Stories from Thursday, January 8, 2009

True to its nature, to its last hour, the Bush Administration has left us another screw up to remember it by. This time it involves the Obama inauguration. Blair House, that sits across the street from the White House, has three uses. ...

When I was typing the year in review for the paper this week, I couldn't help but think of my own life's events. My personal year in review goes something like this: My mother has a shirt that reads, "When I look around and think things through, all of my good days outweigh my bad. ...

Only two years from 30. I know a lot of people out there who are in their forty's, fifty's, sixty's and so on probably think 28 is "just a baby." But to me it feels a lot like getting older. Monday was my birthday, and I had a good time of celebrating with family and friends. ...

George W. Ford, 99, of Trumann died Thursday, Jan. 1 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro Born July 10, 1909, in Waterloo, Ala, he was a farmer and of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by wife, Mary Ford, one daughter, five sons and three grandchildren...

Mary L. Graham, 92, of Nashville died Jan. 2. Graham worked many years at Cain Sloan and then Dillard's Department Stores. She was a Charter Member of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church and attended Donelson Heights Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John Graham...

Mary Elizabeth Jennings, 84, of Lepanto died Monday, January 5, 2009, in NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. She was a member of Lepanto Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for many years. She worked for the postal service for 35 years. She was a member of the Lepanto school board for 14 years, a member of the Friends of The Library and a volunteer where ever she was needed...

Joe Harold Reeves 61, of Trumann died Jan. 1 at the family residence. Born in Tyronza, he had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann and was a member of the Living Waters Pentecostal Church. Reeves was preceded in death by one sister, two brothers and his parents, Ezzy and Myrtle Tony Reeves...

Daniel James Thorpe, 61, of Dyess died Dec. 30 at the VA Hospital in Memphis. He was born Dec. 31, 1946 in Mansfield, Ohio, He was a retired Tool and Dye maker and a retired Vietnam Air Force Veteran...

Jason Wilson, 32, of Blytheville died Saturday, Jan. 3. He leaves his wife, Sara Ruth Hines Wilson; mother, Sharon Renetta Murphy Camburn (Bobby Lee); and grandmother, Mary Frances Bowers Murphy, all of Blytheville; father, Raymond Richard Wilson (Cathy) of Lepanto; in-laws, Shari and Ricky King of Gosnell, and Robert Edward and Loretta Hines of Melbourne; brothers, Jeremy Lee Camburn of Blytheville and Scott Wilson of Lepanto; sister, Elizabeth Sparks (Christopher) of Horseshoe Bend; and other relatives.. ...

Ron Hunter's first day on the job as Poinsett County District Judge wasn't that much different from his old job as assistant county prosecutor. There was a six inch stack of papers waiting for him on his desk when he arrived and cases waiting for his attention...

While many were getting ready to ring in the new year, Ella Frances Williams Smith was celebrating a milestone of her own. She, along with family and friends, celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree...

(Editor's note: This is the first of a four part series reviewing the events covered by the Tri-City Tribune in 2008) January: Jan. 2--Brazilian visits Three Rivers Baptist church; EPC FCCLA serves the community by doing an angel food drive; Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC) accepts applications for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)...

Kenneth Keith Yarbrough, 81, of Jonesboro passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, at his home. He was born in Jonesboro and lived there for 25 years, moving from Trumann. He was the owner-operator of Melody Nursing Home in Trumann, a division controller for the Singer Plant in Trumann, member of the Trumann Lions Club, Trumann Chamber of Commerce, Trumann School Board, Board of Directors at the Bank of Trumann and the Arkansas Nursing Home Association...

Ruth Mauvolene Palmer Taylor, 84, of Trumann died Dec. 20, at the family residence. She was born at Vina, Ala., and had lived in Trumann for the past 60 years. She was formerly of Bay. She was a beautician and member of the First United Methodist Church...

Mrs. Dorthiea Marie Reeves died Dec. 19 at her daughter's residence in Brookland, at the age of 69 years and 12 days. She was born Dec. 7, 1939 daughter of the late Walter McClanahand and Ella Sloan McClanahand Curry. She was a lifetime resident of Trumann. She was a homemaker, member of the Senior Life Center and a member of the Maple Grove Baptist Church. Reeves was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Reeves in 1996; two sisters, two brothers and her parents...

