Stories from Tuesday, April 7, 2009

David B. Norris, 61, of West Memphis died Saturday, April 4 at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. Survivors include his mother, Polly Arnold of Cordova; stepfather Billy Arnold; stepsister Kathy Thompson; stepbrother Bill Arnold III; aunt Billie Burnett of Memphis, Tenn.; and a host of cousins...

Eula Miller, 72, of Barrington, Ill., passed away April 1, 2009. Formerly of Marked Tree, she was born in Lexington, Tenn. She spent her working years serving the public as one of the best waitresses in Chicago. During her retirement she spent much of her time dancing, which she loved to do...

Cynthia Jo Hood, 37, of Lepanto died Sunday, April 5 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Born April 15, 1971 in West Memphis, she was a registered nurse and a member of the First Baptist Church in Lepanto. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Arkansas Northeastern College where she also made the Dean's list...

Norma Fay Laden, 66, of Lepanto, died Saturday, April 6, 2009, at Twin Rivers Medical Center in Kennett, Mo. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was preceded in death by her parents, Clemons and Ethel Alsup, two sisters and a brother. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother...

Mary Carolyn Speed, 91, of Jefferson City, died Monday, April 6, 2009, at Heisinger Bluffs. She was born on March 20, 1918, in Lepanto, the daughter of George Earl and Ola Mae Riddell Wise. She was united in marriage on May 26, 1939, in Eupora, Miss., to Willard Eugene Speed, Sr. who preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1999...

As many families gather this weekend to celebrate Easter, my family also will be celebrating a special occasion. My brother, Brandon, is graduating from Arkansas State University with a degree in digital media and design. ...

Easter is a spring festival that celebrates the resurrection of Christ three days after his death by crucifixion. It is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. (Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 33)...

If you believe the Easter Bunny is coming to your house Saturday night, you might also believe that, in America, justice is equal. Both are myths, and since even I can't explain how a giant bunny became the symbol of Jesus' resurrection, I'll focus on the myth of equal justice...

Marked Tree native Desha Marquis Smith was recently chosen to participate in The LeaderShape Institute's elite training program May 10-15. All expenses including lodging, meals, materials and the LeaderShape training will be provided at no cost to the students selected. Only 60 students from the university were offered the opportunity to participate...

Four properties in the Tri-City area have been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program nominated the four properties, along with 16 others in 13 counties, when it met April 1, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced...

The Lepanto Beautification Committee is making future plans to help clean up their town. The committee is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of beautifying the scenic and historic community of Lepanto. They also hope to stimulate civic pride and teamwork...

The Tyronza chapter of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) now has 16 new members on the campus of East Poinsett County High School in Lepanto. The students graduated the training program and are part of the school's Campus Emergency Response Team...