Gone Fishing or Swimming or Whatever

The Kelly family (along with the Chennaults) will be heading for Orange Beach in the morning and will be there, if all goes well, until Saturday. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law from Tupelo will be meeting us there.

Hope everyone has a great week, and I will resume posting on the blog in a week.

Mrs. Margaret Ballard Helms

Sympathy to Marion and his daughters and their families on the death of Margaret Ballard Helms.

As you may know, Marion's mother and my father were first cousins.

In the past fifteen years or so, I saw and visited with Marion and Margaret frequently usually at Estes Fish House in Plantersville. She was a special lady.

Talked With Aaron

I talked with Aaron Helms last night; he is home from the hospital and feeling much better. He informed me, and I read the obituary this morning, that his sister-in-law, Margaret Helms, died.

As mentioned her obituary is in today's Journal. Margaret was the wife of Aaron's twin brother, Marion.

Amy's Blog

Amy Bostick has started a blog which I have linked to this blog. Amy has been a big help with this blog supplying lots of information and pictures.

For those who don't know Amy is the daughter of Jimmy and Sharon Jeffreys. Sharon was a Monts from Plantersville whose mother was a Kelly, and Jimmy is Carole's first cousin so Ms Amy is related on both sides.

The Cabin in the Woods

Dot Morris of Amory who was married to my father's first cousin, C. H. Morris, gave me several pictures of this cabin shortly before she died. This cabin is supposely where her father-in-law, Will Morris, and my grandmother were born. There were also three other boys in the family, L. B.; Morgan; and Archie.

She provided me with directions to the cabin but I have misplaced them; all I remember is that it is located several miles beyond Pearce's Chapel.

I would appreciate any information anyone could provide about this cabin.

George Alexander and L. B. Morris

I may have posted this picture several years ago; I can't remember, but recently someone has wanted to view it.

George Alexander Morris, on the right, was born near Smithville in Monroe County; shortly after my grandmother, Sarchie Morris Kelly, was born, her mother died, probably from complications from child birth, and a few years later George Alexander remarried. He moved to a farm in Richmond where my grandmother grew up. George Alexander is buried at Andrew's Chapel. A cousin by marriage gave me pictures of a cabin near Smithville which she beleived is the place where my grandmother was born. I will post a picture of that cabin and would be very interested if anyone knows anything about it. Unfortunately, my cousin by marriage died shortly after giving me the picture.

L. B. Morris, on the left, is George Alexander's oldest son. In the forties when my mother and I lived with my grandmother in Plantersville, Uncle Bee, as we called him, lived with us. I'm not sure what year or for how long. I think while living there he took the mail bags to and from the railroad. I have mentioned how when I was older, I did that on several occasions; the bags had hooks on either end and were attached to a pole; the train came by at a high rate of speed and a man on the train hooked the bag, while another man threw out a bag.

Any of you who has driven on the Bill Morris Parkway in Memphis might be interested to know that the Bill Morris the parkway is named for is Uncle Bee's grandson.

Marriage License

This is a copy of the marriage license of Bridgett Kelly and Patrick McCarthy. The date appears to be 1864.

The picture is courtesy of Sandra Ward, Martha Parker and Brenda Rayman.

Bridgett Kelly McCarty's Gravestone

Bridgett Kelly was the sister of John, Michael Marion and Joseph Kelly, all of whom came to this country from Ireland in the 1840s. Bridgett married Patrick McCarty, who had also come form Ireland, but that's all I have on this family. Does anyone know the names of the children of Pat and Bridgett?

Picture courtesy of Sandra Ward via Martha Parker.

Aaron Helms

I regret to report that Aaron has had to go back into the hospital. I don't have additional information at this time, but hope to learn more soon.

The Kellys in Scotland

Another picture of the Kellys in Scotland.

Picture courtesy of Sandra Ward.

Trip to Scotland

This picture of Dr. Charlie Kelly and his wife, Marly, on their visit to Scotland was sent by Sandra Ward, their friend from Scotland. Sandra and I have been exchanging e-mails for a few months now.

Dr. Kelly is the son of Charles Kelly and the grandson of Troy Kelly which would make him J. C. and Eddie Wayne's nephew.

Mrs. Nola Makes a Hat

This picture of Mrs. Nola Berryman, who passed away this past February, shows her making a paper hat from a copy of The Baptist Record.

Will Kelly Obituary

Will Kelly served as sheriff of Lee County for two terms. He was the son of Joseph and Bridgett Kelly and is pictured with the family in a picture published on this blog a year or so ago.

Sophomore Class 1951

The sophomore class of 1951 at Plantersville High School.

Can anyone relate any information on Shirley Kelly who was a member of this class.

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Fairgrounds School

A group shot of Fairgrounds School located east of Plantersville. Names identified on the photo are Josie Young, Ida Young and a Mary.

Picture was taken ca. 1894.

Reed Presley

Reed Presely graduated from Plantersville High School in 1951; yesterday his son who lives in Louisiana e-mailed me. Reed was married to Shirley Kelly who along with Reed's sister Helen may be in the picture of the girls basketball team that was posted on this site some time ago.

Shirley Kelly Presley died a couple of years ago, and Reed passed away in 1984.

Their son would be interested in any information or stories you could share about his parents.

Happy 4th of July

Hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled fourth.

Children's Choir

Another group of good looking young people who are slightly older now.

Need help identifying them.

Thanks Heather for your help on the youth and pre-school choirs.

Horse and Buggy

I posted pictures of horseless carriages a few days ago so it is only fair to show a horse and buggy in a picture taken some where in or near Plantersville. I wish I knew who the gentlemen was; there ought to be a federal law that all pictures must have names on the back.

Pre School Choir

The pre-school choir at Plantersville Baptist a few years ago. Who are these youngesters and how old are they now?

Michael Marion Kelly?

I found this very old glass picture in either Aunt Grace's or Aunt Johnnie's stuff, and I think it is a picture of my ggrandfather, Michael Marion Kelly, who came to Mississippi from Ireland in the mid to late 1840s and farmed land across from what is now the State Park.

Michael Marion is buried in Gilvo Cemetery on old Highway 78 just outside Tupelo.

According to what I have there were four siblings that came from Ireland, Michael Marion, Joseph, John and Bridget. Joseph, John and Michael Marion lived next to each other across from what is now the state park, or at least that is what I've been told. John is listed in an early census with a wife, but after that he listed with no wife or children, hence his wife must have died young and he never remarried. Bridget married a McCarty, I think.

Youth Choir

The youth choir from First Baptist Plantersville in a picture taken a few years ago. Can someone help name these fine looking young folks?