Archive - 2013
March 5th
Two Benton High School Band students recently performed with the Little Rock Wind Symphony in "An Organ Extravaganza!" at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
Hunter Law and Paul Davis, both senior percussionists, were asked to play by the symphony after Benton Band Director Trisha Sterling recommended them.
"I've been a member of the Little Rock Wind Symphony for eight years," Sterling said. "They asked me if I had any percussionists that were the caliber to play with them, and I said I had two."
Shirley Dianne Ward, 68, of Fayetteville died Sunday, March 3. She was born June 27, 1944, in Boothton, Ala., the daughter of Edward Vernon Espy and Margaret Tubbs Espy.
She was a homemaker and a Pentecostal.
She is survived by her husband, Clifford Ward of Fayetteville; a son, Richard of Fayetteville; a brother, Glen Espy of Benton; nephews, Matt Espy and his wife, Leigh, and Justin Espy, all of Benton; and two very special friends, Johnny and Judy Reese of Benton.
James Patterson "Pete" Johnson Jr., 91, of Benton, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, March 2.
As a faithful Christian and lifelong Democrat, he was known to many as an All-State basketball player, tomato farmer, milk man, horseman, restaurant owner, cattle rancher and company fleet manager. Â
Larisa K. Hunter-Hampton, who was born March 4, 1980, to Reynae Cennett and Carliss Garner in Harvey, La., departed this life on Feb. 26, 2013, at Saline Memorial Hospice House. She was 32.
Larisa accepted Christ into her life at an early age and was baptized at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Marreo, La. Larisa later attended Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, where she was on the church drill team.
Larisa was married to Bruce Hampton on Feb. 26, 1997. Bruce was by her side on their anniversary Feb. 26, 2013, when Larisa left him to be with her Lord and Savior.
Bertha Marie Rea, 86, of Benton passed away Feb. 28. She was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Benton to the late Cubie C. and Susie Edmondson Gattin Sr.
Bertha was a member of Highland Heights Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe Rea; and three brothers.
She is survived by her son, Bill Rea of Little Rock; a daughter, Dee Dee Hill and husband Danny of Little Rock; sisters, Barbara Hunnicutt and husband Jerry and Ann Ewing; grandchildren, Michelle Gnuschke and husband Jerry, Micala Garcia and husband Carlos, and Megan Hill.
Doris Earline Sexton, 84, of Mena died Friday, March 1, at Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehab. She was born Jan. 11, 1929, to Robert Lee and Flora Anna Marquardt Tillman in Houston, Texas. Â
Thomas Troy Wilkins, 90, of Traskwood passed away Thursday, Feb. 28. He was born Jan. 29, 1923 in Sparkman. Mr. Wilkins was a World War II Air Force veteran and spent his life as a farmer/rancher.Â
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Tishie Wilkins; three brothers, Bill, James Edward and John D. Wilkins; three sisters, Frances Hearnsburger, Emogene Wilkins and Vivian Burkes; and a grandson, Cody.
March 4th
Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane and Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay were recognized recently by Christopher R. Thyer, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Christopher Henry, special agent in charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, for their partnership in the Financial Crimes Task Force.
Since 2011, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office has received $101,893.24 and the Benton Police Department has received $97,290.02 in shared funds.
Lane says his department has had a detective assigned to this unit for more than two years.
Photos by Matt Burks/Saline Courier.
Clockwise from left:
Actors recreating Civil War events prepare their muskets before the start of the 10th annual Civil War Gun and Artifacts Show on the grounds of the historic Shoppach House on Main Street in Benton on Saturday.
The event was hosted by the David O. Dodd Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans. From left are David Glenn, Brent Carr and Jimmy Glenn, all of Benton, and Miguel Cook of Texas.
Two women dress in period costume.
The actors fire a replica cannon.
March 1st
A barn fire at the home of Cowboy Church pastor Greg Spann resulted in the complete destruction of the structure Friday afternoon. Spann and his wife, Francis, returned home from lunch to find the barn in flames and completely engulfed. Two horses were in the barn at the time, but escaped after Spann opened the barn door. Neither horse was burned, but Spann called a veterinarian to check the horses for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Units from the Turtle Creek, Haskell and Traskwood fire departments responded to the call.
