Hello everyone! We got a good rain and now the sun is shining and it is humid and warm. I’m not complaining, just stating facts.
Do y’all remember the things your mom used to tell you when you were kids? I remember mom telling us not to hang upside down on the monkey bars because our liver would turn over. What does that even mean? Of course, when she was gone, we would hang upside down on the swing set, and guess what happened to me? My liver didn’t turn over, but I fell and broke my arm. Yes, I did, the summer before third grade.
If you crossed your eyes, they would stay that way. That only happened to my sister Pam. Just kidding! But, I always told her that her eyes were crossed. We also could not spin in circles. That would also turn your liver over. Don’t swallow your gum, it will take seven years to digest, and you will get plugged up. I believe you know what that means! Don’t bite your fingernails they will go to your appendix and you will have to have it removed. That must be true because I had my appendix removed in the fifth grade. You can’t swim after you eat because you will get cramps and drown. If you sit too close to the TV it will ruin your eyes. What kid doesn’t want to be right up on the TV? Don’t pick up a frog because if it pees on you, you will get warts on your hands. Let me tell you when I got peed on by a frog, I scrubbed my hands because I was scared I would get warts. If you eat carrots it will help you see better. Hello, I wasn’t falling for that one. Santa knows when you’re naughty or nice. Especially, naughty. Don’t crack your knuckles, you will have bad arthritis when you are old. Like a kid cares about when they are old. If you tell a lie, your nose will grow. Pinocchio scared me to death.
The list is endless. Funny how we believed all that nonsense. I’ve heard my mom’s voice come out of my mouth many times. Mom is gone now, but I can still hear her voice. The time I told Ella she would turn her liver over was priceless. I wish I had a video of her face. Sure had some fun times when we were kids. As adults, we have had some fun times also. When all us Wags are together, it’s a big laugh fest and fun times. One time, long ago, we found out we had a sister in California, and my brother Larry and I were going to tell my sister Pam. We get together and Larry says, “we have something to tell you” and as serious as she could ever be, she says “I’m not pregnant am I?” We rolled and have never let her live that down. How would we know anyway?
This week’s recipe is four layer delight. One of my favorite desserts of all time and you can make it with any kind of pudding you want. My favorite is chocolate and coconut. Layer one: 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened and slightly melted) 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup pecans or nuts of your choice Layer two: 1 cup powdered sugar 8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 container of Cool Whip Layer three: 2 six-ounce boxes of Jello-O (any flavor you like) 3 cups of cold milk Layer four: The rest of the Cool Whip Mix the first three ingredients and add the pecans and press into a 13×9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Soften the cream cheese, then blend in the powdered sugar and Cool Whip. Spread over cooled crust. Mix pudding and milk, and spread on the cream cheese layer. Spread the rest of the Cool Whip on top.
One of the faces at the Mansfield Post office will be greatly missed on June 1st. Phil Stevens, one of our wonderful carriers, is retiring May 31st. He has served his patrons with the upmost respect, going that extra mile, with many laughs, a lifetime of stories and many happy memories. Phil even went so far recently during recent floods in our area to take a very nice lady home after she lost control of her car. Phil is one of those people you are always glad to see coming in good and bad weather.
Phil is from the Hackett area and after graduating high school, enlisted with the US Air Force. His 20 years of service taught him many trades to carry on into his life after leaving.
Pictured (L to R) Lana Owens, Linda Lowery, Postmaster Mary Graber Seratt, Retiree Phil Stevens, Bettye Barnes, Sherri Keener, and Richard Henson.
Unsure what to do after, he decided to apply for a postal position. He was hired as a City Carrier at the Mena Post Office, but did not feel like this was a good fit for him at the time. He then worked for his brother driving a truck and other jobs before deciding to try the post office again.
Phil came back to work for the Post Office when Postmaster Bruce Tanner hired him for an open position at Mansfield. After working here for some time, a position became available in Waldron where Phil lived at that time. Phil then transferred to Waldron Post Office where he was trained to work all four routes there. Eventually, Phil was promoted to a full-time position in that office.
Pictured (L to R) Former Postmaster Bettye Barnes, Retiree Phil Stevens, and Postmaster Mary Graber Seratt
A couple of years ago, looking to retire soon, Phil liked the idea of coming back to Mansfield. Sabrina Ison, full-time carrier at Mansfield, who actually lives in Waldron, was looking to move closer to home. Both Phil and Sabrina pondered over the decision to swap offices, pros and cons, etc. before a final decision was made. Under the supervision of Mansfield Postmaster Bettye Barnes, Phil and Sabrina mutually switched their carrier positions between Mansfield and Waldron. Phil’s outstanding personality and caring attitude has since complimented our Mansfield Post Office crew.
