2012 Progress

Progress 2012 Through the pages of time

A special publication of The Franklin County Times

A city that’s proud of the past…. and building for the future.

2 • Progress 2012

Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060

Progress 2012

Looking back

Choosing a theme for our annual Progress edition is never easy.

There are so many things that we want to feature and spotlight about our community and the annual Progress edition allows us to do that.

This year, however, the theme seemed to come to us easily.

We have had a tremendous community response about our Looking Back section in our quarterly Franklin Living magazine. In that section, we run photos of church gatherings, ball teams, school classes and just shots of what our towns looked like years ago.

The reception to that has been so overwhelming, we chose to use our Progress edition as a way to give our loyal readers a glimpse of some of the things they may have read in the Franklin County Times years ago. We pulled feature stories, big news events and sports highlights from the past 60 years or so and ran them just as they appeared in the FCT originally.

The work involved in this section has been as extensive as any that we have ever done in our Progress edition. We hope that you, our loyal readers, enjoy this step back in time and find yourself remembering some of these big events.

The Franklin County Times has been here to serve you since 1879 and we hope to fill many more pages of great news about the people and communities of Franklin County for years to come.

Table of Contents 4 5 6 10 11

Opening of Roxy King Drive-In opens Courthouse fire New RHS planned

Trapptown School destroyed

14

US Reduction expands

15 16 18 22

Red Bay school fire

23 26

Vina receives $800K

1974 tornado Babies of 2011

Davis named Miss Alabama Chuckie Mullins injured

28 33 34 37

Reaction to 9/11

50 51

Vina wins second title

PCHS wins state Pete Ray passes away RHS 1968 champs RHS volleyball title RBHS’ first title RBHS repeats Vina wins 1A

Golden Tigers win state championship Roberts wins first at RBHS

52

Tigers claim 1993 crown

53

Mullins passes away

RBHS wins fifth girls championship

Farned shooting

54

Gonzalez disappears Elliott documentary

Editor and Publisher Jonathan Willis Editorial staff J.R. Tidwell and Kellie Singleton Sales Peggy Hyde and Nicole Pell Composing Karen McAfee P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653 Circulation Lisa Moody and Thomas Douglas 256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com

39 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 49

Lady Bulldogs win school’s first championship

1949

King Drive-In Theater Opening Mon. Nite, 7:30 “Something new in movie entertainment; public invited” Thursday, June 2, 1949 A. L. King, prominent and widely known Franklin County businessman, Monday night, June 6, will officially open the King Drive-In Theater, four miles north of Russellville on the Russellville-Tuscumbia highway.

Mr. King has an ideal location for his new Drive-In Theater, being situated at the intersection of Highway 43 and Mt. Star Road on the sloping lot, which gives the best clear vision of the screen while one enjoys a good picture sitting in their car.

Quite a large sum of money has been expended by Mr. King to bring this outdoor modern movie theatre to this area. He has installed RCA movie equipment throughout which assure the patron the best sound and vision.

Mr. King said today in speaking of his new theatre: “You can bring your family in your car, drive right into position and in the privacy of your car enjoy the best in movies, just as if you were sitting in your home since we supply each car with an individual speaker that carries a perfect sound without distur-

4 • Progress 2012

b a n c e and from y o u r car you have a clear vision to a mode r n

screen.

“You do not have to bother with dressing up, parking your car and all the other inconveniences.

All you do is drive in, see a good show and drive out.

“You can even have your refreshments served to you at your car, such as cold drinks, popcorn, etc.

“We will bring to you the most modern OutDoor Drive-In Theater facilities such as will be seen in large cities as Chicago, Birmingham and other places.

“Come and bring your family in your own car to our opening Monday night.

Be assured it is something new and different in movie entertainment for all the family.”

The official opening Monday night will be to the people of this entire trade area something new and different in movie entertainment, Mr. King said.

Opening picture – “This Time for Keeps,” starring Jimmy Durante and Ester Williams and a cartoon.

1949

Roxy Theatre opening Thursday night at 7 p.m.

“Great event to draw scores from all sides” Thursday, September 15, 1949

by M. C. Giles When will it open? was the question asked when the contractor, Daniel Construction Company moved in several months ago to break the ground to begin the erection of the new Roxy Theater in Russellville.

Thursday night, Sept.

15, at 7 p.m. is the answer to that question.

Manager Lee Gault has just about completed elaborate plans for the momentous event.

Last minute details have been taken care of like a whirlwind. Workmen from many sections of the country have been working feverishly day and night for many weeks to be ready for Thursday night, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. – Grand Opening Night.

Perhaps, no city in all North Alabama has such a beautiful and modern theater as Russellville does in the New Roxy. Few cities have a $200,000 movie house embracing every modern touch of architecture and contractor’s art in North Alabama, even in all Alabama as for that matter.

Suppose let’s you and I inspect the New Roxy so you may have in mind what to expect when you see it in all it arrayed beauty Thursday night. We have watched it climb sky-

ward from day to day and we shall be around very probably when the last little job is done and everything announced in readiness for that great moment when the curtains will move back so you can see “My Dear, Secretary,” as the opening picture. Let’s stand outside for a moment and try to grasp the great beauty of the myriads of lights and the flickering electric signs, all inviting you to come in. Here we see a masterpiece of design in frontal appearance, an all porcelain enamel front, finished in gay, harmonizing colors about a mosaic art floor and door of flush maple and glass.

The ticket office, ideally situated at the side, makes it easy to be served, although the crowd may be large. Of course there’s a popcorn machine set

in the middle of the front with a candy bar inside entering into the foyer.

Here we are impressed with the beauty of appointments, of architect, and convenience.

Lounges are on either side with entrance to the balcony and the inner lobby. You will just have to see it with us to really appreciate its beauty.

Let’s go on into the inner lobby. To the left we see a sound proof “crying” room.

This is for the mother with a youngster who must cry a little bit. It’s sound proof and the noise cannot disturb the audience and the mother can see the picture.

One is impressed immediately with the venetian blinds over the opening between the inner lobby and the main auditorium. One is impressed also

with the beautiful natural finish woodwork and the carpeting in this inner lobby.

But let’s go on into the main building.

Now we are in the main auditorium where beauty is personified in modern architecture with a tinge of Egyptian design.

Every appointment, every facility, every color, everything blends to add up to beauty. Inviting beauty and the lighting effects along the walls lends a softness to the entire environ.

The color scheme is rose beige with gold and blue pattern with a rose background to the rose neon light.

The stage is a thing of beauty.

Four sets or legs or draperies within mingled colors meet the eye as we are sitting awaiting the beginning of the picture.

In the winter one will be completely comfortable with a hot water heating system and very cool in the summer with the air conditioning system second to none. The seats are spaced in 32, 34, and 36 inches apart both down and upstairs so that different size people may find a seat that is comfortable.

Reams might be written about the appointments, beauty and convenience about the new Roxy Theatre and you will agree when you see it with us.

Progress 2012 • 5

1953

Fire Damages Franklin Courthouse Monday “Officials Faced With Big Problem of Replacing It” Thursday, Jan. 15, 1953 For the second time, the Franklin County courthouse burned down. The first time in 1889, at Belgreen. This time in Russellville on Monday morning January 12 at 6:29 a.m.

Although the building and its contents were insured for $127,000.00 and the annex was saved due to the unusual effort of the Russellville volunteer fire department, assisted by one engine from the Tuscumbia fire department, the problem facing the people of Franklin County at this time is how they will refinance the building of a new courthouse or repairing the old one.

Some people, looking to the future, urge the officials to build for the future, therefore, tearing down the old building and starting from the ground up with a modern building to be erected out of our own Franklin County limestone.

On the other hand, there are others who think this building may be salvaged for the time being and replaced to serve for a good many years in the future.

In case a new building is erected, it may be necessary to hold an election to provide for a bond issue to secure funds.

This would impose a small “mill tax.”

The passing of Amendment No. 1 last fall probably would prevent the use of any monies accruing from tax income for road and bridge maintenance construction with which to 6 • Progress 2012

rebuild the courthouse.

However, others feel the County Board of Revenue is powered to use some of the road and bridge money, since the same law imposing this tax provides for public buildings as well.

Retiring Probate Judge, Edgar Underwood and his county Board of Commissioners called a meeting Monday afternoon and Tuesday with an idea of getting each of the several offices of the county housed temporarily.

For the time being they have located these offices as follows: Probate Judge’s Office will be in the annex in the offices formerly occupied by the Health Department.

The Health Department being moved to the Franklin Electric Co-op Building downtown.

The Circuit Court Clerk’s office together with the Sheriff will be in the space formerly occupied by the library in the annex.

The Tax Collector, Martin Golden and Tax Assessor F. J. Weatherford are downstairs in the Home Demonstration Kitchen office. Sheriff Byars will have an office in the annex and also have a temporary office in the jail.

C. E. McNatt, retiring Circuit Court Clerk, who has been appointed Registrar in Chancery, to succeed Mrs. Grace Smith, will be upstairs in the Superintendent of Education ‘s office.

The Public Library has been moved to the Thompson Theatre Building where unless

other arrangements are made, courts are to be held until the courthouse is replaced. Judge Quillen will continue to be in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

Neal J. Sibley, Standard Oil agent in Russellville, was the first to discover the fire and called the fire department.

He made this call at 6:29 a.m. in the morning when he saw smoke and fire coming from the windows of the private office of Judge Underwood.

The fire department was on the job immediately and extinguished the flames in this office after which time Fire Chief Lee Creekmore and Howard Grant, both of whom put on safety masks, and went upstairs into the courtroom, which was filled with smoke, but they investigated each office leading from the courtroom and found no evidences of fire anywhere other than smoke.

Then they came downstairs and went out on the north side of the building which was a short time before 7:00.

Someone called their attention to the fact that the flames were engulfing the town clock.

“The old clock,” Mr. Creekmore stated, “struck seven and five minutes thereafter fell in as did the whole room of the courthouse.”

There has been quite a bit of speculation as to how the fire was in the top of the building so quickly after it was discovered downstairs in the Probate Judge’s office.

Many explanations have

been given, but is it believed that the courthouse which was constructed in 1890 and occupied for the first time in 1891, was erected with fireplaces in each of the offices with chimneys being built up as a part of the wall and fire went up through one of these old chimneys, setting the roof on fire as the old chimneys must not have been closed at top.

In remodeling the courthouse several years ago, it is understood that the contractors cut the chimneys off just to the point below the roof. Whether or not they were capped over is another question, but it is obvious that they must not have been since the fire that originated in the Board of Revenue’s office shows plainly that the wainscoating on the wall covering the old fireplace was burned, that being the only fire in that entire office.

Consequently, the fire must have come down the chimney from the top.

By the same reasoning, it is believed that the fire in the Probate Judge’s office, where there were chimneys, could have gone up to and ignited the top of the building which almost destroyed within two hours from the time the fire was first discovered downstairs.

Probate Judge-elect James F. Hester, who will take his office Tuesday, January 20, stated today that he and the incoming County Board of Revenue face a great problem in replacing the courthouse, which burned Monday.

Mr. Hester said: “I want to do what the majority of the people of Franklin County wish to do about rebuilding their courthouse. I am sure the Board of Revenue members feel the same way.

“It is their property and I am chosen as their Probate Judge together with the County Board of Revenue, whose obligation and responsibility is to replace this building because it is the county’s place of business. We heartily solicit the expression of the people as to what they desire so that we may be in a position to do what the majority wishes.”

I n c o m i n g members of the County Board of Revenue are: Walsie Hill, Joe Peden, reelected, Benny Bates and Ford Grissom.

The retiring members are Edd Mitchell, James Hovater, E. M. Reed, and Joe Peden.

