Look Back in Yalobusha History

Students Planted 70,000 Seedling During Christmas Break In 1968

10 Years—January 31, 2008

The flu bug was biting hard in Yalobusha County. Dr. Paul Odom stated that he has seen more than a dozen cases over the weekend and they tested positive for the type “A” strain.

The threat for frozen precipitation and a possible ice storm last Friday had folks flocking to Piggly Wiggly. The county dodged the bullet as the temperature rose above freezing and the almost half  inch of precipitation fell as rain.

The Yalobusha County Board of Supervisors honored Brownie Crawford, recognizing his service to the the community. Supervisor Tommy Vaughn presented a framed copy of the resolution to his widow, Dorris Crawford, at a ceremony. On hand for the presentation were Board President Amos Sims; supervisor Butch Surrette; Board Attorney John Crow; Yalobusha General Hospital Administrator Terry Varner; Hospital Board President Linda Ingram; Chancery Clerk Amy McMinn; and Hospital Board Members Mike Edwards and Arnold Wayne Carothers.

Bill Ross, who began his career with the U.S.Postal Service in Water Valley in 1966, announced he would retire at the end of the  month. Retirement came after serving 26 years as the postmaster at Bruce.

Yalobusha General Hospital Administrator Terry Varner was pictured presenting a plaque to Annie E. Gaston upon her retirement from the dietary department of the hospital and Yalobusha County Nursing Home after having worked for the hospital and nursing home for 16 years. Also in the picture was Dorothy Turner, director of the dietary department.

20 Years—January 29, 1998

The Junior High Drama Club was presenting their first production, with a three-show run in the Civic Auditorium. The play was a murder mystery entitled, “Hide and Seek” and some of the cast members were Jessica West, Melvin Armstrong, Jeremy Vaughn, Austin Gray and Alita Wilson.

The Water Valley School District Board called for an election to determine whether the $1.9 million bond issue will be made for school improvements.

The Baddour Center “Miracles” were scheduled to sing at First United Methodist Church.

John W. (Pat) Holloway, Sr. celebrated his 100th birthday January 17 in Yalobusha County Nursing Home. A commemorative plaque was presented on behalf of VFW Post 4100 by Jack Craven and James Gordon.

Helen and Frank Hamilton were in the Valley for a visit before  leaving for Scotland where they will serve as missionaries for the next three years. Rev. Hamilton was pastor of First Presbyterian Church for a number of years in the mid-eighties.

30 years—February 4, 1988

Keith River, who had been employed by Mechanics Savings Bank for several months, was  named a cashier. Keith’s wife is the former Jayne Edgar. The promotion announcement was made by Ernest P. Aune, President and CEO of the Bank.

Among retiring members of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Board of Directors was Henry Womble of Yalobusha County, who has served since 1972.

Mrs. Oliver Wiley, president of The Garden Club of Water Valley, was encouraging Water Valley area citizens to plant hardwood trees, stating that this will replace many of the trees lost in the 1984 tornado.

 Members of the boy’s basketball team were Tony Tedford, Ken Gooch, Dennis Tatum, James Lawrence, Luther Folson, Harry Tatum, Warren Minor, Paul Phillips, Michael Rockett, and Tyrone Kelly. The team was in the middle of a wining season, with their  most recent win over Coffeeville. They were coached by Butler McLeod.

40 Years—February 2, 1978

Judge “Dick” Thomas read a resolution honoring Frank Evans for 22 years of service as Yalobusha County Circuit Clerk during the opening of Circuit Court on Monday. Mr. Evans had held the post for 22 years.

Printed along side a beautiful  picture of trees laden with snow, created by the recent Water Valley snow, was Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowing Evening.”

Yalobusha County students on the President’s List at Northwest Junior College were: Vivian Louise Brasher and David Michael Dean of Coffeeville; James Derek Adams of Scobey; Onia Louise Farris of Tillatoba; and Wiley Steven Hill, Sara Marie McGuire, and William M. Rutherford of Water Valley.

The Tri-Lake Talent Revue, sponsored by the Water Valley P.T.A., was seeking entrants for the show sanctioned as a Mid-South Fair contest.

Three senior members of the Water Valley High School Blue Devil football team, “Bubba” Defer, Mike Tate, and “Buddy” Willingham, signed with the Northwest Junior College Rangers.

Jennifer Jones, Drum Major of the Junior High School Band, was pictured with the first copy of the Water Valley birthday calendar to come of the press at the North Mississippi Herald office. The calendar is the primary band fund raiser of the year.

50 Years—February 1, 1968

The new Education Building of First Presbyter-ian Church will be dedicated Sunday, February 4, and all services of the day will be held in the  new building.

John F. Swearengen, son of Mrs. W. E. Swearengen of Oakland, was promoted to Major in the U.S. Air Force. Major Swearengen is an Air Operations Officer at HIckam AFB, Hawaii.

Both the Water Valley High School Devilettes and Blue Devils looked good in the Chickasaw Basketball Meet, held at Tunica.

Sgt. William F. Miller of the U.S. Army was home for a five-day visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Miller, after a year’s tour in Vietnam, where he was wounded. His next tour will be in Germany.

J. B. Massie was pictured with a nice string of bass he caught in the Long Branch backwater.

Pictured were two  of Water Valley’s most avid lady fishermen, Mildred McCullar and Lottie Johnsey, who took advantage  of the spring-like weather to get out on the lake, but unfortunately did not have much luck.

Students, 18-years-old and older, could work for the U.S. Forest Service during the Christmas holiday. Even with the inclement weather 47 students were able to plant 70,000 pine seedlings.

60 Years—January 30, 1958

Hon. Kermit R. Cofer of Water Valley was a candidate for Chancery Judge of the Third Chancery Court District of Mississippi.

After losing in the Chickasaw Conference final game the local basketball teams met Bruce in a A-AA encounter as they attempted to find a wining combination for North A-AA competition, which begins February 14.

The Rebekah’s presented a 35-year award to Mrs. Josie Porter, the only living Charter Member of the Lodge.

In church news, James Knox Baddley was elected Witness Chairman of the North Mississippi Presby-tery and Larry Cox is Citizenship Chairman for the Sub-District Area Methodist Youth Fellowship.

Three Yalobusha County students, Paul Shearer and Gaylon Booker of Water Valley, and Shirley Carvan of Oakland,  were listed on the Northwest Junior College Honor Roll for the fall semester. 

Three local boys, Charles Miles, Leland Moore and John William Redwine, enlisted in the Navy.

70 Years—January 29, 1948

The Water Valley High School boy’s and girl’s basketball teams defeated the Camp Ground teams, but suffered losses to the Jeff Davis teams.

Edward G. Berry, son of Mrs. Edgar G. Berry, Sr. of Water Valley, completed basic training at Keesler Field in Biloxi.

According to Water Valley School Superintendent Noel Bell there will probably be no school Wednesday, Thursday or Friday due to the very cold temperatures and icy streets. 

County Agent W. Y. Parker was taking orders for fruit trees at the present.

Employers who have reported their income, along with their employees, for Social Security are being advised to file for a refund of taxes paid on their salaries. Employers are not eligible for the Social Security Program.

Eight from Yalobusha County enlisted in the New Regular Peace Time Army. They were Charles B. Hayles, George W. Green, Benjamin H. Rogers, James E. Peters, Reuben W. Carmical, Doris Murphree, Floyd Godwin, and William Hart.