Twenty-Six Hopeful Gridders Start Spring Practice In 1956
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Yalobusha County Sheriff Lloyd Defer (center) presents “Honorary Junior Deputy Sheriff” membership cards to Joey Story (left) of Water Valley and Joe Walker of Horn Lake after the two boys reported finding stolen merchandise hidden in an unusual location. Their tip led to the recovery of more than $1,000 in goods taken in a local robbery the week before.
20 Years—March 2, 2006 – Two members of the 1959-60 Water Valley Devilettes, Anne Babb and Julia Thompson, reminisced about that year and their trip to the state tournament in an interview with Herald Sports Editor William Browning.
Betty and Larry Hart provided the entertainment for the Historical Society’s meeting by giving a history of Water Valley from its early days to the present.
Awards presented at the Agricultural Banquet included: Farmer of the Year, Frank Wooten for his row crop and trucking operation; James Edwards, Commitment to Agriculture; the late Herman White’s name was added to the Yalobusha Hall of Fame; and Steve Cummings, Commitment to Agriculture.
Jeffrey Vance was pictured preparing to fire one from the mound during a game against North Pontotoc. Vance split time between short stop and the mound. Even though the season was just beginning the Devils were off to a great start at 4-0.
30 Years—February 29, 1996 – Local winners in District 5 Distributive Education Clubs of American (DECA) at a conference held at Northwest Community College’s Desoto Center recently were: Stacey Hollowell, 1st place, Hospitality and Tourism; Heather Davis, 3rd place, Retail Merchandising, Associate Level; John Hernandez, 2nd place, Quick Stop Restaurant Management; Casey Hart, 2nd place, Finance and Credit; Johnny Caldwell, 1st place, Vehicles and Petroleum Marketing; and Raymond Carr, 1st place, Full Service Restaurant Management. These students were now entered in state competition.
Mrs. Gladys Tipler’s 1956 Bel Air Chevrolet carried her pallbearers from Browning Funeral Home to Oak Hill Cemetery. Odie Shuffield was the driver. He had maintained the automobile for many years.
Julia Massey was named on the Blue Mountain College’s Honor Roll for the first semester of the 1995-96 session.
The local Anchor Club met in the home of Pam Sutherland with Christy Wilbourn and Alicia Sprouse as co-hostesses. The main item of discussion was that the Water Valley Club would be co-hostess for the district convention.
40 Years—March 6, 1986 – Melvin Burgess, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norwood Burgess, received a presidential scholarship to Tougaloo College, based on his ATC score.
A grand opening for the new Joy SuperStore, managed by Greg Jones, was held. Mayor Hamric Henry cut the ribbon as many store employees, customers, and friends watched.
The Water Valley semi-pro basketball team, coached by Freddie Folson won the Yalobusha County Tournament.
Mr. and Mrs. Aubry Pendergrass were to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on March 8.
Stan True’s Short Shots Column announced that the spring turkey season would open March 22.
Water Valley Lady Blue Devils selected All-Conference were Jackie Taliferro, Angela Gordon and Pam Campbell.
Blue Devils named to All-Conference were Tony Hughes and Melvin Holmes.
50 Years—March 4, 1976 – U.S. Representative James L. Whitten was seeking re-election for the First Congressional District of Mississippi.
The Water Valley Jaycees were recognized as the number one chapter in the state. Attending the State Winter Board Meeting were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Flowers, Mr. and Mrs. Hal McKay, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hollister, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Person, John Hollister, Paul Pittman, Jerry Jones, and Sherry Johnson.
In the State Band Solo and Ensemble Meet, Water Valley High School Band members rated high. Earning Superior Ratings were: Cindi Pittman and Mary Beth Knight, flute duet; Ginny Carothers and Benjy Gurner, clarinet duet; Missy Davis, Denise Tidwell and Pam Potts, clarinet trio.
Hon. Todd McCullough of Pope, long-time representative of the district which included the Water Valley area, was honored by the legislature for his many years of service.
60 Years—March 3, 1966 – Mrs. Mildred Hamilton was presented a “Life Member- ship” in the Telephone Pioneers of America at a dinner honoring her on her retirement as Chief Operator at Water Valley. The presentation was made by her brother, Tommy Tucker, service foreman for Southern Bell at Oxford.
Mrs. P. S. McCain completed 21 years as a “Country Correspondent” for the North Mississippi Herald.
SFC Hollis C. Dollar, a Korean veteran, was stationed in Water Valley as a new recruiter.
J.B. Massie’s Big Jeff, a hard working, setter, was entered in the Wildlife Field Trials in LaGrange, Tenn.
Sgt. William E. Jolly, son of Mrs. Henrie Dickey, was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Viet Nam.
Honor students at Mississippi State University included John Stokely, Sidney Elliott, and Janice Dollahite.
Six Yalobusha students are enrolled at Memphis State for the spring semester. They are: William D. Beck and Jesse Pinckney Hart, III, both of Water Valley; Morton Charles Gordon and Suzanne Peeples Love, both of Coffeeville; Mary Ann Harrison of Scobey; and Linda Hartly Spence of Tillatoba.
Airman Tommy H. Smith of Coffeeville has been selected for technical training at Lowry AFB, Colorado.
70 Years—March 1, 1956 – At a meeting of the Yalobusha County Sports- mens Club, held in Massie Insurance Agency, W. G. “Red” Cotton was elected to serve as president for the coming year. Vice-president elect was Bill Nolen and Bailey Baddley was elected secretary/treasurer.
Coach Bob Cire welcomed 26 hopeful gridders as the Water Valley Blue Devils football team opened spring practice. The schedule for the 1956 season included Oakland, Senatobia, Sardis, Crenshaw, Batesville, Hernando, Holly Springs, Horn Lake and Olive Branch.
S. E. Stafford, depot agent at Goodman for the past 35 years, will succeed W. S. Caldwell in Water Valley. The appointment was made by the ICRR.
Pictured was the new National Guard Armory, scheduled to be built in Water Valley on HIghway 315, north of the city recreation park.
The Water Valley National Guard Unit recruited 24 new guardsmen in a special drive. Among the new recruits were David Vaughn, Jerry Miller, Paul Shearer, Bobby Cox, James Dickey, Bobby Wilbourn, and Wayne Harris.
80 Years—March 7, 1946 – June Ann Shaw of Coffeeville received a $5 prize for winning the 4-H Club Dress Revue, held in the Grand Theatre at Water Valley. Jeanne Burns of Oakland and Annie Mae Terrell of Jeff Davis tied for second place and their prize was $2.50 and a pair of nylon hose.
In the “News of Our Men and Women in Uniform” column were: Elmo Bagguley, Navy EM 2-c; James L. Hudson, Sgt. in the Air Force; James H. Harmon, Pfc in the Army; Jessie Webb, Seaman 2-c; Richard F. Johnson, Army Quarter- master Corps; Carl E. Pruett, Army Quartermaster Corps; and B. H. Rogers, boat- swain’s mate 1-c, aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Bennington at Pearl Harbor.
I. T. Westmoreland’s picture studio on Central Street was now open for business.
The Garden Club of Water Valley met in the home of Mrs. George Wagner. Co-hostesses were Mrs. Fred Kendrick, Mrs. Robert Halliwell, and Miss Jessie Wagner.
The program on conservation was presented by “Doc” Hamner, district forest ranger, and Major Hal Buchanan, Northeast Forester Mississippi.
Water Valley Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s ad stated, “That’s it….Have a Coca- Cola…all in the spirit of friendliness.” Cokes were five cents each.