One could not help but feel a sense of helplessness while watching the flames devour the inside of the courthouse in which many transactions had taken place since it was first occupied in 1891 after Mr. Nelson Barrett’s father, the contractor, completed it.

Many people have been made happy by securing marriage licenses through the courthouse and many other transactions of legal business. One is reminded of the many trials that were held upstairs in which the fate of many people was determined, justice for the most being done for the society, which maintained the

courthouse and the legal processes of law for progress of humanity.

Many hundred people have held office in the courthouse since it was first occupied. If the old courthouse could talk

ning as a clerk there in the Probate Judge’s office when he first began his career in the courthouse, seemed to sense a great loss as he was about to close his very successful career as Probate Judge and

it would tell of much progress in this county since it was first built on the spot where it burned, which was a marsh before that time.

The Bermuda grass with which the lawn at the courthouse was originally sodded came from around Cherokee, there being little or no Bermuda grass in the country, old timers say, to put on this lot.

Probate Judge Underwood, who is completing approximately 30 years of service in the courthouse since begin-

as a public servant and official of the people of Franklin County.

He said this week he was going to offer his services to the in-coming Probate Judge and the County Board of Revenue to assist in any way he could in replacing the old courthouse.

Ed Hester, one of Franklin County’s well-known citizens, today had the following to say concerning the Franklin County Courthouse as follows: “When I was about 11 years old, I went with a lot of other

people, including practically all the citizens of Franklin County who gathered at old Frankfort to determine whether or not the courthouse, which had been burned at Belgreen, would be built at Russellville or Isbell.

“To determine which of the two places would be chosen, they made two improvised paper bags and marked one Russellville and the other Isbell.

It was agreed by those in charge of the event that the paper bag that flew the farthest from the point of origin would determine the place where the new courthouse would be located. The Russellville bag out flew Isbell.”

Mr. Hester said he remembers the incident very vividly.

He was born in 1879 and the courthouse, which burned here Monday, was erected in 1890 and occupied in December 1891.

J.H. McKinney, well-known businessman of Red Bay who got into Russellville Monday before the fire at the courthouse had been put out, started a movement with a lot of people he had brought up with him to have the courthouse moved to Red Bay. In the meantime, Clyde Petree, mayor of Belgreen, was here with his delegation and the last report we had, they had gone off together and maybe they are going to send up improvised paper bags like they did at old Frankfort in 1899 to find out where they’re going to put the courthouse this time after the second fire.

Progress 2012 • 7

Mayor Bobby Forsythe Councilman Mike Kennedy Councilman Mike Stockton Councilman David Tiffin Councilwoman Charlene Fancher Councilman Brad Bolton

Welcome to the City of Red Bay

Working for the future of Franklin County to provide an adequate source of good drinking water and future industrial development for good jobs and county growth

Photo by Scotty Kennedy

A Great Place to Live, Work and Play

Franklin County

Community Activities

Festivals of Franklin County 2012

Phil Campbell Hoedown - June 15th -16th Vina Fest - July 28th Watermelon Festival - August 17th - 18th Red Bay Founders Fest - September 15th Spirit of Hodges - October 6th Spruce Pine Day - October 13th

Egg Hunt, Jr. Leadership Program, Ribbon Cuttings, Scholarships, Partnership Banquet

Local Attractions Bear Creek Lakes, Red Bay Museum, Dismals Canyon, Roxy Theater, Cypress Cove Farm, Bear Creek Canoe Run, Bear Creek Education Center, Bay Tree Council of the Performing Arts

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce 103 Jackson Ave. N. • Russellville, AL

256-332-1760 www.franklincountychamber.org • Email: info@franklincountychamber.org 8 • Progress 2012

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Seated: Ann Woodruff, Tasha Zills and Courtney Wallace Standing: Assistant DA Doug Evans, Mike Mayfield, District Attorney Joey Rushing, David Singleton and Terry Zills

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Progress 2012 • 9

1958

High School Construction Set to Begin Here Nov. 10 Thursday, July 31, 1958 Construction of a $600,000 Russellville High School is slated to begin Nov. 10, it was revealed this week by City Supt. Of Education R. C. Thomas.

The building is scheduled to be completed Aug. 15, 1959, and ready for occupancy by the beginning of the fall term next year.

Architect for the school plant is to complete preliminary drawings and stat final drawings Aug. 11. He is scheduled to complete final drawings Oct. 4.

Plans are to be submitted to bidders Oct. 6, and bids will be received Nov. 5.

T h e s e dates were announced at a meeting of the City Board of Education last week.

S u p t .

Thomas met with a state archit e c t

10 • Progress 2012

Wednesday of l a s t

week, and most of the preliminary plans were approved at that time. The home economics building is yet to be approved by the state but the plans are now being studied by specialists in that field.

Several changes have been suggested for the home economics building, Thomas said.

He pointed out that four parts of a school – home economics department, library, cafeteria and main office – are checked in more detail than the remainder of a building.

The new school is to be built on a 70-acre tract north of City Lake.

City Board of Education and the City of Russellville are expected to sell bonds to finance the construction in the near future, according to Thomas. Legal technicalities are being worked out at present.

An additional five-mill ad valorem tax passed by Russellville voters in April made possible the construction of he school. Funds from this tax and the city schools portion of a one per cent sales tax are to finance the building.

1960

Trapptown’s Task Keeping School, Not Closing Them Thursday, March 17, 1960 Schools throughout the state are having their share of problems this day and time, but Trapptown School is having their own special kind.

Just getting a building!

The school’s plant burned in early January of this year and the community is facing an uphill battle to get state approval for the construction of a school at Trapptown.

At the time it burned, it was reported that the total enrollment for the nine grades was only 41 pupils.

John Holcomb, principal at Trapptown, said last week that there were 45 now attending classes in the frame swelling that has been converted into classrooms.

Delegations of residents of the rural community have appeared before the Franklin County Board of Education already to elicit their support in gaining the needed approval for a new building.

Only the separate lunchroom was saved in the fire that originated in the gymnasium and swept the entire three rooms and auditorium of the school.

Anxious to hold the school in the community and desperate for a location in January the trustees turned to a nearby church building until a more suitable location could be found.

A few days later they lined up a small frame dwelling, painted it, patched up the cracks around the windows and moved the children to the house a half mile from the old school site.

Lunch time at Trapptown

now is an excursion as well as a break in the class work.

Students board the one school bus that serves the school, and travel the half-mile to the concrete block lunchroom back at the old school for dinner.

Trapptown has had a school since late in the 1930s. ground for the building that burned this year was given to the school by Oscar Pugh and Grade Trapp.

One and a half acres were purchased from Ace Frost for $75.

First trustees for the school were Barto Weeks, Willie Warhurst and Gresham Lander, according to the school annual of 1949.

The auditorium, stage curtains and concrete walks were added to the plant in 1945, and electric lights, running water and bleachers were installed in 1947.

Teachers that have served at Trapptown include: H. C. Bass, Fay McClung, Cora Mae West, Mildred Strickland, Madeline Beam, W. C. McMurray, Mary Sue Frederick, W. K. Wimberly, Stella Cagle, Rammie Thorn, Rammie Oden, Clifton Oden, J. Edgar Garrison, Orval Pounders, Inez Morgan Coan and Fayrene Brooks.

Present instructors are: Holcomb, principal, Miss Fayrene Brooks and Mrs. Ann Bradshaw.

Trapptown citizens support the old adage that you can’t take the country our of a country-boy, and that if their school is lost, many of the children that complete nine grades there would drop out earlier if required to go to other schools.

Although the construction of the school at Trapptown was included on the proposed building program submitted by the Franklin County School Board, the members gave the people of the community little hope for state approval of the

building.

The community has proposed that the $10,000 insurance on the old building be used to buy materials, and that the farmers in the area donate the time to build the plant.

The next months will tell.

Progress 2012 • 11

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Progress 2012 • 13

1960

U.S. Reduction plant plans expansion here Thursday, September 15, 1960 The U.S. Reduction plant at Russellville will begin work on a new smelting plant in the “immediate future,” according to an announcement by Russellville Mayor Hayes Malone last week.

Mayor Malone’s statement indicated that Phil Kolinski, manager of the plant, which opened here earlier this year, and Charles A Licht, chief engineer for the company, informed the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce of their expansion plans, which more than double the present facility.

“If we don’t have some sort of economic depression, the Russellville plant should grow to a $6 million facility by 1967,” Licht said.

The company engineer didn’t give a definite date for the beginning of construction on the furnace at the plant site on U.S. 43 by-pass, but said that the drawings were being completed now and they would begin taking bids before the year was out.

Construction could begin within the next three months, depending on the economic picture of the nation’s economy, he said.

The proposed expansion now is expected to increase employment at the plant almost double.

Licht said that the furnace proposed here would be considerably smaller that the smelters at their Northern

14 • Progress 2012

plants but that the ultimate square feet. successful “start-up” of the plans for the Russellville site Licht explained that the plant under Kolinski and were for four such furnaces expansion here was a little to “the successful efforts of Mayor Malone in convincing the company of the advantages of expansion.”

“Seldom does a plant begin operations with as little difficulty as this one has,” Licht said.

The immediate expansion will run into a six-figure cost, Licht said.

The smelting plant, which will use a gas furnace, will be located in the extreme southeast corner of the site.

Licht said the smelting operation will consume nearly $2,000 of natural gas per month once in full operation.

At present, no melting of aluminum is done at the Russellville plant. The operation now consist of up-grading aluminum scrap by a mechanical process. It is then shipped to the Northern plants for smelting and casting.

The furnace here would turn out ingots weighing approximately 30-50 pounds.

At present, about 10 persons are employed at the Russellville facility, working two shifts a day.

Licht said the further expansion would be geared to growth of aluminum users in this area and the Southeast.

He said that with more and more aluminum being used in automobiles now, he could see no reason why the ultimate 12,000 square foot plant shouldn’t be completed by the and a plant of some 120,000 ahead of schedule due to the mid-60s.

1967

At Red Bay School fire: Sobs, tears mingle with firefighting Thursday, November 30, 1967

By Mae Streit Some students sobbed, others stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

Parents with tear-streaked faces searched frantically for sons and daughters and in the background firemen fought bravely to stop raging flames.

This was the drama ladened scene around 2:15 p.m.

Monday when a five alarm fire destroyed the Red Bay Elementary School building and all furnishings.

No injuries were reported, “not even a stubbed toe,” as one school official put it. The pupils were led to safety in three minutes after the first smoke was detected around 2 p.m.

The evacuation was none too soon – in minutes after the building was cleared, the roof began collapsing in the northeast section of the building where the first smoke was seen in Miss Blanche Parrish’s room.

High winds fanned the flames and columns of black smoke by the time Red Bay’s Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene. Calls went out to Vina and Russellville and Belmont and Fulton, Miss., Volunteer Fire Departments.

All of the departments answered the calls and fought for more than two hours to hold

the fire in check. Numerous times areas on roofs of nearby buildings burst into flames.

Alert firemen turned streams of water to put out these flames.

Firemen used auxiliary pumps to boost pressure of the town’s water supply, which at times seemed to dwindle.

The quick and heroic efforts of firemen were credited by a spokesman at the scene for saving the entire complex of the buildings, which made up the elementary, junior high and senior high school. School officials and townspeople praised the work of the fire departments.

Nature aided too when a 30-degree shift in wind turned the flames away from the adjacent buildings. With this help, the fire was soon in check, but not soon enough to save the 20 classrooms, auditorium and elementary library housed in the old building.

The fire was thought to have started from defective electrical wires in the attic of Miss Parrish’s room.

The speed of the fire caused pupils to leave without wraps and some were seen in the cold winds in gym suits without wraps.

The loss of the elementary building and all furnishings was estimated at a half-million dollars by Superintendent Charles Parrish. He said a total

of $210,000 in insurance on the building and furnishings would “help” but not replace the facility. In fact, he said, to replace the building alone would cost roughly $500,000.

