Stories from Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Tribune News Staff Every community wants something to benefit its citizens help them grow. That is just what Angel Food Ministries at the Church of God in Marked Tree is doing. Angel Food Ministries has existed for about 11 years. The ministry started with a husband and wife team in Good Hope, Ga. ...

Tribune Sports Staff Marked Tree has established themselves as a team that never gives up, so it came as no surprise when the Indians battled back from a 4-1 deficit to pull even with Woodlawn 4-4 entering the bottom of the sixth inning of Friday's first round 2A State Tournament game at Taylor Field in Pine Bluff...

Tribune Sports Staff The first win in a state tournament and a first-time 30-win season are what the EPC baseball Warriors have to show for their efforts this season. And even though the team lost to defending state champion Abundant Life, coach Brian Weathers is still understandably proud of his team...

Gertrude Elizabeth Smith, 66, of Marked Tree passed away April 27, 2007 at the Jonesboro Health Center Nursing Home in Jonesboro. She was born December 19, 1940, at Corning. Survivors include four daughters, Laura Smith-Thomas of Los Angeles, Calif., Deborah Smith-Wilmington of Calif., Denise Smith of Marked Tree and Christina Thompson; one son of Abraham Smith Jr. of Marked Tree; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild...

Geraldine Irene Mullins, 62, of Harrisburg passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in Jonesboro. She was born September 20, 1944, in Niles, Mich. the daughter of Paul Spenner and Dorothy Courtney Spenner. Geraldine was a member of the Tyronza Church of Christ. She enjoyed bingo, pitching pennies, fishing and reading...

John Elmo Hardin Sr., 59, of Lepanto passed away April 26, 2007 at his residence. He was born December 4, 1947, in Lepanto. Hardin was a farmer, served in the Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was also a member of the Baptist Faith Church. Survivors include three daughters: Odessa Mitchell of Jonesboro and Michelle Real and Rochelle Malone of Blytheville; one son, John Hardin Jr. ...

Carl Eugene Smith, 72, of Tyronza passed away Friday, May 4 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. The funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 7 in the chapel of Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis with interment following in Tyronza Cemetery...

James Earl Burress, 77, of Marked Tree died Monday, May 7, at St. Bernard Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was a member of Marion Church of God and a veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Ruby Burress, three sisters and one brother...

Each year the Marked Tree Historical Society has the all important task of selecting a member of the city to be honored at their annual Spring Heritage Luncheon. This year they selected two. "The Berrys were the natural choice," Joan Thompson, mistress of ceremonies, said. "They were both teachers at Marked Tree public schools and they are dedicated in their service to the community, the church and the citizens of Marked Tree."...

There will be a spaghetti dinner from 5 -- 7 p.m. on May 10 to raise funds for the Moving Vietnam wall scheduled to come to Marked Tree in September 2008. The cost will be $7.50 per plate for "all you can eat" or carry out. The meal will include spaghetti, slaw, bread, drinks and dessert. Also, fresh hot funnel cakes will be sold for $2 a plate...

"The will to win is meaningless without the will to prepare," legendary Washington Redskins football coach Joe Gibbs once said. The Marked Tree Economic Development Commission (EDC), under the leadership of Buddy Lovell, has both the will to win and the will to prepare in creating jobs and attracting capital investment to Marked Tree...

Tribune Sports Staff "I fell in love with the school," said Sade Madden last Thursday after signing a letter of intent with Division I Wichita State of the Missouri Valley Conference. "They treated me like family and that's important to me." Before most of the EPC high school students and staff in the Warrior gym, Madden signed to play with the Shockers in a ceremony reminiscent of Marcus Monk's signing to play with the Razorbacks four years ago...