Tillatoba News

Merry Christmas from our home to yours. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Christmas with your family and friends.

I received a beautiful Christmas card this week from a dear friend, Sandra Craig Anderson, from Acworth, Ga. Sandra lost her only son, Craig W. Anderson, who left his earthly home for his heavenly home on July 6, 2021. On the back of the envelope was written: I’m a broken man, with a broken past, in a dying body. However, grace is holding me together, redeemed my past, and placed me in a new body, The Body of Christ. Craig W. Anderson.

This is so beautiful, I had to share.

The Ross Cousin Christmas party had a great turn out Saturday, December 17, reported  Linda Ross Aldy. Four generations, Linda shared. The grandparents, Melvin and Elise Haraway Ross had seven children. Those children had 20 children including Linda, her siblings and cousins.

“We’ve had a passel and now our children have children. Merry Christmas!” Linda shared.

What a great surprise I had Saturday when my long-time friend, Susan Traywick Bell of Caledonia, came for a visit after having lunch with her sister, Sherry Traywick Bailey in Grenada.

Ginger Harrison says the most exciting news she has for the week is that she has wrapped all the gifts! Said she was usually trying to wrap all of them on the 23rd.

Martha Box said her Texas folks landed at her house for the funeral of Sissy Anderson. They included her brother, Ronnie, and his son, Hank, along with his wife, Lagenda, and the kids.

Martha reported the funeral brought so many loving family members together.
“We talked, shared and played with the kids. They went back Friday,” Martha added.

On Saturday, Martha’s granddaughter, Addie, took her shopping and for lunch. Sunday Martha enjoyed a wonderful church and singing service at Willow Springs AOG.

“GOD is so Good and we will Celebrate the birth of JESUS singing and praising with a quadrillion amens!!!!” Martha said.

Martha’s Christmas Eve supper menu will be tomato gravy, ham and biscuits with sausage gravy  and chocolate gravy. If that makes you all hungry come on by at 5 p.m. invites Martha.

Martha, it sounds better than good.

Faye Hartley had a birthday party for Kristie Saturday night. Attending were Nathan, Rowland, Mary Brett, McLendon and Mark Hartley; Eddie and Vivian Simmons; Donald and Kathy Bloodworth and Beth; and Cody and Hallie Bren Deloach. Lots of food – If you ever go to Faye’s house and leave hungry, it’s your fault!

Happy birthday to Mae Brannon White on the 21st; Steve Bailey and ‘lil Eli Chase Newman celebrate on the 22nd, Angela Purdy and Gene Pollan share a birthday on the 23rd; my son, Derek Deck, shares a birthday on the 24th with Justin Nail, Wayne Langham and ‘lil Lilly Agnes Taylor; and on Christmas Day Harvey Darby celebrates; Kevin Harris and Hayden Jackson celebrate on the 27th; Donnie Dotson, Henry Jackson, Connie Cockerel and son, Casey, and Jean Durham all celebrate on the 29th; and Phillip Cross celebrates on the 30th. I pray you all have a wonderful birthday.

Please pray for Sadie Harper, who had hip surgery Monday morning; for Angela Dukes, who is recovering from surgery; for Otey Dahl, who is very ill at this time; and for Peggy Bailey, who is in rehab recovering from a stroke.
Festus, Ruth Jane and Amanda Haley ate fish Thursday night at the Fish House in Oakland to celebrate their 43rd anniversary. They also attended the Christmas parades  in Oakland and Coffeeville last weekend.

My daughter, Donna Garripoli, granddaughter, Miranda Procella, and great grandson, Bradley Holliday, all from Grenada, visited Sunday afternoon.
Thought for the day… If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Recipe for the week
Wassail Bowl
A good drink to have on hand after being out Christmas caroling or out in the woods finding that perfect Christmas tree if you are waiting to put it up just before Christmas Eve.

 One gallon apple cider
One quart orange juice
One cup lemon juice
One quart unsweetened pineapple juice
24 whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon
I cup sugar
Tie the cloves and cinnamon in a bag. Combine all ingredients and simmer 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon and cloves and serve. Makes 1 1/2 gallons.