Stories from Monday, November 6, 2023

Russell Ray Normand, 79, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Russell was born in Marksville, La., to Lorena and Agnes Broussard Normand and was of the Catholic faith. He was the owner of BR Trucking Company and Russell Ray Tug and Towing. He enjoyed working on trucks and tinkering in his shop. Russell was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, especially frog gigging...

Patsy Bishop King Vance was born May 5, 1941, at Big Lake near Manila, to her parents, Granville Rufus and Lillie Mae Curnutt Bishop, who preceded her in death. Her paternal grandparents were Rufus Riley Bishop, a Civil War veteran, and Clarkie Ann Wilfsord Bishop from Giles/Lawrence County, Tenn. Also, her maternal grandparents were Perry Fountain Curnutt and Vady Lou Ella Holden Curnutt Holden...

Clifford Birklund, 92, of Manila, passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at his home. Born and raised in Flint, Mich., to the late Eli and Winifred Birklund, he was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School. Clifford had been a Manila resident since 1982. ...

Lynda Lee Byrd, 86, of Blytheville, went to rest with the Lord on Nov. 4, 2023. Born to Doyle and Frankie Lloyd Byrd, she was a retired machine operator at Borg Warner. She was a 1955 graduate of Blytheville High School and was a lifelong resident of Blytheville. Lynda was a loyal member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a devoted mother to her children, family and her friends...