Stories from Saturday, May 4, 2002

Mississippi County Circuit Court jury on Friday found Jimmy Ray Smart Jr. guilty of capital murder in the Oct. 28, 2000, death of C.B. Murphy of Manila. Circuit Judge David Burnett of Osceola sentenced Smart, 21, to life in prison without parole. Second Judicial District prosecutor Brent Davis of Jonesboro and deputy prosecutor Bruce Harlan of Blytheville did not seek the death penalty in the case...

The Riverside Rebels cruised past Cross County, 10-6, last Monday in first round action of the 3AA-North district baseball tournament in Monette. Tim Austin (5-0) picked up the pitching win. Steven Dewitt had two hits for the Rebels in the win.

Cecil Taylor, 90, of Caraway died Friday evening, April 26, 2002, at his residence. He was a retried teacher and farmer and U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was of the Church of Christ belief and a member of the American Legion. He had lived in the Bunney area 90 years...

Albert F. Robinson Jr., 89, of Texarkana, died Monday, April 22, 2002, at Evergreen Nursing Home in Texarkana. He was a retried farmer and member of Monette Church of Christ and had lived in Texarkana for four years. He was formerly of Monette. Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Brewer of Bartlesville, Okla.; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Ann Robinson of Lawton, Okla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bob Pearcy of Texarkana, Texas; three grandchildren, Kathy, Linzi and Amy...

Nevil Lawrence Myracle, 82, of Cardwell died Saturday, April 27, 2002, at his home. Born at Cardwell, he was a fish market salesman. Survivors include a brother, Raymond Myracle of Paragould; two sisters, Willadene Hyde and Bonnie Myracle, both of Cardwell...

Thelma Lorene Moore, 76, of Caraway died Monday, April 22, 2002, at Monette Manor. She was part owner and professional basketball player with the All American Red Heads and a homemaker. She was a member of Caraway United Methodist Church and had lived in the Caraway area most of her life...

Eula Mae McGrew, 94, of Manila, the widow of William Harrison McGrew, died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born at Grubbs, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Mayben and had been a Manila resident since 1947. She was a member of the Westside Baptist Church...

Angel Dawn Friend, the infant daughter of Jennifer Moyer and Eddy Friend of Caraway, died Friday, April 26, 2002, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Heaven Moyer of Caraway; and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dearl Freeman and Cindy Harris, all of Caraway...

John William Cason, 74, of Millstadt, Ill., died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill. Born at Strawberry, he was a retired forklift operator with IML Trucking and served in the Navy. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7980 in Millstadt, the Millstadt Commercial Club and Teamster Local 600...

Evelyn Jo Barham, 79, of Monette died Wednesday, April 24, 2002. Born at Black Oak, she had lived most of her life in the Monette area. She was a member of the Monette Church of Christ, a retired school teacher and member of the Retired Teachers Association...

Caraway new fire truck arrived Monday, April 22, at city hall and was welcomed by city official and volunteer firemen. The Class A pumper was purchased from Leeco Inc. of Damascus for $28,965. The truck has a 2,000 gallon tank with a 1,250 pump and a freight line chassis. A top-mounted pumper will be installed at a later date...

Evelyn Jo Barham, 79, of Monette died Wednesday in an accident on Highway 18 between Lake City and Bowman. According to Arkansas State Trooper First Class Tony Austin, the accident occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. Barham was traveling west on Arkansas 18 near Bowman in a 1996 Buick when she met an eastbound 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by Billy E. Wells, 33, of Manila...

Manila's season ended Monday with a 3 -1 loss to Rivercrest in the 3AAA South District Baseball tournament held at Gosnell. Each team remained scoreless through two as the Colts picked up a run in the third on an error by Manila's centerfield. Manila came back to tie the game in the fifth on a hit by Noah Shelton to score Josh McDaniel. Rivercrest picked up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead and eventually the win...