Happy First Day of Fall

Yesterday here in Clinton, the wind blew and leaves were falling in preparation for the first day of fall; only problem it was 97 degrees.

Here's hoping that fall will bring much needed rain to our area; hasn't rained in about a month.

Joe "Pete" Walker

I want to express sympathy to Brenda and all of Mr. Walker's family. His obituary is in today's Journal.

Last Week's Tragic Event

Some of you may have read in the newspaper or seen on the news about Ethel Simpson, a member of our church, who met a young man at the local healthplex a week ago today, and sometimes Monday night, he apparently murdered her and dumped her body a few miles from here. Her body was not discovered until last Friday and hasn't been officially identified as of this morning, though we are all certain that the body found is hers. Ethel was a very nice lady who, at least, on that one occasion was too trusting and believed a criminal's hard luck story.

The man was arrested in Alabama driving her car and allegedly committed another murder and also stabbed a man who is in serious condition.

We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic occurrence. She was a fine Christian lady.

A Visit with Mrs. Gooch and Bobbie

Cathy Johnson Garrett and I had a nice visit with Mrs. Gooch and Bobbie Gooch Ward this afternoon. Mrs. Gooch looked great and was in good spirits; we shared a number of stories about Plantersville.

We talked with Bobbie about her daughter, Leigh Anne, and the tragic accident; Bobbie is an exceptional individual whose faith in God is helping her and her family survive the most difficult times anyone can face. Please keep the Gooch family in your thoughts and prayers.

Joys of Home Ownership

I have neglected this blog for past two weeks mainly due to the joys of home ownership. The last, I hope, repairman came yesterday. Had roof put on, dealt with two leaks causing attention to the carpet and had lights in kitchen fixed. I'm about ready to move into a cave.

Fall

On this Labor Day weekend, there's a hint of fall in the air; school is in full swing, and Carly, as are student across the state, is busy with her homework.

Yesterday, college football season begun, sorry about that you Ole Miss fans, and soon the leaves will be turning.

Seems that summer becomes shorter every year.

Plantersville Presented Flag

Gloria Holland accepts a flag that flew over Task Force Knight Headquarters in Iraq from SFC Henry Harper.

Someone help me out on SFC Harper's family; any relation to Willie Harper?

I borrowed this picture from the City of Plantersville site.

Note: Henry, I know him as Darrell, is my Doris's grandson, the son of Dot Traylor and Willie Harper, both now deceased. I remember when he was born. I think the last time I saw Darrell was in 1997. Where do the years go?

Carole's Thoughts on Leigh Anne

Carole wrote the following about Bobbie's daughter, Leigh Anne Ward; Carole and Bobbie attended Tupelo High School together:

"It's Monday evening, and we, along with so many, remain in mourning and in shock over the loss of Leigh Anne Ward. The service on Saturday was comforting, celebrating the precious life of Leigh Anne, who touched so many, many people of all ages. The eulogies by friends, the thoughts and prayers of the ministers, who were touched by her life, the music: it was a memorable, special service with hundreds and hundreds of people coming to remember and to try to find comfort in gathering together. Her parents, her family members, and all friends are being remembered and prayed for constantly. Special loving thoughts are coming from us because of George having been taught by Mr. and Mrs. Gooch, Bobbie's mother and father; Bobbie being our classmate; and Carly being one of Leigh Anne's students at MRA. . . "Remember and cherish . . . "

Mrs. Gooch

Carole and I just returned from Leigh Ann Ward's visitation where we briefly spoke with Linda, Bobbie and Frazier. We were in line for almost two hours, certainly one of the largest, if not the largest crowd, I've ever witnessed at visitation.

Both Linda and Bobbie reported that Mrs. Gooch is not doing well. Please remember her and all her family in your prayers.

Sherrilyn Helms Brown and I plan to go visit Mrs. Gooch next week, but don't know if she will recognize us.

Price Harris at Red Bay

I received an e-mail from Price this morning. He will be singing at First Baptist Church in Red Bay, Alabama, this coming Sunday through Wednesday, August 22 - August 25.

Leigh Anne Ward

I borrowed this picture of Leigh Anne from the MRA web site. Doesn't she favor her grandmother?

Please remember Bobbie and Frazier and Mrs. Gooch and Linda in your prayers.