Phil’s sense of humor, jokes, and witty comebacks, as well as bringing food goodies will be missed. He once told about two Great Pyerenes that wait for him faithfully on his route just to run beside him after putting mail in the box for fun. Famous quotes when thinking of Phil include – A wise Postal Worker once said “I’m out of here” and lived happily ever after”; A legendary Postal Worker has retired; A truly great postal worker is hard to find, difficult to part with, and IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET. Postmaster Mary Graber Seratt, as well as the Hartford, Huntington, and Mansfield Post Office crews all agree that it has been a real pleasure and honor to work with Phil.
Phil and his wife Dee, plan on catching up on their to do list at home in Mena, as well as travel, and just enjoy life. We will miss you, but wish you the best for the future!
The Arkansas State Police recently held their honors and awards ceremony. Among the award recipients, Troopers (Sgt.) Greg Smith and (Cpl.) Michael Bowman, both assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop H.
Troopers Bowman and Smith received The Lifesaving Award, which is presented to department employees who, through direct personal intervention, including the application of CPR, the Heimlich maneuver or any other lifesaving measures performed on a victim, prevents immediate death.
The troopers were awarded Life Saving Awards for their valiant efforts on April 13, 2021 that ultimately prevented a man standing at the edge of the Interstate 540 bridge across the Arkansas River from taking his own life.
The classroom has been the domain of Mansfield Elementary teacher Cheryl Davis for over four decades. Driven by passion, purpose, and creativity, for Davis, being a teacher is fulfilling God’s plan for her life.
“I decided to go into teaching because I had a passion and desire for helping kids,” shared Davis. “I have always loved school, even as a child, I loved going to school…There was a drive inside of me that just kept me working toward the goal of becoming a teacher. I love the fact that teaching allows for a person to be creative and purposeful. Each day is new in the fact you can say, ‘How can I create a lesson that would excite and engage students?’ It is almost like a treasure hunt. You look for ways to help students learn and it is like bringing a treasure to them, a treasure of knowledge. I think God gave me that desire and wisdom to work with kids. It was God’s plan for me.”
Davis attended Westark Community College in Fort Smith for two years and received her Associate’s Degree before transferring to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and later, a Master’s Degree from Arkansas Tech University.
In 1980, Davis would embark on a teaching career based solely within the Mansfield School District. She has taught second and third grades exclusively throughout her 42 years in education.
Those years have afforded her many treasured memories. She recalled some of her most memorable moments at Mansfield Elementary School.
MES honored retiring teacher, Cheryl Davis, with a reception.
“Some of the best moments were with the team of teachers when I taught second grade with Jeane Dalmut, Leta Ingold, Peggy Edwards, and Tamachia Barton. I love this group of ladies. We went to reading conferences together and had such good times with our professional development. Leta decided one year we should have a pet parade. Kids dressed up and brought their costumed pets and we paraded downtown. I can still see that picture in my mind, it was wonderful. I never thought it would work out, but Leta always had lofty visions and reached for the sky. I treasure the moments when we worked together to create a project like the time capsule in second grade. When that group of second graders became seniors we invited them back down to the elementary to open the time capsule. I treasure the times when second graders entered the Christmas Parade and each year we had to be creative with the theme and have a program for parents to come watch their child sing…I loved seeing the kids sing in front of their parents.” Davis went on to share memories of students painting the city street. “…Leta wanted to have the kids paint on the streets, I can’t remember why, but she called the news media to cover it. We had a lot of fun.” Lastly, Davis recalled enjoying seeing the kids with their Tiger masks on, watching the Homecoming Parade and dashing out for the candy.
Davis went on to add valued memories from her time as a third-grade teacher. “My teaching team kept changing, but a good group of ladies also. I loved taking the kids to the Science Festival in Fort Smith at UAFS. COVID stopped this, but it always brought a smile to my face…One moment stands out to me. It was one of the biology teachers showing the kids slides from his microscope onto the big screen. The kids were all standing, looking at his presentation and listening intently, and so was I. At that moment, I wanted to be a biologist. And that is what teaching is all about, inspiring and creating an atmosphere for learning.”
