Remembering

The Plantersville Landscape:  Past weeks have registered sad moments for Plantersville times and history, with the deaths of Sadie Holland and Freddie Grant.  Impressive press notices recorded her impressive contributions over the years.  Freddie Grant will be missed.  How often I heard George mention these Plantersville names over the years, their families and connections.    

Steve Holland’s final note when dear Said Holland made the transition:  “With her sons holding Sadie’s hand, Mom quietly departed this life for the life eternal. We thank God almighty for her 88 years, her love and watch care of us, our families and seemingly the whole world. We are at peace. Love y’all.”    

 The five brothers, Billy Joe, Don (deceased),  Perry, John and Jimmy had earlier asked for prayers. “Our remarkable Mom, Sadie Holland, went to NMMC early yesterday for a procedure to place a Watchman device in the artery feeding the heart. During surgery, she had a heart attack. Thankfully, the docs were on top of it and she survived and even stabilized. About 5 p.m. yesterday, they successfully completed the procedure and placed her in intensive care. A few hours later, she suffered another heart attack and shortly thereafter a stroke. At this moment, she is in the ICU unit in a ventilator and unresponsive. We will get an in-depth report this morning and may be faced with the decision none of us wants to make. We celebrate the renaissance life she’s lived for almost 88 years and will the whole of our lives thank God for Sadie being the most caring, compassionate, loving mom anyone could have!  We are at peace with thanksgiving in our hearts for being blessed with the most perfect mom on earth. Again, we are all okay and simply want you to join us in expressing gratitude for her earthly pilgrimage. God has blessed us with a Sadie that is second to none. May perpetual light shine on her through eternity. We believe in miracles but are cautiously and prayerfully accepting the  reality of the situation. Again, thanks to each of you for your concern.”

A 'Fitting' Memorial

A visit to Plantersville Cemetery for Cam Kelly Chennault and Carole Kelly in July included placing a heart-shaped July Independence-theme wreath with a Coca-Cola, a bottle Coke, in the center at George's site.  The drink was special to several Kellys.  George managed to choke down coffee, but Coke was his morning and all-day choice.  Cam inherited that taste choice from her daddy, from Doris-ey, and Aunt Lucille.  She loved how Aunt 'Cille poured her the WHOLE Coke (or 'Coka!'), rather than her mother's stingy quarter of a cup. (She could hear the fizz of an opened bottle of 'Coka' at 100 or so paces.  I think she still can. Never leave home without one.)

Steve Holland to Retire. . .What Memories

One of Plantersville's own most valued 'connections,' Steve Holland had announced last year his plan to retire from his illustrious career in the Mississippi House of Representatives.  My thought was 'I'm not accepting or believing this yet. . .  Just wait.'  He is much too cherished, funny, honest, a good man serving many years in the House--he's much 'too everything' to leave his post at his young age.  I knew he had faced health problems, spending long recovery days at UMMC, but that was over.  He was back taking care of his business and doing his best with the state's (wacky) business.

But the 'just wait' thought disappeared when our nephew called yesterday after hearing this March 2017 announcement: Steve had announced his plan to retire at the close of the current term because of a diagnosis of dementia.   I have to believe it this time. Steve sounds fine, mentioning short-term memory problems but with the expectation of further development in the dementia diagnosis.

I 'tuned in' to several of Steve's presentations available on computer.  There was an impromptu talk to a group of people meeting on health care; he was adamant on the need for health care coverage for everyone.  Another talk had him close to, if not actually, pounding the podium for public education.         

His address to a session of Boys' State, a program he had participated in as a high school junior, was the most dynamic review of his life, career, and political and religious philosophy that I have heard.  He shared wonderful directions to the group about love for fellow man, participation in the community, and contributions to government, whether seeking election or as an 'at-home' citizen.  Don't position yourself too far to the left or too far to the right, he admonished. Look beyond the front of your face in making decisions, he said, summing up with the thought: "Think above and beyond today."  

Steve has always been special to George and me, and do I ever miss George being here at this time.  That July day in 2011 at the hospital when George departed this world, before I could look up his telephone number, Steve was calling me, saying, "Don't do anything.  I can take care of George.  I'm on my way."  

So many memories. . .  Any wonder I am teary just writing this Connection piece. . .

Recognizing Jack Wuichet

The Plantersville Connection has been inactive too long, and I hope that I can post an important thought, recognizing the death last year of Jack Wuichet.  George and I were very much impressed with his life and commitment.  He and Frances were always kind of us and to our family.  I am sorry I am late with this recognition, but I know George would want these words placed on the 'Connection.'

