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Look Back At Yalobusha History

10 Years—Jan. 15, 2009 – Derrick Surrette, son of Mr. and Mrs. Butch Surrette, has been hired as the new Executive Director of Mississippi Association of Supervisors.

An eight-member team from Mississippi Main Street Association held a Charrette (town hall style meeting) with about 90 people attending, including Mayor Bill Norris. No city aldermen were present.

Hopewell Baptist Church on County Road 95 suffered a break-in where electronic equipment and other miscellaneous items were taken. Sheriff Lance Humprheys speculated this burglary could be connected to the break-ins in a 15-county area last summer.

Cage Sumner, 12, killed his first deer the day after Thanksgiving. He is a son of Kerry and Jeremy Sumner of Water Valley.

A Water Valley Board of Aldermen meeting had to be rescheduled due to aldermen not showing  up. Only Mayor Bill Norris and Alderman Lance Clement were present.

The Lafayette Street Bridge was nearing completion.

Nakia Kimble of Coffeeville, Joseph Bozone of Tillatoba and Haley Mitchell of Scobey were named to the President’s List at Delta State University.

20 Years—Jan. 21 1999 – Lions District Governor Bill Norris and his wife, Mary, were hosts for the District Meeting held in Grenada. Also attending from Water Valley were Dr. Rayford Edgar and his wife, Teresa.

Water Valley Junior Auxiliary announced plans for the first “Crown Gala” to be held February 27. Committee members were Stephanie Defer, Glenda Gordon, Angie Hodge, Missy Kimzey, Allison Larson, Jo Lewis, Amy McMinn and Jill Sharp.

Water Valley native Joel  Clements was named CEO of the Waynesboro Bank.

Stacy VanCanneyt Ferris, a 1994 graduate of Water Valley High School, presented her Senior Recital in Meek Hall on the University of Mississippi Campus. Her parents are Clifford and Judy VanCanneyt of Oakland.

Air Force Airman Kristopher White, son of Wanda and Woodrow Daniels of Water Valley, was on duty at Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia.

Carothers Construction, Inc. President Sean Carothers announced the opening of a  new office in Jackson.

The annual Wildlife Tasting Buffet was scheduled in the Water Valley National Guard Armory in February. Paul Brown, brother of Water Vallian Marion Brown, acclaimed wildlife photographer and outdoor writer, was to be the featured entertainer and speaker.

30 Years—Jan. 19, 1989 – Roy M. (Mickey) Aldy, new Ward Four Alderman, was administered the oath of office by Mayor Hamric Henry, while Mickey’s wife, Cathy, looked on.

Michael Glick was selected as Holley’s January employee of the month. He, his wife, Judy, and their children live in Water Valley and he worked as an Assembly Set-Up in Department 219.

Ernest P. Aune, president of The Mechanics Savings Bank, reported record attendance at the annual stockholders meeting.

Scott Martin, senior offensive lineman at Delta State University and son of Jake and Sarah Martin of Coffeeville, was named to the M11 All-Gulf South Football Team.

Bruce Gurner was pictured with a 350-pound wild board killed by his son, Richard, while hunting on private land near Port Gibson. It was a Russian boar and several of these animals had been released in southern states over the past 30 years.

Gloria Joy, daughter of Bertha and Lewis Joy of Water Valley, has completed  an Army Administration Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

40 Years—Jan. 18,  1979 – Water Valley Band members who earned chairs in the Mississippi All-State Honor Band were: Jim Shearer, 1st Chair, tuba; Bobby Beaver, 5th Chair, percussion; Benjy Gurner, 7th Chair, clarinet; and Paul Forsyth, 9th Chair, trumpet. Dr. Joe Barry Mullins was the clinician for the band and Charles Ellington, director of the Corinth Band, was the Honor Band Chairman.

Water Valley mailed the first billing cards for the electric department and advised customers to contact the Electric Department if they fail to receive their bill by January 22.

Bonnie Newman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Newman, was selected to sing in the All-State Chorus. Mrs. Ruth Keyes, Water Valley Public School Music Instructor, was to accompany her on the trip.