The question of financing a new building will be taken up Friday at a board of education meeting. Parrish said he did not know the status of the system’s borrowing power since a redistribution of school tax money will affect the school next year.

He pointed out that facts and figures would be ready for the board meeting Friday to help make decisions.

Parrish further said loss of the building, furnishings and

equipment “was bad, but it was wonderful that no lives were lost.”

The elementary building had undergone modernation two years ago at a $50,000 cost, Parrish pointed out.

Progress 2012 • 15

1974

Killer storm strikes over North Alabama Friday, April 5, 1974 Despite thousands of dollars in damage and one hospitalized, Russellville and Franklin County “were lucky” from devastating damage done by tornados that hop skipped over North Alabama Wednesday night to leave an unofficial 69 dead and millions of dollars in property damage.

Hardest hit in Franklin was the Oak Grove community on Newburg Mountain where the Hershal Dolan family’s home was completely blown away and Dolan hospitalized with injuries including a reported concussion.

Other members of the family were said not seriously injured.

The $35,000 new home of Mr. and Mrs. James Duboise near the Dolan home was destroyed.

Mr. and Mrs. Duboise lacked carpet installation and had not moved from their home across the road into the new home. The frame house they occupied was damaged but Duboise said they could still occupy it with replacement of windows and other repairs.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Duboise, also in the Oak Grove area, was damaged with the roof blown off. Neither were injured or a guest, Mrs. Susie Amos.

The twister apparently touched down in Franklin

16 • Progress 2012

first in Phil Campbell where Modernage Mobile Homes plant was heavily damaged and some of the trailers on the lot were overturned and stripped of siding. They declined to give an estimate of the damage, but were expecting insurance adjusters Thursday morning.

Several mobile homes, homes, barns and chicken houses in the storm’s path from Phil Campbell to Oak Grove suffered damage. At one home a truck had been overturned by the wind, according to State Trooper Gerald Knight, who remained on duty throughout the night and Thursday morning.

Mayor Ralph Bishop went to Oak Grove Wednesday night. He called Unit National Guards. The guardsmen along with the Russellville Rescue Squad assisted in keeping out spectators and looters.

The guardsmen were still in the area Thursday morning where cleanup operations were underway.

Highway crews and REA electricians were called out immediately after the storm to clear roads of fallen trees and power lines which were down over a wide area.

Roads were cleared and power line repairs were being made throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday.

A spokesman said Franklin was lucky that more people

were not seriously injured or killed by the freakish winds.

Meanwhile Moulton, Guin, Jasper, Huntsville and Athens were attempting a cleanup and count of dead and injured Thursday. Unofficially the Guin storm left 19 dead and scores injured. Also unofficially, Moulton had 22 dead from the storm, which hit the Parkertown area some three miles from Moulton.

Jasper’s business district was demolished, unofficial reports Thursday said. However the death toll, unofficially, was said to be only two, but a number of injuries.

Franklin County relatives of resident in the storms in the North Alabama area were attempting to reach them Thursday. A beauty shop customer whose last name is Motes was telling how a couple, with one of the two her first cousin, was killed in Guin and their small child blown away and injured. Ironically the woman was said to live in the Oak Grove area and was in the fringe of the storm through there.

-------------------Dazed reaction at Oak Grove

Wednesday, causing extremely heavy property damage and hospitalizing one family member, Hershal Dolan.

The Dolan home, occupied

by Dolan, his wife, Barbara, and two sons, Keith, 7, and Darrell, 5, was swept from its foundation and appeared to explode with furnishings, clothing, bedding and other household goods blown across the high way and scattered into a deep ravine.

Trees that were left standing in the area were completely denuded of branches back to the trunk. Relatives Thursday were sifting through the debris for personal effects. None at the scene could tell if the family was blown away from the house. All said, “I just don’t know what happened, no one seems to know.” One man said he was told that Dolan was trapped in some of the timber from the house. The freakish wind left a lawn mower on the carport floor, the only thing left at the house site.

At the Elijah Duboise home where the roof was blown off and huge trees blown down, “Uncle Lige” as most know him said he, his wife and a guest, Mrs. Susie Amos, were in the living room and the two Residents in the Oak Grove women lay down by a couch community walked about as and tried to get him to do likeif in a daze Thursday as they wise. He said instead, “I hunviewed storm damage which kered down by the fireplace hit the area around 6:30 p.m. jam and it was over in just a

minute. We thought all that was done was a big tree blown down and didn’t realize the roof was gone from the house or that other trees in the yard were uprooted.”

Mrs. Duboise said their family dog “Bouncy” tried to warn of the approaching storm by making a whining sound, causing her and Mrs. Amos to think he was choked. Duboise also lost two chicken houses to the storm.

Neighbors were helping the family Thursday to move their furniture to places of storage until the roof could be replaced. Duboise, choked

with emotion, said, “I don’t know what we will do, but we will do something.” The Duboise home was about a quarter of a mile from the Dolan and James Duboise homes.

James Duboise said he was en route to his home when the storm hit. His new brick home, which was destroyed, was struck from the rear, which caused the outside basement wall to be damaged.

Bricks were peeled from the house leaving the construction paper exposed on some outside walls.

The roof was also blown off

and the front walls down.

The new building represented $35,000 in cash money and several years of labor by Duboise, who had done all the labor.

He only had builders insurance, according to his son, Delmer Duboise.

Two of the elder Duboise’s chicken houses were blown away.

People who were in the storm said the noise “like a freight train was frightening” as the storm approached. Mr. and Mrs. Arlon Duboise told how the storm looked with swirling clouds with bright

objects. They said they now know the bright objects were strips of metal from roofs and buildings.

Strips of metal, articles of clothing and other debris could be seen in trees and strown along the path of the storm as could trees which were tossed about like match sticks.

Attempts were being made Wednesday night and Thursday by Russellville National guardsmen and state troopers to keep out sightseers, but many were driving through the area despite roadblocks.

Progress 2012 • 17

Babies of 2011

2011 Welcomed Several New Additions to Franklin County

Bentley Smith Birth date: June 9, 2011 Parents: Eric & Megan Smith Grandparents: Charles & Gloria Bentley, Ricky & Jeannie Smith Great Grandpartents: Ed Miller & Eathel Bentley

Haigen Ryan Fuller

Deliah Landers

Birth date: February 1, 2011 Parents: Cody & Lesli Fuller Grandparents: Johnny & Kym Allen, Darrel Fuller, Kathy Pennington Fuller

Birth date: June 22, 2011 Parents: Jeremy & Heather Landers Grandparents: Phillip & Sandra Landers, Jimmy Landers, Sue Landers

Lydia Elizabeth Bayless Birth date: June 27, 2011 Parents: Henry & Elizabeth Bayless Grandparents: Cecil & Betty Freeman, Richard & Cindy Miller, the Late Richard Bayless

Gabriella Fisher Birth date: November 29, 2011 Parents: Andy & Whitney Fisher Grandparents: Brenda Quillen, John Quillen, the Late L.C. & Joyce Fisher

Ally Wood Birth date: December 10, 2011

Kyle Wood Catherine Amelia Hyde Birth date: September 5, 2011 Parents: Dennis & Lauren Hyde Grandparents: Hugh & Peggy Hyde, Richard & Amy Parker 18 • Progress 2012

Jackson McAfee

Parker McAfee

Birth date: January 17, 2011 Parents: Daniel & Kristie McAfee Grandparents: Kerry & Karen McAfee, Agnes Akers & The Late Kenneth Akers

Birth date: February 1, 2011 Parents: Jim & Kelli McAfee Grandparents: Harold & Sharon McAfee, Michael & Donna Ivy

Birth date: December 10, 2011

Parents: Scotty & Joann Wood Grandparents: Ollie & Jewel Hallman, Margaret Wood & the Late Tommy Wood

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Progress 2012 • 21

1976

Countians take pride in own Miss Alabama

Thursday, June 17, 1976

“She looks like ‘Miss America’ material to us,” so say proud citizens as they await the homecoming Friday of Miss Alabama, the City of Russellville and Franklin County’s very own Denise Davis.

And she just might capture the coveted title in September when she goes to Atlantic City, N.J., for the national pageant.

She has the same chance as she did in the Miss Alabama Pageant. She was one of 50 contestants from throughout the state Saturday night when she captured the state title. In Atlantic City she will compete with representatives from the 50 states and will once again be one of 50 beautiful and talented girls.

The news that Miss Davis won broke slowly Sunday morning. The pageant ended too late for newspapers to carry the winner. One early riser thought she heard correctly on an out-of-county radio station that a Russellville girl was the winner.

Checking with the local radio station failed to confirm the news as nothing had come over the wire service about the winner.

Confirmation came about 8 a.m. when the new Miss Alabama’s mother, Mrs. Ellis Davis, called a Times reporter.

The reporter called a few key people in the city and county and word spread more quickly. By noon Sunday the story had been repeated until the news was county-wide.

Pride and joy for Miss Davis as well as being the 22 • Progress 2012

of the last two Miss Alabamas.

She succeeds Susan Vaughn of Florence who in turn succeeded Pam Long of Huntsville.

-----------Friday plans told for Miss Alabama

home of the new Miss Alabama, Russellville citizens began to make plans for her homecoming.

A related story on the plans for the Friday event will be found on this page of the Times.

Countians are aware of Miss Davis. She has been prominent in the news for the past three years as she entertained groups, the State Legislature and local groups and civic clubs with her singing talent.

She has also been in pageants, coming out in the top judging as Miss Franklin Jaycee, a runner-up in numerous others and capturing the talent division at Point Mallard last year. More recently she modeled for her

sponsor in the Miss Alabama Pageant, Mannequin, Inc., at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Her father, Ellis Davis, returned to Russellville Tuesday and confirmed the plans for the gala homecoming Friday. Her schedule at present is jam-packed and will become more hectic after the September New Jersey pageant.

Miss Davis is 18 “and the youngest Miss Alabama ever chosen” her mother said she was told.

A May graduate of Russellville High School, Miss Davis was active in school activities and plans to enter the University of North Alabama this fall. The university is the alma mater

Countians have been mobilized to honor Russellville’s own Miss Alabama, Denise Davis, as she returns home Friday via motorcade from Birmingham.

According to Joe Porter, coordinator for the homecoming, the following plans have been made for the newly crowned 18-year-old beauty.

Denise and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Davis, and two representatives from Mannequin’s Modeling Agency (whom she represented in the pageant) will be escorted from Birmingham by a Russellville Police car and a State Trooper vehicle to Russellville.

The motorcade is scheduled to arrive in downtown Russellville at 4 p.m. At that time, Mayor Ralph Bishop will welcome Denise and make a special presentation in outdoor ceremonies to be held in front of the main business district.

From there, Miss Alabama will motorcade to the Russellville High School cafeteria where a reception will be held from 4:30 until 6 p.m.

“We would like for all our townspeople to be present at the presentation and reception,” said Porter. “Let’s all show Denise how proud of her we are.”

1981

School board gets $800,000 for Vina project

Wednesday, 1981

November

18,

By Floyd Alford The Franklin County School Board received $800,000 in an appropriation bill from them Alabama Public School and College Authority Tuesday for

construction work at the Vina School. The school was gutted by fire in early spring of this year, and temporary classrooms are now being used at the school.

According to Franklin County Schools Superintendent Hoyt Dillard, the money, if available immediately, will be that

the school board can proceed with both Phase I and Phase II of the Vina construction project.

Phase I includes eight high school classrooms and the renovation of the existing agriculture building into five elementary classrooms.

Phase II includes the construction of a library, four elementary classrooms and a band hall.

The completion of both phases will mean that students will be taken out of temporary classrooms.

