Crockett Rocket December 2015 by Michael Harrison

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

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The History of the First Christmas Card Each year, thousands of Christmas cards are delivered by the United States Postal Service. But where did this tradition all begin? The sending of Christmas greeting cards began in the Victorian era. Although engravers produced prints with religious themes in the European Middle Ages, the first commercial Christmas and New Year’s card is believed to have been designed and printed in London, England in 1843. John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903), a British narrative painter and a Royal Academician, designed the very first Christmas and New Year’s card at the request of his friend Sir Henry Cole (first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum). Cole suggested the idea of a specially designed form of greeting to send to friends at Christmas. In 1843 an edition of 1,000 of these Christmas cards were printed and placed on sale in London. They were printed in lithography by Jobbins of Warwick Court, Holborn, London, and hand-colored by a professional “colourer” named Mason. The cards were published under Sir Henry Cole’s nom de guerre, “Felix Summerly”—by his friend Joseph Cundall, of New Bond Street. That was the beginning. But in spite of its ingenuity, the first Christmas card was not an instant success, even

bringing about disapproval from the temperance league who feared the card would encourage drunkenness. The following year there were other picture-makers, and the Christmas card was launched on the tide of popular favor; but it was not until the idea had grown out of favor among artistic and literary circles that it was taken up by a business man, Goodall. Charles Goodall & Son, a British publisher of visiting cards was one of the first to mass produce Christmas cards and visiting cards. In 1866 Mr. Josiah Goodall commissioned Messrs. Marcus Ward & Co., of Belfast, to lithograph, for his firm, a set of four designs by C. H. Bennett, and in the following year another set by the same artist. These, together with Luke Limner’s border design of holly, mistletoe,

and robins, may be taken as the forerunners of today’s Christmas card. The Christmas card publishing industry created unheard of opportunities for artists, writers, printers, and engravers. In 1880 the Christmas card had a new birth, for it was then that a great London firm offered 500 guineas in prizes for the most artistic designs. Many of the great artists of the day responded with their best ideas. Kate Greenaway, Walter Crane, and Thomas Crane were among the many 19th century artists famous for their greeting card designs. In addition, literary writers saw the opportunity; they gave to the beauty of the painting the music of their words. Many well-known writers were not above this profitable work of creating

greeting cards. Thousands of pounds were spent in finding the right poems and suitable Christmas sentiments, until at last these Yuletide offerings reached the climax of their literary and artistic excellence. An original copy of Horsley’s Christmas card is considered very rare. The Christmas card publishers, Messrs De La Rue, reproduced the original design by chromolithography in 1881; and then copies of this reprint were issued in 1955 and can still be found today. If you plan to carry on this tradition this year, the U.S. Postal Service advises you to mail your cards by Dec. 19 for delivery in time for Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

The Crockett Rocket is printed by offset and published once per month. The deadline for advertisement and article submission in The Crockett Rocket is the last Friday of every month. Submissions received after that date will be published in the following scheduled publication.

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

Coal Miner’s Daughter By Judy Poston “Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River...” Carolyn King is a coal miner’s daughter, having grown up in the hills of West Virginia. Her parents, whom she describes as being “generous with everyone,” raised nine kids, trusting in the spiritual admonition to “Train up a child in the way he should go,” standing on the promise that “when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Sunday mornings found the family in their pew at the nearby Free Will Baptist Church. “People respected, worshiped, and served God. Teachers, policemen, and members of the Armed Forces served as role models and children were taught, by their parents, to look up to them.” Carolyn’s family lived in Summit Park, West Virginia. They raised “chickens, two hogs every year, and a big garden.” Carrying a five-gallon bucket filled with hog weeds, left over table scraps, and mixed with used dishwater, Carolyn remembers slopping the hogs before and after school each day. A big stick would be used to stir the mixture and the Mayle children would

sometimes tease the hogs by sticking the stick up their nose. Growing up, Carolyn’s favorite radio program was “The Shadow.” One of the most popular shows in the history of radio programming, “The Shadow,” which first aired in 1930, opened each episode with words which remain recognizable to many today, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man? The Shadow knows.” With Orson Welles as one of the actors who voiced “The Shadow,” the main character was never seen, only heard. This invincible crime fighter with tremendous strength, who was able to defy gravity, speak in any language, unravel any code, become invisible, and who had the ability to “cloud men’s minds,” was more than a match for evil nemeses, “The Black Master,” “Kings of Crime,” “The Five Chameleons,” and “The Red Menace.” Carolyn recollects “being completely and totally engrossed in every spine-chilling, spell-bounding episode.” Recalling that her father always had two or three cars to tinker with, Carolyn and her brothers and sisters would spend hours playing

COAL MINER’s DAUGHTERS - Carolyn (on left) and her sister, April (on right) with Loretta Lynn in the immobile cars in which they would “take turns driving” supplying sound effects, and traveling across country and back again before their mama, Dessie, would call them in for supper. Halloween meant wonderful, colorful, and unusual costumes created and sewed together by Carolyn’s mom. (There were times in which the kids went out to trick or treat in the snow.) Easter brought dressy white strap patent leather shoes with a matching purse to go with the new Easter dress made by her mother. Although school was very close by, Carolyn shares that it was nothing to walk to school in snow “up to our knees.” In West Virginia, snow remained on the ground for most of the winter and the snow found in drift piles could come up to a person’s neck. Winter time in the large family meant plenty of playmates with which to enjoy sledding fun, snowball fights, and building snowmen complete with “eyes made out of coal,” sticks for arms, and brightly colored scarfs for apparel. Church homecoming and picnics were special occasions made even more special with Carolyn’s mom’s contributions of her potato salad and lemon cake which she was wellknown for amongst family and friends. “All my memories gather round her – Miner’s Lady – stranger to blue water...” Carolyn’s heart and mind is filled with remembered images of Christmases from her

childhood. Christmas caroling was a special event and the days, leading up to Christmas, were filled with hours of the children’s taking turns gazing at the pages of the Sears and Roebuck Wish Book, daydreaming about the rocking horses, dolls, tricycles and bicycles, and sleds pictured there. As their thoughts turned toward the coming holiday, Carolyn and her siblings tried especially hard not to cry or pout, to be not naughty but nice, as each knew, without a doubt, that Jolly Ole St. Nick was making his list and “checking it twice.” In October, parts for the much anticipated yearly Christmas program, at church, would be passed out and the young people would begin practicing once a week, working hard to memorize their lines and to learn to say them with expression. Carolyn’s mother used coat hangers to create angel wings and sewed beautiful white flowing gowns trimmed in tinsel and gold and white glitter for the heavenly beings to wear. Stage curtains were made from white sheets. In downtown Clarksburg, it was a true winter wonderland with twinkling lights and every store window displaying scenes with Frosty the Snowman, Baby Jesus in the Manger, Santa and his Reindeer, or the Little Drummer Boy. The Salvation Army volunteers stood on street corners with cheerful smiles and greetings of “Merry Christmas” as generous shoppers dropped coins in the big black kettles.

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015 The family’s Christmas dinner would include each one’s favorite food. After their Daddy said grace, the family dug into a delicious fat turkey filled with stuffing and accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy, potato salad, succotash made with green beans and corn, and sweet potatoes with browned, gooey marshmallows on top, plus much more. Mouth-watering lemon cake, coconut cake, chocolate cake, and apple pie were some of the dessert entrees. Carolyn loved the doctor’s kit she received one Christmas. Cowgirl and cowboy outfits with fringe and Gene Autry toy rifles and cap pistols found under the Christmas tree produced squeals of delight and provided countless hours of fun. Mrs. Mayle, who often reminded her children that they should exercise wisdom when it came to the money their father worked so hard to earn, always saved the Christmas bows from the children’s presents to reuse the next year. Carolyn’s father, Sherman Mayle, was a man who, she says, could make anything work and was often called upon by friends and neighbors to repair things which he would tinker with until he had the items working again. He would be gone by the time his children arrived home from school each day, as he would go to work in the mines at 3:30 each afternoon. When he returned home around mid-night, he had saved the little store-bought cake, Carolyn’s mother packed in his lunch each day, and the sweet treasure went to whomever was still awake upon his arrival. At the end of a day’s work,

