Stories from Friday, September 9, 2011

Larry Gordon Doherty, 68, of Leachville, Ark., died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. Born Nov. 18, 1942 in Senath, Mo., he was the son of the late Ira and Ethel Rouse Doherty and had been a long time area resident. Mr. Doherty was a lifetime member of the New Providence Baptist Church in Buckeye and had been a truck driver for 35 years. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy and the United States Army. He valued the simple pleasures in life such as talking on CB radios, watching westerns and relaxing. His family would like for him to be remembered as a very loving father that never met a stranger and liked to laugh. He is survived by four sons, Larry "Casey" Doherty and wife Trisa of Krum, Texas, Paul Cameron Doherty of Aubrey, Texas, Shannon Christopher Doherty of Aubrey, Texas, and Kenny Luis Brown and wife Jolie of Hornersville, Mo.; two brothers, States Skipper of Ozark, Mo., and Don Simpkins of Paragould; one sister, Barbara Morris of Leachville. Mr. Doherty also leaves five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a very special friend Mrs. Willie Huskey. In addition to his parents, Mr. Doherty was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Jane Doherty; one brother, J.R. Doherty, and one grandson, Shawn Brown. Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the New Providence Baptist Church in Buckeye with Rev. David Powell officiating. Interment was in the Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Faith Funeral Service of Manila, Ark., in charge of arrangements. The family received visitors from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the church. Pallbearers were Nathan Doherty, Tanner Doherty, Tate Doherty, Casey Doherty, Shannon Doherty, Todd Skipper and Kenny Brown.

Mrs. Mary Ruth Wyrick Pierce, 62, of Kennett, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at the NHC Healthcare in Kennett. Born March 16, 1949, in Auburndale, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Richard and June Neighbors Wyrick and had been a long-time area resident. Mrs. Pierce was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hornersville, Mo., and she enjoyed fishing, crafts and she loved her dog McKenna very much. She is survived by one son, Billy Wyrick and wife Dellena of Hornersville, Mo.; one daughter, Teshia Edmondston of Paragould, Ark.; four brothers, Johnny Wyrick of Kennett, Mo., Dwit Wyrick of Hornersville, Mo., Bond Wyrick of Hornersville, Mo., and Remer Wyrick of Kennett, Mo.; two sisters, Eva Wyrick and Sue Wyrick, both of Kennett, Mo.; five grandchildren, Brittany Wyrick, Ryan Wyrick, Caitlyn Edmondston, Myra Edmondston and Chloe Edmondston; one great-grandchild, Bella Grace Napier. Mrs. Pierce also leaves a host of other family and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Pierce was also preceded in death by a brother, Reeves Wyrick, and two sisters, Kathy Wyrick and Sarah Wyrick. The family has requested a private service and disposition under the direction of Faith Funeral Service of Manila, Ark.

Mr. Gerald Ray "Buckshot" Cunningham passed away on Aug. 26, 2011, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., after a lengthy illness. He was a retired medical equipment and insurance salesman and a graduate of Arkansas State University, where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, O.L. Cunningham and Lucille Stacy. Survivors are his wife of 46 years, Linda McCarty Cunningham; two sons, Chad (Faith) of Collierville, Tenn., and Heath (Michelle) of Clarksville, Tenn.; five grandchildren which he adored, Taylor and Cody of Hernando, Miss., and McKinley, Campbell, and Cord of Clarksville, Tenn.; one sister, Kay (Ronald) Massey of Jonesboro, Ark. Gerald was an avid golfer up until his health prevented him from playing. He was a member of Windyke Country Club and a member of Germantown United Methodist Church. A celebration memorial service was held Saturday, Aug. 27, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann, Ark. The family received friends before the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Because golf was so much a part of his leisure time, the family asked anyone that chose to attend the service to wear golf attire as that is what he always wanted to wear. Services were directed by Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann, with Rev. Larry Loggins conducting the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Childrens Hospital as he was a volunteer at the St. Jude Golf Classic for 20 years. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

TRUMANN -- Mrs. Dixie June Roberts, 72, of Trumann, died Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born in Harrisburg, Ark., and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a sales representative for CenterPoint Energy, in 1980 was recognized as one of Arkansas Distinguished Sales Award honorees, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Trumann. Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her parents, Odus Henry and Florence Josephine Houston Terry. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, James Galen Roberts; three brothers, Gene Terry of Trumann, Dean Terry of Harrisburg and David Terry of Las Vegas, Nev.; nieces and nephews, James (J.D.), Mary June, Dianna, Debbie, Danyell and Justin. Funeral service was held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home with Dr. Tad Rogers officiating. Burial was in the Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Active pallbearers were Justin Terry, James Dean Terry, Ron Stockton, Bill Biggers, James Edward Spence, Laymon Moye, Wes Osment and Jimmy Allen. Visitation was Sunday from 1 until 2 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 575, Trumann, AR 72472. An online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

