Look Back in Yalobusha History
Blackmur Became New Name For Cemetery Street In ‘57
10 Years—October 4, 2007
Long-time BorgWarner employee, J. C. Womble as a clown, entertained six-year-old Carson Hervey at the employees family picnic.
The Water Valley School softball booster club is working hard to build a home field in time for the Lady Devils opening for the season in February. Heading the project were Frank and Brad Brooks and John Lewis, along with Softball Coach Shane Brown.
In a beauty pageant, Austin Mills was selected Miss Yalobusha County; Terri Lynn Harris, first runner-up; Dequrisha Perry, second runner-up; and Steffi River, third runner-up.
Former beef plant operator, Richard Hall, Jr., was sentenced on state charges Friday in a trial held in the Panola County Courthouse, bringing to a quiet end his role in the failed venture.
A state grant was approved for work on infrastructure improvements at Windsor Quality Foods in Oakland (former beef plant).
In a formal ceremony a yellow magnolia was planted in memory of Mary Lou (Harold) Williams beside the Blackmur Memorial Library. Attending the ceremony were Harold Williams, Cathy Williams, Cathy Ward, Betty Baker, Vicki Beyer, and Sandy Beyer.
The Water Valley High School Blue Devils fell by six points (12-18) to West Tallahatchie.
20 Years—October 9, 1997
Bro. Ferman Anderson, minister of First Christian Church, began his 33rd year in Water Valley.
The Water Valley Booster Club named officers for the ’97-’98 School Year. Bobby Murphy will serve as president; Jim Dicky, vice-president; Zandra Walker, secretary; Dreva Dickey, treasurer; and Jeanette Whitehead, publicity chairman.
The Blue Devils lost a tight game, 3-0, to the Senatobia Warriors. Captains for the game were seniors Dwight Bell, Kris White, Michael Rhyne, and John Walker.
Test results released by the State Department of Education indicated Water Valley students continue to do well in all subjects.
Pictured is Faith Christian Academy Warriors back, John Putman, getting instructions from his coach, Tim Kilpatrick, during a game against the Amory Lions, which the Warriors won, 31-19.
The Lady Devils beat Coldwater, 13-3, in their final softball game of the season.
30 years—October 8, 1987
Nearing completion, the construction on Water Valley’s new wastewater treatment facility and renovation of the existing sewage lagoon was shown in an aerial photo taken by Craig Hart and Eddie Magee.
Water Valley Elementary School’s 4th grade classes presented a Halloween musical, “The Wizard Who Almost Stopped Halloween.” Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to purchase furniture and teaching supplies.
The Water Valley Blue Devils won (19-0) over the tough Houston Hilltoppers.
Allison Lewis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis, was selected for membership in Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity at the University of Mississippi.
Tina Hill, age 14, and Tom Hill, age 12, children of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hill, were to perform in the “Best of Yalobusha County,” to be held in the Water Valley City Auditorium.
Melissa Romberger was elected treasurer of the Northwest Federation Chapter, Future Farmers of America.
Mr. and Mrs. William Allen were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary in the home of Edward and Vicky Allen, with Terry and Faye Allen as co-hosts.
Bennett Crow and John Walker, participating in a karate tournament in Greenville, won first place in their respective divisions.
40 Years—October 6, 1977
Yalobusha County Tax Assessor/Collector Guy Dale Shaw was shown properly affixing the new decal to a license plate. A new tag will be issued every five years, with only the decal replaced on the other four years. He reports that the decals, even though they look fragile, are made to withstand the year’s wear.
City of Water Valley tax reports showed a nice gain for the period through September, 1977, compared to the same period in 1976.
The strong Bruce Trojans racked up 38 points to only eight for the Blue Devils for a crushing win on the home field Friday night.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bill McMinn honored them with an open house on their 25th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Binford Turnage and Mrs. J. W. Winburn were hostesses for the first meeting of the year of Town & Country Garden Club.
Doctor Frank McClain, son of Mrs. Kate Rochester of Water Valley, was installed as Rector of Christ Church in Winnetka, Ill.
Big Yank Superintendent Hubert Sanders presented 25-year pins to Kenneth Latham, Lois Pate, Bill Hudson, Harold Jaudon, Mike Callahand, Harold Baggett, Archie Thompson, Della Denley, Wilma Hudson, Bessie Person, and Edna Harmon.
50 Years—October 5, 1967
Rev. Sam Hull announced that First Methodist Church was planning to add new Sunday School classrooms and other facilities.
Mrs. Ollie Coker was the first retiree from Big Yank Corporation. She began work when Rice-Stix first came to Water Valley as a trainee in the old City Auditorium.
Wiley’s Drug Store was burglarized and an attempt was made on Liberty Cash.
The Water Valley High School Blue Devils defeated Holly Springs Tigers, 28-7, on the home field for their third Chickasaw Conference win. Steve Dickey led the Devils’ scoring with a pair of tallies and Bill Harris and Luther Fortinberry added one touchdown each.
Binnie Turnage, president of the Water Valley Jaycees, presented a Ram drill to James Antell of Burlington, Vermont, president of the U.S. Jaycees during the national convention.
Stan’s Short Shots writer Stanley True reported that the author and a friend, Edd Latham, went for a very cold swim when their boat overturned on Enid Lake.
Included in this issue of the Herald was one of the famous full page “The Boss is Out of Town Sale” ads for Parker’s 5 & 10c Ben Franklin Store.
Blu’s Musings by Bluford McCullar stated that Blu is batching because bass or biting and Mildred (his wife) and Lottie (Johnsey) are off to “Get’em”.
60 Years—October 3, 1957
Blackmur is the new name for Cemetery Street by action of the City Board of Aldermen. The Board deferred action on parking meters and on the intention to call an election in regard to the building of a swimming pool.
The skating rink, located in the Community Recreation Park, was scheduled to be open each Friday and Saturday night.
O. J. Gregory was named new Red Cross Chairman for Yalobusha County.
Listed in the Yalobusha Men in Service Column were: David Greer, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Greer, Sr.; Charles Harris, Seaman USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Harris; S-Sgt. Samuel G. Allen, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, has been assigned to the 2585th Air Reserve Flying Center in Miami; and Clay Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Duard Davis, has enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
The Blue Devils will play at Hernando Friday night. The open date was caused by Batesville having two games left in Delta Valley play and one had to be made-up on the scheduled Batesville/Water Valley scheduled date.
70–Years—October 9, 1947
Gilda Lynn Jones won state-wide honors when her two year-old Jersey cow was judged Grand Champion at the Mississippi State Fair. The judge stated that her animal was one of the best he had ever seen.
The lawyers in Water Valley formed an association to be known as “Water Valley Bar” and elected John Horan, chairman, and John Throop, Jr., secretary.
Eddie Blackmur, president of the Yalobusha County Fair and Livestock Show, urged everyone to attend the fair. Admission was set at 15 and 25 cents.
Report of the football game was by Mim Carpenter and she said: “Murder? Yes! It took place at Hendrick’s Field October 3, 1947. Water Valley mortally wounded Horn Lake by a score of 31-0.”
Editing Station JDHS was Virginia Wilbourn, newspaper for Jeff Davis High school, which was included in the Herald.
Miss Kitsy Bailey of Oxford, “Miss Mississippi,” was pictured on a boat in Sardis Lake. She was wearing a bathing suit even though the weather was way too cold for swimming, but she stated it was fine for fishing or just for a boat ride.
