Cross County Bank

A1f Taylor Barnette, Sr. was born 26 January 1940 in Jackson, Tennessee, the son of A. J. and Sue Barnette. He had one sister, Patsy.

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Carras J. Prater was born 16 June 1920 in Pontotoc, Mississippi. He entered the Army 24 January 1942 at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. He had been a general clerk prior to entering military service. He trained as a military policeman and was assigned stateside until he departed for overseas. He left the States 11 August 1944 and arrived at the European Theater of Operations 22 August 1944. His military occupation specialty was Military Police 677. He was assigned to Company D, 751st Military Police Battalion as a MP. Carras fought in two of the critical battle areas of the war, the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign. After being in Germany only two months, Carras sustained serious wounds on 29 December 1944. He continued to serve in Europe and departed for the States 12 November 1945 and was discharged 16 November 1945 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He was awarded the Purple Heart per General Order 19, Headquarters 121st Group Headquarters 26 October 1944; the Rhineland Campaign Ribbon; the Central Europe Campaign Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.

Don Carlos Page was born 14 December 1945 in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, the son of Amos and Ruby J. Walls Page. He has two brothers: R. A. and Everet Lee and one sister, Mary. He completed his public education at the Cherry Valley and Wynne, Arkansas Schools. Prior to entering military service, Don worked in a factory. Don entered the Army 3 July 1968 at Memphis, Tennessee and the list of his commendations and medals reveals his varied duty assignments. These include the National Defense Service Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star and one Bronze Service Star; the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm; the Bronze Star Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); the Air Medal; the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device and a Purple Heart. His last overseas service was in Vietnam. When his enlistment ended in April 1970, Don re-enlisted.

Donald (Don) Eugene Smith was born 19 January 1931 at Newport, Arkansas, the son of Benny and Evelyn Forbes Smith. He had one brother, Marcus L. Don graduated with honors from the Newport High School in 1948. He played professional baseball before entering military service. Don entered the Navy 6 January 1951 and attended radar school on Treasure Island, California and CIC School in San Diego, California. He served on the USS Sicily 1951 -1952 and the USS Point Cruz 1953 -1954. Don was a member of the crew (during Operation Platform in 1953) that adopted a baby. That true story entitled "1,000 Men and a Baby" was made into a movie and first aired on CBS. Its, also, interesting to know that Don's brother, Marcus, served on the USS Sicily with him and they were transferred together to the USS Point Cruz. Don was discharged 29 October 1954 and received the Korean Service Medal with two Stars; the National Defense Medal; the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Following his discharge, Don was employed as the janitor at the Newport Federal Savings and Loan Association, Newport, Arkansas and progressed upward until he became the President and Chief Executive Officer. He gives the G.I. Bill the credit for his first job with that institution. Don retired 31 December 1992 and moved to Wynne, Arkansas in April 1993. He married Vernell Brown. Don has two sons by a previous marriage: Don Eugene, Jr. and Benjamin Winfield. Don has always been active in community affairs wherever he lived. Some of these are Past President of the Newport Lions Club and the White County Abstract and Realty Company; Director of Arkansas Financial Services; the Newport United Way Campaign; the Newport Little League and American League Baseball Committee. He is Past master of the Rensellear Vann Lodge #494 in Wynne; a Past Patron of the Wynne Chapter 399 and Newport Chapter 417 Order of the Eastern Star and the 2000 "Grand Chapter Dad". Don is a 32 Scottish Rite Mason in West Memphis.

Doyl served in the Army from 5 October 1942 to 1 February 1946. He served in Induction Station in Little Rock and camps in Texas and Louisana. His last assignment was in Hq Co #1, IARTC Camp Livington, Louisiana. After coming home to Wynne, he joined the staff of the First National Bank, starting as Bookkeeper, then Cashier, then President and then Chairman. During his career, Doyl has served as President of the Arkansas State Bankers' Association; President of the Junior Bankers Association; President of the Cross County Industrial Cooperation Association from 1965 to 1994; is Past-President of the Wynne Rotary Club and the Wynne Chamber of Commerce and the Chairman of the Cross County Board of Education since 1948. Doyl is the City Treasurer of Wynne and has been since July 1961. He has been Clerk of the Session of the Wynne Presbyterian Church for the past 20 years. Doyl is now retired and enjoys gardening, traveling, and decorating his home for the Christmas holidays.

