Hometown Brandon - Summer 2015

volume 2 number 3 

Summer 2015 

Dual Servanthood 

______________________ 

going off script 

______________________ 

Hearing with Their Hearts 

______________________ 

Outdoor Solution

2 • Summer 2015

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Hometown Brandon • 3

4 • Summer 2014

Publisher & Editor 

Tahya Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

CONSULTANT 

Mary Ann Kirby 

Account Executives 

Alicia Adams 

Rachel Lombardo 

Reese Suruvka 

Misty Taylor 

Administrative Assistant 

Lee Vonder Haar 

Staff Photographer 

Othel Anding 

Contributing 

Photographer 

Onsby Vinson 

Layout Design & Production 

Daniel Thomas • 3dt 

Contributing Writers 

Camille Anding 

Olivia Halverson 

Charla Jordan 

Terri McCarver 

Amber Kennedy Thompson 

www.facebook.com 

/hometownbrandonmagazine 

www.HTMags.com 

The Little League fields have turned green and a part of me wants to park my car and take a 

nostalgia break on their tender spring grass. I recall innocent childhood times swinging my Little 

League bat at the gentle throws that my coach/dad pitched to me. My dad sponsored our team and 

was an assistant coach. I was confident I would be a star. 

There was just one small glitch. My brother, younger by four years and shorter by six inches, could 

hit the ball closer to the outfield fence and could field a ground ball like a miniature pro. He knew 

I could outrun him–but this was baseball, not track. 

My daddy knew how badly I wanted to out-perform my kid-brother, so he practiced with me in 

our backyard. And while that should have given me just the extra training I needed to compete with 

my brother’s natural athleticism, he, unfortunately, showed up at every practice, too. He caught the 

grounders that I missed and relished throwing me out when he fielded for Daddy and me. I was the 

one needing the practice but little brother was the one that benefitted 

the most. But, despite our sibling rivalry, those times make for some 

of my fondest memories. 

Perhaps this will be the summer that you, too, can make memories 

around the baseball park or with other special family outings. Don’t 

waste a moment. Time flies, for sure. Invest some quality time in a 

young person. Great memories are practically guaranteed. 

Thank you for picking up this month’s issue of 

Hometown Brandon Magazine. We appreciate your support 

more than you’ll ever know. Happy Summer! 

Contact us at 

info@htmags.com 

601.706.4059 

26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F 

Brandon, MS 39042 

• • • 

Hometown Brandon is published by 

Hometown Magazines. 

All rights reserved. 

No portion of Hometown Brandon 

may be reproduced without written 

permission from the publisher. 

The management of Hometown Brandon 

is not responsible for opinions expressed 

by its writers or editors. 

All communications sent to our 

editorial staff are subject to publication 

and the unrestricted right to be refused, 

or to be edited and/or editorially 

commented on. 

All advertisements are subject 

to approval by the publisher. 

The production of Hometown Brandon 

is funded by advertising. 

In this issue The Way We Were .....................6 

Dual Servanthood .................... 1 0 

Never Far From Home ................ 13 

Going Off Script .................... 20 

Hearing With Their Hearts ...26 

In Search of an Outdoor Solution...... 32 

90 is the New 60.................... 38 

Freedom Isn't Free................... 44 


The 

way 

we 

were. 

Patsy & Philip Warren 

Vacation Bible School gets credit for a lot 

of positives in young people’s lives. For Patsy 

Grantham Warren, it was positive in a unique way. 

She met her future husband at VBS. Philip was 

from Puckett and attended the Brandon Baptist 

VBS that memorable summer. “I thought he 

was about the cutest thing I had ever seen,” 

Patsy remembers. 

Later in their youth, a tent skating rink came 

to Brandon. The owner of the rink had operated 

it in Puckett before moving it to Brandon, so 

Philip was an experienced skater. Every night, 

Philip would ride with the owner to Brandon 

to “help catch the girls.” Patsy also went every 

night, and Philip not only caught her from falling, 

but he caught her heart. She soon realized that 

it wasn’t her skates that swept her off her feet, 

it was his tall, skinny frame and blonde crew cut. 

They dated through high school and married 

on May 29, 1958 after their freshman year at 

Hinds Community College. Philip didn’t want 

his friends to decorate his “going away” vehicle, 

so he hid it. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Kennedy 

attended the wedding and parked their car in 

front of the church. It was identical to Philip’s 

car. When the newlyweds got ready to leave, 

they drove off in a clean car. The Kennedy’s, 

however, left with tin cans dragging and a 

“Just Married” sign on the back. 

The newlyweds lived in the “barracks” 

their sophomore year. Pasty recalled how 

college friends, football and basketball players 

would come to their apartment on Thursday 

nights to watch their small TV. “Huckleberry 

Hound” was the “American Idol” in their day. 

After Hinds, the Warrens attended 

University of Southern Mississippi and earned 

their degrees. Patsy was an elementary education 

major but taught only one year, giving up a 


teaching career to raise their family. Philip was 

the football and basketball coach at Pearl for 

five-and-a-half years. 

In 1967, he ran for circuit clerk and won. 

For the next 28 years the voters kept him in office 

until his retiring in 1995. Philip credits Pasty for 

being a great campaign manager and a good 

politician’s wife. Patsy credits the people of 

Rankin County for being so good to them. 

Patsy is quick to acknowledge the best 

Christmas of their married years. Philip had 

been diagnosed with lung cancer in 1986 and 

underwent chemo and radiation treatments. 

His surgeon brought them the wonderful news 

after surgery that December. He was able to 

remove all the cancer. 

In 1988, Patsy was diagnosed with breast 

cancer, but the treatment was another success 

story for her and their family. Today they enjoy 

family gatherings and being a part of their three 

grandchildren’s lives – Eliza, Sally, and Philip. 

The Warrens are also dedicated supporters of 

the Brandon B Club and rarely miss the high 

school games. 

Their two daughters, Tress Gardner, a 

librarian, and Kelli Adcock, principal at Rouse 

elementary, live with their families 

in homes across the street 

from their parents. 

The Warrens believe active church life and a 

lot of family time have been keys to their successful 

marriage of 57 years. Patsy still wonders how the 

family managed to make Sunday school seven 

years in a row and earn pins for their daughters. 

Philip explained further, “We’ve not 

crowded each other. Patsy does things with 

her friends – like bridge, church activities and 

shopping while I enjoy hunting, fishing and 

golfing with the guys.” 

When Philip was in ICU during his cancer 

ordeal, a lady stopped Patsy in the grocery and 

said, “Your husband has to get well; there are so 

many praying for him.” Couples who love each 

other, their family, church and community reap 

a harvest of compassionate and caring friends. 

Patsy and Philip Warren are living testimonials 

to that fact. 

“I thought he 

was about the 

cutest thing 

I had ever seen.” 


Call us to schedule 

your next visit. 

(601) 825-3368 

Sarah Langston, DMD 

14 Woodgate Drive 

Brandon, Mississippi 39042 


Hometown Brandon 

congratulates 

Kevin O'Flarity 

on being named 

Top Cop of the Year 

Officer O’Flarity was recognized 

at the Police Memorial & Appreciation 

event held at the Mississippi Trade Mart 

as Brandon’s 2015 Top Cop. 



Dual Servanthood 


On Sundays, the congregation at Rock Star 

Missionary Baptist Church opens their Bibles and 

follows the leadership of their pastor, Clifton Boggans. 

The 150-member church respects the soft-spoken, 

gentle pastor as their beloved shepherd. 

On Monday morning he reports to his second job 

at Northwest Rankin High School as the maintenance 

supervisor, a job he’s held for twenty-five years. There 

he services the buildings’ physical needs and with the 

same soft-spoken, gentle manner. 

Born in 1955, Boggans was the number six child 

among a family of eleven raised in Flowood. He 

remembers the city being a small town where he 

and his brothers found fishing holes and carved trails 

through the woods. 

He attended high school at Carter High School until 

integration sent him and his classmates to Pearl High 

School. “I just never thought about the possibility of 

problems or conflict.” And he experienced neither. 

He does remember the kind math teacher, Mrs. 

Cannon. “She was a good teacher; I just wasn’t a 

good student!” he said with a hearty laugh. 

After graduating from Pearl, he enrolled in 

masonry trade school in Utica Junior College. 

He used his new job skill that summer but became 

a wanderer in the fall. He ended 

up working at Mississippi State 

hospital and met his future bride, 

Myrtis Dell, who was employed 

there, too. Willie Taylor, Boggans’ best friend, spotted 

the same girl and suggested to Boggans that they 

adopt her as their little sister. Boggans was quick 

to reply, “I’ve already got enough sisters (six). 

I want a girlfriend.” They dated for two years and 

were married. 

Pastor Boggans calls his bride a gift from the Lord. 

Her godly character has always challenged him. He also 

admits the pull that Satan had on his life in the months 

after their marriage – a pull for a night out with the guys. 

“I told God that He and Myrtis Dell were double-teaming 

me. I would go to a club and try to listen to the music or 

enjoy a dance, and God’s voice would say, ‘Come to me, 

come to me.’” 

The real turning point came after one of Boggan’s 

nights on the town. Myrtis Dell met him at the door and 

said, “Look at you, eyes all red, just ugly as you can be. 

You gonna send us to hell!” 

Boggans gave his life to the Lord and his years of 

servanthood began. 

As pastor, Boggans says that the most difficult task 

he has is teaching his members to stick to Biblical 

principles in a culture that wants to deny their existence. 

In his years of ministering to families he sees how 

Satan is intent on destroying the man 

because the man is the fiber of the family. 

Boggans explains, “Satan says I’ll destroy 

the man, and then I’ll mess up the home. 

That will lead to messing up the community 

– then the country.” Boggans pauses. “It’s the 

domino effect in our lives.” 

Concerning race relations, 

Boggans believes we need to be 

proactive instead of having to 

react. “Praying and working for 

unity need to come before the problems.” 

Pastor Boggans is expected to repair broken 

items at Northwest Rankin High School and 

broken lives as a minister. With his love for 

people, his servant heart and gentle spirit, 

he’s equipped for the tasks. ■ 


Nobody Does It Better 

@Crossgates 

SunglaSS HeadquarterS 

Many great 

styles 

to suit 

your 

taste or 

any mood. 

Brandon: (601) 825-8300 

Canton: (601) 859-3464 

Madison: (601) 605-2259 

Ridgeland: (601) 957-9292 

Yazoo City: (662) 746-4312 


BRANDON 

Growing Up in the Best 

Small Town in America 

Amber Kennedy Thompson 

“Train up a child in the way he should go; 

and when he is old he will not depart from it.” 

This verse from Proverbs always reminds me of 

home. Everything about me, from my faith in the 

Lord to knowing how to care for other people, comes 

from my childhood and upbringing in Brandon. 

My earliest memories are of church and growing 

up on Rollingwood Drive, both sacred places to me. 

We lived next door to John & Dale Barr, who were 

like second parents to me, but our entire street was 

like one big family. I could often be found at the 

Barr’s, even at a young age. “Miss Am, does your 

mom know where you are?” Mrs. Dale would ask. “Yes, ma’am!” 

I would proudly exclaim. As if on cue, the Barr’s phone would ring 

ten minutes later (the rotary phone with the long cord, no less) 

“Is she over there?” “Yep, we’ve got her.” 

