Hometown Madison - January & February 2016

Volume 2 Number 1
Jan/Feb 2016
Gallant Hearts
______________________
Remaining Faithful
______________________
Loving Lazarus
______________________
The Desire of Our Hearts

2 • May/June 2015

publisher & Editor
Tahya A. Dobbs
CFO
Kevin W. Dobbs
Consulting editor
Mary Ann Kirby
Account Executives
Alicia Adams
LeeAnn Evans
Rachel Lombardo
Contributing Writers
Camille Anding
Kevin & Pam Cooper
Jill Dale
Mary Ann Kirby
Susan Marquez
staff Photographer
Othel Anding
Administrative Assistants
Alisha Floyd
Brenda McCall
Layout Design
Daniel Thomas / 3dt
Missy Donaldson / MAD Designs
• • •
The New Year will sweep us into change–it always does. Sometimes in tiny increments and sometimes
in cataclysmic upheavals. This issue jolts us into seeing and feeling a small glimpse of death breaking into
a family’s “perfect” lifestyle. Death is a monumental weight that eventually strikes everyone. But to see it
take a child is an experience our minds can’t seem to fathom. The Dales are one of those stricken families,
and Jill’s sharing her mother’s heart in their loss will certainly influence, if not reconstruct, your New
Year’s resolutions. Their unending faith, even in death, has served as a beautiful reminder to me of how
God’s ultimate timing is always perfect. It’s a story that must be heard and I am in awe of their courage
and strength.
Some will say life is the appropriate focus for a new year along with the hopes and dreams the
majority of us will carry into 2016. And that’s true. But tragedy, heartache,
and death will always partner with the joys and celebrations in every year.
It’s how we deal with both that makes us an inspiration to people only God
can number.
I trust you will enjoy this issue of Hometown Madison. It’s built on much
joy and many tears—and always on our sure foundation, Jesus!
Happy New Year.
www.facebook.com
/hometownmadisonmagazine
For subscription information
visit www.htmags.com
Contact us at info@HTMags.com
601.706.4059
26 Eastgate Drive, Suite F
Brandon MS 39042
• • •
All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Madison
may be reproduced without written permission from
the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison
is not responsible for opinions expressed by its
writers or editors. Hometown Madison maintains the
unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted
material. All advertisements are subject to approval by
the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison
is funded by advertising.
In this issue Gallant Hearts Delivers Independence..... 6
The Desire of Our Hearts ................ 12
Loving Lazarus. ...................... 20
Remaining Faithful ............. 24
Following a Calling .................... 32
Reader Spotlight..........................36
A Preserved Past. .................... 38
New Year’s Resolutions ............... 40
Carving Out a Passion ................ 42
Hometown madison • 3

Hydrafacials for $99.
*PREPAY FOR UP TO 5 HYDRAFACIALS IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY
AND SAVE UP TO $250
Skin Health through Hydration
EXCELLENT FOR REMEDYING:
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Skin Tone Evenness and Vibrancy
• Skin Texture
• Hyperpigmentation
• Oily/Congested Skin
• Enlarged Pores
• Advanced Signs of Aging
• Elasticity and Firmness
601.790.2222
340 Township Ave. Suite 200 • Ridgeland, Mississippi • www.TheSanctuaryBodySpa.com
4 • Jan/Feb 2016
SSJanHometownMadison8x5.indd 1
12/14/15 2:28 PM

let your
light
shine
OPEN HOUSE | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy Door Prizes, Refreshments & Exclusive Savings On:
BELLAFILL
Dermal filler for smile lines and acne scarring
DYSPORT
Injection that smooths the appearance of moderate to severe lines and wrinkles
THE RESTYLANE FAMILY OF PRODUCTS
Injection to add volume to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds,
may also be used for lip enhancement
LATISSE
Latisse Buy One Get One Free
CYNOSURE LASER
$250 gift certificate toward any Cynosure procedure
(SmartSkin CO2, SmartLipo Triplex and Cellulaze)
OBAGI
25% off Obagi Medical SkinCare
Call 601.981.2525 to RSVP & schedule your consultation.
M I S S I S S I P P I
PREMIER PLASTIC SURGERY
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY • COSMETIC & AESTHETIC SURGERY • SURGERY OF THE HAND
G. ELI HOWELL II, MD | W. DOTIE JACKSON, MD
EMILE A. PICARELLA, MD | SOMPRASONG SONGCHAROEN, MD
ST. DOMINIC EAST MEDICAL TOWER | 971 LAKELAND DRIVE, SUITE 315 | JACKSON, MS
601.981.2525 | mspremierplasticsurgery.com

6 • Jan/Feb 2016
Gallant Hearts Delivers Independence
Jerry File

A guide dog is almost equal,
in many ways, to giving a blind
man sight itself.
Nestled in the bucolic countryside of
Madison County, only a stone’s throw from
Lake Caroline, rests a peaceful, yet busy,
organization called Gallant Hearts Guide
Dog Center. Gallant Hearts trains professional
guide dogs for people who are blind.
Gallant Hearts’ premium guide dogs fan
out all over Mississippi, the United States,
and Canada, delivering independence, and
a richer life.
Gallant Hearts’ co-founder is Ms. Becky
Floyd. Becky serves as executive director.
Becky has been blind since birth and has
worked with guide dogs since 1964. She
earned bachelor degrees in psychology
and sociology from The University of
Mississippi and then went on to graduate
from the Ole Miss School of Law.
Near the end of law school, she and
friends were talking one night about what
they wanted to do after law school. Becky
said, “Someday, I am going to start a guide
dog training center.”
Decades later, after a successful career,
capped by her retirement as the Executive
Director of Mississippi Protection and
Advocacy System, Becky fulfilled her
dream by starting Gallant Hearts Guide
Dog Center, in 2009. Gallant Hearts
placed its first dog in December, 2012.
The life changing potential of the
guide dog for the blind.
Guide dogs for people who are blind
deliver extraordinary value and benefits
to the person using them and to society.
Becky explains, “I have had my own guide
dog, since 1964. Guide dogs are good for
the productivity of the person, and for
the economy. For example, along the way,
my guide dogs were very important in my
having and progressing in a career. To be
honest, I don’t think I would have had as
much self-confidence without one.
For example, I don’t think I would have
had the self-confidence to navigate the
Ole Miss campus when I was there as an
undergraduate, and in law school. I don’t
think I would have had the self-confidence
to move away to Jackson and get my own
apartment and to go to work every day.
And I certainly would not have had the
social benefits that I’ve enjoyed. Because
of my guide dogs, I have met hundreds
of people I would not have otherwise met,
and many of those people have greatly
enriched my life.”
Regarding safety to the blind person,
Becky said, “Let me give you an example.
We have a great dog we trained in service.
He has saved the client’s life several times
and recently did so, again. The client told
me she asked her dog to guide her across
a street. He did, but he did so in an erratic
pattern, and though she didn’t know why,
she trusted him. When she got to the other
side, a man in a truck, who had observed
but could do nothing as it happened,
informed her there was a downed power
line in the road, and that her dog had
guided her though the gauntlet, as it were.
In other words, she asked her partner-dog
and he found a way. If her partner-guide
had been unsuccessful, she would have
likely been electrocuted and killed.”
How does it work?
Gallant Hearts places well trained,
healthy dogs throughout the United States,
and occasionally, Canada. The dogs are
provided, free of charge, to qualified
individuals who have been approved by
the center’s admissions committee.
The trained dog is normally delivered
to the applicant and the trainer remains
within the area and provides training for
the new team for a period of 1 to 2 weeks.
The applicant may also come to Jackson,
Mississippi for training if that proves to
be a more workable option. (For more on
placement, see the website.)
Ways you can participate.
Be a Puppy Raiser –Gallant Hearts is
currently placing dogs into puppy raiser
homes where an in-home atmosphere
provides the critical, early socialization and
obedience training needed for a dog to be
a guide dog. Gallant Hearts provides veterinary
care, food, and obedience training
classes for the puppy. The puppy remains
with the host family for 12 to 18 months,
and then is transitioned into Gallant
Hearts’ formal training program. Puppy
Raisers are people who love dogs, and
who also feel the importance of helping
by preparing the puppy to provide a life
of independence to someone out there
who otherwise would not have as much
independence.
Donate –Gallant Hearts is a non-profit,
tax-exempt organization, established in
Madison. The organization fulfills its mission
through the generous gifts of individuals
and organizations.
People are often interested to know
that the total costs of finishing and placing
a Gallant Hearts Guide dog with a client
is approximately $20,000. Gallant Hearts
is governed by a nine-member board of
directors selected for their expertise in
governance, fund raising, veterinarian care,
medicine, legal, finance, and media. n
______________________________________
For more information about Gallant Hearts Guide Dog
Center, including raising a puppy, training, placement,
and much more, please visit the organization’s website
at gallanthearts.org.
You may reach Becky Floyd at 601-853-6996,
or by email at rfloyd@gallanthearts.org.
Hometown madison • 7

Urology Associates
of Mississippi
Our physicians are highly skilled and experienced
in treating a wide array of urology conditions
Utilizing state of the art equipment and advanced treatment techniques,
each of our board certified urologists have specific areas of urological
expertise in addition to providing general urologic care to patients
all over the state of Mississippi.
Avinash C. Gulanikar, M.D. • Mark A. Condon, M.D. • Sujith K. Reddy, M.D.
Please visit us at our new location:
294 East Layfair Drive • Flowood, MS
601.936.4645
8 • Jan/Feb 2016

madison
Recipes
Jo’s Tomato Soup
• 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 14.5 oz. can water
• 1 small can V-8 juice
• 1 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/3 cup cold milk
• 4 tsp. cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of sugar
In a saucepan bring first seven ingredients
to a boil.
Reduce heat and continue boiling for 6-7 minutes,
stirring often.
In a cup, add cornstarch and dissolve with milk,
pour into bubbling tomato mixture.
Continue on low heat until soup has thickened. If
desired add a little more milk.
Serve with grill cheese sandwich or
homemade cornbread.
Turnip Green Soup
• 1 large can of turnip greens
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 can black eyed peas, drained
• 1 can navy beans, drained
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
and browned/drained
• 1 onion, diced
Combine and simmer for a couple of hours
until onion is done.
Can use any combination of beans, does not
have to be what is listed above.
Bacon, Lettuce,
& Tomato Soup
• 6 strips bacon, cooked, crumbled
• 1 tbsp. bacon drippings, strained
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 16 oz. can plum tomatoes with liquid,
chopped
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil (1 tsp. dried)
• 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 head of lettuce, shredded
Sauté onion and garlic in bacon drippings for
5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and basil.
Cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Sift in flour and whisk
to blend. Add stock, sugar, salt and pepper and
simmer 15 minutes.
Just before serving, add bacon and lettuce.
Serve warm.
Submitted by Jo Ellen Swain of Lake Caroline
Hometown madison • 9

4-25-15
2.5 x 1.75
Attitude Ability Awareness
BOONDOCKS FIREARMS TRAINING ACADEMY
The Boondocks is an all-inclusive training facility designed
for both men and women to learn safe gun handling and
defensive firearms training for multiple skill levels.
Monthly TWAW Chapter Meetings
State of the Art Facility
Skilled and Certified Instructors
Safety is our Priority
Education is Key
Enjoyment is Goal
Class Descriptions on Website
www.BoondocksFTA.com
Sign up online for your class
Click on Class Title to receive class description/prices/etc.
11771 Highway 18 769-972-2382 Raymond, MS 39154
TWAW Shooting Chapter Clinton/Raymond MS
www.TWAWshootingchapters.org
10 • Jan/Feb 2016

