Obituaries

Rita McClintock, 76, of Corning, passed away on April 28, 2025, at Corning Therapy and Living Center in Corning. Survivors include her sisters Marie Frith, Ann Matheny, Karen Soloman, and Sandy Park; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon McClintock; son Larry Wayne Lamborn; parents Hewett and Elsie Park; and sister Stella Hager. The family will conduct a memorial service at a later date. Online condolences:www.ermertfuneralhome.com

Donald Ray Grissom, 84, of McDougal, Arkansas, passed away on March 18, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on August 29, 1940, in Clay County, Arkansas, and was the son of Elbert “Bert” and Georgia (Parrish) Grissom. Donald was united in marriage to Anna Sue Keller on February 18, 1961. Donald loved to play baseball, since he was five years old he wanted to be a catcher. He had a chance to try out for the Cardinals but the day before he slid into base and hurt his knee. He was a good football player. He loved to pipeline once he started to work and went to Alaska twice. He enjoyed to net fish on the Black River and later spent many hours pole fishing. He loved his mother and always took the time to visit her. He grew up on the farm with his dad, mother, brother, and sisters, helping keep things going while his dad was sick. He loved to read and talk about the Bible and would talk with everyone about the Bible and Jesus. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, JoAnn Couch and Vada Hardin; and brother, Marvin Ray Grissom. Donald is survived by his wife, Anna Sue Grissom; son, Michael Ray Grissom of McDougal, Arkansas; daughter, Annette (Tony) Cloninger of Crystal City, Missouri; six grandchildren, Julie (Jimmy) Crague of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Kristen Grissom (Dustin Henson) of Kingsman, Arizona, Brooke (David) Smith of Hendersonville, Erica Grissom of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Wade Cloninger of Crystal City, Missouri, and Cheyenne Cloninger of Barnhart, Missouri; two greatgrandchildren, Wyatt Cloninger of Crystal City, Missouri, and Jaxson Carlson of Barnhart, Missouri; two brothers, Kenneth (Kathy) Grissom of McDougal, Arkansas, and Clois (Diane) Grissom of Paragould, Arkansas; two sisters, Ramey (Carroll) Shipman of McDougal, Arkansas, Barbara Harris (Devon) of Piggott, Arkansas; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held Friday, March 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hoggard & Sons Chapel in Piggott, Arkansas, with officiating. Burial is in Mars Hill Cemetery in Crockett, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Bentley Grissom, Bradley Grissom, Wade Harris, Keith Hardin, Kevin Hardin, Richie Phillips, and Chris Grissom. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody Culver, Rick Culver, Ira Lucas, Clay Bolen, Nick Harris, Guy Graddy, and Jonathon Beecher. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation was Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

James Earl “Jim” Harmon left this earth on March 24, 2025, at the age of 95 years, 3 months, and 24 days. Jim always said that he would like to go to sleep and just not wake up. Instead, the good Lord gave him one beautiful sunny morning. He waved hello as he awoke, or maybe he was waving goodbye. He passed away peacefully at his granddaughter’s home in Brookland. Jim was born on November 28, 1929, at home around the Nimmons Community to Raymond and Mary Alma (Sisk) Harmon. Jim gave his life to the Lord. He was saved and baptized in the nearby river at an early age. He married Mary Louise Eubanks on October 25, 1947, and to this union, three children were born. Jim was a member of the Rector First Baptist Church. He was a retired farmer. Farming first at Nimmons then located to McDougal to farm in the 50s.

Ruth Yvonne (Ronni) Cobb passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 9, 2025, having been surrounded by her family and friends, and held in the light of prayer by many others, in the days before her passing. She went home in complete peace, Ronni is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ernest Lee Cobb (Ernie), her children Pam Mitchell (Dan), Ernest L. Cobb II, and Cathy (Cate), and her nephews Reed and Trace Tuttle, and nieces Lonnie Jones and Traci Van der Ploeg. She was preceded in death by her brothers Punky Tuttle and Marshall Tuttle, and sister Ann Baray, Born on July 15, 1944, in El Paso, Texas, Ronni grew up in Alabama and New Mexico. After graduating from Clovis High School, she joined the Army, where she met Ernie; they married September 4, 1965, and their adventure took them and the family to Arkansas, Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana, and California before they retired and eventually settled in McCall and Boise, Idaho. She created a home and made friends in every place she lived, and enjoyed staying in touch with many of those friends over the years. Family and friends appreciated Ronni’s sharp wit, ready sense of humor, and thoughtfulness. Over the course of her life, she was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader, and a keen follower of the politics of the day. She was a Girl Scout cookie mom, Cub Scout mom, swim team mom, and camp host extraordinaire for the family camping trips of the day, and she enjoyed working as a substitute teacher and office assistant. She had a love of good food and was an absolutely amazing scratch cook, particularly with fish and fowl Ernie would bring home from his hunts and fishing trips; she was well known in some circles for her creative and delicious take on coq au vin with wild duck breast. Ronni had a generous spirit, even at times when she faced health challenges, and her life experiences, and was a person of insight and compassion who would have a kind word or a laugh for you, even if she wasn’t feeling her best. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt, and the memories so many have shared in recent days have gifted our family with a lovely mosaic of her life for us to treasure in the days to come. We remember Ronni with love and gratitude for all that she gave us and celebrate her life and her return Home. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Grace Assisted Living and Allcare Hospice, for their kind, gracious, and caring support during Ronni’s stay and her final days. Their memories of Ronni were a great comfort.

