Stories from Thursday, December 6, 2012

By NOREEN HYSLOP Managing Editor Dr. Chris L. Nicastro, Commissioner of Education for the state of Missouri, addressed an audience of Region E school superintendents Wednesday morning during their final gathering of 2012. The meeting took place at Dexter's Hickory Log Restaurant. Approximately 90 administrators and key figures in the educational field across Southeast Missouri were on hand for the meeting...

Just eight families remain on The Daily Statesman's Operation Santa list this holiday season. A total of 50 families have been listed this year. Those who have an interest in adopting one of the remaining families are asked to call The Daily Statesman at 624-4545 or come into the newspaper office at 133 S. Walnut St. in Dexter to obtain the names and further information on the family of choice. The following families remain on the list to be adopted. Included are recent adoptions...

A successful "re-gifting" Christmas program begun three years ago is once again scheduled this holiday season this time with a new name. The program, sponsored by the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter and under the direction of Rachel Watson, has been renamed, "Manger Full of Toys."...

Melissa A. Bell was born Nov. 30, 1972, and died at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Dec. 2, 2012. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Landon James Wilson, 13, of Advance died Dec. 4, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born Feb. 8, 1999, at Poplar Bluff, the son of Joni Wilson. Landon was a student at Parkview State School in Cape Girardeau. He loved being in a pool. He also loved music and being read aloud to. Landon touched the heart of everyone with whom he came in contact...

Roger Kent Wright was born Nov. 10, 1959, and died at Missouri Southern Healthcare Dec. 3, 2012, at the age of 53. Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Stella Simmons was born Aug. 18, 1948, and died Dec. 4, 2012, at her home in Catron, Mo. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Parma, Mo., is in charge of all arrangements.

JoAnn Lowes, 79, of Jackson, formerly of Dexter, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at her home. She was born Feb.15, 1933, in Cape Girar-deau, to L. B. and Mary A. Hinton Crites. She was confirmed Aug. 7, 1952, at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau...

Bob Blair, a resident of rural Dexter was born on June 15, 1935, and died on Dec. 5, 2012, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter at the age of 77. Funeral arrangements are currently incomplete and will be announced later by the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter...

Bob Blair, son of the late John Turner Blair and Myrtle Mae Lynch Blair, was born June 15, 1935, in Henderson, Tenn., and died at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo., on Dec. 5, 2012, at the age of 77. Mr. Blair was a member of the New Hope General Baptist Church near Essex, a retired farmer and a resident of rural Dexter...