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4 • NOVEMBER 2020

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8 • NOVEMBER 2020

FROM OUR PUBLISHER

Thanks to our readers and advertisers, we’ve been blessed

to publish another positive magazine. This issue features one

of our own, someone we’re proud to claim in Madison County,

Brad Sullivan. Our entire state has rallied in support of Brad, and

we’re honored to share his story with you.

Most of the news we hear these days can certainly cause

us to feel concern and worry. COVID continues to be a word

mentioned regularly in our conversations. It’s affecting our

schools, jobs, incomes, and brick and mortar businesses.

But our first responders are still on the front lines, serving and

protecting us in the same professional way as in pre-COVID

days—and we are so grateful and can’t thank them enough.

We also want to take the opportunity to celebrate some of

the businesses in Madison County who have been in operation

for 25 years or more. Owning a business is no easy venture,

so anyone who has reached the 25-year mark deserves to be

commended.

Today, I challenge you to turn your focus away from the fear

and chaos, look for someone making a positive contribution in

your hometown, and offer that person a word of appreciation

or encouragement. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like

honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” There’s no

better time than in the middle of a pandemic to offer someone

that magical “honey,” and all it takes is a kind word. l

ON THE COVER Madison County Sheriff Deputy Brad Sullivan

HOMETOWN STAFF

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Tahya A. Dobbs

CFO

Kevin W. Dobbs

CONSULTING EDITOR

Mary Ann Kirby

IN THIS ISSUE

Fostering Traditions 14

With So Much To Write About 20

Built to Last 31

Miracle Hero 58

Therapeutic Joy 64

From Dolls To Dreams 70

Gift Guide 76

Chalkboard 80

SPECIAL PROJECTS

MANAGER

Brenda McCall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Lindsey Dees

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT

Alisha Floyd

...see you around town.

LAYOUT DESIGN

3dt

SPECIAL PROJECTS

ASSISTANT

Caroline Hodges

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Othel Anding

www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F / Brandon, MS 39042

All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Madison may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors.

Hometown Madison maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison is funded by advertising.


American Cancer Society

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September 20-21

Reunion Country Club

10 • NOVEMBER 2020



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Soft Surroundings ■ Solstice Sunglass Boutique ■ Soma

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Jewelers ■ Vintage Wine Market ■ Whimsy Cookie Co. ■ White

House|Black Market ■ Williams-Sonoma ■ Zea Rotisserie & Bar

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see all our retail stores and restaurants online at

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For leasing information, contact The Mattiace Company at 601.352.1818

HometownMadison-HalfPage-2020.indd 1


10/9/20 4:01 PM

Fostering


As the weather finally dipped below the 80-degree mark,

I carefully laid out my display of pumpkins and hay on my

front step. I refreshed the pine straw and I supervised my

husband getting the scarecrows down from the attic. I look

forward to this time of year–and not because of pumpkin

spice everything, either. I look forward to being able to

enjoy the outdoors, watch fall sports, and partake in our

family traditions for the holidays.

Growing up in the foster care system and bouncing from home to

home, I didn’t get to enjoy tradition as a child. I didn’t have a favorite

dish that I looked forward to or a special ornament to hang on the tree.

I remember one year we didn’t even have a tree–just one of those old radios

from the ‘80s that had a ton of lights. That was our tree that year. I didn’t

look forward to the holidays and never believed that a jolly old elf was going

to bring me anything.

Traditions

Samantha Kalahar

Foster parents Joy and Chris Trease

with Samantha’s daughters, Lillian and Olivia Heard

Shortly before my 16th birthday, that changed. I became a part of a

family. I was a teenaged foster child. The odds of me finding a family were

about as good as winning the lottery. But God still had a plan for my life,

and it included not just foster parents, but a whole foster family. I became a

part of a family with two brothers and one more on the way. But more than

that, I became a part of a family with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

And did they ever have traditions!

Now that I am in my forties, most of my “forever foster family” comes

to my home and we celebrate Thanksgiving together each year. Up to 40

people have been known to pile in, eat all day, and make lasting memories.

We make our family favorites like garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels


The child I used to be thought that these types of experiences were only on television shows or only for “rich people.”


Grandparents Richard & Jean Brown

sprouts, sour cream potatoes, and cream cheese with olives. We pray as a

family, watch football, and take an annual family photo. We have traditions

and they mean so much to me.

The child I used to be thought that these types of experiences were only

on television shows or only for “rich people.” I couldn’t believe that normal

people lived like this, that they loved each other, and that they were happy

together. My reality had not included this type of family and so I didn’t

think it was real.

Today I work with teenagers who are in the foster system. I see girls and

boys who have the same understanding of the world that I once had. They

each come with their own realities based on their life experiences–some of

family, lost but loved, and some of family who couldn’t show real love. Each

story is heartbreaking, but the stories aren’t finished. Just as I found my

footing and my future as a 16-year-old girl, these children still have hope

that they can, also.

My foster parents were in their late 20s, had two children (one with a

significant disability) and another on the way when they took in a homeless

teenage girl. They had all the excuses and reasons to say that they couldn’t

deal with taking on another burden…and no one would have blamed them.

But God laid it on their hearts to take me in and give me a loving family.

Not only did they take me, they took several other children throughout the

years including my youngest brother who just got married this summer.

They took us from dark places and put a light upon our paths. Their family

became our family, their traditions became our traditions, and they became

Grandma and Pop-Pop to the next generation.

Of course, the holidays will look different this year because of COVID,

but the love has not changed. We may not get a large family photo, but I

think we can find a way for technology to aid us in that effort. We will always

have the years of tradition to hold onto and many more years to come.

To learn more about foster care, go to msfoster.org!




With So Much

to Write About...

Susan Marquez


Julie Francis, the daughter

of wealthy parents in Tulsa,

Oklahoma, had a golden future

with everything going for her

until, during her freshman year

of college, she learned she was

pregnant. She was 17 years old. In

Tupelo, Mississippi, a middle-class couple,

Paul and Margaret Eason, were unable to

have children of their own. The couple

had previously adopted a daughter, but desperately wanted a

son to complete their family. Their worlds converged at a home

for unwed mothers in New Orleans. The day Paul and Margaret

took baby boy Scott Francis home, he became Brooks Eason.

“I always knew I was adopted,” says Brooks, who now

resides in Madison with his wife, Carrie. “For me it was just

something interesting, like being left-handed or something.

I never considered looking for my birth mother, because the

parents who adopted me were so wonderful.” It was only when

Brooks received a call about being a potential heir to his biological

grandfather’s fortune that he learned the story of his birth

mother. “I never inherited a fortune,” he laughs, “but what I

never knew before changed my life.”

In a twist of fate, Brooks learned of the details surrounding

his birth at the same time his own granddaughter, Ada Brooks,

was born. “My daughter, Ann Lowrey, learned she was pregnant

during the fall semester of her sophomore year of college.

Because it was 2004, not 1957,

Ann Lowrey was able to keep and

raise her baby.” On the day Ada

Brooks was born, Brooks

learned that he was Scott

Francis when he was born.

“When I found out about my

story, people asked me what

I thought about it,” says Brooks. “It really is an amazing

story. One of the things that made it so amazing was the way our

culture and society have changed from the time my biological

mother was pregnant with me to the time Ann Lowrey was

pregnant with my grandchild. There is no way a college kid

could have kept a baby in the 1950s.”

A lawyer by trade, Brooks has always enjoyed writing.

His first book, Travels with Bobby – Hiking the Mountains of the

American West (published April 2015) is about Brooks’ love for

his father, who taught him to love the outdoors. In the book,

Brooks chronicles six of the hiking trips to magnificent destinations

taken with his best friend. It was only natural for Brooks to

write a memoir, Fortunate Son – The Story of Baby Boy Francis

(published November 2019) based on his birth, adoption, and his

amazing discovery of his birth mother’s identity at the same

time his first grandchild was being born under circumstances

almost identical to his own.


Brooks says he enjoys writing

more than doing research. But it

was when he discovered a Facebook

page for the Methodist Children’s

Home and Home for Unwed Mothers

in New Orleans, and reading stories

of other birth mothers and about

how things were back then, that he

was motivated to do more research

for his own book. “All of the unwed

mothers had cover stories about

why they were sent away. A couple

of the ones I read about told people

they were going to New Orleans to

attend Draughn’s Business College.

There was such enormous shame

surrounding an out-of-wedlock

pregnancy. All of them were sent

away before they were starting

to show.”

Since publishing the book,

Brooks continues to hear stories.

“I have had so many people share

their own adoption stories with me

at book signings. Sadly, I was unable to do a book tour, and I had to cancel many book

signings, including one at an Irish Pub in the Bronx. COVID has been bad for book sales.”

Undeterred, Brooks has been busy writing his third book, Bedtime with Buster

– Conversations with a Handsome Hound, to be published November 2020. “It may be

fiction, but maybe not,” laughs Brooks. “The book consists entirely of conversations

between me and my mixed-breed hound, Buster, who is both a philosopher and a

humorist.” Buster can’t talk, of course, but Brooks jokingly claims he can channel

Buster’s thoughts.