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Carolyn’s dad would leave the mine covered from head to toe in coal dust with only the whites of his eyes visible in his face. The kids would help him pull off the layers of clothes and multiple pairs of gray, knee length wool socks, worn inside his tall mining boots, to keep warm in the frigid temperatures of the mine, where he would labor while sometimes standing in water. Oftentimes, the miner came home so worn out, he would fall asleep where he sat, while his children were taking off his work clothes. Carolyn remembers her mother washing clothes in an old wringer washer but her dad’s clothes, covered with the blackness of the coal dust, would have to be washed in a whole separate machine from that used to clean the rest of the family’s clothes. Carolyn vividly recalls her daddy’s hard-shell miner’s hat which is in her brother’s possession today. It had a carbonated light which was lit from a match when he was ready to go down into the mine and was blown out when he finished at the close of his shift. Carolyn clearly remembers one night when she and her siblings were enjoying a rather rowdy pillow fight when a pillow flew outside, through a window, just as her dad was coming home. The wayward missile knocked his hat off and broke the light. The offenders were then introduced to the “miner’s belt” which was made of leather and was “wide and long.” The dangers of the “dark as a dungeon” mines are highlighted by a tragic incident which took place one day when Carolyn’s Uncle Pete was making his way out of the mine af-

ter working the night shift. Suddenly and without warning, a large rock fell, killing her uncle who was also a husband and the father of two teenage girls. Just prior to this awful disaster, Carolyn’s father had entered the same mine for the beginning of his shift. He did not know what had happened to his brother-in-law until he came up out of the mine to go home following his own work day. After high school graduation, like many of her friends, Carolyn moved to Washington D.C. to find a better paying job. However, she came home almost every weekend either by Greyhound Bus, an airplane, or by catching a ride with a friend who had a car and was headed in the same direction. It was about 1975, when Carolyn received a very special birthday gift from her good friend, Francis, who explained only that she needed an entire evening to give her birthday gift to her. Francis surprised Carolyn with tickets to a Loretta Lynn concert and arranged for Carolyn to meet the other coal miner’s daughter. Carolyn and sister, April, had their pictures made with Loretta and Carolyn was able to purchase a Loretta Lynn record album which all the members of Loretta’s band, “The Coal Miners,” autographed for her. She clearly remembers Loretta ending the show that evening with her rendition of a favorite gospel song, “Where No One Stands Alone.” “Country roads, take me home to the place I belong – West Virginia, Mountain Mama, take me home, country roads.” Carolyn tells of a trip home, after she moved to West Tennessee and

www.TheCrockettNews.com Crockett County, with her husband, Bobby. Enjoying spending time with her family and visiting her friends so much so that when it came time to leave, Carolyn talked Bobby into staying an extra night. Unbeknownst to her long suffering husband, she then prayed for snow. The next morning snow had drifted up to the windows on the car and the couple had to stay yet an additional two nights. Bobby declares, “If we had left when we were supposed to, we would have beat the snow.” Today, Carolyn enjoys planning and preparing special Christmas treats and activities for Bobby along with Billy, Wayne, Brandon, Cherri, and Jason and their families. Always ready with a praise for her LORD and Savior, Carolyn shares, “The LORD has blessed me in too many different ways for me to even dare ask Him for one more thing.” However, she knows that the LORD wants his children to always rely on Him for their every need. To the readers of The Crockett Rocket, Carolyn, who, for many years, wrote the community news from Pond Creek in The Crockett Times and The Crockett Reporter, has this message: “I pray that each and every one of you are looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” From coal miner’s daughter to daughter of the King, Carolyn King wishes a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.” (Song, “Country Roads,” written by John Denver, Bill Danoff, Hayao Miyazaki, and Taffy Nivert, and recorded by John Denver)

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

Brighten The Corner Where You Are By Judy Poston Billy Hale can best be described as a man who loves to help others. At Christmas, he finds joy in dressing as Santa and visiting his fellow patients at Alamo Nursing Home, bringing his own brand of Christmas cheer. Halloween finds Billy strumming his guitar while dressed as his favorite entertainer, Elvis Presley. Just the sight of him in his white jumpsuit brings a smile to the face of all who encounter him. And then there is the Billy Hale, A.K.A. MacGyver, who can fix just about anything. Whether he is working in the home’s vegetable garden, shelling peas, or voluntarily

making the rounds with personnel who check the alarm system, daily, using the alarm he wears, Billy stays busy and is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Born without his hearing, Billy, who writes things down or otherwise always finds a way to communicate with others, came to live at the nursing home about three or four years ago when his mother passed away. His aunt, Mrs. Elvis East, faithfully visits and spends time with her nephew who is very dear to her. Billy’s good friend, Diane Davis, Activities Director at the nursing facility, describes her surprise at his repairing the microphone that is part of the home’s public address system just when she thought they would have to buy a new system. When the Scooby doo clock Diane purchased for her grandson didn’t work, her first thought was just to “chunk it.” Her second thought was to bring it into work and just let Billy tinker with it. You guessed it – Billy fixed it! The cassette player/radio that was broken – he not only fixed it – he kept it! But, perhaps, the most amazing side of Billy is his artistic talent. He can often be found sitting in the dining hall diligently working on his sketches and drawings. Diane describes the incredible detailed model of a motor, transmission, and battery that Billy built in her office not long after he first came to live at the nursing home. His work was so realistic that Diane declared to her fellow workers, “If that thing cranks up and takes off, I’m leaving this place!” Other building projects have included a semi truck and a female robot modeled after one of the nurses on staff. What does Billy use to build his works of art? Anything he can find! He grabbed Diane’s fly swatter for a shifter on his transmission. He took apart a pen and used the spring he found inside. Cups, tubes used for medical purposes, filters, Legos, anything not

nailed down – he can find a use for in his art. Old telephone books become 3-D Christmas trees as he patiently folds the pages. Diane is always on the look out for discounted Lego sets which Billy quickly puts together often in one setting. The bigger the set, the better. The nursing home’s annual Christmas door decorating contest allows Billy to join together two things he loves - helping people and making lovely works of art. Diane explains that although the decorating does not normally really get underway until after Thanksgiving, Billy got an early start on his door. Then when Billy’s door was done, he didn’t stop there but went to work on a fireplace scene complete with Christmas stockings in the cafeteria and then began to help other residents with artistic expressions on their doors. Santa, Christmas trees, a house in the snow complete with a Chevy parked out front – all this and more brighten the halls of Alamo Nursing Home thanks to Billy Hale. There is an old gospel tune entitled, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” One corner of Crockett County is definitely brighter because of one Billy Hale who lives there. “As Elvis would say, Billy, ‘Thank you. Thank you very much.’ And… Merry Christmas!”

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

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Gibson EMC and Hickman-Fulton Counties RECC to Merge Member-owners of Gibson Electric Membership Corporation made history on Tuesday, November 17 when they voted in favor of merging with Hickman-Fulton Counties Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation at a Special Meeting in Tiptonville. The unanimous “yes” vote of 208 Gibson EMC members follows the HFRECC vote in which their members overwhelmingly approved the merger with an 88 percent “yes” vote. The merger will become effective January 1, 2016. Gibson EMC will serve HFRECC members and the Hickman, Kentucky office location will remain open and operate as one of Gibson EMC’s five member service centers. Gibson EMC President and CEO Dan Rodamaker will lead the merged cooperative and all of HFRECC’s and Gibson EMC’s employees will keep their jobs. “We’re very pleased our members have voted in favor of the merger,” Gibson EMC Board Chairman Steve Sanders says. “This is a decision that will benefit our members

More than 200 Gibson EMC members who attended the Special Meeting in Tiptonville gave their unanimous approval to the merger proposal. Members of Hickman-Fulton RECC previously approved the plan by a super majority with 88 percent favoring the merger. in the long-term and benefit Hickman-Fulton’s members immediately.” David Kimbell, HFRECC Board Chairman, agrees. “Our board is happy with the outcome too,” Kimbell says. “We look forward to

2016 and all of the positive changes the merger will bring for our members.” Rodamaker describes the outcome as a win-win. HFRECC members are expected to see a cumulative savings of about $12.6 million over

the next 10 years. Gibson EMC members also will benefit from the merger by spreading costs over a larger number of members and by eliminating duplication. “We want to thank all of the members who voted,” Rodamaker says. “We also want to thank the employees and board members of both cooperatives for their selfless decisions and hard work. We look forward to joining with the HFRECC board and employees and to serving their members.” The electric systems of Gibson EMC and HFRECC connect along the Tennessee and Kentucky border. HFRECC serves about 3,700 homes and businesses in Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle and Graves counties in Western Kentucky and portions of Obion and Lake counties in Northwest Tennessee. Gibson EMC serves about 35,000 members in parts of eight Northwest Tennessee counties (Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion and Madison).

“Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee What Love and Pride I Feel for Thee. You Proud Ole State, the Volunteer, Your Proud Traditions I Hold Dear.

I Thrill at Thought of Mountains Grand; Strong Folks of Pioneer Descent, Rolling Green Hills and Fertile Farm Land; Simple, Honest, and Reverent. Earth Rich with Stone, Mineral and Ore; Tennessee’s Official State Poem Forests Dense and Wild Flowers Galore; Beauty and Hospitality By Naval Adm. William Porter Lawrence Are the Hallmarks of Tennessee. I Revere Your Heroes Powerful Rivers that Bring us Light; And O'er the World as I May Roam, Who Bravely Fought our Country's Foes. Deep Lakes with Fish and Fowl in Flight; No Place Exceeds my Boyhood Home. Renowned Statesmen, so Wise and Strong, Thriving Cities and Industries; And Oh How Much I Long to See Who Served our Country Well and Long. Fine Schools and Universities; My Native Land, My Tennessee.

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Thankful The residents at Bells Nursing and Rehab made a special surprize for their caregivers on Friday, November 20, 2015. Residents with the guidance of Dietary Supervisor, Beverly Ellington, used Fudge Striped Cookies, Vanilla Icing, mini Reeces Cups and Orange Tic Tacs to make Pilgrim hats. Residents passed out the Pilgrim hats to all staff at the facility to show how â&#x20AC;&#x153;THANKFULâ&#x20AC;? they were for all the love and care that they receive each day. The staff were very excited over their special treat and thanked each resident who participated.

Ms. Brenda Rushing - Ms. Mattie Peay Brasfield - Ms. Betty Seals Ms. Dorothy Adair

Ms. Martha Williams - Ms. Elnora Lott - Mr. Sidney Hendren - Ms. Katherine Currey

Ms. Birdo Lassiter - Mr. Richard Overton - Ms. Eloise Ballard with Beverly Ellington

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

GES Honors Students for Responsibility

Gadsden Elementary School would like to congratulate the following students for being recognized as the October Students of the Month. These students were recognized for exhibiting the character trait responsibility. Pictured with their families are: 5th grade Tyrianna Johnson, 5th grade Mackinley Walker, 4th grade Yathziry Candelario, 3rd grade Landon Trimmer, 2nd grade Karly Davis, 1st grade Annslee Miller, kindergarten Caleb Williams, kindergarten Skye Youngblood, and preschool Jaeden Hughes.