Davis also recalled teaming up with third-grade teacher Dimity Beren for a program called Shade Trees for Playgrounds through the Forestry Service. “It was a team effort with the whole elementary school. There was a tree planted in memory of MES student Skylor Leroy, who passed away from cancer.”
During Davis’ time as a third-grade teacher, she asked her social studies students to create a project that would help improve the community. The kids brought their old toys, sold them, and gave the money to Kix Brown’s little sister for medical needs at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. “The kids collected $1,000 and the story was reported by a local news channel. As a result, more was given by those who saw the story.
Fishing in third grade was a memorable moment. According to Davis, messy, but memorable. “Mrs. Henson told one third grader he had to kiss the fish he caught, and low and behold, he kissed that fish. I can still picture that moment.” Davis also recalled a field trip to a Quartz mine, and remembers one student exclaiming “Best field trip ever Mrs. Davis!”
Lastly, Davis recalled the fun professional development days. “Third grade was the year Laura Holland, Tonya Wagnor, Jim Reynolds, and I all attended a 10-day science professional development. One of those days involved canoeing down the Mulberry River. Laura was smart and opted out of this day. Tonya and I on the other hand went, and on the bus we told each other we would probably die because neither of us were good with a canoe. We told Curtis Varnell to put us with an advanced canoeist. He did, but I ended up crashing into rocks and getting dumped out of my canoe. I did think I was going to drown, but I survived with bruises…”
Davis concluded, stating, “…each year of teaching has been a treasure.”
In 2016, Davis received one of the highest accolades for area teachers. The Western Arkansas Outstanding Teacher Award is given for invaluable contributions to the students of educators of the Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative and the State of Arkansas. Davis recalled Dr. Curtis Varnell from GFESC, Guy Fenter Educational Service Coop, presenting the award. “What made this award special was that my mom was so proud of this for me. Everywhere we went she had to tell someone.”
Those treasured moments will live forever in her memory, and for now, that is enough. Davis admitted that although she loves to teach, she feels it is time for a rest. “Someone said…that now I could do the things I have dreamed of doing. But, I have been doing the things I have dreamed about, and that is teaching. But each season of life brings new dreams, so I will wait and see what the Lord has planned for me in this season of my life.”
Davis acknowledges she will miss the students. “I will miss the kids. I will miss hearing that child say, ‘I’m learning to read!’ I will miss that smile from that child after I have had a bad day. I will miss those faces of kids who looked to me each day to bring a sense of accomplishment…Call me crazy, but I will miss coming to school each morning.” She laughed, noting that she will not miss indoor recess!
The Davises – Terry, Cheryl and Sarah
She will continue to rely on the strength of her family, who has been a mainstay of support. Her husband Terry Davis has assisted her many times with work-related activities, including planting flowers at school, setting up an aquarium, and serving as a go-to, bringing whatever Davis may have forgotten that day to the school. “He has gone to Fort Smith to buy me mealworms for my science lesson,” added Davis. “He has also helped with fishing day with all the third graders.”
The Davises have one daughter, Sarah, who has also been a helpmate. “Sarah is the one that would go down to school with me after hours so I wouldn’t have to work alone in an empty building. Terry would call every once and a while and ask, ‘Are you guys okay?’ Once we worked late in the third-grade hallway piecing together an Abraham Lincoln picture that each student had created a piece of… It was so large that we couldn’t get it through the doors into the safe room. And, if I’m not mistaken that is the time we came out and the cop was there wanting to know who was in the building so late.”
Other family members, such as Davis’ beloved mother, Jimmie Jackson, was always there for her, and the one to whom she’d call to tell about her day after school. Sisters, Pam Mulson and Barbara Johnson as well as her brother, Roy Jackson, have also been a big part of Davis’ life.
The Mansfield School District honored Davis with a retirement party on Monday, May 23 at the elementary library. Friends, family, fellow teachers, staff, and administrators celebrated Davis, her passion for teaching, love for her students, and dedicated years to the district.
Magazine students, parents, and school staff gathered on Tuesday, May 17 for the inaugural Rattler Scholars Banquet. This program rewards and recognizes students in their freshman through senior years who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher each semester. For this kick-off event, Magazine school administrators sought out a Magazine alumnus who would be aninspiration to the students. Diana McDaniel was the ideal selection.