Where do you turn
when someone close to your heart
has heart problems?
There are people in your life who steal your heart.
Who make your heart race. Or skip a beat.
When the people you love develop heart problems, we’re here to help,
with life-saving technology, patient-centered care and one of the region’s
leading medical teams.
No hospital in Mississippi has been caring for heart patients longer than Baptist.
And that should put your mind—and your heart—at ease.
Heart
501 Marshall Street, Suite 104
Jackson, MS 39202
844-MD-HEART
mbhs.org/baptistheart

12 • Jan/Feb 2016

Pam & Kevin Cooper
Have you ever had the feeling that something was missing?
That feeling that no else could possibly understand what you are going through.
My husband Kevin and I experienced that emptiness during a season of marriage.
We served at a church and were responsible for tons of students
throughout the years. We attended every football game, show choir
contest, beauty pageant – you name it. But there was something
missing – our own child to love and support. We seem to be the
parents of many but that did not take the place of having a child to
call “Mini-Cooper.”
We went through many appointments and surgical procedures
that seemed fruitless. No one could answer our questions – even
though many others had questions. Well meaning church members
often asked about our situation and sometimes teased us not knowing
how painful it was to be asked about our empty arms. Mother’s Day
was the worst. I was asked year after year to sing the special. If only
they knew how many tears were shed during that holiday and how
hard it was to look at in the congregation at all of the mother’s
holding their special blessings close.
We went to several meetings and talked to people who had
adopted. We were not totally sold on the idea of domestic adoption.
There were so many questions we had even after all the seminars.
We decided to investigate foreign adoption. Every day after work
(I taught middle school music) I would head upstairs in our home
and search the web for adoption agencies that offered foreign
adoptions. I have always felt called to Asian children.
One day I ran across an agency that offered foreign adoptions
and they had something different – color pictures (remember, this
Hometown madison • 13

was the beginning days of the internet.) Not only did they have color
pictures but they also had pictures of children playing outside. That
was practically unheard of. This was an American agency that offered
foreign adoptions in a place called Kazakhstan. I had never heard of
that before but it sounded like it was somewhere in Russia. I soon
discovered it was one of the countries which developed after the
USSR broke apart.
While I was continuing my research, Kevin headed up the stairs
to say his usual, “Whatcha doin?” I explained about the company
and the adoption process with excitement. As he began to walk back
downstairs he had one question: “How much?” After I shared the
details he replied with, “In life, everyone has various seasons and this is
not our season.” Just like a good submissive preacher’s wife I promptly
turned around and quickly e-mailed every reference on the page.
About ten minutes later I received a joyful response. The woman
who replied shared about a Christian agency out of Georgia that had
helped make her dreams come true. She gave me the name and
number and also shared that the husband and wife team had also
adopted two children from Kazakhstan themselves. I contacted
them the next day.
The company sent a package of information in January to start
working on and I worked diligently to get every “i” dotted and “t”
crossed. We sent our paperwork in hoping to meet all the requirements
for recommendation. February of 2001 was a long waiting
period, but towards the end of the month, our home-study agency
called and said that a couple had considered us for a domestic
adoption. I was filled with tons of questions and uncertainty.
We met the couple and emotions were flying like crazy. We were
so excited and I then I began to start examining the situation. I was
so confused and didn’t know which way to turn. I had already planned
a getaway with my best friend Tanya to the beach and Kevin said,
“Take off!”
14 • Jan/Feb 2016

The weatherman had forgotten to tell Gulf Shores that it was
spring break. It was freezing. I put my sweats and started my lonely
walk down the beach. Everything in my heart was so confusing to my
mind and the longer I walked, the more confused I became. “Domestic
or foreign – what was the answer Lord?” He had planted the seed in
my heart and now with this domestic option – I just did not know
anymore. “Just tell me Lord – what do you want me to do?”
About that time a blonde haired couple came walking towards
me swinging an Asian toddler’s tiny feet back and forth in the
sand. I fell to my knees and wept. All I could say was “Thank you -
thank you Lord.” Then I spent the next hour
on the phone with Kevin. Things worked
out because the couple changed their
mind about giving their child up for
adoption. God’s timing! We continued
with the foreign adoption process.
Everything had to be in and signed
on our end by April. So we got busy.
By the middle of April, we had all of our
American documents signed and sealed. We just
had to wait for the delivery and the return. We had
to receive our passports and then send the entire dossier
(fancy word for paperwork) to the Kazak embassy in New York in
August. It was now just a matter of time and waiting . . . and waiting.
We passed the time by keeping extremely busy. We worked on
the nursery, had showers and planned youth events. We could not
have completed this process without the help of our family, friends,
and church family. They showered us with gifts and sky miles. They
made donations to our cause and helped in every way they knew
how to make our dreams come true.
In July, our youth group traveled to Baltimore for a week of
mission work. I planned the youth choir performances and Kevin
worked on everything else from A to Z. While we were there, we
received an unexpected surprise. Our agency called and said they
were emailing us a picture of our little girl! I was thrilled, but
confused as to how we were going to receive it. At that time, we did
not carry computers with us. Kevin was loading up one of the VBS
sites and did not answer his phone. I ran downstairs and the young
lady working said they did have one computer that had internet access,
but I would have to stand in line. There was already a gentleman
on-line so I went back upstairs and waited for a bit and continued to
call Kevin. I went downstairs several times within the hour. The last
time I went downstairs it was after 9:00 P.M. and Kevin walked in
the front door. I told him what was happening and then I couldn’t
“Just tell me Lord
- what do you
want me to
do?”
stand it any longer. The same gentleman had been on the computer
the entire time so I said, “Excuse me sir. We are in the process of
adopting a child and they are trying to send us a picture on the
internet and this is the only access we have to a computer.” He said,
“Oh, I apologize. This can wait.”
We sat at the computer for what seemed to be an eternity. We
watched as it took about a minute per line to print out. It started at
her forehead and continued slowly down the page. Kevin said, “I think
we are adopting Richard Nixon” by the time her eyebrows appeared
on the page. There she was – all 6 pounds of her. Her name was
Meureurt. We thought you pronounced it
Meroot and knew that had to change! We
decided on Shelby McLaurin to honor
both of our mothers. Many people
still believe we named her after the
Mustang because of Kevin’s obsession.
We knocked on a few doors and spread
the word to meet downstairs. We shared
our news with about eighty of our closest
friends that night. Our excitement was
unexplainable!
A couple of weeks after our return our passports arrived.
We sent everything we had worked so hard on for eight months
to New York for the final seals. I think this was the longest waiting
period of all. We received our date to travel September 22, 2001.
We anticipated the arrival of this date until…..
Kevin awoke very early the morning of September 11th because
he needed to make the fight arrangements. He spent the morning
on the phone with the airlines getting everything purchased and
squared away. Meanwhile, I went to school and met my first class.
After the bell rang for second block, the students left but none came
back in for the next class. I was out in the choir room which is
separate from the building. There was no one in the halls. All of the
televisions in the classes were on and the students were staring at
the screens. I saw smoke on one of the screens and asked what was
happening. The teacher said, “Terrorist attack in New York. The
World Trade Center is gone and most of the places in the surrounding
area.” I was panic stricken. I had no idea where the Kazak embassy
was located but I imagined the worst. At that point I was not thinking
about the loss of lives or the horrible situation at hand, but selfishly
thinking, “Please God do not let it be the embassy. Please do not let
us lose everything.”
I ran to the counselor’s office. It was like they were waiting for
me. I called Kevin and he couldn’t get through to our agency. Our
Hometown madison • 15

company had couples abroad and they were worried that air travel
would be shut down. They were trying to expedite their trip home.
We felt helpless.
They were right. International travel had been shut down for the
time being. This meant our trip was on hold. That night I went to
Shelby’s room and held the Kazak doll I had ordered. I rocked back
and forth holding that baby and sang the first song that came to mind:
“Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moon light, someone’s
thinking of me and loving me tonight.” There were too many things
going through my head. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. No one
knew what to say.
A week later they lifted the travel ban and our trip was on again.
However, the intensity of the trip was really hard to put into words.
We arrived at the airport with a group of students and friends who
prayed us there and back. Our flight was to Germany and then on to
Almaty, Kazakhstan. Military personnel was located everywhere with
machine guns strapped across their bodies. Kevin looked at every
person that loaded the plane. He already had practiced his plan of
attack in case he needed to take charge. As we flew into the dark –
literally there are no lights on the landing strip – all we could see were
the two little orange lights that brought us in to airport. We exited
and it was like the Shawshank redemption – you couldn’t see where
you were being led and everything was silent. We went through
security and had to point to the thousands of dollars we had taped to
our bodies. I had never felt that nervous before. There was a driver
waiting for us that took us through an alley. We jumped into an old
school BMW and flew to our apartment. It was pitch black. The
driver held a flashlight at the bottom of the stairs so that we could
see how to climb. Scary times full of faith!
The next morning we were greeted by our semi-sweet translator,
Alona. She seemed to like me but did not appreciate Kevin’s humor.
We had a five-hour flight to the city where Shelby was born. The
flight to Kokshetau was bumpy but we were both so excited we didn’t
mind. We arrived at the baby house and walked through a hallway
filled with women in bathrobes. The baby house provides postnatal
care for young moms giving their children up for adoption. If the
baby is not adopted by twelve months of age, he/she will then go to
an orphanage.
And then the big moment arrived. They had put Shelby in a
cradle by herself so that we could have that “special moment.” In the
room, a radio was playing an American pop song, “True” by Spandau
Ballet (which is now her song.) She was on her side propped up on
her arm and looked over our shoulder as if to say, “Can I help you?”
Then, I picked up our daughter. She did not smile but it did not
matter. I just thought she was not accustomed to having company.
She looked at us with questions in her eyes and we savored each
moment.
I inquired about her name to our interpreter and she shared with
me that was a very common name in their country. However, they
called her something else since there were so many little girls with that
name in the baby house. They called her “Rosa” because she was the
tiniest flower in the nursery. I got cold chills. My middle name is Rose.
We flew back to Almaty and the next two weeks were heaven
– no phone, no schedule, and no expectations. We played with
stacking cups and walked to the Tsum store for groceries. We looked
at the delicious goat heads available for dinner in the meat departments.
We even enjoyed a horse burger from the local McDonald’s.
We watched people ice skate and Kevin struck up a close relationship
with our driver, Alex. He had once been a sniper in the Soviet army.
We drove to look at the Himalaya’s and Alex explained how close we
were to Afghanistan. He and Kevin planned a day to visit the
mosques before we left.
We visited our in-country attorneys – three sisters that ran the
show. They were precious and ate Shelby up. Our court date was
approaching and the doctor and the court representative decided
that they would fly over instead of asking us to fly back to Kokshetau.
What a blessing.
The morning of court, Alex arrived and we met Alona there. She
told us not to say a word – let her do the talking. That was all fine and
good until the judge walked in the room. She had on three different
patterns that jumped out at you and blue and green eye shadow up
to her forehead. Kevin said, “Hey, doesn’t she remind you of MiMi
on the Drew Carey Show?” Alona did not find that humorous and
promptly told him to hush. All went perfectly and we went to
celebrate at an Irish Pub.
That night Shelby did not sleep. She screamed her head off and
bit my shoulder. Little did I know that a six-month old could cut
teeth. I froze an apple and cut it into chunks. She finally went to
sleep about 1:30 a.m. We were exhausted. We laid down and finally
went sound to sleep. Then about 3:00 a.m. our emergency satellite
cell phone rang. We both jumped up and started looking for it. It
was a friend from Brandon informing us that the US had begun
bombing Afghanistan.
Our agency decided to expedite our trip and we were sent into a
whirlwind. We had to go to the embassy and get everything stamped
in order to leave the country. We talked to our agency and they gave
us the details. For our safety and before they shut down international
travel again, they wanted to get us out of there. Kevin asked Alex if
they were still going to visit the mosque, but Alex said, “It would not
be wise to take an American in there right now.”
16 • Jan/Feb 2016

