Madison518web

Volume 4 Number 4
May/June 2018
Keeping it in the Family
____________________
A Fashionable Force of Nature
____________________
BROKEN TO BEAUTIFUL

Hometown madison • 3

PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Tahya A. Dobbs
CFO
Kevin W. Dobbs
CONSULTING EDITOR
Mary Ann Kirby
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Karla Johnson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Camille Anding
Elizabeth Bennett
Dani Edmonson
Mary Ann Kirby
Susan Marquez
Elise Sears
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Othel Anding
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Alisha Floyd
SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Brenda McCall
SPECIAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT
Elise Sears
LAYOUT DESIGN
Daniel Thomas - 3dt
• • •
It’s always a special publication for me when we celebrate our mothers and fathers.
Those two calendar dates make May and June standout months.
Of course, I always think of my own parents, but I have a second set of parents (at least
it felt that way). It was Grandmother and Granddaddy.
We lived on a steep hill, and my grandparents lived adjacent to us on another hill.
My brother and I made lots and lots of tracks between our home and theirs. If my mother’s
menu didn’t fully satisfy, I just visited my grandparents where there were always some
favorites on their stovetop.
Granddaddy’s 6’2” frame was a picture of strength to me, but he was full of gentleness.
His sun-tanned arms carried me through miles of my early childhood.
As photographers, my parents spent most Saturday afternoons and nights at weddings and
receptions. My grandparents were the next-door babysitters for us. That meant my brother
and I had the opportunity to enjoy Grandmother’s Saturday night meals and Granddaddy’s
stories while sitting in his lap.
I can only celebrate that special couple in memories now. I’m
sure that’s why I love meeting people and sharing stories of families
and relationships that God is so gracious to place in our lives.
Hometown Magazines continues to be grateful to our advertisers
and readers, giving us opportunity to celebrate and remember
the people that make our lives special.
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For subscription information
visit www.htmags.com
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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
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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 A Fashionable Force of Nature 8
18 Summers 22
Keeping it in the Family 27
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Q&A 40
Broken to Beautiful 42
e-Simple in Mississippi 46
Fresh Cooking Fun 50
Hometown madison • 5

6 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 7

A Fashionable
Force of Nature
Susan Marquez
8 • May/June 2018

She’s a woman of faith with a strong conviction for her
community. As executive director of the Madison County
Business League and Foundation, Jan Collins is a force of nature.
“I learned early on from my mother that I should always put my
best foot forward.”
Collins is a native of Pascagoula. Her dad worked at Ingalls
Shipbuilding. Her mother was one of five girls. “They were very
resourceful, and they always had so much fun together,” recalls
Collins. “My mom, with the help of her sisters, made all my clothes,
and I was named ‘best dressed’ in high school! I was always active
and involved in high school, and community-minded as well.
It’s the way we were brought up.”
Always interested in the latest fashions, Collins went to Southern
Miss. where she studied marketing and merchandising. “I wanted to
be in fashion,” she says. “I was one of the few women to be in the
business school at USM.” During college, Collins modeled for
Fine Brothers Madison and Waldoff’s department stores and the
Gayfer’s college modeling board.
As a young career woman, Collins worked for McRae’s Department
Store in Jackson while her husband, Bill Collins, clerked in a law
firm. “He went to law school at the Mississippi College School of
Law. We had one car between us, a Volkswagen Beetle. Neither of us
saw that as a problem!” Collins went
through the executive management
training program at McRae’s which led
to a twenty-year career with the company.
“I had an amazing job which
afforded me the opportunity to go on
buying trips to exotic places like the
Orient, Europe and to haute couture
fashion shows in Paris, Milan and
New York. It was such a great experience.
I was also able to mentor others,
and I loved every minute of it.”
The Collins were married for 15 years before having their son,
William. “It was a real happening when he was born! We had over
40 family and friends in the waiting room.” Collins was able to retire
and be a stay-at-home mom. “It was the best thing that could have
happened, because William had a learning disability. I was his
full-time mother as well as his full-time advocate. At the time, we
lived at the Country Club in Canton and we had a great support
group. People from church, the teachers at Canton Academy, family
and friends all worked to help William be the best he could be.
There’s nothing like that small town support system!”
William was very active at Canton Academy, where he played
tennis, football and ran track. He received full scholarships to
Ole Miss, and was selected to the Chancellor’s Leadership Class
his freshman year, pledged SAE, and joined several academic
fraternities and societies. He recently graduated from the Ole Miss
Law School. “We are waiting to see how he did on the bar exam,”
says Collins, confidently. “It was because of William that I became
empowered to be a community servant. I realized my own strength
while raising him.”
Knowing that William was settled into college, Collins decided
to go back to work. “I had grown spiritually because of all I learned
from William. When he was young, I really began to grow in my
spiritual walk and I knew I had to turn it
over to God. Once William was in college,
I began asking God to put something in
my life where I can make a difference
for others.”
Collins went back to work part time
for the Madison County Foundation. It
was there that she began to develop strong
bonds with both the members and with
elected officials. “I learned that you’re
never too old to switch careers, and I
learned what it takes to create a strong
community. It takes infrastructure,
education, healthcare and a good quality
of life to impact economic development.”
Hometown madison • 9

