Stories from Friday, August 28, 2020

Refuge Baptist Church, located on Highway 18 just outside of Lake City, suffered major damage on Thursday night from strong winds that came through Northeast Arkansas following Hurricane Laura that hit the Gulf Coast on Thursday. Refuge Baptist Church was organized in the late 1800s and this is the second time the church has been hit hard by storms...

Morris Ray Brown of Blytheville died at his home Aug. 27, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. He has lived in Blytheville for 40 years and has ran his own business for many years. Morris was a very hard worker and a great provider for his family...

James Leavoy Channell, 63, of Paragould, passed from this life Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born in Blytheville, he was the son of the late Marvin Leavoy and Geneva Showers Channell and had been a longtime Missouri resident before making his home in Paragould in 2004. He was a retired self-employed carpenter and mechanic and had also worked at Lawrence Tire in Paragould. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Vern Showers, Danny Channell and Leonard Channell.. ...

Rosie Mae Johnson was born Jan. 13, 1940, to Odell and Lilly Mae Brown in Osceola. Rosie met and married the love of her life Isadore Johnson in 1961. Rosie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and attended Nehemiah Temple COGIC; where she served on the mother board under the late Pastor David Corns...

Frances Ann King, 80, of Blytheville, passed away Aug. 24, 2020, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Frances was born in Armorel to Luther and Zadie Phillips Battles. She was a former employee of Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, Brown Shoe Company and the Hodge Podge. ...

William Mitchell King, Sr., 84, of Blytheville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Mitchell was born in Blytheville to Melvin and Myrtle Elliott King. He worked for Dr. Pepper Bottling Company for 33 years before retiring, and was also a retired minister. ...

Peacefully and surrounded by her family, Brenda Gail Gray White of Osceola passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the age of 66. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Priscilla Hope Adams and Jessica White; grandson, Peyton Adams; great-grandson, Sawyer Adams; siblings, Gary (Janie) Gray, Danny (Diane) Gray, Carrie Gray, Terry (Cindy) Gray, Patty (Mark) Deason, Clara (Lonnie) Davidson, and Jackie Stewart; as well as numerous other beloved family and friends...

Brian Nicholas Brooks, 32, of Osceola, died Aug. 24, 2020 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. He was a factory worker and a member of Church of Christ. Brian was born Oct. 12, 1987 in Blytheville, to Bobby Brooks and Tammy Oakes Franks. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Brooks; grandparents, WB and Ann Brooks and great-grandmother, Reedie Smith...

Mable Louis Morris Tipton of Blytheville was born Aug. 25, 1939, in Portageville, Mo. She was a homemaker and a member of Progressive M.B. Church. Mrs. Tipton passed away Aug. 24, 2020, in Marion at the age of 80. She is preceded in death by her husband, George Tipton, Jr.; one son, Mitchell Tipton; two daughters, Lois Newmy and Carolyn Wilson; her brother, Elijah Morris; and one sister, Mary Hollis...

Blytheville police are investigating a shooting Friday evening. "On Friday, at approximately 5:40 p.m., the Blytheville Police Department responded to Clearlake and Ruddle Road, in reference to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries," Blytheville Assistant Police Chief Ricky Jefferson said. ...

The Blytheville Chickasaws dropped their season opener 27-20 on the road against the Nettleton Raiders. The Chicks' offense was able to strike first however, following a muffed punt by the Raiders in the opening quarter. Upon gaining possession, Blytheville marched into the red zone and ended the drive on a rushing touchdown from junior quarterback Jeremiah Northern...

The Gosnell Pirates opened the season Friday night with a tough loss, 36-32, to former conference foe Brookland at Bearcat Stadium. After controlling the game for the first three quarters, Gosnell (0-1) struggled in the fourth quarter and was plagued with early season miscues, including eight fumbles — four lost...