The 8th Annual Dumas Chamber of Commerce Corn Supper saw a mixed crowd of dine-in and to-go patrons, Friday, July 8, 2022 at the Dumas Community Center.
Along with good food, the C of C fundraiser announced The Dumas Lions Club Man of the Year as Williams “Dubbs” Byers and the Woman of the Year Cheryl Stimson. Patrons received the chance to bid on Corn-Themed or Dumas-themed items; including embroidered towels, paintings and a floral door hanger. The function served around 800 people.
“It was another great success. We appreciate all the help. We appreciate all of our wonderful volunteers,” Said Judy Day. “We appreciate our sponsors and their continued support they have shown us throughout the last eight years and we hope it continues.” The 2022 Corn Supper boasted 73 sponsors.
Bruce Clark announced the 2022 nominees. Byers received a plaque and a Millers' Mud Tray. Stimson received a silver tray and a Miller's Mud Tray. Byers and Stimson are the first Man and Woman of the Year named, since Heath Moncrief and Lydia Davis were named in 2019. The Farm Family of the Year, The Dunnahoe Family, Chris, Brandy, and son Gabryel Dunnahoe also received a tray along with their title.
As Bruce Clark announced the Man and Women of the Year, he gave a statement to get the crowd guessing, before reading their bios.
“One was born in Arkansas, one wasn't. One graduated from Dumas high school, one didn't.
One graduated from U of A, one didn't. One is a Methodist, and one is a Baptist. One has 2 children and the other one has 3, both have grandchildren. Both have been married to their spouses for a very long time And they both love and care about this community and the people in it. Anyone, know yet?”
The Man of Year's Bio read “Arkansas. He went to school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and UALR. He has 3 children. He is an avid reader. He is often the Good Samaritan, mostly behind the scenes. While soft-spoken, what he has to say is usually very wise. This year's Man of the Year is known by different titles: a husband, a father, a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, a mayor, a pastor, a published author, online gamer #circuitrider999 and a friend. Well, do you have any guesses?”
Our Man of the Year was born and raised in Hope, Arkansas. After college, he served 39 years with the Arkansas Corrections School System. He spent 20 years at the Cummins Unit and 19 years in the central office as superintendent. After his retirement in 2014, he pastored First Baptist Church in Dumas for five years. He currently serves on the Arkansas Board of Corrections, having been appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2015, and reappointed in 2022. He is an active member of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. He has been very instrumental in bringing in help to provide flood relief and mental health relief for members of this community. He and his wife, Jane, have three grown sons: Jared, Joseph, and Jonathan, and seven grandchildren. He and Jane have been residents of Gould, Arkansas, since 1975. And on Aug. 19 will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Ladies and Gentlemen, our 2022 Man of the Year is Dr. William Cummings "Dubs" Byers, EdD.
The Woman of the Year Bio read: So, I will be vague again. This year's Woman of the Year was not born in Dumas either. She did graduate from Dumas High School but left the state for college. She has 2 children and her husband is a farmer.. Active throughout the years in many civic organizations, she is an entrepreneur and an advocate for the citizens of this community. This year's Woman of the Year has been a wife, a daughter, a mother, a boss, a craft-fair chairman, a den mother, and a friend. Do you have any guesses with this one?
This year's Woman of the Year was born in Monroe, Louisiana and moved to Dumas with her parents when they went into partnership at Meador Pharmacy. After attending Northeast Louisiana University, she began practicing pharmacy at Meador. Often a relief pharmacist throughout south Arkansas, her people skills showed off her caring attitude and compassion. She served as pharmacist in charge at the old Delta Memorial Hospital, Wal-mart, and Fred's. She served many years on the Family Life Committee and other committees at Dumas First United Methodist Church with her husband. Together, with Jon and Ann Walters, they helped re-establish the Cub Scout/Boy Scout program. She served many years as a member of the Women's Service League and actively supports many community
events.
In 2019, our Woman of the Year boldly took a giant leap of faith and founded Dumas Family Pharmacy. When Covid appeared a short time later, she embarked on her most ambitious endeavor of all, providing vaccinations. She obtained the required equipment for her store and training for her staff. For almost 2 years now, she and her staff have worked non-stop providing over 10,450 vaccinations at community wide vaccination clinics and at the pharmacy. Married 39 years, she and her husband, Bob, live in his family home and continue farming the family farm. They have 2 children: Charles Robert and Hannah and 2 grandchildren. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat, our 2022 Woman of the Year is Cheryl Rector Stimson.