Diana (Abrahamson) McDaniel was born and raised in Magazine, Arkansas, and is an Alumnus of J.D. Leftwich High School (now Magazine High School). McDaniel then earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and then a Master’s in Public Administration from the Institute of Government of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. For the past 15 years, shehas been affiliated with Arkansas Children’s Hospital in progressive leadership roles. In 2017, McDaniel relocated to Northwest Arkansas with her family to open Arkansas Children’s Northwest, where she currently serves as the Vice President. She is responsible for overseeing the facility, business operations, and ancillary services of the hospital. McDaniel is also board-certified as a Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives. She is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors for Springdale Chamber of Commerce and is the past president of the Arkansas Medical Group Management Association.
Diana McDaniel
Diana McDaniel’s professional successes are unending. However, growing up in a small, rural town, she understands how easy it is to feel like there are limited opportunities.McDaniel wanted the students to know that success is not contingent on coming from a place of privilege. “At times, during both high school and college, I didn’t always know where I would sleep next or where I would get my next meal,” says Diana. She contributes her success to two things: Grit and a Moral Compass.
“Your grit will contribute more to your successes than your IQ or any other inherited gifts,” stated McDaniel. “I believe grit made the difference in my achieving and outperforming my peers as I rose through the career ladder. Grit got me through some of the most difficult seasons of my life.” That grit kept McDaniel pushing herself to achieve her goals. She worked 2 to 3 jobs at a time to put herself through college: babysitting, cleaning, waitressing, and even changing oil and tires.
The second attribute that McDaniel believes contributed to her success is a moral compass, which she defines as “a person’s ability to judge what is right and wrong and act accordingly.” She believes that teachers, church members, and community leaders of her childhood in Magazine helped to guide her and steer her to a career in public service. “I knew I wanted to change the story for kids like me who grew up in impoverished areas with little resources who statistically weren’t likely to succeed,” McDaniel stated. She commended the Magazineeducators, parents, and community members for still working to be a part of the solution for a brighter future for their students.
McDaniel urged students to follow their moral compass when using their phones and social media. “Time is finite, which means how we spend our time matters. I implore you to choose what is real over what is on a screen.”
McDaniel firmly believes in giving back to her community. Herleadership focuses on growing young leaders, inspiring healthcare careers, and healthcare workforce development. She truly cares about the future of the healthcare community. Dr. Jared Cleveland, former Superintendent of Magazine School District, and current Superintendent of Springdale School District, commends Diana’s achievements. “She’s an amazing leader with nothing but potential and promise in front of her.” Dr. Cleveland states that Diana’s greatest strength is “her heartfelt servant leadership. She leads the front and the back, ushering calm and confidence among all that serve. I’m thankful to be a part of the community she chooses to serve.”
McDaniel concluded her presentation with this advice: “Find a mentor. Find something to be a part of that is positive.” She believes that “spending your time wisely, investing in friendships and relationships that matter will yield healthy fruit in your lives.”
Mansfield heptahletes Jadelynn Wood and Faith Rainwater.
Dedicated to the end, Mansfield’s top two Lady Tiger track athletes finished the 2022 school year at the state heptathlon.
MHS player of the year, Jadelynn Wood, and University of Rich Mountain signee, Faith Rainwater, were Mansfield’s final pair at the Arkansas Activities Association’s last track and field event of the season.
Faith Rainwater
The two day, seven event extension brought together some of Arkansas’s best high school track talent. Spanning all classifications, the individual based track meet saw nearly 100 competitors display their versatility by performing in a wide range of events.
May 18th’s order of events included the 100m hurdles, long jump, discus, and 200m dash. May 19th concluded with high jump, shot put, and 800m run.
“It really is a fabulous time if you’re a track junkie,” noted Mansfield head coach John Mackey. “This is something our kids look at as a badge of honor. To be invited, and then to compete in something that Mansfield has a strong history with is a big deal.”
Jadelynn Wood
A look back at Mansfield’s involvement in past state heptathlons shows a history of which to be proud.
In 2005, Lady Tiger Crystal Kemp won the event in a near record performance. Five years later, Arkansas State signee Jessica Otto also took top honors.
Mansfield’s current head volleyball coach, Kaylie Pyles, took a top ten heptathlon plaque in 2012 as a sophomore. Henderson State volleyball standout and Mansfield alumist, Cheyenne Derr, was a top 15 automatic invite in 2009 as a junior.