Services for Leigh Anne Ward

I just received an e-mail from MRA, the school where Leigh Anne taught, listing her services. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday night and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday with the services at 10:30 a.m. Visitation and services according to the e-mail will be at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi.

Broadmoor though now in a different location was the church that Dr. David Grant pastored for many years.

Bobbie Gooch's Daughter

Go to http://www.wapt.com/r/24671978/detail.html for more information on Leigh Anne Ward's terrible tragedy. There are quotes from her mother, Bobbie Gooch Ward, in the story. She was only three blocks from her home when a pickup driven by a nineteen year old crossed the median and hit her car.

Tragic News

Yesterday after school, Carly's computer teacher was killed in a wreck in Jackson. After listening to the news last night and gathering information this morning about the teacher, Leigh Anne Ward, I regret to report that she was also the daughter of Bobbie Gooch and the granddaughter of Mrs. Elva Gooch and the late Mr. Wallace Gooch.

Her obituary was not in this morning's paper, but I will report more information as it becomes available.

Carly loved Ms. Ward; they have only been in school three days, but Mrs. Ward had helped her get her stuff out of the car two of those days. Carly, as are all the kids at school, is heartbroken. Anyone who has additional information, please let me know.

Linda Partlow Tribute in Journal

In addition to the obituary, the Northeast Mississippi Journal has a story on Linda complete with pictures and video of Dr. Cole and of Linda.

The site is http://www.nems360.com/view/full_story/9104496/article-Longtime-ICC-coach-Partlow-dies?instance=home_news_right or go the Journal site: www: nems360.com and use the search engine.

School Days

Carly and her friend, Peyton, on the left in the yellow shirt and black shorts, start school today. They met their teacher yesterday, then had lunch together.

Jimmy Ellis

The last three posts have been sad ones. Jimmy's obituary was in today's paper. Jimmy was the youngest of Bill and Louella Stovall Ellis's children.

Sympathy to his family. When mother married Raymon Stovall, we moved to his house located on a hill four miles east of Plantersville, and at that time Raymon farmed with his brother-in-law, Bill Ellis; Bill and his family lived on the same hill about fifty or so yards away.

When I was seventeen or so, we took our only vacation, traveling to the Smokey Mountains, and Jimmy went with us.

I understand that Jimmy was a very talented musician.

Linda Partlow

I saw Linda Partlow's obituary in today's paper. Sympathy to Cindy and all of Linda's family and friends. As most of you know, her first cousin, Butch, and I were close growing up and her father and grandfather's store was next door so I remember when she was born. I knew that she was battling health issues the past few years but had hoped for the best.

For many years, the girl's tennis teams from Itawamba Community College and Hinds Community College, where I taught, were the two best teams in the state. I kept up with Linda and her success as a coach through the Hinds tennis coach.

Dr. Terry Thornton

Sympathy to the family of Dr. Terry Thornton whose obituary was in today's paper. Dr. Thornton was married to Betty Rooker of Plantersville.

Dr. Thornton was an erudite and scholarly gentleman who after retiring from Troy University used his talents to research the history and genealogy of Monroe and Itawamba Counties. He wrote a column on the history of the hill country of Monroe County for the Monroe County Journal, and had several blog sites, composed numerous Cd's, and wrote many articles.

I never met Dr. Thornton, but we corresponded via e-mail. I was especially interested in the research he had done on Pearce Chapel Cemetery as according to family lore, my great grandmother, Martha Pearce Morris was the first person buried there.

There's an old adage that when an old person dies, a library burn down; since Dr. Thornton was about my age, I certainly didn't consider him old, but his loss is the equivalent of losing a research library devoted to Monroe and Itawamba Counties.

Congratulations to Plantersville

Jackson's newspaper, The Clarion-Ledger published a full page ad showing the winners of the

Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence, and Plantersville was the big winner. Mayor Gloria Holland won the Achievement by a Public Servant while Jack Wuichel took home the Achievement by a Senior Adult.

Achievement by Adult was awarded to the Plantersville Volunteer Fire Department, and town of Plantersville won the Achievement by Community Partnership.

Plantersville or Plantersville folks captured four of the twelve awards given. Also, Helping Hands Ministry of Tupelo received the award for Achievement by a Faith-Based Organization.

Northeast Mississippi remains the most progressive area in the state.