I also spent plenty of time at the Gasaway’s as well. Mrs. Faith 

would babysit me, though I think it became a joint effort of both her 

and Mr. Bobby. Her “Little People” collection was the best, and I spent 

countless hours playing in front of their fireplace in the winter and 

under their carport in the summer. The smell of the hydrangeas 

growing at the entrance to my neighborhood here in Waco always 

reminds me of the ones she had growing along the side of her house. 

These two ladies taught me so much about friendship, caring, 

giving of yourself, being joyful, and how to be a lady. 

Riding my bike, building forts, and jumping on a trampoline were 

wonderful ways to pass the time in the summer on Rollingwood. 

These activities were done until the sun went down–then you could 

always find the adults gathered on someone’s driveway in lawn chairs 

talking about the latest Brandon news until they couldn’t handle the 

mosquitoes any longer. I learned the true meaning of friendship here, 

and more importantly, I learned by example what it means to show 

true compassion for others. We really were like a family, and whenever 

someone lost a loved one, was forced to deal with an illness, or was just 

going through a hard time, everyone on 

the street rallied around them with love 

and support. I continually strive to show 

this by example not only to my daughters, 

but the students I now teach and work 

with at Baylor as well. 

Growing up in church at FBC Brandon 

also gave me the foundation for the things 

that are most important to me – faith, 

family, and friendships. It was here where 

I developed a deep understanding of 

unconditional Christian love and support, 

and I hope that I am an example of those 

things to people in my own church today. 

Beyond my family, my church family gave me 

an overwhelming sense of love and security, and my church home was 

such a place of joy for me during my childhood. Remembering Mr. 

Farley Earnest’s laugh or thinking of the countless miles Mr. Roy Lively 

drove us on the church bus (and always with a smile) makes my heart 

sing, even today. And watching the talented ladies in church assist with 

weddings, receptions, and banquets gave me such an appreciation for 

hospitality and attention to the little details. Mrs. Carol Swilley and 

Mrs. Lois Hardy are absolutely amazing with tulle and a little greenery. 

More importantly, they are two 

of the kindest and most talented 

women I know, and I appreciate 

all that they taught me about 

being a southern lady. 

I feel extremely blessed 

to have grown up in Brandon. 

Even now, after living in Texas 

for 21 years, when I talk about 

“home” my friends in Waco 

know exactly to where I am 

referring. “Home” will always 

be Brandon. ■ 


BHS 

Graduation 2015 





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Going Off Script 


There was quite a plot twist to Brandon 

High School’s 2003 spring musical production 

Annie Get Your Gun when the sharp shooting 

Annie Oakley, played by Jenny Jones, found 

herself falling for Chief Sitting Bull rather 

than Frank Butler, her scripted romance. 

The man beneath the feathered headdress 

was Kramer Sowell, a high school senior who 

had auditioned for the play as a prank. The 

joke was on Kramer, however, when he was 

the only one among his pranking accomplices 

who actually received a role in the play. Little 

did he know, that he was destined to become 

Papa Bull, the Indian chief who would 

commandeer the fair maiden’s heart. 

Kramer and Jenny started dating after the 

musical. After that, the two graduated from 

Brandon High School Bulldogs to Mississippi 

State University Bulldogs. Kramer earned a 

degree in agricultural education and Jenny 

went on to veterinary school. First came love, 

then came marriage, then Kramer and Jenny 

returned home to Brandon ten short years 

later where they would really begin their lives 

as Mr. and Mrs. Sowell. 

Jenny became a permanent veterinarian 

at Hometown Veterinary Clinic, and Kramer 

returned to his alma mater to work alongside 

his former mentor, Andy White, as an Ag 

Science teacher. Life became routine with work, 

family time, and Sunday morning worship at 

Crossgates Methodist Church. However, as 

Kramer and Jenny can testify, life never really 

follows a script. God is the ultimate playwright, 

and He never fails to amaze His children with 

wild plot twists. 

The already blissful holiday season of 

2014 gained a little more cheer when Jenny 

and Kramer found out they were pregnant. 

Overjoyed, the two revealed the pregnancy 

to their families on Christmas day. From then 

on, their weekly schedules would be interposed 

by doctor appointments, baby showers, and 

exciting newborn preparations. Their first 

sonogram appointment was scheduled for 

January 12, 2015. 

“I’ll see you at the baby appointment,” 

Jenny said to Kramer as he was leaving for 

work the morning of January 12th. Not long 

after his car had left the driveway, Jenny 

received a phone call from the Brandon Police 

Department. Kramer had been in a car 

accident, and was being cut out of his vehicle. 

“All I remember was the impact,” Kramer 

said, “and I remember the paramedics cutting 

my clothes off trying to get me out of the car.” 

Kramer was traveling west on highway 80 

when an SUV crashed full force into the 

driver’s side of his vehicle. 

In a mad rush to the University Medical 

Center, Jenny made frantic phone calls to 

family members. They all arrived to the 

hospital at different times to find Kramer 

bleeding and barely conscious in acute care. 

In the chaos of the emergency room, Kramer 

was able to say a few words to his wife. “I’m 

sorry. Go on and go to the baby appointment,” 

Kramer muttered. Jenny removed his 

wedding band in case his hands were to swell. 

Frightened and hurting, Jenny waited for any 

kind of news from the doctors. Ceaseless 

prayer filled the waiting room, pausing only 

for an update from the orthopedic surgeon 

and the doctors of internal medicine. 

Ten fractured ribs, a fractured tailbone, 

a left hip fractured in two places, facial 

fractures, a lacerated spleen, an air-filled 

chest, lung contusions, bruised kidneys, and 

internal bleeding–these were only the first 

of horrific trials Kramer would face in his 

recovery, that is, if he were to survive. Kramer 

was immediately sent to emergency surgery, 

and the doctors told Jenny and her family 

“This could go either way. We can’t paint you 

a pretty picture.” When the family asked 

doctors about Kramer’s chances of survival, 

they were given little hope. 

“Is this real?” Jenny asked herself over and 

over. For two hours, Jenny, with friends and 

family, prayed for healing, for strength, and 

for peace. Close to 70 people came to the 

hospital that night and formed a prayer circle. 

While Kramer was in the operating room, “a 


strange peace came over me that the Lord had 

made His decision,” Jenny explained. Kramer 

survived the surgery and was moved into ICU 

where he would continue his fight for survival 

with the support of a ventilator for another 

39 days. 

On one of Kramer’s worst evenings in the 

hospital, Jenny spent the night in his room 

trying to comfort him as he suffered violent 

hallucinations from medication. Sweating and 

exasperated, Kramer attempted to remove all 

his hospital tubes. Through every challenge, 

Jenny remained by her husband’s side–even 

when he could not remember who she was. 

Often, when Kramer could not respond to 

her, Jenny would turn on the hospital radio 

and play music from K-love, a Christian 

radio station. On this particular night, Jenny 

turned on the radio and prayed that the songs 

would bring Kramer peace. Once again God 

shined a light in that hospital room as Kramer 

began to softly sing along, “I delight myself 

in you, captivated by you. I’m overwhelmed, 

I’m overwhelmed.” 

Jennifer Wallace, Kramer and Jenny’s 

high school theater teacher, made a Facebook 

prayer group called “Prayers for Papa Bull.” 

Jenny posted updates on the page and the 

community responded with a flood of prayers 

and encouraging comments. When Kramer was 

in ICU, the most critical problems he faced 

were respiratory failure and internal bleeding. 

His blood pressure dropped dangerously low 

and Kramer lost nearly eight units of blood. 

In order for Kramer to come off the ventilator, 

his blood work needed to meet a specific level 

of 200. On the Facebook page, Jenny posted 

a status asking for prayers that Kramer’s 

levels would meet 200. The post garnered 

immediate response, and the next day, Kramer’s 

blood work was over 220. “To see the power of 

prayer unfold, first hand, showed me that God 

is so much bigger than all of this,” Jenny said, 

“That day, God took over and the bleed was 

completely gone.” 

Behind the scenes, Jenny continued to 

prepare for the new baby. While Kramer 

remained in ICU, Jenny and her mom attended 

all of the first trimester baby appointments 

together. 

After having his spleen removed and 

battling pneumonia, Clostridium Difficile, 

and a stroke, Kramer was finally released from 

ICU and moved to a regular hospital room. 

From then on, Kramer’s recovery moved 

quickly especially with the help of physical 

therapy at Methodist Rehabilitation. When 

Kramer began physical therapy, he said 

“I couldn’t even sit up. I had to be lifted out 

of the wheelchair with a sling.” 

After Kramer had shown significant 

progress, the family borrowed a handicap van 

and brought a very happy and excited Kramer 

along to Jenny’s sonogram appointment. For 

the first time together, Jenny and Kramer saw 

their precious baby on the screen. Jenny said, 

“It was the best feeling ever. Our family felt 

complete.” 

By God’s grace and with the help of some 

incredible doctors at Methodist Rehab, Kramer 

left physical therapy a few weeks later on his 

own two very capable feet – walking tall. He 

was expected to make a full recovery. 

Kramer’s homecoming could not have 

been any sweeter. Upon his arrival, he was 

surprised to find a new truck awaiting him in 

the driveway decorated with signs welcoming 

him back. And if that was not exciting enough, 

the Saturday after his return, the Sowells 

hosted a gender reveal party at their home 

where they cut the cake to expose layers of 

blue beneath the pretty white frosting. Sure 

enough, Jenny and Kramer were having a 

baby boy–due to arrive on August 19th. 

The ability to improvise is perhaps the 

greatest skill any superior actor can have as, 

inevitably, something goes wrong during every 

live performance. Wardrobe malfunctions, 

missing props, and forgotten lines could 

mean the downfall of an actor or the ruin of 

an entire play. The best actors know that 

“the show must go on” no matter what–and 

when confronted with an unscripted surprise, 

the actors get on their feet and make a good 

thing out of a wrong thing. A car accident 

was never a part of Jenny and Kramer’s script. 

Yet, out of an unforeseen tragedy came a 

testimony of God’s unfailing love and the 

awesome power of prayer. 

The Brandon community came together 

during the Sowell’s journey, and Jenny and 

Kramer continue to feel amazed and grateful 

for the community’s prayers and outstanding 

support. Today, Kramer lives to pass along his 

testimony and share his story with the world. 

God prepared Kramer to be Papa Bull, student, 

teacher, husband, and survivor. Now a new 

role awaits Kramer as a father, the most 

precious and cherished role in a man’s life. 

How beautiful a play God has written for 

Mr. and Mrs. Sowell. ■ 


22 • Summer 2015 

Don’t Miss 

Our Next Issue 

Fall 2015

–engagements– 

KatharineElizabethBise 

&ZacharyNeal Puckett 

The Honorable and Mrs. Carter O’Ferrall Bise of Gulfport, announce the 

engagement of their daughter, Katharine Elizabeth Bise to Zachary Neal Puckett, 

son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Frederick Puckett of Brandon. 

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Martha Renegar of Huntsville, 

and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schilling of Waveland. The prospective bridegroom 

is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Earblee Puckett of Jackson, and Mrs. Frances 

Shelton and the late Mr. Simmons Shelton of Brandon. 

Miss Bise is a 2006 graduate of Gulfport High School. She received her Bachelor 

of Arts in communication from Mississippi State University in 2010, where she was 

a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. She works for human resources at the 

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. 

Mr. Puckett is a 2007 graduate of Brandon High School. He earned a Bachelor 

of Science in kinesiology from Mississippi State University in 2011, where he was a 

member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He will graduate this May from the Hinds 

Community College nursing program. 