Crockett Elf Ride

The Elf Ride will depart from the Alamo Safe Room at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7. Elves will line up at 5:30 p.m. The ride will travel east on East Park Street to Pecan Street. Participants will then travel west along East Main Street to South Johnson Street. From there, they will return to East Park Street.

Local Student Attends UT Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Futurestar Leadership Summit Timothy McCord (center), from Crockett County Middle School, attended the FutureStar Leadership Summit on Oct. 29 at the University of Tennessee at Martin, hosted by the WestStar Leadership Program. Students were selected based on leadership potential and were able to participate in a variety of team-building exercises before touring the UT Martin campus. McCord is pictured with WestStar Leadership Program staff members Jordan Jones (left), administrative assistant, and Virginia Grimes, program coordinator.

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The Price Of A Shoe Box By Judy Poston The Monday prior to Thanksgiving found Mrs. Katie Spence and her fifth graders, at Maury City Elementary School, packing shoe boxes. Both Bethany Davenport and Tricia Griffith have spent the entire year packing shoe boxes. Crockett County’s 4H Club held a packing party. Crockett County High School’s Beta Club did the same. One by one, Archer’s Chapel, Crossroads Baptist, Providence, Pond Creek, Christ Community, Bells’ First Baptist, and other churches from all across the county, pulled up in their buses and vans, trucks and cars to Alamo’s First Baptist Church where they unloaded the boxes they packed this year. Theses people have spent the past weeks gathering toothbrushes and soap, pencils and pencil trimmers, slinkies and soccer balls, Barbies and beanie babies. All of these people have one thing in common. They realize that this is more than just a shoe box. Soap and toothpaste will be used up over time. Yo-yos, beads, and other trinkets — no matter how shiny — will eventually wear out and be discarded. Matchbox cars and teddy bears will be outgrown. However, these Crockett County folks know their investment is in something more... something that will last eternally! These boxes change kids’ lives forever! The phrase, “Christmas Shoe Boxes,” is synonymous with Dr. Franklin Graham, son of America’s

beloved evangelist, Dr. Billy Graham, and the organization Franklin founded, Samaritan’s Purse, which answers the question the lawyer, in the New Testament, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” by reaching out, in love, with aid to people facing the ravages of war, famine, flood, disease, and other disasters, the world over. The organization’s goal, this year, is to carry 11 million shoe boxes into the darkest recesses of the world, using them as tools to share the love of God and the light of the gospel with those who have never heard the name, Jesus. At home individuals, families, local churches, schools, and workplaces pack shoe boxes for “Operation Christmas Child.” They include hygiene items, school supplies, and play things. Before sending their boxes off, each one prays over the filled box... that that box will find its way into the hands of a child

who will not only treasure the items placed carefully inside but whose heart will be receptive to the story of Jesus. In Crockett County, boxes may then be delivered to the local relay center at Alamo First Baptist Church. For the past seven years, Lesley Mansfield has faithfully greeted those arriving to turn in their boxes with a smile and a helping hand as she and, often, her three children, helped unload boxes from vehicles’ backseats and trunks. She recalls that even before that, she and her kids packed boxes and took the finished product to Lifeway Christian Bookstore on the campus of Union University in Jackson. Then Mr. Bill Welsh contacted First Baptist to see if they would be interested in serving as a center where boxes could be collected. For the first two years, the church used the building on court square, in Alamo, that had once been

home to Lee’s Fine Furniture, as a collection site. Then after completion of the church’s new home, the collection site was moved there. Esther Ellis, Kim Faught, Donna Ketchum, Carolyn Ronk, Brittney Goldsby, and Pam Rigby are other volunteers who man shifts ensuring that someone is at the church during “collection week” to receive the boxes. Lesley says of Stephanie Cochran, the church’s secretary, “She helps tremendously, filling in wherever she is needed during the collection process.” Using the church’s foyer, which temporarily resembles Santa’s workshop, and with the precision of Santa’s elves, these volunteers pack the individual shoe boxes into larger boxes. They are able to supply boxes, which are sent to them by Samaritan’s Purse, for free, to those packing boxes to bring. They collect information on the boxes turned in for Samaritan’s Purse as well as answer any questions, packers of boxes might have. The boxes, turned in here, are then loaded onto a church trailer and Pastor Chris Rigby, and Youth Pastor Brian Joyner, carry Crockett County’s boxes on the next leg of their journey to the collection center, at Bemis, which collects boxes from relay centers all around the area. From there, semi tractor trailer rigs, from Road Way Trucking, donate their time and service to take the boxes to the big processing center in Atlanta, Georgia. Here, volunteers take each shoe-

Follow us on Facebook! box out of its crate. One person takes out any money that has been placed in the box for shipping and puts it in its proper account from which mailing and shipping costs are paid. Another looks for chocolate that might have been placed in the boxes as this might melt in transit. As the chocolate is taken out, it is replaced with other treats such as bubble gum and hard candy. Liquids that could spill and ruin other goodies in the box are also removed, as are knives and any toy such that relate to war — guns, toy soldiers, etc. — and might not be allowed to pass through inspection stations in other countries. Anything, that is deemed necessary to remove, is then donated to places in the local community that serve others and is replaced with a suitable item. (First Baptist volunteers accept “fillers” that can be used for this purpose.) Otherwise, the volunteers do not rearrange or tamper with any items in the box as they realize that people have prayed over the items included and even what items to choose for a particular box. From Atlanta, the boxes are shipped quite literally all

Page 17 over the world. In villages through out South America, Africa, and the Orient, as well as other far flung areas, lively events, in which the gospel is presented, will be staged by local churches, missionaries, or other volunteers. Each child, who receives a shoe box, will also be given a copy of “The Greatest Gift of All” - a book in their own native language which tells the Good News of Jesus. Carolyn Knight, one of Pond Creek Church’s missionaries who served in Africa for a number of years, will never forget the expressions of joy on the faces of boys and girls as she had the opportunity to be one of those volunteers who pressed a shoe box into the eager, waiting hands of a child. Many times this shoe box is the first Christmas gift a child has ever received. There have been documented instances where, upon hearing the gospel for the first time and overwhelmed with the generosity of those eager to demonstrate the love of Jesus, children, their parents, even entire villages have given their hearts to Christ. A teenager, adopted from Russia

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

and brought to the United States to live in Memphis with her new family, shared with churches, in Crockett County, how much the box meant to her when she received her first Christmas gift ever, while living in a Russian orphanage where all the children shared one bar of soap. She had never seen dental floss nor knew what it was and since, it smelled nice and minty, and, well, delicious, she ate it! The memory remained with her, however, of the wonder that someone must have loved her very much to send such wonderful treasures to a girl they never knew – a girl who had known only hatred and abuse from her own alcoholic mother. Lesley shared the story of Tricia Griffith, who relayed that it had been several years since she packed her first shoe box. Over the years, she has made it her goal to learn more about the shoe boxes so she can better choose her items for packing. She now has a storage shed filled assorted items that she purchases through out the entire year – she loves 90% off sales. Each

storage box is carefully labeled to indicate age appropriateness and whether the items inside are for little boys or little girls. Lesley joyfully looks on as she sees the entire community of, not just Crockett County or West Tennessee coming together, but the entire nation uniting in a common effort. “Everybody does their little part until the boxes get to the final destination.” Last year, 467 boxes from all over Crockett County arrived at the relay center at the Baptist Church. This year, the number increased to 806. Last year, Lesley remembers that gas prices were high while this year the price of gas has gone down and so maybe, “folks are seeing they can help a little more.” Lesley shares her appreciation of all the churches, organizations, and individuals in the county who have contributed. “Hopefully,” she says, “Next year, we can break a thousand” as we remember “What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal.” The price of a shoe box? Priceless!

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God’s Word is Truth by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;” [1 Thess 4:9-10]. And we are commanded by Jesus to do this to show who we are: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” [John 13:34-35]. As loving brothers, we desire each other’s companionship: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” [Rom 12:10]. So we then know we are nearing that divine nature: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in God teaches us to do this, to urge us into death” [1 John 3:14]. the divine nature: “But concerning brothchurch of Christ at Crossroads Brotherly kindness is translated from the erly love you have no need that I should Charles Yawn Greek word philadelphia, which we all write to you, for you yourselves are taught We are getting down to the final ingredients to shape ourselves into partakers of that divine nature as we follow God’s instructions to that goal. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; to godliness brotherly kindness,” [2 Peter 1:2-7a].

immediately recognize as the name William Penn gave to the city known also as the “City of Brotherly Love.” It means the love that caring brothers have for one another. Practicing brotherly love is part of the process of purifying our souls: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,” [1 Peter 1:22]. It also establishes our hearts blameless in holiness: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” [1 Thess 3:12-13].

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Bells Students Celebrate Red Ribbon Week Throughout the country, schools and communities are reminded of the dangers of drugs and the importance of education during this special time of the year. Bells Elementary celebrated the importance of leading a drug-free life by observing the following ‘spirit’ days during the week of Oct. 26-30, 2015• Monday: Put drugs to rest and make dreams come true! Students may wear pajamas. · Tuesday: Cowboy up and ride drug free! Students may dress in western clothes. · Wednesday: We dress up to put Crockett County School’s Superintendent Bobby Mullins was drugs down! Students may dress up recognized by Gadsden Elementary School on Superintendent in their nicest clothes. Appreciation Day for his service and dedication to our school system. He is pictured with Kaye Stroud’s first grade class. Students presented him with a basket of goodies and a donation will be made to the Carl Perkins Center in his honor.