The Franklin County Board of Education found out about the appropriation at Tuesday’s meeting of the board, which was held at Tharptown School.

Alabama Finance Director Dr. Rex Rainer confirmed Wednesday morning that $800,000 was designated to the school system from the Alabama Public School and College Authority.

Dr. Rainer said Wednesday morning that the money would be available to the school system as soon as architectural plans were submitted and approved by the state.

Jack Nix, architect working for the school system on the Vina project, was at Tuesday’s board meeting.

He reported that Phase II of the project had been approved by the state the firs of the month. He also stated that architectural drawings should be completed by the end of December.

The drawings will have to then be okayed by the state.

Nix explained to that board that around $25,000 to $30,000

could be saved if the contracts for both Phase I and II could be included at the same time.

He projected to the board Tuesday that construction at Vina could be possibly underway as early as the first of next year.

He also noted that if both Phase I and II were combined, the project would have to be rewritten as one project.

Nix also talked with the school board about two other construction projects in the school system.

He reported that the Phil Campbell School now has heat and that a completion check on the furnace system should be done next week. He advised the board, however, that an extended period of cold weather was necessary before the system could be fully tested.

He suggested that the board withhold five percent of the cost of the system until it was fully tested.

The system has a one-year warranty for service, and Rayburn Stockton reported to the board that the Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board has checked out the system and found that the system had been installed by state regulations.

Nix also reported to the board that drawings on the reroofing of Belgreen and Red Bay schools were being done.

He explained that he was planning to use a metal roof at the two schools because they would do a better job.

He also reported that the roofs at all three county high schools were in “terrible shape.”

Progress 2012 • 23

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24 • Progress 2012

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Progress 2012 • 25

1989

Chuckie Mullins’ condition stable; spirits ‘good’ Wednesday, November 1, 1989

By Karl Carter Former Russellville Golden Tiger standout Chuckie Mullins was listed in critical but stable condition in Baptist Central Hospital in Memphis at press time Tuesday.

Mullins suffered a paralyzing neck injury Saturday when he made a first-quarter tackle during the Ole MissVanderbilt game.

“Chuckie received a fractured-dislocation of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, which are located in the neck,” Leroy Mullins, head Ole Miss athletic trainer said.

“He immediately told us he could not feel anything,” trainer Mullins said. “We cut off a portion of his facemask and hinged it back in case we needed to assist his breathing, as shallow breating was evident.”

Mullins was airlifted to Baptist Central in Memphis and was immediately placed in tongs.

Mullins, a 6-foot, 170-pound

26 • Progress 2012

red-shirt freshman for the University of Mississippi, was carried from the field on a stretcher with 6:57 to play in the first quarter. He was injured when he made a jarring tackle on Vanderbilt’s Brad Gaines at the Ole Miss 3-yardline to break up a pass play.

Russellville Golden Tiger head football Coach Don Cox said, “Chuckie was as close as a son to me while in high school and he has seemed real happy at Ole Miss. Chuckie’s parents died when he was young and he has had things pretty rough most of his life.

The scholarship at Ole Miss was a big moment in his life. It looked like his life was finally looking up.”

Mr. and Mrs. Carver Phillips were Mullins’ foster parents.

Cox described Mullins as a fighter.

“He has always had to work for everything he has gotten and I know he’s fighting hard right now.

“We are all praying for his recovery,” Cox said.

“Something like this makes

everyone who knows him feel just awful. He’s such a fine kid who has worked very hard and I can’t believe this really happened.”

Mullins remains in critical but stable condition following five hours of spinal surgery to realign his twisted spine and fuse the broken vertebrae. The purpose of the surgery was to reduce multiple fractures of the spine in the C3, 4, 5 and 6 vertebral areas of the neck.

“For someone who has no feelings and no movement below a certain level, the general prognosis is quite poor for a return of function below that level,” Dr. Clarence Watridge, neurosurgeon, said.

The doctors said Mullins was able to breath without a respirator but was being closely watched in case of complications. At 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Mullins received a tracheotomy to assist his breathing, hospital officials said just before press time Tuesday.

Mullins’ injury grew attention from all across the Southeast.

In his weekly Monday press

conference, Alabama Coach Bill Curry voiced his concern for Mullins’ recovery.

“All of us who love young people want to remember Chuckie in this difficult time,” Curry said.

“He’s one of our folks. This was an unfortunate situation, but it reminds us of what’s important and what’s not.”

Golden Tiger head Coach Don Cox and defensive Coach Frankie Hammock went to see Mullins Sunday in Memphis.

“The first thing he did was smile from ear-to-ear when we walked in the room,” Cox said.

“He said, ‘Thanks for coming, Coach. I’m glad to see you.’ He was in good spirits, but he had tears in his eyes. He said he was in a lot of pain, but he had no feeling from his neck down.

“This situation is tragic and we’re all having to deal with it,” Cox said.

“It makes us realize that the game isn’t as important as other things in life. If there’s a way, Chuckie will survive.

Somewhere down the road, we will know what God’s plan is for him.”

Progress 2012 • 27

1991

Chucky: ‘He was a coach’s dream’ “Former Golden Tiger, Ole Miss Rebel will be buried in Russellville Saturday” Wednesday, May 8, 1991

By Neal Orr There were tears in many Americans’ eyes across the nation who have emotionally and financially been supportive of a native of this city for the past two years, but the deepest grief still had to fall on those most closely associated with Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins.

Those friends, classmates, instructors and coaches are in Russellville and have had their thoughts and prayers with Chucky since Oct. 28, 1989.

The Russellville native and former University of Mississippi defensive back was pronounced dead at 2:25 p.m. Monday, May 6, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., because of complications associated with a massive pulmonary embolus, which occurred Wednesday, May 1.

While getting dressed for class, Chucky collapsed and

28 • Progress 2012

stopped breathing. An ambulance responded and CPR continued as he was transported to Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi.

Tests determined he had suffered a massive pulmonary embolus (a blood clot which traveled to the lungs). After he was stabilized, Chucky was transferred to ICU where he was listed in critical condition.

Friday, Chucky was airlifted

by Hospital Wing to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Medical Center in Memphis.

“It’s a big loss for our community and me personally,” said Russellville head football coach Don Cox. “Chucky was a super young man who made a lot of accomplishment in his life and he won’t be forgotten.

“He serves as a great example for youth by displaying determination and striving to win.

He proved that by working toward his degree following an injury, which would have caused many people to simply accept the situation.

“He loved life and all games

he played and I have a lot of wonderful memories of Chucky even before he was injured. His competitiveness rubbed off on everyone. He was a great leader both on and off the field. He was a coach’s dream because he worked to be the very best at whatever he did.”

Ole Miss head coach Billy Brewer shared Cox’s sentiments.

“This is a tremendous loss for all of us,” said Brewer.

“Chucky was a very special human being. He fought as long and as hard as humanly possible. He never gave up.

“His courage and his determination are unequaled. We are better people for having known him and we thank God for sending him to us, even though it was for a short time.

“We shall miss him, but we will never forget him and what he meant to us.”

Compiling a list of Mullins’ admirers would be endless.

It became very apparent the multitudes of people who were touched by Chucky’s determi-

nation to win.

“It is always difficult for Ole Miss to lose one of her students,” said University of Mississippi Chancellor Gerald Turner. “This is especially so in our loss of Chucky because we have all grown to feel very close to him through this tragedy. In the same way that words failed us when he was paralyzed, we cannot now express the extent of our sorrow in his death.

“Chucky has given something to each of us, and we will remember and appreciate him for many different reasons. I am grateful that he was given time to spend with us, and that he has the love and support of so many people who shared his burdens and his victories.”

Perhaps no words could adequately express the kind of human being living inside Chucky Mullins. Only Chucky himself could do so.

The following is a poem written by Chucky as a thank-you to those who supported him following the accident:

A word on encouragement “A word of encouragement to those of you, who sent me cards, letters and money too, a prayer from all was read to me, thank you for an intercessory plea.

To my close friends and school mates whom I love so well from my heart that’s true, I try to live by the word of God, That all will know that his love abides.

A word of encouragement and that’s no flack, Your mom and your dad, they’re here for that.

As I lie here straight, flat on my back, My eyes to see, my mouth to snack, No other parts of my body move, But with God’s help that will come too.

Now I look up, not down or around, For my help comes from God who has my crown.

With a whisper I call on him to do, His will in my life that his child will be true; And know without a shadow of a doubt, That God has worked a miracle and shout.

Rejoice with me all who wish me well, For I’ll be back so that I can tell, Of God’s grace, and mercy, and his care.

A word of encouragement to all who read, The word of God, that’s what I need.

You’ll never know how much God means to you, Till tragedy hits and friends come through.

All you can do is lie and stare, At the ones who made you, then you’ll know he cares.

A word of encouragement to all of you, Keep the faith for God is true.

I thank you Jesus, for my Mom and Dad, Whom you gave to me when no one else cared.

I thank you, Holy Spirit, how you revealed to me, The love of God, how it flows so free.

Even when we were in our sins, He cared for you, He cared for me.

Thanks to my coaches, the president too, The faculty and friends of Ole Miss School.

The United States has wished me well, Mr. President, lead with a mighty yell!

In spite of all that we see and hear, This country loves in spite of hell.

A word of encouragement to all of you, Keep the faith, I will come through.

I trust in God, my Father on high, In Jesus, my brother, who is pleading my cause, In the Holy Spirit, who has sealed me for, That day so that I can rejoice.”

Amen.

Progress 2012 • 29

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1991

Attempted robbery ends in fatal shooting Wednesday, July 31, 1991

By Neal Orr CHERRY HILL – Discovering an apparent burglary in progress resulted in the death of a Cherry Hill woman and caused serious injury to her husband Monday morning when the couple entered the home of their son on County Road 83 after what police believe spotting a strange vehicle on the premises.

Neighbors and family members at the scene identified the couple as Jessie Farned, 67, and Elizabeth Farned, 63, residents of the same community.

The couple was taken by separate ambulances to Humana Hospital in Russellville and later transferred to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence according to Humana spokesperson Stephanie Kidd.

Mrs. Farned died at approximately 6 p.m. Monday according to ECM spokesperson Linda East and Mr. Farned was listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit Tuesday.

According to a neighbor who was the first to arrive at the scene, Mrs. Farned was lying at the edge of the garage, at first thinking it was her daughter-in-law sunbathing.

“I passed by the house and saw her at the edge of the garage and didn’t think too much about it,” said the neighbor. “Then I realized she is normally at work during that hour of the day so I drove up to the house to investigate. When I arrived, I saw her lying on the edge of the

garage obviously seriously injured. “I tried to go inside the house to call for help and Jessie came down the steps with an apparent serious injury as well. I tried to talk to him but he couldn’t respond.

I went inside the house to use the phone and found blood on it and thought perhaps he had just tried to call. I then called authorities.”

According to Sheriff Larry Plott, without any witnesses of the crime, finding the assailant or assailants is a task which will require help from the community.

“At this point we really don’t have very much to go on,” said Plott.

“Hopefully, the investigation of the premises will provide some information. We would like to ask anyone who was in the vicinity of the residence (a light yellow home with siding about one-half mile from Cherry Hill Baptist Church) to contact one of the involved agencies whether they noticed anything or not.”

“Any information, no matter how small, could be precisely what we need to aid this investigation.”

Plott said the possible circumstances in the shooting could be the Farneds spotted the vehicle at their son’s residence and realized it didn’t belong there.

Jessie got out of the car to investigate and was shot by the burglar with a small handgun.

After hearing the shot, Mrs. Farned got out of the car and was going through the garage into the house and was shot by

the assailant as well. However, Plott said it was only a possibility and without witnesses the actual circumstances were undetermined at this point.