The couple will exchange vows July 4, 2015 at First Methodist Church Gulfport. 

A reception will immediately follow at Grass Lawn. Following a honeymoon in 

Cancun, the couple will reside in the Jackson area. 



H o m e t o w n L o v e 

brandon 

Terri McCarver 

A crazy move, many thought. Almost 

thirty years ago as newlyweds, Tommy and 

I began to look for a place to call home. 

Although Tommy was working in Clinton 

and I was working in Jackson, we decided 

to move to Brandon. The decision made no 

sense to many, but we were sold on the 

community and the school system. The 

only people at the time that we knew were 

my uncle and aunt, George and Frances 

Cumberland. 

Soon after arriving to Brandon, we began 

visiting churches and ended up at First 

Baptist. We had a wonderful Sunday school 

class that provided a community of young 

couples in a similar season of life. It was 

because of those deeply rooted friendships 

that we grew stronger as couples and then, 

later, as parents. Tommy and I maintain our 

friendships with several of those same 

couples today and still enjoy a great 

relationship with, John and Bobby Ashley, 

our teachers during those early years. 

When I think of Brandon and why I love 

it, what’s most apparent to me is its’ people. 

Tommy and I have friends ranging from 

those in their twenties to late eighties. 

Since our 3 girls are so spread out in age, 

we have been able to develop many 

relationships with their friends, as well as 

their parents. Although it’s not unusual to 

become close with the people in your same 

circle, we’ve always felt that Brandon has 

provided a unique environment to 

maintain those friendships. 

Brandon is also a town made up of 

people that support one another. Growing 

up, our girls knew they were loved by many, 

and enjoyed the encouragement that the 

Brandon community provided. Our family 

has spent countless hours on the ball field 

and tennis courts, and we’ve always loved 

how athletics provided so many with the 

opportunity to uplift one another. Bailey, 

our 17 year-old junior in high school 

explained in her own words, “Brandon has 

never failed to encourage and support its 

students in every task at hand. Whether it 

be a sporting event or a church function, 

there has yet to be a time where my 

community wasn’t sitting in the stands or 

standing behind me and I’m forever 

grateful for that.” It is evident that our BHS 

athletes aren’t just playing for the school, 

but instead the entire community. Our 

middle daughter Allison was able to 

recognize what her hometown meant to 

her during and after high school and used 

the inspiration to steer her career choice. 

Since graduating from Mississippi State in 

2013, she’s come home, teaches language 

arts at Brandon Middle School, and 

coaches for the Lady Dogs soccer team. 

The support that our community offers, 

however, extends beyond its athletes and 

actually reaches those in need. Whether it’s 

a crisis or a celebration, we love how the 

people of Brandon provide support and 

encouragement. Kayla, our oldest daughter 

and wife to Stephen Bryant, said, “I love 

that, in every season of my life, Brandon is 

a place that has offered support and a 

sense of community. I look forward to 

raising my children in such a wonderful 

place.” Kayla and Stephen are expecting 

their first child, and our first grandchild, in 

just a few short weeks. Already, we have 

seen our friends and neighbors loving them 

so well, reminding us of our experience 

that helped change a new city into a 

lifelong home. 

Although on several occasions 

throughout the years the opportunity to 

move has come along, the thought of 

actually going has never crossed our minds. 

The cost of leaving the friendships that 

we’ve developed will always be too high; 

and finally, after thirty years of living in 

Brandon, we can tell you that no decision 

has ever made more sense. ■ 



Hearing 

Hearts 

with their 


A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience says people 

who are born deaf are compensated with other enhanced abilities. 

For Keith and Suzanne Salter, both deaf from birth, 

that enhanced ability has to be their extraordinary hearts. 

Their positive outlook on life, and their 

achievement in the midst of what some might 

call adversity, are astounding. 

Keith and Suzanne are still sweethearts after 

meeting and falling in love at Hinds Community 

College. Suzanne recalls with detail the day her 

roommate attempted to persuade her to go 

on a blind date with one of her friends. Suzanne 

explained, “First she said that he was deaf like 

me, then tall and very smart. Then she added, 

‘He’s red-headed.’ I told her, ‘No thank you.’” The 

couple paused to laugh at the well-kept memory. 

A week later, Suzanne’s friend pointed out 

Keith on campus. “He was good looking!” 

Suzanne said. She quickly became much more 

interested in the blind date. 

Today they are role models as a devoted 

married couple, parents and active church 


members. Their journey has been challenging. 

Both are grateful for the support and sacrifices of 

their parents. Even with caring parents, Suzanne said 

that growing up in a silent world was tough. “We 

missed out on a lot. My parents carried me to church, 

but I didn’t hear the Sunday School lessons, music 

or sermons. 

We had no interpreters or advanced technology 

like what’s available today. We were able to read lips, 

but as teenagers we couldn’t listen to music like our 

friends, and if you rode with friends after dark, we 

didn’t know what they were saying because we 

couldn’t see their lips.” 

Keith nodded in agreement as he watched Suzanne. 

He added how his parents never let his hearing 

disability be an excuse for not leading a normal life. 

From age four to seven he was enrolled at Magnolia 

Speech School where he learned to read lips and 

from there attended public schools in Brandon. 

He graduated from Delta State on a swimming 

scholarship and earned his occupational therapist 

degree from Texas Medical School. Suzanne graduated 

from University of Southern Mississippi with a graphic 

arts degree. 

When Suzanne was pregnant with their first child 

Ryan, family members were deeply concerned that the 

child would be deaf. During the pregnancy, Suzanne 

had noticed that the church music (which she couldn’t 

hear) made her unborn jump and kick. “I knew he was 

hearing the music,” she said, and she was right. Two 

years later their second son, Reed, was born – also 

with perfect hearing. 

Two and a half years ago the Salters were thrilled 

with the birth of their third child, Julianna. In the first 

few weeks of checkups, doctors detected problems 

with the soft spot on her head. They still remember 

the somber meeting with Dr. Roland. “He had tears 

in his eyes when he diagnosed Julianna’s condition 

– Pseudo-Torch Syndrome – only the sixth person in the 

world to be diagnosed with the rare disease.” 

Keith continued, “He said there would be no quality 

of life with high risk for seizures.” Suzanne went home 

and cried for three days – nonstop. 

Then came the supernatural experience like a 

whisper from God. “Stop crying,” He said, “She’s going 

to be alright.” From that experience and their strong 

foundation of faith in their Creator, they accepted the 

challenge of raising the daughter God had given them. 

Julianna is in second grade at Stonebridge, a great 

reader and loves games on her iPad. She only knows 

mobility strictly from a wheelchair or her parents’ arms. 

Her parents know they have difficult days ahead. 

Julianna has begun to ask why she can’t run like the 

others on the playground. Still, their positive attitudes 

shine through. They have faith that Julianna’s condition 

will improve as they devote hours each day to care 

and physical therapy. They also know and accept that 

God has given Julianna to them for a purpose. 

Ryan is a junior at Brandon High School and on 

the soccer team along with his younger brother, Reed, 

a ninth grader. They were awarded leadership and 

citizenship awards this year as well as high academic 

scores. The brothers agree that living with deaf parents 

has been different but not a bad thing. “It seems normal 

for us,” they said. They also agree that their dad is the 

stronger disciplinarian of their parents. 

Ryan said about Julianna, “I’m thankful for her. She’s 

taught me that we often take too much for granted. 

And I’m quick to notice other kids with special needs.” 

An essential night light flickers in Julianna’s room if 

she calls out in the night. It serves as the Salters’ alarm 

system for their daughter. The boys flip the ceiling lights 

off and on when they want their parents’ attention. 

And when God wants their attention, He simply 

whispers...and Keith and Suzanne hear. ■ 



30 • Summer 2014 2015

A Community of Faith called to 

love others the way God loves us 

Join us for Worship each Sunday 

8:30am & 10:30am 

DINNER & A CANVAS 

June 24th @ 5:30pm 

Dinner- $6 | Canvas Art- $18 

Sign up @ crossgatesumc.org 

Sunday, August 9th 

FALL KICK OFF 

Food & Fun for All AGES 

with Blessing of the Backpacks 

23 Crossgates Drive | Brandon, MS 39042 

601.825.8677 | crossgatesumc.org 


In Search of an 

Outdoor 

Solution 

Steve Harrell, a landscape architect with Outdoor Solutions 

was asked to review the existing site conditions and make 

improvements to the front entrance, rear courtyard, and 

overall site experience of a local Brandon home. The owner 

wanted the house and grounds to have a unified composition and 

character with defining features to reinforce and support the classical 

references of the Georgian architecture. The rear courtyard and pool 

lacked order and needed to better connect with the porch and house. 

The planting, irrigation, and lighting needed a complete renovation. 

The project required a major overhaul of the outdoor space to 

compliment the architecture. The existing driveway provided access 

but lacked a sense of style. Guests were originally directed to an 

undersized two-car parking pad and then forced to travel a long and 

narrow walk to the front door. 

The existing driveway was modified to guide visitors to the front 

entrance where they could enjoy strategic views to the house and lush 

mature landscaping. 



The new motor court offers a grand scaled entry feature and 

compliments the classical architecture. The courtyard’s geometries, 

materials, and ornamental plantings provide a classical and formal 

foreground element. Paving recalls the granite cobble stoned 

carriage courtyards of bygone estates. Garden walls, mature formal 

trees, and lush plantings interface the architecture to the site and 

create an appropriate sense of scale and place. 

The existing rear yard featured a pool that had settled over 

the years creating out of level conditions and drainage issues. 

The pool’s form and materials did not complement the architecture 

and surrounding plantings were overcrowded, stressed, and lacked 

color and visual interest. 

Steve’s design addressed all the issues and would capture the 

spirit of place and bring it to its full potential. The plan called 

for a complete renovation of the pool as the major focal point to 

anchor the courtyard. Raised planters and special paving allude to 

a reconfiguring of the pools shape to create structured geometries, 

balance, and order. Fountains integrated into the paving provide 

audio and visual enhancement and lush plantings reinforce the 

pools location and primary focal point status. Brick garden walls 

helped to define the space and included a flowering vine cladded 

trellis and garden urn feature. Generous paving of bluestone, brick, 

and special finished concrete provide a generous amount of space 

for garden entertaining and lush plantings with special garden 

accents define edges while providing year round seasonal interest. 

Outdoor Solutions provided landscape architectural design 

services and construction documents. They also managed the 

project and constructed all site elements which included: 

demolition, grading and drainage, site layout, paving, pool 

renovation, brick and stone masonry, trellis, fencing, planting, 

irrigation, and garden lighting. ■ 



serving our community 

Samantha Raner 

brandon Fire Department 

Why did you decide to become a fireman? 

I grew up around a volunteer fire department with 

my dad being a volunteer fireman as well as my mom 

volunteering as support personnel and I was a junior 

volunteer firefighter. But I didn't consider being a 

firefighter as a career until my second year of college 

when I enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician 

program. I became very interested in becoming a 

part of the emergency response world and, due to 

my roots with volunteering as a firefighter, the 

challenge it presented and being able to be a part 

of such an amazing brotherhood was very appealing 

to me. I found that firefighting was the next 

opportunity God was presenting to me and I went 

after it whole-heartedly. I am blessed to be a part of 

this brotherhood. 

How long have you been with the 

Brandon fire department? 

I have been with the department full-time for a year 

and a half now. 

What do you enjoy most about your 

typical day as a fireman? 