And the author isn’t finished yet. He is currently at work on his fourth book, The Two

Lives of Harry Brooks, based on the life of his grandfather who was a revered Methodist

minister in the second half of his life after being a convicted felon in the first. Harry’s

second wife and their children, including Brooks’ adoptive mother, never knew he had

served time. They also never knew he was fourteen years older than he claimed. l



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READER

SPOTLIGHT

Shayna

HOLMES

Kelly Brock Photography

Why did you decide to make Madison

your home?

I was a single mom when I first moved to Madison,

and I loved the statistics on Madison’s public schools.

As a mom of three, that was very important to me.

How long have you lived in Madison?

I’ve lived in Madison for about ten years now.

Tell us about your family.

Jonathon is my husband of almost seven years, and

I have a daughter, Alexis (28), son, Landon (25), and

son, Jack Chandler (14). We also have multiple fur

babies!

What is your favorite memory of living

in Madison?

My favorite memory in Madison was at Strawberry

Patch Park with my youngest son and my nephews.

We had a picnic, played on the play equipment, in

the sandbox, took pictures by the water—it was

a beautiful day. I am grateful we have such a

picturesque park.

Where are your three favorite places

to eat in Madison?

My favorite restaurants are Papitos Mexican,

Strawberry Cafe, Hokkaido Hibachi/Sushi and

Mama Hamil’s! I couldn’t pick just three!

What are some fun things to do in

Madison on the weekends?

We enjoy eating out, seeing movies at Malco

Grandview, sitting outside enjoying no-sugar-added

frozen yogurt from Menchies’s, visiting with friends

outside over a cup of Cups Coffee, and short road

trips with the husband and son.

Share some things you enjoy doing in

your spare time.

I love to read, play with my foster kitties, and I enjoy

having friends and family over.

What are three things on your bucket

list?

I would love to attend a Chris Stapleton concert,

drive a race car, and write a book.

Who is someone you admire and why?

I admire Lynn Wilbanks of Madison. She’s a loving

mom, wife, Christian, and teacher, pouring into the

next generation.

Where do you see yourself ten years

from now?

In ten years, I hope to be surrounded by

grandchildren!

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory was visiting the

Jackson Revival Center in Jackson with a neighbor.

They have live music during praise and worship and

the congregation dances. When my friend’s mom

took me home she asked me in front of my mom if

I had a good time, and I eagerly responded, “Yes it

was great, it was like Soul Train but better!” I thought

my mom would never recover from embarrassment.

If you could give us one encouraging

quote, what would it be?

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens

me.” Philippians 4:13

Shayna owns Shayna’s Boutique in Ridgeland.

Check them out at shaynasboutique.com.


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Built

Last

When you think of something being built to last words like sturdy,

rugged, and strong come to mind. On the following pages, we celebrate

several Madison County companies that have been in business for 25

years or more. They’ve survived in good times, and in bad, and are

managing to prevail during the history-defining moment of the global

pandemic. And while their stories may be different in many ways, one

prevailing theme is constant. These people put everything they have

into their businesses to provide the very best customer experience

possible. So, congratulations on your

achievements! We wish you many

more years of success to come.

Stories by Susan Marquez


Richard

Cockrell’s

family has

farmed for

generations.

His grandfather was one

of the first vendors at the

original farmer’s market

on Woodrow Wilson.

So, it was natural for his

parents, Billy and Jane

Cockrell, to open a fresh

produce business in

Ridgeland back in 1989.

Today Freshway Produce is a booming business

that has built a loyal clientele. “It was much smaller

when it started,” says Michelle Cockrell, Richard’s

wife. The original Freshway stand was just up the

road. Now located at 6900 Old Canton Road, the

business fills the corner of Old Canton and Harbour

Pointe Crossing, a road that had not yet been built

when the business started.

Freshway Produce is a feast for the eyes from

March to December, the months the business is

in operation. “It changes with the seasons,” says

Michelle. “We start out in the spring with plants and

produce. As we roll into summer, there are a lot

more fruits and vegetables, including shelled peas

and butter beans. We have a pea sheller that runs all

the time! By late summer we have peaches, which

are a big seller, and watermelons. When fall arrives,

we put out mums, crotons and pumpkins. We roll

through November and then it’s time for Christmas

trees and wreaths. We have also added ornaments

and other holiday items.”

While the business has expanded to include

seasonal décor and plants, the core of the business

has remained the same. “We try to put out the best

produce possible,” says Michelle. “We start each

morning by putting out the best produce we have.

We are very particular, because it’s important to us

to give the best produce possible to our customers.

Without them, we wouldn’t be here.” Michelle says

they try to source as much as possible from

Mississippi farmers. “We buy as local as possible.

If we can’t get it in Mississippi, we go into Alabama,

Georgia and other southern states.” The business

has recently started selling hydroponically grown

lettuces from Salad Days, a grower in Flora. “That

has been very popular.”

In addition to fresh produce, Freshway sells a

wide variety of food items, most of which are

produced in the state. “We sell all kinds of jarred

foods, from jams and jellies to syrups, salsas and

local honey.” Some of the more popular items the

business sells are Mickle’s Pickles, Mississippi

Cheese Straws, Flathau’s shortbread cookies from


WINNER

Petal, Two Brooks Farm rice, Pennington’s honey

and Papa Joe’s honey. “This time of year, green

peanuts from Crystal Springs are popular,” Michelle

says. “We also do our own boiled peanuts here.”

Door hangers have been a popular product at

Freshway. “We have some people who make those

down home for me.”

Home for Michelle and Richard is Smith County,

between Magee and Mize in the Shady Grove

community. “That’s where the family farmland has

been for many years,” she says. The couple

commutes to Ridgeland every day. Richard now

owns the business that his parents started, and

Michelle and Richard’s son, Christopher, works with

them as well. “Christopher grew up helping around

here,” says Michelle. “Now he’s working with us

full-time. It really is a family business, and we are

fortunate to get to spend so much time together.”

Michelle says Madison County has been a great

place to do business. “The people here have been

so great to us. We have customers who used to

come with their parents. We get to know our

customers, and they are very loyal to us.” Michelle

runs the business’s Facebook page which includes

photos of current merchandise, as well as photos

that customers have sent showing how they used

what they bought at Freshway in their home.

“Right now, we are getting lots of pumpkin

photos,”Michelle says, admitting that fall is

her favorite time of year. “I love seeing the

excitement of the kids as they are picking

out their favorite pumpkin.” The Freshway

Facebook page is also sprinkled with

Bible verses and uplifting sayings.

“We have been blessed, that’s for sure,”

Michelle says.

When the business closes for the

year in December, the family can take

a much-needed rest. “We love to hunt

and be outdoors,” says Michelle.

“Sometimes we’ll take a vacation.

We just enjoy spending time together.”

Of course, there is a lot of time spent

thinking about the coming year, as

March rolls around fast. “We love doing

what we do.”


Allen Martinson grew up in

the yard and garden business.

His parents, Billy and Rita Martinson, had a

landscape business, Green Oak Landscape

Company, in 1958, and it’s still in business today.

Allen enjoyed the field so much, he studied horticulture at Mississippi

State before spending a three-year stint in the Peace Corps growing

papayas for the European market. When he returned, he went to work

at the garden center his parents started in Ridgeland in 1983.

“They bought some land in Ridgeland on Highway 51 and opened

Discount Nursery,” says Allen. The name changed in 1992, when Allen’s

wife, Mimi came into their world. “She told my dad that Discount Nursery

reminded her of the kind of business that sold discount tires or furniture.

Soon after, the name changed to Garden Works.”

Mimi made some other changes to the business as well. “She designed

the big wood façade that is still there today, and all the wooden walkways,”

says Allen. “Mimi is the designer and the brains behind what you

see at Garden Works. She’s the idea girl and I’m the logistics guy.” The

couple purchased the business from Billy in 2005. Much has remained

the same, yet many things have changed. “We have two landscape

architects and a full crew who do everything from design and install

pools and outdoor kitchens to full landscaping and hard features.”


When Allen came home from the Peace Corps,

he spent three years apprenticing on the Gulf Coast.

He then returned to Ridgeland and installed thirteen

greenhouses behind the garden center. Today

Martinson’s Garden Works grows all their annuals,

perennials, and herbs in the greenhouses. “We grow

anything with color. It just gives us a measure of

control we didn’t have before,” says Allen. “We were

limited when we bought from other growers. Now we

can have what we want, when we want it, and we

grow it bigger. Our customers love that because the

plants perform better when they are bigger when

planted.” Mimi and Allen worked in the greenhouses

until they purchased the business in 2005. “We hired

John Grant, one of the best growers anywhere, and he

has done a great job for us.”