Last season, Mansfield’s top product at the AAA showcase was Makayla Strutton. The two time heptathlete posted 2,765 points to close out her senior season as the 2021 Mansfield track player of the year.
Mansfield head track coach John Mackey pictured with coach Kaylie Pyles, a former heptathlete and current MHS head volleyball coach, work the 2022 state hepthalon in Fayetteville.
Wood, Mansfield’s current POY and a state qualifier in six events, accumulated 2,659 points in her first heptathlon attempt. Trained almost exclusively as a hurdler and jumper, the tiny junior finished 48th overall among the long list of statewide entries.
Faith Rainwater, primarily a distance specialist and the class 2A state’s top four pole vaulter, tallied 2,442 total points. The recent Mansfield graduate, who has signed to run cross country next fall with the UA Rich Mountain Bucks, finished in 62nd place.
Rainwater waits the start of the 800m run.
The current Lady Tiger heptathletes learned rudimentary throwing techniques and other unfamiliar events about two weeks before the Fayetteville competition. Concentrating on their usual event schedules for the class 2A outdoor state championships on May 3, the pair had little time to develop strong resources in the shot put, discus, and other novice events.
Described by their coach as being quite petite, the two heptathlete’s pure physical stature was a determining factor in a few of their low scoring events. An ultra-competitive mindset along with a stout aerobic base, according to their coach, factored into their high scoring marks.
“Those two girls come in at around 100 pounds each. The shot and discus events are not their forte,” joked Mackey. “They knew going in that those two marks were basically going to be castoffs. The mentality was to do their best in the familiar events, and live with the results in the others.”
Wood competes in the 100m hurdles.
Wood saw her best marks come from her favored events. That included the 200m dash in 29.13 for 545 points. A high jump clearance of 4’ 5” was good for 460 points. Her 18.67 time in the 100m hurdles registered 422 points.
“Jadelynn was winning her heat in the 100m hurdles,” described Mackey. “A little stumble off the last hurdle probably cost her a half second and another 60 points.”
Rainwater, as expected, excelled in the 800m run and 200m dash. She was limited in the high jump, hurdles, and throws.
The 800m middle-distance race was one of Rainwater’s typical track events. Her heptathlon two lap jaunt garnered 474 points off a 2:49.02 clocking.
The 200m sprint race became more familiar to Rainwater as the outdoor season progressed. Transformed for outdoor track from a cross country stable into a sprint relay starter, the senior runner was quick around the track. Her 200m dash finished 30.33 for 459 points.
“I was proud of what our kids did,” exclaimed Mackey. “ Half Pint (Faith Rainwater) actually beat people in the shot put with a throw of about 25 feet. She ran the high hurdles for the first and last time in her high school career in 20 seconds for almost 300 points.
So sad to see Faith move on, she’s been our leader since the beginning. She is Lady Tiger track.
JJ (Jadelynn Wood) was good in the jumps and sprints. She battled with a severely infected toe to run a 3:02 in the 800m. She shows extreme toughness time after time.
I’m so happy to have Jadelynn back next year. She is so motivated to have a great summer. She should step into that leadership role perfectly.”
The Arkansas Heptathlon concludes Mansfield High School’s 2021-2022 sports calendar.
Waldron graduates are work place ready! WorkKeys, a new test administered to seniors, was implemented at Waldron High beginning with the 2022 class. The test is an ACT and measures students work place skills.
Waldron Schools named Kristen Atchley Career Coach at the beginning of the school year. The test will be a requirement for seniors across the nation next year. Waldron got in early and got several in Scott County on board. “We filed for our county to become a Work Ready Community in the fall and had to meet several goals such as a certain number of credentialed students in the high school had to be met and a certain amount of businesses had to recognize that it is beneficial for Scott County and their businesses!” Atchley explained.
There were 73 from the class of 2022 who certified. The amount allowed Scott County to certify as a Certified Work Ready Community.
High School Principal Kim Solomon sang the praises of Mrs. Atchley and the WorkKeys program. “Becoming a certified WorkKeys Community, the first in Western Arkansas, is such a testament to our Career Coach, Kristen Atchley as well as this community. Our school is quickly becoming a leader across the state for this progressive program and our students will directly benefit from this initiative. We value all career paths for our students and Mrs. Atchley does such an outstanding job to bridge the gap between secondary education and the workforce. Just another reason why it’s so great to be a Bulldog!”