After a quick 24-hour stop in Moscow, we caught our flight for
New York. 13 hours in the air with a teething six month old was
taxing. With our flight times changed it was a literal miracle that we
made it through customs at JFK Airport in New York to catch our
connecting flight to Atlanta, then on to Jackson. Shelby was a
screaming mess until we got in the air leaving Atlanta. After that
she was as calm as could be, sleeping most of the way.
We changed her into jeans and a sweatshirt with a heart shaped
American flag on the front, and we were ready to introduce her to her
new world in Mississippi. Even with the tight post 9-11 security, over
200 friends and family along with a news camera crew and several
irritated airport security guards greeted us upon arrival in Jackson.
The next few weeks were filled with visitors from near and far.
Shelby became an “honorary” Brandon High School cheerleader in
the fall of 2001!
As we look back, the journey that we thought had taken forever is
such a short time in the big scheme of things. Our Kazak journey
lasted nine months. Ironic, huh? There are no coincidences in this
life. We were looking at our time instead of God’s time. His timing
is perfect. His grace is sufficient and His love is immeasurable.
We now have three children and are so blessed to share God’s
love with them. But mostly we thank our Lord that he gave us the
opportunity to “bring up a child in the way they (she) should go”–
who may have never heard the true meaning of life through His
death and resurrection. We love you Angel Princess and we praise
the Lord for His goodness and grace! n
__________________________________________________
There is more to the story! Many miracles and details we’d love to
share. Watch for the release of our book The Desire of our Hearts:
Shelby’s Story in 2016. You can keep up with the Cooper’s on Facebook,
and at our church web site www.Gracecrossingmadison.org
Hometown madison • 17

Is your student
ready to compete?
Voted the #1 School in Mississippi
At St. Andrew’s we are building
on a legacy of athletic success and
outstanding participation.
Next year St. Andrew’s will open a new
Athletic Healthplex that will strengthen
Saints teams as they train for State
Championships and bolster the health and
wellness of every student.
Schedule your visit at gosaints.org.
18 • Jan/Feb 2016

Hometown madison • 19

20 • Jan/Feb 2016

Mary Ann Kirby
couple of years ago, I was walking
back to my then-downtown office
from lunch and noticed a man up
ahead that clearly looked as if he had fallen
on hard times. He was leaning against the
wall watching as I approached and just as
I did, asked if I had a dollar to spare. Now
I knew he was going to ask me that but
what proceeded to come out of my mouth
was astonishing, even to me. I said, “I don’t
have a dollar. I even had to charge my lunch.”
And while I’m quite certain the guy doesn’t
take American Express or care, for that
matter, that I’d been faced with the grueling
decision between cash or credit, he still
managed a gracious nod as I passed him by.
I felt guilty–and ridiculous.
It got me to thinking, though, as I
continued on, what should I have said?
Better yet, what could I have done? It was
the second incident in as many weeks that
left me with the same question.
The week before, my son and I had made
a trip to Yazoo City to see my grandmother.
On the way there, I noticed an older man
standing alongside the highway trying to
fix his bicycle. His front wheel was lying on
the ground and there was a sign on the back
of his bike that said, “Broke and hungry.”
I instantly wished I’d known how to fix a
bicycle–but kept driving, nonetheless. I
mean, you never know about people, right?
Well three hours later on our way back,
we passed that same man now riding his
repaired bike down the shoulder of that
same highway having made it a good
distance from the original sighting. It was
as if God was giving me a second chance
to redeem myself. I told my son, “I wish
there was some way we could help him,”
and he said, “OK, but how?” And in the
time it took us to wrestle with what to do,
at 70 miles per hour, we had traveled
another half-mile down the road–still
not stopping. It weighed on me.
So that day, downtown, as I carried my
purse in the crook of my arm channeling
my inner Reese Witherspoon in Legally
Blonde, I once again failed the exercise
with which I was presented. The man on
the street was seemingly broke and in need
and I did nothing to help him. You know,
Lazarus was overlooked repeatedly and
look how that story ended.
How else could I have helped? A
sandwich and a bottle of water may have
done just the trick–just like the sandwich
and bottle of water I’d bought myself a
half-hour earlier. I mean, the fact that he’s
willing to suffer an existence of poverty
and begging rather than turn to a life of
crime suggests to me that he might actually
be of high moral character. I say that sort
of jokingly, of course. The point is, who are
we to judge? And what does that sandwich
cost in the grand scheme of things? Well,
based on the story of Lazarus, it could cost
me everything.
Regardless of how we act or think in
those situations, we could each do a little
more to help those who have a lot less.
And in reality, the “beggars” in our lives
are not limited to those penniless and on
street corners. We’re surrounded by people
starving emotionally, spiritually, and
socially–and how we feed them matters.
So as we embark upon a new year, I’d
like to offer a prayer for peace and new
beginnings. I pray that joy will fill our days,
peace will fill our hearts, and love will fill
our lives. I pray that we’ll be blessed with
all the good things God has to give and
that we will all live in love and truth in 2016.
God bless you all and Happy New Year! n
Hometown madison • 21

Envy
Inspire it.
Call the Face and
Skin Center today.
J. Randall Jordan, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon
The Township at Colony Park
201 Northlake Avenue, Suite 211 • Ridgeland
601.815.3374 • faceandskincenter.com
22 • Jan/Feb 2016
fsc_envy_HTMAD_4x10.indd 1
12/3/15 1:34 PM

Living your best life after a breast cancer diagnosis.
SOUTH
YSC REGIONAL
SYMPOSIUM
JAN 23
2016
JACKSON,
MS
HILTON
GARDEN INN
JACKSON
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Education, Empowerment,
Connection
#YSCJACKSON16
In partnership with
Gulf States Network:
• 1 day exploring survivorship and resiliency
• Learn from empowering and inspirational speakers
• Celebrate with festivities for you and your co-survivor
Free hotel stay available!
For more information: youngsurvival.org/conferences
conferences@youngsurvival.org | 877.972.1011
SPONSORS:
/youngsurvivalcoalition
youngsurvivalcoalition
@YSCBuzz
PLUS
SAVE THE DATE!
4th Annual Young Breast Cancer Survivors Workshop
April 2, 2016 | Birmingham, AL
Registration Opens February 2016: youngsurvivorsbhm.org
Hometown madison • 23

24 • Jan/Feb 2016

Remaining
FaithfulJill Dale
As a writer, I’ve written many stories and
articles on various subjects. I wrote procedure
manuals and procedure documents on web
applications and other application processes
for a few years. I then began writing for the
agent magazine that is distributed to the
agency force of Southern Farm Bureau Life
Insurance Company. I remember reading
trade magazines and hearing the stories
about the importance of life insurance and
what it means to a family. I would listen to
agents talk about delivering the death claim
check and how hard that was, but also the
relief and comfort it brought to a husband,
wife or mother or father. Never did I think
I would become the story I read about and
wrote about.
As I sat Sunday morning, two days after
my son died, I reflected on this and how life
has a weird way of playing out. I stared at a
blank document on my computer. I’ve never
been at a loss for words when it comes to
writing, but now I was. The hardest thing I
have ever written would be the obituary of
my 5 year old son, Campbell Grady Dale.
How would I condense his life, his impact
into a brief obituary? How do I tell the world
what an amazing, phenomenal boy Campbell
was? How do I tell people about his love for
his friends at the hospital, for his family, for
his twin sister and especially for his Father in
heaven…the one he trusted to take care of
him and heal him forever of his cancer?
What would I most want people to know
about the most amazing boy who called me
mom and David dad? I think it could be
summed up with this–he fought a brave
battle against a fierce enemy and the ultimate
Victor won, the One who wins every battle
against death, every, single time. Campbell
believed that God would heal him of his
cancer, and He did. He may not have healed
him in the way we wanted, but He healed
him according to His perfect will, His perfect
plan for Campbell’s life and for ours.
From the first day Campbell was diagnosed,
we laid him at our Father’s feet. We knew it
would take a miracle to heal him. The odds
were stacked against him, but we were ready
to fight. Our prayer was always that “Thy will
be done” whatever that may be. As we went
through the original treatment protocol
beginning in February 2014 of 54 weeks of
intense chemotherapy and 24 days of
radiation, we trusted God with each step,
with each decision that we made. When
Campbell’s cancer returned in April 2015,
we continued to trust Him and His plan for
his life. When we received the heartbreaking
news on August 17, 2015 that our doctors had
done everything that they could to heal him
here on earth, we continued to trust Him.
We always knew Campbell would be
healed, but now we knew that healing would
come in heaven and not here on earth. As
the words began to flow, so did the tears as
I reflected on what most would consider a
short life. His life may appear short to the
normal person, but the impact he had and
continues to have will be felt for years to
come. He lived the exact amount of time
God had ordained as He knit him together
in my womb…not a day more or a day less.
Hometown madison • 25

