Hometown Brandon - Summer 2015

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. ■
Hometown Brandon • 25