 

Pvt. Jerry Saxton, son of Doug Saxton of Water Valley and Peggy Lipsey of Clinton, completed a jungle training Course in the Panama Canal Zone.

The Bank of Water Valley, the oldest bank in Yalobusha County, was chosen as Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Member of the Week.”  Pictured were part of the bank’s staff: Fred Kendrick, president; Barron Caulfield, vice-president; Dot Trusty, teller; and Joe Davis, cashier.

50 Years—Jan. 16, 1969 – Eastern Star Officers installed included Donald Parker, Mrs. Louise Chittom, Brooks Chittom, Sheila Riley, Mrs. Jeanene Green, Brenda Parker, Mrs. Lee Hale, Mrs. Grace Elliott, Mrs. Catherine Redwine, Mrs. Marjorie Riley, Mrs. Mildred Lee, Mrs. Inez Miles, Mrs. Delores Barnett, Jesse Ellis, Mrs. Martha Lee Scarbrough, Mrs. Christine Johnsey, Mrs. Grace Harding, and Kate Johnsey.

Capt. David Hale of Memphis was the new Commander of the 410th Headquarter’s Squadron Section Wing. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. David Hale of Water Valley.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferman Anderson’s home was chosen as  “Yard of the Month” by The Garden Club of Water Valley.

The District 2 Class A South Half Basketball Tournament returns to the Water Valley Gym again this year. Coach Truman Sturdivant was in charge. Both Lafayette boys and girls teams are leaders in the district at present.

Bessie Hudson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hudson, pledged Zeta Phi sorority, and Verdia Haywood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Haywood was a pledge for Phi Sigma, a  fraternity, at Alcorn A&M College. Both Hudson and Haywood are graduates of Davidson  High School in Water Valley.

Sheriff L. A. Jones, completing  his first year as Yalobusha County’s Sheriff, was shown with  his staff: Deputy Lloyd Hughes of Coffeeville; deputy and jailer, Earl Barron of Water Valley; deputy Bill Robinson of Water Valley; deputy Charlie Hill of Oakland; and deputy James Williamson of Oakland.

60 Years—Jan. 15, 1959 – The Water Valley Devilettes, coached by Bob Tyler, paced by Margaret Bowles with 22 points and Sue Wright with 14, defeated the Oakland Hornettes by a score of 60-31. Jamie Green and Danny Champion led the Devils with 19 points each, but still lost the game, 58-52, to the Hornets.

The all green arrangement in the Garden Center  was by Mrs. R. S. Halliwell. It was on display in the south show window in the grocery department of Peoples Wholesale. 

Included in the State Highway Department’s schedule of roads to be paved in 1959 was 5.643 miles of Mississippi Highway 330 between Coffeeville and Oakland.

Barbara Sommers of Memphis, who worked with the June Taylor Dancers on the Jackie Gleason Show and has studied under well-known dance instructors in New York City and Chicago, will teach dancing  Saturday Mornings in the Water Valley Skating Rink.

Terry Denley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Denley of Coffeeville, was the only student enrolled at Mississippi College for Women who has made no grade lower than an A. Even with this excellent academic record, Terry is no book worm—her interests include many things ranging from music to fishing.

70 Years—Jan. 20, 1949 – Debris was being removed from the First Methodist Church lot, following the building being destroyed by fire. Plans were underway for future work, including rebuilding, and the members expressed appreciation for all the volunteer help and for monetary donations.

A basketball tournament was scheduled for the Jeff Davis School Gym, announced Supt. E. E. Sanders.

The First Methodist Church W.S.C.S. met in the home of Mrs. Alma Carpenter, with Mrs. W. L. Elkin in charge of the devotional.

The Water Valley School PTA’s regular session was held in the grammar school, with Mrs. Paul  Parker giving the devotional. Mrs. Martha Lee Scarbrough and Mrs. Dessie Caulfield, accompanied by Mrs. J. B. Cowan, entertained with a duet. 

Bob Jones was elected president of the Yalobusha County Farm Bureau for the upcoming year.

The Jeff Davis PTA met for their monthly meeting with Mrs Sidney Wilson, president, presiding. Mrs. Ima Jones, R.N., gave an interesting program on common diseases.

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