New Madrid Museum begins lighting Memory Tree

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The New Madrid Historical Museum is lighting up the Memory Tree at the New Madrid County Courthouse again!

The museum puts lights on the tree for our friends and loved ones who are no longer with us so that the light they brought to our lives can live on at Christmas. It’s a tradition the museum has carried on for several decades and they are happy to keep it going in 2023.

The museum board and staff have put lights on the tree this year in memory of its beloved founders Dot Halstead and Virginia Carlson, as well as previous board members Craig Scobey, Lynn Bock, David Patterson, Vera Ashley, Jane Nunn, Leroy Nunn, George Bock, Kathleen Bock, Mary Margaret Brown, Clay Broughton, Corbett Davis, Johnny Davis, Marshall Dial, Pat Edwards, Bill French, Thomas Gallivan, Doris Hampton, Jack Long, Mary Lou Medlin, Louis Meier, Frances Puckett, Frances Ruby, Susan LaPlant Ramsey, Dr. Louis Smith, Libba Crisler, Melissa Hunter and Buddy Townsend.

Jim and Becky Mills have adorned the tree with lights this year in remembrance of James and Carrie Devers, Elihu and Louis Mills, Ralph Barnwell Sr. and Dorothy Barnwell, Bob and Nancy Parrish, Ralph Barnwell Jr. and Kathy Barnwell, Cindy Hadder, Frank Hadder, Tom Bodine and Hal “Buck” Hunter III.

Frances Lott has put lights on the tree in memory of Herschel Lott, Hettie Lott and Bill Lott.

Jan Farrenburg has decorated the Memory Tree for John Hollaway, Yvonne Hollaway, Karen Hollaway, Ted Hollaway, Mary Hollaway, Anna Hollaway, Zeke Wells, Walter Bess, Thelma Bess, Cecil Farrenburg, Alma Farrenburg, Jim W. Farrenburg, James Eardy Williams, Mabel Williams, Frances Nowell, Urch Higgerson, Bill Higgerson, Gary Higgerson, Vickie Morris, Buck Farrenburg, Lila Mae Farrenburg, Janet Farrenburg Hall, Gary Farrenburg, Christina Farrenburg, Ray Smith, Joan Smith, Cookie Farrenburg, Alvin Farrenburg, Marjorie Farrenburg, Herman Maxwell, Joyce Maxwell, Tommy Branum, Joan DesChamp, Patty Branum White and Gary Branum.

And Chris and Tina Porter have the tree shining brightly this year for Randy Porter, Doyle Porter, Dorothy Porter, Debbie Guerra and Oscar Guerra.

If you would like to put lights on the tree this year the cost is $1 per light and you can arrange that at the New Madrid Historical Museum seven days a week (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4p.m., Sunday, noon-4 p.m.), by phone at 748-5944, or you can email the Museum at nmhmnm@yahoo.com.