Stories from Friday, October 15, 2021

Colonel Paul Franklin Porter, USAF (Ret.), 80 of Wilson, passed away peacefully into the loving hands of his Savior, Lord Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, at his home. He was born in Hayti, Mo., Oct. 24, 1940, to Olen Porter and Hazel (Drye) Porter. He later moved to Manila, where he grew up as a child and met his future wife, across the cotton patch between their houses, Wanda Ann Vermillion.  He enjoyed flying, sky diving, riding his Harley motorcycle that has been in the family for over 33 years, watching old Westerns and, most of all, spending time with his son and grandkids. Paul was a 1958 graduate of Manila High School. Right after graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. Paul proudly served his country in the USAF, retiring as a colonel after 31 years of active-duty service. He was selected by the AF to attend the University of Wyoming where he received his BS in Civil Engineering and was then commissioned 2nd lieutenant. Later he was selected to attend the University of Cincinnati where he received his MS in Environmental Engineering. He was stationed throughout the USA, Iceland, Turkey, Philippines, Thailand and other overseas countries. ...

Patricia Chancery Myrick, 74, passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in a Conway hospital. Mrs. Myrick was born in Flomaton, Ala., and was a long-time Arkansas resident. She loved to cook for her family, work in her flower garden and loved her fur babies. She attended the Nazarene Church in Greenbrier...

Jack D. Merryman, 72, of Osceola, formerly of Blytheville, passed away at home on Oct. 9, 2021. He was born and raised in Blytheville by his parents, Horace and Lillian Merryman. He was of the Baptist faith. Jack drove a truck over the road for 25 years and he loved every minute of it! He drove for Eastern Express and his CB handle was “Budman.” He loved his truck driving friends. ...

Bernadine Burgess Hawkins Herren, 80, of Blytheville, went to be with her heavenly Father on Oct. 13, 2021, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born July 12, 1941, in the Childress Community, she was the daughter of the late Claude Cecil (C.C.) and Maudie Ann Burgess.  ...

Charles Sterling Tart, 82, of Armorel, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro with his loving wife and family by his side. Charlie was born in Blytheville to Charles and Ethel Tart. He served his country with honor in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. ...

In their first regular season matchup in school history, the edge went to the Blytheville Chickasaws (2-5, 2-2), 16-14, in a matchup with the Gosnell Pirates (1-5 , 1-3) at J.W.Rea Field. The highly anticipated contest provided a thrill as the came down to its final moments. “I knew it would come down to this,” Blytheville head coach Greg Ruffin said. “I think both teams are pretty much equal on talent. We just gutted it out.”...