I enjoy going to work, catching up, and talking in the 

mornings after the truck is checked. I also enjoy the 

training we do together but, along with that, every 

day, no matter how big or small, we have the ability 

to make a difference in someone’s life. 

What is the toughest thing you have 

experienced as a fireman? 

You are presented with difficult scenarios many 

times throughout your career as a firefighter and 

some stick with you longer than others. We cope 

with them as a family at the department–it helps 

us move past. In my short career so far, there have 

only been two significant events that stick with me. 

No need for details. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have an amazing and extremely supportive family, 

Lord knows I would be lost without them. They have 

played a large part in helping me to achieve my 

goals and press on towards new ones as well as 

helping me develop into the person I have become 

today. My fiancée is very understanding and 

supportive of the job that I have chosen, and let me 

say, that is not an easy task. I am extremely blessed 

to have the family I do. 

Share some things that you enjoy in your 

spare time. 

I love the outdoors and sports. I have five horses 

I enjoy riding and doing competitions. I enjoy 

spending time with my family and friends. 

What do you consider your greatest 

achievement/accomplishment and why? 

My dad taught me, growing up, to set goals, achieve 

them and then set new ones. He said there’s nothing 

you can’t accomplish when you set your mind to it. 

Among those achievements, a couple stand out 

including starting as a freshman on the Mississippi 

College soccer team, completing a 900 mile 

trail-ride on horseback from Decatur City, Iowa to 

Hermanville, Mississippi and the completion of the 

Mississippi State Fire Academy. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

My father. No matter what I’ve ever wanted to do, 

no matter how seemingly impossible it may have 

seemed at the time, my dad has always said, “Go for 

it. You can do it if you set your mind to it. I’ll be right 

here.” My mom has not only been an amazing 

supporter but is probably one of my very best friends. 

I wouldn’t trade that for anything in this world. 

What is your favorite holiday and why? 

I love Christmas. I love celebrating Christ’s birthday 

with a season of giving, selflessness, family and 

traditions. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

Roads trips on the weekend for soccer tournaments 

and our family Dauphin Island vacations. 

What is the biggest mistake you think 

young people make today? 

Not listening and expecting things to be handed to 

them rather than being earned. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a 

young person, what would it be? 

Make wise choices, work hard in everything you do, 

and never settle. Dream big and aim high. Be yourself 

and believe in God. 

What is most rewarding about your job? 

Being able to make a difference on the worst day of 

someone’s life and providing help to those in need. 


BRANDon's finest 

Chase Beemon 

brandon police Department 

How long have you been with 

the Brandon PD? 

My career began at the Brandon Police 

Department as a dispatcher where I 

worked my way to becoming a police 

officer. I have now been employed with 

them for four years. 

Why did you decide to be a 

policeman? 

While earning my degree, and taking 

courses in criminal justice, I realized that 

law enforcement was a career that I would 

like to pursue and was one that I would 

enjoy doing day in and day out. 

Tell us about your family. 

I am the dedicated husband to a beautiful 

wife that is a full-time student to become 

a registered nurse and has the ambition to 

further her degree from there. Together, 

we have a handsome five-year old that is 

100% boy who enjoys spending his time 

outdoors fishing and looking for deer 

antlers. 

What is the toughest thing you 

have experienced in your job? 

Not being able to help everyone that 

I come in contact with for reasons that 

are out of my control. 

Share some things you enjoy doing 

in your spare time. 

I have one main hobby that I’m truly 

passionate about. It involves me, my bow 

“Clara Bell” #mathewsnocam, a quiet stand 

about 30 feet off the ground at 4am and 

the hopes that I get a glimpse of the stud 

buck I have been chasing all year. This is a 

year long hobby between food plots and 

further preparation. 

What are three things on your 

bucket list? 

Explore different countries with my family. 

Go on multiple exotic hunting expeditions. 

Travel the waterfowl migration and hunt 

the Mississippi flyway from start to finish. 

Who is someone you admire 

and why? 

I admire my grandfather. He has had stage 

three-lung cancer for over a year and if you 

were to see him working in his garden you 

would never know anything was wrong. 

He is hands down the strongest man I have 

ever known. 

Where do you see yourself ten 

years from now? 

Hopefully progressing my career with the 

Brandon Police Department and serving 

the community I call home. 

If you could give one piece of 

advice to a young person, what 

would it be? 

The actions that you make today will 

influence the person you become 

tomorrow. 

What is a favorite childhood 

memory? 

Spending long days on the water fishing 

and goofing off with my friends and family. 

What is your favorite thing about 

the City of Brandon? 

I have made my home here. This is where 

my son attends school and I feel my family 

will prosper here. All of these reasons keep 

me passionate about preserving Brandon 

as the wholesome community it is today. 



90 

is the 

new 

60 

Age is just a 

number and 

Esther 

Stikeleather Mitchell 

Fabbricante 

proves it. 

When a new doctor, Charles “Charlie” 

Mitchell, and his wife Esther moved to 

Brandon in 1958, it was the talk of the 

small town. The family had three children, 

Charla, Sherri, and Greg. Charlie and 

Esther tied the record for having the 

most children when he graduated in 1957 

in the first class from the newly-formed 

University of Mississippi Medical Center 

in Jackson. 

In 1958 Charlie bought the only house 

for sale in Brandon and opened his general 

medical practice with Dr. W. H. Watson 

in his clinic in an old house near the 

downtown Brandon square. Esther and 

Charlie soon added two more children, 

Lisa in 1959 and Fran in 1961. 

Charla Mitchell Jordan 


Esther said, “Right after we moved to 

Brandon, I took bridge lessons, since all 

the women in Brandon played bridge. I’ve 

enjoyed bridge ever since, and I have even 

taught bridge classes. I am still in a bridge club, 

and I play online bridge almost every day.” 

The family enjoys hearing stories about 

how Dr. Mitchell delivered their babies, 

stitched their cuts, and made house calls. 

Brandon High School football players 

remember him as the team doctor. When 

Dr. Mitchell died suddenly in 1966 at the age 

of 41, Esther was left with five children, ages 

five to 17. She had worked until Dr. Mitchell 

opened his medical practice in Brandon. After 

his death, she went back to work teaching 

piano and organ at home and then was 

employed by the Rankin Medical Center 

and the U. S. Veteran’s Administration. One 

morning on her way to work she saw that Dr. 

Mitchell’s office, which she had sold to a law 

firm, had been burned down as an exercise by 

the Brandon Fire Department. She raised her 

children for 12 years as a single mother until 

she married Dr. Salvatore Fabbricante in 1978. 

Knowing how Esther spends her time 

today gives you an idea of why her children 

all have great organizational skills. She 

creates and maintains distribution lists in 

her Outlook email program, keeps in touch 

with friends all over the world via email and 

Facebook, keeps a daily journal in Word 

that she emails to family and friends, uses 

Excel spreadsheets, uses a digital camera 

and uploads photos to her computer, plays 

Words With Friends on her iPhone, plays 

bridge online and with clubs, is the recording 

secretary and proof reader for several groups, 

and belongs to several organizations. And 

if you can’t remember someone’s name or 

family relationship, just ask her.

“I don’t feel like I’m 90. 

In fact, I feel more like 60.” 

Christmas 2014 • First row ( 5 grandchildren, one great grandson ) 

Cole McIntyre, Shannon McIntyre Hooper, Lindsey Mitchell McShea with son Jack, 

Charla Lindley Howard, Chelsea Lindley Ragland. 

Second row (Esther’s children in birth order) Charla Jordan, Sherri Mitchell-Snider, Esther, 

Greg Mitchell, Lisa Lindley, Fran Johnson. Third row (in-laws) John Jordan, Greg Hooper, 

Tom Snider, Mike McShea, Mary Dale Mitchell, Chandler Ragland, Giles Lindley, Rick Johnson. 

Mother’s Day 2015 

On May 9, 2015 Esther’s family celebrated 

her 90th birthday with a party at the Brandon 

Senior Center. They presented a musical 

production involving all the family members 

singing hit songs from the milestone years of 

her life from 1925 to 1978. A highlight of the 

party was the presentation of a book published 

by her great-nephew Greg Stikeleather and 

dedicated to Esther. 

The book, Common Blood, Revelations of 

Humanity from the American Civil War, is a 

compilation of memoirs written by John 

Alexander Stikeleather, Esther’s great uncle. 

The book was published on her birthday, 

May 8, 2015, and she received the first copy 

of a preliminary special edition that was 

shipped overnight and delivered the morning 

of her party. 

The musical talent in the family is not an 

accident. Esther is a talented pianist. Her 

father was a minister, and she played piano 

and directed congregational singing in church 

beginning at age ten. She graduated from 

Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, 

with a degree in speech and minors in music 

and Spanish. Upon moving to Brandon, she 

immediately volunteered to be the pianist, 

organist, and a member of two choirs at 

Brandon First United Methodist Church. 

Over the years she encouraged all of her 

children to take piano lessons and to be in 

church choirs, school choruses, and band. 

Her children, and now her grandchildren, 

are very involved in music in their churches 

and communities. 

When Esther spoke at the conclusion of 

the musical program, she said, “I don’t feel like 

I’m 90. In fact, I feel more like 60.” And she 

told everyone to put May 8, 2025 on their 

calendars for her 100th birthday party! ■ 


42 • Summer 2014 2015


Isn’t Free 

Patriotism has led Brad Howe far in his military career, and he has 


brought an immense pride to his country and to his family. But freedom 

comes at a cost, and no one knows that better than a true military wife. 

“Deployment” tends to be one of those 

dreaded words military wives hope not 

to hear. Knowing deployment was a part 

of the deal, Beth said “I do” to her lifelong 

best friend Brad Howe, a Lieutenant 

Colonel in the Mississippi Army National 

Guard. Their relationship began when 

they were in junior high, working at 

the YMCA day camp in Brandon for a 

humble $2 a day. Married for nearly 24 

years, Mr. and Mrs. Howe have two sons, 

Scott and Zac, and live happily in their 

childhood town of Brandon, Mississippi. 

This military family has undoubtedly felt 

the heartache of missing an active duty 

husband and father, but their family 

has grown closer because of it. Every 

moment they share together is precious. 

Brad and Beth attended Mississippi 

State together where Brad studied to 

be an engineer and Beth pursued her 

major in elementary education. After 

being introduced to the Mississippi State 

ROTC by a fellow fraternity brother, Brad 

decided to change course. He graduated 

with a business degree and joined the 

Army National Guard. Right after college 

in 1991, Brad and Beth married and 

their little family-of-two began traveling 

from base to base where Brad would 

prepare for his years in active duty. Fort 

Rucker to Fort Polk to Fort Hood, then 

back again to Fort Rucker, Brad and 


Beth went together. Along the way, their 

first son, Scott, was born and not long 

after, Brad was sent to Korea for training. 

Beth and the baby returned to their 

beloved town of Brandon to settle in, 

join a church family and wait anxiously 

for Brad’s return. Brad returned nearly 

a year later, only to continue his last bit 

of training for 6 months in Fort Rucker, 6 

months in Honduras, then back to Fort 

Rucker, and finally, he was off to active 

duty. Beth continued teaching at Rouse 

Elementary for 10 years, and she and 

Brad welcomed their second son, 

Zac in 2003. 

Brad is an active duty Lieutenant 

Colonel in the Mississippi Army National 

Guard 185th Unit Aviation Brigade. He 

flies helicopters, and jumps out of planes 

despite his genuine fear of heights. 