GES Donates in Honor of Mullins

Administrator Craig B. Laman, 2015 BNRC Caregiver of the Year Rebekah Leggett, Assistant Administrator Selena Park and Director of Nursing Agatha Boone.

BNRC Names Leggett Caregiver of Year CNA Rebekah Leggett has been named Bells Nursing and Rehab’s 2015 Caregiver of the Year. Rebekah has worked at BNRC since 2013. She is kind, patient, diligent, dependable and provides great care to her residents and their families. She has been instrumental in training staff in the facility. Congratulations to Rebekah for her dedication to her residents, the facility and her profession.

·Thursday: We have the power to be drug free! Students may dress like super heros. · Friday: Fly high with Eagle pride! Students may wear gold, black or any school shirts. Parents were encouraged to participate by displaying red ribbons and talking to their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. They received information about the week as well as resources that could help them support the efforts beyond school and into their homes and our c o m m u n i t y. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.

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A Nation Suffering As I watch with sadness the development of crisis after crisis in a nation that I have grown up in, a nation that I love, a nation that was founded on solid Christian principles, I ask myself “why?” If I want a “worldly” answer, all I have to do is turn on the television, read the newspaper or a current magazine. I then realize that instead of an answer as to why our economy is failing, why the moral fiber of this once great nation is being shaken to the roots, why we are engaged in a military conflict in the Middle East, why efforts to negotiate peace are failing – all I find is finger pointing and false accusations, suggesting that it’s the fault of the Republicans, or the Democrats, China or Russia or global warming, etc., etc. We have become a “faulting” nation. Our answer (we think) becomes, “It can’t possibly be my fault. It has to be someone else’s.” How do we find an answer to all of this confusion and turmoil? A bit of history will give us insight into where our nation is in its historical journey and what we can expect in the “near” future. There is a cycle that all great nations throughout history have been through. All of these “great” nations are gone now and we, in the United States, need to pay heed to this cycle. Cycle of Democracy “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess (definition - “generous gifts”) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:

From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back again into bondage.” The above concept comes from, “The Athenian Republic,” written by Dr. Alexander Tytler, a Scottish professor, and published shortly before the thirteen American colonies gained independence from Britain. America is quickly approaching the end of this cycle. Why is America following this destructive cycle which will destroy this nation if not dealt with? The answer is simple. We have forgotten that our nation was founded by our forefathers on solid Christian principles with fear and awe of an awesome God (YAHWEH). The Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions. They are protective and powerful and, when followed, allow a nation to prosper. These commandments assure every person, who is willing to surrender his or her life to these biblical principles, a meaningful life which honors God. Follow these God given rules and receive God’s blessings and protection. If one fails and follows worldly rules of selfishness and greed and an appetite for power, forgetting that all we have belongs to God, then God will allow this nation to fail just as those nations who have followed the democracy cycle before us. It is vitally important that we look at our world through a third lens as described by Joel Rosenberg in his book, “Epicenter.” Generally, our world tries to solve problems by seeking solutions to problems while looking through only two lenses: namely a political lens or an economic lens. What our nation has forgotten is that God founded this nation by giving the framers

of our constitution this third lens. The lens that must be used is the lens of Holy Scriptures from The Holy Bible. The fate of the world is well described in the Bible in the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah. At this point in history, many believe that the present world conflict can be solved by looking for political or economic answers. This is why we fail! I pray that each one who reads this letter realizes that this nation must get on its knees and pray that God will forgive us for forgetting Him. We sit on knife’s edge of destruction. I think that a statement from the late, spiritual giant, Adrian Rogers, shows us where we are as a nation. He stated, “The waves of God’s wrath are beating against the dykes of His mercy.” If our nation continues down a path that does not recognize that our Heavenly Father wants us, as a nation, to repent and come back to Him and follow His simple rules, then destruction of our nation is certain and His wrath will prevail. We need an army that does not apologize for faith in our God and an army that is willing to fight paganistic forces that take our focus off of the one true God. Pastors, your job is clear. I pray that you do not forget your responsibility to build an army to fight the satanic, pagan forces in our Christian nation. Building fancy programs and fancy church buildings with soft pews and preaching a “soft, feel-good gospel” won’t get the job done. PASTORS, PREPARE YOUR WARRIORS! PLEASE heed these words from the Holy Scriptures - “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14). God Speed, R.W. Rhear, M.D.

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The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

Happy birthday to December 13th December 27th my baby brother, Happy birthday Happy 4th birthday Jimmy Russell Riley! Reese Riley! Hope you Clint Riley! Luv u Little Brother Aunt Tammy Luvs u! have a great birthday! Great Aunt Tammy Luvs U Happy Birthday to My Loved Ones in December! December 4 Jimmy Russell Riley & Micah Callie Riley December 13 Clint Riley Happy 18th birthday Jacob December 27 Russell Riley! Aunt Tammy Reese Riley luvs u to the moon and back... December 31 Hope u have a great birthday on Jacob Russell Riley December 31! Love, Aunt Tammy

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Enduring the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;Ś

Help for Those Who Hurt I love The Crockett Rocket. For several years now, I have written a column attempting to help those who hurt during the holiday season. Michael Harrison recently reached out to me and asked me if I would write my thoughts down for you all once again. I gladly agreed and offer these thoughts from my heart to yoursâ&#x20AC;Ś I have taken classes on how to comfort those who grieve since 2002. I have taken crisis intervention and pastoral counseling courses. In college, I was required to keep a death and dying journal for a grade. I have lectured on death and dying for over 10 years. I have served as chaplain for multiple agencies for almost 15 years. However, it's different when it happens to you. As I begin to write this article I did not realize how difficult it would be. It forced me to revisit pain and understand it's okay to grieve again and again. You see, enduring the death of my own family member last year caused me to question everything I had ever learned, believed, or taught regarding grief, death, and dying. In other words... it's different when "life" happens to you. This will be our third Thanksgiving and Christmas without my

grandmother. We will miss her presence and especially her delicious cooking this year just the same. I guess to sum it all up...things just aren't the same this year. I can't help but wonder how many other readers are in the same boat as I? Or how many readers will have an empty chair for the first time around the dinner table? And so as I write, my mind takes a journey back to the time when grandmother died and it travels forward as well in an attempt to understand what the holiday season will bring without her here with us. This period is often referred to as a time of transition. Our lives are much like the seasons of the year. Life is beautiful when the leaves are green. Then, the leaves fall off the trees. Next, we have the promise of spring - but in the meantime (and it is a MEAN TIME) we must endure

winter. It's the end of one thing and a new beginning of the other. The end is grandmothers death and the beginning is the "new normal" we must find after enduring loss. It's awful, scary, and sad during this transitional time...and that's okay. A wise man recently told me, "you have the right to all of your feelings" and I certainly believe it. Your feelings are real and they belong to you! However, these difficult moments have a tendency to cause one of two reactions: closer to God or closer to Satan. Job and his wife lost all 10 of their precious children. Job was brought closer to God while his wife seemed to drift closer to Satan as she told her husband to curse God and die. The reason people change and move is because of the ending - and everyone relates to endings differently. Endings bring

shattered hearts and a brokenness that is unexplainable. However, it's God's light that is now able to shine through the cracks of our brokenness. He will not forsake. He will not stand idly by. And He will not neglect your tears for they are like prayers to His throne. I have never believed that God would fill the hole left in our hearts but I firmly believed He would help us through it. "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you" (I Peter 5:7). As I read through my Bible it becomes apparent to me that God cares about the big things in our lives as well as the little things. Where else could we turn...but to the Lord? No, I don't have all the answers. Every day his mercies are new and fresh...but also each new day brings new challenges and questions. But this I know: You don't have to understand this life to live it. You don't have to understand all the details to trust God. You don't have to be "perfect" to get the attention of our God. So, you hold on...endure the pain...don't freeze to death during winter...and spring will be here soon enough. May God bless you during this time of transition in your life. With love and prayers, Stephen Sutton

Billy Antwine Memorial services for Mr. Billy Antwine, age 87, were held Saturday, December 5, 2015, at Salem Cemetery. Mr. Antwine died Saturday, November 28, 2015, at the Tennessee State Veteran’s Home in Humboldt, Tennessee. He was born June 14, 1928 in Gadsden, Tennessee, to the late Vernon and Pennye Antwine. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Antwine; daughter, Kathy Golliver; brother, Robert Antwine; sister, Brenda Antwine. Surviving relatives include his son-in-law, Dale Golliver; brothers, Jimmy Antwine and wife Sherry, Jerry Antwine; sister, Mary Frances Eubanks; many nieces and nephews; grandson, Will Golliver. Larry Neal Bodkins Funeral services for Mr. Larry Neal Bodkins, age, 82 were held Saturday, November 28, 2015, in the chapel of Ronk Funeral Home. Mr. Bodkins was born in Alamo, Tennessee October 5, 1933,