There is no specific course to prepare for the test, but the curriculum will be imbedded into existing classes to even better prepare the class of 2023 and beyond.
Hello everyone! Such a warm May afternoon. Rain coming tomorrow.
One of my favorite shows is the Andy Griffith Show. Those who know our family know that we can quote a lot of lines from that show. My nephews Jason and Michael Wagoner know every line. We played Andy Griffith trivia with Michael once, and he won hands down. The funny thing about The Andy Griffith Show is some of the names of the town folks. Helen Crump, for example. Michael and Tonya have a cat and her name is Helen Wagoner, named after Helen Crump. Their dog is named Thelma Lou but shortened to LuLu. What about Mavis Less, the waitress Andy went out with to make Helen Crump jealous? What about Idelle Bushy, the lady that Doug Walsh had a crush on? Don’t forget the fun girls, Skippy and Daphne. They sure got Andy and Barney in a lot of trouble. Skippy always called Barney, Bernie. There was Goober Pyle, Malcolm Merr/Weather, Briscoe Darling and Gomer Pyle. The one that I love is the Beemans, Claude Sr., Claude Jr., plain Claude and Claudette if that won’t make ya laugh nothing will. Can you tell I have been watching a lot of Ang lately?
This is something that happened to me and it’s all true. We lived in a mobile home once and we had a wooden porch. One morning, early, I was taking out the trash and went to pick up something on the end of the porch where no one ever walked and I fell through the porch. Yes, my left leg was stuck between two boards and I couldn’t get my leg out. Stuck being the keyword. Chuck was at work and Shannon was in bed. No cell phones back in those days. So, I start yelling for Shannon, trying to wake her up. All I could think about was a snake biting me on the foot. I yelled and yelled. Seen some people driveby I knew and I was yelling, but nobody heard me. I was about to freak out and I mean literally. Finally, I got Shannon up and told her to call Nanny Jane (my mom). She was so upset she couldn’t dial the number. I said, “call the operator and have her call your Nanny.” So, she gets the operator and the operator wants to know if she needs to call the fire department. Nooooo, I said. Tell her to call your Nanny. All I could think of was Ronnie Black showing up from the fire department and I would never hear the end of it. Finally, they got mom and here she comes with a saw and saws me out. I am wounded. My leg has a hump in that spot to this day. I wish you could have seen my mom sawing that board to get me out. She was just a getting it. She saved the day.
This week’s recipe is a Banana Poke Cake: 1 yellow cake mix (made according to the box directions) 2 boxes of instant banana pudding 3 cups of cold milk 1 8 oz. Cool Whip Sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers
Bake cake in a 13×9 pan according to cake mix directions. Cool for five minutes. Poke holes in the cake with the end of a wooden spoon or straw. In a medium bowl, stir together pudding and milk. Spread evenly over the cake. Refrigerate for one hour. Spread whipped topping on top and just before serving, top with sliced bananas and vanilla wafers. Enjoy and have a great week!
Wilma Jean Smith of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Hot Springs, Arkansas with her loving family by her side. Wilma was born in Waldron, Arkansas on March 11, 1938 to Roy Slater and Alcie (Brown) Slater. She was 84 years old.
Wilma enjoyed watching soap operas on TV especially the Young and the Restless. She was always up for a good milkshake, playing a game of rummy, pitch or Phase 10 with her family or going camping. Wilma also enjoyed singing gospel and bluegrass music with her husband Floyd. No matter what Wilma happened to be doing, she was never more content or happy than when surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, extended family, friends and those who were family by heart. She was kind and welcoming to everyone.
Wilma leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter, Diane Vaughn and husband Tony, two sons: Jerry Bob Smith and Brent Smith all of Waldron, Arkansas. Granny will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Kerry, Angie, Jason, Jennie, Christine, Heath, Sarah, Ryan, Hannah, Bethany, Jacey, Emily, and Jackson as well as 12 great grandchildren. Wilma will be missed by all those whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors she loved dearly.
Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Floyd, one daughter Rema Smith and one grandson Anthony Vaughn. Wilma was also preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Alcie Slater and siblings: Jewelene Lovett, Eva Denney, Betty Boman, Verna Valentine, Leroe (Goat) Slater, Donnie Slater and Joe Slater.
Wilma’s life celebration will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Jerry Isham and Travis May officiating. Interment will follow in the Lamb Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Wilma’s pallbearers will be Bill Lovett, Rick Hudson, Sam Slater, Roger Slater, Josh Norris and Richard Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Lovett and Robert Slater.
