Stories from Monday, April 24, 2017

Mr. James Walker “Bo” Wilbanks, 44, of Ridgely, Tennessee passed away on April 20, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a welder and of the Pentecostal faith. Mr. Wilbanks is survived by his parents, Rev. Alvin and Dorothy Wilbanks both of Osceola; his wife, Krista Renshaw Wilbanks of Ridgely, Tenn.; two sons, Kevin Shane Wilbanks of Oregon and Lincoln Ennis of Ridgely, Tenn.; one daughter, Joanna Ennis of Ridgely, Tenn.; five brothers, Rev. ...

The second graders at Buffalo Island Central West Elementary enjoyed a visit from Justin Logan with KAIT-8 weather. He taught the students about hail, sleet, snow and thunderstorms. Mr. Justin did many experiments. One of the favorite experiments was when he made a tornado inside a bottle. Another favorite experiment was when he placed rubbing alcohol in a 2-liter bottle and pumped it full of air. When he released the pressure from the bottle, it produced clouds inside the bottle...

Laverta Carmack Stewart celebrated her 100th birthday on April 14 with dinner at the Brick Oven in Paragould surrounded by family and friends. Mrs. Stewart was married to the late Landon Stewart for over 50 years. They have two children, Norma and Ben, and four grandchildren...

Mr. John Steven Burns, 67, of Luxora, passed away on April 22, 2017 in Jonesboro. He was an electrician and a lifetime resident of Luxora. Mr. Burns is survived by his Debbie Burns of Luxora; one daughter, LaCarol Shipman of Lakeland, Tenn.; four brothers, Don Burns of Osceola, Wayne Pickens of Evansville, Ind., Gary Pickens of Dallas, Texas and James Pickens, Jr. ...

Mr. Eugene Arnold Gaddis, 67, passed away on April 20, 2017 at his home in Marked Tree. He was a radio dispatcher, of the Baptist faith and an Army veteran. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Gaddis of Marked Tree; two sons, Robert (Regina) Gaddis and Eugene (Shannon) Gaddis, Jr., both of Marked Tree; one daughter, Paula Gaddis Adamson of Marked Tree; three brothers, Lowell Gaddis of Marked Tree, Leroy Gaddis of Tyronza and John Gaddis of Harrison; two sisters, Ruby Gaddis of Calif. ...

Mr. Zelver Lawshea, 78, of Blytheville went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his home. Born August 21, 1938 in Dell, Arkansas to Eddie Lawshea, Sr. and Mary Robinson Lawshea, at an early age, Zelver confessed a hope in Christ. For many years Zel was a farm worker at Stevens Farms, later joining Carlock Automotive where he worked for 27 years...