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passed away peacefully at home and entered heaven November 26, 2015. Larry served his country in the United States Navy from December 1955 through August 1957 in the Pacific Fleet. He married Margaret Inez Pannell in January 1958 and made their home in Nashville, Tennessee, where they started raising their family. Mr. Bodkins began driving a truck for Western Auto in Tennessee. Then Yellow Freight in Mississippi for many years until he retired in 1999. He and Margaret moved back to Tennessee and enjoyed retirement together in Humboldt. Mr. Bodkins was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Ernest and Bertie Bodkins of Bells, Tennessee; brothers, Edward Bodkins of Rock Hill, S.C, Jimmy Dwight Bodkins of Bells, Tennessee; grandson, U.S.M.C. Wesley Bodkins of Clinton, Mississippi. Survived by his wife, Margaret Inez Bodkins; brother Gerald Bodkins of Lexington Tennessee; children, Robert Neal Bodkins and Janet Faye Keith; grandson, Bradley Neal Bodkins; great grandchildren all from Mississippi. Visitation for Mr. Bodkins was held Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the 2015, Plan at Poplar Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Larry Frazier Churchwell Funeral services for Mr. Larry Frazier Churchwell, age 64, were held Monday, November 16, 2015, in the chapel of Ronk Funeral Home with Melvin Rector and James Spivey officiating. Interment followed at Nance

Cemetery in Alamo, Tennessee. Mr. Churchwell died Friday, November 13, 2015, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He was born July 21, 1951 in Alamo, Tennessee to Billy and Lena Churchwell. He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Churchwell. Surviving relatives include his mother, Lena Mae Churchwell; wife, Polly Churchwell; sons, Larry Churchwell, Jr. and wife Theresa, Tracy Thomas and wife Gina, Larry Bradley “Brad” Churchwell; step-son, Bobby Lynn Atchison; daughter, Latricia Worsham and husband Todd; step-daughter, Janet Lee Booher and husband Robert; sister, Dorothy Wright and husband Homer; granddaughters, Lillian, Abigal, Caroline, Taylor Dawn, Kaylynn, Riley, Madison, Kristi, Allyson and Alexia; grandson, Taylor Reese; step-grandchildren, Justin Lynn Atchison, Brandon LeeLynn Atchison, Kelly Jessica Comer and husband Luke and Allison Donlee Palmer. Visitation for Mr. Churchwell was held Sunday, November 15, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Charlie “Fred” Clark Funeral services for Mr. Charlie “Fred” Clark, age 91, were held Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home with Randy Criss officiating. Mr. Clark died November 10, 2015, at the Crockett County Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born November 16, 1923 in Alamo, Tennessee to the late Melvin and Gracie Clark. Mr. Clark was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Clark Criss. Surviving relatives include wife Merle Clark; daughter Elaine Tankersley; sister, Dor-

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015

othy Laster; grandchildren Tara Wicker, Sara Russell, Randi Kail, Christin Schafer, Jonas Tankersley and Lee Tankersley; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation for Mr. Clark was held on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Dorothy Jean Emison

drove a school bus for the Bells school system for several years and served as a teacher’s aide at Bells Elementary and retired as Bells Elementary School secretary in 2009. She was joined in marriage to Lenard Emison on January 16, 1973 and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2014. She is survived by children Vandle Emison, Gary Emison, Horace Emison, Cindy (Ronnie) Lonon, Angela Wells and Sheryl (Brian) Wright; her loving grandchildren Amanda Carter, Kayla Dees, April Mayfield, Heather Emison, Krystal Emison, Patrick Lonon, Megan Dimas, Cody Williamson, Jacob Wright and Adam Wright; and her great-grandchildren Tamara Baird, Chase, Mason and Savanna Coulston, Benton Dees, Katelyn Mayfield, Gage Emison, Amelia Irvin, Natalia and Cristian Dimas, and Cambrie and CJ Williamson. Also she leaves a brother, Bobby King, and sisters Violet Yerges and Linda King and a host of other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by brothers Doris King and Travis King, a grandson Jeremy Emison, and a great-grandson Jaden Williamson. The family wishes to thank all of her caregivers for all of their wonderful, loving attention. The family would also like to thank everyone for the texts, calls, messages, gifts and memories shared in our time of grief. Donations may be made in Mrs. Dorothy’s name to Bells Elementary School.

Mrs. Dorothy Jean Emison (Mrs. Dorothy) of Bells, Tennessee, age 72 died in hospice care at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital on Sunday, November 22, 2015. Family and friends accepted visitors at Ronk Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Funeral services were officiated by Dr. Gary Osborne and were held at Ronk Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, with burial following at Belleview Cemetery in Bells, Tennessee. Pallbearers were Vandle Emison, Gary Emison, Horace Emison, Brian Wright, Ronnie Lonon and Kevin Becknell. Honorary pallbearears were Cody Williamson, Patrick Lonon, Jacob Wright and Adam Wright. Dorothy Jean was born on July 4, 1943 in the Bethesda community. She was the daughter of the late Odell and Eddie King, and had resided in Crockett Mills and Bells for most of her life. She graduated from Hamlett Robertson High School, located in Crockett Mills, in 1961. She was a member of the Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Friendship. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. She loved spending time with famDeborah May Foster ily and friends, reading books, working word search puzzles Deborah May Foster passed and watching The Young and away on Sunday, November 1, The Restless on television. She 2015, at Jackson Madison Coun-

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015 ty General Hospital. She was born on November 25, 1951 to the late Jack Walbridge, Sr. and wife, Virginia. Deborah is survived by a daughter, Leah Foster of Brockton, MA; a son, Peter Alvarnaz of Bethel Springs, Tennessee; one sister, Renee Andrade; four brothers, Jack Dean Walbridge, Will Carnes Walbridge, Gregory Owen Clark and Thomas Brady Hardin; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Jessie Fay Jahnkow Funeral services for Mrs. Jessie Fay Jahnkow, age 73, were held Saturday, November 7, 2015, in the chapel of Ronk Funeral Home with Grant Gaines officiating. Interment followed at Cypress Cemetery. Mrs. Jahnkow died November 3, 2015, in Jackson, Tennessee. She was born October 31, 1942 in Brownsville, Tennessee to the late O.B. and Violet Crutchfield. Surviving relatives include her husband, Elmer “Al” Jahnkow; son, Michael Jahnkow; grandchildren, Summar Jahnkow and Matthew Jahnkow (Tara). Visitation for Mrs. Jahnkow was Friday, November 6, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home.

to Bells, Tennessee. He was a homebuilder and a gardener, and she was a homemaker and an outstanding cook. Her fried chicken and chocolate pie are still favorite memories. Together, they lovingly raised their two daughters, Brenda Jones Sparks (John) and Sue Jones Gwathmey (Owen). Her granddaughter, Stephanie Levy (Florian Wagner) and two great granddaughters, Sophia and Lucia Wagner live in Berlin, Germany. Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by five siblings: Katie Evans, Bernice Evans, Minnie Sutton, Pearl Evans, and Grace Humphreys. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, November 8, 2015, in the sanctuary of Cypress United Methodist Church in Bells, Tennessee with Bro. Gene Burkeen officiating. Bells Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements. Burial followed in the Cypress United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends at the church. Burdest “Bill” Mimms

Zelma Blondell Jones

Zelma Blondell Jones, age 96, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2015. Mrs. Jones was the youngest child of the late Susan Etta Blurton Evans and James William Evans. She grew up in the Cypress Community just outside of Bells, Tennessee, attended Emerson Elementary School and was a 1936 graduate of Alamo High School. She was a lifelong member of Cypress United Methodist Church. In 1937 she married the late Verner Kenneth Jones of Gadsden. After his military service in the South Pacific, they moved

Mr. Burdest “Bill” Mimms passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at his residence in Bells, Tennessee. He was born on November 18, 1923 to the late Billy Martin Mimms and wife, Oneita Nellie Bell Mimms and is also preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Virginia “Ginnie” Moxley Mimms. Bill was a World War II Combat Veteran serving as a signalman on Battleship USS Washington and Battleship USS New Jersey. Bill is survived by two sons, Gregory Marshall Mimms of Bells, Tennessee and Alan Brian Mimms (Theresa) of Washington; one daughter, Janet Andrews (Mark) of Bells, Tennessee; one brother, James Lee

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Page 28 Mimms of Washington; three sisters, Beryl Long of Florida, Bobbie Jean Singer of Florida and Judy Lange of North Carolina; and he is also survived by seven grandchildren. Graveside Services for Mr. Burdest “Bill” Mimms were held on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Cypress United Methodist Church Cemetery with Bells Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Bro. Gene Burkeen officiated with Military Honors. The family received friends at Cypress United Methodist Church on Friday, November 6, 2015. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject. org Theresa Bulnes Molina