Wilma’s visitation will be Friday, May 20, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
The Paris Eagles baseball team rattled off seven straight post-season wins in the district, regional, and state tournaments before losing to last year’s Class 3A state champion, Harding Academy, in the state tournament semifinals last week in Harrison. The Eagles run was bolstered by outstanding play in all phases of the game including pitching, defense, and timely hitting with runners on base. It was a run that was historic in the Paris baseball program, and for the seniors who played their last games of their high school careers, it was a fitting ending for a class of athletes who also had great runs in the Eagles’ football and basketball programs, as well.
The Harding Academy Wildcats are unquestionably, in this writer’s opinion, the best team in Class 3A. In fact, if the Wildcats were forced to play in Class 4A, they may be the best team in that classification as well. In last week’s semifinal game with Paris, the Wildcats pitched University of Arkansas baseball commit, Kade Smith. Smith, a junior who committed to the Razorbacks during his sophomore season, did not give up a hit to the Eagles for the first four innings of his seven inning complete game. And if that was not enough, Smith also showed his dominance offensively by contributing to his own win with a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Harding Academy and Razorbacks baseball commit Kade Smith dominated Paris in the state semis (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)
But although last weekend’s loss was heartbreaking for the Eagles, it was a day in which the players, coaches, and fans could hold their heads high. Paris was a scrappy team that was never out of any game they played, regardless of the score or deficits they may have faced. In fact, the Eagles overcame a five run deficit in the first round of the state tournament to come back to defeat a good Rose Bud team by the score of 8-6. And in a big inning outburst in the second round versus Prescott, the Eagles took the lead for good in the middle innings and defeated the Curley Wolves for the right to move on to the Final Four of the state tournament.
After the heart-stopping win over Prescott in the quarterfinals that saw a big Paris lead shrink to the point that stopper Mason Bradley was called upon to get the final two outs of the last inning, Paris coach Josh Hart commented, “Another awesome win for our boys! They came out swinging it today. This group of young men have no quit in them and that’s what’s special about them. All of their hard work is paying off. We aren’t done yet; still more work to be done. It is one game at a time for us with one goal in mind.”
Paris senior Nate Henderson hustles down the first baseline to beat out a base hit for the Eagles vs. Harding Academy (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)
And as Coach Hart said, this was a very special group of Eagles, and they did not have an ounce of quit in them.
Paris was ranked in the top four in Class 3A for the second half of the season, and finished the season ranked third, as well. All of this despite the Eagles not having a player named to the All-State team with the exception of Duke Walker being named as honorable mention. In this writer’s opinion, it was a slap in the face to Paris, and it is hard to explain why conference coaches and administrators allowed it to happen. But, that may be a story for another day.
RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best
But now the season is over, and the Eagles who finished the season as district tournament champions and regional tournament champions, and made a Final Four appearance in the state tournament, will always be remembered as the most successful baseball players in program history to date. After the loss to Harding Academy, Coach Hart summed up the season and his affection for his players by saying, “This group of guys are so special. They have showed all season that they have no quit in them. During Saturday’s game (vs Harding Academy) we got into an early deficit. They could have easily just quit but they didn’t. They fought tooth and nail until the umpires said “ballgame.” We were being no-hit for most of the game and finally got something going late after freshman Chris Lensing broke up the no-hitter. It was just too little too late. Harding is a good ball club and we gave them everything we had. Mason Bradley (started on the mound the next day vs Harding Academy) gave them all he had and kept us in a position where we could still strike and make a game of it. We never shyied away from them and give it our all. As Coach Crane (former Paris coach) said, “You know what an Eagle does when a storm approaches? When everything else runs and hides and seeks shelter? An Eagle will fly to the highest peak it can find, turn it’s face into the storm and when the words of the storm gets there, the Eagle takes off. It goes into the eye of the storm and soars high! Well, that is this group. They never ran and found shelter; they faced the storm and took it on head first. This group was their divisional (conference) top seed. They are district champs, regional champs, and state tournament semifinalists. What a year they had. I am so proud of each and everyone of them. This season will be one that I remember forever.”
RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best
Yes, it will be a season that the players, coaches, and Eagles fans everywhere will always remember. Congratulations to Paris on an outstanding season, and we look forward to the 2023 baseball Eagles and the next phase of Paris Eagles baseball!