Mimi has a degree in English and was an English

literature teacher at Madison Ridgeland Academy for

a year before her artistic side came out and she started

Urban Home inside Garden Works. With furniture and

accessories sourced from around the world, the

business was wildly popular. But motherhood came

first, and Mimi chose to discontinue the business to

spend more time with the couple’s children, Mia and

Max. “People really missed it, and we are happy that

Urban Home has come back in a different way. Now

it’s a room where people go to buy gifts. We have

succulents and air plants, and the pottery to put them

in, as well as a few pieces of furniture.”

High quality pots are an item that Mimi and Allen

discovered could sell very well. “We figured out how to

buy pots from Vietnam,” says Allen. “The pots, because

of how they are glazed and fired, work well with our

environment here. They don’t crumble or break easily.”

They buy the pots by the container-full. “The pots are

really popular, and with Mimi’s skills in plant design,

she can help people pick the right pot for the right

place and help plant them up.”

Son Max, who has also been studying horticulture at

Mississippi State, is now focusing on business classes

at Holmes. Like his dad before him, he is working for

the family business. Allen says the reason the business

has been so successful for so long is because of their

great employees. “Customers have a hard time knowing

who really owns the business,” he says. “Everyone

who works here just cares so much. We have the most

creative, hard-working staff in the garden business.

Everyone works hard, but we also have a lot of fun

every day. Our employees, and this location, which

my dad found many years ago, keep this business

going. Madison and Ridgeland have grown up around

us. We love our customers and we are happy they keep

coming back to see us time and time again,”


Sulm’s Gifts

The history of Sulm’s Gifts is not lost on Erin Noble.

A Canton native, Erin remembers seeing signs posted on trees along Highway 51

saying “Sulm’s Sells It.”

That was the slogan of Sulm’s when it was a

general mercantile store dating back to the late

1800s. The store continued into the early

1970s. “I’ve heard stories of Canton’s town

crier,” says Erin. “He had a big megaphone

with ‘Sulm’s Sells It’ printed on the side. He

used it to holler out the town news.” After the

store closed, Janet Dowdle, niece of the Sulm’s,

graduated college and re-opened Sulm’s as a

gift store.

Erin’s first entry into retail came from

wrapping gifts at various stores on the square

during the holidays when she was a teenager.

In the summers during college, Erin would

come back to Canton and work at the

chancery clerk’s office. After graduation,

someone in the chancery clerk’s office retired,

and Erin replaced her. “I then went to work at

Economy Furniture, which belonged to Bob

Dowdle, who was Janet’s brother.”


When Erin heard that Janet Dowdle was

going to close her gift shop to go to work for

another business, she knew she had to do

something. “It was Canton’s only true gift shop,”

Erin says. “I went home and told my husband

I wanted to buy it.” She took possession of the

business in October 1985, just before the

Canton Flea Market. “I thought that was

brilliant, because all those people would be

coming to the square in Canton and they

would see my store.” But Erin was wrong in

her assumption. “It turns out that people who

came to the Flea Market were there for one

reason and one reason only. They didn’t care

about shopping the stores on the square.” One

of the few people who came into the store took

one look at Erin and said, “I hope you’re as

good a buyer as Janet was!”

As it turns out, Erin has done fine. The

business has moved a couple of times, from

one building to another on the square, until she

moved it to the west side of the square in 1994

into a building she and her husband own. The

second year she had her business, there was an

unexpected downpour on the day of the Canton

Flea Market. “People were ducking for cover into

the stores on the square,” she laughs. “That

was a great day for us, because so many people

discovered us for the first time. They liked

what they saw and became repeat customers.

Many now say they wouldn’t come to the Flea

Market without stopping in at Sulm’s!”

Knowing she had to be creative with her

marketing, Erin made the decision 25 years ago

to have a booth at Junior League of Jackson’s

annual Mistletoe Marketplace. “That really put

us on the map. People could see the kinds of

products we carried, and they became regular

customers throughout the year.” She did

Mistletoe for 25 years, but in 2011, family

medical issues were weighing heavy, and Erin had

to take that off her list. “About that time, I got

a call from the new Merit Hospital inviting me

to do their gift shop. It was such a God thing,

as it opened a whole new direction for me.

Sulm’s has changed over the years to meet

the demands of their customers. “In the

beginning I did a lot of little gifts. I had a candy

counter with jars so kids could scoop out

candy into little bags. We added Gail Pittman

pottery and that brought in a whole new

clientele. Then we got into home décor, which

people loved. Then we added fashion. Some

of the lines I carry now, I’ve carried since I

first started, which is great that they are still in

business, too.” The newest offering by Sulm’s

is corporate gift baskets. “We carry a large

selection of gourmet foods, so that was a

natural thing for us to do,” says Erin.

Erin says she could not have done it without

the great help she’s had over the years. “I hired

my first high school students, Shea Hale and

Elizabeth Steele, and they became my sales reps.

Alex Gowdy has been with me for 20 years, and

now Noel Webb paints all the artwork we sell in

the store.” Erin says her customers are the best.

“We are having a customer appreciation sale

November 12, 13 and 14 because without our

customers, we would not have survived for

35 years.”



Armstrong

Relocation

Keith Hopper, president of Armstrong Relocation, is

the third generation in his family to work in the

trucking industry, and the second generation

working at Armstrong.

Keith’s father, Ron, worked for Armstrong for forty years, starting as

an over-the-road driver and later moving into sales in the Memphis

headquarters. When Keith was 12 years old, Ron opened the first location

of Armstrong Relocation, United Van Lines, in Madison County in 1985 in

a warehouse located behind he Allegrezza Piano Company on Highway 51

in Ridgeland. Their current location, on Highway 51 in Madison, was built

in 1991.

Keith attended Hinds for two years before going to Mississippi State,

where he majored in marketing with a minor in transportation. On summers

away from college, Keith worked at Armstrong. “I spent summers packing

and loading moving vans in the warehouse,” he says. In the summer of

1995, he was put to work in local operations as a dispatcher. “I had to

mature very quickly in this business.” He started working at Armstrong full

time in 1996. After eight years in operations, Keith moved into national

account sales. With sinking sales after 9/11, Keith says he was handed a

phone and told to ‘go make some sales calls.’

Keith did just that, setting appointments and traveling around the

country from New Hampshire to Seattle to San Diego calling on national

accounts for moving services. “Imagine a young guy trying to convince

people to work with someone in Madison, Mississippi.” But companies

believed in Keith and soon he signed many large corporate accounts,

such as Barnes & Noble, Zappos, and Cirque du Soleil.

Now president of Armstrong in Madison, Keith has been in

Armstrong’s President’s Club for the past ten years, and for the

past six years, he’s been Armstrong’s #1 top sales producer,

nationally. He has a Certificate of Relocation Professionals,

one of very few people in Mississippi to have the CRP

designation. The certification is through the Employee

Relocation Council, a national affiliate of the relocation

industry. It takes hours of training and testing, the

certification must be kept up annually, and it’s something

Keith takes very seriously.

Armstrong has 29 offices in 18 states. “We are part of United Van Lines.

United is the largest mover in the United States, and Armstrong is the

largest agency within United. We provide local, regional, and international

residential moving and corporate relocation services out of this location.

Some people don’t know that we also provide a complete array of

warehousing, logistics and distribution services to retail, hospitality,

restaurants, and healthcare industries.”

Keith met his wife, Tanya, at Armstrong. “We worked together here for

14 years. My dad retired from Armstrong four years ago, and my Uncle Mike

is still working here as our operations manager.” Keith explains that many

moving and storage companies are family-owned businesses, and at

Armstrong, employees think of each other as family. “I’ve been here 24

years. We have many employees here who have been here for ten, fifteen,

or even twenty years. Many of our packers and drivers have been here for

ten or fifteen years. This is a good work environment, and you can make a

good living moving families.”

Keith says Armstrong also does complete commercial furniture

installations for FF&E – furniture, fixtures, and equipment. “With recent

acquisitions, Armstrong now has a team of project managers and installers

that are assembling across the south. We are professional, quality movers

and installers who take pride and responsibility in what we do.” Recent

projects such as the Reunion clubhouse, Brick City Drugs, and the Hampton

Inn & Suites were all Madison businesses supported by Armstrong.

“Having a 20,000 sq. ft. custom built

warehouse in Madison with solid concrete

walls makes us truly unique in this area

with our services,” says Keith. Armstrong

is currently working with the City of

Madison and Brasfield & Gorrie on a

plan to add another 48,000 sq. ft. to

their building by May 2021 in order

to provide even better service to

their clients. “Our company credo

is: A Culture of Excellence–

building trust, reducing stress,

delivering reliability.”


Debra Erwin is working

to continue the business

her late husband, Kevin

Erwin, purchased in 1992.

Kevin started with Interstate Battery in

Memphis as a salesman in 1987. “He got

the opportunity to be an area salesman,

and Jackson was in his area,” says Debra.

One of his accounts was a lady who

owned the Interstate Battery distributorship in Jackson.

“He told her every time he saw her that he would like to

purchase the distributorship from her when she retires.”

In 1992 he got the call he had been waiting for. “Kevin had

the opportunity to purchase the distributorship and we

moved to Jackson from Memphis to take over the business.”