2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Mrs. Reasons died November 4, 2015, in Bells, Tennessee. She was born on October 7, 1922 in Humboldt, Tennessee. Mrs. Reasons was preceded in death by her husband, D.W. Reasons; sisters, Margaret Hardin and Katie Byrd. Surviving relatives include her daughter, Reida Scallions; brothers Farrow Stephenson and Fred Stephenson; sister, Shelby Hankins; grandchildren, Brett Allen Scallions and Charles Gregory Scallions; great grandchildren, Jagger Song Scallions and Sawyer Cruz Scallions. Visitation for Mrs. Dorothy Henry Kenneth “Sonny” Reasons was held Sunday, NoPeace vember 8, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Mr. Henry Kenneth “Sonny” Home, Inc. Peace age 74, passed away on William Hal Redmond Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at his sister’s residence. Funeral services for Mr. WilHe was born on May 10, 1941 in Crockett Mills, Tennessee, liam Hal Redmond, Sr., age 89, to the late Robert Henry Peace were held Monday, November and Rebecca Evelyn Mansfield 16, 2015, at Maury City Church Peace Warren. Mr. Peace was a of Christ with Dan Miller offiretired State Trooper with the ciating. Interment followed at State of Tennessee, was also Maury City Cemetery in Maury employed at the CCA Prison City, Tennessee. in Whiteville, Tennessee and a Mr. Redmond the son of Wilmember of the Christ Church of liam Osler and Mary Eleanor Brownsville, Tennessee. Redmond was born August 17, Survivors are his daughter: 1926 in Crockett Mills, TennesMeghan Davis Peace of Jack- see and died on Saturday, Noson, Tennessee; and two sisters: vember 14, 2015. Reta Peace Diamond and SharHe was a faithful member of ron Dickson, both of Stanton, the Maury City Church of Christ, Tennessee. He leaves of legacy where he served as an elder for of one grandchild: Ceree Eliza- 25 years. He served as Postmasbeth Peace of Jackson, Tennes- ter for Maury City Post Office see, one niece: Julia Currie of from May 1958 to August 1976. Stanton, Tennessee; one neph- He was an avid traveller, deer ew: Mitch Cotton of Crockett hunter, crappie fisherman and Mills, Tennessee; and a host of he loved to play Rook and other friends. card games with his friends. A Memorial Service for Mr. He was preceded in death Peace was conducted on Sun- by his parents, William Osler day, November 29, 2015, in the and Mary Eleanor Redmond; Chapel of Brownsville Funeral wife, Sarah Nell Redmond; Home with Bro. David Peace brother, Paul Farrow Redmond. officiating. Special speakers Surviving relatives include his were Candace Sanders and Leon son, William Hal Redmond, King. Phd.; daughter, Jennifer RedIn lieu of flowers, the family mond Gillis; grandchildren, Dr. requests donations be made in Jeff Gillis and wife Suzanne, honor of Ceree Elizabeth Peace, Rachel Gillis Allen and husband c/o Monroe Carell Jr. Vander- Johnathan, Amy Gillis Shirley bilt Children’s Hospital, 2220 and husband Justin; great-grandChildren’s Way, Nashville, Ten- children, Brantley Gillis and nessee 37232 or to the Gideon’s Hallie Gillis. International, 2755 Colony Park Visitation for Mr. Redmond Dr. #14, Memphis, Tennessee was held Sunday, November 15, 38118. 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Jesusa Garcia (Genaro) of Elsa, TX; grand-daughters, Natalie, Isabelle, Evangeline and Sophia Dalai and a grandson, Christopher Isaiah. Funeral Mass for Mrs. Theresa Bulnes Molina was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Damian Krakowski officiating. Bells Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee. Bells Funeral Home had charge of these arrangements.

Theresa Bulnes Molina, age 62, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. She was born on December 9, 1952 to the late Vicente Bulnes and wife, Rosa. Theresa is preceded in death by a son, Danny Molina; two sisters, Ester B. Lopez and San Juana Brodeur; and a brother-in-law, Geronimo Alvarez. Theresa is survived by her husband, Reuben Molina; a son, Andrew Molina (Angie) of Edinburg, Texas; two daughters, Valerie Molina-Barrera (Christopher) of Jackson, Tennessee and Laurie Molina Puente (Jose) of Mercer, Tennessee; four brothers, Felix Bulnes (Juanita), Jose Bulnes (Flor), Francisco (Maria) and Enrique (Rebecca); sisters, Susan Alvarez of Dorothy Louise Reasons Norma Jean Hill Simpson Edinburg, TX, Mary Elizondo of Weslaco, TX, Otilia B. Trejo Funeral services for Mrs. DorNorma Jean Hill Simpson (Ricardo) of Donna, TX, Lupe othy Louise Reasons, age 93, passed away on Saturday, NoAlvarez (Pablo) of Weslaco, TX, were held Sunday, November 8, vember 7, 2015, at her home in

Follow us on Facebook! Kenton, Tennessee. She was born on June 22, 1936 to the late Elmer Hill and wife, Mamye Lee and is also preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Simpson. Norma is survived by a daughter, Deborah Simpson of Kenton, Tennessee; three sons, Michael Simpson of Kenton, Tennessee, Randy Simpson of Kenton, Tennessee and Neel Simpson of Union City, Tennessee. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Tarren Simpson, Lucy Truett and Paige Boaz; and three great-grandchildren, Elexys Simpson, Idgie McWherter and Knox Boaz. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Simpson were announced by Bells Funeral Home and held at a later date. Thomas Whit Smith Funeral services for Mr. Thomas Whit Smith, age 81, were held Monday, November 30, 2015, in the chapel of Ronk Funeral Home with Jay Hutchens officiating. Interment followed at the Alamo Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Thursday, November 26, 2015, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. He was born October 15, 1934 in Brownsville, Tennessee to the late Edgar and Terresa Smith. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Gene and Buddy Smith. Surviving relatives include the love of his life his wife of 59 years, Virginia Warren Smith; daughters, Kathy Young (Ricky), Linda Gaines (Paul); sister, Joy Morisch; grandchildren, Cy Young (Jordan Leigh), Whitney Allen (Kevin), Grant Gaines (Brooke) and Emily Gaines; great-grandchild, Eliza Young. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. The family would like the thank the staff of the Crockett County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of Mr. Whit over the past 18 months. Visitation for Mr. Smith was held Sunday, November 29, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Robert “Bob” Joseph Storms Funeral services for Mr. Robert “Bob” Joseph Storms, Sr., age 76, were held Friday, November 6 2015, at Archer’s Chapel Unit-

Page 29 ed Methodist Church with Larry Kendrick officiating. Interment followed at Archer’s Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Storms died November 2, 2015, in Jackson, Tennessee. He was born February 16, 1939 in Franklin, New Jersey to the late Ed and Mae Strongbird Storms. Mr. Storms was also preceded in death by a sister, Thelma Salza. Surviving relatives include his wife, Ruth E. Storms; son, Robert “Little Bobby” Storms, Jr. (Mary), stepson, Wilson Ray Moss; stepdaughter, Marilyn Moss Sutton; brothers Bill Storms, Eddie Storms (Sue), sister, Gerry Storms; grandchildren, Jeffrey Sutton, Ethan Storms, Matthew Storms; great-grandchild, Skylar Sutton. Visitation for Mr. Storms was held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home, Inc.

County. Mrs. Ward died November 24, 2015, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Surviving relatives include her son, Richard Ward; sisters, Lisa Sills (Jeff), Alice Tyler (Bill); grandchildren, Dustin (Angie), Ryan (Jessie Brasfield), and Matthew Bodkins, Kristen Wood, Lindsay Whitehead (Al), R.J. Sills, and Jacob Ward; great-grandchildren, Dalton, Luke, Noah, and Magi Whitehead. Pallbearers for the service were Dustin, Ryan, and Matthew Bodkins, Jacob Ward, R.J. Sills and Buddy Dorris. Honorary pallbearers for the services were Robert Howell and Eric King. Junior pallbearers for the services were Joshua Howell and Randle Perry. Visitation for Mrs. Ward was held Sunday, November 29, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home.

Herbert Lynn Taylor

Glenn Hess White

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015 of Bells and one brother, Jessie Thomas White of Murfreesboro. Mr. White leaves a legacy of three grandchildren: Mason and Amanda Ellington and Kaylee Swain and three great grandchildren: Chloe Lovelace, Addison and Atreyu Ellington. Funeral services for Mr. White were conducted on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, in the Chapel of Brownsville Funeral Home with Bro. Phil Lovelace and Dr. Fred Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Brownsville Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers were Bradley Booth, Allen Lovelace, Brad Williams, Shey Lovelace, Tony Bailey and Joe Haynes. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry, White, Harbert Borders, Milton Booth, Harold Petty, Authur Taylor, Buddy Carlton, Jimmy Outlaw, David Williams, Trent Hall, Robert Mitchell, Franklin Kail and Walley Delaney. Carrie Jean Williams

Funeral services for Mr. Herbert Lynn Taylor, age 60, were held Monday, November 16, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home in the chapel. Interment was at Lower Zion Cemetery in Brownsville, Tennessee. Mr. Taylor died November 13, 2015, in Humboldt, Tennessee. He was born on June 24, 1955 in Wilson, Arkansas. He was a self-employed construction worker, and was married to the love of his life Cheryl for 34 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Hoover Taylor; sisters, Alice and Etrulia Taylor. Surviving relatives include his mother, Treva Nell Taylor; wife, Cheryl Taylor; son, Brandon Lynn Taylor (Ashley); daughter, Amber Renee Harris (Justin); brothers, Gary, Royce, Carl , Jesse, David and Dewey Taylor; sisters, Sharon Lee, Fleta Escue, Letha Seward, Lorrell Taylor, Ethel Eaton and Nancy Winberry; granddaughter, Callie Taylor. Visitation for Mr. Taylor was Sunday, November 15, 2015, at Ronk Funeral Home. Barbara Ann Ward Graveside services for Mrs. Barbara Ann Ward, age 78, were held Sunday, November 29, 2015, at Oakview Memorial Gardens with Jeff Kelley officiating. She was born on March 12, 1937 to the late Jack and Anna Lee Cates Gibbons in Crockett

Mr. Glenn Hess White, age 77, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2015, in the Regional Hospital of Jackson, Tennessee. He was born on August 28, 1938 in Bells, Tennessee, to the late Odie Thomas White and Anna Mae Cobb White. Mr. White was a life long resident of the Holly Grove Community and a member of the Allen Baptist Church. He was a farmer, a trucker, and a parTennesseeer in the Union Gin. He also worked for Mid South Farmers Co-op. He was a volunteer fireman for the Allen/Holly Grove Fire Department. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Addie Mae Williams. Survivors include his wife, Vondia Littlejohn White of Bells, two daughters, Debbie Droke and husband Bob of Mercer, Tennessee and Kimberlee Welch

Mrs. Carrie Jean Williams, 76, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at Jackson Madison county General Hospital. She was a member of Alamo First Baptist Church. Carrie Jean was born August 17, 1939 in Alamo, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Buster and Frances Boling. She graduated from Alamo High School. In 1957 she married the love of her life Dan Williams. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her son, Brian Williams; a sister, Joyce Richardson; and a brother, Charles Boling. She is survived by her husband of 58 years Dan Williams; daughter, Felicia Pearson (Ricky); a granddaughter, who meant the world to her, Katelyn Pearson; sister, Linda Naylor (Sammy); brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Dale Williams; several nieces, great nieces, and nephews. Funeral Services for Mrs. Williams were conducted Sunday, November 29, 2015, in the Chapel of Ronk Funeral Home with burial at Oakview Memorial Gardens. The family would like to say a very special thank you to the nursing staff on the 7th and 9th floors of JMCGH, Dr. Kevin Wheatley, and the physicians from UT Family Medicine Center who cared for our loved one. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the building or sign fund at Alamo First Baptist Church.