Beth said “He jumps out of planes but 

he will not climb a tree with a tree 

climber.” Brad has served his country 

now for 26 years with several active 

duty assignments and deployments 

in Iraq and a current deployment in 

Kuwait where he is working to build 

peace relations. Brad’s service has not 

only brought pride to the United States 

and the city of Brandon, but especially 

to Beth and their two sons. FaceTime 

and email keep Brad in touch with his 

family while he is away. Beth and the 


oys always look forward to a call from 

Brad where they can see his smile and 

share the day’s events. Recently, their 

youngest son Zac was confirmed at 

their church. Brad was able to view the 

ceremony all the way in Kuwait through 

FaceTime. Brad appeared on the screens 

at the front of the church, and watched 

lovingly as his son confirmed his faith 

before the congregation. “The entire 

congregation was so moved,” a fellow 

church member shared. “There was not 

a dry eye in the room.” 

When Brad was deployed to Iraq, 

Beth decided the time had come for 

a change in her own life. She left the 

public school system and applied for 

the position of Preschool Director at 

Brandon Methodist Kindergarten. She 

got the job and is now nearing her 11th 

year as Preschool Director. Beth also 

serves at Brandon First United Methodist 

as the Church Children’s Coordinator. 

“My church is an incredible source of 

support and encouragement when Brad 

is deployed,” Beth shared. In her church, 

Beth feels the natural community of 

Brandon as fellow members pray for 

their family and offer constant support 

and encouragement. While Brad was in 

Iraq, a group of church friends prepared 

and delivered meals for the family twice 

a week. Right now, as Brad is serving 

in Kuwait, the students from Brandon 

Methodist Kindergarten are collecting 

items to send to the soldiers. 

Brad’s homecomings always entail 

celebration and a big family get 

together. The boys make signs and 

excitedly await a hug from their dad. 

One year, Brad was able to finish his 

deployment in Iraq a few days early 

and he arrived home on Christmas Eve. 

“It was the most special Christmas,” Beth 

said. When Brad is home, he loves going 

to Brandon High School football games, 

and he enjoys anything outdoors. More 

than anything, Brad truly loves spending 

every moment with his family. As for 

now, Brad’s friends and family anxiously 

await his return from Kuwait in late 

2015. Undoubtedly, a big celebration 

awaits him. 

“If you ask Brad why he does what 

he does, he will tell you that it is his job”, 

Beth explained. “But it is truly a calling 

he has had to be in the military.” 

Positivity, determination, and 

patriotism have led Brad far in his 

military career, and he has brought 

immense pride to his country and to his 

family. Freedom comes at a cost, and 

no one knows that better than a true 

military wife. Beth has fulfilled many 

vocations in her life as wife, mom, 

teacher, preschool director, children’s 

coordinator, and sometimes even dad. 

Every job she has, Beth does with faith 

and love. “God is my number one source 

of support,” Beth says. “My family, my 

church, and especially my children 

encourage me daily.” A soldier and a 

preschool director, both thankless yet 

incredibly important jobs, have not only 

made the city of Brandon proud, but also 

the entire country. Without people like 

them, the United States would not be the 

land of the free. Thank you, Brad and 

Beth for making this country truly the 

home of the brave. 


Airman Hack Walston Lt. Cdr. Scott Landrum Captain Joe Hunt 

Airman II (ret.) Hack Walston is a long time Brandon, 

Mississippi resident and a veteran of the United 

States Air Force. Hack’s service began when he 

enlisted in 1957, after the end of the Korean War, 

and in the middle of The Cold War. On his first 

day as a raw recruit at the Lackland Airforce Base 

in San Antonio, Texas, Hack learned a valuable 

lesson–a recruit needed permission to do 

everything but breathe. Nonetheless, Hack did 

survive basic training then moved on to serve at 

Galena Air Force Base in Alaska. For Hack, this 

was the highlight of his Air Force Career, despite 

the obvious cold temperature and dialect barrier 

any Southern Mississippi boy would experience 

in Alaska. “I was a radar reader, a part of Air Craft 

Control and Warning.” Hack said, “It was our job 

to keep track of all air activity in northern Alaska 

and have interceptors at the ready.” From the 

control center, Hack and his team would send 

airplanes out to scramble the Russians until the 

Russians would run out of fuel. One night, a 

plane was flying across the radar a little too fast. 

Not knowing who was flying the aircraft, the 

Control Center at Hack’s base sent out jets and 

scrambled the unidentified fast-moving airplane. 

Upon spotlighting the airplane’s pilot, it was 

determined that it was just a priest flying a private 

plane. All ended well in that situation, but the 

poor priest was surely frightened. Hack retired 

from the Air Force in 1961 as an Airman Second, 

having gained a little maturity and a lot of 

experience. Hack said, “I enjoyed my term in 

the Air Force. After that, I went to college, and 

I guess the rest is history.” 

Lieutenant Commander (ret.) Scott Landrum CHC 

is a 5 year resident of Brandon, Mississippi, and 

is the current Pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church. 

He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps 

and the United States Navy. Scott enlisted in the 

Marine Corps after high school, in 1985. He 

endured boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina 

which he described as absolutely terrifying. “But 

like most things,” he said “you adjust.” While in 

seminary, Scott explored the Navy Chaplain Corps 

and eventually took a direct commission into the 

Navy Reserve as a chaplain during the Global 

War on Terror. He was stationed at the United 

States military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany for 

a year, and was stationed in Iraq for a short time. 

Scott described the scene in Iraq as that of any 

normal city with a Taco Bell and a Burger King. 

However, the jets, smoke, and uncomfortably 

nearby “booms” constantly reminded him he was 

in a war zone. In Germany and Iraq, Scott spent 

many long hours ministering to injured soldiers, 

and mourning families. When Hurricane Katrina 

hit, Scott was assigned to the Coast Guard. He 

considers this one the most unforgettable 

moments in his military career. Vividly, Scott 

remembers the chaotic, devastated environment 

of New Orleans half submerged in water and 

practically turned upside down. “Yet,” Scott said 

“in the midst of all the chaos, at the end of the 

day back at the base, men and women from the 

Coast Guard, Navy, and the New Orleans Police 

Department gathered with me around Holy 

Communion. It was a healthy reminder that God 

was still in control and He is good.” Scott retired 

from service in November of 2012. From his 

experience, Scott gained selflessness and 

perseverance. “Most importantly,” Scott said “the 

military taught me to be on time!” 

Captain (ret.) Joe Hunt is a veteran of the United 

States Air Force. He Enlisted in 1959, completed 

basic training, then was immediately sent to Russian 

Language Training at Syracuse, University for 

nine months. Then, he was sent to radio operator 

equipment training school in Texas. After that, 

Joe was sent to a little base in Hof, Germany to 

put his training to work. Joe arrived in Germany 

on a slow moving train. Outfitted in full uniform, 

he was the only American military guy on the 

train. Unsure of just how welcomed he would be 

by the Germans, Joe sat quietly starving on the 

11 hour train ride to Hof, until finally a little old 

German lady sitting across from him took pity 

and gave joe a couple of pears out of a basket 

she was carrying. Joe said, “Pears never tasted 

so good!” According to Joe, Hof turned out to 

be a very welcoming place. Joe fell in love with 

Hof and all things German. He said, “I eventually 

married one of them and she puts up with me still 

after 51 years.” In Germany, Joe’s job was to listen 

in to Soviet Pilots as they flew around their side 

of the border and communicated with ground 

controllers. Joe was on duty when the first 

Russian Cosmonaut was sent into orbit. He 

listened to a guy talk for a short time while he 

was in range. He mostly talked how the weather 

appeared from up there. “The most memorable 

thing,” Joe said “was how clear the transmission 

was. The cosmonaut was apparently wearing 

one of those fishbowl things over his head with 

a really good microphone.” Today, Joe accredits 

many of his accomplishments to the skills, 

knowledge, and character he gained from serving 

in the military. Captain Joe Hunt retired in January 

of 1980 after 21 years of service. “Aside from the 

family separations and things like that,” he said, 

“I loved pretty much all of it.” 

Hometown Brandon Salutes our 

Hometown Heroes 



BRANDON PUBLIC LIBRARY 

1475 W. GOVERNMENT ST • (601) 825-2672 

June-July-August Events 

Displays for June and July, and August 

Breyer Horse Collection by Ashley Richie 

Native American Dolls by Sharon Shelton 

June 1-July 11, Youth Services Summer Reading Activities 

Every Hero Has a Story! Come learn about being a superhero in your 

community. Earn your Super Reader Certificate. Win Braves tickets, gift 

cards and more throughout the Summer Reading Program. AND, if you 

meet your reading goal, you can win a CAPE made by the Brandon 

Quilters. We will meet in the Large Meeting Room for most activities. 

Contact the Children’s Department at 601-825-2672. 

Mondays, 10:30am 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29 

SUMMER READING - TODDLER TIME EVERY HERO HAS A STORY! 

Come join us for stories, songs and finger plays for ages 0-2 years. 

Mondays, 1pm 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29 

SUPER HERO MOVIES - Call the library for titles 

Tuesdays, 3pm SUMMER READING - Kid Connection 

6/2 Come learn about being a superhero in your community 

with the Brandon Fire Department. 

6/9 Learn about the science of superheroes using experiments with 

Venture teacher, Donna Mabus. 

6/16 Learn how to eat like a Superhero with Natashia Haynes of the 

Home Extension Service. 

6/23 Stand up against bullying with Bethani Grace Alman, “Miss 

Mississippi Jr. High.” 

6/30 Come meet a true animal hero with Jo Beth Britt and her therapy 

dog, “Speedy.” 

7/7 Come for a hands-on demonstration of fire safety with Brad Smith 

and his interactive Fire Trailer. 

Wednesdays, 10:30am SUMMER READING - Preschool Story Time 

Superheroes in our community. Every Hero Has a Story! 

6/3 Natural Science Museum with Charles Williams 

6/10 Learn about the “Super Power” of friendship and kindness with 

Bethani Grace Alman, “Miss Mississippi Jr. High”. 

6/17 Help protect the earth with M-Dot’s “Myrtle the Turtle”. 

6/24 Sparky the Dog and the Brandon Fire Department will teach you 

how to be a Superhero in your own community. 

7/1 How to care for and be safe with animals. 

7/8 The “Library League” will entertain you with a Superhero puppet show. 

Thursdays, 6pm SUMMER READING - Family Night 

6/4 Karate from Lee’s Martial Arts Academy 

6/11 Animal Avengers wildlife from all over the world with unique abilities 

6/18 Magic Show with Dorian Michaels 

6/25 Inky the Clown 

7/2 Night-Puppet Show 

7/9 Carnival Games, Prizes, Food, and Community Heroes that will show 

you their Super Powers! 

Youth Services Activities, July 13-August 31 

Mondays, 10:30am Toddler Time 

Come join us for stories, songs and finger plays for ages 0-2 years. 

Tuesdays, 3pm Kid Connection 

7/14 The Bald Eagle 

7/21 The Invention of Bubble Gum 

7/28 Let’s learn about bugs 

Tuesdays, 4 pm Kid Connection 

8/4 Sky Color 

8/11 Spy Shapes in Art 

8/18 How Mississippi got its shape 

8/25 Ben Franklin and his magic square 

Wednesdays, 10:30am Preschool Story Time 

Songs, stories, and crafts for preschoolers aged 3-5. 

Family Night - Thursday 8/27, 6 pm Join our Back to School Fun Night! 