By 2000, the world became much more battery-driven,

and Kevin jumped at the opportunity to become an Interstate

Battery franchisee. “At that time, more and more things

required batteries, including drills, medical devices, flashlights,

key fobs, watches and much more,” says Debra.

“That has been a real blessing for

us.” The business continued to

grow, but sadly, Kevin was in a

wreck in 2017 that took his life.

The original store was

located on Terry Road in South

Jackson. “We made the

decision to move the business

to Madison County,” Debra

says. “It’s convenient and

centrally located. We service customers

up to 150 miles away, and this spot was ideal for that.” The

business is located at 243 Highway 51 in Ridgeland and has

easy access to I-55. “Plus, that’s where we wanted to live.

Ours is a family-oriented business and we wanted to raise

our children in Madison County.”

Debra has been involved with the business since the

beginning. “I started taking accounting classes when our

children were young, and that ended up being a great fit for

me. Kevin and I had different roles and responsibilities in the

business. He handled marketing and I handled sales. But we

made all the big decisions together. That worked well for us

for many years and we meshed well.”


Debra’s daughter, Nicole, works in the business. “She

started doing some filing for us when she was in school and

now she knows this business inside and out. She handles

the wholesale counter and all of our commercial accounts.”

Debra admits that their son, who is now 29, got more of the

dirty work when he worked at the business as a teenager.

“He cleaned dirty batteries and other grunt work,” she

laughs. “But now he teaches at the Mississippi School of the

Deaf and Blind, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

The secret to the business’ longevity is two-fold, according

to Debra. “We had to be willing to change with the market.

We made the decision to be a franchise, and to be a part of

all that entails, which includes being very service-oriented.

The other secret is the most important of all, Debra stresses.

“We have the most amazing employees, some of whom

have been here for 20 years. We have even had employees

retire from this business.”

Even though Kevin is no longer here to run the business,

his legacy lives on with Debra, who still enjoys what she

does as much as she ever did, and with daughter Nicole,

who the second generation to work in the business. “Kevin

was such a larger-than-life character,” Debra says. “He was

the pivotal part of our company’s growth. He was amazing,

and we miss him greatly. But we are more committed than

ever to providing our customers with the best service

possible.”


Sometimes folks need a little stimulus to move them

out of their comfort zone and into something new.

For T.L. Stallings, the stimulus came when he was fired from

his job in the liquor and wine industry.

“It was in 1987, coinciding with the stock

market crash.” He was let go because of the

flagging economy, but that door closing led to

another opening. “My dad was in the garage

door business when I was growing up on the

Gulf Coast. I figured I could do that same thing

in Madison. I thought about adding fireplaces

as well and did some research on it.”

Before launching the new business, T.L.

and his wife, Mary, took their children out of

school and took a trip to Disney World. “We

had a blast,” he says. “I knew we had to do that

because we didn’t know what the future held

for us. We had to take that trip while we could.”

In October 1987, Madison Fireplace and

Door Company opened its doors in one room

inside of an old building on Jones Street in

Madison. “We worked out of that room for

two years before expanding into a second

room. When the rent increased, we scaled it

back to one room before deciding what to do

next.” At that time, the company sold garage

doors, fireplaces and even mahogany doors

with stained glass inserts. Eventually, the

company stopped selling doors altogether and

introduced patio furniture. The name of the

business was changed to Madison Fireplace and

Patio and has remained the same to this day.

The Highland Colony Parkway, a muchanticipated

thoroughfare in Madison, was

completed in the early 1990s. T.L. scouted

for potential locations when he discovered a

large sweetgum tree on the Parkway, not far

from the entrance of Madison Central High

School. “I took a lawn chair, water, and a book

and sat under that tree all day long, counting

cars.” He decided that would be a good

location to build a new store. “I asked a

long-time customer and friend if she would

continue to shop with us if we moved there,

and she said that people would drive

anywhere we moved.” That was all he

needed to confirm that he was making the

right move.

In 1997, T.L. and Mary took a leap of faith

and opened in their new location on the

Highland Colony Parkway. “It took us two

years to get the land rezoned and to build the

new store,” says T.L. With 32 years of business

under his belt, T.L. says he is not ready to quit.

“I love what I do,” he says. “We have the

greatest customers, and many have become

great friends. We have generations of

customers who shop with us, which is so


gratifying.” Madison Fireplace

and Patio has nine employees,

some of the best they have ever had, according

to T.L. “The COVID pandemic has been

tough. We had to close for five weeks, but we

continued paying our employees because we

wanted to be sure they came back when we

reopened. It was difficult, but we weathered

the storm.”

Over the years, the business has expanded

and added more product lines. “Mary developed

the gifts and home décor department,

which has been very popular,” T.L. says. “We

both go to four or five markets every year to

find the most unique products. And Mary is

great at finding people who do a really good

job decorating.” Spring is the busiest time at

the store, “from April to July,” says T.L. The

business also sells furnishings for commercial

contracts, as well as equipment for outdoor

kitchens. “We work a good bit with landscape

architects who are filling the demand for

larger outdoor living spaces. With people

staying home more due to COVID, the

number of outdoor kitchens is increasing.”

A true family owned and operated business,

T.L. and Mary own the business, and now

their son, Tommy and his wife, Renee are

involved. Tommy is the vice president and

general manager, and Renee handles the

books. The family has loved having their

business in Madison, and they look forward

to serving the community long into the future.



When Fred Barnett started a car repair shop on Terry Road

back in 1968, he never dreamed that it would become a

successful family business with five locations in the Jackson

metro area. “He and my mom got the business started,” says Samantha

Lofton, the daughter of Fred and Mary Barnett. Samantha now works at the

family’s business, Barnett’s Body Shop, managing the repair facility. “It’s very

much a family business,” Samantha says. “My husband, Joel, works here in

management, and my son, Corey, is in production.” Joel and Samantha’s other

son, Luke, just graduated from Ole Miss.

Samantha worked at the business while she was in high school, then

went to work for her dad full-time after graduating from Ole Miss in 1986.

“I’ve loved it ever since. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I have a lot of

respect for my dad.” Samantha’s mother is still highly active in the

business as well, and she works together with her two

brothers, Jeff Barnett and Greg Barnett. “We work

together on everything!”

In 1989, a satellite location was opened in Ridgeland

on Highway 51. “People could drop their vehicles off

at the Ridgeland location,” says Samantha, “and we

would transport them to the location on Terry Road.”

The satellite eventually developed into a full-service

location. The second location in Madison County

(and the fifth location for Barnett’s) was opened in

Gluckstadt in 2019. “That area of Madison County is

growing so fast,” states Samantha. “It’s been a good

decision for us to put a location there.”

Samantha says the secret to the longevity and

success of Barnett’s is their employees. “We couldn’t

do it without them. Most have been here for many

years, and I would put my life on the line for them.

I pray for our employees every night. We have great

teamwork here. I try to lead by example, never asking

anyone to do something I wouldn’t be willing to do. We take pride in investing in good

people who are excited to learn about new vehicles.”

Ongoing training is a critical part of the business. “We are required by the insurance

companies to have training on all new vehicles,” says Samantha. “Our staff has the I-Car

Gold Certification as well as certifications from various manufacturers. Because of the size

of our staff, and because we have a space to do it, most of the trainings are held on-site.”

Barnett’s has over 100 employees. “We are an insurance-driven business, so we do all we

can to meet the training requirements of the insurance companies.”

Investing in the community is important to Samantha and her family. “We are

involved with the various chambers of commerce, and I’m on the board of directors of

the Madison County Business League. Doing business in Ridgeland has been a joy.

Mayor Gene McGee has been a great leader for all the businesses here for all these years.”

Barnett’s has continued to grow in new ways over the years. “Most recently, we added

a wrecker service to do heavy hauling and towing,” says Samantha. “We’ve built a good

name and our customers know if they come here, we’ll fix their vehicle the proper way.

We want people to know that we will care for their vehicle. I’m so proud that my parents

have been able to watch us continue to grow the business they started.”



With the goal of providing clients with a superior completed project

at a competitive price, Acoustics, Inc. is dedicated to serving enthusiastically

while consistently delivering an exceptional end result.

Originally called Dyess Acoustics, Inc.,

the business was established in 1967 by

the late Robert B. Dyess. The business was

sold to Bud Millican, who retired and sold

the business in 2012 to John Lyles, who

serves as the current owner and president.

John worked at the company while he was

a student at Ole Miss, then came onboard

full time after graduating college. He worked

his way up through the company, beginning

with working in the field. He truly knows all

aspects of the company and what they do

from the ground up. Brian Permentier is the

company’s vice president and handles field

management and safety.

The company is located in Ridgeland

at 209 Park Court. There are 36 full-time

employees that range from leadership to

estimators, project managers to field

personnel, all with extensive knowledge

and experience. The company partners

with general contractors, developers and

business institutions throughout the South.

