Stories from Sunday, February 9, 2003

Editor's note: We at the Standard Democrat were surprised we didn't receive more letters of how area couples first met (and we know there's a lot of great stories out there). However, we appreciate the ones we did receive and hope our readers enjoy them as much as we did...

ADVANCE - The best Dexter High School could do was salvage a split with the Advance Hornets, winning the varsity game 61-45 after dropping the junior varsity contest 49-45 on the road Friday night. Advance controlled the tempo of the game in the varsity matchup, holding the Bearcats' high-octane offense to 61 points, but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome of the game...

LILBOURN - Thomas J. Taylor, 79, died Feb. 5, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born May 3, 1923, and was a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. No visitation is scheduled. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid. The American Legion Post 595 Honor Guard will conduct graveside military rites...

CHARLESTON - Lanie G. "Leather" Black, 84, died at 8:20 a.m. Feb. 8, 2003, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born July 9, 1918, in Naylor, son of the late Lanie G. and Sara Oliver Black Sr., he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was engaged in farming and cotton ginning until retiring in 1978. ...

NEW MADRID - Joshua Cody "Josh" Jimerson, 24, died Feb. 7, 2003, in New Madrid. Born Sept. 28, 1978, in Hayti, son of Ronnie and Loretta Beaher Jimerson of New Madrid, he graduated in 1996 from New Madrid County Central High School, where he participated in football and baseball. He was a construction worker and member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, New Madrid Eagles Aerie 4206 and Iron Workers Local 469 of Jackson, Miss...

SIKESTON - Roxie M. Stone, 60, died at 7:14 a.m. Feb. 8, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

BLUE SPRINGS - Robert J. Nolen, 72, died Jan. 30, 2003, at his home in Blue Springs. Born May 29, 1930, in Lepanto, Ark., son of the late John S. and Evelyn Miller Nolen Sr., he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Western Union and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For many years, he was an advocate for the disabled and served as a member of the Jackson County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled...

BLOOMFIELD - Rick L. Bostic, 43, died Feb. 6, 2003, at his home in rural Bloomfield. Born Feb. 9, 1959, in Bloomfield, son of the late Leonard and Juanita Holford Baker, he was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield area. He was a truck driver and attended the Walker General Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Margaret Ellen Alexander, 82, died at 2:28 a.m. Feb. 8, 2003, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau . Born June 11, 1920, in Gideon, daughter of the late Robert Franklin and Susan Frances Heath McGill, she was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sikeston. She owned and operated Margaret's Beauty Shop in Sikeston for many years...

PORTAGEVILLE - Dewitt Mickles, 83, died Feb. 5, 2003, at his home. Born Jan. 6, 1920, in Hugh, Ark., son of the late John and Corene Mickles, he was a deacon at the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Portageville. On June 24, 1943, he married Katie Williams who survives of the home...

KELSO - Kerry B. Croxton, 43, formerly of Burns, Tenn., died at 7:45 a.m. Feb. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 17, 1959, in Carthage, Ill., son of Frank E. and Geraldine A. McKee Croxton Jr. of Kelso, he had been a diesel mechanic for Sam Tanksley Trucking and was an electrician for Croxton Enterprise. He was a member of the North Cape Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Brenda Link, 55, who died Feb. 5, 2003, were: David Vaughn, Jeff Vaughn, T.J. Vaughn, Jim Vaughn, Jim Williamson and Dean Holt.

SIKESTON - Jeanette Ramsey, 63, died at 9:42 p.m. Feb. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 3, 1939, in Itta-Bena, Miss., daughter of Naomi Holmes Moore Manning of Pocahontas, Ark., and the late Fontell Moore, she had been employed by the Presbyterian Daycare Center in Sikeston. A member of Laureate Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, she was also a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Clarence Preston "Junior" Black Jr., 82, who died Feb. 6, 2003, will be: Charles Campbell, Dan Armour, J.R. Hei, Marvin Arsta, Al Moore and Sam Harbin.

NEW MADRID - Lewis Cameron Riley, 85, died Feb. 8, 2003, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born Oct. 11, 1917, in New Madrid, son of the late Howard and Lottie Lewis Riley, he was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus and was a local farmer and landowner...

SIKESTON - Soldiers typically get happy when they receive a package from home, but when PFC Zach Stacy receives one, everyone in the Marines' 9th Communication Battalion gets excited - even the brass. "One of the guys will holler, 'Hey! Zach's got a box from his grandma - come on!" said M.B. Wethington of Sikeston, Stacy's grandfather...

Dear Katherine, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of myself and all the Marines of 9th Communication Battalion. We received your generous gift of fudge today and believe me, when I tell you that you certainly brightened our spirits. Not to mention, you reaffirmed our faith and commitment in what we are doing. We know now that with true Americans like yourself, we will not be forgotten during the holidays or any other time of the year for that matter...

ORAN -- Bell City won the highly-anticipated rematch between Southeast Missouri's top small schools on Friday night, beating Oran on the road, 86-78. With the victory, the Cubs all but lock up the top seed for the upcoming Class 1, District 2 Tournament...

SIKESTON -- New Madrid County Central picked up its seventh victory of the season Friday night, cruising past Scott County Central, 85-59. The Eagles jumped out to a 24-14 lead and never looked back, outscoring the Braves 14-9 in the second quarter, 23-15 in the third, then 24-21 in the fourth...

POPLAR BLUFF - The Sikeston 9th grade basketball team closed out its season on Friday night with a 61-52 win against Poplar Bluff at E.T. "Pete" Peters Gymnasium. The game was a makeup game from the postponed Poplar Bluff Junior High Invitational. The win by Sikeston clinched first place in the tournament, improving the Bulldogs to 11-3...

SIKESTON -- As the April 1 deadline for the 2002 Farm Bill sign-up nears, several area farmers have been left in a state of confusion and frustration after scrambling to locate their old farm settlement records. "Most of the confusion farmers have had is that every farm is different," said Mississippi County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Program Technician Angie Hutcheson. ...

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Bluejays totally dominated the visiting Doniphan Dons on Friday night, 98-77. It was the eighth straight win for Charleston and their 18th of the season to go with three losses. Charleston scored early and often in the opening frame as they built up a 29-7 lead. ...

POPLAR BLUFF - Ten years and zero losses. That was the streak that was on the line for the Sikeston Bulldogs on Friday night at Poplar Bluff's E.T. "Pete" Peters Gymnasium. The Bulldogs were riding an eight-game winning streak on the Mules' home floor dating back to Feb. of 1993, last losing to Poplar Bluff in the district tournament...

SIKESTON - Ray Duncan is recovering from injuries sustained recently in a fall from scaffolding at the Bank of Sikeston. In a 10-foot tumble he sustained a fracture of the left wrist and bruises. BENTON - Scott County landowners are making a concerted effort to establish a Soil and Water Conservation District, K.M. ...

By just about any definition, we're living in turbulent times. Growing areas of concern in Iraq and Northern Korea have the entire world on edge and rightfully so. Two events occurred Friday and though on the surface they might seem unconnected, I for one believe there is a strong connection. ...

Mr. Bush, in his big speech to the nation the other night, talked about giving the seniors some type of help with his senior prescription drug plan. To do this, he might have to transfer some seniors to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Guess what? A HMO is a for-profit company and part of your Social Security money would go to it and then they would charge you various amounts of copay for services rendered. ...