TEEN Activities June 1-August 31 

Mondays, 3:30pm SUMMER READING Teens-Unmask 

6/1 Build your own superhero (or villain!) in our Library League. 

6/8 Creating the Library League city we are sworn to protect! Be prepared 

to get messy! 


6/15 Janet Paczak will lead this puppet show workshop using our Library 

League aliases. 

6/22 It’s Trivia Night! Let’s see how much you know about literary heroes, 

historical heroes, and of course, superheroes! Eat, drink, and win! Prizes 

will be awarded at the teen finale party. 

6/29 Unmask yourself! What kind of superhero you want to be and what 

about a costumes? 

Friday, 7/10, 2:30pm UNMASK! It’s our Grand Finale Party! 

Monday 7/20 and 8/17, 5pm Teen Game Night 

Play Apples to Apples, Man Bites Dog and more! Come join us for 

snacks, drinks, and fun! 

Saturdays, 12 noon, Gaming Day A New activity for Teens & Young Adults 

6/27 Card Game Day Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh 

7/25 Come try out new games with us. Let’s try Mario Cart! 

8/15 Role Playing Games Dungeons and Dragons, You must pre-register. 

Tuesday 6/22, 7/27, 8/24, 1 pm Extra-Ordinary Writers’ Club 

Join other local writers as we read each other’s work, and help each 

other improve. Open to teens and young adults. 

June 1-July 11, Adult Summer Reading Activities 

Sign up for Adult Summer Reading and check out 6 books to receive a 

Tote Bag from the Friends of the Brandon Library. 

Tuesday 6/20, 1pm Bingo Bash for Adults 

Summer Reading Bingo - Come for fun, refreshments and prizes! 

Tuesday (6/23), 6pm For your Eyes Only - Social Security for Women 

Deciding when to file for Social Security and how to go about it can be a 

difficult task. This informative session will answer many of your questions. 

Regular Weekly Adult Events 

Mondays, 6 pm Dulcimer Group Bring your own dulcimer and let’s jam. 

Tuesdays, 9 am Free Computer Classes Pre-registration requested. 

6/2 Word, 6/9 Advanced Word, 6/16 Excel, 6/23 PowerPoint 

7/14 Tips and Tricks for your iPhone 7/21 Understanding the cloud or 

iCloud. What are the costs and safety factors?, 7/28 eBooks and Freegal 

Music: Learn to use the CMRLS eBooks system for eBooks and audio 

books. Learn to download free music from our website using Freegal. 

Thursdays, 1 pm BYOP Bring Your Own Project daytime crafting group. 

Thursdays, 6 pm Creative Crafters Join us as we learn and craft together. 

Monthly Adult Events and Meetings 

First Monday of the Month 

Brandon Quilters, 6pm Cozy up with the Brandon Quilters. 

Second Monday of the Month 

The New Brandon Library Book Club 6/8, 7/13, 8/10, 10:30am 

Stop by and discuss this month’s book. 

6/8 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 

Second Monday of the month 

Beading Class, 4 and 6pm Please pre-register. 

6/8 Beading Class Bracelet - Peyote in a pattern, $6 supply fee 

7/13 Beading Class Christmas in July, $5 supply fee 

8/10 Beading Class Square Stitch Bracelet, $4 supply fee 

Third Tuesday of the month 

6pm in July and August, Friends of the Brandon Library Meeting 

Second Wednesday of the month 

1pm in June and July, 10:30 am in August V.V.A. Meeting 

Join local veterans for their monthly meeting! 

First Thursday of the month 

6/4, 7/2, 8/6, 10:30am, Genealogy Club 

Special Adult Events 

Saturdays 6/6, 7/11, 8/8, 10 am Community Quilt Workdays 

Tuesdays 6/9, 7/7 and Thursday, 8/6, 6 pm Brandon Coin Club 

Saturdays 6/13, 7/11, 8/8, 10:30am Sign Language Class Learn to speak 

with your hands! Free class. Pre-registration suggested. 

Tuesday 6/16, 10:30am Working with Family Tree Maker, Ancestry.com 

and Heritage Quest. Email brgen@cmrls.lib.ms.us for any questions. 

7/28, 7pm Rankin County Historical Society Meeting 

Speaker Tricia Raymond - History of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

8/1, 11 am Homeschooling 101 Covering the basics in how to legally 

home school in Mississippi, find materials, and support groups. 

Saturday 8/17, 6pm, Painting with Carla Nations $6 supply fee. 

Please register. 

The library will be closed July 4 and July 6 for Independence Day 

______________________________________________________ 

Brandon Public Library is part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, which serves 

Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties.

Growing to meet our community’s needs. 

Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center's new therapy gym 

is now open for inpatient and outpatient therapy. 

335 Crossgates Blvd • Brandon Ms 

601.825.3192 •Fax 601.825.6398 

Dr. David Watson 

601.824.9909 • 1037 Star Road • Brandon, MS 

Office Hours: 7:30am-6pm M-F • 8 am - 12 noon Sat 

www.BrandonVetClinic.com 


I love that Brandon 

has that great oldtown 

feeling to it with its town 

square, historic buildings, and 

churches on every corner. But 

I also love that there is so much 

evidence of economic growth 

with great small businesses 

and new places to eat. Most 

of all, I love that it is home to 

an excellent school system 

that the community loves and 

supports. – Trey Rein 

I love the camaraderie 

of Brandon and how we 

are all able to come together 

for good causes. 

– Greg Brassfield 

What I love most 

about living in Brandon 

are the friendships I’ve 

made and my school. 

– Cooper Stroud 

What I love most 

about Brandon 

My favorite thing 

about living in Brandon 

is the sense of community 

that is so very evident on a 

daily basis. Whether it is a 

sporting event, a church event, 

a school function, or even a 

challenging time, I feel like 

Brandon functions much like a 

family. The people of Brandon 

share and work to preserve 

the small town atmosphere and 

values that are so vital today. 

Jennifer Altman– 

I love Brandon because of 

the town’s spirit and support 

of our Brandon Bulldogs! 

– Maddy Forbes 

Brandon is more than just a town 

that I live in. Brandon is home. Its 

home because of the people that 

live here with me. Brandon is a family. 

We stand by one another in a small town 

that resembles Mayberry. 

– Karlee Ponder 

What I love most about Brandon 

is that at our core, we are family. 

When there is success, we celebrate. 

When there is hurt, we grieve together. 

And when there is a need, we do our best 

to meet that need. 

– Julie Parker 


Brandon has a close knit community that 

supports our school activities and athletics 

with such a passion that create memories 

for all involved—including those visiting from 

other cities. – Randy West 

In Brandon, I am surrounded by 

Christians and I love being in a 

Christian environment. 

Mary Presley Herrington

I love Brandon 

because of all the 

different ways to be involved. 

At school, I play tennis and head 

up the Panini Party. Attending 

church and working at Chick-fil-A 

allows me to interact with other 

people from our city. Brandon 

truly embodies an atmosphere 

of community. 

John Wilson 

My favorite thing 

is getting to spend my 

Friday nights at Louis Gene 

Strickland cheering on the 

bulldogs. I love the way the 

community comes together 

to tailgate and support 

the football team. 

–Sally Adcock 

A year ago our BHS girls 

soccer team went to the 

state championship. We saw 

signs at CVS, Walgreens, and 

Applebee’s cheering us on. 

That support within or town 

is what I love the most. 

– Jordan Dillon 

I love living in a place 

that’s not too small but 

still feels like a small town 

and is full of people who know 

and love me, and who worry 

and care about me. Brandon is 

a great place to call home. 

– Grace Robinson 

The city of Brandon is where most 

of my memories come from. From 

the ditch I played in as a kid to the 

church that became my second 

family. And that’s why I love Brandon. 

This city will always be myhometown, 

no matter where I go, no matter 

how long I’m away. – Cara Snowden 

I love playing baseball 

at Shiloh Park. 

- Elliot Dawson 

I love Brandon 

because there 

are a lot of things for kids to 

do. I get to play soccer, go to 

the park, go to the library, and 

go to The Club to swim. 

– Ella Rankin 

My favorite things are 

the houses, the Brandon 

Bulldogs, the City Park, 

family and friends, Brandon 

Methodist Kindergarten, 

and Chick-fil-A. 

– Ashtyn Errington 

My favorite thing about Brandon 

is getting to play baseball 

together with my friends. 

– Brady Sharp 

Brandon is a place where 

the whole community has 

the common goal of 

giving children the best 

opportunities to grow up. 

This town supports all children 

in every aspect of their lives 

as well as encourages them 

to become contributing 

members of society. 

– DeeDee Stowers 


Everything’s 

Coming Up 

Brandon Garden Club members are so excited! 

As President Charla Jordan has repeatedly 

told them, “We do great work!” Their great work 

was recognized by The Garden Clubs of 

Mississippi, Inc. (GCM) at the State Convention 

in April when Brandon Garden Club (BGC) was 

named Outstanding Club of the Year out of 123 

clubs in Mississippi. BGC also received six 

additional first-place awards – three state 

awards from GCM for civic achievement, public 

relations, and publicity press book , and three 

regional awards from the six-state Deep South 

Region for public relations, publicity press book, 

and litter control. To top it off, Brandon Mayor 

Butch Lee issued the following proclamation at 

the May 4, 2015, city board meeting: 

PROCLAIMED by the Mayor of the City of 

Brandon this 4th day of May 2015, that the City of 

Brandon hereby recognizes the Brandon Garden 

Club for its awards and thanks the club for its 

contribution to beautification and betterment of 

the City of Brandon. 

BGC members do not “do great work” for the 

awards, though. They love flowers, gardens, and 

trees, and they want their homes and hometown 

to reflect that love. It is shown in outreach at 

local nursing homes and assisted care facilities, 

in working with special needs classes at Brandon 

High School, in planting and maintaining indoor 

plants and flower beds on city and county 

property, and in decorating for special events at 

City Hall like Veterans Day and Christmas. 

An example of BGC’s dedication to 

beautification and betterment of the City of 

Brandon occurred in March when BGC members 

participated in a work day in two city-owned 

cemeteries and at two unique flower beds that 

they designed and maintain in partnership with 

the City of Brandon and the Rankin County 

Board of Supervisors. Separate groups worked at 

each location and then enjoyed gathering for a 

group lunch. They obviously enjoy what they do. 

One work group is pictured at the Plant It 

Pink bed, which is located in front of the Rankin 

County Courthouse Annex. This bed promotes 

breast cancer awareness and honors breast 

cancer survivors. BGC members researched 

plants that could survive our summer 

temperatures without irrigation, and they 

selected hardy pink Drift® Roses, reblooming 

daylilies, pink spirea, and pink crape myrtles. 

This award-winning bed provides pink color 

from spring through fall. 

Another group is pictured working at the 

Blue Star Memorial bed, which is located at 

Brandon Public Library. Since 2007 this bed has 

gone through several changes, much like our 

home gardens, in both the shape of the bed and 

in the plantings. This year we replaced Knock 

Out® roses with Drift Rose roses and replanted 

the edges of the Mississippi-shaped bed with 

liriope. You may be wondering why replace the 

Knock Out roses? Well, we learned that the Drift 

Rose is a dwarf rose growing no more than two 

feet tall and two to three wide, whereas the 

Knock Out rose is a shrub rose growing three to 

four feet tall. The Drift Rose was a better choice 

for viewing signage at both the Blue Star 

Memorial and at the Rankin County Courthouse 

Annex. 

Garden tip: If you want a hardy rose that 

requires little pruning, consider the Drift Rose. 