Charles Alvin Powell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 92. Charlie was born on February 08, 1933, in Neelyville, Missouri to Alvin Ernest Powell and Gladys Mae Garrett Powell. He was the oldest of five siblings whom he loved and

Brian Scott Gower, born on March 12, 1963, in Lansing, Michigan, was sent to his eternal home on February 28, 2025, in Rowlett, Texas, after a series of short illnesses. Scott was the son of Thomas Ray Gower and Judy Roberts Gower. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Piggott, Arkansas. Scott married the love of his life, Kimberly Ann Smithey Davis on January 4, 1986. They recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Kim and daughter Nikki Gower Clark (Justin) and grandchildren Kymber Nicole and Austin Reid; and their daughter Morgan Taylor Gower and grandchildren Camille Ann and Lynkon Scott. Scott was a loving, doting “Paw” who truly cherished his time with his girls and grandchildren. In 1981, Scott graduated from Piggott High School, where he enjoyed shop and agriculture classes as well as playing varsity football for the Piggott Mohawks. With Razorback Red running through his veins, he then attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business in 1985. As a University of Arkansas Alumnus, Scott was a lifetime supporter of the university and his beloved Hogs. Scott began his lifelong career with Riceland Foods in August of 1985. He learned the business from the ground up, eventually culminating in a position of Vice President of Commodity Operations. Special mentors in his life were Mr. Richard E. Bell, Mr. David Bickerstaff, Mr. Leon Foster, and Mr. Martin Ahrent. His greatest achievement as a drier manager was being awarded the Exceptional Service Award during the fall of 1993. During his early years as Vice President, Scott formed lifelong friendships with Terry Richardson, Jerry Delatte, Harry Loftis, Ben Lackey, and several more along the way. He retired after serving 35 years with Riceland Foods. Upon his retirement, he still had many enjoyable outings with The Retired Riceland Executive Group, also known as “The Old Man’s Luncheon.” Scott was well known for his quick wit, business acumen, and devotion to his family. He was active in many clubs and organizations. During his career with Riceland, he served as President of the Corning Chamber of Commerce and Corning Pride Committee. He also served as Chairman of the annual Fourth of July Picnic in Corning. As a member of the Arkansas Drier and Warehouseman Association, he served as a board member and president. He was also a member of GEAPS, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, as well as a member and later board member of the National Grain and Feed Association. Scott enjoyed boating, fishing, and traveling as lifetime hobbies; shared with his wife, family, and friends. He particularly enjoyed his time on Greers’ Ferry Lake, where he dreamed of owning a house on the lake one day. After buying, renovating, and selling three condos, his dream came true. He, his family, and friends created countless lifelong memories together while fishing, skiing, tubing, or simply cruising around the lake. Lake Ray Hubbard was the deciding factor in Scott and Kim’s move to Rowlett, Texas in 2022. There, with a lakeside home, they could continue to enjoy the pleasures of lake living. Of utmost importance was to be near his daughters and grandchildren, sharing the lake life to carry on the tradition. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, March 6th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, West 3rd Street, in Corning, Arkansas. Arrangements have been made at Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home in Piggott, Arkansas, as follows: Visitation from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Funeral at 3:00. Brother Danny Self, who baptized Scott, will be officiating the service. Interment will be held at New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Blake Ahrent, Chris Bauschlicher, David Bauschlicher, Will Bauschlicher, Eddie Brooks, Justin Clark, Tim Gribble, D.J. Herzog, and Jim Mann. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Lackey, Harry Loftis, and Terry Richardson.