Linda Hutchcraft and Richard Montgomery of Poplar Bluff announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage on Aug. 25, 2007, at Fellowship General Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. The wedding ceremony will be performed by Pastor Byron Beck. Following the wedding, there will be a reception at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. Gary and Ruth Garner along with family members will provide jazz music at the reception.

Ms. Hutchcraft is the daughter of the late R. Sessel Hutchcraft and Doris Hutchcraft Owens of Dexter and the step-daughter of Carl Owens of Dexter. She is a graduate of Dexter High School, has an associate degree in nursing from University of Kentucky (Paducah, Ky.), a B.S. from Murray State University (Murray, Ky.), a M.S.N. from Bellamine University (Louisville, Ky.), and a post-master's work in nursing family practice from the University of Missouri -St. Louis. She has worked as a professional registered nurse since 1981 and as a family nurse practitioner in Poplar Bluff for over 11 years. She has been with Dr. Robert Young at Complete Healthcare for Women for the last two years. She has been a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) since 1986, has been an active member of the Stage Company of Poplar Bluff, and is currently the vice-chair of the Rogers Theatre Restoration Board.

Mr. Montgomery is the son of the late John Montgomery and the late Pauline Mongtomery of Jackson, Miss. He is a graduate of Murrah High School in Jackson, has a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, Miss.), and a M.S. in Management and Human Relations from Abilene Christian University at Dallas. He retired from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs after over 30 years service working in Human Resources/Labor/Employee Relations Management. He is currently vice-chair of the Butler County Health Department Board of Trustees, is a member of the SEMO Area Health Education Center (A.H.E.C.), board of directors, a member of the Margaret Harwell Art Museum Advisory Board and a member of the Rogers Theatre Restoration Board. He is a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and is retired from the U.S. Army Reserves.

Ms. Hutchcraft and Mr. Montgomery invite all friends, associates and relatives to join them in a celebration of their marriage on Aug. 25, 2007, and to attend the reception. Their presence is the only present they request for this very special occasion.