The following narrative tells the
heartwarming story of the Dale family’s
journey with cancer. Jill Dale made
regular journal entries about the journey
on CaringBridge.org. This includes excerpts
of Jill’s posts as compiled by Susan Marquez.
Snips and snails and puppy dog tails,
that’s what little boys are made of. Campbell
Dale was a normal little boy in every way.
Spirited. Curious. Exuberant. At least, until
he began having issues with constipation one
weekend. The series of events that followed
became a journey of heartbreak tempered
with faith and love.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
February 12, 2014 was a day the Dale
family will never forget, for that was the day
life as they knew it forever changed. “We had
not noticed anything abnormal over the
weekend,” his mom, Jill Dale, wrote on the
overview of the family’s CaringBridge site.
“Campbell had been constipated a little, but
nothing unusual. On Monday, February 10,
he went to school like normal.” Yet the
four-year-old still complained about being
constipated. An enema, a trip to the doctor,
and a couple of rounds of Miralax later,
Campbell’s temperature was climbing and
his belly was swollen. His doctor sent them
to a Radiology group to get an X-ray done.
When that came back inconclusive, a CT
scan revealed a mass in the boy’s abdomen.
“We were immediately sent to Blair E.
Batson Hospital for Children where we were
admitted at 5:30pm. After running more
tests on Thursday, we sat down with our
doctors and were told our son had a mass in
his belly that needed to be removed. It could be
anything from lymphoma, to neuroblastoma,
to a taratoma or rhabdomyosarcoma (at this
time rhabdo was toward the bottom of the
list).” On Friday, surgeons were able to remove
a 4 1/2 to 5 inch mass from his abdomen.
The mass was sent to a pathology lab and on
February 19, the family learned that Campbell
had been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma,
a rare form of cancer of the tissue. “They were
able to remove all of his tumor, but of course,
there were what they call studs left. We were
scheduled immediately for a bone scan and
PET scan for Monday, Feb. 24th. On Tuesday
the 25th, a bone marrow aspiration was done
along with the placement of a chemo port.
The preliminary results from the bone scan
and PET scan came back favorable meaning
it had not spread to the bones or other organs.
That Tuesday at 5:00, we were told that our
son has Stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma and
they had found a spot in his bone marrow.”
Campbell’s parents, David and Jill, were
told the road before them would be difficult
and hard. “We didn’t want to know the success
rate, that didn’t matter to us,” Jill wrote. “All
that mattered was ‘Can we beat this?’” The
chemo regimen would be aggressive, radiation
would be needed and 54 weeks is what it will
take. “As I laid my head on the table and cried
more than I have in two weeks, I didn’t think
I would be able to walk out of the room. So
David and I looked at each other, signed the
papers to begin treatment and told the doctor
to do whatever needed to be done to save our
son. The one thing that stood out in my mind
was David telling the doctor we know the
Great Physician (Jehovah Rapha) can heal
Campbell, not doctors or medicine…HE
provides the means to do it. So we called our
family in to tell them. The road before us
might be difficult, but we were determined
not to lie down and give up. We were in the
fight of our lives and we were confident that
Campbell would beat this.”
The family resolved to bathe themselves
in scripture and pray continuously without
ceasing.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be patient.” – Isaiah 40: 29-31
Campbell’s first chemotherapy treatment
began on Wednesday, February 26. All went
well. He actually slept through the first
treatment (he had been given some medicine
to calm him after a rough morning so he slept
all afternoon). The treatment started with
two drugs, Irinotecan and Vincristinem. The
Irinotecan was scheduled for five days straight.
Campbell’s twin sister, Avery (aka ‘’Shu”)
visited, and the children watched movies and
ate Chick-fil-A together. At the time, Jill was
reading a book, “The Red Sea Rules,” given
to hear by a woman at church. “I have found
so much wisdom and guidance in this book,”
Jill wrote. “Meditating on the truths in it has
brought so much peace: ‘So take a deep
breath and recall this deeper secret of the
Christian life: when you are in a difficult
place, realize that the Lord either placed you
there or allowed you to be there for reasons
perhaps known for now only to Himself.
The same God who led you in, will lead you
out.’ So we trust in this and we know that
HE will make a way. We don’t understand
why we are enduring this trial and may never
know while we are here on this earth, but we
know that the same God who paved the road
before us will walk beside us down this road
every step of the way. Mine and David’s
prayer throughout this entire journey is that
God will be glorified in everything. Don’t
worry about anything; instead pray about
everything and don’t forget to thank God for
His answers.”
26 • Jan/Feb 2016

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
On March 3, after 5 days of treatment,
Campbell was released to go home. “We
were all very thankful to be going home to
our familiar territory, routine, food, etc. “
Like most children, Campbell was a creature
of habit. He thrived in his own environment.
“We will return to the clinic for our post op
appointment at 8:40 Thursday morning and
then our first outpatient treatment will be at
12:30 on Thursday. We will continue to do
outpatient for treatment weeks two through
five, barring Campbell doesn’t get fever or
sick, which would put us back in the hospital.
David and I have decided that each day we
would find at least one thing to give God
praise for...we are thankful and blessed to get
the opportunity to do that each day of
treatment. Each morning, our prayer is that
Campbell’s side effects from treatment
would be minimum or NOT AT ALL.
We boldly pray for not at all. I am constantly
reminded to experience true joy in each and
every moment of the day and cherish the
time God gives me with my family.”
“I will extol the Lord at all times; HIS praise will
always be on my lips.” –Psalm 34:1
“Our bold prayer is that at six weeks,
when Campbell has his first evaluation, that
they will find no cancer. We know this is a
bold request, but our God is bigger than cancer
and we know HE hears each and every request
we offer up to HIM. Our other request is
that the side effects from the chemo will be
minimum or none at all. Thank you again for
all of your prayers, love and support. We are
praying without ceasing that Campbell will be
completely healed…his story is not finished.”
Throughout the treatment, Jill and David
sought moments of normalcy for their children.
About a month after he was diagnosed,
Campbell was able to return to Trinity
Preschool for a brief moment to enjoy Fairy
Tale Day. He dressed as a pirate, and his
twin sister, Avery, dressed as Rapunzel. A few
days later, Jill arranged a photo session with
photographer Allison Muirhead. “Our
friendship/relationship with Allison goes
back 7 years. She took our wedding pictures,
newborn pictures, first year pictures and many
other pictures since, of the twins and our family.
I knew there was no one else I wanted to take
these very special pictures and capture our
family as only she can. Because we don’t know
what the future holds for our family, we wanted
to have memories of what we were before
chemo/radiation.”
Radiation…such a scary word. “It’s one I
never thought I would speak of, especially
pertaining to my child.” A meeting with
doctors revealed that Campbell was
unfortunately not a candidate for the proton
therapy the family had hoped for. “Because
of the rare location of his Rhabdo (in the
abdomen) and the studs that were left from
surgery, the proton therapy will not work.
Without getting too detailed, proton therapy
hits the tumor (or cancer cells) with radiation.
Because Campbell’s cells are probably so
small, there is no way to know what to hit
and you can’t just hit thin air and hope you
are hitting the possible cancer cells remaining.
In his case, you can’t hope, you have to
know for certain that the radiation is hitting
what it is supposed to so that it won’t come
back. So, the only way to do that is to radiate
his entire abdomen.” The good news is the
radiation could be done at UMC. The bad
news would be the toll it would take on
Campbell. The side effects from radiation
will be worse since it is targeting his abdomen…
nausea, vomiting, intestinal issues (because
the intestines do not like radiation), etc. He
will be put to sleep every day for five days a
week for five weeks (because of his age and
the need to be completely still he has to be
put to sleep). He will also be receiving chemo
throughout radiation. We are scared, we are
nervous and we worry about the many side
effects to come. Secondary cancer is a big
one. We know that God provides the wisdom
and tools to the doctors to do their jobs so
we signed the papers once again and said do
whatever you have to in order to save his life
and give him a chance at living a long, full life.”
The toll on the entire family was hard.
“I’m tired, we are tired and my heart aches
for my four-year-old who doesn’t understand
why we keep doing all of this to him. I don’t
know if there has ever really been a time in
my life where I cried out to God that I was
so scared and I wasn’t sure I could keep
going. As much as I feel we are fighting an
uphill battle, HE reminded me that HE is
right there, fighting the battle with us. Oh
gosh how HE loves Campbell more than
I do…HE loves him so much I can’t even
fathom the depths of HIS love for him. So
I release it to HIM, I release Campbell to
HIM, trusting HIM to continue to carry us
through on this journey.”
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD
is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the
earth. HE will not grow tired or weary, and HIS
understanding no one can fathom. HE gives strength
to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men
stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they
will walk and not be faint.” –Isaiah 40:28
“From the fullness of HIS grace we have all received
one blessing after another.” –John 1:16
By January, Campbell’s little body was
struggling from the effects of the radiation.
“I’m going to be honest (and David and I
have always said from day one of this journey,
we would never sugarcoat it to make it more
pleasant because honestly there aren’t a lot of
days I count as pleasant). November and
December were rough months for us.” It was
Hometown madison • 27

week 42, and the radiation had an adverse
effect on Campbell’s bladder, necessitating
the insertion of stents. During that procedure,
it was determined there were muted cancer
cells in Campbell’s bladder. “My emotions
have been all over the map lately and this fear
has taken hold of my heart and my life once
again. I would love to say that I have it all
together and all figured out and we are
managing well, but that’s a lie. I am scared
of what my son’s future looks like…what our
future as a family looks like. In the weeks
since, I have experienced a flood of emotions,
but through it all, I have felt God’s presence,
HIS Peace that surpasses all understanding
and daily gentle reminders that HE is still on
HIS throne, HE has Campbell, us, all of us, in
the palm of HIS Hand. And I’m reminded of
that great hymn, ‘It is Well With My Soul.’
I love the words and how comforting that
those words written so many years ago are
still so true, so relevant to my life, to all of
our lives today. I love Kristene DeMarco’s
(Bethel Music) worshipful rendition of it
and find myself listening to it daily.
With nine weeks left of chemo, David and
Jill began to look forward to week number 54.
That’s when a scan would be performed to
determine if the cancer was in remission.
All along, family, friends, church members,
neighbors, co-workers and others pulled
together to feed the Dale family literally and
spiritually. The family was provided with meals,
cards, ‘happies’ and more which let them
know that they were not alone on their
journey.
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
–Psalm 90:14
The final week of chemo came on week
51, one year into the journey that began with
Campbell’s diagnosis of cancer. Jill was
reflective in her CaringBridge post: I think
about how this is definitely not how I
pictured my life, especially after having kids.
Through this year, I am learning to not take
life for granted, but to hold on to every
second and to make sure that I make every
day count for HIS Kingdom, as that is my
sole purpose here on earth: to be in so close
fellowship with HIM that HE reveals
HIMSELF to me. That I am open to what
HE is teaching me, showing me and that my
life will be a reflection of HIM and will draw
others to HIM, because that is what life is all
about, living a life that glorifies HIM so that
others will come to know HIM as their
Savior. What a huge responsibility, but what
a glorious, magnificent thing. I never would
have thought cancer would teach me so
much and bring me so far down that the only
way to rise up is reaching and grasping HIS
hand. That’s what we are doing, we grasp and
we hold on as tight as we can because I never
want HIM to let me go. To face a monster
like cancer without a Savior, well, I cannot
even imagine. People ask David and me how
we do it, but I really don’t think we do it. We
do the only thing we know, which is to pray
and trust that HE knows better than us what
is best for us and for Campbell. I don’t think
God makes people get cancer. It’s easy to
blame Him when something bad happens. I
think because of the sinful world we live in,
death, disease, immorality, etc. is a part of this
world. It makes us hope for something better,
a place where there will be no death, disease,
sin. What a magnificent thing, I mean can
you imagine living somewhere like that for all
eternity? That’s why I have hope, because
this life is not the end for me, for Campbell,
for all those who believe. A better place is
waiting and if Campbell gets there before
me, well what a glorious reunion that will be.
He can sit at Jesus’ feet and wait for me to
join him. No, I don’t want my child to die,
but no one does so I have to trust and believe
that God will heal him and he will live a long,
full, healthy life.
In May, the Dale family prepared
themselves for twelve three-week rounds of
chemo, 36 weeks with no break in between.
Campbell’s cancer had returned. “People
always ask how we do this day in and day out.
The answer is I just don’t know. There are
days that I am a blubbering mess and other
days where I forget this reality and our life
feels a little “normal” whatever that is. I
remember vividly having a bad day almost 2
weeks ago, bad enough that I was hyperventilating
and I couldn’t control the tears, the
anger or the emotions. Thinking about all
these things and being mad at God and
being mad at the world and not understanding
why my son was suffering so much. David
came home that night and reassured me that
it was going to all be okay. He said no matter
what, we were going to be okay (it’s funny
how God puts two people together – we are
so different, but yet our strengths and
weaknesses cancel each other out…God knew
that when he brought us together nine years
ago). After spending much time in prayer
that Tuesday night and basically crying and
praying on my knees at the foot of my child’s
bed (although this has become a regular scene
for the past 15 months), the next morning I
felt this peace wash over me and it has been
with me ever since. I know that was and is
God saying trust ME, love ME, look to
ME…I’ve got this. I have carried you this far
and will continue to carry you until the end
when you join ME in Heaven. HE continues
to give me, give us, a peace that surpasses all
of our understanding, strength to endure and
hope for tomorrow. Chemo starts tomorrow
(Monday). We are ready to fight and win.
We don’t know what the next 36 weeks looks
like.”
28 • Jan/Feb 2016

