Stories from Wednesday, April 12, 2017

One of the favorite parts of my job is getting to work so closely with those who really care about seniors and what is going on in the world today. People who take it upon themselves to use their time and effort to advocate for causes that are important to them and all seniors in Missouri, my Silver Haired Legislature...

On Friday, with the confirmation of our newest Supreme Court member, Justice Neil Gorsuch, the American people were finally able to claim victory over liberal obstructionists in the United States Senate. With Gorsuch behind the bench, we have a Justice who respects personal freedom and liberty. He knows our Constitution is a document that defers power from the federal government to the states, and puts the rights of individuals ahead of the interests of bureaucrats in Washington.  ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A new initiative, announced last week, will bring broadband internet access to over 100 rural Missouri schools that currently have no access to high speed internet. State Rep. Don Rone met with Governor Eric Greitens in Jefferson City to discuss the impact high quality internet access will have on our local schools...

The Portageville Lady Dawgs participated in the Swing Pink in Dexter Saturday. "The record doesn't show the true results, but they stuck to it. There will always be things to work on," said coach Ashlie Case Patton. The girls lost to Van Buren, 8-3 and to Greenville 10-9 in extra inning. They did win against Southland 10-1. Van Buren was the Fall Season State Champs. "It was a long day, but they held their own," she said...

Winifred “Winnie” Young Bell was born May 10, 1915 in Portageville, to Charlie Young and Tommie Ann Gowan Young. She died Tuesday March 14, 2017 at Golden Living Center in New Madrid, at the age of 101 years, 10 months and 4 days. Preceding her in death were her parents, Tommie Ann Gowan Young and Charlie Young...

William Cleo “Joe” Elrod Jr. was born May 5, 1934 in Batesville, Ark. to Wayman Cleo Elrod and Cornelius (Smith) Elrod. He passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston at the age of 82 years, 10 months and 22 days...

The Junior Class of Portageville High School will be hosting Grand March in conjunction with “A Night In Paris” Prom on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Grand March will begin at 7:00 PM at the Rone Hall, due to gym floor being repaired. A ticket is required to attend Grand March. ...

Norma Jean Durbin was born Dec. 6, 1944 in Selmer, Tenn., to John Sweat and Zilpha Evans. She died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at her residence in Portageville, at the age of 72 years, 3 months, and 10 days. Preceding her in death were her parents, Zilpha Evans and John Sweat; her husband, William Elbert Durbin; one brother, John Sweat Jr.; five sisters, Jewell Jones, Virginia Ann Wilkins, Lois Lynn Cole, Linda Kay Cole, and Betty Carolyn Cole; and one granddaughter, Crystal Ramirez...

Betty Sue Ellis was born Feb. 8, 1933 in Portageville, to Walter Tanner and Eula (Montgomery) Tanner. She died Friday, March 31, 2017 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, at the age of 84 years, one month, and 23 days. She was a member of the St Eustachius Catholic Church and loved being around her family and friends, going shopping and playing cards. ...

Joan Carolyn Foster was born Nov. 16, 1942 in Charleston, W. Va., to Basil and Opal Green. She died Monday, March 27, 2017, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, at the age of 74 years, 4 months and 11 days. She was united in marriage to her husband of 54 years, Jimmy D. Foster, on March 1, 1961, in Chicago, Ill. He preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2015. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Basil and Opal Green, and one brother, Kenneth Green...

Patricia “Patty” Ann Silman was born Jan. 26, 1952 in Sikeston, to Juanita Gearline Thurman and Hugh Jefferson Aldrich. She departed this life on Monday, Apr. 3, 2017, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, at the age of 65 years. She was united in marriage on Dec. 27, 2002, in Piggott, Ark. to Danny Michael Silman...

Claudette Gipson was born April 22, 1958 in Portageville, to Georgia Mae Steele and Thomas Minnis. She departed this life on April 3, 2017 in Portageville, at the age of 58 years. She was preceded in death by her parents: Georgia Mae Steele and Thomas Minnis; and two brothers, Doyle Minnis and Movina Minnis...