A search for suspects began immediately following the incident. Sgt. Robert Pace and Lt. William Nale of the Russellville Police Department were the first to arrive at the scene at approximately 10:15 a.m. The county, city police department and Alabama Department of Investigation are agencies involved in the case and should be notified with any information.

Authorities were looking for suspects in a brown panel van, a faded blue Nova and a brown or gold car which were reported by neighbors as seen in the area near the time of the shooting.

Investigations continued Tuesday as deputies and reserves aided by officials from the Alabama Game and Fish Conservation checked all vehicles passing the scene searching for clues and possible information.

Without an opportunity to enter the premises Monday afternoon, Sammy Farned, owner of the home, said he was unable to determine exactly what was stolen, although he told officials he believed a VCR, a clock, and a .22 caliber revolver were among possible items.

District Attorney Chris Hargett said at the scene of the crime – he or she would face a charge of a capital offense and if found guilty, could be sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Progress 2012 • 33

1993

No trace of 5-year-old girl “Foul play now suspected of child reported missing Saturday” Wednesday, 1993

24, night. At that time she was in her bedroom asleep.

Plott said the missing child is

By Tilda Sumerel about 32 inches tall and weighs between 35 and 38 pounds. She Is a little girl lost somewhere has brown hair and a dark in the woods trying unsuccess- complexion. She was last seen fully to find her way home? wearing blue fleece pajamas Is she hurt or has she met and no shoes. with some type of disaster?

The missing child lived in the Was she abducted? mobile home with her father, More than 300 persons joined stepmother and younger sisa two-day search over the ter. weekend for a child missing from the mobile home park in No clues to disappearance the Pleasant Ridge community, on C.R. 48, about two miles Plott said there were no signs east of Russellville. the home had been broken into during the night.

Five-year-old disappears Gonzalez said the door to the mobile home was closed when Rescue squads, area law he woke up. enforcement agents and other It has been reported the volunteers began search- child wandered away from the ing for five-year-old Andrea home at night once before but Gonzalez Saturday morning was later found playing in the after she was reported miss- yard. A relative said she liked ing from her bedroom in the to take a path through the family’s mobile home. woods to her grandparents’ Her father, Paul Gonzalez, house but that was one of the said he discovered his daugh- first areas searched in the rester was missing when he went cue attempt. to check on her before going to work about 6:30 a.m.

Many join rescue effort After finding Andrea’s room empty, he searched the area By mid-day Saturday about around the home and then 100 rescue workers from sevcalled police. eral counties had gathered Franklin County Sheriff and organized search efforts Larry Plott said the girl in the fields and wooded areas appears to have disappeared surrounding the mobile home from her home without a trace park. sometime between midnight Bloodhounds from the triand the time Gonzalez report- state canine unit were called ed her missing. in but failed to provide and Plott said all homes in the clues in the rescue effort. neighborhood were searched The local EMA managed to in an attempt to locate the get clearance for a National child.

Guard unit to join the search.

Her parents said they last The Colbert County American saw her shortly after mid- Red Cross Chapter, working

34 • Progress 2012

November

with Franklin County EMA officials, set up a command post at the location of the old coliseum. There, they provided communications, food and support for rescue workers.

EMA Director Carol Frederick said they were on the scene to do whatever was needed o make the efforts go smoothly. She was very appreciative of the many locals residents who brought food for the weary rescue workers.

Helicopters, divers search Saturday night, a helicopter with special infra-red heat detecting equipment was used to search a five-mile radius from the mobile home park.

Plott said the helicopter was provided by the Tennessee National Guard after it was discovered Alabama’s unit was already in use elsewhere.

After the first mission failed, a second helicopter search, provided by Cullman County officials, was conducted in the same area Sunday afternoon.

Plott said the helicopters were equipped with devices which could detect body heat from animals or people on the ground.

Rescue workers continued their weary vigil in the frigid mid-20s Saturday night until about 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

They resumed their ground search efforts early Sunday morning, checking and rechecking the areas previously gone over.

Divers were called in midday Sunday to search some ponds located in the area but they, too, failed to come up with anything linked to the

girl’s disappearance.

Foul play now suspected At one point it was speculated the girl could be with her natural mother in a northern state.

But, Plott said he received word about 2 p.m. Sunday that the mother was clear— Andrea was not with her and the mother’s movements for the past few days have been verified.

At that time, Plott met with the crowd of rescue workers gathered at the command post and said, “I feel we now need to turn our attention to the possibility of foul play.”

Time is a critical factor “We’ve conducted thorough ground searches 3-4 times through tireless efforts of those helping in the rescue efforts. We’ve done everything I know to do. I just don’t know what else to do.

“The biological mother has been eliminated and we have called in the FBI and the ABI. “We are going to work all angles and not overlook anything.

“Older people and small children who get lost don’t know how to take care of themselves in these situations. Time is a critical factor now.

“My heart goes out to all the family.”

After the second helicopter search Sunday afternoon, Plott met with FBI and ABI agents to work out strategy for the next phase of the investigation.

Relatives still hopeful

Christy Gonzalez, aunt of the missing child, said Sunday afternoon the family was terribly upset but still had hopes of finding Andrea alive.

“The waiting is really hard but we just can’t ever lose hope of finding her alive.

“We want all the people who have helped in the rescue effort to know we really appreciate their help -- we’re just under a lot of stress right now.

“Ever since it happened many people have dropped by to show their concern, most of whom we don’t know person-

ally.

“I have reported Andrea’s disappearance to the national missing children’s organization and America’s Most Wanted.

“We would like to ask anyone who might have information to call the sheriff’s department.

“Right now we’re trying to organize and get together some reward money, hoping someone saw something and will come forward,” she said.

Rescue units involved

More than 300 rescue workers joined in the weekend search efforts.

Volunteer units involved in the effort included: Franklin County Rescue Squad, Vina Rescue Squad, Red Bay Rescue Squad, Phil Campbell Rescue Squad, East Franklin Rescue Squad, state game and fish division, TriState canine unit, Littleville volunteer fire department, Tharptown volunteer fire department, Colbert Heights volunteer fire department, American Red Cross, Barton Fire Department,

Cherokee rescue squad, Nitrate City rescue squad, Locust Shores volunteer fire department, Tuscumbia volunteer fire department, East Colbert fire and rescue squad, Leighton volunteer fire department, White Oak fire department, Russellville Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Alabama State Troopers, National Guard 161 Medical Co. Florence, Morgan County rescue squad, Blue Springs volunteer fire department, Franklin County EMA and individuals and businesses.

Progress 2012 • 35

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1993

TV documentary to feature Vina native Wednesday, November 3, 1993

By Charles Martin A Vina native will be the subject of a television documentary Thursday night.

Former U.S. Representative Carl Elliott will be featured on Alabama Public Television in “The Conscience of Congressman: The Life and Times of Carl Elliott.”

The show will air locally on channel 36 at 8 p.m. It is on cable channel 11 in Russellville.

Elliott served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1948 to 1964.

He served in the House during parts or all of the administrations of Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Elliott received the first Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Foundation in 1990.

Elliott’s sister, Willie Mae McKinney of Russellville, said Elliott, 79, now lives in Jasper.

McKinney said she and her brothers and sisters grew up in Vina.

“There were nine children and Carl was the oldest,” said

McKinney.

“Daddy was always interested in politics and he always carried Carl to hear speakers.

“From the first time Carl heard William Bankhead in the third grade, politics was all he talked about.”

According to McKinney, Elliott graduated high school when he was 15 years old.

“Then he went to the University of Alabama. It was tough because there was no money during the depression,” said McKinney.

Elliott was elected president of the student council and obtained a law degree, according to McKinney.

“He then practiced law in Russellville for about two years and then moved to Jasper,” said McKinney.

“He began campaigning around 1947 for congressman.”

Elliott was elected in 1948, at age 35, and served until 1964 when Alabama was forced to give up one of it congressional seats because of a declining state population.

He left politics after losing a race for governor to Lurleen Wallace in 1966.

According to McKinney, Elliott moved back to Jasper and practiced law.

“He has not practiced law in several years and is in a wheel chair now,” said McKinney.

“Elliott still visits Franklin County occasionally.

“We all get together on Christmas and draw names.

Our parents are dead but we still have the house at Burnout. We have a big meal and a Christmas tree,” said McKinney.

“We had real good parents.

There were five boys and four girls and all went through college.”

McKinney said one brother has died but the rest live fairly close to home. Elliott and another brother live in Jasper; one brother, Ernie, lives in Burnout; two sisters and one brother live in Florence; and a sister lives in Tuscumbia.

According to McKinney, part of the documentary was filmed in Franklin County during the summer of 1992 and former Probate Judge Weatherford appears on the show. Weatherford and Elliott attended Vina School together.

“A photographer came and took Judge Weatherford to Vina. He took photographs and Judge Weatherford talked about their early days at Vina School,” said McKinney.

McKinney was able to preview the show at an Elliott Society induction ceremony at the University of Alabama.

According to the Tuscaloosa News, the University named the society in honor of Elliott.

The society is to • Educate responsible and productive citizens.

• Spark participation in community service.

• Educate communities about volunteerism and community service.

Elliott recently said, “I dedicated my public life to ensuring, as far as I could, that the sons and daughters of the working men and women of this nation would have the highest level of education commensurate with their ability, unfettered by economic, racial or other barriers...

“The vision of America that has been shared by so many of our leaders throughout history will not be fully accomplished until all of our young people have the opportunity to obtain the quality of education which is their birthright.

Such educated young people engaged in public service are essential to meet the challenges of the new century which lies just ahead of us.”

Progress 2012 • 37

38 • Progress 2012

2001

Terrorists attack U.S. “World Trade Center twin towers go down, Pentagon hit” Wednesday, 2001

September

12,

By Brian Barnett Two hijacked jet liners slammed kamikaze-style into the twin towers of New York City’s landmark World Trade Center at around 9:00 a.m. eastern time Tuesday morning, touching off a horrifying day of terrorism the likes of which this country has never seen.

The two commercial jet liners, both carrying many passengers, crashed into the top levels of the buildings just moments apart. Just as Americans were getting their initial glimpses of the first crash on various news outlets, a second plane could be seen banking left in what appeared to be a blatant attempt to score a direct hit on the second structure.

The resulting chaos turned the streets of Manhattan below into a state of panic as people rushed to find cover from the falling metal, glass and other debris raining down from the explosions.

A short time later, those on hand at the crash site and millions more people around the world watched in stunned disbelief as first one, then both of the towers of the World Trade Center caved in, collapsing into mountains of rubble.

While America was still trying to catch its collective

breath from the New York tragedy, a third hijacked plane did a similar kamikaze crash into the Pentagon, the legendary five-sided building that houses the nation’s defense in Washington, D.C. The crash blew a massive hole in one side of the Pentagon, killing and injuring a still-unconfirmed number of people.

Also on Tuesday morning, a fourth plane that had been hijacked went down in a suburb just outside of Pittsburgh.

All of the passengers on board the four hijacked aircraft were reported dead.

At the time of the attacks in New York City, President George Bush was in Florida, where he was to speak on education. The President quickly cancelled the appearance, hoping on Air Force One to address the terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bush addressed the nation.

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward,” said the President.

“This is a test of the resolve of a nation. Make no mistake about it, it is one we will pass.”

Bush also promised sever punishment for those who are found to be involved in what is by far the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil.

While there is no total on the loss of life as of yet, reports late Tuesday afternoon had a confirmed death count in hundreds, though it is thought

that thousands of Americans lost their lives in Tuesday’s attacks.

Political leaders from around the world have made statements of regret and condolences regarding the attacks, with Prime Minister Tony Blair of England saying, “This isn’t just an attack on America, it’s an attack on the free world.”

As of Tuesday evening, no terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

--------What now?