James Silas Wilson

Mr. James Silas Wilson, age 82, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015, at his residence in Brownsville. He was born October 3, 1933, in Haywood County son of the late Walter D. and Fannie Medlin Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a funeral director for both Brownsville and Bells Funeral Homes and served the families of Haywood and Crockett Counties for 63 years. He still worked through his recent illness until just weeks ago as he was bravely determined to fight and continue to do the work he loved so much. Mr. Wilson was a member of Poplar Corner Baptist Church. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 58 years, Bettye Gordon Wilson; daughter, Sandy Sinclair of Brownsville; son, Steve Wilson of Brownsville; sister, Ophelia Hinsley (Fred) of Stanton; brother, Clay Wilson (Jane) of Paris. Other survivors include three grandchildren, Amy Hilliard (Brett), John Sinclair (Andrea) and Sarah Sinclair (Elam) as well as five great grandchildren, Emma Hilliard, Andrew Hilliard, Mason Sinclair, Maddox Sinclair and Manning Sinclair. A memorial service to celebrate the life of James Silas Wilson, were conducted Tuesday, December 1, 2015, in the Chapel of Brownsville Funeral Home with Bro. Grover Westover and Bro. Tim McPherson officiating. A private family burial was held. Honorary pallbearers were Max Williams, Dick Carraway, Wendell Bradford and the staff of Brownsville Funeral Home and Bells Funeral Home. Brownsville Funeral Home, 107 S. Lafayette, is in charge of arrangements.

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ACCT Stages Amazing Production of Lion King JR. Arts Council of Crockett Tennessee staged an amazing production of Disney’s The Lion King King JR. in November. The cast, including children from all parts of Crockett County, entertained sellout crowds with singing, acting and music. “Bravo!” to all of the cast, production crew and volunteers on a job well done! The cast included: Rafiki Bella Archie Rafiki #2 Alexis Allen Mufasa Everett Tritt

Sarabi Kaitlyn West Zazu Olivia Butler Scar Isaac Turner Young Simba Jack Rawson Simba Isaac Yearwood Young Nala Ada Johnson Nala Molly Shelton Sarafina Gracie Caldwell Banzai Natalie Boxx Shenzi Kaden Parker Ed Carmen Spraggins Ted Beau Spraggins Timon Nicole Reynolds Pumbaa Allison Parker Lionesses: Bethany Hughes Jada Kail

Briana Green Allison Lambert Lindsey Smith Anna Goldsby Mary Carter Eden LaRue Hyenas: Cason Robbins Chloe Hazlewood Ella Legions Christine Pattillo Stephen Reed Chorus: Brooklyn Haynes Kloie Kail Olivia Gardner Kyla Phillips

Neeley Hutchens Livi Moore Halle Jayne Rader Gracelyn Miller Malea Kail Shelby Gantt Lynden Cole Davian Green Stephanie Ripley Rebecca Butler Allie Williams Alli Grace Porter Morgan Mosier Sydnee King Joy Evans Maclaren Coulston Mia Freeman

Bailey Ann Whitby Ethan Allen Shawn Brumett John Vasquez Laurel Woods Makenzie Edwards Lyric Boals Allie Howell Aidan Dunkelberger Sarah Ellen Corley Kate Riggsbee Steven Buxton Reace Smith Sadie Yearwood Kansas Johnson Chasey Baker Donald (Trace) Ma-

dere Savanna Brenstein Emily Apperson Madison Willis Colin Crawford Madison Willis Lyric Boals If the christening production is any indication of the value the Arts Council Crockett Tennessee is bringing to the community, we will all be the better for it.

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Tell Me A Story, Part II By Judy Poston When brothers, Jon and Andy Erwin, were little boys, they would beg their dad, each night, “Tell us a story.” Their father would often respond with real life stories taken from a time when he was a young man serving as sports chaplain in a public high school in Birmingham, Alabama. It was the early seventies - a time of unrest. The city of Birmingham was given the nickname, “Bombingham,” due to the excessively high number of bombs and bomb threats in a city that was bitterly divided over racial issues. Into this turbulent sea, charged with hatred and strife, came a spiritual revival. It began within the football team at one local high school and spread like wildfire through that center of learning, before other high schools and then the community were caught aflame. It was a story that involved the largest high school football game in Alabama’s history which was played at Legions Field to accommodate the 42,000 fans who wished to attend. The larger than life story included, as characters, legendary football coach, “Bear” Bryant, and “Touchdown” Tony Nathan, who went on to play for the University of Alabama and the Miami Dolphins. The Erwin brothers hung on to their dad’s

every word and would tell him, “Someday we are going to make a movie about your stories.” The result was “Woodlawn,” a true story of faith and football, which played earlier this fall in local theaters. Alice Harbor also loves to pass on stories first told to her by her parent, Mrs. Helen Buford. As promised, in the November issue of the Crockett Rocket, here is one of her favorite tales she recalls her mother telling. Grant and Helen Lewis, characters in the story, were Alice’s maternal grandparents. The story includes their real life children, Helen (Alice’s mom), John, Katie, and Jeanette. The inclusion of the Combs family and their story is for entertainment only. These characters are fictional. However, Rudy Rodell was a stranger whom the Lewis family did, in fact, meet although Alice created the name for the visitor as well as the information about his wife and children. Alice believes that the stranger did, indeed, live in Missouri. The story, which she remembers her mother telling, was that Rudy somehow got lost while on his way to catch the train in Tigrett. While searching for his way, Rudy fell into the water. Alice’s grandparents, took him in for the night and, as far as she knows, her Grandfather took him to Tigrett the next day where he caught a train bound for Missouri and home.

Coming Home By Alice Buford Harbor The year is 1916. February is cold. It is usually raining. However, tonight, it’s snowing and ice is forming on trees. By morning, the roads will be impassable. Grant Lewis arrives home. He can not resist the old, comfortable chair by the crackling fire. The wonderful aroma of food, being prepared for the evening meal, greets him. It’s good to be home. Helen is curled up by the fire. “Hello, daughter.” “Papa, I’m glad you’re home. Supper is almost ready.” “Good! Where is your mother?” Anna Lewis comes from the kitchen. “Grant, where have you been? You don’t need to stay so long at the mill. And where is that boy? He’ll be sick from being out in this weather!” “Anna, John is not a little boy anymore. In fact, my business partner is nineteen. He’s a big, tall man.” “Well, maybe so, but not to me.” Grant smiles as he thinks to himself, “No use to try to change Anna.” He knows she is staunch in what she thinks and believes. The muffled clinking of china and sil-

verware, coming from the dining room, indicates that supper is being placed on the table. Grant sits at the head of the table. A prayer is offered up, ending with a soft “Amen” uttered in unison by all those gathered around at the big, oak table. “Papa, we have dessert ready,” Jeanette calls out as dinner plates are cleared away . The warm peach cobbler and coffee provide the perfect ending to a perfect meal. After supper, the snow is still falling. Grant and John bring in more wood for the fire. John brings in Roosie, the family dog, as this is no weather for man or beast to be caught out in. Grant says to no one in particular, “I hope everyone has a nice warm place tonight.” John remarks, “Pa, this afternoon, Mr. Howard, thought he saw someone on the road just across from the old Combs’ house.” “Son, it could have been someone trying to beat the storm home.” “Yes, I guess so,” agrees John. Then, “Pa, what was that?” “Sounds like someone at the door.” Grant stands and listens. “Who would be

Follow us on Facebook! out on a night like this?” he wonders aloud. Moving to open the door, Grant spies two of his neighbors shivering on the porch, each holding a lantern and a shotgun. They are wearing scarves wrapped around their necks and faces and toboggans pulled low so that only their eyes are showing, in an attempt to protect themselves from the freezing temperatures. After speaking briefly with the two men, Grant returns inside for his own warm hat and coat. “Grant, what’s wrong?” Anna questions. “Just a light at the old Combs’ house.” answers her husband. “Probably nothing, but, we’ll see what it is.” “Be careful,” Anna admonishes, as she closes the door behind him. The old Combs house sits on a hill. They say, if you climb to the third floor bell tower that sets atop the big rambling home, you can see three counties. A porch encircles the house. It is said that old Mr. Combs, as a child, was trapped inside a burning house and almost died, as did his brother and sister. For that reason, he built his own home with each of the bedrooms having an entrance that led outside to the porch. Mr. Combs married and he and his wife had two children. Then suddenly, one day, without warning, the family moved away. The secrecy of the move led to much speculation among the neighbors. However, Grant Lewis, alone, knew the real reason for the move. He had received a letter, later that year, after the Combs fam-

Page 37 ily had left. Mr. Combs diverged that the family moved because of daughter, Laura. The grief-stricken parents had to put her where experts could better care for her. Laura’s room had been on the second floor of the family home. Only Mrs. Combs and the family’s housekeeper ever entered the room. Mr. Combs, in his letter, explained, that, one day, upon hearing a scream and shrill laughter, Mrs. Combs had rushed up the winding stairs to the second floor room, just in time to witness her young son preventing his sister from jumping out the window. On this night, as the men approach the home, a light flickers, briefly, and then disappears. The only sound is that of an ice laden tree branch breaking, from the weight of its burden, and the crunch of the snow under the men’s feet. They quietly slip up the steps to the old porch. John and neighbor, Tom, wait outside while Grant and George enter the squeaky, kitchen door, calling out, “Hello? Anybody here?” Inside, except for spider webs, the kitchen appears relatively clean in the dim lantern light. The two men, creep toward the stairs, listening intently for any sound. At the other end of the hall, a tall dark figure is barely visible, looming in the shadows. Grant’s voice echoes down the empty hallway, “Who are you?” he sternly asks. “What are you doing here?” A weak and frightened voice answers, “Please don’t hurt me. My name is Rudy Rodell.”

