14 Pound Baby Delivered In 1966 Set The Record At Yalobusha Hospital
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Look Back – 1976
Yalobusha farmers marketed approximately 130,000 pumpkins for the Halloween trade in 1976. County agent Doyle Varner (left) checked out a load of pumpkins headed to market with Boyd Hughes, a producer.
20 Years—October 26, 2006 – Water Valley native Ken Hart released his second recording, “Driftin’,” recently. His first album, “Ain’t No Trains,” was released in 2004. Ken is the oldest son of Betty and Larry Hart.
Two photos, one on the front page, featured Halloween decorations at the home of Christine Harrison on Blount St. The photographer was Joe Gurner.
Jack Gurner’s Halloween photos, an annual treat for over two decades, included Molly Odom, Angela Barley, Chastity McMinn, Christy Mills, Christy and Ashley Wilbourn, Ashley, Danny and Larry Harris, Tanya Odom, Brittney Mills, Barbara and her daughter, Leigh Rounsaville, and Hillary, Scarlet and Casey Hart.
The Blue Devils earned a postseason bid by defeating the North Panola Cougars 34-6. Ronnie Ferrell and Antonio Hoskins were pictured making tackles during the game.
Larry Carr, a former Water Valley High School administrator, visited Davidson Elementary to give a demonstration on beekeeping for the students.
30 Years—October 31, 1996 – The Blue Devils soundly defeated the North Panola Cougars, 59-14, to rise to a 4-0 standing in district play. They are 8-1 overall for the season.
Pictured was the homecoming court for 1996, including Chastity Hollister, queen; senior maids, Yolanda Campbell, Tracy Sutherland and Demeka Smith; junior maids, Lakisha Joy and Robin Keisling; sophomore maids, Nakenya Rockette and Kelley Pullen.
The Water Valley High School Band participated in the District Marching Festival in Tupelo and earned an Excellent Plus rating. The Guard Unit and Percussion Corps earned Superior ratings.
The Garden Club of Water Valley welcomed two new members, Mrs. Jim Allen and Mrs. Katie Partain.
“Buster” Potts was selected as BorgWarner’s “Employee of the Month.”
Morris Woods was given a surprise party on his 84th birthday, hosted by his children and grands. Many other relatives and friends attended.
A vote-counting tabulator was being tested in the county.
40 Years—October 30, 1986 – Water Valley Police Officer Jimmy Dollahite conducted a series of classes for Water Valley Elementary School students on Halloween safety.
The hopes for a district title were diminished as the Bruce Trojans defeated the Blue Devils, 12-8, Friday night, even though the locals led in total yardage four to one.
The fourth-grade class at Davidson Elementary presented “How Witches Came to Fly,” which was written by Principal Sammy Higdon Jr. Cast members pictured included Patrick Carothers, Penny Pullen, Tammy Burgess, Rhea Brown, Russell Bell and Jinny Fachman.
J. C. Womble, Jaycee publicity chairman, announced that the organization would host its haunted house on October 29, 30 and 31.
The Corps of Engineers presented several plans to control Water Valley’s persistent flooding problem to city officials.
50 Years—October 28, 1976 – Lambert Lane of Forest, a fifth-year student in the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy, will serve an internship at Turnage Drug Store.
Lona Foster of Water Valley, 72 years old, was dazed in an automobile crash but was reported in good condition after a 24-hour stay in the woods. Also in the accident was her son, who was knocked out and did not realize his mother was missing for a time.
The Water Valley Blue Devils hosted the Independence Wildcats Friday night. After playing three close quarters, the Wildcats opened up a scoring spree in the fourth to defeat the Blue Devils, 35-7.
The Water Valley Junior Auxiliary held their second annual Halloween carnival in Country Music World.
The Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts were inviting boys, ages 8-17, to join their organizations.
Majorettes for the Water Valley High School Band were Tracy Williamson, Suzanne Davis and Lori Hardy.
60 Years—October 27, 1966 – The largest baby to be born in Yalobusha General Hospital, to date, was a son of Joe Willie and Invie Ree Bailey of Water Valley. A natural birth, the young man weighed 14 pounds and 10 ounces. He was delivered by Dr. D. E. Spears.
Committee chairmen who met with Mrs. Aubrey Trusty to plan for the Hill and Delta Meeting of Garden Clubs of Mississippi, which the Garden Club of Water Valley will host, were: Mrs. Doke French, Mrs. Arthur Walker, Mrs. E. L. McVey, Mrs. W. L. Elkin, Mrs. Earl Bell, Mrs. Paul Parker and Mrs. L. L. Mathis.
The Water Valley Blue Devils and the Senatobia Warriors are tied for second place in the Chickasaw Conference. Olive Branch is currently in first place. To gain the second-place tie, the Blue Devils showed some offensive power as they defeated East Tallahatchie, 40-7, avenging last year’s one-touchdown loss.
Rev. J. A. Fondren, pastor of Second Baptist Church, is on a mission trip in Arizona.
70 Years—November 1, 1956 – Some 70 to 80 farmers, owning land in the watershed of O’Tuckolofa Creek and its tributaries, met to discuss forming a soil conservation district for the area. The organization was formed and named to the steering committee were: Greer Person of Yalobusha County, chairman; B. C. McCullar, H. H. White, Fred Earl Moorman, W. E. Blackmur, R. B. Lawhse, J. W. Hunt, Chuck Sutherland, Doke French, Ross Ingram, Paul Parker and A. T. Moorman, also of Yalobusha County; Hugh Babb, T. T. Fortinberry, Ab King and J. M. Fullerton of Lafayette County; and Hugh Hardy, Vester Dickey, Edward Peeples, J. W. Howell, C. H. Costner and Horace Harrison of Calhoun County.
A Harvest Festival will be held at Camp Ground School.
The Water Valley School’s PTA-sponsored Halloween Carnival has been canceled because it conflicted with church services. “At a later date we will have a Community Night for the children,” stated Mrs. Kyle Skinner, PTA president.
The Water Valley Blue Devils ended the season with a 34-7 victory over Olive Branch for a third-place slot in the Chickasaw Conference.
Crowned homecoming queen at John Rundle High School in Grenada was Tricia Montieth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Callaway of Oakland and the late Bob Monteith of Water Valley.
80 Years—October 31, 1946 – Dr. John D. Williams was installed as chancellor of the University of Mississippi.
The electric department shows gains in the city over the past year. According to a report, though, there has been limited construction, rehabilitation work and service to customers because of the shortage of materials.
The Illinois Central Railroad will pay tribute to the war dead among its employees in a ceremony on November 5.
Leon Roundtree, manager of the Grand Theatre, will celebrate his birthday with a mammoth picture show party. Every school child in the area is invited to attend this gala affair at which “Three Wise Fools,” starring Margaret O’Brien, will be shown.
A 110-acre farm, with a five-room house, two barns, with 50 acres in cultivation and the rest in fenced pastures and timber, was for sale for $3,500.
In the “Hospital News,” it was reported that Mrs. Robert Buford of Shelby underwent a major operation in the Water Valley Hospital, and Jean Boatright of Water Valley was receiving treatment.
