March 2024

Jane Allen

Jane Vester Allen, age 85, passed peacefully on Sunday, March 10, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born July 16, 1938 to the late Alice Henrietta Peters and Kermit Adair Vester in Pocahontas, AR. Jane grew up in the quiet town of Pocahontas, AR where she attended Saint Paul High School, graduating as salutatorian. She enjoyed spending time outdoors with her siblings and friends. In 1956, she moved to Memphis, TN to attend Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing and Memphis State University to earn her Registered Nurse license, Bachelor of Science in Health Education, and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. These years of learning allowed her to spend the rest of her life caring for people - her most impressive quality. Jane became a passionate nurse and spent many years caring for the patients of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis as a Director of Nurses, inspiring adolescents undergoing rehabilitation, teaching the students of Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and promoting patient dignity through Home-Health, Case Management, and Long-Term Care.

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Myra Spencer

Myra Lou Spencer, 79, of Doniphan, MO, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Medical Center. Myra was born December 31, 1944, in Randolph County AR to James Perry O’Dell and Lela Henderson O’Dell.

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Carma Dyer

Carma Jean Dyer, 89, of Reyno entered her heavenly home Sunday March 10, 2024, at Pocahontas Health and Rehab Center. Carma was born way up in the hills of Randolph County on April 2, 1934 to Willie Wilson “Bud” Buckley and Ollie Long Buckley.

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Letter to the editor

Our local healthcare facilities are completely dominated by St. Bernards--our hospital and five specialty clinics are all operated by that Jonesboro hospital. That’s fine. We appreciate the care those facilities give.

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Speaking French

Sometimes you find yourself caught in a moment you never expected to be in, and emotions leave you with an intense feeling. There are some experiences I missed out on; I never saw Michael Jordan win a basketball game in person, nor did I attend a John Grisham book signing.

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Around the Kitchen Table with Nanny

The fresh, bright flavor of lemon can bring a cheery ambiance to any occasion when it makes an appearance in delicious recipes. Lemon essence seems ripe for spring and summer entertaining, and can feature prominently in desserts. Such is the case with this recipe for “Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake” from “The Pampered Chef Stoneware Inspirations” by The Pampered Chef Test Kitchens.

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