Stories from Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Charleston's Jeremy Tucker announced Sunday that he will play football for Southeast Missouri State University following his senior season next year. Tucker made his verbal commitment known late Sunday night on Twitter. "I am proud to say that I have committed to play football at Southeast Missouri State University," Tucker tweeted. ...

A host of local baseball players were selected to the 2017 Missouri Baseball Coaches Association All-State list. Sikeston's Trey Smith, a senior, was named to the Class 4 second team as an outfielder after leading the Bulldogs with a .433 batting average, 22 RBIs, five home runs and 12 stolen bases...

ESSEX, Mo. - Richland Elementary School has announced its fourth quarter honor roll for the 2016-17 school year. Honorees are: First Grade Shayna Anderson, Allison Arnold, Beau Blair, Samuel Bolt, Cash Bowman, Elizabeth Curnutt, Kyndall Evans, Alan Gurley, Chet Hughes, Jaxon Knuckles, Wyatt Lang, Alexis Mason, Madelynn McGarity, Marli McMullin, Isabella Pind, Olivia Pind, Jaydn Qualls, TyNeka Stracener, Dustin Swasho, Aidyn Vaughn andTrinity Whalen...

LILBOURN, Mo. - Louise Taylor, 89, died June 16, 2017, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born July 25, 1927, in Dale, Ark., to the late John Hammond and Rosie Lee Cunningham. On Jan. 12, 1948, she married Louis Taylor Jr., who preceded her in death on Jan. 14, 1989...

DEKALB, Ill. - William F. "Bertrand" Welch Jr., 87, formerly of Wyatt and Bertrand, Mo., died at 7:20 a.m. Jan. 27, 2017. Born June 21, 1929, in Decaturville, Tenn., to the late Floyd and Druie Welch, he was a heavy equipment operator with A.A. Conte and Son. A member of Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers for more than 50 years, he was also a member of the North Avenue Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Albert Leonard "Al" Grainger Jr., 88, died June 18, at his home near Sikeston. Born March 24, 1929, in Trenton, N.J., to the late Albert L. Sr. and Ruth Marie (Reim) Grainger, he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. A phone repairman and installer for Southwestern Bell for over 30 years, he was a member of the Matthews Missionary Baptist Church...

MCGEE, Mo. - William Eugene Carver, 86, died June 20, 2017, at the VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born March 11, 1931, in Missouri, son of the late William Franklin and Lillian Versie Walker Carver, he had lived in the Puxico and McGee areas all of his life. The owner and operator of Carver Pallet Mill and Carver Log Homes, he was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during the Korean War and attended the Berrong Baptist Church near Gipsy...

CHARLESTON, Mo. - Phillip Porter Jr., 55, died June 17, 2017, at his home. Born May 30, 1962, in Pinhook, to Rosie Lee Strayhorn Porter of Wilson City and the late Phil Porter Sr., he graduated from East Prairie High School in 1981. A professional truck driver and a general farm worker, he was employed with Raffety and Company for many years...

ST. LOUIS - Lillie Mae McCray, 77, formerly of Charleston, died June 15, 2017, at St. Louis University Hospital. Born Sept. 6, 1939 in New Madrid, to the late Roosevelt and Elnora Johnson Evans, she attended the Salvation Army Church in St. Louis. She was married to George McCray, who preceded her in death in July 2005...