“Local citizens sound off about what should be done”

By Patricia Thorpe To people in Russellville, New York City and Manhattan seem a long way away from our small community. But today when New York was attacked by terrorists, we all realized what a small world we live in and how much what happens in New York City affects us here in Russellville.

Talking to folks today as they went about their daily routines, we asked if they believed the U.S. should retaliate.

Gary Williams of Phil Campbell believes the U.S. needs to be very sure who was responsible before taking any action. Once we know who’s responsible, the action taken would depend on whether it

was individuals or a nation.

“If it was a nation, declaring war would be a possibility,” said Williams.

Jerry Rains of Russellville believes the U.S. needs to retaliate as quickly as possible.

“Just as soon as we know who’s responsible we need to make them accountable,” said Rains.

Gary Nesmith of Russellville, a Vietnam vet, says the U.S. should “kick butt.”

Jan James of Spruce Pine said, “It’s hard to say how we should retaliate, I have so many emotions involved.”

Hazel “Ping” Dages, age 93, of Terrace Manor Nursing Home said, “Just as soon as we find out who’s responsible we should cut off all trade and monetary support.

I don’t believe killing innocent people would be a proper response.”

Roney Murphy of Russellville believes the whole world should get together and let terrorists know that we’re not going to put up with them.

“Give them the death penalty,” said Murphy.

Undoubtedly the events of today will reach out to touch everyone in the United States in the future weeks. If there is any good to come of this maybe it will cause us to forget our petty differences and come together as a nation with a willingness to love and protect each other.

Progress 2012 • 39

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1947

Phil Campbell wins Alabama basketball tourney

Thursday, March 30, 1947 After two previous tries had been denied, Phil Campbell swept back in its third-straight bid for the Alabama High School basketball championship last weekend to win the coveted title by defeating Scottsboro in the finals 23-21.

Phil Campbell advanced to the finals with an impressive 36-28 victory over Etowah County in the first round, a close 29-26 win over Sidney Lanier of Montgomery and then dropping the tournament surprise Murphy High team of Mobile in the semifinals 34-24.

In addition to winning the state title, Phil Campbell had its star center, Benton Duncan, placed on the All-State first team for the second-straight year and Jack Glasgow named to the second All-State team.

Phil Campbell’s quarterfinal round victory over Lanier came after an uphill fight, which saw the Northern Division champs of the Seventh District behind 14-13 at half. A 10-point third period, however, put Phil Campbell back into the lead with

enough points to win the game.

The state champs had little trouble in defeating the strong Murphy team, taking an 11-2 lead at the end of the first period and then spurting in the last period after the Mobile team had closed in to 29-22 at the end of three quarters of play.

The championship game with Scottsboro was a thriller from the opening whistle.

The teams matched baskets through a deliberate first half with the score being tied at 7 all. The winners went ahead by one point at the end of the third period but the lead changed hands frequently in the action-packed final period. Duncan dropped in what proved to be the winning goal with the score tied at 21 all with less than two minutes to play.

Scottsboro had two chances for a field goal after that but missed both opportunities, and Phil Campbell had the state title.

Duncan was the tournament’s fourth-highest scorer with a total of 43 points. His best effort was against Lanier in the quarterfinals when he scored 17.

Progress 2012 • 41

1961

Russellville’s ‘Coach Ray’ dies of heart attack May 16, 1961 Russellville residents were shocked this weekend at the sudden death of Russellville High School head football coach Pete Ray Saturday at 7:40 p.m.

Ray, who had coached football at the local high school for nearly nine years, was found dead in his car just north of Phil Campbell.

Coroner Clarence Malone ruled his death the result of a heart attack.

Phil Campbell police officers found the stalled car, and upon examination he was declared dead.

Russellville schools held brief memorial services at the three schools Monday and then dismissed for the day.

Services for the 37-year old native of Hackleburg were conducted there at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon, with the revs. J.O. Colley, Joe Huges and Belon Friday officiating.

Ray was commander of the National Guard unit here, Company A, 877th Engr. Bn., had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Baptist.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Josephine Ray, Russellville; a daughter, Connie Dale Ray; his mother, Mrs. Reecie Ray, Hackleburg; five sisters, Mrs. Lois

42 • Progress 2012

Young, Hackleburg, Mrs. Ruth McCall, Birmingham, Mrs. Jim Hire, Birmingham, Mrs. Gay Sanders, Birmingham, and Mrs. Crockett Vickery, Adrain, Mich.; eight brothers, Carl and Fernon, Hackleburg, Everett, Hamilton, Owen of Adrain, Mich., Jimmy, Hackleburg, Max, Florence, Wayne, Hackleburg, and Paul of Birmingham.

Burial was in Cedar Tree Cemetery, Hackleburg, with Highsmith Funeral Home, Russellville, directing the arrangements.

Active pallbearers were Vernon Bowling, James Henderson, Owen Suddith, Charles Shaddix, James Reynolds, Wymon Willis, Harvey Poss and Harlon Hitt.

Honorary pallbearers were Major Edwards, Rube Courington, John Blackwell, Gene Ellison, Ross Feltman, Homer Grissom, Hal Wiley, Ford Grissom, Eugene Michael, Ike Hibbitt, George Hibbitt, Fred Sandlin, Solon Gregg, Jack Bowen, C.C. Kindig, Henry Felton, John Turbyfill, Clarence James, Less Pierce, Curtis Grissom, Henry Neal Willis and Olen Gendall.

Members of Company A, 877th Engr. Bn., and past and present members of the Russellville High School football squads attended the service.

1968

Russellville High School Golden Tigers grab second-straight 3A title Dec. 5, 1968

By Harold Stout An explosive assault by the Russellville Golden Tigers Friday night put the local gridders into a category with a few teams who have earned two consecutive 3A state championships when they trekked to Anniston and mauled Coach Jack Stewart’s host Saks Wildcats, a slight favorite, 51-13.

This was the second year for the state to stage playoffs for this class to determine a champion, and Russellville has grabbed both titles.

The night saw almost every member of the Golden Tigers squad in action in their final bid for the championship as local fans poured into Anniston Memorial Stadium to fill their side of the complex, both in the bleachers and along the ground in front.

They saw the men separated from the boys as Russellville stunned the Wildcats and their fans with their dynamic performance.

Russellville had one of their better nights on their offensive attack and lived up to their name of having one of the toughest defenses in Alabama as they ended Saks’ 14-game winning streak on a sour note.

The final stats for the game showed 530 yards of offense for the Golden Tigers, while the defense chopped down the

Wildcats’ offense and allowed only 188 yards and 13 first downs against them while gaining 24.

Russellville took the opening kickoff and used only four plays before the initial tally, going over, around, under and through the Saks’ defense.

Golden Tiger Robert Mullins took in the opening kickoff and wound his way to the midfield stripe before being pulled down.

On first down fullback Jeff Fuller toted the ball to the 41-yard line and junior halfback Mike Masingill reeled off 27 more yards to the host’s 14-yard line. On the third play of the game Fuller again carried, this time to the 9-yard line. On the final play of the drive he bulled into the end zone for the honors with 10:53 remaining in the first quarter.

He also added to point after, giving Russellville a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing series the Wildcats were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt to the Russellville 30-yard line where Mickey Boyles took it but got back to only the 32-yard line.

Fuller and Masingill alternated toting the ball but were unable to make a first down, and Tommy Watson was called on for the first of three punts for the Golden Tigers on the night.

Randall Stephens and Boyce Callahan carried for Saks on this series, which was again

forced to punt, this time to the Golden Tigers 29-yard line.

Cleveland Young carried for six yards and Mullins fought to the 41 before being brought down. Russellville punted but the alert defenders fell on a Saks bobble.

On second down quarterback Joey Watson hit end William “Bimbo” Bonds in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was no good, and the score stood at 13-0 in favor of the Golden Tigers.

Jerry Skidmore, David Willis, Watson, Orie Vaughn, Charles Badgett, Jackie Bradford and Doug Allen all teamed up to stop the hosts cold for the rest of the contest, including Callahan, who reeled off 177 yard on 40 carries the week before against Fairfield in the semifinals.

Russellville had possession of the ball with the beginning of the second period and wasted no time in showing the Wildcats who had come to play ball.

The visitors moved to the 18-yard line where big Mullins took over and crashed the line for an 18-yard scamper and touchdown. Again the PAT fell no good.

From here on the Golden Tiger fans, who overflowed from their side of the stadium which was reported to hold only about 2,000 people, began to feel more at ease and seemed confident that their team was now in the driver’s seat.

The first and only score for Saks in the first half was the result of a Golden Tiger fumble when the Wildcats punted.

On second down they completed a pass to the 33-yard line where Vaughn and Skidmore racked the receiver. Robert Earl Young, who had an outstanding night on defense, stopped Callahan at the 25-yard line but not before he had gained a first down.

Later in the 10-play drive Young deflected a pass from the hands of the receiver right into the arms of Callahan, who ran it to the 3-yard line. Saks had been forced to hit the airways after sophomore David Willis, backed up by senior Steve Franks and the rest of the Golden Tiger line, saw to it that their ground attack would not go over.

Quarterback Phil Lee made the tally from the one-foot line over tackle on fourth down.

The point after was no good, making the score 19-6.

The hungry Golden Tigers, who netted 249 yards in the first half, exploded again in the final minute of the half with a touchdown when Watson was right on target with a pass to Donald Jackson. The PAT was no good, and the half ended 25-6.

Fuller booted the opening kickoff of the second half into the end zone. The Wildcats began to move the ball but Masingill doused the fire by intercepting a Lee pass at the Progress 2012 • 43

Russellville 20-yard line, setting up the Golden Tigers for their next touchdown.

It took nine plays for Russellville to get to the opponents’ end zone, with Young going the 10-yard distance to pay dirt with a brilliant second effort on his part.

Again the PAT was no good

44 • Progress 2012

and Russellville led 37-6.

The final third quarter tally for the visitors came on a twoyard crash by Mullins, who claimed 133 yards on 14 carries with Fuller close behind with 13 carries and 99 yards.

The ensuing kickoff netted a touchdown for Saks.

The final tally for Russellville

was a pass from Watson to end Lebman Mosley in the end zone, which capitalized an eight-play drive from the Golden Tigers 47-yard line.

Ricky Saint split the uprights on the PAT attempt and Russellville led 51-6.

Saks scored with only seconds left in the contest, and

the game ended 51-13 in favor of the Golden Tigers, who rolled up their 32nd game without a loss and a secondstraight 3A championship.

The entire team performed well for coach Bill Doty and his staff in both play and sportsmanship.

1978

Tigers are No. 1 volleyball team in state Nov. 9, 1978 Excitement filled the Montevallo gym Saturday night because the Lady Golden Tigers volleyball team is the new state champion.

The title was awarded to the Lady Golden Tigers after they defeated Thompson High School in the finals of the tournament.

“It is the most exciting time of my life,” Russellville head coach Mrs. Scruggs said. “There is nothing like a state championship to end the day just right.

This is one of the best groups of kids that I have ever been associated with. They set their goal when they were in the ninth grade to be the state champions when they were seniors. After three years of hard work they finally reached the goal they set for themselves. Some of the players never missed a day of practice during that three-year period.

The games were won because we had a great team effort.”

There were two girls from Russellville that received AllState honors, Veronica Nelson and Janet West.

“These girls played a tremendous game for us, but everyone that played contributed in some way or another,” Scruggs said. “It was the greatest team effort that I have ever been associated with.”

The first opponent for the Lady Golden Tigers was Lawrence County High School, last year’s state champs. The Lady Golden Tigers were well prepared for what was to come. They defeated Lawrence County 9-15, 15-11, 15-6.

The tournament was doubleelimination. This put the Lady Golden Tigers in the winner’s bracket, while Lawrence County dropped to the loser’s bracket.