“Yet I am always with you, you hold me by my right
hand. YOU guide me with your counsel, and
afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I
in heaven but YOU? And earth has nothing I desire
but YOU. My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD
is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
–Psalm 73:23-26
Those weeks were difficult for Campbell
and for his family. Jill went through all range
of emotions, including anger and helplessness.
“I don’t understand why these kids get
cancer, fight so hard and then lose the fight.
I think it is something I may always struggle
with (another question for that day when I
get to Heaven). I want more than anything
else in this world for my child to beat this
cancer. I know the odds are stacked against
him and there is literally nothing that neither
I nor David can do to change that. I want to
control the outcome. I want to control how
he responds to chemo. I want to control
every last part of it, and I can’t. I simply have
to let it go, lay it down at my Savior’s feet and
remember that Campbell is not mine. He is
only a gift to love and nurture and point him
to the One who loves him more than I do.
What a tall order, but what a gift we’ve been
given. More than anything else in this world,
I want him to know God, to know Christ as
we do, a loving Savior that died so that we
might live. But really, isn’t that what life is all
about for all of us?”
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33
By mid September, Campbell was fading.
“I’ve cried many tears in the past few days,
knowing that Campbell is one day closer to
being HOME. He sat up in bed last night
and I was talking to him as he was drinking
his apple juice. I asked him if he was tired, he
nodded yes. I asked him if he was ready to go
home and he said yes. I then asked him if he
was ready to see Jesus. He nodded yes. I
hugged him tight and told him, not much
longer, and then told him that Jesus would
take care of him and told him to wait for us.
No one prepares you for this…there are
no classes, no book to walk you through
watching your child fight cancer and then
watching the cancer take over their body. I
don’t think there is any possible way to write
a book about it or tell someone how to do it.
You do it by experience and it’s an experience
I wish we never had. David and I look at each
other some days and feel like we are living in
this alternate universe or something. It’s just
a strange life we have these days. I think we
just go through the motions, just trying to
get through the day. There have been good
moments during the day with Campbell and
I cherish those. They are becoming few and
far between though. He’s tired and has slept
most of today. He’s on oxygen around the
clock and we have tried to keep him as
comfortable as possible with medication.
He knows he is loved so very much and we
kiss him and tell him that as much as we can.
I think what is scary to me is not having him
physically here to kiss and to touch. That’s
what scares me and it’s something I have
struggled with and have asked God many
times during the day to give me comfort and
peace in that.”
As difficult as the journey was, there were
blessings scattered all along the way for both
Campbell and his family. Several people with
the MSU alumni flew the family back and
forth to Starkville on Aug 25th so that
Campbell could be a Bulldog for a day.
“We are grateful to so many people,” wrote
Jill, “from the athletic department at MSU
(the basketball team, the baseball team, the
football team, Coach Mullen, Dak Prescott
and Scott Strickland), to Allison Muirhead
and John David Smith that captured so
many memories for us that day.” The
Make-A-Wish Foundation in Mississippi
helped with that, as well as granting
Campbell’s wish to go to Disney World.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we
are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed
day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on
what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what
is unseen is eternal.” –2 Corinthians 4:16-18
On September 18, 2015, just 11 days shy
of his sixth birthday, Campbell Grady Dale
passed away. “We are heartbroken and
feeling an emptiness in our hearts because
our precious Campbell is no longer here with
us. We are rejoicing that he is now with his
Savior, the one that loves him more than we
can fathom or imagine. Oh to witness that
sweet, precious reunion when he ran into his
Daddy’s arms and to look upon HIS glorious
face and hear HIM say, “Well done my good
and faithful servant. Now come and rest.”
We look forward to the day when we will be
reunited and we can worship our Father
together at HIS feet.”
“I am the Lord who comforts HIS people and will
have compassion on HIS afflicted ones. You can
transcend your troubles because I am both powerful
and compassionate.” –Jesus Today by Sarah Young
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and
the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who
is to come, the Almighty.” –Revelations 1:8 n
Hometown madison • 29

We’ve combined all your favorite things about
auto insurance: local agents, competitive rates
and fast, friendly claims.
Call your local agent or go to FaveRates.com today to get a quote.
MSAUNP42452
*Mississippi Farm Bureau ® Casualty Insurance Co.
*Southern Farm Bureau ® Life Insurance Co.
*Southern Farm Bureau ® Casualty Insurance Co.
FaveRates.com
Why take your business or your skills anywhere
else? As the leading independent staffing agency
in the market, we consistently attract the
finest candidates and match them with the best
companies in the area. And because we’ve always
been locally owned, you’ll be dealing with staffing
experts who are invested in, and responsive to, the
local business community.
STAY LOCAL. SEE RESULTS.
As the largest independently owned
staffing service in Mississippi, we
can customize a wide range of
solutions for our clients and provide
a plethora of opportunities for our
employees. We’re large enough to
provide services to big corporations
but just the right size for smaller
companies, too.
Whether you’re looking
for work or need
employees, we can
assist you with a variety
of positions, including:
- forklift
- assembly
- warehouse
- janitorial
IF YOU’RE
READY TO GET ON
BOARD, CONTACT
US TODAY!
- administrative
- call center
- accounting & finance
- marketing & sales
and much more...
JACKSON 601-353-4200 | CANTON 601-859-8860 | MCCOMB 601-250-0800
www.tempstaff.net
30 • Jan/Feb 2016

19th Annual
Garden Extravaganza
Paula Pettis,
Prissy Pots Landscaping
Haley Barrett, MNLA
Looking for a great event to officially kick
off spring? We have just the event that will
make you want to get your hands dirty. Mark
your calendars for the 19th Annual Garden
Extravaganza (formerly the Jackson Garden &
Patio Show) on March 18th, 19th & 20th at the
Mississippi Trade Mart on the Fairgrounds. The
Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association
(MNLA) is excited to bring so many vendors
together in one central location for all of your
garden and patio needs including flowers, trees,
landscape professionals, equipment, yard art,
ironwork, pottery, one of a kind bird houses,
garden accessories and much, much more.
Admission is only $6 per person. Children 15
and under get in free and, as always, there is
plenty of free parking.
The early bird gets the worm, or in our case
the tomato plant. The first 100 people through
the door on Friday and Sunday, and the first
200 people on Saturday will get a free tomato
plant, courtesy of Rivers Plant Farm and
Jackson Farms Nursery.
All three days will be filled with demonstrations
and seminars. Our exciting ‘how to’
demonstrations will be located on the showroom
floor and will include topics such as: Hot plants
for 2016, how to create the perfect mixed
containers, and much more. Since the Garden
Extravaganza is a family friendly event, we have
also added ‘make and take’ demonstrations to
the children’s activity area to teach kids fun
gardening skills. Ball Seed Company and BWI
Companies team up with MNLA to sponsor
this area.
March 18-20, 2016
MS Trade Mart
Jackson, MS
For a complete list of seminars and demonstrations,
please visit www.msnla.org. All seminars
and demonstrations are free with paid admission.
And while at the show, be sure to register for
fabulous door prizes donated from our
wonderful exhibitors.
As in year’s past, attendees will get the
opportunity to view several of central Mississippi’s
finest landscaper’s work in the outdoor living
spaces competition area. These outdoor living
spaces will be in the middle of the exhibit hall,
will serve as the focal point for this year’s show
and will give you great ideas on how to make
your outdoor space the best it can be. They will
incorporate a wide range of styles, from the
outdoor kitchen area, the secluded backyard
retreat, tranquil water features, family entertainment
areas, and lounge areas to watch your
favorite show or team. All of the landscape
professionals will be on hand to discuss how to
make your landscape dreams a reality.
Is your grass looking less than green? Is there
a fungus among us? Do you have mysterious
weeds? As always, the experts from Mississippi
State University Extension Service will be there
to answer any questions, provide information
and test soil for free.
Of course the real stars of the show are
always the flowers. You’ll find this year’s Mississippi
Medallion Award Winners, tropicals, ferns, trees,
shrubs, roses, bedding plants, vegetables, herbs
and so much more. Many of the garden centers
will have dish gardens, fairy gardens, beautiful
hanging baskets and gorgeous mixed containers
that are ready to brighten your porch for the
spring.
Not sure which plants that you need? We
will have plenty of people that can help you
with that. There will be numerous garden center
employees, landscapers, and MSU experts
available to help you out. Bring pictures of the
area or container that you are buying plants for
and know the amount of sunlight and shade
that the area receives. These are very important
things to know when shopping for plants.
And don’t worry about what to do with all
your purchases. There will be a customer
holding area available where you can in the
products that you buy and continue shopping
without having to carry your purchases around.
Once you are finished shopping, you can drive
around to the back and have your purchases
loaded in your vehicle. It’s like valet for your
plants!
__________________________________________
Visit our web page www.msnla.org, find us
on Facebook, or call 601-919-8111 for more
information on the 2016 Garden Extravaganza.
Like us on Facebook for a chance to win tickets—
Mississippi Garden & Patio Shows!

Following
a Calling
Susan Marquez
Dr. Bard Johnston
Dr. Bard Johnston
is a family physician
at Main Street Family
Medicine, associated
with the Baptist
Medical Center.
He practices with
Bruce Black, MD and
Ashley Pullen, MD.
32 • Jan/Feb 2016

