Tears Flowed As Bank Of WV Leveled In 1984
The Bank of Water Valley downtown branch, which had survived many turbulent times since it was first occupied in 1891, fell May 17, 1984, wrote Jim Shearer.
It was the victim of the combined forces of tornado, flood and progress.
The old building was torn down as part of a renovation plan for a new, more modern downtown branch.
The eagle was removed before a wrecking ball knocked down the silver peek. Banker Fred Kendrick told the Herald that while plans were not final, the old eagle would be incorporated into the new building.
Workers attempted to collapse the structure using a metal cable, but it took three tries before “the soul of the building seemed to vacate, finally realizing there was no hope left. One brick fell and then a few more. Suddenly the familiar facade bearing the single word ‘BANK,’ crumbled to the asphalt in a twisted heap.”
The old bank was gone, but it sure put up quite a fight, Shearer wrote.
Through The Years From The Herald
• 15 years ago, May 21, 2009 – The Class of 2009 would graduate 79, the largest class in years. Valedictorian was Adrian Tallant and Salutatorian was Amber Burney.
Rev. Dan Dickerson, paster of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church, was pictured with a certificate recognizing his loss of 100 pounds since beginning Weight Watchers.
• 20 years ago, May 20, 2004 – Heading up the Class of 2004 were Valedictorian Wesley McCain and Salutatorian Brooke LeBlanc.
Ludie McGonagill Appleton, 87, affectionately known as Miss Ludie to generations of Water Vallians, passed away May 15.
Lafayette County native Doug Robbins was hired as new head baseball coach at WVHS.
• 30 years ago, May 19, 1994 – WVHS was set to graduate 91 students at the high school gym. Valedictorian was Stacey Avant and Salutatorian was Sholunda Rucker.
• 40 years ago, May 24, 1984 – Rick Parsons was named a director of the prestigious Delta Council at their 49th meeting in Cleveland.
Cindy Fernandez was selected to attend the 1984 session of the Mississippi Governor’s School at Mississippi University for Women.
• 50 years ago, May 23, 1974 – Richard Flowers was named Outstanding Jaycee for the State of Mississippi 1973-1974 at the state convention in Jackson. Binnie Turnage was presented an honorary life membership and the title “Mississippi Jaycee Governor.”
Bill Martindale was pictured with two cabbages, together weighing 25 pounds.
• 60 years ago, May 21, 1964 – Honor grads from the Class of 1964 included Ruth Ann Dickey, Elsie Davis, Claudine Rogers, Kay Tyler, Eleanor Nelson, Jeannie Barron, Nancy Spears, Tommy White, Rod Childress, Rosa Ruth Burns, Janice Dickey, Ronny Scarbrough, Yvonne Shields and Peggy Arrington.
Joy Person and Carol Bell were winners in the State Junior College Tennis Tournament.
• 70 years ago, May 20, 1954 – Mayor O. T. Hamner was challenging Water Valley’s citizens to help find ways to build more houses in the city for newcomers. Currently many new people had to rent in order to find a place to live.
• 80 years ago, May 18, 1944 – C. C. Vaughn was fined $300 and given a sentence of 30 days in jail by City Police Judge Walter Hunter. The sentence was the aftermath of the arrest of Vaughn when officers made a search of his premises and found a quantity of whiskey, rum, and home brew.
Nationwide, churches announced plans to open their doors as soon as it is learned that the invasion of Europe had started. Rev. E. H. Cunningham, pastor of First Methodist Church of Water Valley, has made the suggestion that people not wait for the invasion to start. “Begin now to pray for the success of the invasion and for Divine protection of our men.”