The next match pitted Russellville against a very tough Bibb County crew, but the Lady Golden Tigers again came out on top 15-5, 15-12.

The third match for Russellville was on Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m. If anyone has ever tried to play volleyball that early, you know it is hard to do. The Lady Golden Tigers set their goal for the state championship, and this game was part of it, so they had to get ready, and ready is what they were. The Lady Golden Tigers disposed of Thompson 15-13, 6-15, 15-8. This put the Lady Golden Tigers as the winner of the winner’s bracket. Now all they had to do was wait and see who would win the loser’s bracket and their next opponent.

Russellville had to play Thompson again for the state title. Thompson would have to beat Russellville twice to be the champs, but the Lady Golden Tigers could not see them winning one match. The Lady Golden Tigers went on to win their first state volleyball championship ever by downing Thompson 15-2, 15-12.

Members of this year’s state championship volleyball squad are Nelson, Phyllis Phillips, Sharon Hill, Evelyn Groce, Bonita Phillips, Henrietta Sears, Fonda Bean, West, Frenchie Oates and Jenny Bragwell.

“All of the girls had tremendous enthusiasm and spirit, but it’s been that way all year,” Scruggs said.

One of the bad points of this championship is that a lot of these girls will be graduating, but do not be surprised if you see the Lady Golden Tigers in the state tournament next year and maybe even the state champions again.

Progress 2012 • 45

1979

Tigers are champs February 28, 1979 The Red Bay Lady Tigers, behind a superb performance by tournament MVP Rene Cody, captured the 2A State Championship Saturday by downing the Munford Lady Lions 70-45 at Huntsville High School.

The Lady Tigers were expected to be this year’s state champions at the beginning of the season because of last year’s second place finish behind Winfield, but the fashion in which they won was unbelievable.

In semifinal action Thursday night Red Bay played a tough Good Hope team that had beaten Phil Campbell by a score of 46-44, but the outstanding shooting performance by Cody manhandled the Good Hope team 64-18 to take a spot in Saturday’s finals.

In Saturday’s finals Red Bay wasted no time in destroying Munford as the Lady Tigers’ stingy defense and their overpowering offensive ability ran the Munford team ragged.

The 70 points that the Red Bay team scored was a tournament record, with the old record being 64 points set by last year’s state champions, Winfield.

The Lady Tigers were led by Kay Miller with 19 points in Saturday’s finals with Cody adding superb defense to go along with her outstanding shooting performance of 18 points. Others in the scoring column for Red Bay were Cindy Wood with 11 points and Manya Jackson with 10.

The Lady Tigers ended a fantastic year at 29-1 in which two of the wins were over last year’s 2A state champion Winfield and one over 4A powerhouse Bradshaw.

Two Lady Tigers were named to the AllState team, Miller and MVP Cody.

46 • Progress 2012

1980

For the second consecutive year Red Bay is a 2A state champ

Feb. 27, 1980 The Red Bay girl’s basketball team, the defending 2A girl’s state champion, has something else it can talk about, at least until next year.

The Red Bay girls held off an enthusiastic Oneonta girl’s team to win their second-straight 2A state championship Saturday night in Huntsville.

The win pushed the Red Bay final season record to 31-2.

Red Bay jumped out to an early lead of 24-8 by the end of the first quarter, and things started looking good for the Lady Tigers.

Oneonta got its offense rolling in the second quarter, cutting the 16-point lead to six at the intermission 34-28.

After regrouping at the half, Red Bay managed to play

Oneonta an even game, with the Lady Tigers outscoring their opponent by two points to take a 48-40 advantage into the final quarter of the game.

Oneonta again took control, cutting the lead to four with less than 20 seconds remaining. Oneonta hit a 3-pointer to pull within one point at 63-62.

Oneonta fouled a Red Bay player with time running out, but the free throws were

missed and Oneonta claimed the rebound.

A last-second shot by Oneonta’s Renae Butler rolled out of the basket, making Red Bay the victors.

Pacing the Lady Tigers of Red Bay to their second consecutive 2A state championship was Renae Cody, who collected 20 points, followed by Kay Miller with 18 and Jenna Stockton with 15.

Progress 2012 • 47

1981

Vina Lady Red Devils capture 1A championship

Feb. 11, 1981

By James Abston The population of Vina has temporarily forgotten about routine matters like war and peace, life and death, even the economy and politics.

For the moment, the citizens of this community are savoring the idea that they live in the A division basketball capital of Alabama.

48 • Progress 2012

More than Vina’s population was represented among the excited fans supporting the Lady Red Devils in Birmingham last Friday and Saturday.

In fact, it appeared that Vina had more fan support than any other team present at the tournament.

Pisgah’s cheering section was swelled by many Vina fans that, as one spectator said, “found it natural to cheer for

any team in red.”

On Friday the Lady Red Devils pounced on Pleasant Home 75-46.

On Saturday the Lady Red Devils got into foul trouble early and were unable to replicate Friday’s racehorse style.

Vina led 10-5 at the first break and 17-15 at halftime.

A 32-17 third quarter lead was especially gratifying after the Lady Red Devils trailed by five points during the period.

The Lady Red Devils led by 11 points with three minutes to play and hung on for a 43-35 win.

Darla Cantrell led Vina in scoring with 12 while Pam Baggett added 10, Sandra Barker 7, Sherry Parker and Pam Franklin each had 6 and Deb Horton 2.

Vina had three representatives on the all-tournament team: Barker, Cantrell and tournament MVP Baggett.

1982

Golden Tigers are No. 1 March 3, 1982

By Dell Cross In a classic storybook ending that will be remembered

by Russellville High School fans, a “Cinderella” Golden Tiger basketball ream returned to Russellville with its first ever state championship last week.

The state championship came after a barnburning 61-58 win over Sylacauga Saturday night.

Jack Tucker’s troops, tabbed as underdogs throughout the tournament, truly proved themselves as they turned back three top squads en route to the state crown.

Guntersville, Sparkman and finally Sylacauga all suffered defeat due simply to a bunch of players determined to claim a championship.

Many had expected the trip to Tuscaloosa to be a token journey with the Golden Tigers only lasting one game, but grit and pride proved otherwise as one victim after the other fell until the state 3A trophy was handed over to an emotional Tucker following the action Saturday night.

It was a long road, but one that was highly successful.

The Golden Tigers had fallen six times prior to the playoff action, beginning in Fayette with Winfield, yet Tucker said his team began a new season before challenging for the coveted crown.

“We decided to forget about the past and start a six-game season,” Tucker said. “Those kids believed in themselves and we went 6-0 because of it.”

Russellville’s two previous bouts had been a bit different from the final one.

The Golden Tigers battled Guntersville closely all through the game and dominated action with Sparkman.

However, Russellville found itself playing in debt throughout the first half with Sylacauga.

The Red Devils raced up and down the court during the first quarter and netted 21 points while the Golden Tigers shot for 15.

In the second quarter the Golden Tigers scored only 12 points, and Sylacauga tossed in 14 additional to give the Red Devils a 35-27 advantage when the halftime buzzer rang.

The “party” was over for the Red Devils with the beginning of the second half.

Luther Tiggs hit six consecutive shots to lead the Golden Tigers to 16 more while Sylacauga grabbed only six.

Memorial Coliseum roared as the Golden Tigers pulled ahead 43-41.

The Golden Tigers shot for 18 total points after leading by three when the season’s final frame arrived.

Tiggs was again spectacular, as the junior guard hit six free throws in the fourth quarter to lead Russellville to a three-point victory.

Tiggs finished the night with 29 points, 20 of those coming in the second half.

Leslie Ferguson and Billy Witt each sank eight and Jeff Masterson and Pierre Bean both got seven for the Golden Tigers.

Russellville concluded its magnificent year with a 24-6 record.

Progress 2012 • 49

1982

Lady Red Devils win state again!

Feb. 17, 1982 Dell Cross “It was one of the most enjoyable years I’ve ever had in coaching, and most of all it was just plain fun,” Vina head coach Wayne Bolton said.

Bolton had every right to speak so fondly of his 198182 season in girl’s basketball coaching.

His Vina team captured the 1A state championship for the second consecutive year.

In the quarterfinals the Lady Red Devils were devastating as they wiped out Collinsville 73-40.

The first half of the game was pretty evenly matched. Vina 50 • Progress 2012

led 14-9 when the first period ended.

The Lady Red Devils had captured a 24-15 advantage by the halftime break.

It was not until the second half of the state playoff encounter that Vina’s machine-like attack began rolling, causing Collinsville to swiftly become another victim.

In the third quarter the Lady Red Devils tossed in 32 points and held their opponent to 14, thus beginning the final quarter leading 56-29.

Throughout the last quarter Vina simply went through the motions as it added 17 more to its total and allowed Collinsville to gain a mere 11

while on the trail to victory.

Leading ladies for the Lady Red Devils in the game were Darla Cantrell with 15, Pam Franklin with 14 and Deb Horton netting nine.

On Saturday Vina met Edward Bell for the finals of the state playoffs.

The Lady Red Devils returned from Birmingham as 1A state champions. Edward Bell was defeated 55-41.

Although the final game was not the route that the previous match had been, Vina did hold a slim lead throughout the game.

At the end of the first quarter Vina led 16-10, and at intermission the Lady Red Devils were ahead by a score

of 29-20.

When the third quarter came to a close Edward Bell was still coming, but Vina led by nine points when the quarter ended.

In the final quarter Vina sunk 10 points, while its opponent scored seven, thus clenching the crown.

High scorers for Vina in the game were Franklin with 23, Cantrell with 14and Horton with 11.

Lady Red Devils Cindy Farr, Franklin and Cantrell were named to the All-Sate team.

Cantrell was also named state tournament MVP. Vina concluded its successful campaign with a 27-5 worksheet.

1987

Red Bay girls win state March 4. 1987 A lackluster second quarter left the score knotted at 20 at the half, but the desire of the Red Bay Lady Tigers brought home a second half victory and a 2A state championship.

The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early lead and dominated play in the first quarter to go up by a 17-8 advantage with Crista Massey leading the way.

A coasting Lady Tiger team allowed the Gaston Lady Bulldogs to outscore Red Bay 12-3 in the second to even the score.

Coach Donnie Roberts’ halftime message did its job, an the Lady Tigers came out gunning to blast the Lady Bulldogs 22-2 in the third quarter to set up their first state championship win since 1980.

That third quarter performance put Gaston out of the game, and the Lady Tigers capped the game with 10 fourth quarter points, with the last four minutes being played by the subs.

Massey led the Lady Tigers with 22 points, and Sharon Rhoden had 12. Penny Williams, the state tournament’s MVP, had nine points.

In addition to Williams, Massey and Kim Carnes were named to the all-tournament team.

Progress 2012 • 51

1993

Red Bay 3A state champ March 10, 1993 Tilda Sumerel HANCEVILLE — Red Bay’s No. 1 in the state in girl’s basketball.

The Lady Tigers knocked off Francis Marion 84-67 in the finals of the Class 3A tournament Saturday to claim the coveted championship.

Red Bay head coach Donnie Roberts was almost overcome and at a loss for words to describe his feelings about the team, which made the goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the season.

“I’m happy and proud of the girls,” Roberts said. “This team is really close to my heart. They work hard, rely on teamwork, are totally unselfish and have a lot of dedication to do their best and reach their goals.

“I’ve really prayed a lot this past week that God would give us and the other teams in the tournament the strength to play to our best ability. I have to give God the credit for helping us reach this goal.

“I also want to thank Red Bay fans for their support.

“A teacher gave us a motto for the tournament; luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. That saying really proved to be true.”

The win was at the top of the list of reasons why Roberts was happy, but there was more.

Junior guard Laura Beth Roberts, a leading factor in the Lady Tigers’ success, scored 48 points Friday, breaking a state tournament record for points in a single game against St. Paul’s Episcopal.