In February 1942, during World War II, Erskine joined the Navy as a Lieutenant (j.g.). He was assigned to LST 548 as Commanding Officer and served two and a half years overseas in the Mediterranean, North African, Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. In 1946, he was placed on inactive status as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserves. On December 15,1948, Erskine married Ann Varee Bogard and they had two sons, Ruskine, and Andrew, and two daughters, Ann Varee "Cherry" and Mary Margaret "Peg." Always vitally interested in civic affairs, Erskine aided in the organizing of the Wynne Chamber of Commerce and was elected its first president. He served as Chairman of the Board of the First National Bank; was a member and past president of Wynne Rotary Club and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Horses were his cherished pastime. Together with his wife, Ann, he was actively involvled with Tennessee Walking Horses. The above information was taken from Robert Chowning's History of Cross County dated April 1955 and his obituary in the 2 May 2003 issue of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Erskine Boyce Falls died 29 April in Memphis, Tennessee where he had lived since 1998. He was buried in Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne, Arkansas.

Fred Cooper Fowler, Jr. was born 3 December 1928 in Blytheville, Arkansas, the son of Fred Cooper and Luella Barnett Fowler. He grew up with three brothers, Billy B., Jere, and Joe, and one sister, Elizabeth Ann. Fred graduated from Blytheville High School and worked as a vehicle mechanic. Fred began his service 19 December 1950. After basic training, he served in Korea and earned the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal. He was discharged 18 September 1952. Fred married Louise Lessenberry and they had two children, Benne Elaine and Robert Lee. Fred was employed as a service manager .

Brenner. He graduated from Parkin High School, attended Marion Military Institute (1 year) and the U. S. Naval Academy (3 years). Fred married Beatrice Phillips and their two daughters are Valerie Jeane and Karen Marie. Fred graduated from the U .S. Naval Academy on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) and served aboard the USS Quincy until September 1944. He took President Franklin D. Roosevelt overseas to the Yalta Conference, January 1945. Fred went to the Pacific Area via Panama Canal, February 1945 where he participated in the Okinawa invasion, Apri1 1945. He participated in first coastal bombardment of Honshu, Main Japanese Island, July 1945. He was then anchored in Tokyo Bay for Peace Signing, 1 September 1945. He spent flight training through basic at Corpus Christi, Texas, from January 1946 to August 1947. He resigned his commission August 1947 but was recalled for the Korean Conflict, from November 1952 to December 1953. He served aboard the USS Manchester during

Howard Foster Hall was born 27 March 1913 in Wynne, Arkansas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Hall. Howard was a student at Wynne High School. After his schooling, he was employed as a railroad brakeman. On 8 July 1936, he married Dorothy Fountain and only child is Kenneth Howard Hall. Howard entered the Coast Guard 18 May 1942. He received training at St. Louis Franklin Technical Institute at Boston, Massachusetts, where he specialized in warfare. After 3-1/2 years of meritorious service in the Coast Guard, Mate Hall was honorably discharged 3 October 1945. Among his rewards, he holds the theater denoting his service and a Marksmanship Medal. Returning home, Howard went back to work for the MoPac Railroad and worked there until his retirement. Howard was a Scottish Rite Mason, who was honored with of their highest honors by being made a 33rd degree Mason. He was well known for his inspirational delivery of the Masonic funeral rites, and always had more requests than could fill. He was a active member of the First United Methodist Church and

