water commission, closing Dawson Street, the Airport Commission and banking. After a brief discussion on banking, a motion was made by Alderman Luddie Hatley, seconded by Lonnie Scott, to change banks from First Community Bank to First Delta Bank. ...

The Arts Council of Mississippi County has announced their 2003-2004 Concert Series. November -- Smoke & Mirrors Illusion and Magic Show; January -- Joanna Jordan (harpist); February -- Ameria (dancer); March -- Family Weekend Showcase (Feat. Toucan Jam and Still on the Hill); April -- Gwendolyn Brown Twillie, Ph.D. (storyteller)...

Area residents were in Tyronza on Oct. 11 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...

Opal Mae Roach, 66, of Evening Shade died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003 at White River Medical Center in Batesville. Born on March 8, 1937 at Athens, Ala., to Emery Wade and Lossie Irene (Gatlin) Carter. She was a homemaker and a Christian. Survivors include her husband, R.V. ...

James Larry Hamilton, 54, of Marion died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 at Crittenden Memorial Hospital in West Memphis. He was an accountant for Pepsico in Memphis and was of the Pentecostal belief. An All Southland Conference quarterback for the Arkansas State University football Indians, Hamilton was the Most Valuable Player in the 1970 Pecan Bowl and quarterbacked the team during the undefeated season of 1970 when team won the Small College national championship...

Effie Kelly, 93, of Marked Tree died on Oct. 20, 2003 at Three Rivers Nursing Center. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.O. Kelly and one daughter, Johnnye Rhoads. Survivors include two daughters, Joe Ann Hatley of Waterford, Mich. and Mattie Fleming of Marked Tree; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild...

Raymond Elliott Lamb, 53, of Lepanto died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 at his residence. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Lepanto. Survivors include two sons, Shane Lamb of Monette and Henry Lamb of California; a daughter, Shanda Lamb of Lake City; two brothers, Bruce Lamb and Greg Lamb, both of Jonesboro; and two grandchildren...

Mable Lean Parker, 55, of Osceola died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She had worked at American Greetings for 34 years and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir...

Bobbie Laverne Gray, 74, of Memphis, Tenn. died on Oct. 20, 2003 at Baptist Memorial in Tipton County. Gray was a retired manager for Dent Cleaners and was a member of the Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hershel Franklin Gray...