Tell us where you grew up and about your childhood.
I’m from Jackson, but actually grew up in Ridgeland. My father
was a contractor, and my parents purchased a large antebellum
home that sat where Fitness Lady is today. My two brothers and
I thought they had moved us to the middle of nowhere! I went
to Jackson Academy, where I played just about every sport, and
was All State in basketball. I went to the University of Alabama
and then four years at University Medical Center followed by
another two years to study family practice.
Why did you decide to become a physician?
When I was in high school, my advisor encouraged me to take
advance placement subjects. By my senior year, I only had one
requirement left, so like many of the jocks at the school, I opted
for classes that required the least homework. Instead, I focused
on sports and took classes like choir and typing. I guess the
joke was on me, because we had a wonderful choir teacher
who really instilled a love of music in us, and since the advent
of electronic health records, my typing class is proving to be
invaluable.
I didn’t really think about being a doctor until college. I felt
God-led into the field, particularly to family medicine. I think it
began through my experience with Campus Crusade for Christ
and a bible study where I felt a call to go into medicine. While
I was a resident at UMC, I moonlighted like crazy at a little
hospital in Union, Mississippi. Being a resident, I was on my
own, which was really an awesome growing experience. I think
I knew then I was doing the right thing.
Tell us about your practice.
Baptist Main Street is more of a traditional, old fashioned small
town family practice. We handle a lot of physicals and internal
medicine. We are also trained in pediatrics, although we mostly
see adolescents and up. We see about 35 patients a day, and I’d
say at least eight of those will have sinus infections.
The practice is all about relationships. When we say “family
practice,” we want to treat your whole family, but we also want
to be like family to you. We want our patients to feel like they
really know their doctor and nurse. We treat a hodgepodge of
illnesses from diabetes and high blood pressure to high
cholesterol and anxiety and depression.
What would you tell a new physician about his
career choice?
Medicine has changed. There are difficulties now in regard
to record-keeping. We spend more and more time now doing
paperwork, which means we can’t see as many patients. I like
to spend time with each of my patients, especially those with
chronic long-term needs, but it’s become so labor-intensive.
I have not let that take the fun out of medicine, though. I would
tell anyone that if they are truly called into medicine, follow that
calling. It is going to continue to be a field that pays well due to
the demand.
Tell us about your family.
Growing up, we were all good church-going Baptists, and
I continued that in college, going to First Baptist Church in
Tuscaloosa. While I grew up at First Baptist Church in Madison,
I started attending Colonial Heights when I was in med school,
and I met my wife, Jennifer, there. She was a student at Mississippi
College. Now we attend Broadmoor Baptist. We have two
children, a son who loves sports and a daughter who loves
drama. They are the loves of our lives.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My entire family loves to travel. We took a two week cruise
to Europe this summer. We love traveling with our children
and introducing them to new places. And we also love being
in Tuscaloosa on game weekends! Another thing I enjoy is my
church. Our family is really plugged into Broadmoor Baptist
Church. n
Hometown madison • 33

serving our community
Captain Willie Brown
canton Fire Department
Why did you decide to be a fireman?
At the young age of 12 I had high hopes and dreams
of becoming a firefighter.
How long have you been with the Canton
Fire Department?
On February 22, 2016 it will be 20 years—along with
U.S. Navy experience of seven years aboard the USS
America CV-66 & Naval Air Station Meridian,
Mississippi.
Tell us about your family.
Well, I’m the oldest of Willie & Essie Brown’s three
children with two sisters, Pamela and Trudonna. I’m
married to Stephanie McGue Brown of Norfolk, Va.
and we have three adorable kids, Joyce (29) Kenneth
(25), and Jaliyn (20).
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
The toughest thing I encountered was having to
perform CPR on my father who I lost to a fight with
cancer in 1998.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I enjoy fishing, hunting, and have a passion for
exercising and physical fitness. Mostly anything
recreational.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Vacation to Brazil 2. An Alaskan cruise 3. Snorkeling
in the Bahamas’ blue waters
Who is someone you admire and why?
President Barack Obama, for his major milestone as
becoming the nation’s first black U.S. President.
Where do you see yourself ten years from
now?
I see myself being a retired fire chief and traveling
the world once again—but this time not serving in
the military.
If you could give one piece of advice to
a young person, what would it be?
Confession to Christ—and education.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
Playing all variety of sports in grandma’s front yard
with cousins—now reflecting back to where we
come from.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
Not furthering education.
What is your favorite thing about Canton?
The Canton Flea Market and Victorian Christmas
of Lights.
What is your favorite thing about
Madison County?
Community involvement and cultures.
34 • Jan/Feb 2016

flora's finest
Assistant Chief Clifton Nelson
Flora police Department
Why did you decide to be a police officer?
I was influenced by my older sister who was a
Jackson police officer and later became chief of
police of that department.
How long have you been with the Flora
Police Department?
I’ve been with Flora Police Department four years,
after serving 28 years with Ridgeland Police
Department.
Tell us about your family?
I’m married and have two children and two children
by a previous marriage.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
Having to cope or deal with crimes against children
and senior citizens.
Share some things you enjoy doing in
your spare time?
Restoring old muscles cars.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Job wise, assist in organizing and structuring this
department before retirement and then travel before
settling down in my hometown.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My older sister and Carol Phelps (a retired Jackson
and Madison County deputy) both have inspired
and guided me throughout my career.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Retired and waiting on the mailman.
If you could give a piece of advice to
a young person, what would it be?
Obtain as much education as possible. Also, what
you do in your younger years will reflect how people
perceive you later in life.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
My father coming home from the military.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
Being impatient and quick to follow fads.
What is your favorite thing about Flora?
Its citizens and potential.
What is your favorite thing about
Madison County?
Its schools, legal system and availability of housing.
Hometown madison • 35

Hometown Madison
Reader
SPOTLIGHT
Ona Irby
Why did you decide to make Madison
your home?
We moved to the Madison-area after a transition
with our jobs. We wanted a place we could raise a
family with superior public schools and excellent
economic opportunities.
How long have you lived in Madison?
We have lived in Madison for 16 years.
Tell us about your family.
My husband, Deacon, and I have been married
17 years. We have three daughters: Shelbi (24),
Olivia (14) and Avery (11). Our oldest, Shelbi, lives
with her husband, Donald, in Howell, Michigan.
Olivia is in 8th grade at Germantown Middle School
and keeps us busy with cheerleading at school and
Premier Tumble and Cheer where she is on their
senior competition squad. Avery is in 6th grade at
Germantown Middle School. She enjoys equestrian
ridding at Blue Ribbon Riding Academy. We attend
Pinelake Church-Madison where we enjoy serving
in different capacities. My husband is employed at
Johnson Controls and I am an occupational therapist
at Select Specialty Hospital. For fun, our family
enjoys being outdoors on the weekends whether
it’s boating, biking, hiking, or gathered by camp fire
at our family cabin in Holmes County.
What are your favorite memories of living
in Madison?
Our family has always loved “Swing into May” at
the Caboose. When our children were toddlers,
we loved the fun activities at Strawberry Patch
Park-Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas with Santa.
We always look forward to the fireworks for 4th
of July. But, overall, we really have enjoyed watching
all the growth that our area has seen. The area has
grown exponentially.
Where are your 3 favorite places to eat
in Madison?
Georgia Blue, El Ranchito, and Mermaid Café
What are some fun things to do in
Madison on the weekends?
We like to take advantage of the beautiful parks,
visit retail shops, go to movies, and explore the
community of Livingston.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I love gardening, traveling, volunteering in the
community and attending MSU games.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Travel to Italy, get my scuba diving certification,
and go on a mission trip, both internationally
and locally.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My uncle, George Hester. He is a successful man
that has always followed these principals: God first,
family second and career third.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
We will be empty-nesters, so I’m anticipating the
arrival of grandchildren, and traveling all over the
U.S. and internationally with my loved ones.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Christmastime at our home was so much fun. Our
home was filled with lots of amazing food, family
and traditions.
If you could give us one encouraging
quote, what would it be?
Life is like a camera. You focus on what’s important,
capture the good times, and develop from the
negatives. And if things just don’t work out, take
another shot. –Unknown
What is your favorite thing about
Hometown Madison Magazine?
I enjoy reading all the different articles about the
people, places and events of Madison. n
36 • Jan/Feb 2016

facIal rejuvenatIon Is about the artistry.
before
AfTer
r It’s your face.
It’s our specialty.
r
Dr. Adair
Blackledge
mississippi’s #1 botox injector
mississippi’s only black diamond physician
1659 lelia drive jackson, ms 39216
601-981-3033 www.blackledgefacecenter.com

A
Preserved
Past
Susan
Marquez
38 • Jan/Feb 2016

Located in the hills of Madison County with ravines
hollowed out by nature during the past century, the size
of the now millions-year old petrified logs that lie there
in repose indicates that as living trees, they were
one hundred feet tall.
If the state flower is the magnolia, and the state bird is the mockingbird, what
might the state stone be? Surprisingly, the official stone for the state of Mississippi
is petrified wood, which is found in abundance at the Mississippi Petrified Forest
in Flora. With fewer than twenty of these geological occurrences in the world, the
Petrified Forest is a real treasure.
You may have seen the signs along the highway with a woodpecker sporting
a crushed beak because he can’t drill holes into the petrified wood. I’ve seen them
for years, and actually had my first experience in the Petrified Forest during an
elementary school field trip in 1964, the year after the attraction first opened to the
public. I visited each spring on subsequent field trips for the next five years. After
that, I took a 25-year or so break before rediscovering the Petrified Forest in 1996
when I visited the attraction with my Leadership Madison County class. It was
our “quality of life” day, and we visited unique places around the county. At the
Petrified Forest, we walked the trails and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds
before heading on to our next destination. Ever since, any out of town visitors to
our home get a side trip to the Mississippi Petrified Forest.
A National Natural Landmark, the Mississippi Petrified Forest is a privately
owned family business. Two diehard rockhounds, R.J. “Bob” and Shirl Schabilion
acquired the Petrified Forest in August 1962. They were concerned that the area
might be lost to development, and they also recognized that the 36-million year old
trees needed to be preserved into the future. Today the venue features a ½ mile long
nature trail that showcases the petrified trees, as well as a visitor’s center with a
world-class earth science museum displaying spectacular and rare mineral, fossil
and petrified wood specimens from around the world.
The gift shop is a rock lover’s paradise, with unique souvenirs, and a vast array
of minerals, fossils, seashells and natural gemstone jewelry for sale. On the rock
patio, kids of every age can enjoy the adventure of “fluming” for colorful stones.
Bob Dellar has been working at the Petrified Forest for nine years. “It’s an
interesting place,” he says. “It’s an ideal place for me because I’ve always been
interested in rocks and nature. It’s a great place to come and experience peace
and quiet, not that far from the city.”
Dellar says that the attraction draws about 12,000
visitors each year, and most years there are visitors
from all 50 states and from 30 to 45 different countries.
“It’s been designated a Southern Travel Treasure by
AAA’s Southern Traveler magazine,” Dellar says,
“and it has been featured in Reader’s Digest’s ‘Off the Beaten
Path,’ as well as ‘Roadside America’ and ‘101 American
Geo-Sites You Gotta See.’”
Adjacent to the grounds is a beautiful wooded campground with full RV hookups
and primitive tent sites with electricity and water. The large covered pavilion is ideal
for family reunions and church picnics. The pavilion is available at no charge to
school groups on field trips. “We’ve even hosted a few weddings out here,” says Dellar.
Open daily except Christmas and Thanksgiving, the Mississippi Petrified Forest
is pet friendly and handicap accessible. Dellar says it’s still a favorite destination for
school field trips. n
For more information, visit the Mississippi Petrified Forest website or call 601-879-8189.
Hometown madison • 39

What is your
New Year’s Resolution?
Renee Laird
“In 2016 I would like to
spend more time reading
God’s word and praying. I am
praying that God will lead me
to be sensitive to His divine
appointments for me each
and every day. I would like to
be more of an encourager by
speaking words of kindness to
others. I would like to
continue to be a Godly wife,
mother, relative, and friend. I
hope and pray that God will
guide me to be more of the
person he created me to be in
2016. I pray each of you will
have a blessed year.”
Brittany
Whittington
“My New Year’s resolution
is to increase my savings
and prepare for the future
instead of carelessly living
in the present.”
Christi Varner
“My New Year’s Resolution is
to downsize in life. I plan to
get rid of the clutter I have,
whether it is social activities
or material things, so that
I have more time to spend
with my family.”
Katie Ishee
“My New Year’s resolutions
for 2016 are focusing on
my faith and family! After a
couple of years of immeasurable
loss and trials and
tribulations, God has laid
it on my heart to keep
Him in the center of my
life and family.”
40 • Jan/Feb 2016

