Stories from Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Mississippi County hosted its annual Veteran’s Day ceremony with community members, elected officials, students and more were in attendance to show their appreciation for local veterans. The county hosted circuit judge Dan Ritchey (above) as the special guest speaker of the ceremony, further detailing the community’s admiration of local veterans. ...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier Area veterans were honored with a ceremony on Nov. 11 at the Herman Davis Monument Park in Manila. The annual event is held each year in Manila on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in remembrance of the peace agreement that was signed ending World War I in 1918. Nov. 11 was known as Armistice Day until 1954 when it was changed to Veterans Day honoring all veterans...

The Mississippi County Juneteenth Committee, in collaboration with the Arkansas Heritage Commission, will dedicate a plaque in honor of historic Ash Street on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Ash Street was the business center for this African American community starting in the 1920”s and a plaque recognizing its significance will be unveiled and dedicated by these two entities. All are invited to share in this moment of remembrance...

Alferd Milton Albrecht, 88, of Manila, passed from this life Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born at St. Louis, Mo., he was the son of the late Gottlieb and Esther Orth Albrecht and had been a longtime resident of Miami, Fla., before making his home in Manila earlier this year. ...

Jessie “Geneva” Alexander was born June 14, 1937 in Gurdon. She left this earth on Nov. 9, 2022, to join her Heavenly Father as well as her cherished husband Joe Alexander, her beloved parents, Ruby Lee (Easley) and Jessie Taylor McClure of Gurdon, and her dear brother, Elton “Buddy” McClure...

Donna A. Brown, 59, of Blytheville passed away Nov. 6, 2022, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. She was a factory worker and a member of New Immanuel M.B. Church in Blytheville. Donna Brown was born May 21, 1963, to Otis Hoy and Deloise Chandler. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Annwan Miles; one brother James Webb; and one sister, Catherine Kennedy...

Iona Lee McCray, 68, of Hayti, Mo., passed away Nov. 5, 2022, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. She was a retired CNA and of the Baptist faith. Iona McCray was born July 8,1954, in Blytheville to Walter and Elizabeth Taylor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy McCray; one brother, Howard Taylor three sisters, Katherine Whitfield, Gloria Thomas and Ann Alridge...

Anita Carrie Thomas, 87, of El Paso, Texas, formerly of Wilson, passed away Nov. 5, 2022, at her residence. She was a homemaker and a member of Macedonia MB Church in Wilson. Ms. Thomas was born April 13, 1935, in Athens, Ga., to Julius and Marie Bazzelle Thrasher. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charlie B. Thomas; and a brother...

Jai’lah Lapaige Brown, 10 months old, passed away Nov. 8, 2022, at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She was born Jan. 10, 2022, in Sikeston, Mo., to Rico Larry and Mary Brown. Jai’lah is survived by her parents, Rico Larry of Omaha, Neb., and Mary Brown of Sikeston, Mo.; one sister, Mahari Brown of Sikeston, Mo.; her grandmothers, Laverne Brown of Sikeston, Mo., and Flora Brown of Trumann...

George Ann Danehower, 83, peacefully passed away in her home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. George Ann was born on Dec. 22, 1938, at her family’s home in Mandalay, in the center of the cotton fields of the Arkansas Delta. She was preceded in death by her parents, George I. and Donye (Edwards) Byrd; brother, Don Byrd; sister, Sue Chism; and her “second” mother, Ruth Jones...

Richard Carlton Huffins Sr., 54, of Paragould, passed away Nov. 4, 2022, at his home. He was a painter and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Huffins was born March 22, 1968, in Eustis, Fla., to Richard Travis Huffins and Essie Yancy Mohr. He was preceded in death by his father,Richard Huffins; his mother and stepfather, Essie and Lynn Mohr...

Sammie Lee Reddick Sr., 65, of Kennett, Mo., passed away Nov. 7, 2022, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Sammie Reddick was born Aug. 24,1957, to Aaron and Maple Reddick. He served his country in the U.S. Army. After serving in the military he worked as a construction worker, and was a member of the Greater Community Temple in Kennett...

Bonnie Faye Rice, 81, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., formerly of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at her home. Bonnie was born in Holland, Mo., to William and Lillian Wright McGee. Bonnie loved Jesus and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Blytheville. ...

Carl Eugene Brooks, 88, of Manila, passed from this life Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at his home. Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Clarence and Zephyr Thomas Brooks and had been a lifelong Manila resident. He was a U.S. Army veteran and had been the longtime owner and operator of Brooks Welding Service before retiring in 2017. ...

Dorothy Sue Holmes Riddle, 89, of Blytheville, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at her home. Dorothy was born in Blytheville to James Wesley and Mary Lorene Williford. Dorothy loved her Lord and was a member of First Lutheran Church. She was a very vivacious, vibrant, and happy person. She was a social butterfly and she never met a stranger. Dorothy loved her children and grandchildren to the ends of the earth...

Josie Marie Hickerson, 81, of Leachville, passed from this life Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born and raised in Bridgeport, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Thomas Eli and Mamie Morris Wilson and had been a Leachville resident since 1985. ...

Sandra Jean Lovins Smith, 75, of Wilson, went to her eternal home Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. She was born to Ed and Versie Wagner Lovins in Gideon, Mo. She married the love of her life, Gaines Alan Smith, on Sept. 2, 1966. She was an administrative assistant for South Mississippi County School District for 42 years. ...