Anti-Communist Rally Held In Gym In 1966
Looking Back From 2016
Longtime veterinarian Dr. Stuart Denman was honored for 50 years of caring for animals in Water Valley and Charleston in a feature story published in the Herald in 2016. Denman opened his Charleston practice in 1966 and later opened a second clinic in Water Valley. The story noted that even at age 73, Denman continued working six days a week and had no plans to retire.
He stayed true to that. Denman continued practicing veterinary medicine for nearly another decade, almost until his death on July 8, 2025, at age 82.
20 Years—September 7, 2006 – Yalobusha County Supervisors authorized Hospital Administrator Terry Varner to renovate the county-owned clinic in Coffeeville, formerly owned by Dr. George Armstrong, with the possibility of placing a nurse-practitioner there. Also okayed was the purchase of a new van to transport the elderly.
For the second consecutive year both Water Valley High School and Davidson Elementary School have earned Level 5 Accreditation from the Mississippi Department of Education. Pictured reviewing test scores were Superintendent Sammy Higdon; Jackie Lowery, MCIS; Carol Gary, District Test Coordinator; Dana McConnell, High School Counselor; Linda Williamson, Elementary School Counselor; David Floyd, Educational Technologist; and Suzanne Reed, Elementary Lead Teacher.
An announcement was made that Yalobusha County would see a tax decrease.
Quarterback Jarius Roberson led the Blue Devils to their second straight win, defeating Aberdeen Bulldogs, 36-6.
30 Years—September 12, 1996 – The Water Valley Blue Devils lost a heart-breaker, 16-14, to the Oxford Chargers, in the last three seconds of the game. The Blue Devils defense was led by Sam Pryor, the offense by Bennett Crow, and Josh Thomas was the kicker.
Sheriff Lloyd Defer was pictured with what was estimated at three thousand dollars worth of marijuana, seized in a raid by the sheriff’s department.
Nekesha Rockette, daughter of Shirley Toles and John Rockette, graduated from Northeast Mississippi Community College.
The Lady Devils placed third in the Bruce Tournament Ladies Softball Tournament. Reporting the tournament was Charmie Weeks. Lady Devils pictured are Heather Humphreys and Chastity Hollister at bat, and Angela Weeks, who was ready to catch the ball at second base.
40 Years—September 11, 1986 – Jayne River was a delegate to the Pilot Club’s National Convention, held in Washington, D.C.
Linda Ross Aldy of Jackson has been named executive director of a new state group supporting higher education, “Council for Support of Higher Education in Mississippi.” A Yalobusha native, Aldy is a daughter of Margaret Ross and the late Richard Ross of Oakland.
Sports columnist Hugh Gurner reported that the Blue Devils lost their opener to the Charleston Tigers, 7-0. Coaching the Devils was Terry Allen, who reported good running performances by Craig Hawkins, Bobby Hervey and Terry Sayles.
50 Years—September 9, 1976 – Steve Edwards and Tim Bell were pictured as they congratulated Richie Craven following his scoring the first, and only, touchdown in the junior high game against the Senatobia Warriors. The Warriors also picked up one touchdown, but failed to make their extra point, so the Devils won 8-6. Senatobia was coached by native Vallian, Keny Goodwin, and coaching the Blue Devils was Jimbo Thompson.
The WVHS Blue Devils were defeated by Holly Springs, 14-6. Head coach for the Devils was Water Valley native, Dean Wright. All photos of the game were covered with rain spatters and the report was that all players got a mud bath.
The gates at Enid Dam will be closed for repairs to the stilling basin and baffle blocks in the channel. Fishermen expecting to catch big ones in the outlet channel were told by the Corps that it wasn’t going to happen this year.
Mrs. Ord Shaw of Coffeeville was pictured with fresh blueberries, grown by her husband, which she used to prepare dishes for a demonstration at the Extension Building.
Marty Shaw, daughter of Nancy and Guy Dale Shaw, was selected as Yalobusha County’s Farm Bureau Queen.
60 Years—September 8, 1966 – The Water Valley Blue Devils defeated a weak Coahoma County team Friday night, 33-0. Both teams were members of the Chickasaw Conference. This was the 28th win out of 31 outings, since Coach Bobby Clark became the Devils head coach.
Fonda Wilbourne, son of Robbie and Frank Wilbourne, has earned the title of Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of a West Point CPA firm.
An anti-communist rally is planned for September 27 in the Water Valley High School Gym for the Tri-Lakes Area.
J. T. Williamson was seeking a liquor license. If granted the license he will operate a store in the building formerly occupied by Perkins Supermarket on Blackmur.
An election to determine whether Yalobusha County would issue bonds to finance construction of a plant, where Ram Tool Corporation would manufacture small power tools, was scheduled.
The Herald Office was being moved from 420 Main St. to 500 Main (its home for over 50 years before moving back south to 416 North Main). Pictured with a wrecker, which would move the large four-page newspaper press, Edward Shearer, editor, Herald employee, Stan True, Jeff Campbell, wrecker operator, and Houston Vaughn are shown contemplating the best way to make the move.
70 Years—September 13, 1956 – A report by Water Valley Schools Superintendent Noel Bell was that the schools had a record high enrollment that year. The high school had 247 students enrolled, and the grammar school reported 475 enrolled.
The Yalobusha County School Board voted to divide Yalobusha County into three districts—Water Valley, Coffeeville and Oakland.
The Blue Devils came one game closer to winning the Chickasaw Conference for the 1966 season after they defeated the strong Senatobia Warriors, 7-0, the 1955 title holder. Quarterback Bobby Schmitz scored the lone touchdown.
The Farm Bureau King and Queen were crowned at the Tri-Lake Fair Tuesday night. Named to reign as Queen was Georgia Wortham of the Walthall Community and Paul Henry McCullar of the Jeff Davis Community was selected to be King.
Water Valley High School Cheerleaders are: Judy Vaughn, Nancy Pass, Nancy Bennett, Margaret Spivey, Barbara Vaughn and Jeanene Ray.
80 Years—September 12, 1946 – Jesse Riggs has recently been made manager of the local Kroger Store.
An engineering firm is making a survey of the area, with a view of building pipeline for distribution of natural gas—a pipeline of the Tennessee Gas Transmission Company. The line would be from near Abbeville to Grenada and would serve Oxford, Water Valley, Coffeeville, and Grenada.
Mrs. Jessie Wagner sustained painful injuries when her car overturned near Clarksdale. She is presently in the Clarksdale hospital, but when able she will go to the home of her brother, Edwin Wagner in Memphis until she is fully recovered.
Rice-Stix Company gave employees a raise and insurance.
Under discussion was the possibility of obtaining a county hospital, with help from state and federal governments.
The Garden Club of Water Valley will meet in the home of Mrs. Wiley Walker on Market Street. Co-hostesses will be Mrs. Dick Blackston, Mrs. Levy Vanderberg, and Mrs. H. B. Caldwell.
Station JDHS, published weekly by students of Jeff Davis High School, was edited by Opal Williams.
The Grand Theatre advertised, “Keep Cool at the Grand Theatre.” The late show on Saturday was “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman,” which would start at 10:30.