Beth Biedenharn
“Be still, allow for quiet time
outside without distractions
so that I can observe the
amazing gifts God gives.
Warming sun, gentle breeze,
rustle of leaves and birds
singing are simple joys I wish
to make time to notice, and
appreciate. Devote more time
to creating memories with
those I love. Less texting
more talking face to face with
friends and family.”
Wilkegen Holley
“I, Wilkegen Holley, will
continue to exceedingly an
boastfully be amazed with
JESUS and life!”
Madi Nichols
“To grow closer to God
and give more respect to
my parents.”
Susan Gussio
Most of my resolutions are
focused inward (lose weight,
get healthier, etc.) but I really
want to make more of an
effort to do for others. I take
care of a family in Canton
and do my best to donate
and help out whenever I can,
but next year I want to focus
outside and help others more.
I plan to do at least one
substantial nice thing a day
for someone else–something
that has meaning to them.
And also by doing that, it will
indirectly boost my happiness
–a win win!!
Hometown madison • 41

Carving
Out a
PassionSusan
Marquez
Sitting on the front porch, pocket
knife in one hand, block of wood
in the other, a pile of shavings at
your feet...it all seems very, well,
Mayberry RFD. So yeah, Sheriff Andy would whittle to relax after
keeping the peace in Mayberry all day. But whittling and wood carving are still just as
popular today right here in Madison County.
Wade Bouie, a City of Madison resident, enjoys carving because it’s relaxing. “It’s my
quiet time, and it takes all my stress away. I love the joy of seeing characters emerge out of
a piece of wood.” He mostly carves caricatures, snowmen and Santas.
Buie is a member of the The Pearl River Woodcarving Guild, a non-profit organization
that exists solely to promote woodcarving through regular meetings and an annual show.
It started in October 1983 as the Mississippi Pearl River Woodcarvers. The meetings are
held on the third Monday night of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Brandon City
Hall/Senior Center on West Government Street. The annual show was held in October,
with entrants in a number of categories.
42 • Jan/Feb 2016

To go to a Pearl River Woodcarving Guild show is a treat. The first
thing you may notice is the person working the registration table is
doing double duty, pocketknife in hand and actively carving Christmas
stars for ornaments. Dale Anderson, clad in his green vest and Pearl
River Woodcarving Guild hat, carves for the fun of it. “It’s relaxing and
it’s fun,” the 88-year-old Reservoir resident says. “I enjoy taking a
simple block of wood and creating something out of it. It’s ideal for me,
because I do it just about anywhere.”
Inside the Brandon municipal complex, an array of birds, fish, bears,
ducks, dolphins, deer, and other wildlife are caught in poses, frozen in
time. Hands have carefully carved the figures out of a variety of different
woods, then painted or stained them to look as real as they do in nature,
or artfully stylized. There are Santa heads carved in cypress stumps, a
fire-breathing dragon, humorous caricatures and more. The pieces are
entered in the appropriate categories then a panel of judges evaluates
the relief carvings, miniatures, embellished turnings and other wooden
works of art.
Buie coordinated the show for the second year. He’s been a member
of the Guild for about six years. “My cousin, James Buie, was one of the
founders of the club. He and another cousin, Kendall Winstead, tried to
get me to visit one of the meetings. I finally did, and then decided to
attempt to carve something. That was it. I fell in love with it.” Buie had
four pieces in the show for competition, with another three on display.
Hometown madison • 43

This years’ show had more in the open class than ever before, but
the entries in the interim and novice classes were down. “That
shows that we need to recruit more folks,” Buie said.
Horace McNeal serves as the Guild’s president. A resident
of Pelahatchie, McNeal only joined the group in 2013. “I
started carving in 2012,” he said. “I attempted carving in prior
years, but it didn’t really go anywhere. Then I met a
gentleman in Rankin County who helped me get
started. I ordered some tools and he helped me
until I felt confident on my own.”
The attendance for this year’s show was
good, according to McNeal. “We had demos
throughout the day, and those were well attended.
Everybody seems to like to learn something new.”
The woodcarvers in the Guild are from all different
walks of life, and all ages. The scope of their work is broad,
and there’s a strong emphasis on encouraging one another.
The monthly meetings feature various speakers and artisans who
provide informative seminars and workshops, and the public is
always welcomed. A typical meeting consists of a word of welcome
by the president, introduction of guests, presenting of a carving
project consisting of a cut-out and a pattern, a “show and tell” time,
special program and a give-away of donated items related to
woodcarving. The club maintains a free lending library of books
about woodcarving and related subjects that can be checked out by
members.
From the inception of the Pearl River Woodcarvers organization,
the experienced wood carvers sit with beginner carvers and help
them carve a heart, mostly out of donated basswood or water tupelo.
The patterns are taken from books and magazines, or sometimes
original patterns by club members. “We want to expose as many
people to woodcarving as we can,” said McNeal. n
___________________________________________________
For more information, visit www.pearlriverwoodcarvers.org.
44 • Jan/Feb 2016

Hometown madison • 45

46 • Jan/Feb 2016

Taking
Advantage
of Today
Camille Anding
It was the perfect day to drop by Sunnybrook Estates for a visit with
my new friend, Dot Smith. In a previous interview, she had shared about
her family and a special granddaughter, Amanda Byrd. I was delighted to
find Amanda visiting with her grandmother, and I had the opportunity
not only to meet Amanda but see some of her art work.
The bond between grandmother, Dot, and Amanda was pronounced.
Amanda stayed close to her grandmother and fixed her eyes on Dot’s
hands and lips. Even though Amanda is deaf, she reads lips and sign
language and is blessed with a smile that radiates her contentment and
zest for life.
At noon, I accompanied the couple to lunch in the sun-filled, spacious
dining room of Sunnybrook. Dot’s “regulars” were already seated and
waiting for her.
Margie Hubbard explained that she had been a resident the
shortest length of time, moving from Clarksdale, but had been
welcomed and made to feel close to her new friends. Katherine
Kennedy was from Vicksburg but grew up in Redbone, Mississippi.
She laughed as she shared about the remoteness of her childhood
home. Anne McKee was another light-hearted dining companion
and talked of days working with her husband during his years as
minister of education at Broadmoor Baptist Church.
All four of the dining friends were widows, but were adapting
well to the new chapter in their lives and grateful for the security
and care given them at Sunnybrook.
The noon sun gave the entire room a warm, welcoming glow
and palpable friendships were as sweet as the blueberry cobbler.
As we discussed life and its challenges, Anne shared her
formula for living: “Yesterday’s gone; tomorrow isn’t here yet,
so I’ll take advantage of today.”
It was a really special visit with Dot. She introduced me
to new friends and gave me my own opportunity to “take
advantage of the day.” n
Hometown madison • 47

The Overby Company welcomes
Alicen Blanchard.
Alicen joins us as a licensed real
estate professional after a decade in
non-profit and project management,
where she built strong connections
in the residential and commercial
construction industry. A resident of the
Jackson area since 1992, Alicen owns
and manages a portfolio of real estate,
and believes that her success presents
an opportunity to help others invest.
She lives in Madison with her husband
and two daughters. You can reach
Alicen at 601.260.0699, or by email:
alicen@overby.net
Located in Jackson since opening in 1983, The Overby Company has grown
from a small residential real estate firm into a full-service brokerage serving
the entire state of Mississippi. Alicen’s depth of knowledge for this market is a
welcome addition to The Overby Company.
RIDGELAND’S PREMIER
MEMORY CARE ASSISTED
LIVING COMMUNITY
IS NOW OPEN.
jacksonhouses.com
601.366.8511
Moving people forward
over 15 years
Full-time Memory Care Director & Around-the-clock nurses
Extensive dementia care training for all staff • 24-hour care partners
Family support groups • On-site rehabilitation services
Weekly laundry & housekeeping • Three chef prepared meals daily
We’ve got moves
25,000
of them
99% customer
referral rate
650 Highway Colony Pkwy. in Ridgeland
601.605.9494 • www.Beau-Ridge.com
Now Accepting Priority Reservations
for Independent Living - Be a
Founding Beau Club Member
Today! Opening February.
U.S. DOT #913816
48 • Jan/Feb 2016

*
**
**
*
And this
And this
And this
And this
And this
And this
AIR OPTIX ® AQUA Multifocal
contact lenses are designed for
seamless vision, near through far.
AIR OPTIX ® AQUA Multifocal
contact AIR lenses OPTIX are ® designed AQUA Multifocal for
seamless contact vision, lenses near through are designed far. for
seamless vision, near through far.
*
**
*
**
See this in focus
And this
See this in focus
See this in focus
And this
And this
THE LENS YOU CAN see what you've been missing IN.
Learn more at airoptix.com/multifocal
**
*
**
*
THE LENS YOU CAN see what you've been missing IN.
THE LENS YOU CAN see what you've been missing IN.
Learn more at airoptix.com/multifocal
Learn more at airoptix.com/multifocal
*One-month refers to a recommended replacement schedule of up to 4 weeks as determined by the eye care practitioner. **Eye exam may be required. Professional fees may apply. At participating offices.
Important information for AIR OPTIX ® AQUA Multifocal (Iotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear or extended wear up to 6 nights for near/far-sightedness and/or presbyopia. Risk of serious eye
problems (i.e., corneal ulcer) is greater for extended wear. In rare cases, loss of vision may result. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning, or stinging may occur.
Brandon (601) 825-8300
Madison (601) 605-2259
Ask your eye care professional for complete wear, care, and safety information.
Yazoo City (662) 746-4312
*One-month refers to a recommended replacement schedule of up to 4 weeks as determined by the eye care practitioner. **Eye exam Canton may be (601) required. 859-3464 Professional fees Ridgeland may apply. (601) At 957-9292 participating offices.
© 2012 Novartis 8/12 AOM12154JAD
Important information *One-month for refers AIR to OPTIX a recommended ® AQUA Multifocal replacement (Iotrafilcon schedule B) of contact up to 4 lenses: weeks as For determined daily wear by or the extended eye care wear practitioner. up to 6 nights **Eye for exam near/far-sightedness may be required. Professional and/or presbyopia. fees may Risk apply. of serious At participating eye offices.
problems (i.e., Important corneal ulcer) information is greater for for AIR extended OPTIX wear. In rare cases, loss of vision may result. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning, or stinging may occur.
® AQUA Multifocal (Iotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear or extended wear up to 6 nights for near/far-sightedness and/or presbyopia. Risk of serious eye
Ask your eye problems care professional (i.e., corneal for ulcer) complete is greater wear, for care, extended and safety wear. information.
In rare cases, loss of vision may result. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning, or stinging may occur.
© 2012 Novartis Ask 8/12 your AOM12154JAD
eye care professional for complete wear, care, and safety information.
C=100, M=75, Y=0, K=60
© 2012 Novartis 8/12 AOM12154JAD
C=100, M=75, Y=0, K=40
C=0, M=0, Y=0, K=70
Font = Trajan Bold, Regular
C=100, M=75, Y=0, K=60
C=100, M=75, Y=0, K=40
C=0, M=0, Y=0, K=70
Font = Trajan Bold, Regular
Hometown madison • 49

