Stories from Wednesday, September 5, 2012

As a teenager I developed a love for the beach. My family would take vacations to visit Florida and the trips to the beach with the water and bikinis gave me reason enough to live until we returned the next summer. Then life happened and for 16 years I never saw the beach unless it was on television. Then I was invited by my brother to go with his family and friends for a week vacation earlier this summer. I was in my swim trunks before I hung up the phone...

CHAFFEE -- Sharlett Ann Eftink, 56, died Sept. 3, 2012, at the family home in Chaffee. Born Jan. 28, 1956, in Chaffee, daughter of Doris Jean Klipfel Walter of Oran and the late Philip Aloysius Walter, she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee; Daughters of St. Ambrose; confirmation instructor; mentoring program; professional development committee; Junior High Leadership Team. She also started the Junior High Reading Program and volunteered for the C.A.L.B. Program...

LELAND, Miss. -- Arlene Ellen Curtis Brown, 81, of Leland died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at her home. Born Oct. 2, 1930, in Meadville, Pa., she spent most of her adult life working as an office manager for Dr. Tommy Simmons. She retired in 1999. In 1958, she and her husband moved their family to Mississippi. ...

NEW MADRID - Marion Velma Farris, 79, died Sept. 4, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

NEW MADRID -- Mickey Hendrix, 66, died Sept. 1, 2012, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete with DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Lynda K. Hansen, age 62, of Cape Girardeau, died at 9:03 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at Lifecare Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born on Aug. 21, 1950, in Cape Girardeau, to Clyde and Juanita O'Daniel Wallis. Lynda worked at Thorngate LTD in Cape Girardeau and was a former member of the UNITE union where she served as president and secretary...

CAIRO, Ill. -- William R. "Bill" Stokes, 87, died at 5 a.m. Aug. 31, 2012, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Charleston, Mo. Born June 5, 1925, at Pulaski, to the late William Roy and Mary Schaefer Stokes Sr., he was a retired sales representative for Nabisco, Inc., in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri and was employed at the Barkett Funeral Homes in Cairo, Mounds and Mound City from 1992 until 2011. ...

MATTHEWS -- Freeda Lathum Parker, 87, died Sept. 4, 2012, at Golden Living Center in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON -- Debra Kay Owens, 56, formerly of Risco, died Sept. 1, 2012, at her home. Born Aug. 18, 1956, in Sikeston, to Lawrence E. Owens of Risco and the late Martha Nell "Marty" Moore Carter, she worked at Lowe's and was of the Baptist belief. In addition to her father, survivors include: her stepmother, Sharon Owens of Risco; one brother, Lawrence Junior Owens of Hereford, Ariz.; one half brother, Chris Owens of Advance; one half sister, Melinda Bennett of Kansas City, Kan.; three stepsisters, Karrie Lancaster of Malden and Kam Rodgers and Karla Evans of Risco; and a special friend, Tim Sisk of Sikeston.. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Dickie Joe Linley, 66, died at 7:18 p.m. Sept. 3, 2012, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 21, 1946, in the Barnes Ridge community near East Prairie to the late Dick and Maudie Lee Jackson Linley, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was of the Pentecostal faith...

ORAN -- Larry Joe Mosley, 61, died Aug. 31, 2012, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Jan. 20, 1951, in Tyler, to the late Matthew and Eunice Webb Mosley, he graduated from Louisville High School in Louisville, Ga., and was employed for over 30 years by the Scott County Central School District as a custodian and bus driver and owned a lawn service...

ANNISTON --Clifford Duty, 66, died Sept. 3, 2012, at his residence in Anniston. Born March 12, 1946, at Poplar Bluff, to the late Barney Vonlee Duty and Helen Louise Conyers Duty Jacobs, he lived all of his life in Mississippi County where he was a retired construction worker...

DEXTER -- Back at home following a solid showing at the Notre Dame Volleyball Fest this past weekend, the Dexter Lady Bearcats picked up their sixth win of the season on Tuesday against the Cape Central Lady Tigers. Though a few lapses led to brief Lady Tiger runs in each set, the Lady Bearcats broke out to big early leads in both games and were able to sweep the match 25-10, 25-9...

SIKESTON -- Knowing what's waiting on them Thursday, the Sikeston Bulldogs soccer team was comforted by their 2-0 win against Marion, Ill., Tuesday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Adam Johnson scored both of Sikeston's goals, their defense, including a shutout at goal by keeper Josh Hampton, was once again a silent killer and they have momentum leading up to their duel with visiting Notre Dame -- an always entertaining match that fell Notre Dame's way on penalty kicks last season 1-0...

SIKESTON -- With aches and pains up and down the lineup, the celebration of defeating Cape Central in extra innings was almost cut short by the delivery of ice packs. "We played hurt today," senior Sydney King said. "I feel like we might play better when we're hurt, actually."...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston junior varsity football team defeated New Madrid County Central Tuesday 14-8. Dustin Oakes scored both of Sikeston's touchdowns in the win. Oakes ran for an 8-yard score with two minutes left in the first half to give Sikeston a 6-0 advantage into halftime...

BENTON -- Three of Scott County's used law enforcement vehicles were sold Tuesday. Scott County Commissioners accepted offers by Wade's Auto Plus in Benton on all three vehicles after opening sealed bids during their regular meeting Tuesday. Wade's bids offered the county the most for two of the vehicles, $2,380 for a 2007 Trailblazer and $1,560 for a PT Cruiser, but at $910 was just under the $1,000 high bid offered by Lou Fusz Chrysler on a 2006 Ford Taurus...

SIKESTON -- Wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample even more of the region's finest wines as they mingle on the cobblestone streets of Downtown Sikeston during its third annual wine-tasting event later this month. Set for 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 15 on Center Street in Downtown Sikeston, the outdoor event, "Fall in Love with Downtown Sikeston," is sponsored by the Historic Midtown Development Group...

SIKESTON -- For those with concerns about new requirements to purchase flood insurance: city officials are still working on it. Several citizens attended the regular City Council meeting Tuesday to voice concerns about the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new floodplain maps...

SIKESTON -- Trash pickup in Sikeston will be 50 cents more per month. Sikeston City Council members awarded the solid waste removal contract to Sonny's Solid Waste of Sikeston during their regular monthly meeting conducted Tuesday due to the Monday holiday...

SIKESTON - A Sikeston organization is one of 331 to receive funding through the Missouri Arts Council. The Sikeston Cultural Development Corporation, which oversees the Sikeston Depot Museum, was awarded $8,100 for use for community arts projects. According to Mike Marsh, Depot director, the money is specifically earmarked for arts programs. It will be used to again host the Cowboy Up! Arts Festival, offer Family Night at the Museum and present art exhibits...

As my 65th birthday approaches, I'm constantly reminded just how out of step I am with modern society. For example, I can't remember the exact moment that I fully abandoned today's musical offerings but I suspect, that may have been the first signal of societal withdrawal...

Family isn't measured by just your bloodline. Sometimes, you don't share a last name or even the same color. Whether you realize it at the time or not, it's a special bond being part of a family. You celebrate together. You learn from one another. And, unfortunately, you grieve with one another...