June Marked Start Of Youth League For Many Decades
Looking Back From 2006
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Andy Grass salutes the flag during the 2006 Memorial Day observance at VFW Post 4100 in Water Valley while fallen servicemen and women were honored for making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Grass, a longtime community leader and decorated U.S. Army veteran, died on Memorial Day morning in 2016, only hours before he was scheduled to participate in that year’s ceremony at the post.
20 Years—June 1, 2006 –Tuesday would mark the first use of the new voting machines, which would allow the votes to be tallied by machines. An introduction of the machines was being held for the public on Thursday.
Yalobusha County Supervisors voted Monday to sign a water usage agreement with Community Bank for the new beef processing plant.
Area residents gathered Monday at the veterans’ monument in Railroad Park to pay tribute to veterans. Pictured were Jack Grass, Deputy Commander of V.F.W. Post 4100, and others, who paused to salute Old Glory during the ceremony.
John and Olline Brower celebrated their 60th Anniversary on June 2.
Mayor Bill Norris cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Water Valley Check Delay. The Water Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors hosted the event.
Ruth Ann Thomas was pictured placing an American flag on her husband, William Earl Thomas’, grave during the Memorial Day decorating of veteran’s graves.
30 Years—June 6, 1996 – Eddie Ray, president of Mechanics Bank, presented James B.”Crip” Tyler a check for $5,000 to begin a drive for matching funds needed to make a planned new baseball field a reality. Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors, M. B.”Snooky” Williams, was also present for the event.
Among those receiving degrees from Northeast Community College were Michelle Rockette and Brian Schmitz, both of Water Valley.
Becky and Marion Brown’s home was selected as the Town & Country Garden Club’s “Yard of the Month” for June.
Nancy Margaret Ray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Ray, was named an All-American Scholar.
Mrs. Hestella Kimble celebrated her 100th Birthday on May 18. She is a resident of Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
Two Yalobusha County students, Tonya Hayes and Bobbie Spearman, received degrees from Alcorn State University. Both are from Coffeeville, both received degrees in Agribusiness Management, and both graduated cum laude.
Members of Dr. Andy Jones’ Magnolia Youth League baseball team are Cory Reno, Clifton Clement, Charlie Edwards, Steven Sims, Christopher Shaw, Tyra McCray, Brent Edwards, Matthew Stevens,Larry Rockette, Jeremy Freeman, John Sims, and Pierre Allen. Coaches are Keith
Stevens and Lowell Edwards.
40 Years—June 5, 1986 – Kim Herring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Herring, was named Water Valley’s “Miss Hospitality” for 1986.
Susan Hobdy Jenkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hobdy, received a bachelor of science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Selected to attend Girls’ State were Denise Clement, Lori Fondren, and Allison Lewis. The girls were sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Named “Miss George Payne Cossar State Park” was Patricia Keith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Keith of Water Valley. Karen Kimbrough, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kimbrough of Coffeeville, was first alternate, and Gloria Cook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cook of Water Valley, was second alternate.
Mrs. Larry Hart sang the “Star Spangled Banner” during opening ceremonies of the Magnolia Youth baseball season.
Shirley Palmertree, representing her mother, Mrs. Blanch Ritter, threw out the first ball, officially opening the 1986 season. Mrs. Ritter was being honored at the Ritter-Tyler Field, but was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness.
50 Years—June 3, 1976 – Senator John Stennis easily won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat he has held for many years.
Chuck Harris, son of Betty and Charley Harris, who was injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this year, threw out the fist ball, opening the 1976 season for the Magnolia League. Harris had played little league ball for several years and stated that he expected to be back for the1977 season.
Water Valley native Bill Barrett emphasized the need for better communication in his address during a breakfast meeting for Water Valley business people and officials on Tuesday.
Local funeral director, Hamric Henry, was elected District Governor of his district for Mississippi Funeral Directors.
Yalobusha County Prosecuting Attorney Dick Wilhoit of Water Valley attended the Trial Advocacy Workshop and Conference in Biloxi.
Aubrey Herron, Jr. of Oakland, election commissioner for Yalobusha County,attended a state-wide election seminary in Jackson on education and training.
60 Years, June 2, 1966 – Pictured were Nancy Tyler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ”Crip” Tyler, and Bill and David Williamson, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Williamson, as they practiced for the Yalobusha County Saddle Club’s Horse Show to be held at the Fairground Arena on Saturday.
A musical variety show, featuring three bands, five vocal groups, and a pianist, was held as a benefit for the Ruth F. Cowan Memorial Piano fund, started last year to purchase a grand piano for Water Valley High School.
James Larson, representing the local Big Star Store, owned and operated by the Larson family, presented Mrs. Bessie Parlett a $100 check, which she won Saturday night watching Big Star’s exciting promotion,”Let’s Go to the Races.”
At a luncheon, the following officers were installed to serve The Garden Club of Water Valley for the 1976-77 year: Mrs. Aubrey Trusty, president; Mrs. Paul Parker, vice-president; Mrs. W. W. Frost, secretary; Mrs. Doke French, treasurer; and Mrs. Warren Ray, historian.
70 Years—May 31, 1956 – Patsy Nell Gray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gray, was chosen “Miss Water Valley” for 1956 at a pageant held in the City Auditorium. First alternate was Julia Fite and second alternate was Nell Nolen. The pageant was sponsored by the Water Valley Jaycettes and Jaycees.
W. C. Quinn was elected president of the Community Council of Water Valley.
Babies listed in the “Tomorrow’s Men & Women” Column are: Randy Bruce Terry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Terry; James Henry Schmitz, son of Alice Surrette Schmitz; and Linda Rae Shuffield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Shuffield.
Wayne Jones, son of Mrs. Christine Henderson, received the Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
The First Baptist Church’s Men’s Bible Class will hold a barbecue in the Johnnie Ware grove on Blount Street. The class had an average attendance of 43 for the year. Bill White is president of the class.
80–Years—June 6, 1946 – Theo G. Bilbo, who is seeking re-election to his seat in the U.S. Senate, will speak in Water Valley Friday, June 7.
Summer school in Water Valley High School began May 27, with 28 students, including eight veterans. Mr. S. C. Shoemake was teaching mathematics and Mrs. Jamie Bounds is teaching English.
Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Rogers received a citation of honor for their son, Pvt. Issac S. Rogers, Jr., from the Army Air Force. He was declared dead January 19, 1946, after having been list- ed as missing in action in India since last year. Other service- men listed in the Men and Women in Uniform were Kenneth Sissell, Jim Wallace, Glynn Weeks, Sam Knox, W. F. Beck, Jr., and James Lee.
A notice read: Every male citizen, who become 18 years of age, is required to register under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940.
The Bell family reunion was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins Bell. In addition to relatives from Mississippi, folks came from Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and New York.