James Jennine "Jim" Burns was born 13 December 1925 in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Noah William and Carrie Smith Bums. He grew up in a family that included one brother and three sisters: Fern; Wanda, Shirley and Roy. Jim attended schools in Chicago, Illinois and Tilton, Arkansas and worked in the timber industry before his military career . Jim was inducted into the Navy II July 1942 and after boot training, he served on the USS FANSHAW BAY. His ship was a premier WW II Flagship with Admiral C.A.F . "Ziggy" Sprague in command. Jim participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (in the Philippines) which began on 25 October 1944 and was the largest battle in Naval history . Jim earned five Battle Stars, two U.S. Presidential Unit Citations and one Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. He was discharged 3 November 1945. Jim married Wilma Bums and they are the parents of Gary, Mark, Sherry and Brian. After the war Jim was employed as a supervisor in a manufacturing plant. He is now retired and lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

James Wendell Carman, Jr. was born 4 February 1929 at McGhee, Arkansas, the first child of James W., Sr. and Dimple M. Carman. He grew up with two younger brothers, Bobby and Jerry. He was a 1947 graduate of Wynne High School and received a B.S. degree in Physics and Chemistry at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Arkansas. No information, other than the dates given above, is available concerning James' military service. James married Charlene B. He has been employed as a chemist at the Lone Star Ordnance Plant in Texarkana, Arkansas; been Chief of Quality Control, Victor Metals; Director of Quality Control at Yale and Town and is owner of Wonder State Industries in Little Rock and Dallas. James enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.

His family has three generations of military veterans including his grandfather, John J. Hess, who served in the U. S. Army during World War I.

John was inducted into the Army Air Force 4 March 1942 and took his basic training in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was assigned to Scott Field, Illinois where he served as a radio operator and mechanic. His job was the inspection, maintenance and operating of air to ground and ground to ground receivers and transmitters. John was discharged 17 November 1945. John went back to working in the lumber industry in Ashland, Oregon. He and Clara raised five children, Robert, Patricia, Betty, David and Laurence. In 1955, they moved to Arkansas and John began farming rice and soybeans. His hobbies were reading, wood working and gardening.

Olive Marion Robinson Dye was born 6 January 1924 in Wynne, Arkansas, the daughter of James 0. and Rosa Barnes Robinson. She has three sisters: Frances, Muriel and Alice. Marion graduated in May 1942 from the Parkin High School, Parkin, Arkansas. She was employed in Memphis, Tennessee from 3 January 1942 until she enlisted in the Navy on 10 June 1944. Marion received her basic training at Hunter College, Bronx, New York and in August 1944 was transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana where she worked under the WAVE Commander of the 8th Naval District. In February of 1946, she was transferred to the United States Naval Barracks, Washington, D.C. for a few months. Her final assignment was at the United States Annex, Arlington, Virginia. Marion was discharged on 9 August 1946. She received the Victory Ribbon and the American Campaign Ribbon E. She says she enjoyed the time she was in service; meeting new friends and performing the duties she was assigned. Since her discharge she has worked as a ballroom dance instructor, bookkeeper and secretary. Her last place of employment was with J. C. Penny Company in Shreveport, Louisiana from which she retired after 24 years on I July 2000. Marion has been married for 53 years to Lamar Jessie Dye and they had three children: Randy; Richard and Robin. Marion and Lamar live in Shreveport and she enjoys reading, attending movies and her fami1y.

Morgan Lee (Toad) Brown was born 21 January 1933 in Caldwell, Arkansas, the son of Raymond R. and Verna L. Holman Brown. He grew up with a half brother, Harry Fussell and with six brothers and sisters: William T., Rudolph L., Lyle J., Martha, Retha and Nona Fay. He attended school at Forrest City, Arkansas and worked on a farm and cut timber . Morgan was inducted into the Army 16 March 1953 and served until 30 April 1975. His tour of duty included foreign service in Alaska, Okinawa, Korea and Germany. He received two Army Commendations. Morgan married Emma Yvonne France and they had three children: Kevin, Walter and Patricia. He lives near Wynne, Arkansas and is an appliance repair technician.