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Ann Scott
Elementary
Welcomes New
Staff Members
(L-R standing) Shemika Carter, Patricia Harris, Calvin Bogan, Kate Morris,
Stephanie Clark.
(L-R sitting): Kenya Rafferty, Erin Coker, Christel Tate, Alicia Brumfield,
Lauren Keen, Julie Benson, Devin Cook
Germantown
Interact Club is a national organization, sponsored by Rotary
Club, whose sole purpose is to perform service projects at the
founding school and in the local community. This is Germantown
Middle School’s first year to have Interact Club. With 50 members
and 4 sponsors our club is one of the largest on campus. One of
our first service projects was sponsoring an Operation Christmas
Child drive. Members of Interact Club not only brought in filled
shoeboxes, but they also encouraged classmates to participate,
helped raise money to ship the boxes, and prepared the boxes for
shipment. Overall we filled 455 shoeboxes and raised almost
$2,300 to help ship the boxes.
Upcoming service projects for Interact Club include adopting
children for Angel Tree, hosting a Christmas party at Brookdale
Retirement Center, leading a coat drive for MadCAAP, and
reading to students at local elementary schools. Interact Club
members not only participate in these projects but they also help
come up with the project ideas and help with the implementation
process. Watching students give to others is the highlight of all
service projects. It is our goal to cultivate the spirit of generosity
and service in all students. Interact Club gives us a great
opportunity to do this.
50 • Jan/Feb 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Ridgeland High
Home-Ec. has gone high tech at Ridgeland High School this
year. Adding to its already cutting-edge educational opportunities,
the Titans have added the Culinary Arts Academy to their curriculum
line-up.
Freshman and sophomore students who opt for this academic
track still take the basic course work, with a twist. Culinary English
is lightly salted with literature having a decided epicureal flavor, and
vocabulary is peppered with cooking jargon. Chef Levi Williams
teaches the students food handling safety procedures and kitchen
skills in the elective component of the academy. Judging from the
wafting smells of fresh-baked desserts in the halls of Ridgeland
High School, the Culinary Arts Academy is a smashing success.
Ridgeland High School seniors have also had more than their
fair share of successes this year. Before the year even began, seniors
Juliet Richert and Ahmed Hassan were both named as two of
Portico Magazine’s 25 teens who will change the world.
Already in the first half of the year, Ridgeland has signed Natalie
Erwin, Katie Grace Abbott, Britain Welzein, and Coutney Turner
to athletic scholarships at institutions of higher learning around
the state.
Andre’ Vincent , Lauren Slay, and Natalene Vonchalee all
garnered positions on the prestigious Lion’s Club Band.
Most recently, Torrye Evans and Juliet Richert were named
Wendy’s High School Heisman recipients.
A second successful academy has also been launched at
Ridgeland High this year. Ridgeland High School has embarked
on a great new quest to afford unique opportunities for their future
graduates. RHS has initiated an engineering academy that take
students and provides them a head start to become mechanical
engineering and robotics majors in college. Students focus on
mechanical design, CAD, robotics, physics and much more. The
Academy is a four-year program at RHS, and already has its first
class, Introduction to Engineering, underway. Its associated organization,
TSA (Technology Student Association) is the reigning
Mississippi Robotics Team Champion!
TSA members hard at work.
Seniors Torrey Evans and Juliet Richert
- Recipients of Wendy’s High School Heisman Award
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown madison • 51

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Rosa Scott
This fall, Rosa Scott has participated in the Mississippi Food
Network Can Food Drive and Operation Christmas Child. The
student body has also begun raising funds for Make-A-Wish and
Relay for Life.
Student Government President Bonnie Hill stresses participation
in charitable work. “It is really important for us to take part in
these things because there are so many people who need help. Not
even miles from our homes, as well as around the world, there are
people who just need some love.”
Hill believes that, as a student body, it’s our responsibility to help.
In October, Rosa Scott participated in the Food for Families Can
Food Drive through Mississippi Food Network. We set a goal to
collect 14,000 cans. As the week went on, the stack of cans in the
school’s foyer got larger and larger. By Wednesday, we had already
surpassed our goal. Our students ended up bringing in a total of
20,865 cans. That averages out to be around 47 cans per student.
Our student body, led by the student government association,
formed an assembly line and filled the Mississippi Food Network
truck all the way to the brim.
In November, we began collecting Operation Christmas Child
Boxes. Rosa Scott brought in 176 Christmas Shoe Boxes. We also
kicked off Make-A-Wish, and have already raised over 60% of the
total funds needed to grant our child’s wish.
East Flora
Elementary
The East Flora Elementary School family has continued to
provide high quality instructional experiences to it learners for
many years. For the 2015-2016 school year, there are two additional
initiatives that have been implemented to further enhance the
educational offerings: The Leadership Council and The Blue Cross
& Blue Shield Fitness Grant.
East Flora Elementary School was awarded a $26,000 grant from
the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation for the Project
Fit America program. This program provides state-of-the-art outdoor
and indoor fitness equipment, a thorough curriculum, and teacher
training. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier this school year.
East Flora Elementary School is proud to introduce its first
leadership council. This team is comprised of seventeen fourth and
fifth grade students who were carefully selected to participate in this
elite group. The students gather throughout the year to learn more
about being positive and effective leaders. They lead their classroom
discussions about important character traits and also will visit lower
grade classrooms to mentor. Team members participate and organize
a variety of school-wide activities and programs. Together they are
learning and experiencing what it means to be a leader and serve
together.
52 • Jan/Feb 2016
52 • Jan/Feb 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

St. Joe
Faculty dressed as Hogwart’s faculty for Halloween
Girls Swim Team won Class I Swimming State Championship
Boys Swim Team Runner-Ups for Class I Swimming State Championship
Art students used packing tapes to make figures, now on display in our library.
Engineering class built trebuchet, a machine used in medieval siege warfare
for hurling large stones or other missiles.
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown madison • 53

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Madison
Avenue Upper
Elementary
The Madison Avenue Upper Elementary recently presented
their fourth grade play. Mississippi My Home, with words and
music by Gail Jabour, was performed on November 19th.
Ms. Melinda Calvert served as music director.
54 • Jan/Feb 2016
54 • Jan/Feb 2016
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Madison
Avenue
Elementary
Madison Avenue Elementary held a Donuts with Dads event at
school that included grandfathers, uncles, brothers and community
helpers for the students whose dad may have been absent.
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown madison • 55

The CHALKBOARD
madison county Schools
Mannsdale
Elementary
Band-Aids for Batson
This holiday season as a community service project, both
Mannsdale Upper Elementary and Mannsdale Lower Elementary
are collecting band-aids with characters on them for the children at
Blair Batson. Their patients love band-aids with their favorite
superhero or princess on them and these young Mavericks thought
this gesture might brighten a sick child’s day. As part of the schools’
partnership with Livingston, the Livingston Sweet Shoppe is
providing a sundae party for the home room that collects the most
band-aids. Mannsdale Elementary principal Dr. Emily Mulhollen
and Mannsdale Upper’s principal, Debra Houghton both believe
community service projects like this help build better citizens.
(L to R) Kaleigh Ward, Kaden Saffle, Mannsdale Upper Elementary principal,
Debra Houghton, Emily Hodges and Breely Hill.
(L to R) Mallory Mulhollen, Brianna Coate, Eugene Williams and Bella Haley
with their band-aids.
(L to R) John Riley North with his fourth grade teacher, Jenny Holloway
and some band-aids for Batson.
(L to R) Alisse Lack, Chase Boutwell and
Taryn Kimbrough on their band-aid
drive for Batson.
56 • Jan/Feb 2016

CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF LASTING IMPRESSIONS
No matter where our location – from above a Chinese Laundry, to East Pearl Street,
to 500 Steed Road, our door is always open.
Offering full-color printing to specialty finishes, to addressing postcards and providing
complete variable one-to-one marketing campaigns, Hederman Brothers is your one door shop.
If you are looking for a marketing partner and not just a print vendor, call Hederman
Brothers at 601-853-7300 and let us open the door to creative and innovative solutions.
PRINT
CROSS
DIRECT DIGITAL GREEN DESIGN
MEDIA
500 Steed Road • Post Office Box 6100 • Ridgeland, MS 39158
601. 853. 7300 • f 601.853.7335 • www.hederman.com
Hometown madison • 57

Camille Anding
The Time Coin
Almost every chair had been taken
in the sprawling waiting room
when I arrived for my 10:00
appointment. I checked my watch. Yes, I
was early, and so were about twenty other
patients ahead of me.
This was just a check-up, and since I
didn’t have a virus or fever, I was content
to wait my turn. The other patients had
settled into their waiting modes with
magazines and whispered conversations.
Traffic continued one way as patients kept signing the register.
One elderly gentleman, accompanied by an adult son, eased through
the entrance and to chairs near me. The son signed the father in and
was handed the customary clipboard and pen.
He sat next to his father and began asking questions from the
clipboard. “What’s your social security number?” No response.
“What’s your social security number?” Again, no response. Then in
an amplified voice, the son learned toward his dad and shouted,
“What’s your social security number?”
The father reached in his coat pocket, pulled out some forms and
in the same amplified voice answered, “It’s right here.”
I tried not to look, but it was impossible to miss out on any of
their questions and answers. The father was 82 years young, still
enjoying life, but was to see a doctor about hernia surgery. The
receptionist and everyone in the waiting
room can verify my story.
However, as the two men continued
filling in the spaces, the waiting room was
transformed into a classroom. I saw an
exemplary demonstration of respect for a
parent, and I was given a review in “health
appreciation.”
When the questionnaire was completed,
the hernia sufferer continued to talk to his
son in a voice any politician would envy. He was to the point, and he
was loud! As he surveyed the large waiting room, filled mainly with
senior citizens, he turned to his son and said, “What’s going to
happen to all of these old folks?”
He was probably thinking about his own health struggles and
the maze of paperwork and records associated with health care and
hospitalization. All the controversy over health reform hadn’t helped
his frustrations either. His mind must have reverted to younger and
more hopeful years because he blurted, “Thank God for Roosevelt.”
As most of the waiting room audience turned to the senior citizen
and smiled, I pondered the needs of the large collections of seniors,
the years they had invested in their families and communities and
wondered who they were banking on for security and hope.
Roosevelt is helplessly etched in history. From my own years of
experience, I was grateful to say, “Thank God for Jesus.”
58 • Jan/Feb 2016

Charles Black, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Because there’s Merit
in staying active.
Merit Health Medical Group is proud to welcome orthopedic surgeon Charles Black, D.O., to the staff. Dr. Black
focuses on innovative care that can help you quickly get back to living a happy, healthy and active lifestyle.
Dr. Black provides treatment for many orthopedic issues, including:
• Fractures • Hip and/or knee pain • Carpal tunnel • Breaks, sprains and strains
Dr. Black is now accepting new patients, and same-day appointments are often available. No physician
referral required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 601-855-4840.
Member of the Medical Staff at Merit Health Madison
160 River Oaks Drive, Suite C
Canton, MS 39046
601-855-4840
MyMeritDoctor.com
Hometown madison • 59

®
voted
The Clarion-Ledger’s
Best of 2015
Cosmetic or
plastic surgeon
A Year
Older...or
We prefer better.
RUNNELS
C E N T E R
outpatient PlaSTIC SURGERy, clinics & Spa
Breast Resizing • Body Lifts • Tummy Tuck • Liposuction • HydraFacial MD
Kybella • Botox • Juvéderm • Latisse • Laser Treatments • Chemical Peels & Facials
Scott Runnels, MD, FACS
skin ∆¬e Spa
Member
AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF PLASTIC SURGEONS
DiaMonD LeveL
Top 1% of physicians nationwide performing
procedures using Allergan products
PLASTIC SURGERY
EdUCATIONAL FOUNdATION