Memory tree lights shining again

NEW MADRID, Mo. - At the museum we really love the time of year between Thanksgiving and the New Year, mostly for the food (!) and for Santa, but really it’s the sense of community and family that we love so much.

The holidays also bring back fond memories of friends and family, some of whom are no longer with us, and that is why the New Madrid Historical Museum started the Christmas Memory Tree many years ago. We put lights on the tree as a reminder of our loved ones who are gone but not forgotten.

In keeping with its annual tradition the museum board and staff have put lights on the tree this year in memory of board members past who helped make the museum what it is today beginning with its beloved founders Dot Halstead and Virginia Carlson, as well as 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.

The lights Jim and Becky Mills put on the tree this year are a tribute to James and Carrie Devers, Elihu and Louise Mills, Ralph Barnwell Sr. and Dorothy Barnwell, Bob and Nancy Parish, Ralph Barnwell Jr. and Kathy Barnwell, Cindy Hadder, Frank Hadder, Tom Bodine, Hal “Buck” Hunter III, David Pounds and Tom Parish.

Ann Evans Copeland has lights on the tree this year for Mildred and Wade Evans Copeland, Thomas and Virginia Gallivan, Laura Riley, Nancy Ann Allgier, Virginia and Jack Carlson, Jack and Mary Long, Steve Walker, Carol Bixler, Andy Smith, Linda Hunter, Dot Halstead, Eleanor Clayton Johnson and Sue and Hugh Brooks.

Jill and Riley Bock have lit the tree this year for Charles J. “Totty” Higgerson, Alton “Wacker” Jackson, Hap and Verba Dawson, Ida Mae Ellis, Wilson and Venita Phillips, David and Jane Mann, Bud and Mary Clair Leuer, Monroe and Blanche Robbins, Edward and Zoe O’Herin, Harry and Kathleen Bock and Virginia and Thomas Gallivan.

Jan Farrenburg has lovingly lit the Memory Tree for John Hollaway, Yvonne Bess Hollaway, Karen Hollaway, Ted Hollaway, Mary Gargas Hollaway, Anna Gargas Hollaway, Zeke Wells, Walter Bess, Thelma Berry 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.

Lights were put on the tree by Chris and Tina Porter in memory of Randy Porter, Doyle Porter, Dorothy Porter, Debbie Porter Guerra and Oscar Guerra.

And Lydia Fowler has the tree burning bright this year with lights for Mary Fowler, Bill Fowler, Amos Moore, Emma Lou Moore, Gattye Sutherland, Henry Sutherland, A.C. ‘Dub’ Riley, Edna Riley, Elizabeth James, Hazel LeSieur and Buck Buchanan.

If you would like to join the Museum and put lights on the Memory Tree this year just get in touch with the New Madrid Historical Museum at 573-748-5944, message us on Facebook, email us at nmhmnm@yahoo.com or go by the museum 10 a.m. - 4p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. We will have more Memory Tree entries next week.