White's Academy

This page in my copy of Judy Borden's book is faded and difficult to read. This is the first class at the school located three miles east of Plantersville and built by Duncan White, Will Partlow and John K. Estes. The first teacher was my distant relative Molly Kelly.

The first boy in the last row is Aubry Whitehead, who, I think, is the one who married Raymon Stovall's sister; I think her name was Marie.

If you are having trouble with this picture and the previous one, double clicking on most computers will enlarge the pictures.

Plantersville School District Ca. 1940

This map was published in Judy Borden's history of Plantersville.

Happy Birthday Winnie

My friend and schoolmate, Winnie Borden Ballard, will have a birthday tomorrow; Winnie is a lot younger than most of us as she will turn 17 tomorrow. Happy Birthday Winnie.

I have reeived e-mail that Winnie's husband, Paul, is responding well to his treatments.

Sue Whitehead

I had to delete Sue's picture while I learned how to delete comments without deleting the entire entry. I will try to check the blog more often to eliminate, now that I know how, spam comments.

As stated previously, I did not know Sue. I knew a Mr. Whitehead, who was married to Raymon Stovall's sister. Their daughter, Clytee, died young, I think as the result of a fire. Was Sue related to this family?

Barbara Morgan

Barbara was a few years ahead of me in school and my memory isn't that sound, but didn't she marry Fred?

One Flew Over the Kelly's House

I'm back after a bout with the flu despite taking the shot. Hope flu season is about over.

As the flu was beginning, I learned about the death of Mrs. Nola Berryman. As most of you know Mrs. Nola lived for years directly across the street from Aunt Grace, and later Aunt Johnnie and my mother. I find it remarkable that two ladies living that close to one another, one made it into her 100th year (Mrs. Nola), and the other made it to 100 and 5 days.

Nola Berryman

Sympathy to J. B. and his family; received an e-mail from Amy Bostick that Mrs. Nola passed away this morning.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope all of you are enjoying this special day. I returned this afternoon from a quick trip to Tupelo/Plantersville.

Kathleen Kelly

Sympathy also to the family of Kathleen Kelly. Mrs. Kelly was J.C., Eddie Wayne, Kenneth and Charles's sister-in-law.

Katie Price Conlee

Sympathy to the family of Katie Price Conlee, whose obituary was in today's Journal. There is a picture of Mrs. Conlee with my parents that I posted on this blog on June 6, 2006.

Since beginning this blog I have been in touch with her brother Jack, who I visited with at the homecoming, and her sister, Janie, who lives in Florida near where Katie lived.

Fred Horton

Didn't Fred serve in the navy and afterwards live on Martin's Hill?

Elmo Lyons

In today's Journal, there is an obituary for a thirteen year old boy named John-Mark Webb who was predeceased by a step-grandfather, Elmo Lyons. Is this that Elmo?

Mama Cita Reads to the Class

Yesterday, Carole, our granddaughter calls her Mama Cita, read to the K-4 class.

The Baseball Park

Does anyone know, or know anyone who does, when the baseball park, that was such an integral part of the ivies of boys growing up in Plantersville in the 40s and 50s, first opened?

I recall a catcher (a member of the House of David, I think) sitting on a Coke case while receiving pitches, and I think I saw professional teams from the Black League play there, Memphis and perhaps Birmingham. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, I vaguely remember a story Cecil told about Paul Richards, who became the manager of the White Sox, hitting a home run that landed on the blacksmith shop. Don’t know what team he was on at the time.

I spent many happy hours at that park growing up and would like to know more about its history.

Information on Pictures

I received the following information from Gwynne McFarling Daniel:

"George -- I talked to Betty Sue Conlee Peters yesterday. And she knew about the people you are looking for. Boo lives in Verona. Alvin Allred is deceased, as well as Reed Presley, Grady McC. is in Saltillo. June Johnson made an airline stewardess, is married and lives in California. Do not know the husband last name but he was a military man and they now travel extensively. At least, this is how Betty Sue remembers them.

As for House of David...I'm sure someone around home remembers more than I do. But, as I recall the man that played was a Tally. My grandfather, Charlie, was related to the Talley family some way. He, his wife and grown daughter came by the house and visited Daddy Hardy and B.U. I remember B.U. sending me to the store for cokes. He had long hair that was braided around his head. There was also some connection to Verona and the Talley family but I do not know any facts. Years later the wife and daughter continued to visit. I want to say that they lived somewhere around Lake Superior. That is all I know. Gwynne"

George responds: Thanks Gwynne and Betty Sue; the person who mentioned the House of David recently is Dorothy Jo Sample, originally from Verona and related to the Tally family; the House of David player was Swep Tally.

J. B. BerrymanJ. B.

J. B. married Guiline and they live south of Plantersville; his mother, Mrs. Nola, lived across the street from first Aunt Grace, then Aunt Johnnie and finally, my mother; at last report, she in her nineties and going strong. I saw J. B. in April at Mike Collier's funeral. Mike and J. B. were first cousins.

Boo

I lived close to the Ellis family and Martha Kate's mother and Raymon were siblings. If my aged brain is functioning correctly, Martha Kate was called "Boo" and she married Ray Blythe and resides in Lee County.

House of David

Someone this weekend mentinoed the House of David baseball team. I don't trust my memory but have a dim memory of watching them play at the park in Plantersville. Does anyone know if the House of David ever played in Plantersville?

Grady McCaskill

Most Studious

I know that my cousin, Guilene Kelly, married J. B. Berryman and that they live south of Plantersville. Guilene's brother, Shelley, was in my class and lives east of Plantersville very close to where I lived.

Alvin Allred

Can anyone share information with us about Alvin?

June Johnson

What happened to June once she graduated?

Mr. Plantersville High School

Does anyone have information on Reed Presley; was he related to Elvis?

What Happen to Them?

As previous noted, I have copies of a 1950 or 51 (am not certain), Plantersville High School annual that James "Sonny" Kelly loaned me; I've posted some of the pictures before, but my computer is reluctant to allow me to go back to May and June of 06; therefore, I will be posting pictures from this class and would be pleased if someone could give me information on what happened to these individuals after they graduated.