Stories from Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Tribune News Staff Poinsett County Judge Doyle Hillis and the county's mayors were optimistic in discussing future projects in 2004 at the recent Poinsett County Intergovernmental Council meeting. In the meeting, held last Tuesday at the Marked Tree Fire Station, the group discussed economic growth in Poinsett County as well as improving the county's infrastructure and the current debate over education in the state of Arkansas. ...

Tribune News Staff On the surface, Marion Bearden seems like any other woman. She loves to shop, spend time with her grandchildren and read a good Danielle Steele novel every now and then. Nonetheless, the citizens of Tyronza know just how special Bearden is...

Judy Ann Brown, 53, of Dyess died Saturday, Jan, 17 at Baptist ER in Osceola. Born in Lepanto, AR, she was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. Survivors include her husband, James Brown of the home; four sons, Bradley Brown, James Brown Jr., and Anthony Brown all of Dyess, and Bobby Brown of Trumann; four daughters, Margie Meurer and Tanya Brown of Lepanto, Mary Raines of Dyess, and Tammie Miles of Jonesboro; one sister, Nina Underwood of Lepanto; two brothers, Bobby Tucker of Lepanto and Larry Crump of Greenfield, IN; 23 Grandchildren and 3 Great-grandchildren.. ...

Alton Darty Sr., 67, of Osceola died Monday, Jan. 12, at his residence. Born at Nauvoo, Ala., he was a retired farmer and a member of Etowah Pentecostal Church of God. Survivors include four daughters, Cathy Moore of Gosnell, Barbara Yancy and Phillis Towery, both of Osceola, and Alva Lee Lang of Hardy; one son, Alton Darty Jr. of Osceola; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren...

Odell Knighten Sr., 67, of Osceola died Wednesday, Jan. 14, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. A retired employee of Osceola Products, he was a member of Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Beal Knighten; six sons, Odell Knighten Jr. ...

Alvin H. Terrell, 90, of Payneway died Thursday, Jan. 15, at his home. He was a farmer, a Mason and member and song leader at the Corner Chapel Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Alvin H. Terrell Jr. of Rockford, Ill., and Ronnie Shempert of Payneway; one daughter, Teresa Shempert of Jonesboro; a brother, Ralph Terrell of Wardell, Mo.; and a grandson, Joey Terrell of Rockford...

Tribune Sports Staff Going into last Friday night's game with Osceola, the East Poinsett County Warriors knew that they would face a tough defensive team, with good players and a good coach in the Osceola Seminoles. Yet, it was the intangibles that bore out in a 58-45 EPC victory over Osceola in 3AAA-South senior boys basketball action last Friday...

It was a successful week for the Marked Tree senior boys and girls basketball teams, as they picked up two key wins in district play. Last Tuesday night, the Marked Tree senior boys had three players in double figures as they defeated Parkin 54-48 in senior boys action. ...

The East Poinsett County girls basketball team reached a milestone last week, yet faced a loss both on and off the court. Last Monday, EPC overcame a dry spell in the first quarter, to pick up a 54-46 victory over Manila. Manila led EPC 17-8 after one quarter, yet EPC outscored Manila 17-7 in the second quarter, to take a 25-24 lead at halftime. ...

Tuesday, Jan. 13 Senior Boys BIC 78, CRA 66 EPC 75, Trumann 38 Gosnell 70, Manila 57 Hughes 77, Turrell 72 Marked Tree 54, Parkin 49 Nettleton 54, Bay 49 Osceola 79, Rivercrest 70 Riverside 56, Walnut Ridge 50 Valley View 67, Harrisburg 62 Senior Girls...

J.B. Broadaway, 81 of Trumann died Monday, Jan. 19, at Regional Medical Center of NEA in Jonesboro. Born in Trumann, he had lived in Trumann for the past 40 years and was formerly of Marked Tree. He was a retired service station owner, a member of the Jonesboro Bowling Center League for over 40 years and was of the Pentecostal faith...

Ida Gene Avery, 61, of Lepanto died Friday, Jan. 16 at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith; she also was a volunteer worker at Lepanto Senior Life Center. Survivors include her husband, Harvey Avery of the home; her mother and father, James Odell Miller and Bertie Laura Bolder; two daughters, Hope Avery Parsons and Faith Baine of Lepanto; three brothers, James Miller of Lepanto, Travis Miller of Mississippi, and Mickey Miller of West Memphis; two sisters, Shirley Davis of Illinois and Anita Johnson of Lepanto; and two grandchildren. ...

Lizzie Anderson, 81, died Friday, Jan. 16. at Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree. Anderson was born Aug. 16, 1922 in Greenville, Miss. Mrs. Anderson was a homemaker and a member of the Anderson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Mother's Board. Anderson was also a member of St. Matthew's Chapter #351 Order of the Eastern Star...

Officials with the Arkansas Activities Association announced last Thursday that the Marked Tree School District has been selected to host the 2003-2004 Class AA Region 4 Regional Tournament on Feb. 23-28. The AAA announced that Marked Tree was selected over two other schools to host the eight boys and girls teams that will participate in the five-day event. ...

Tribune News Staff In its meeting last Tuesday night, the Tyronza City Council voted to approve the 2004 budget for the city and heard from several Tyronza firefighters about the recent election of a new Fire Chief for the city. In the meeting, held at the Tyronza District Courtroom, the nearly 40 in attendance heard about the election of Tony Turner to serve as Fire Chief for the city of Tyronza. ...

Tribune News Staff The Marked Tree School Board met Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The main topic of discussion was current education legislation and how it could affect the Marked Tree school district. Superintendent Gary Masters informed the school board that Senate Bill 42 had been signed by both the house and the senate. ...

Tribune News Staff In a proclamation issued on Jan. 15, President George Bush declared Sunday, Jan. 18, to be National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Bush urged all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies in their homes and places of worship and to reaffirm their commitment to...

Tribune News Staff Officials with the city of Tyronza, along with several area residents heard from an official with the Arkansas Delta Byways program last Friday. In an informal gathering, held at Polly's Café in Tyronza, Tyronza mayor Marion Bearden and city museum workers Thelma Jett and Barbara Ross spoke with Ruth Hawkins of the Arkansas Delta Byways program, on an update of the new Tyronza Delta Area Museum, currently under construction in Tyronza. ...

Tribune News Staff Rev. Bob Hager, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Marked Tree, is a man dedicated to use all his talents to serve God and others. Hager has been serving in pastoral ministry for 26 years. Hager, 56, is married to Carol. Together they have three sons: Jeffrey, 28, of Paragould; Mark, 25, of Russellville; and Justin, 23, of Russelville...

Tribune Staff Marion Dawson, 88, was born Aug. 30, 1915, in Marked Tree. Anyone who has lived in Marked Tree for any amount of time has probably eaten Mrs. Dawson's cooking at one time or another. Mrs. Dawson attended Memphis Music Academy to study violin and piano. After graduating in 1937, she used her skills to teach others including violin students at the glee club...

The Class of 1994 will hold its 10 year reunion on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. The reunion will be held in the Marked Tree High School Library. All class members are invited to attend. Call Amanda Lansdale at (870) 358-2595 for more information.

East Poinsett County Senior High: September 3 Open, September 10 at Earle, September 17 at Cross County, September 24 Rector, October 1 Walnut Ridge, October 8 at Piggott, October 15 Turrell, October 22 at Parkin, October 29 Marked Tree, November 4 at Salem...