“We are licensed to do business in

Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana,”

says Denise Evans, who serves as the

company’s accountant. She took over that

position when Roslyn Downing recently

retired after over 30 years with the company.

Denise formerly handled human resources,

payroll and the front office. “One thing

about this company,” says Denise, “most of

the employees have been here a long time.

The leadership team works to create a

supportive environment that encourages

individual growth of the staff, as well as

involvement in both the industry and the

community. This is a great place to work,

and we are all proud of what we do here.”

Acoustics, Inc. provides a broad range of

construction services, including acoustical,

wood and specialty metal ceilings, acoustical

wall panels, interior metal stud framing and

drywall, insulation, structural light gauge

metal framing, including metal stud design

and implementation, exterior insulation and

finish system and access floors. “We’ve

worked on some big projects over the past

few years,” says Denise. “We did the Indigo

Hotel in Hattiesburg, the Cotton House in

Cleveland, the Jackson Convention

Complex, the Mississippi Children’s Museum,

and the Hollywood Casino in Shreveport.

We have also been called in to solve acoustic

issues in several churches, as well as for

additions to hospitals, universities, and

more. We are strictly commercial. We have

never gotten into doing residential work.”

While the company could have located

anywhere, it has remained in Ridgeland all

these years. “Madison County is just a

great place to do business,” says Denise.

“We are centrally located, which makes it

convenient for our clients, and we have

found that this is a very business-friendly

area. John has built many strong relationships

over the years.”

Acoustic, Inc. is a member of the

Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce.

“We are also a member of the Association

of General Contractors and other industryrelated

organizations,” says Denise.



PRIVATE COLLECTION

How many times have you bought that “must-have” item,

only to let it hang in your closet?

Realizing there was a market for gently worn

clothing, Kathy Barnes started a consignment store

in August 1990. “I was in college at the time,” says

Nicole Davis, Kathy’s daughter. “I worked at the

store that fall semester, and then I worked weekends

until I graduated and came home to work in the

store full time.”

Kathy named the store, which originally opened

in Canton Mart Square in Jackson, Private Collection

Consignment. When she retired, Nicole took over

the business and relocated it to Madison County.

“I needed a smaller space,” says Nicole, “and I knew

Madison County was the right place for our store.”

In May 2004, the store moved into a space in a

shopping center located on Village Boulevard, off

Highway 51 in Madison. “We have been in that same

shopping center ever since, but in different spaces,”

says Nicole. “We first had a corner space, then in

2011 moved to the space next door, but as the business

has continued to grow, we kept the space we were in

and expanded back into that corner spot in 2019.”

Private Collection is a consignment store,

meaning that people bring in gently used, or even

never worn, clothing and accessory items for resale.

“We keep the clothes for sixty days, and the seller

gets forty percent of whatever we sell an item for,”

explains Nicole. There are markdowns every so often,

sometimes down to seventy-five percent. If an item

does not sell, it is donated to one of several charities.

“We try to carry trendy items,” Nicole says.

Times have changed, and so have fashions.

“We used to sell a lot of conservative work

clothes, especially women’s suits. Now I can’t

hardly sell suits at all. There is a more casual

standard at work these days, particularly

with people working from home during

the pandemic.” Back in 2004, Nicole

was shocked that she was able to

sell designer jeans “all day long”

for $65. “Today I still sell jeans,

but also leggings, joggers, and

knit tops. It seems that now

people dress more for

comfort.”

In addition to clothing, Private Collection sells

consignment jewelry, belts, handbags, shoes, scarves

and more. “I also make costume jewelry in the

store,” says Nicole. “I don’t want to make the same

thing for too long, so I like trying to figure out what

the next big thing will be. That keeps it fresh for me,

and for my customers.”

The store also sells formalwear, but with the

pandemic, there have not been as many formal

events. “I have put most of my formalwear collection

in storage and I’ll bring it out again when there are

more events.”

Since the store began back in 1990, not only

have the fashions changed, but also the way they do

business. “My mom didn’t have social media when

she started,” says Nicole. “We have utilized Facebook

and Instagram as a means to show our customers

what’s new in the store. I am lucky that I have some

girls working for me who are great at putting outfits

together and posting them on social media. That is a

great way for me to reach my customers. We sell so

much directly off Instagram. I also send out text

messages to let customers know when we are doing

markdowns. It’s a good feeling to know I can reach

so many people so efficiently.”

It is possible that there could be a third

generation of Nicole’s family running the store in

the future. “My oldest daughter is a dance major,

and another daughter is an education major. Both

have worked in the store at one time or another. But

my youngest, who is just in the ninth grade,

says she wants to take over the store one

day. I’d love to see that happen!”

To see what Private Collection

Consignment has to offer, visit their

Facebook page at Private Collection

Consignment, or check them out on

Instagram, @pccollection.



Jernigan Copeland Attorneys

PLLC

For 46 years, the professionals at Jernigan Copeland Attorneys, PLLC, have been helping people navigate

the legal world. The firm, which was once located in Jackson, has been in the practice of law in the City of

Madison for 15 years. “We moved our offices from Lakeland Drive to Madison County in 2005,” says Arthur

“Skipper” Jernigan. They are located on Ebenezer Boulevard off Hwy. 51 in Madison.

The firm has nine lawyers and a support staff of ten. The areas of law covered by the firm include

insurance, construction, commercial, premises liability, education and adoption. “We also do public agency

work,” Skipper says. “We serve as general counsel to the Madison County Economic Development Authority

and for over 40 years, we have served as general counsel to the Pearl Public School District.”

Jernigan has a particular passion for adoption law and is a regular speaker at adoption seminars as well as

conducting legal education classes about adoption for other attorneys. “I’ve been handling adoption cases for

45 years,” he says. “I really love it, because I get to know the families.”

A Jackson native, Skipper attended Spann Elementary, Chastain Junior High, and Murrah High School.

He graduated from Murrah in 1967 and went to Ole Miss, where he played football at the same time Archie

Manning played. “I played offensive guard, and I blocked for Archie. At least, I tried to!”

When he graduated from Ole Miss in 1971, the athletic director asked if Skipper would like to stay and go

to grad school and work as an assistant coach. “I spoke with Robert Kahyat, who was then dean of the law

school. He told me I should study law. I took the entrance exam and made a qualifying score, so I went to

the University of Mississippi’s School of Law.” His wife, Judy, taught school at South Panola High, as Skipper

dove into the study of law. “I found that I really liked it. I got a great job right out of law school with two

older lawyers, Billy Bacon and Lem Smith. It was working with those guys that helped me to really learn to

love the practice of law.”

Skipper says it was Billy and Lem who were responsible for igniting his interest in adoption law. “Billy

served as president of the Mississippi Children’s Home Society’s board of directors. I got involved on the

board and have served as president three times over the years.” Skipper and Judy adopted their two sons,

who attended Madison Central High School.

Skipper says that he and Judy have lived in Madison since 1999. “We live in Ingleside, and it’s been

interesting to watch all the changes in Madison since we moved out that way. Madison is a place that is close

to my heart. We love being in the city – it is one of the best places around to live. We have enjoyed raising

our boys here. And it’s been a great place to do business.”


Dr. Eugene Brown loves what he does.

Photo: WLBT

As an accredited orthodontist, Eugene has not only earned his dental degree, but he

has also completed an additional post-doctoral course accredited by the American

Dental Association. His training enables him to provide his patients with professional,

personalized treatments that address each individual’s needs.

Over the years, there have been thousands of patients who, for a time, were

regulars in his office as they wore braces on their teeth. “I started my practice in

Jackson, on the corner of Ridgewood and Adkins Boulevard,” he says. “I have had

an office in Madison since 1995.”

Eugene grew up in McComb and Brookhaven and finished high school in

Jackson before going to Mississippi College. “I thought I was going to major in

pharmacy,” he recalls. “While I was in college, one

of my classmates in chemistry was in pre-dentistry.

I was still in braces, because I didn’t get them until

my senior year in high school. My classmate told me

I should consider dentistry instead of pharmacy.”

The next time Eugene visited his orthodontist, he

asked him questions about his profession. “He was a

real influence on me,” he says. “I began to seriously

consider dentistry as a profession.” Eugene says he

prayed about it, telling God that if that’s not what He

wanted for his life, to please shut the door. “But doors

kept opening for me in dentistry. I give God all the

glory.”

After graduating from Mississippi College, Eugene

headed to Memphis to attend the dental school at

the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center.

He made the decision to continue his studies in

orthodontics after finishing dental school. “I saw the

benefit braces had for me,” he says. “The results I got

gave me confidence I did not have before.”


Eugene first practiced orthodontia in Laurel, but it was not home, so he

moved back to Jackson. Over the years, he has treated many children and

teenagers who needed braces. But today 25 to 30 percent of his patients are

adults. “Since the Invisalign braces have been introduced, adults feel more

confident getting braces. Now that’s what the teenagers want, too.”

Eugene’s practice, called Smiles by Design, only does orthodontics. “That’s

what I studied to do, and that’s what I do day to day. I see the difference it makes

in people’s lives. I enjoy getting to know my patients and watch their confidence

grow.” Many of the staff members in the practice have worked there 25 years

or longer.

