Stories from Wednesday, December 17, 2008

SEYMOUR, Tenn. -- Gerald Edward Kelley, Sr., 70, died Dec. 15, 2008. His wife, Patricia Irene Kelley, preceded him in death. Survivors include: one son, Gerald Edward Kelley Jr.; one daughter, Rose Kelley; one brother, Ray Kelley; and one grandson, James Kelley...

DEXTER -- Densil O. Morgan Sr., 70, died Dec. 15, 2008, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 29, 1938, at Puxico, son of the late Earnest and Alma Robinson Morgan, he was a former maintenance man for Hudson Foods, a manager of rental property and of the Baptist belief...

NEW MADRID -- Rayshad "Lil C" Lofton, 2, died Dec. 11, 2008, at his home. Born July 14, 2006, in Sikeston, he was the son of Michelle Thompson of New Madrid and Irving Lofton of Little Rock, Ark. Other survivors include: one sister, Roniah Jenise Ray of New Madrid; grandmother, Deborah Thompson of New Madrid; grandfather, Rick Brown of Lilbourn; two aunts, Kimberly Thompson and Lisa Taylor, and seven uncles, Davion and Tyrelle Thompson, Henry Otey, Freddie Jr., Tyrone Sr., Anthony and Albert Lofton.. ...

DEXTER -- Bertie Lou Johnson, 77, died Dec. 15, 2008, at her home. Born Sept. 13, 1931, in Patterson, Ark., daughter of the late Albert Nathaniel and Cora Elizabeth Tippy Owens, she had lived in Dexter since 1960. She and her husband had owned Johnson Refrigeration before retirement and she was of the Baptist belief...

BERTRAND -- Sallie Elizabeth Peyton Gentry, 93, died Dec. 15, 2008, at the Bertrand Nursing Center. Born Nov. 17, 1915, in the Hough community of New Madrid County, to the late Mack Willett and Ruby Ann Anderson Peyton, she had lived most of her life in Bertrand where she was employed at the Bertrand Nursing Center a number of years until her retirement. She was a member of the Abundant Grace Fellowship in Bertrand...

MARSTON -- Reva E. Howell died Dec. 12, 2008, at her home. She was 95 years old being born on Feb. 16, 1913, to the late Charley Delmus and Elsie Odie Hampton. She was married on Aug. 26, 1932, to Delmer Howell, who preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 1980. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Otis and Chester Hampton; and one sister, Marie Inmen...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Frank L.C. Betts, 65, died Dec. 12, 2008, at his home. Born June 15, 1943, in Charleston, to the late Jim and Mattie Johnson Betts, he retired from ABF Freight in July 2005 and was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from Feb. 11, 1963 to June 6, 1966...

ELLSINORE -- Barbara Ann Skinner Chilcutt, 66, formerly of Charleston, died at 11:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2008 at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Aug. 30, 1942, in Charleston, to the late James Doris and Ella Gertrude Terrell Skinner, she was a member of the Bellview Baptist Church at Doniphan and had been employed as a waitress at Bessie's Cafe in Charleston...

WARDELL -- W.E. Farris, 83, died Dec. 16, 2008, at Twin Rivers Medical Center in Kennett. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

TEXAS BEND COMMUNITY -- Albert Edward "Bert" Rolwing, 74, died Dec. 16, 2008, at his home in the Texas Bend Community of Mississippi County. He was born Dec. 22, 1933, in the Texas Bend Community, to the late Paul Rolwing and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wessels Rolwing. ...

Everyone knows it but few say it publicly - some people are just too darned dumb to vote. In fact, if I had my way - which I clearly do not - there would be some minimal evaluation or requirement to permit someone to vote...

Mike, this is what I get for going through all the proper channels when it came to a problem with a school bus my grandson rides to kindergarten here in Sikeston, which was nothing but a run around. I first called the principal at the school and was advised to call the bus garage, which I did. ...

SIKESTON - Waleah Ralph, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ralph of Sikeston, celebrated her sixth birthday with a party at the Odd Fellows Hall. SIKESTON - Christmas mailing has deluged the post office during the past week. Despite the great volume, no backlog has developed, according to Postmaster Donald P. Pasaka. In a six-day period, the post office handled 1,285,424 pieces of mail...

Well, winter has officially arrived in Southeast Missouri, complete with ice and frigid temperatures. But from the looks of things, teen girls have been expecting this weather for quite some time...

PORTAGEVILLE -- During his tenure at Portageville High School, the legendary Jim McKay had accomplished many things on the football field for the Bulldogs in his 25 years of coaching. Five playoff appearances, becoming the winningest coach in Portageville history with 135 wins and solidifying himself as one of the best coaches in the state of Missouri...

Two of the area's top basketball programs have added a tournament title to their books since last Wednesday's column. Fortunately, I was in attendance at both championship bouts, and I have to say, for my first time to see the Sikeston Bulldogs, I'm impressed with what they have to offer this season. ...

JEFFERSON CITY -- While the Missouri high school football season ended several weeks ago, the honors are still pouring in for several local players as both the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (AP) and the Missouri Football Coaches Association (MOFBCA) have released their all-state teams...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A former teacher's aide was sentenced to prison for 24 years on a felony child pornography charge. Michael W. Smith, 52, of Steele was sentenced to 293 months imprisonment on one felony count of production of child pornography. Upon release from prison, Smith will be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A New Madrid County man was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday to prison for arson. Larry D. Keller, 50, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on one felony count of malicious damage by fire, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway . Upon release from prison, Keller will be placed on supervised release for three years...

SIKESTON -- Candidate filing for area cities opened Tuesday with a couple races for police chief. Filing for the April 7 election opened Tuesday for non-charter city offices and closes Jan. 20 In Miner, three candidates have filed for the four-year city marshal position: incumbent Roger Moore, James Alsup and Billy Williams. ...

SIKESTON -- Seven years ago, eighth grade history teacher Jamie Graeff's friend was deployed to Iraq. In conversations with him, she learned that not everyone in his unit received cards and care packages. So, she decided to enlist the help our her students to brighten some of those soldiers' days...