Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Preparing for the 14th annual Watermelon Queen Pageant in 1994 were Austin Mills, 4; and her sister Brittany Mills, 7; and Chessie Clark, 5.
Bishop Marvin A. Franklin, presiding bishop of the Jackson area of the Methodist Church, dedicated the new church building, March 28, 1954, which was erected to replace the building burned on January 11, 1949.
Following the fire, while deliberations were underway, a tornado on May 1, 1949, blew over some of the walls of the building and the membership decided to construct a new building. From the time of the fire until the new building was ready for use, the Sunday School classes met in the Masonic Temple and Episcopal Church while worship services were held in the Episcopal Church.
A contract for the new building was let in September 1949 and the first service was held on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950.
Following the dedication service visitors and members retired to the Fellowship Hall where lunch was spread, picnic style, for all present. You can bet there were some covered dishes.
Through The Years From The Herald
• 15 years ago, March 26, 2009 – Shaniqua Wesley from Water Valley was the winner of the state finals of the Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest held at Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson. She received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D. C. to compete in the national contest.
Several athletic programs were restored at WVHS after sports parents raised over $9,000. The programs were on the chopping block due to state cuts in education funds.
Gail Caldwell was named Teacher of the Year at the Lafayette School District for the 2008-2009 school year.
• 20 years ago, March 25, 2004 – Water Valley High School’s new head football coach, Trent Hammond, spent the last week visiting with the school’s coaches and players and planning for a 15-day spring practice in preparation for the spring game against Independence May 13.
Eight local students attended the Lions Leadership Conference including Courtney Mills, Britany Simoneaux, Lovie Edwards, Charlisa Carr, Matthew Stevens, Chris Brown, Lee Gray and Matthew King.
• 30 years ago, March 24, 1994 – Betty Jean James, long-time teacher at Water Valley Elementary School, was honored by having the outdoor science center named in her memory.
Postal employees honored after the Water Valley Post Office was named as number two in the north central area of Mississippi included: Harvey Vance, Dennis Sutherland, Andy Grass, Bill Buntin, Ronnie Eubanks, Wilbur Herring, Bob Heath, Jennifer Paige, Wanda Bullington, Sharon Hobson, Carolyn Byford and Postmaster Gary Gray.
Among the Diamond Darlings bat girls at WVHS were Jennie Griffin, Jinny Fachman, Margaret Keith, Jill Sartain, Candi Harris and Naketa White. The ladies were pictured with 1994 King of Diamonds Ronald Burgess.
• 40 years ago, March 22, 1984 – Senator Thad Cochran spoke at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet here.
Dr. Jo Walker received the prestigious title of “Beauty Queen” for his portrayal of “Sweet Jo Jo” in the Womanless Beauty Queen pageant held by the Jaycees. Runners-Up included “Big Betty Lou” Joey Joyner, “Michelle” Michael Redwine and “Girl Georgette” Donnie Morris.
Smokey the Bear poster winners at Water Valley Elementary School included Julia Massey, Keli Quinn, Kandice Siglar, Jerry Brown, James Stricklin, Beverly Shaw, Cinnamon Foster, Jo Henderson, Lisa Lynch, Christina Ray, Bobby Huckaby and Theresa Norwood.
• 50 years ago, March 28, 1974 – Houston Vaughn was elected Alderman-At-Large in a special election to fill the vacant seat left by Watson Hunt, who became mayor after the death of Tolbert Maddux.
Peoples Wholesale ran an ad announcing their closing due to the health of Jasper Barron.
The Blue Devils beat Coffeeville, 14-5, in opening play of the Tri-Lake Conference baseball season.
Rob Clay of Coffeeville took second place in overall score in the District Land Judging contest held in Oxford.
Walter Moore Jr. of Oakland was elected President of the American Dairy Association of Mississippi.
• 60 years ago, March 26, 1964 – Freddy Wilkey Jr., a ninth grade student at WVHS, was the state winner in a subscription contest sponsored by the Jackson Daily News, the newspaper he delivered. He was set to leave for
New York City where he would depart from Kennedy Airport for Milan, Italy.
Oscar Parsons would head the brand-new Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
• 70 years ago, March 25, 1954 – The Water Valley Junior Auxiliary opened a library in the Water Valley Grammar School.
The number of veterans in Yalobusha County totaled 1,540, with the most being from World War II (1170). The number from Korea was 190 and other was listed as 250.
• 80 years ago, March 23, 1944 – Robert Lee Womack, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Womack, was missing in action. He was onboard the submarine Scorpion that the Navy reported missing Wednesday, March 22. The Scorpion, one of the Navy’s largest submarines with a crew of about 75 officers and men was overdue and presumed lost. Womack would be declared dead in 1946.
Inez VanWinkle was promoted from seaman second class to seaman first class. The 22-year-old WAVE had been in the service about a year and worked in the metal shop, releasing a man for sea duty.
• 90 years ago, March 23, 1934 – “Boots” Williams confessed to the robbing (burglary was the correct term) of the Ritter-Stone Cafe March 20. Taken were three pistols, some $50 cash and various other articles. He was being held in jail awaiting action of the grand jury.