A resident of Madison County, Eugene has been married to his wife, Peggy,

for over 40 years. They have two daughters – one who teaches third grade in

Madison, and one who is a car auction representative. His parents, who are

91 and 93, also live in Madison. “I’m so fortunate to have my family close by,”

he says. “I have my parents, my children and my grandchildren all

around us.” Eugene is a member of Colonial Heights Baptist

Church in Ridgeland, where he has taught seventh grade

Sunday school for many years. “I finally graduated,” he

laughs. “Now they have me teaching the eighth graders!”

Eugene says Madison County has been an ideal

location for his practice. “The location (925 Jones Street

in Madison) and the people are wonderful. We have

been blessed to be here.”



Yard & Garden

Brint Callaway is the third generation in

his family to work in the family’s yard and

garden business that bears his family name.

Callaway’s Yard and Garden has been family

owned and family operated in the metro

Jackson area since his grandfather, R.W.

Callaway, started the business in 1954 with his wife, Lorene. The

business fulfilled their dream of providing healthy plants and

quality garden products along with good, old-fashioned service to

their neighbors and community. “My grandfather was an educator,”

says Brint. “He was a teacher and a principal, but he was also a

conservationist. He helped get the nature trails at Riverside Park

going, among other nature-related endeavors.” Callaway High

School in Jackson is named after Brint’s grandfather.

Brint’s uncle, Bob Callaway, was also involved with starting

the business. “My dad, David Callaway, was just 14 when they

started it, but he worked there as well.” When R. W. Callaway

died, Bob was away at college getting his master’s degree. “My

dad was only 20 or 21 at the time,” says Brint. “He had to jump in

and help my grandmother with the business. He never left.”

David Callaway is now in his 80s and still active in the business.

“He’s not involved with the day-to-day workings of the business,

but he is very active, especially with buying all of the media for

our advertising”, Brint continued.

Callaway’s opened the original store at the end of Meadowbrook

Mart in Jackson. They were there for two years before

moving behind Primos Northgate on North State Street. “That

was our main location and where our office was for years,” says

Brint. A second location opened behind Westland Plaza, followed

by the County Line location in Ridgeland in 1979 and the Metrocenter

location off Robinson Road in Jackson. “Everything

eventually closed except for the County Line location,” Brint says.

The location on County Line road opened in March 1979, just in

time for spring planting season. Little did they know that a

100-year flood would deluge the area the next month. “It was

slow-going at first,” Brint recalls. “But then that location took off.”

Over the years, different parts of the

business have developed into very distinct

divisions. The main core of the business is

the garden center, which features all sorts of

plants, including flowers, shrubs and trees,

along with everything needed in a yard or

garden, such as pine straw, soils, fertilizer, insecticides and more.

Callaway’s has a huge selection of outdoor patio furniture,

probably one of the largest selections in the state. Brint’s mother,

Betty, started the popular Christmas store that draws people from

all over the state during the first two weekends in November.

The landscape division continues to grow, with design and

installation services, ranging from simple landscaping to full

outdoor kitchens.

The newest location of Callaway’s opened in Gluckstadt on

April 16, 2015. “It’s our biggest store yet,” says Brint. The longrunning

County Line store in Ridgeland closed in December 2019.

The newest division of Callaway’s is the farmer’s market, which is

open every day from mid-March through the end of October.

“We always strive to get local produce first,” says Brint. “Throughout

the summer we have fresh-grown Mississippi tomatoes and

Smith County watermelon. The farmer’s market has become

extremely popular.”

As the business enters its 67 th year in 2021, it continues to be

family owned and family run. “My siblings and I were raised

here,” Brint says. “My sister, Allison Callaway Richardson, works

here with me, as does my wife, Annette. Our daughter also helps

during the holiday season. She goes to market to buy our holiday

trees and ornaments, and she is incredibly involved in getting the

Christmas store set up each year.

Brint is proud that Callaway’s employs local high school

students, many of whom have gone into successful careers. “It’s

fun to watch them mature as they work here,” he says, remembering

his years of working in the business. “I started working at

Callaway’s when I was old enough to push a mower. It’s good for

these kids to work and see what goes into running a business.”



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“I felt like I was being electrocuted,

and I heard a loud ringing noise.”


Miracle

Hero

Camille Anding

Imagine ninety plus rounds of ammo from a long

rifle being fired at you, along with three other officers,

and suddenly realizing you’re one of the wounded.

On September 5th, 2019, Brad Sullivan, a Madison

County sheriff deputy, just moments earlier, had

dropped off his eight year old at Tri-County

Academy when he got a 911 call – it was a hostage

situation.

Sullivan, trained in hostage negotiations, and

two other officers answered the call that turned into

a chase on county roads east of Canton. When the

assailant rushed from his wrecked vehicle, firing

repeated rounds, a bullet struck Sullivan in the right

side of his head and exited through the top of his

skull. “I felt like I was being electrocuted, and I

heard a loud ringing noise,” Sullivan recalls.

From that life-changing moment, miracles

began to take place for Brad Sullivan. The first was

his never losing consciousness. He heard deputies

scrambling around his bleeding body that had been

catapulted to the passenger’s side after the attack

that caused his own vehicle to wreck. Lieutenant

Joey Butler was the first to open Sullivan’s door and

assure him the attacker was in custody and an

ambulance was on the way.

“Is anyone injured?” Sullivan asked Butler.

“Where am I hit?” was Sullivan’s second question

while feeling and seeing the blood on his body.

“How bad is it?” he continued.

Lt. Butler called for a tourniquet and began

wrapping it around Sullivan’s arm. It wasn’t until

much later that Sullivan learned the tourniquet was

just to keep him from being further traumatized by

knowing he had a head injury. “Don’t go to sleep;

stay awake,” were Butler’s repeated but calm

directives to Sullivan.

One of the ninety rounds had struck a propane

tank nearby and released a cloud of gas over the

scene. That prohibited a helicopter landing, so an

ambulance transported Sullivan to Merit Hospital

in Canton where he was immediately air-lifted to

UMMC. When the helicopter landed, Butler was

the first person Sullivan saw. “Can I go to sleep

now?” were the last words before the meds kicked in.

Thirty-two days later, Sullivan woke from his

induced coma that was ordered to compensate for

his brain swelling. He was awake and cognizant –

another miracle after suffering a stroke, post attack,

and another during his surgery.

On October 12, he was moved to Methodist

Rehab. But after his third therapy on October 15, he

had a prolonged seizure, followed by three more. A

brain infection sent him back to surgery and

another week in the hospital.



Sullivan and Lieutenant Joey Butler

By the middle of November, Sullivan was standing, and the day before Thanksgiving,

he took his first steps. On December 20, Sullivan walked out of the hospital

with the help of a quad cane and hospital aides.

At this point in the interview, there was a lull as Sullivan rested in his wheelchair

on the campus of Tri-County Academy in Flora where he served as security officer

for four years and coached baseball teams most of his adult life. Lt. Butler stood

sentinel near him as we all re-lived the happenings like the fictional ones we’ve seen

portrayed in movies and on TV. Brad’s faithfully dedicated assistant, Lizzy Harris, sat

quietly nearby. The soft breezes on this mild, fall day fell short of softening the harsh

reality of what Sullivan had experienced, however.

Sullivan has no doubt that God was with him that September day, but the

real life challenges ahead of him haven’t dissolved like in a “happy ending”

movie. This wounded hero’s voice cracked when he shared his lowest moment

of the year. It was when he got home and depended on his nine-year-old

son and seventeen-year-old daughter to help him to the toilet and shower.

“’Til you have your own kids helping you do that, you don’t know what hard

times are.” But his children are his sole motivations. He said, “My kids are

the reason I wake up every morning and push myself in therapy.”

Sullivan is quick to recall all his blessings from this attack. He’s seen the

entire sheriff’s department rally around him. “A deputy sat with me 24/7 the

whole time I was in the hospital.” When he was discharged from the hospital, he

had a motor escort and procession that a Desoto County officer said was the largest

of any he had ever been a part, and “the entire town of Flora shut down.”

U.S. Canine is training a service dog for Sullivan, free of charge. The animal can

shut doors, pick up items on the floor, and follow his every step as well as provide

emotional support.

Sullivan refuses to hold pity parties or live in bitterness and anger. He stays

active, still driving a handicap accessible truck, and counseling other shooting victims

within law enforcement through Law Enforcement Alliance Peer Support (LEAPS).

He speaks with irrefutable respect for law enforcement and the life-threatening

situations they face every day. “There’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop for law

enforcement officers,” he affirmed.

Even though he’s been told there will be no more sheriff duties for him and slim

to no gainful employment, he finds comfort in the continued support from Madison

County friends and the sheriff’s department.

