September 2023

Virginia Letain (Crismon) DeVore was born on February 10th, 1940, and died August 19, 2023. She was the fourth of nine children born to Fred & Geannendle (Rose) Crismon. They lived in a one-bedroom house back in the woods of Attica, Arkansas. When she was five they moved by wagon to a two-bedroom house on a main road. By then there were five children, and the ones who were old enough walked behind the wagon carrying a chicken or a box or leading a cow. At the age of six she started school and walked a mile to the Attica one-room schoolhouse which included grades 1-6. From sixth through twelfth grade she rode the bus to the Maynard School where she enjoyed playing basketball and graduated valedictorian of the Class of ’57.

Mary Douglas Hurn (Dunn), born on June 19, 1933, in Birdell, Arkansas, to Mary Petty John and Douglas Dunn, was an exceptional woman admired for her selflessness, devotion, and affection by everyone lucky enough to have known her. Growing up on her family’s farm, she learned the values of hard work, dedication, and resilience from a young age.

Charles Jack French, Sr. departed this life in Pocahontas Arkansas on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the age of 92. Jack was born to Thomas and Mabel Tharpe French on September 18, 1930. He lived his life in the Delaplaine community before settling in for retirement in Pocahontas. He was a devoted Christian and member of the Skaggs Church of Christ in Pocahontas. Jack was a dedicated farmer and cattleman. He instilled his knowledge to his children and grandchildren, whom many are carrying on this occupation. Jack also was instrumental in obtaining a rural water system, Clay County Water District, for the Delaplaine area. He continued to serve on the water district board for many years. Jack also served on the Delaplaine School Board and the Farm Service Board of Directors. His involvement for making the community a better place was profound.