Drift Roses were introduced in 2008 and are 

disease resistant and repeat bloomers. The Drift 

Rose has roots that knit together and hold soil in 

place. They are useful to cover slopes and help 

prevent erosion. Best uses are as foundation 

plantings under low windows, to line walkways, 

or to combine with flowers of mixed heights. 

They may be used in hanging baskets and 

containers. 


Proclamation 

(L-R) Lynn Williams, 

Carol Gallagher, Carol Atkinson, 

Suzanne Ross, Dixie Vance, 

Mayor Butch Lee, President 

Charla Jordan, Sandy Parish, 

Lynn Mahoney, Deena Moore, 

and Zylpha Champlin. 

Work Day Lunch Break 

(L-R) Front row: 

Wanda Castleberry, 

Martha Powell, Sharon Hoffman, 

President Charla Jordan, 

Deena Moore. 

Back row: Jane Huddleston, 

Charlene Duchie, Eric Squyres, 

Delena Hamel, Suzanne Ross. 

Standing: Zylpha Champlin, 

Diane Bruce. 

Blue Star Memorial 

Work Day 

(L-R) Pat Dampier, 

Wanda Castleberry, 

Jane Huddleston, 

Eric Squyres, 

Charlene Duchie, 

Martha Powell, 

Sharon Hoffman. 


Plant It Pink 

Work Day 

(L-R) Zylpha Champlin, 

Dixie Vance, 

Carol Atkinson. 

Greenhouse Project 

April meeting 

(L-R) Josh McClinton, Brittany 

Bagwell, Austin Tidwell, 

Bria Harris, Mason Hanes, 

aide Tracy Roth, Alex Johnson, 

Charlene Duchie, Carol Atkinson, 

and aide Birdie Davis. 

Brandon Garden Club welcomes volunteers for both small and large projects. For information, visit thebrandongardenclub.com. 

_______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ 

Charla Jordan, President, Brandon Garden Club; Public Relations Chairman and Photographer, The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., National Garden Clubs, Inc. 

Suzanne Ross, Chairman, Brandon Garden Club Civic Projects; Natchez Trace District Director, The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., National Garden Clubs, Inc. 


Crestview 

memorial 

gardens 

• 24-Month Interest-free Financing • 

• Discount on four or more burial spaces • 

• 50% Discount for Veterans with DD214 • 

MURPHY ADKINS • DEBBIE ALLEN • LEE BARLOW 

1106 Star Rd • Brandon, MS • 601-825-4240 • info@cmgardens.com 




Would you like your child to “Journey Off the Map” 

this summer? Normally, the answer would be a 

resounding “NO!”, but when you are discussing 

going deeper with the Lord, you would certainly 

agree that the answer has to be “Yes!” The scripture 

passage of the LifeWay theme is Isaiah 30:21, 

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your 

ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is 

the way, walk in it.” This Bible verse is a truth every 

child can understand. Children take directions from 

adults all the time; this summer they can learn to 

listen to the guiding voice of God! 

Crossgates Baptist Church 

Vacation Bible School • June 8-12 

Our exciting missions portion for this year’s Vacation 

Bible School will be led by Lindsay Hughes. She 

and her husband, Corey, have recently surrendered 

to missions and will join an organization named 

Starvepoverty out of New Jersey. They will serve 

the small island of Exuma in the Bahamas. Lindsay 

and Corey will be organizing and leading teams 

into the island to provide clothing and food, build 

homes, and provide other basic needs of the 

islanders. This island is so small it doesn’t have a 

hospital so there are many needs to be met. There 

are not many jobs on this island, so most of the 

people live in extreme poverty. 

The Hughes will work with a church called Relevant 

Kingdom. This church was chosen because it 

believes that a church should serve the community 

and bring people to Jesus Christ as Savior and 

Lord. Teams going to Exuma will train youth and 

children’s workers and workers in worship arts. 

During our Vacation Bible School children will 

participate in a “Backpack Drive.” Backpacks and 

school supplies will be gathered for the children 

on the island of Exuma. Our children will get to be 

missionaries too! 


Crossgates United Methodist Church invites 

children to embark on an icy expedition where 

they overcome obstacles with God’s awesome 

power challenges at Everest Vacation Bible 

School. We will start our adventure each day 

in the Sanctuary. 

Crossgates United Methodist Church 


At Everest, children discover what it means to 

hold on to God’s mighty power in everyday life. 

They participate in memorable Bible-learning 

activities, sing catchy songs, play teamworkbuilding 

games, make and dig into yummy treats, 

experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, 

collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them 

of God’s love, and test out Science-Fun Gizmos 

they’ll take home and play with all summer long. 

Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God 

all around them through “God Sightings.” 

Each day concludes with a Summit Celebration 

that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve 

learned. Family members and friends are 

encouraged to join in daily for this special time 

at 11am in the Sanctuary. 

Children at Everest VBS will also join an 

international mission’s effort to raise disaster 

relief money for all those affected by the latest 

earthquake in Nepal through United Methodist 

Committee on Relief (UMCOR). 

Join us for another great year of VBS at 

Crossgates UMC. If your child has completed 

4 year old preschool through completed 4th 

grade, visit our website to sign them up today at 

crossgatesumc.org 


Join us for food, fun, and learning God’s truths at 

Brandon Presbyterian Church’s annual Vacation Bible 

School. The date is July 13-17 from 6:00-8:15pm and 

is open to children from 3 years to 6th grade. Supper 

will be provided each night for the children. 

Our theme this year is “Faith Expedition.” On the 

closing night, July 17, parents will join us for a program 

and enjoy hearing the songs and all the children have 

learned during the week. We will have water slides for 

the children on Friday night as well. 

Each night the boys and girls have a friendly 

competition to see who can raise the most money 

for the Palmer Home. The Palmer Home is a home 

for children whose families were not able to take care 

of them. 

Brandon Presbyterian Church 

Vacation Bible School • July 13-17 

This year’s Bible School theme “Faith Expedition,” will 

have Bible lessons that study man’s need for God and 

the faith God has given us to follow His plan; to believe 

His promises; to obey Him; to repent and turn to Jesus; 

and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. These 

lessons will be reinforced throughout the week during 

songs, skits, crafts, and recreation. Our key Bible verse 

will be 2 Corinthians 4:7. “But we have this treasure in 

jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is 

from God and not from us.” 

We will have VBS t-shirts for sale for $10. They will be 

for sale before VBS and the first night of VBS. We would 

love for your child to join us for our VBS 2015. Please 

call the church office at 601-825-5259 to register or 

contact us by email at secretary@brandonpres.com. 

Brandon Presbyterian Church is located at 209 S. 

College Street. Hope to see you there! 


First Baptist Church Brandon 


Kid Extreme is the way First Baptist 

Church Brandon does Vacation Bible 

School. It is a free sports and arts camp 

for first through sixth graders. Kids can 

come and discover a new art or sport or 

they can enjoy doing one they already 

love. They will have coaches/teachers 

who will invest in them and set a great 

example of what it means to have good 

sportsmanship and love God. 

The camps we provide include: archery, 

art, baseball, Boys vs. Wild (survival 

skills), cheerleading, hip-hop dance, 

karate, fishing, photography, rodeo, 

show choir, soccer, water games and 

woodworking. We also have a special 

track for sixth-graders called Extreme 

Blitz geared toward pre-teens. 

Kid Extreme is also for 4 year olds - K5 

children. They do not participate in the 

sports/arts camps, but participate in 

Vacation Bible School with recreation, 

crafts, music and Bible story times. 

Our church has been doing Kid Extreme 

since 2004. We usually have around 

625 children participating each year. 

We also have about 570 volunteers. 

Our church family rallies around Kid 

Extreme and its great outreach into 

our community. We, as a church, are 

glad to provide the opportunities for 

kids to have fun in a safe environment. 

We know that kids love sports, art and 

being with friends, so what a great way 

to have fun and learn about Jesus, too! 

Come join us for Kid Extreme!! 

Kid Extreme will be held Sunday, June 

28 through Wednesday, June 30th with 

a Family Night, featuring Curt Anderson, 

an illusionist on Wednesday, July 1st. 

Kid Extreme will be held at our West 

Campus at 175 Boyce Thompson Drive, 

next to Rouse Elementary, from 6 p.m. 

to 8:45 p.m. We will provide an hour of 

classroom time, with activities centered 

on a Bible lesson. Then the children will 

have an hour with the camp of their 

choice. They can choose a camp when 

they register at fbcbrandon.com. At 

the end of each night, we will all meet 

together for a rally. 


“Journey off the Map–Unknown to Us, Known to Him” 

will be our theme this summer. We will set out on a 

journey to uncharted territory where kids will encounter 

the unexpected waiting around every bend. On this 

expedition of a lifetime, kids will need to stick close to 

their guides in order to survive. They will discover that 

Jesus is the Ultimate Guide on a journey uncharted by 

them, but known by Him. 

Day 1 • Know Your Guide: Jesus birth was announced 

and angels declared that He is the Messiah. Jesus spent 

time teaching and healing people. He died for our sins, 

was buried, and on the third day He arose. Jesus is our 

Ultimate Guide. 

Day 2 • Follow Your Guide: Daniel and his friends were 

among the Jewish captives chosen to serve in King 

Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. The food provided for the 

friends broke the laws God had given the Jewish 

people. Instead of breaking 

God’s laws, Daniel chose to follow his Guide 

and requested permission to be given vegetables and 

water instead. 

Brandon Baptist Church 


Day 3 • Trust Your Guide: Shadrach, Meshach, and 

Abednego refused to bow and worship the statue that 

Nebuchadnezzar had built. As a result the three friends 

were thrown into a fiery furnace. They trusted God 

whether He chose to save them or allow them to perish. 

God protected the three friends in the fire and they 

emerged unharmed. 

Day 4 • Stay on Track: Daniel consistently did what was 

right and kept his focus on God. Even when the king 

signed an edict that made it illegal to pray to anyone by 

the king, Daniel continued to pray openly to God. Daniel 

was thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to pray to the 

king. God closed the lions’ mouths and rescued Daniel 

from the lions. 

Day 5 • Keep Watching: Daniel received a vision of 

things to come. Jesus told His disciples about things to 

come. God tells believers to keep watching for Jesus’ 

return and to obey His Word. 

Children who were 3 years old by 9/1/14 through 

completion of 5th grade will be welcomed to be a part 

of this exciting week at Brandon Baptist Church. 



The CHALKBOARD 

Brandon Middle School Theresa Bennett and Zach Roberts 

The Rankin Five 

As part of the 2014-2015 Leadership Rankin group project 

“The Rankin Five”, the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, 

raised almost $4,000. The monies will be devoted to two special 

education classrooms in RCSD. We are grateful to Craig Stovall 

of Nucor Steel for coordinating with Theresa Bennett of BMS, 

whose class is the recipient of $2,500. The monies will be used 

to create a more enhanced environment for students who are 

non-verbal, with unique educational needs. We are extremely 

excited to have these funds and are grateful for the generosity 

of the “The Rankin Five” and the Rankin County Chamber 

of Commerce.. ■ 

L to R: Theresa Bennett, BMS Special Education Teacher; Dylan Proper, student at 

BMS; Craig Stovall, Nucor Steel; Joni McClain, McClain Lodge; Scotti Mashborn, 

Rankin County Chamber; Rachel Lombardo, Hometown Magazines; Sherry Franklin, 

Group Mentor, and Dr. Charles Frazier, Principal BMS. Not pictured: Jonathan 

Patterson, Bancorp South 

1:1 Technology Initiative 

As the 2014-15 school year comes to a close, I can say with 

absolute truth that it has been a great one. In three years at BMS 

and five years overall of teaching, this has been the best school year 

for me so far. The students have far exceeded expectations, the 

teachers have supported each other in everyway possible, and the 

administrators have done an excellent job of leading us through 

the challenges that have arisen. The level of dedication and effort 

shown by each of these groups of people is what has made BMS 

the great place it is today. 

