Happy Note: A 50th Celebration

It was my honor to receive a lovely announcement about the Saturday, January 19, celebration honoring James and Ruth Kelly's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  The announcement came from Michelle and Kelly Mauldin and noted that those wanting to remember the occasion with gifts should instead direct the thought to Helping Hands Helping Homeless, Inc.  Donations can be sent to CREATE, Inc., for the benefit of Helping Hands Helping Homeless, Inc., P. O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802.  I could not make the trip but I shall certainly honor the special years with a remembrance to this worthwhile effort.  How wonderful for Ruth and Sonny. . . 50 years, wow, double wow.

Aaron Helms: One of the Greatest. . .

The sad news reached us Saturday about the loss to this world of Aaron Helms, one of the finest men ever, one of the most special 'Plantersville Connections.'  George absolutely loved Aaron and Frances, as do I.  They along with Sherrilyn were so kind to us when we lost George.  Cousins Cam and Sherrilyn live fairly close in Ridgeland, one of those small world stories.  Aaron was such a helpful friend, always there to help Aunt Grace and Aunt Johnnie, both of whom loved him very much.  The write-up about him, which I first heard from my sister Margaret who called and read it to me Saturday, was wonderful.  Most particularly, I found the mention of Aaron and Frances' 66th anniversary celebrated in November very touching.  Sixty-six wonderful years.  Also special was Aaron's service as a member of the Greatest Generation.  Not to be forgotten . . .ever.  

'Small World' Again

My resolution of having at least one “Plantersville Connection” (PC) paragraph each month fell by the wayside during past days of 2012, but the connection to Plantersville is alive and well, I am happy to  report.  Getting acquainted with a new friend at work, Candice Batson, I learned that she was quite familiar with Plantersville, having served as a musician at a friend’s wedding at Plantersville United Methodist Church.  Candice played the flute at the wedding of Ashley Temple Wilemon to Matthew Young Tipton on June 7, 2008.  Candice is from Jackson and met Ashley when they were in graduate school together at the University of Memphis.  

Doing a little bit of research, namely hitting the ‘Google’ key, I was directed to  “The Plantersville Connection” where this invitation had been posted by George Morris in May 2008:  

Representative and Mrs. Steve Holland and
Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Wilemon, Jr.
along with
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Tipton
Request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their children
Ashley Temple Wilemon
and
Matthew Young Tipton
Saturday, June 7th at 4:00 p.m.
Plantersville United Methodist Church
Reception Immediately following in the church fellowship hall 

Memories:  I remember attending Barbara Jo Rogers’ wedding at Plantersville First Baptist Church in 1964, I think in June.  Almost two years later in April 1966, George and I were married in the home of his grandmother in Plantersville.  Prior to meeting (then marrying) George, I was pretty much a stranger to the town of Plantersville.  Pity.  If I had met him earlier in Plantersville or Tupelo, maybe we wouldn’t have had to meet courtesy of Continental Trailways. . .  I also recall that when George and I were first dating, he would not tell me his middle name.  When I called his house one day and asked Miss Vera if I could speak to her son, she was agreeable and called, “George Morris, telephone . . .”  Aha.  No one in Plantersville recognized the name of ‘George Kelly.’  But saying only ‘George Morris’ results in instant recognition.  Lovely memories.