Saturday, Roberts broke another record by scoring 101 total points in the three games she played in the state tourna52 • Progress 2012

ment, adding to her father’s happiness.

Roberts joined teammates Sharon Bates and Dorinda Gober on the allstate tournament team selected at the end of the session.

Roberts was chosen as MVP. This marks the fourth championship the Red Bay Lady Tigers have achieved during the 16-year history of the Class 3A event. The Lady Tigers have also brought back a second place trophy from the state playoffs.

Red Bay principal Bobby Forsythe told the student body Monday that Red Bay’s No. 1 win also marked the ninth state trophy among all of Franklin County’s girl’s teams during the short history of the girl’s state-level action.

Red Bay sailed by No.1 ranked Danville Wednesday night 75-47 in the opening round.

They put St. Paul’s out of the semifinals Friday 81-66 to advance to the finals.

Saturday the Lady Tigers were up against a bigger, and perhaps faster, Francis Marion team.

The taller Lady Rams limited Red Bay to one shot per trip down the floor most of the quarter.

At one point the feisty Lady Tigers took a 9-4 lead only to watch a scoring frenzy by Sonya Anderson when she popped in eight points in a row to get the Lady Rams a 15-14 lead.

Roberts sank a shot in front of the goal then stole the

inbounds pass and hit a fivefoot jumper to put Red Bay up 18-16 with a minute to go in the quarter. Neesha Smith hit a free throw to give Red Bay a 19-16 lead with time quickly disappearing from the clock.

Anderson hit her fourth shot t pull within a point at 19-18.

Unfortunately for Francis Marion time ran out before it could hit another basket, leaving Red Bay with a slim lead at the end of the first quarter.

Gober took aim in the second quarter, hitting five shots and scoring 10 points for the Lady Tigers to put Red Bay up 36-28 at halftime.

Francis Marion was stymied

by Red Bay’s terrific four-corner offense, which accounted for several breaks for the Lady Tigers.

Red Bay held Francis Marion to only 10 points in the second quarter while totaling 17 itself.

The Lady Tigers’ offense pulled in 19 points in the third quarter led by Bates, who had five layups for 10 points.

Gober had six points in the third quarter as the versatile Lady Tigers swung the ball to other players when they discovered Roberts was doubleteamed.

Red Bay took a 57-42 lead by the end of the third, and it was apparent that another state championship was only a few minutes away.

Red Bay hit the net for 29 points in the final quarter, led by Gober’s 12 points and Roberts’ 11.

Red Bay took it easy as time ticked off and cruised on to an impressive state championship win.

Gober led all scorers in the game with 37 points. Roberts had 24, Bates added 16 and Smith seven to round out the Lady Tigers’ scoring.

2001

Mission accomplished Red Bay downs Pisgah 51-46 to win girls 2A state crown March 4, 2001

By Brian Barnett As “We are the Champions” rained down from the speakers at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Thursday night, a flood of tears filled the eyes of the Red Bay girls’ basketball team.

The Lady Tigers (26-5) had just knocked off Pisgah 51-46 in the 2A championship game to win the program’s first state title since 1993, and the pure happiness that the members of the team felt could only be expressed with both tears and smiles. It was both the realization of a dream and accomplishment of a yearlong mission.

“Last year we lost in the state finals (54-50 to Fyffe), and [the Red Bay players] set their heads that they would be back down here,” head coach Donnie Roberts said. “I love these girls. They’ve made me proud all year long.”

“I am in shock,” Leah Roberts, the Lady Tigers’ point guard and daughter of the coach, said. “Words cannot describe how happy I am.”

Those thoughts were echoed by her teammates.

“There is no word to express how I feel,” said Robin Glover, who, like Roberts, was named to the all-tournament team.

Tiffany McWilliams, who has won numerous state track titles, was equally blown away.

“I feel great,” she said. “This is probably higher up there than any other [state championship] because basketball is such a competitive sport.”

Thursday’s tears were far different from the ones that

flowed from the eyes of the Lady Tigers after last year’s championship game loss. This season, the Red Bay players were determined to get back to Birmingham and leave the Magic City with a big blue trophy.

On Tuesday the Lady Tigers punched their ticket to the finals with an impressive 61-47 win over Highland Home and earned another chance to make history.

The title game featured a bit of role-reversal from Red Bay’s semifinal win. Against Highland Home the Lady Tigers had a decisive size advantage. On Thursday it was Pisgah that had the bigger team.

The championship clash was a battle from start to finish.

In the early going both teams appeared a little tentative and nervous, resulting in numerous turnovers and not many baskets.

With 56.8 seconds to play in the opening quarter McWilliams hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 8-8, but the Lady Eagles promptly went on a 5-0 run and ended the first eight minutes of play holding a 13-8 advantage.

As the second period began, Red Bay came to life offensively as Glover hit a layup after a sweet dish from Catherine Hellums, and then Roberts hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to knot the score at 13 all.

About two minutes later McWilliams hit a 12-foot jumper in the lane to put the Lady Tigers up 15-13 at the 4:43 mark, drawing a huge roar from Red Bay’s massive cheering section. The teams would combine for just eight points over the remainder

of the quarter, and the Lady Tigers held a 19-17 lead at the half. Red Bay’s points came on two Hellums’ foul shots and a McWilliams’ layup.

Roberts had his team run its lethal full-court press as the second half began. The Lady Tigers had done the same against Highland Home and forced several turnovers, which were huge in helping them reach the finals.

Now it was Pisgah’s turn to get a taste.

Once again the press paid dividends for Red Bay by forcing numerous turnovers as the Lady Tigers built a 27-22 lead with 3:36 to go in the third.

The Lady Eagles were not about to throw in the towel, however, and quickly scored two baskets to pull within 27-26 with 2:30 to play in the third.

Pisgah had a chance to take the lead following a Red Bay turnover but failed to convert, and Lora Wallace secured the ball with a monster rebound for the Orange and Blue. The Lady Tigers then pushed their lead to 31-26 heading into the final period on another McWilliams hoop and two Wallace free throws.

McWilliams hit a shot from the charity stripe to start the fourth to put her team up 32-26, and it looked as if the Lady Eagles might be on the ropes.

That was not the case, however, as they rolled off sixstraight points to again tie the score, this time at 32 all. With 6:07 left to play.

The game’s frantic final minutes were nip and tuck, as the teams swapped baskets.

Though the Lady Eagles never

led, Pisgah tied the score on two occasions, the last coming at 39-39 with about 3:45 to go.

Both teams missed two free throws with Red Bay holding a 45-42 lead with a little over a minute remaining. Hellums and Roberts would combine to ice the win with six shots from the charity stripe in the game’s final minute.

Once the final horn sounded the Lady Tigers’ game faces gave way to broad smiles, tears and hundreds of congratulatory hugs as they became one big, celebrating mob at midcourt.

Glover said she had no doubt about the final outcome despite the closeness of the contest.

“I never thought it wasn’t going to happen,” she said. “I always thought we were going to win.”

McWilliams led Red Bay with 19 points and was named the tournament’s MVP. Roberts had 10 and Glover chipped in eight. Courtney Duncan added six points and Hellums and Wallace contributed four points each. Hellums also dished out six assists.

When Red Bay won its last eight years ago it was Leah’s sister, Laura Beth, who led the Lady Tigers to the crown.

Now Donnie Roberts has three state championship trophies at the school with his daughters having a big role in winning two of them.

“This is just as special if not more special,” Coach Roberts said.

“That’s why you play the game.”

Nobody played the game better this season than the girls from Red Bay, and they’ve got the Blue Map to prove it.

Progress 2012 • 53

2002

Belgreen adds final piece to puzzle March 3, 2002

By Mike Self BIRMINGHAM — Kelli Parrish scored 31 points and added seven assists, and Belgreen overcame a red-hot start by Spring Garden to bring home the school’s first-ever state championship with a 68-53 victory over the Lady Panthers in Thursday’s Class 1A title game at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

Spring Garden (23-10) pulled to within five at 51-46 on Lauren Hudson’s layup with 5:35 remaining, but Parrish answered with a pull-up jumper and a 3-pointer to ignite a 10-2 game-clinching run by the Lady Bulldogs (27-7).

After LaTrisha Abernathy’s layup at the 4:00 mark cut Belgreen’s lead to 56-48, Becky McVicker’s putback pushed the lead back to 10. Anna Billingham then drained a backbreaking 3-pointer from the right wing with 2:50 remaining to give Belgreen a 61-48 lead. Spring Garden would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

“You don’t know how much this means to our team and our community,” Belgreen head coach James Bostick said.

“People in the community of Belgreen really care about basketball, and they know the game, too. After we win you see smiles on their faces. That’s what it’s about.”

Belgreen had little to smile about in the first quarter as feisty Spring Garden, whose roster included four freshmen and three eighth-graders, whipped the Lady Bulldogs on 54 • Progress 2012

the offensive glass and caught fire from the field.

Freshman Mikie Garner scored 11 points in the first quarter, and her baseline floater with two seconds left gave the Lady Panthers a 24-17 lead after one.

Parrish almost single-handedly brought the Lady Bulldogs back, scoring 12 of her 22 firsthalf points in the second quarter. Her pull-up jumper with 2:20 left in the half cut Spring Garden’s lead to one, and Lucy Allen buried a 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to cap an 11-0 run that put Belgreen on top 32-30.

A layup by Hudson tied the halftime score at 32.

Spring Garden held a 27-11 rebounding edge at the half, including an astounding 15-4 advantage on the offensive glass.

After rallying Belgreen with her scoring in the first half, Parrish assumed the role of distributer in the second half, handing out six assists.

“In the first half I felt like I had to step up,” said Parrish, who now has a state tournament MVP award to go along with the regional MVP plaque she earned last week at Wallace State. “In the second half I started spreading it around more. One person can’t win a ballgame. It takes a total team effort.”

That’s exactly what the Lady Bulldogs got in the third quarter when they outscored Spring Garden 17-8 despite not getting a single point from Parrish.

Freshman center Kala Trapp, who has been playing with a torn ACL since suffering the

injury in the county championship game against Red Bay, dominated the first four minutes of the second half with her shot blocking, rebounding, scoring and hustling.

Trapp’s three-point play on a putback to start the third quarter put Belgreen on top 35-32.

Trapp then dove for a steal and converted a layup on a nice feed from Parrish at the 6:00 mark to make it 37-32. Trapp then blocked a shot that led to a layup by Billingham to give Belgreen a 39-32 lead with 4:40 left in the third.

Trapp said she did not feel any extra pressure from being just a freshman.

“There are other ninth-graders playing here,” said Trapp, who had to be helped off the court after aggravating the knee in the fourth quarter. “I had to do this for the team. The first doctor I went to said to go ahead and have surgery, but I didn’t want to. I went to a second doctor who said I could try and play with a brace. I just focus on playing and try to put the injury out of my mind.”

Bostick fought back tears when talking about his wound-

ed warrior.

“She means so much to me,” he said of Trapp, who joined Parrish and Robin Harris on the all-tournament team. “She’s got a big heart. She layed it all on the line for the team. She’ll have an outstanding future in basketball.”

Spring Garden trimmed the lead to 46-40 late in the third, but Allen nailed another trey to make it 49-40 going into the fourth quarter.

Billingham finished with 12 points, including three 3-pointers and six rebounds. Trapp added 10 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Allen scored seven points and McVicker had six points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Harris added two points.

“I’ve said all along that this team is like a puzzle,” Bostick said. “Everybody has their role.

The pieces fit together perfectly just in time.”

“This means everything to the team,” said Harris, who hit five treys and scored 20 points in the semifinal victory over Notasulga. “The fans were behind us 100 percent. We’re bringing home the Blue Map.”

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