Stories from Monday, December 11, 2006

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is investigating a fire which occurred at about 3:26 p.m. Saturday. According to Capt. Jim Hailey, fire division commander for DPS, the fire apparently started in a garage and spread to the residence at 115 Ruth Street...

Ron and Tammy Eifert view a PowerPoint presentation on the construction of the remodeled Sikeston Senior High School Library Sunday afternoon. The library held a open house for the public to see the newly remodeled area.

SIKESTON -- For most people, it's easy to get caught up in the bustle of the holiday season and forego healthy eating and living habits. But health officials insist it is possible to have your cake and eat it, too, over the holidays -- just choose wisely...

SIKESTON - Philip Sadler, Tuesday, purchased Ray's Grocery and Market from A.E. Ray and announced that he will operate the store under the name of Sadler's Grocery and Market. SIKESTON - M.P. McDaniel, basketball coach, spoke this morning to the Optimist Club at the Rustic Rock. He said that his young team had an excellent attitude and would develop as the season progresses. Prospects for next year are bright, he reported...

Why do Atheists get so much positive press? Atheism comes from the Greek letter "a" - meaning "the negative" and "theism" from the Greek word "Theos" for God. Translated in English to mean, "negative God" or "there is no God." Thinking it through then, public displays of a nativity scene, a prayer at any school related function, a public display of reverence for God, God on our currency etc., the atheist says we must negate simply because (they say) there is no God. ...

This is to whoever took the babe out of the manger on Missouri Street. Had you asked me for it, I would have given it to you. The fact that you took it hurts, but the fact of what it represents hurts more. That was to represent 2000 years ago our Savior was born. So whoever you are, God bless you...

My name is Deborah Christie from St. Louis, Missouri. As a former Sikeston resident who's lived in the city for many years now, I have always been aware of and appreciated how different the nature of the people are in a small town versus the city. Today I was reminded of just how different and wanted to write and show my appreciation for the help I received when trying to get a food order delivered to my elderly parents who are unable to get out at this time...

PARMA -- Flora Parline Baker Richmond, 64, died Dec. 9, 2006, at her home. Born May 9, 1942, in Portageville, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd Howard and Pearl Eve Farley Wells. On March 11, 2005, at Piggott, Ark., she married Timothy Richmond who survives of the home...

DEXTER -- Ray T. Jones Sr., 76, died Dec. 9, 2006, at his home. Born Feb. 19, 1930, in Earlington, Ky., son of the late Raymond and Rosie Beatrice Rigsby Jones, he had lived in Dexter most of his life and was affiliated with the Pentecostal Church. He married Mary Turner who survives...

SIKESTON -- Julius Landrith "Lanny" Allen, 65, died Dec. 8, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 6, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Ernest Clifford and Geneva Kluesner Allen, he had been employed by AT&T and Southwestern Bell Telephone retiring after 38 years. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a member of Eagles Aerie 3319 and American Legion...

PORTAGEVILLE - John Hampton, 79, died Dec. 9, 2006, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born April 2, 1927, at Hornersville, son of the late Jim and Fannie Maeher Hampton, he was a veteran of World War II. He was married to Clementeen Cummings, who preceded him in death on Feb. 1, 1992...

LILBOURN - Perry Wilson, 70, died Dec. 10, 2006, at Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Sept. 24, 1936, at Point Pleasant, he was the son of the late Willie and Mary Ethel Bozarth Wilson. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Lester Wilson. Survivors include: four sons, Perry Wilson Jr. ...

SIKESTON -- Abraham Lincoln Burgess Jr., 51, died Dec. 9, 2006, at the Pemiscot Medical Center in Hayti. Born Sept. 28, 1955, in Sikeston, son of the late Abraham Lincoln and Geneva Louella McCormick Burgess Sr., he was a delivery specialist for Prime Time Rental in Sikeston...

CHARLESTON - Wilma Earlene Sisk Long, 76, died Dec. 8, 2006, at the Charleston Manor. Born Feb. 16, 1930, in Charleston, to the late Serrah S. and Elsie Myrtle Sutton Sisk, she lived most of her life in Charleston, where she had been employed in the fitting department of the Brown Shoe Co. until her retirement, and then later at Reeves Boomland. She was a member of the Charleston Church of Christ...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services conducted today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for Sam William Chadd, 74, who died Dec. 8, 2006, were: Cpt. Jim Hailey, Sgt. Jim McMillen, PSO Frank Adams, PSO Keith Hente, PSO Joey Henry and PSO Danny Adams.

PARAGOULD, Ark. -- Michael Lee Raines, 31, died Dec. 9, 2006, at his home. Born Feb. 9, 1975, in Kennett, Mo., he was the son of Tommy Raines of Sikeston, Mo., and the late Mary Ann Mayberry Raines. Survivors include: his stepmother, Barbara Raines of Sikeston; one brother and sister-in-law, James Allen and Lynn Mayberry of Paragould; and one half-...

BENTON -- Inez T. Ranson, 91, died Dec. 9, 2006, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee. Born Jan. 24, 1915, in Ursa, Ill., the daughter of the late Arthur Lee and Ermal Anderson Trent, she graduated from high school in Ursa, Ill. She worked for Buckner-Ragsdale 25 years and Brown Owl, both in Cape Girardeau, and was a residential caregiver for 15 years, retiring in 2000. ...