TRUMANN - Mr. Brian Keith Willis, 47, of Trumann, died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, in Little Rock, Ark. He was born in Trumann, Ark., and had lived in Trumann his whole life. Mr. Willis was a cabinetmaker, and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Dale Willis. Survivors include one daughter, Ms. Lara Beth Nichols of Jonesboro; one granddaughter, Makenna Nichols of Jonesboro; parents, Buster and Clytee Willis of Trumann; one sister, Rhonda Willis of Trumann, and one niece and one nephew. Funeral service was Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Trumann with Rev. Keith Mincey officiating. Burial was in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Active pallbearers were Jeff Campbell, Scotty Spence, Randy Massey, Joey Abbott, Brian Hickman, and Jeff Morris. Honorary pallbearers were Andrew Campbell and Austin Campbell. Visitation was Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann, Ark. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

This week's Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight shines brightly on the First United Methodist Church of Harrisburg. The First United Methodist Church was established in 1845, although they have had different buildings and names throughout the years...

The shooting deaths of three people killed in Harrisburg two weeks ago were the result of a murder-suicide, according to information released this week by Arkansas State Police information officer Bill Sadler. Sadler said Greg Leatherwood, 55, and his wife, Patricia Leatherwood, 54, were found in their home with fatal gunshot wounds when emergency crews responded to a fire on the Highway 163 property. When police tried to notify next of kin, they found the body of Kyle Leatherwood, 30, in his apartment inside Poinsett Glass. He, too, had a fatal gunshot wound. Police have determined that the gun found beside Patricia Leatherwood was used to kill Greg and Kyle. The Arkansas State Police released the following statement Wednesday: Based on investigative findings coupled with an analysis report from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory provided to Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police, Criminal Investigation Division and deputies of the Poinsett County Sheriff's Department, the deaths of Greg Leatherwood, his wife, Patricia and their son Kyle have been determined to be the result of murder-suicide. The deaths are believed to have occurred on or about Aug. 23. The bodies were discovered during the course of investigating a fire confined to the carport of the Leatherwood's home, located near the intersection of Highways 163 and 14. Inside the house authorities found the bodies of Greg and Patricia Leatherwood.The body of Kyle Leatherwood was discovered later in an apartment adjoining the family's Harrisburg business property. The State Crime Laboratory report, based on examinations of the bodies and evidence submitted during the investigation, states each victim was shot with the same handgun found next to Patricia Leatherwood.

Elvis paid a special visit to the residents of Three Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Marked Tree last week. (DT Photo/Corey Clairday)

The third Harrisburg Economic Development Grant has been awarded. James and Mary Poole received the grant to replace windows in their rental property on Market Street. The other two grant recipients were Shelly Hunter, Shear Design, and Dennis Lore, Auctions and More. The Harrisburg City Grant is made available through the citywide Economic Development Sales Tax.

The 2011 Trumann Wild Duck Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24. Events will begin on Friday, starting at 3 p.m. and lasting until that night around 10. On Saturday, the festival will pick up at 9 a.m. and end around 10:30 or 11 that night. Activities this year include a car and motorcycle show, a horseshoe tournament, a barbecue cooking contest and a parade Saturday morning. There also will be Trumann Wild Duck Festival T-shirts available for purchase at both city hall and at the festival. Regular sizes of the shirt can be purchased for $10 and sizes extra-large and double extra-large will be on sale for $12. The Miss Mallard Beauty Pageant will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Trumann Intermediate School Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. Entries will be accepted at the door, but it is preferred that they be turned in before the day of the event. Each participant is to pick up their number and leave their photograph at the scheduled registration time on pageant day. Registration will be held one hour before the pageant begins. There is a $30 entry fee to participate and a door admission of $3 for adults and $2 for students. Awards include overall, photogenic, dress, stage personality, smile and eyes. There are nine age divisions for girls and two for boys. For more information call Amanda Atkins at 870-483-5424. Pageant forms can be picked at Trumann City Hall. Entry forms for the car and motorcycle show can also be picked up at city hall. The car show will take place on Saturday at the Trumann Sports Complex. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the fee is $20. If those who are entering the car show would like to also be in the parade, they may meet at the old Price Chopper building on Hwy. 463 at 9 a.m. Plaques will be awarded for best paint, most club entries, oldest vehicle, mayor's choice and farthest driven. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded to the following classes: classic cars, street rods, mopars and muscle cars, trucks present day and motorcycles. All participants will receive a plaque with a photo of their car. This event is sponsored by the Trumann Walmart Supercenter and all of the proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network. For more information on the car show, call Dana or Brandy at 870-483-6491. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the barbecue contest for this year. The categories include chicken, ribs, Boston butts and cook's choice, which is any meat, fish or foul, excluding pork. The grand prize for the barbecue contest is $1,000 and each division will have its own prize. The rules will follow the Kansas City barbecue regulations and the Chamber will furnish the meat in the chicken, ribs and Boston butt categories. The contestant will have to furnish any meat in the cook's choice category. All of the meat will be cooked on site starting at 8 p.m. Friday. Judging will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. The entry fee is $100 per team and the fee and application must be turned in by Thursday, Sept. 22. Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office or Unico Bank. The full schedule of the Wild Duck Festival will be available in next week's paper. For more information on any of the events, call Trumann City Hall at 870-483-5355.

