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Look Back In Yalobusha History

Petitions Started Circulating A Decade Ago To Push Vote On Beer


10 Years—May 24, 2007 –   Petitions being circulated for the legalization of beer in Water Valley are generating much talk.

   If you plan to eat in Water Valley, come lunch time Friday, you will have a new option for food as a new Subway opens on South Main Street.

  Water Valley High School Valedictorian Chessie Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Clark, addressed a packed house at “Tad” Smith Coliseum on the Ole Miss Campus.

  Low water on Enid Lake and the other three flood control dams in the area triggered the closing of some areas of the Corps lakes.

  Pictured were Patrick Peacock and Ricky Jones as they worked to get new windows in the old Pine Valley School.

  Ray Cox was honored on his special day dubbed “Ray Day” in celebration of his 82nd birthday. Hosting the affair were his five children, their spouses, and the grands.

20 Years—May 29, 1997 –  Nancy Margaret Ray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Ray, was selected as the 1997 Watermelon Queen.

  Top honor students in the Water Valley High School class of 1997 were: Melissa Ann Weaver, valedictorian, and Michelle Glick, valedictorian. Graduating were 84 seniors and other honors students were Chris Terry, Chastity Holister, Joseph Flippin, Nancy Margaret Ray, Lief Tierce, David Peacock, Rhonda Meeks, Ty Edwards, Tracy Sutherland, Yolanda Campbell, Sam Pryor, Jeremy Flippin, Melissa Smith, Bill Pullen, Casey Hart and Allison Pullen.

  The Booster Clubs were having a big yard sale of equipment used during the 1950s and 1970s to benefit their programs.

  Yalobusha students at Northeast, Billy Blount and Joyce Hill, earned positions on the dean’s list for the spring semester.

  Water Valley High School band students, Alicia Sprouse and Rhonda Meeks, were pictured with two new French horns recently acquired by the band.

30 Years—May 28, 1987 – Participants in the opening ceremonies of the Magnolia Youth League were: Bartes Guarr, outgoing league president; Bro. Leland Hurt, Minister of Youth and Music at First Baptist Church; Mayor Hamric Henry; Dr. Joe Walker,  league official; Sandi Loper, 1987 “Miss Hospitality”, who delivered the first pitch; and James “Crip” Tyler, manager of the summer baseball/softball programs.

  Russell “Pee Wee” Sartain was pictured with the “restored” sign for the Water Valley Depot, now being renovated by the Lions Club. Pee Wee made the sign from scratch in his shop on Frostland Drive.

  Paul Wayne Dennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Dennis, won a National Leadership Award.

  Wayne Hatfield was named “Employee of the Month”at Holley Carburetor for the month of May.

40 Years—May 26, 1977 –   Paul Forsyth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Forsyth, and Benjy Gurner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gurner, were joint recipients of the Director’s Award, the highest honor given in junior high.

  Curtis E. Pass Unit 37 of The American  Legion Auxiliary, announced its 1977 selection for Girl’s State: Robbie Wilbourne, daughter of Patsy Denham and  Bobby Frank Wilbourne; Anita Johnson, daughter of Verlin Johnson; Lori Hardy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walt Hardy, Jr.; and Sandy Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Martin.

  Among the University of Mississippi seniors who were student teachers this fall were Sammy Higdon, Jr. of Water Valley and  Linda White of Coffeeville.

   Miss Becky Reid, bride-elect of Dr. Andy Jones, was honored with a tea-shower in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church.

50 Years—May 25, 1967 –   Clyde Pace traveled to Washington to receive an award presented by U. S. Representative Jamie Whitten. Also pictured was Ross Ingram, Yalobusha County farmer and rancher, and Annie Ruth Tipler Watson, Rep. Whitten’s secretary, who is a native of Water Valley.

  Dana Riley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Riley, presented her senior recital assisted by Jennifer Cofer of Water Valley and Sam Pace, Woodie Jones, Joy Arring-ton, Holly Peeples, and Beverly Madison, all of Coffeeville. 

   Members of the American Legion and their wives enjoyed a birthday dinner commemorating the 48th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

   Ruel S. Vaughn, Jr. was promoted to Army Private E-2 at Ft. Benning, Ga.

  Michael Hedges, son of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Hedges, received an award for Leadership Excellence during the University of Mississippi Air Force ROTC Honor’s Day.

60 Years—May 29, 1957 – New officers of the junior auxiliary were: Mrs. Howard Holloway, president; Mrs. Kyle Skinner, vice-president; Mrs. Rayford Edgar, recording secretary; Mrs. Fred Hedges, treasurer; Mrs. James Brown, corresponding secretary; Mrs. M. E. Webb, parliamentarian; and Mrs. Clyde Ray, historian.

  Four grabbers Tom Edwards, Billy Jack Hill, Tommy Hill, and R. L. Williams, caught 114 pounds of catfish (fish weighed 14 to 40 pounds) from Sardis Lake.

  Ten winners at Yalobusha 4-H Attainment Day won trips to Jackson, where they’ll stay in the King Edward Hotel. Earning these state trips were Anita Faye Dorris, Glenda Adams, Julia Faye Hardy, Patricia Simpson, Norma Ann Harris, Sue Kelly, Mary Juanita True,  Virginia Cofer, Alice Johnsey, and Carol Haley.

  There were 40 fires in Yalobusha County in the last 10 months.

70–Years—May 22, 1947 – Earl K. Fly, cashier of the Mechanics Savings Bank, was elected as a director of the Mississippi Bankers’ Association for a five year term at a meeting in Biloxi.

  Twenty-six members of the Class of 1947 at Water Valley High School will receive diplomas May 16. Salutatorian Catherine Edwards will give the welcome and top student, Charles Wright, will deliver the valedictory address.

  Birth’s announced in the “Tomorrow’s Men and Women” Column were: William Spencer Ray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Ray;  William Franklin Humphreys, son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Humphreys; and Raymond Hall, Pullen, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Pullen.

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