Richard Melvin "Dick" Duncan was born 27 May 1920, one of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt C. Duncan. Richard; his father; his two brothers, John A. and Hoyt; and his sister, Christie, moved to Arkansas in 1931. He was educated in the Wynne Public School System and graduated in 1941. During high school, he was a star football player. After high school, he worked at various jobs in Wynne. He was employed by Kernodle Funeral Home and later worked at Burnett Service Station. Richard entered the Air Force 24 January 1942 and was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for his basic training. He became a member of the Aviation Cadet Program in June 1943 and remained a cadet until September 1944 when he was transferred back to the infantry . Arriving in Naples, Italy in December 1944, he served more than 13 months overseas. He took part in the North Apennines and Po Valley Campaigns. Richard was awarded the European Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Ribbon. After serving in combat situations, he served for six months in the Army of Occupation in Austria. He was discharged 22 February 1946. Richard married Ova Bernice Statham and they raised two children, Christie and Vicki. He was employed by the Anderson Clayton Cotton Business and progressed to management positions.

Robert Wayne Chowning was born 22 November 1920 in Wynne, Arkansas, the second child of Cleve Lee and Frances Romaine Edwards Chowning. He grew up with two brothers and two sisters: Warren, Margaret, Gene and Mary Frances. Robert graduated from Wynne High School in the Class of 1939 and continued his education at Arkansas Tech, Russellville, Arkansas. He was employed as a newspaper editor with the Wynne Progress. Robert enlisted in the Air Force 17 July 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee as an Aviation Cadet. He was stationed at SAAAB, Santa Ana, CA; AFTD, Phoenix, Arizona and CAAF , Chico, California and was discharged 4 December 1943 at Douglas Air Field, Arizona. On 5 December 1943 his Army Air Force Service began. His service as a pilot was state-side in several different stations and he was discharged 27 October 1945. Robert married Katie Sisk and they had two children, Diane and Douglas. After the war, Robert returned to Cross County and continued in journalism. In 1955 he wrote and published the "History of Cross County", a reference book still in active use. Earlier he had written and published the "History of St. Francis County." Robert and Katie moved to Magnolia, Arkansas, where he was General Manager of the Banner News until his retirement a few years ago. Bob lists his hobby as reading.

Thomas Darnell "T.D." Hampton was born 12 March 1918 at Colt, Arkansas, the only child of Marcus Lee and Viola Rowland Hampton. Darnell was educated in the Colt, Wynne and Cherry Valley Schools, graduating from Cherry Valley High School in 1936. He attended Capital City Business College, Little Rock, Arkansas from 1936 to 1937. He worked as Parts Manager for Murray Chevrolet Company in Wynne until November 1941.

Dr. Thomas Glenn Price was born 28 July 1907, the son of A.G. and Cora Lee Lawson Price. He was reared in Rogersville, Tennessee, finishing high school there and then attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In 1936, he received his medical degree at the University of Tennessee Medical College in Memphis. On 3 June 1936, he married Winnie Armstrong and they had one daughter, Joan.

Tracy Calvin "T .C." Pulley was born 3 November 1935, the first child of Allen B. and Mab1e What1ey Pulley. He had one brother, Rodney L., and one sister, Clyda M. He attended Hickory Ridge School and worked on a farm. Shortly after his 17th birthday, T.C. signed up with the Navy. 44 months of his service was spent on the USS LST 1134 based in Hawaii. His duties included: electrician, movie operator, gunner on the 20mm gun in underway training and in the battle zone, and operator of the front door and ramp on beach landing craft. His last two years on ship he was in charge of the electrical shop. T .C. was discharged 12 November 1956, having earned the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and Expert Sharpshooter- Rifle. After serving in the Navy, T.C. joined the Arkansas National Guard, SVC. BTRY 709th FA BN (SP), Wynne, Arkansas. He has been employed as a Glass Factory Supervisor in several states. He is divorced and the father of Lora, Roxanne, Tracy, Dennis, Donnie and Traci Leeanne. T.C. lives in Union City, Indiana.