This spring has been one filled with excitement and anticipation, 

especially following the decision by the Rankin County School 

Board to fund a 1:1 technology initiative for our students and 

teachers. This decision will place a laptop computer in the hands 

of every 7-12th grade student over the course of the next three 

years. As a teacher who tries to use technology as often as possible 

in my classroom, few people were excited as I was when this news 

was announced. Imagine how much more thrilled I was to find 

out that 8th and 9th grade students would be the first students to 

receive these laptops next school year. That news brought with it 

a whole new wave of motivation to make use of technology every 

day that I possibly could. 

Our students were born into a world of almost complete 

immersion in technology. They do not know a world without the 

Internet or Google. They have the ability to know what is 

happening on the other side of the world almost in real-time. 

And more often than not, they are almost always at least a step 

ahead of older generations when it comes to the most recent 

technologies. These are the main reasons I am so excited to be in 

a place that will enable me to teach my students using the tools 

that come so naturally to them. 

It is for this reason that I have plotted and schemed every 

possible way to get a computer cart into my classroom as often as 

possible this year. We have done everything including taking 

tests that allow students to see their results immediately, using 

Google docs to share essays and other writing with other students 

as well as me the teacher, collaborating in real time to create class 

vocabulary lists, and generating chapter by chapter summaries 

and analyses. All of these uses are only a small fraction of what 

we will be able to do in the years to come, and I am growing ever 

more excited to be a part of this as next school year gets closer and 

closer. I truly cannot wait for the day when all of my students 

walk into my classroom and take out their laptops so that we can 

begin working not only at a deeper level of understanding, but 

working in a way that is natural to the future decision makers of 

our world. 



stonebridge Elementary school 

Autism 

Awareness Month 

We love our students! Each student is special and has qualities 

that make them unique. In the month of April, the students at 

StoneBridge Elementary participated and learned about autism 

through Autism Awareness Month. The students learned facts, 

were given stickers and pencils, the cafeteria ladies made blue jello, 

and the students wore blue on Wednesdays to show their support 

for the students who have autism here at StoneBridge. It is important 

for students to understand the differences that each person has and 

that autism is just one way others are, “seeing the world from a 

different angle.” 

Counselor 

R.A.M.P Award 

Our StoneBridge counselors, Christy Tigrett and Pam Cooper, have 

worked extremely hard to complete the R.A.M.P (Recognized ASCA 

Model Program) certification. With this recognition StoneBridge and 

the Rankin County School District are one of the first to earn this 

distinguished honor, which shows the commitment of providing a 

data driven school counseling program for each and every student here 

at StoneBridge. We are so proud of all the hard work our counselors 

went through to earn this award. Thanks for making our school a 

place where kids can grow and develop not only in academics, but in 

social and emotional areas of life as well. 

StoneBridge PTO 

We couldn’t do it without you! The StoneBridge PTO is filled with 

amazing parents who help make our school great. Throughout the 

year they volunteer to help with any activity from the Big Events to 

when the governor is coming to visit. We wanted to thank you for 

all that you have done this year. Thank you for your willingness to 

purchase snacks and hand them out at our Big Events; thank you for 

decorating each event to make our visitors and teachers feel special; 

thank you for purchasing technology that enhances the students’ 

academics. The way you selflessly give of your time and money does 

not go unnoticed. We appreciate all that you do throughout the year 

to make StoneBridge a great place to learn and a wonderful place to 

work. Most of all thanks for trusting us with your precious children 

who make our day when we see their smiling faces. 



brandon high school 

What does it mean 

to be a Brandon High 

School Bulldog? 

The answer to this question might seem as if it would lead to 

typical responses used for many high schools in America—school 

spirit, sports and clubs, education. All of this is true for BHS, but trust 

me; after teaching in three states, and after putting down roots for the 

past fifteen years in Brandon, Mississippi, the answer to my question 

is much more than your average cliché. Within the first few weeks of 

my first year at BHS, I knew I was in the presence of a place that was 

special. 

Somehow, in my first year at BHS, I was asked to assist our 

yearbook sponsor as one of my assignments. Having been editor of my 

own senior yearbook when I was in high school, I thought I knew the 

environment I would be a part of. You can imagine my complete 

surprise, then, when I entered yearbook block and found myself in the 

middle of a command center. The sponsor spoke with authority, but 

she was not lecturing. Rather, she was facilitating a business meeting 

of sorts where students, were doling out tasks and assignments and 

responsibilities that went far beyond what your average seventeen or 

eighteen year old student would normally be in charge of. As time 

went on, I saw this group of young people gradually accept the mantle 

of facilitation of making this K-12, 300 plus page yearbook a reality. 

They became journalists, photographers, business managers, managers 

of people and resources—not just in name only, but in reality. 

What a joy it was to watch as the high level of expectations was met 

time and time again. These young people had purpose, and they had 

an end goal with high stakes that they accomplished with great pride. 

This was not just a one-time occurrence. I have had the privilege of 

watching it happen each year for the past fifteen 

years and have even seen its impact on my own 

children’s lives. 

Watching students choose to sacrifice and to 

have a heart for others through acts of community 

service is yet another place where I have watched 

our students thrive. Clubs have long offered service 

opportunities to their members, but I have watched 

a sort of transformation take place in that students 

and groups of students have embraced having a heart 

to help others and have begun to initiate service 

opportunities in several different ways. Where else 

do you see high school students who have planned, 

advertised, and carried out efforts to raise $5,000 to grant a wish 

through the Make a Wish Foundation or raised the $2,500 to 

package 10,000 meals to feed the hungry through Stop Hunger Now 

or carried out a school supply and backpack drive to help Guatemalan 

young people have what they need to receive an education? While all 

of these examples were supported through a club or an organization at 

BHS, the difference is that sponsors/teachers set the expectations for 

students to participate in acts of service as we understand the need to 

develop citizens who care and respond to the needs of our community 

and our world, but the students chose to exceed our expectations and 

to lead the charge in searching for opportunities to lead and to expand 

their understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world. 

The really neat thing, though, is that these examples are only a 

couple of the vast number of opportunities offered where students are 

challenged to accept great responsibility and develop life skills at BHS. 

The magic of this place, then, seems to lie in a combination of factors 

including teachers who are innovators and leaders within their own 

content areas and who understand the value in creating student-centered 

experiences with real-world relevance, an administration that 

values supporting teachers in continuing to grow and to try new 

things always with the best interest of students in mind, and students 

who thrive in an atmosphere of challenge to find and develop their 

talents. Many high schools can attest to having one or maybe even two 

rare pockets in their schools where this is the case; however, the 

presence of all of these people and opportunities channeled toward a 

similar vision has created a community and a culture that I have had 

the distinct pleasure to become immersed in for these past fifteen 

years. I would even venture to say that this unique family that is BHS 

has greatly influenced who I am as an educator and as a person and 

has allowed me to have professional opportunities that have led me to 

take on a new adventure in my career as a literacy 

coach throughout the district beginning in the fall. 

This tradition of allowing BHS students and 

teachers alike, even expecting them, to seize 

opportunities to lead and to learn far beyond the 

traditional classroom truly sets BHS apart. How 

fortunate I am to have been a part of Brandon 

High School’s legacy. In the words of Winnie the 

Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that 

makes saying goodbye so hard.” 

Sheri Blankenship 



Brandon elementary school 

Field Day 

On April 23rd, Brandon Elementary hosted a field day for K-8th grade special 

needs students in the Brandon zone. Nikki Jorden, Brandon Elementary School 

teacher of students with significant cognitive disabilities at Brandon Elementary, 

was the coordinator of this year’s event. Jordan states, “I believe that the Rankin 

County School District and Brandon community have an infinite supply of diverse 

talents and resources that can partner to help promote the success of our students 

with special needs.” Jordan enlisted the help of Brandon Elementary School counselors 

Breckin Harper and Margaret Hollifield, and PTO President Ashley Moss, to plan the 

details of this special day. Many community volunteers, Brandon Elementary School HALO 

(Helping and Leading Others) Team and Brandon Middle School BETA Club all pitched 

in to make this day a success. The children were able to participate in many fun activities 

including face painting by Sherry Burdsal (Fancy Faces), a building project set up by the 

Home Depot, space jumps, zoo mobile, and field day games. McAlister’s and Kroger 

provided a lunch for participants. Plans are already underway for next year’s event. 



The Time Coin 

The hum of the tractor was 

hypnotic to Scott’s sun-burned 

brain, and he was just as bored 

with his summer job in the middle of June 

as he had been after the first full week of 

its beginning. His only redemption to the 

monotony of mowing the huge acreage 

was the new friendship he was growing 

with Jim. 

As the estate’s grounds manager, Jim 

was wrinkled and red-faced – wrinkled 

from his years in the sun tending the 

grounds and red from his zesty appetite for 

the six-packs he always kept in his ice chest. Scott didn’t consider his new 

friend an alcoholic as some described him. Jim was, in his estimation, 

the product of a hard life dating back to his childhood. 

When Scott had water breaks with Jim, Scott would do the listening, 

and Jim would be the story teller. Scott was fascinated that a life of hard 

work, war scars and few favors hadn’t diminished Jim’s joy in life. For 

every valley and hard knock, Jim would always harvest a lesson for living 

another day. It was ironic to Scott that Jim’s smile and contagious 

laughter seemed to follow every hard luck story. 

On days when the Mississippi humidity was competing with the 

high temps, Scott would look over the acres of grass and complain to 

Jim, “Someday I’m getting off this tractor and never mowing another 

lawn. I’m finding a job that pays big bucks, and I’ll hire people to mow 

MY lawn. I promise you that!” 

Jim would slide his cap back from his 

sun-burned forehead and smile in response to 

his young assistant. Then with his unique gift, 

he would remind Scott that money wouldn’t 

bring him happiness. “You just spend whatever 

you make,” he would say, “but life was a free 

gift – new every morning.” The grass that 

never stopped growing and the shrubs that 

called for repeated pruning provided a job 

that fed his family. 

“Didn’t’ you ever just want to walk away 

from the hard work when you were younger?” 

Scott once asked. 

“Son, work is all I’ve ever known – I believe Adam passed on his 

curse of work that’s by the sweat of the brow. Nothing wrong with a 

little sweat.” Then Jim laughed. It was a contented laugh that always 

joined his labors. 

The organ music and the shuffle of people standing to their feet 

shook Scott from his memory trail that he had been following. The line 

slowly formed and led him to Jim’s casket. He paused to look into the 

face of his smiling friend who had been his mentor. Scott wished Jim 

could see him in his tailor-made suit, ride in his Escalade and hear his 

success stories. Scott’s eyes suddenly glazed with tears. No, what he 

wished even more was to hear Jim’s laugh and know his contentment 

– the contentment he hadn’t found in his big-bucks job. 

Scott would do some heavy soul-searching on his long drive home, 

and Jim’s spirit would go with him as his very wise mentor. n 


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Hometown Brandon - Summer 2015

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