Jacques Earnest “Jack” Wuichet died peacefully last Oct. 24, 2016, at his home after an extended illness. He was 83. A native of Monroe, LA, Jack was born on Dec. 21, l932, to Willie Walker Wuichet and Frances McCormick Wuichet. He married Frances Issac Wuichet on July 2, l954, in Dunn, LA.  He began his working career in a furniture factory and served as a union organizer, working with labor union movements all his life. He was a 20-year member of the United Steel Workers. He and his family moved to Plantersville from Swartz, LA, in l973 and immediately became contributing, involved citizens. A staunch Democrat, Jack loved political campaigns and upheld the labor movement positions with passion and intelligence. He was elected to the Plantersville Board of Aldermen in l997 and served until retiring in 2013. He devoted many hours to the Town Park. The Town eventually named the Park the Grant-Wuichet Park to honor his contributions. Known far and wide as the “Can Man,” Jack for over 20 years collected and sold tin cans to benefit the causes of the Town of Plantersville. Over the years, he received numerous awards for his volunteer work and in 2007, the Mississippi Municipal Association granted Jack and the Town of Plantersville its “Excellence Award for Community Spirit” for his contributions to the good of all mankind. He also won the President’s Volunteer Service Award. A member of the First Baptist Church of Plantersville, Jack enjoyed people, public service, his family and all causes related to the “working man.”  A celebration of his life was held Oct. 27 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors. The Rev. Danny Balint officiated, with the eulogy delivered by Rep. Steve Holland.  Burial was at Plantersville Cemetery.

Sharon and Jimmy Jeffreys' 50th Anniversary Celebration

    The 50th anniversary celebration for Jimmy and Sharon Jeffreys took place last Saturday, June 27, at  St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Columbus.  The 'Plantersville Connections' in attendance were wonderful.  Top two photos show, left to right, having fun at the party, Tommy Monts Sr., Sandra Temple Monts, the Rev. Kenneth and Glenda Corley, and Sandra and Tommy's daughter, Melisa (Lisa) Monts Wadley.  Managing to gather a number of friends and relatives around the special couple was likened to 'trying to herd cats,' but here are, from the left, Joan Jeffreys Parmer, Winford Parmer, the Rev. Paul (Tip) Sims and Laney Lemons Sims, who are remembered for their service at Plantersville Baptist Church several years ago, Linda Jeffreys, Heather Bostick, the honored couple's granddaughter, Sharon and Jimmy, who certainly have Plantersville connections, and the Berrymans, Guilene Kelly Berryman, and J. B. Berryman.  Angie Jeffreys, Amy and Heath Bostick, and their daughters Rachel and Heather honored their parents and grandparents with the special afternoon.

George's "Collection"--his short stories . . .

George's sister-in-law Margaret Pickard, right, is shown with De Lewis and Missy of Service Printers in Flowood, as we claimed copies of George's book of short stories.  He and I had discussed printing the stories for family and friends some time before he died.  I didn't rest very well until this effort was completed earlier this year.  I edited the stories, trying my best to 'edit' or change only things I felt needed to be changed.  As I worked and read them, I was once again impressed with the pictures he painted with his words.  I found myself chuckling over some passages and descriptions and pondering over some of the more poignant scenes.  Barbara Osier of Senatobia drew the front cover feather for the book.  De was very patient and helpful as I took months and months making decisions about printing the book.  Then came the typesetting and formatting, which Service's Sheila did. . .and then displayed plenty of patience with my editing and changing. . . Margaret, George's sister-in-law and my sister.  She was still in high school in Tupelo when George and I married.  The baby sister. . .

Remembering . . .

Many times George Morris spoke of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Gooch, his early-years principal and teacher.  Mrs. Elva Gooch's obituary was in the Sunday, May 18, "Clarion-Ledger," in which the announcement was made of her death May 13 at the Orchard-Arbor Center in Ridgeland.  She had moved to Jackson in 2005 to be near her daughter Bobbie.  "Teaching was not only her career but her love," the write-up stated.   "She wanted each child she taught to excel and to reach his/her potential.  For 42 years, she taught school. . ."  The write-up said that on Mother's Day weekend, she had her daughters, Bobbie and Linda, with her.  Special thoughts are sent to them.
I treasure the memory several years ago when class members gathered around Christmas at Estes Restaurant, with Mrs. Gooch as the special guest, accompanied by Bobbie and Frazier Ward.  Memorable time for me to be able to witness the occasion.  I know it meant a lot to George (Morris). . .