Stories from Tuesday, July 16, 2024

William Joe “JoJo” Richardson, 42, passed away July 4, 2024, in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 22, 1982, in Osceola, JoJo was a cherished member of his community and a dedicated employee at Nucor-Yamato Steel in Blytheville. JoJo is survived by a loving family, including his father, William Joe Martin of Arlington, Texas; his mother, Lillian Richardson of Osceola; his sons, JaQuavion Richardson of Nashville, Tenn., and Braton Rucker of Osceola; and his daughters, Jamiyah Richardson of Nashville, Tenn., Jayla Richardson, Chalyse Richardson and Sa’Dia Flie, all of Osceola, and Armani Facon of Wilson. ...

German Hopkins born was Jan. 25, 2023, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville, to Tawanda Palmore and Gerald Hopkins Jr. Baby German went home with his heavenly father on July 6, 2024, at the tender age of 17 months, at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Verlene Stancle and John Palmore, and his paternal grandmother, Fannie Smith...

Johnny Rankin Jr., 80, of Mountain Home, sadly left us on Sunday, July 15, 2024, in Fayetteville. He was a loyal conservative Republican, served in the Army National Guard for six years, worked in the construction trade as a tile installer for over 30 years, and was a loyal member of BPOE Elks for over 28 years. In his free time, he enjoyed boating on the area lakes, watching NASCAR, working in his yard and growing tomatoes...

Eleese B. Wilborn was born March 17, 1948, in Turrell, to Kent Jenkins and Lillie Riley Bailey. She departed this life on July 7, 2024, at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 76. She was preceded in death by her parents. Eleese leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Willie Wilborn; one daughter, Candice Wilborn, both of Blytheville; two sons, Julius Jones (Tanzania Jones) of Marion and Andre Smith (Sonya Smith) of Duncanville, Texas; two sisters, Margaret Jenkins of Turrell and Evelyn Boswell Clarence of Kansas City, Mo.; three brothers, OD Bailey, Frank Bailey, both of Blytheville, and JW Watkins of Jonesboro; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and a host of other family member and friends.. ...

A house fire in Manila has claimed the life of one. The Manila Fire Department was dispatched at 11:50 a.m. Saturday to a house fire at 202 Nancy Street in Manila with a report that someone was still inside. According to the fire report, on arrival, flames were showing on the Alpha/Delta (front/right side) of the front room with heavy smoke throughout the house...

By REVIS BLAYLOCK NEA Town Courier It was a reunion celebrating 35 years of freedom and gratitude with lots of hugs and tears of joy as members of the Truong family and friends gathered in Blytheville. Blytheville was their home after their incredible escape from Vietnam that rejoined them with their father, David Truong, after a 10-year separation...

Increased law enforcement presence leads to multiple arrests in Blytheville. Saturday, July 13 an increase of law enforcement presence throughout he city limits of Blytheville resulted in multiple arrest. This operation placed extra officers in known gang areas and areas where violent crime has occurred within the last year...

Instructors of Arkansas Northeastern College Community Education Xtreme Hip Hop classes will host a free one day Xtreme Hip Hop workshop on Saturday, July 20. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Wellness Center on the Blytheville campus...

Studio 42 & Co. will hold a summer car wash Saturday, July 20. The cast of Shrek the Musical Jr. will be on hand. The car wash will be held at Towell and Sons Car Wash, 3453 West AR 18 in Manila from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A Shrek The Musical Jr. Pizza Fundraiser will be held Monday, July 22...