Stories from Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Clee Ellen Shrable, 81, of Manila, widow of Junior Shrable, passed from this life Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at the Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro. Born at Big Lake to the late Edward and Elsie McWilliams Burrow, she was a longtime Manila resident. ...

Dona J. Holmes of Blytheville, 92, passed away Dec. 23, 2023. She was born in Senath, Mo., to James M. (Mike) and Bessie Bohannon. The family moved to Blytheville in the 1940s. Dona was a graduate of Blytheville High School. She also studied at MCCC and Arkansas State University. ...

Joyce Battles, daughter of the late Cecil Steele and Helen Ralph Steele, was born May 19, 1935, in Memphis, Tenn., and departed this life Dec. 30, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Mo., at the age of 88 years. Mrs. Battles was a retired landowner with her husband Elmer. ...

Linda Faye Rogers Presley, 69, of Trumann, departed from this life Dec. 29, 2023, in Jonesboro at the NEA Hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1954, to the late James Cullen Rogers and Aileen Thrasher Rogers in Marks, Miss. Linda was a devoted wife to George “Buster” Presley. ...

Rayshawn Lee Childs Sr., 39, of Blytheville, departed from this life Dec. 27, 2023, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Rayshawn was born Aug. 21, 1984, to Larry Clowers and Ollie Childs in Blytheville. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Betty Johnson...

Willie B. Palmer, 92, of Manila, passed away Dec. 28, 2023. He was born Dec. 13, 1931, in Dell. Willie was a retired chef, known for his culinary skills and passion for cooking. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Viola Palmer; his brother, Charlie Palmer Jr.; and his sisters, Ola Mae Mitchell and Dorothy Blackburn. He will be remembered for his warm personality and dedication to his craft...

The second annual NEA Show Stoppers presented by Marybeth Byrd will be held Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville. The show will begin at 5 p.m. A silent auction will also be held. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital...

Farmers Bank recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their branch location in Manila. The occasion was marked by a Birthday Bash complete with balloons, food, a selfie station kiosk, prizes and of course, a birthday cake. The food was supplied by local Manila businesses: Sweet T’s Bakery, Subway, Farmers Market, and La Cascada. A crowd of Farmers Bank customers, members of the Manila community, bank officers and employees as well as local officials gathered to celebrate...

Caraway City Council worked through a short December meeting discussing a policy change on the use of Narcan, adopting the Legacy Landfill budget and voting to pay for the library telephone service. After a change in the policy procedure regarding the use of Narcan by police officers the council voted to adopt the police policy and procedure book with the change. Narcan works to help reverse opioid overdose. Council members present were Jeff Rea, Mitchell Tipton, Chris Kelems and Pete Hicks...

Small business owner wins honor Although he normally likes to stay in the background, out of the spotlight, this year’s Headliner of the Year award winner is a familiar face to everyone in the community. Small business owner Bob Halsell and his sister Becky Westbrook are household names...