Diagnosed with PTSD, losing his right eye from the shrapnel, learning to walk

and use his left arm again are not all of his obstacles. His small, temporary home is

not handicap accessible which only further complicates his life. Lt. Butler, the officer

Sullivan credits for saving his life, continues to be a spokesman for Sullivan’s needs,

“We depend on law enforcement to keep us safe and protect us. Brad filled that

need, not knowing the outcome. Now Brad needs a home. We and the community

would like to meet that need.”

The department calls the project “Home for Brad.” If you would like to help with

this project, please call the sheriff’s department at 601-859-2345. Lt. Butler would be

happy to answer any questions.

With physical disabilities, out of pocket rehab costs, and sizable medical expenses,

a livable home falls way down on Brad’s “doable” list. Surely we could be a part of one

more miracle for this hero of our hometown. l


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customer. Fees may reduce earnings. All funds are paid out at the end of the

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CALL NOW: 601-401-3299




Anding

Therapeutic

“The things that

stay in motion

stay in motion.”

JoyCamille

This is an adage that Anthony Thomas, instructor and

owner of Gotham Dance Club, has been endorsing and

demonstrating for over three decades. Moving feet and body

to the rhythm of music appears to be a natural gift for Thomas,

but the accomplished dancer/performer states with resolve,

“I’ve never met anyone I cannot teach.”

Such affirmation hints of elitism, but one only has to watch

his fluid, rhythmic moves on the dance floor to recognize his

mastery of dance. Other factors also confirm his assertion.

During Thomas’ high school football days in Clinton, he

was a talented athlete, winning the “Most Valuable Player”

award his senior year. After graduation in 1983, he applied

for a summer job at Jackson Dance Club. He began training

to be an instructor and after only three months, the studio

owner invited him to open another dance studio in Baton

Rouge, Louisiana. Thomas was now a very young but gifted

instructor, and his desire to travel and see the world beyond

Clinton was about to materialize. He would never have

imagined that dance shoes would be his ticket.

One year later, Michael Howard of Hattiesburg offered

him a teaching position in Phoenix, Arizona. His skill

progressed, and in 1988, Thomas was offered an instructor

position that moved him to Manhattan, New York.

After teaching in the “hustle and bustle of the big city”

for thirty years, Thomas decided to return to his roots of

Clinton and continue his career in his own studio. In 2019,

he opened Gotham Dance Club located at 207 West Jackson

Street in Ridgeland. Bringing his talent and experience to

Ridgeland has attracted eager students from the area.

Cassandra Walter teamed with Thomas soon after he

opened his studio – not as a fledgling student but as an

accomplished dancer. Not only was Cassandra excited about

having an outlet for her “dancing addiction,” she became an

associate of Thomas to assist in classes and compete in

competitions.


Walter’s credentials are also impressive. At age fifteen, she

attended Juilliard School of American Ballet for a year. The

Big Apple captivated her heart, but after a year, her daddy said

to come home. Dixie Darlins at the University of Southern

Mississippi was her next opportunity to showcase her rhythm

and dance.

Law school was on her radar, so she transferred to Ole

Miss to earn a degree in public administration before

entering law school. She’s practiced law for thirty-two years

and is presently the special assistant for Attorney General

Lynn Fitch.

It wasn’t until 2011 that Cassandra got on the ballroom

floor. Through a fundraiser competition in a local “Dancing

with the Stars,” she and John Murphy were chosen as partners.

After six weeks of practice, they performed in the competition

and won. From 2011 to 2019, Cassandra spent every weekday

lunch break practicing ballroom dancing with Murphy.

After Murphy’s death from a surgery complication,

Cassandra and Thomas met, and the dancing continued. She

says, “Ballroom dancing is a life skill that’s going to be lost…

unless we keep teaching it.” Cassandra’s seven nieces and

nephews will carry on the art, thanks to their aunt’s lessons.

Gotham Dance Club is open Monday - Friday from 1pm

to 9pm for private and group lessons. Two times each month

on the first and third Saturday evening from 8pm to 10pm,

students and guests meet at the club for the Practice Party, an

evening of dance and socializing. It serves as a fun experience

to practice newly learned dance steps in a group setting –

and for only $10.

Thomas encourages dancing from a recreational

standpoint – a it’s great alternative to the treadmill! He also

appreciates the New England Medical Journal’s report that

dancing offers physical therapy and that tango dancing has

shown positive results for slowing down Alzheimer’s.

“We promise to make dancing easy and fun,” Thomas

assures. Cassandra adds, “It’s just a joyful art!” If you’re looking

for a fun activity to replace the “moves from the couch to

the refrigerator and back,” call Gotham Dance Club at

845-825-9610 for questions about “dancing with the stars”

– a joy that will be therapeutic!






FromDolls

to Dreams

Susan Marquez

Like many little girls

who were born in the 1950s,

Ricci Ivers Casserly

had a Madame Alexander

doll that she adored.

Madame Alexander dolls were the

benchmark for other dolls, made without

sacrificing quality. There was an actual

Madame Alexander, Madame Beatrice

Alexander Behrman to be exact, who grew

up in her stepfather’s doll hospital on

Manhattan’s Lower East Side. She started a

doll company in 1923 when she was 28 years

old, with the belief that dolls should be played

with and loved, without breaking like the

porcelain dolls of her time. Madame Alexander

had a keen understanding of the value of

doll play in teaching children kindness and

compassion.

Ricci received her Madame Alexander

doll from her mother when they moved from

Ricci’s birthplace in Biloxi to Houston, Texas.

The doll was her constant companion. Ricci

was raised by her grandparents in Houston,

and over time, she stopped playing with dolls,

but she never stopped loving her Madame

Alexander doll.

With a dream of being a pediatrician,

Ricci attended a private Catholic college, the

University of St. Thomas in Houston, where

she earned a degree in biology. It’s also where

she met her husband, Ed. “He majored in

chemistry and went on to get a Ph.D. from

Rice,” Ricci explains. “I got my master’s in

health services administration from the

University of Houston at Clear Lake.” Ricci

explains that her story is made up of many

smaller stories, not unlike a puzzle with

many different pieces that fit together to

make a complete picture.

Ricci and Ed married in January 1983

and had three children. Their life was idyllic

until one morning in 1997. She woke up

and couldn’t walk. Her speech was severely

affected as well. Ricci was certain she had

suffered a stroke. She got the diagnosis of

multiple sclerosis at the age of 40. “I cried in

the doctor’s office when I was diagnosed, but

I haven’t cried about it since. My life changed

in an instant, but I knew I had to gather my

inner strength and push on.”

Because she was in the medical field, Ricci

was able to choose her own doctor. “I found

a great physician at Baylor who knew a lot

about MS. He is still my doctor today. I have

had great care.” With family support, lots of

prayer and her own can-do attitude, Ricci has

accomplished what many thought would be

impossible. She walks on her own and given

the chance, she’ll talk your ear off. Ricci never

meets a stranger.


With her MS finally under control, there

was one thing that still nagged at her. Ricci’s

beloved Madame Alexander doll had not

been seen in years. “I am pretty sure my

grandmother threw her out when she was

cleaning out her house,” Ricci says. Determined

to try to find the doll, Ricci searched

every avenue she could think of. One day she

visited a doll hospital in Old Town Spring,

Texas, and to her surprise, her doll was there.

“I knew in an instant that it was my long lost

baby doll,” she says.

The doll hospital’s owner told Ricci that a

woman from her old neighborhood brought

the doll in. She found the doll and knew it

had to have some value. The lady’s daughter

needed an operation, and doing whatever she

could to raise the money needed, she salvaged

and sold items. She sold the doll to the doll

hospital’s owner, who fixed it up and had it

for sale when Ricci happened to stop in. “I

learned from the lady at the doll hospital that

my doll had a name – Kathy. I love that my

doll helped a child get the operation she

needed, and I was reunited with my doll

after twenty years!”

Ricci and Ed moved to Madison in 2011.

“Ed’s job brought us here,” Ricci says. “He is

the director of refinery research and development

for Ergon. I was born in Mississippi,

and I ended up here again. I love everything

about Madison. I joined the Chamber to get

to know people. I love Mayor Mary (Hawkins

Butler) and all the support I’ve found here.”

Ricci had always been interested in writing

and she decided to write a children’s book

about her doll and the adventures she may

have been on in the twenty years since Ricci

was separated from her. The book, Kathy’s

Adventures, was published by Tate Publishing

in 2011. The book is for sale on Amazon and

at Barnes & Noble. “Kathy’s Adventures is a

book of dreams,” says Ricci. “I know that

dreams can come true, and my message for

children is to follow your dreams and they

will come true. This book has been my

dream, and it was realized.”

The book is aimed towards children seven

and under. Now an even bigger dream is

being realized as Ricci has been notified that

Netflix plans to make an animated film based

on the book. “I’m not sure what their time

frame is, but just knowing that kids will be

able to see this story on television is exciting

to me.” The book is being re-released by

Book Whip in September. Ricci has plans to

write more Kathy books including Kathy’s

adventures to Paris and other destinations.