“We are not here to hurt you, but, what are you doing here?” “I am lost. I lost my way this afternoon. I had to get in out of this weather.” Grant Lewis introduces both himself and George Watson. Rudy replies, “I fell in a ditch. I was just trying to start a fire in the old fireplace in hopes of warming myself and drying my clothes.” Grant finds a blanket and wraps it around the shivering man. Then a grateful Rudy Rodell follows the men back down the road to the Lewis home. As Anna sees the faint light of the men’s lanterns draw closer in the storm, she opens the door to a group of cold, exhausted, and weary men, inviting all inside for hot beverages and quickly gathering fresh clothes for Mr. Rodell, and preparing warm food for the hungry traveler. Tom and George move on quickly due to the need to get back to their own homes before the storm worsens. A thankful Rudy hovers near the fireplace, grateful for dry clothes, warm food, and hot coffee. Anna inquires, “Do you have a family, Mr. Rodell?” To which, the stranger replies, “Yes, a wife and two little girls, Nancy and Katie.” “Katie,” Anna repeats the name in a soft and saddened voice. “What a coincidence! Our daughter’s name was Katie. She passed away two years ago.” “I’m very sorry.” Mr. Rodell words are

The Crockett Rocket - December 2015 sincere. He continues, as Anna stands and bids him good night, “Thank you for taking me in.” “You are very welcome,” is her kind reply. Grant and Rudy continue to sit by the fire a little while longer. Talk eventually turns to the war that will soon turn their world upside down. Grant quietly admits, “Anna is most interested in the draft. Our son, John, is of prime age to be included.” Soon there after, the house is quiet; all of its occupants having retired for the evening. The crackling fire flickers low while, outside, the snow finally stops falling. The following afternoon, Grant Lewis made sure that Rudy Rodell was on time to catch the three o’clock train, in Tigrett, that would carry him home to Missouri and his family. As it turned out, Mr. Rodell was a writer who was making his way home following a trip to Europe where he had gathered material, for a story he was working on concerning the trouble overseas and the war that many rightly supposed was soon coming. The following year, in early spring, America entered the war and Grant and Anna’s only son, John, became a soldier. The family’s fervent prayers were for John’s homecoming. He did come home but to his plot in the family cemetery. Anna never got over the loss of her beloved son and the family never forgot the stranger they sheltered on a cold winter’s night.

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Service to our Country Mr. Glen Stanley visits the 5th grade at Maury City Elementary School on Veterans Day.

Double Trouble First cousins Seth LaRue (8 y/o) and Audrey Whitby (7 y/o) both bagged whitetail deer (Audrey's first) during the statewide juvenile hunt on November 1. They were hunting on their grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; farm in Weakley County. Seth is the son of Lyle and Connie LaRue. Audrey is the daughter of Brian and Valarie Whitby. Grandparents are Eddie and Pat Whitby and Steve and Anna Bailey.

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Newsom is TCAT Student of the Year

Do you believe in Santa Cause? The holiday season is the perfect time to show those around you how much you care. For those who are hard to buy for, consider making a donation in honor of them or in memory of someone special as a gift this season. Believing in Santa Cause is simple. Thank you for helping the children served by the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Veterans from around Crockett and from every battle since WWII gathered for the annual CCHS Veterans Day program. They and their families were treated to breakfast and later recognized by Coach Brady, the program’s coordinator.

Carl Perkins Center Needs Help Providing Christmas for Crockett Children Nothing is more joyous than seeing the light in a child’s eyes when they see Santa for the first time. Likewise, nothing breaks a child’s heart like waking on Christmas morning to find that Santa has passed them by. The board, staff and volunteers for the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse are busy this time of year making certain that all their children and families have the best possible holiday season and that no one is overlooked. Your support during the last Christmas season played a very special part in the lives of these children. The Crockett County Carl Perkins Center staff and volunteers are trying very hard again this year to provide these children with a Merry Christmas. If you or your organization would be interested in helping a family, sponsoring a child, or making a monetary donation during this Christmas season, please contact Victoria Willis at 731-696-2452. We appreciate everything you have done and hope that you can continue to help us as we strive to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in Crockett County!

Mallory Newsom has been named Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Ripley’s Outstanding Student of the Year (OSY). Mallory is enrolled in the Patient Care Technician program offered at the Crockett County Higher Education Center in Bells. She is the daughter of Angela Newsom and the late Adam Newsom and resides in Halls. Ms. Newsom will advance to the regional competition to be held in January. Nine regional finalists will advance to compete at the state level for the statewide OSY. To be considered for the title at the local level, each student had to be nominated by his or her instructor. The Screening Committee then determined the finalists to be interviewed by the Selection Committee. The committee consisted of five leaders from the business and industry community. Those serving included: Debbi Hollar, Edward Jones; Dwayne Haynes, First Citizens National Bank; Emily Land, Marvin Windows; Angie Koonce, Bank of Ripley; and Glovie Guy, American Greetings. Finalists Martravius Crew, a Practical Nursing student, and Margaret Davis, a Patient Care Technician student, will serve as local ambassadors for TCAT Ripley/Bells. The Tennessee board of Regents, Office of Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology sponsors the Outstanding Student of the Year program statewide. The objective of the program is to recognize and reward excellence among more than 30,000 students studying at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. The statewide winner will be awarded a new car. He/she will serve as an ambassador for career and technical education during 2016.

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A Fine Christmas Treat “I think,” said the sweet potato, “therefore, I yam.”

By Judy Poston Nope! Your eyes do not deceive you! Yes, those are sweet potatoes grown this year on Jerry Peal’s farm. While Jerry harvested several that weighed as much as five pounds, these three weighed respectively, 8 pounds, 8.07, and 8.13. When Maury City Elementary School’s teachers have their monthly potluck lunches in celebration of birthdays, fifth grade teacher, Mrs.

Katie Spence, sometimes brings this delicious “Sweet Potato Casserole” much to the delight of her fellow workers, all of whom give this dish rave revues. Following here, is the recipe for making what would be a fine Christmas treat.

Christmas on Plum Creek? The family’s dear friend, Mr. Edwards, swam an ice cold creek in freezing temperatures and blizzard like conditions in order to deliver, to the family, the gifts which Santa sent the family by him. Laura and Mary were delighted with the candy and new drinking cups (before, the girls had shared one 3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed ½ cup milk cup between them). And then there was the fine Christmas treat that Mr. Edwards handed 1 cup sugar 2 eggs Ma for the entire family to enjoy. “(Laura) looked up again when Ma gasped. 1 tsp. Vanilla And Mr. Edwards was taking sweet potatoes ½ cup butter out of his pockets. He said they had helped Mix together the above ingredients and spread to balance the package on his head when he in lightly greased 9x13 dish. swam across the creek. He thought Pa and Ma might like them with the Christmas turkey. There were nine sweet potatoes. Mr. Edwards Topping had brought them all the way from town, too. 1 cup brown sugar It was just too much. Pa said so, “It’s too 1/3 cup flour 1 cup chopped nuts much, Edwards,” he said. “They never could 1/3 c butter melted thank him enough.” It was just a few sweet potatoes but the family was so thankful....so excited to receive Sprinkle topping on sweet potato mixture. them. Bake @ 350 degrees, 30-40 minutes. May you find joy in, and never take for Do you recall the scene from the “Little granted, the simple pleasures of life during the House on the Prairie” television show about Christmas season and all year long!

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MCES Honors Students for Fairness Congratulations to the November winners of the Character Award of Fairness at Maury City Elementary School! The winners were Wesley Thornton, Kaylee Sides, Karson Kail, Alee Anderson, Chloee Kee, Emma Stallings, Hannah Carter, Sadiyah Mr. Zerafin Guardian, the custodian at Maury City Elementary School, gained his United States citizenship Little, Lane Mayfield, River Moore, Monday, November 9. The teachers and staff at MCES celebrated this wonderful occasion with a red, Chloe Murry, and Grace Weiss. white, and blue barbecue in his honor! We are so excited for and proud of Mr. Z and all his hard work!

Proud to Become an American

GES Veterans Day Gadsden Elementary School's 5th grade class proudly paid tribute to the men and women who have served or are serving our county with a program on Veterans Day. Mrs. Kathy Hutcherson's 5th grade class and Mrs. Emily Holt's 5th grade class are pictured with veterans from our community who joined us for the celebration.

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