Lovis V. Hogan, 80, of Ravenden Springs passed away Saturday, Dec. 20 at Five Rivers Medical Center at Pocahontas. Mrs. Hogan is survived by two sons, Ronnie Hogan of Trumann and Gordon Hogan of Marked Tree; one daughter, Amy Ward of Pocahontas; three grandchildren, Jason Hogan, Kimberly Randall and Brandon Hogan; and great-grandchild, Jaycee Hogan, all of Trumann; a sister, Mae Williams of Pocahontas, nieces, nephews and many friends. ...

James Michael Smith, 34, of Trumann died Dec. 20, at his residence. He was a graduate of EPC High School in Lepanto. He attended Arkansas State College and was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his wife, Kary Gibson Smith of the home; stepsons, Seth and Tyler Mullins of Trumann; mother, Shirley Smith of Tyronza; father, James and wife Joan of Tyronza; maternal grandparents, Edward and Betty Maxia of Tyronza; paternal grandmother, Hazel Lovell of Tyronza; sister, Emily and husband Garrett Gillis of Marked Tree; and brother, Joseph Smith and wife Ashley of Conway.. ...

Jerry Edward Brooks Jerry Edward Brooks, 47, of Trumann passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Brooks was born in Tyronza, was a lifetime resident of Trumann and member of the Faith Baptist Church in Tulot. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Adams Brooks, one brother, Johnny Carl Brooks, two sisters, Deborah Gail Brooks and Baby Darlene Brooks...

Todd Jason Short Todd Jason Short, 34, of Trumann died Saturday, Dec 6 in Trumann. He was born in Wynne and lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was a firefighter serving with the Trumann Fire Dept., a former service manager at Wood Ford for 12 years and member of Faith Baptist Church. ...

Ora Frances Presley, 73 of Trumann died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 at the Trumann Health and Rehab. Formerly of Cherokee Village, she was born in Poinsett County and had lived in Trumann for the last four years. She was a homemaker and was of the Church of Christ belief...

Dorothy Banks Conatser, 90, of Trumann, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008 at Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Conatser was born in Smithville, Ark., and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother; homemaker; past worthy matron of the Eastern Star and a member of the First Baptist Church. ...

Mark Aaron Baine, 28, of Subiaco, Arkansas went to be with our Father on Dec. 19 in Paris. He was born in Jonesboro on December 14, 1980. He was employed by Southwestern Energy DeSoto Drilling and had previously worked at Subiaco Farmer's Co-op. He was a member of Paris Christian Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rick and Rita Hammell Baine...

Mrs. Josephine M. Jones of Trumann was born on Sep. 3, 1930, daughter of the late Marvin A. and Mollie Chipman Humble. Jones died Dec. 17 at the Trumann Health and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 78 years 3 months 14 days. She was born in Osceola and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. ...

Charles Russel Dunman was born March 20, 1924 son of the late Bernard and Olevia Posey Dunman. Dunman died Dec. 13 at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 84 years 8 months and 23 days. He was born in Huntsville, Ala. and had lived most of his lifetime in Lunsford. Dunman was a farmer being named Farmer of the Year in 1968, and was a member of the Lunsford Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by two sisters, two brothers and his parents...

Terry Reece Moody, 51, of Trumann died, Friday, Nov. 28 of natural causes at the family residence in Trumann. Moody, a self-employed construction worker, was born in Chicago and had lived in Trumann for 50 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Moody and his first wife, Paula Moody...

Hattie Sue Roberts, 54, of Paragould went Sunday, Dec. 7 to be with the Lord. She was retired from Emerson Electric and was a member of Greater Vision Ministries. She loved everyone! She is survived by her children, Catherine Goodman, Amanda Cogburn, Jeremy Cogburn and Wesley Bateman of Walcott; siblings, Wava Nell Guinn, Janice Lancaster and David Chase; and grandchildren, Shanna, Jacob, Zachery, Blake, Taylor, Drake, Gillian, Donovan, Amber, Deric, Sara, Tessa and Heather...

Mrs. Mary Evelyn Harris-Muse, 85, formerly of Harrisburg, left this world to be in the presence of her heavenly Father on Dec. 16 in Owasso, Okla. She was born and lived in Harrisburg all of her life except for the last two and one-half years when she moved to Owasso to live close to her son and family. ...

James David "Gentle Ben" Jarrett, 69, of Trumann died Sunday, Dec, 14 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born in Poughkeepsie and had lived in Trumann for the past 30 years. He was a construction worker and of the Pentecostal faith...

Bobby D. Robbins, age 68, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 11 at his home in Clemmons, NC. He was born Nov. 19, 1939 in Trumann and was a loving grandfather and devoted father who lived his life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by all who were charmed by his easy manner and quick wit...