“I think the bigger story here is that people

with disabilities can do anything they put

their mind to,” Ricci says. “My MS has made

me stronger. I try to lift the spirits of everyone

I come across. Life is different since I’ve had

MS, but the disease has been kind to me. I

walk and talk now, when I once could not.

My doctor says I’m a miracle. I’m very involved

in the MS Society here, and I’m in a support

group that is very helpful.”

Ricci says she originally bought her old doll

back to give to her own daughter, but she

hasn’t been able to give her up just yet. “My

children are grown, but I still have sweet

Kathy. She is in a basket in my bedroom—

with her vinyl hair and big blue eyes. I have

bought many more Madame Alexander dolls

for my daughter which are now in a curio

cabinet in a guest bedroom. I’ll give those to

my daughter when she gets married, so she

can share them with her own children.”


www.mchms.org

Visit

leearn moree.

to

Jeesus Christ, Meethodist Childreen's Homees brings hopee

Through

heealing to hurting childreen in Mississippi.

and

company, church, organization or family can makee a

Your

impact for thee holidays. Join MCH in our ministry to

direect

Help make the holidays bright for children in foster care.

providee hopee and heealing.

Furnish a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for a foster family

Sponsor Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for a group home

Decorate a group home for the season

Fulfill a Christmas wishlist for a child

Host the holiday party for our campus

Provide a Christmas basket to a foster family

Provide a special holiday experience


Help us help

MISSISSIPPI KIDS.

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Member FDIC.

Friends of Children’s Hospital

supports Batson Children’s Hospital,

part of University of Mississippi

Health Care, Mississippi’s

ONLY hospital designed for the care

and treatment of sick or injured children.

*NOTE: All donations subject

to change on an annual basis.

Friends of Children’s

Hospital CheckCard

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donated to Friends

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time the card is used

Available via instant issue

Since inception, the Friends CheckCard has raised

almost $2,000,000

BankPlus.net



GIFT GUIDE

mangia bene

3-in-1 gift card

Shayna’s Boutique

Matisse Booties

Callaway’s

Christmas Santa

Jackson Jewelers

14k white gold Swiss blue topaz,

London blue topaz and diamond necklace

Chicken Salad Chick

Gift cards from $10 to $100

Ross Furniture

Annieglass

Madison

Marketplace

Jilly Art Ornaments

(can be personalized)


Sulm’s Gifts

Annieglass Handmade Hearts Bowls with bold 24k Gold

and Cheetah print - two sizes $92 and $59

Cotton Blossom

Baby Lock Jubilant Sewing Machine on Sale $499

Rick’s Pro Truck

CupFone made in the USA

by WeatherTech $34.95

Private

Collection

Fringe Purse

Freshway Produce

Christmas Door Hangers

Buffalo Wild Wings

Gift Card

Martinson’s

GARDEN WORKS

Kantha quilts, jewelry, and facemasks

are all made from this unique material

Madison Fireplace & Patio

Fire Magic Gas Grill




The CHALKBOARD Madison Schools

Shirley D. Simmons

Math Teacher Earns Elite Scholarship

Congratulations to Mr. George Mitchell who teaches math at

Shirley Simmons Middle School! Mr. Mitchell was selected

to receive one of Mississippi Professional Educators (MPE)

National Board Diverse Practitioner Scholarships. Diversity

may include an educator’s race, gender, ethnicity, subject(s)

taught, or pathway to licensure. MPE awards this one-time

scholarship to diverse candidates who wish to pursue their

national board certification. Recognized as the gold standard in

teacher certification, National Board believes higher standards

for teachers means better learning for students. Board

certification is the highest, most comprehensive

voluntary professional development available to teachers.

Way to go, Mr. Mitchell, and we wish you best of luck on

national board certification journey!

Fall Science & Visual Arts at Shirley D. Simmons

Science and visual arts classes at Shirley D. Simmons Middle

experienced a week of fun and educational activities that

included slinkys, straws, pennies, and leaves. Using the

Steps of the Scientific Method, science students explored

the question, “How many drops of water will fit on a penny?”

The science students also demonstrated transverse waves

frequency using a slinky and a rope. The visual arts classes

choose fall leaves from the school grounds to create art that

focused on contour lines and color theory.

MRA

Goodwill Outstanding Youth Volunteer

Madison-Ridgeland Academy is so proud to honor

Isabelle Sandridge, Annelise Self, and Mary

Bratton for receiving the Goodwill Outstanding

Youth Volunteer award. Every year, Goodwill

recognizes outstanding volunteers in the metro

Jackson area. These three Patriots, along with

other honorees, will be recognized for giving their

time and talents to help others in the metro area.

MRA Students Hard at Work in

Environmental Sciences

Madison-Ridgeland Academy’s Bella Brown

(5th Grade) watches a tornado in a bottle while

studying environmental sciences.


Madison Central 2020 HOMECOMING COURT

Front L-R: littles Ellis Finley, Mary Claire Runnels. Second L-R: freshmen Nataleigh Nix, Christina Barefoot; seniors Lexie Sanders, Rachel Narbo, Sarah Sawaya, Taylor Walls,

Lana Evans, Anna Kay Bumgarner; junior Sneha Cherukuri, sophomore Lauren Shields. Third L-R: fathers Steve Narbo, Dr. David Sawaya, Baxter Walls, Torrye Evans, Brad Bumgarner.

Fourth L-R: freshman Tyrone Richardson, junior Jamyiyah Cotten, sophomore Mattie Dupuy, freshman Brooke Bumgarner; juniors Megan Staehling, Reid Hewitt, Mia Valentine;

sophomores Avery Brady, Nina Gault, Bergen Bianchi, Ava Dear, Aiden Allen; junior Vic Hollins. Back L-R: freshman Zac Cook, juniors Rob Hill, JT Evans, Fritz Rasmussen;

seniors Michael Green, Dalton Stevens, Dawson Foster, Chandler Welgos, Duke Arnold, Trey Smith, William White;

sophomores Vic Sutton and Isaiah Spencer; junior CJ Barney; sophomore Jake Norris, freshman Will Brunini.

Madison Central High School 2020 homecoming queen

First L-R: littles Mary Claire Runnels, Neil Bennett and Ellis Finley.

Back L-R: MCHS Principal Sean Brewer, Madison County School District

Superintendent Charlotte Seals, 2020 Homecoming Queen Anna Kay Bumgarner,

her father Brad Bumgarner and 2019 Homecoming Queen Allison Hill.

2020-2021 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars

Front L-R: Semifinalists Carson Jones, LeeAnn Beckman, Patricia Bethea, Avery Thomas,

Rachel Narbo. Back L-R: Semifinalists Albert Xu, Matthew Li, Matthew Yin, Arshbir

Banipal, Braden Montgomery, William Scoggins, Commended Scholar Jackson Lawrence,

Semifinalist Grant Darling. Not pictured, Commended Scholar Isabella Bursi.


TheTime COIN

Camille Anding

A Christmas miracle! That’s what I need

this month.

Some extra hours – even minutes would be a

welcomed miracle to collect ingredients that always

stock our pantry and fridge every December and the

time to bake the Christmas confections.

Any simplification of the annual gift shopping would

be another miracle. Sometimes the search for the

perfect gift involves threading through traffic jams or

long hours of web shopping. Neither is conducive to

“Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men!”

A sure cure to the hectic malady that seems to

swamp my Decembers is to quietly reflect on the

origin of our Christmas celebration and the miracles

needed then. Mary was a teenage girl already engaged

to Joseph. Surely she was consumed with wedding

thoughts and the excitement surrounding such an

event. Then the unbelievable happened. An angel

bringing mind-boggling news visited her.

Mary, the highly favored teenager, would bear a

son, the SON of God, and the miracle birth would

transpire while she remained a virgin. And Mary’s

response was simply, “May it be to me as

you have said.” Amazing! Certainly that

response reflects why she was chosen.

Then the days passed. What did her

parents think as their daughter’s physical

form changed? What would prevent

Mary’s being stoned, a practiced punishment for

females getting pregnant before marriage? How would

Joseph treat her in such a scandalous circumstance as

perceived by the community?

The baby grew along with the probable whispers of

the small town. Somehow a census was ordered at the

worst possible time. Mary was nearing delivery, but she

was required to travel the 85 miles to Bethlehem,

sidesaddle on a donkey.

Mary’s need for miracles mounted. The baby’s birth

was near, but Joseph found every inn filled to capacity.

Were the streets the only place left for her to lie down?

No, there was the offer of a stable with hay and a

manger.

I think about labor pains after an exhausting four

to seven day ride on a donkey, a stable for a delivery

room, and a husband as her only family member

or aid. No warm, fleece wraps. No heated water for

wiping away dust and fetal remains. No soft linens

for Mary or her newborn.

My reflecting dwarfs my need for Christmas

miracles. The miracle I most need this

Christmas is a heart overflowing with praise

and thanksgiving for the Savior being born,

and the earthly parents that were willing to

play a part in the greatest of all miracles –

“God in flesh appearing.” ●



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Because there’s Merit

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Merit Health Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider – quickly. Just call 844-MSMERIT. Most calls

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