The Marked Tree Library, along with the Progressive Women's Club of Marked Tree, is offering a special Pre-Schoolers Storytime beginning Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. It's the end of summer and now that school is back into full swing, the library wants to give pre-schoolers a program designed just for them to promote a love of reading. Each month will have a theme and a local children's author to share stories, songs and surprises. The month of September local children's author and composer Carol Dabney will share songs on her ukulele and abook she has written about Sea Life Park. Also, there will be books available for children to check out on the theme of the month, which is"Summertime" and"Animalsof the Sea". Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge.

The Lake Poinsett State Park hosted Labor Day events filled with family fun on Sept. 2, 3 and 4. The staff at Lake Poinsett State Park invited all residents of Poinsett County and the surrounding areas to join them in celebrating Labor Day weekend. The park staff had an informative and fun tour of all that Lake Poinsett has to offer on Friday, Sept. 2, during a Sunset Kayak Cruise. "The kayak tour was incredible," said Vicki Trimble, Lake Poinsett State Park superintendent. "The water was like glass, there was a crescent moon out, geese were flying overhead and fish just jumping out of the water. It was an absolutely perfect night for a kayak tour." What better way to spend the day at beautiful Lake Poinsett than by horseback? On Saturday, Sept. 3, Lake Poinsett hosted Kids and Horses in the Park to continue the Labor Day festivities. The staff offered hand-led horseback rides by experienced personnel. The children even had a special treat of kettle-cooked popcorn. "There were probably 45 kids who showed up to ride horses this year," Trimble said. Later that day, children joined the park rangers for fun campfire treats in a tasty program designed for kids and the young at heart with the Campfire Goodies program. There, they learned how to make chocolate biscuits and kettle corn. On Sunday, the park offered a Historic Games program, which allowed the residents of Poinsett County to catch a glimpse of the lives of children who lived in the area hundreds of years ago. The staff offered Native American and pioneer games to celebrate the rich history left behind. "The Labor Day weekend was a blast," Trimble said. "The campground was full, everyone stayed safe and had a great time." Lake Poinsett State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The 135-acre park offers camping, a boat launch ramp, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, restrooms and bathhouse on 640-acre Lake Poinsett. Along with the visitor center and gift shop, the park offers two nature trails and year-round interpretive programs. For more information about the yard sale or any other park events, contact the park at (870) 578-2064 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

U.S. Mark Pryor stopped in Harrisburg last week to meet informally with county and city officials over lunch at Betty's Kountry Cafe. Sen. Pryor has been doing a series of town hall meetings across the state and was on the way to a meeting in Newport when he stopped in Harrisburg. Sen. Pryor contrasted the hyper-partisanship of Washington D.C., with the relaxed atmosphere of sitting down with local officials and discussing issues. "Washington has gotten so bitter. I wish they'd do what you do on a local level and sit down and work through problems," he said. Among issues discussed, Sen. Pryor expressed his disagreement with Standard and Poor's downgrading of the United States' credit rating. "They said the reason they did it is because of the bickering," Pryor said. "That makes the country an uncertainty. I agree, but it's all fixable. There are just not enough willing to sit down and work with both sides. Hopefully that will change." He said that in D.C. "a lot of people are good at campaigning but not at governing. They're all about blaming and pointing fingers but not helping." He did have some positive things to say about the country's stability, though. "In September of 2008 we hit a near global economic collapse. One encouraging thing is that when it happened, people put their capital in the U.S. We're still the safest investment in the world. People want to be here. "We spent $700 billion to solidify the global market, and it worked. When we saved GM, we saved about 100,000 jobs. They have a new line of cars and are doing great taking marketing away from foreign companies," he said. Sen. Pryor believes government has gotten too big over time but that people will see government shrink over the next few years. "It will be hard because you'll see programs like Headstart get budget cuts. The point is, in this budget environment, everyone's going to get cut. The question will be: can we get through it, be smart about it, and be on sound financial footing? There is nothing wrong we can't fix." He did note that in the country's current financial situation, the U.S. needs to find ways to help the economy that do not cost a lot. Talk turned to the recession and the question of whether or not there would be jobs to go back to since many jobs have gone overseas. "There are some good indicators in manufacturing jobs," Pryor said. "Arkansas was one of the few states that actually added manufacturing jobs. We're also seeing a mini-trend where a lot of jobs that went to China are coming back to the Rust Belt because they have lots of empty facilities." He also talked about an amendment for a balanced budget. "A lot of people think a balanced budget will solve everything, but it doesn't. California has a balanced budget. I've never voted for an amendment to balance the budget, but maybe we need one. It could open the door for automatic tax increases, though. We just have to be careful with how it's structured and written." In response to Sheriff Larry Mills' concern over federal money for meth lab clean-up being gone, Pryor said, "That's a great illustration of how we need to be careful. If we're not careful, we'll kill something like this, and that hurts local communities. We need to be careful we don't hammer rural America."