When the Madison County Economic Development Authority
(MCEDA) formed the Madison County Business League in 2009,
Collins was tapped to be its executive director. “We’re here to create
an environment that attracts economic development and expand
current business,” she says. “When site developers look at us, they look
at factors such as public safety, quality schools, an educated workforce,
infrastructure, and health.” That’s why the Madison County Business
League and Foundation (the two organizations merged in 2014) has
working committees in each of those areas. “I am proud of Madison
County, and our pro-active commitment to excellence in all these
areas, but there’s still a lot to do.”
Collins says that in her role with the Business League, she has
worked hard to develop relationships with elected officials. “I did a lot
of one-on-one meetings trying to connect. As a matter of fact, they
call me ‘the Connector.’ I’m like 411! That’s what gives me the most joy.”
Because she has overcome major obstacles in her life, Collins is
never afraid of a challenge. “I want to see more collaboration within
the county, in all of the communities in the county. We are the voice
of the business community in Madison County, and we do what we
do so the county can move forward. We have done strategic plans,
we have awarded grants, and we’ve accomplished great things for
public schools in the county. Youth, in general, is important to us,
because they are our future.”
The Business League has also picked up the youth leadership
program from the Madison County Chamber. “That program works
with two juniors from each of the private, parochial and public
schools in Madison County, as well as students from Jackson Prep,
Jackson Academy and New Summit
who are Madison County residents.
We address opportunities in
government, careers and quality of
life, and each student who completes
the program receives a $250
scholarship.” In fall 2016 the
Young Professionals group was
formed for those age 39 and under
who work for companies that are
members of the Business League. “We have 175 members, and we do
two professional development and two networking events each year.”
Outside of the Business League, Collins is heavily involved with
the American Red Cross as a volunteer in the Go Red movement,
and as a member of the state advocacy board. “We successfully
lobbied for passage of no smoking ordinances in all four Madison
County municipalities and the unincorporated areas of the county.
Madison County was the first in the state to receive this designation.”
Collins is also active in the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club, where
she is a Paul Harris Fellow.
In March of 2011, Jan’s husband Bill was killed tragically in an
automobile accident leaving Jan and their then-21 year old son to
learn a new life without him and forge ahead on their own. He had
been proud of what she was able to accomplish with the MCBL&F,
was proud of her career, their community, and Madison County, as
a whole. That same year, Collins was selected as one of Mississippi’s
50 Leading Business Women, and in 2018 she was selected a Top
CEO in Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal.
In her off time, Collins is a major movie buff, “I love the Oscars!”
and she loves to cook, although she is quick to insert that she is an
“everyday cook” and not a “fu-fu cook.” And while she is a USM
graduate and very proud of her Golden Eagles, Collins can be found
in the Grove at Ole Miss each home game in the ‘Zebra Tent.’ “I’m
a breast cancer survivor so we use that as not only an opportunity to
have fun, but to raise awareness – and funds – for the Susan G. Komen
Foundation. We’ve raised a significant amount of money through
the years!”
While she twirls through life
at breakneck speed, there’s a calm
about Collins that seems to center
her. “I believe in treating everyone
the same, because everyone has
something to offer. I have my
foundation in a good, Christian
family. I have great friends and
family and I love my job. I am
truly blessed.”
10 • May/June 2018

“We are the voice of the business community
in Madison County, and we do what we do
so the county can move forward.”
Hometown madison • 11

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12 • May/June 2018

Where Public
Meets Private
Coming Together for The Betterment of All
The Madison County Economic Development Authority
is a public entity that offers a broad array of
economic development, business development,
and corporate site location assistance services to new and
expanding businesses and industry.
The Madison County Business League & Foundation is a private,
stakeholder-based support organization that works with
business owners and decision makers to discuss topics that
affect economic development.
Together, we continue to build upon the economic
development infrastructure of Madison County.
We recognize and salute the industry and businesses
for the contribution they make towards our quality of life.
135 Mississippi Parkway, Canton, MS 39046
601.832.5592 | madisoncountybusinessleague.com
135 Mississippi Parkway, Canton, MS 39046
601.605.0368 | madisoncountyeda.com
CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK!
Hometown madison • 13

14 • May/June 2018
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Hometown madison • 15

16 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 17

Serving
OUR
Why did you decide to become a police officer?
To help make a difference in the
community. If my encounter with a kid
or adult can change their life in a positive
way, I feel I have done what I’ve sought
out to do.
How long have you been with the Madison
Police Department?
Four years.
Tell us about your family.
My father, Jessie Lee Chambers was born
in Canton and is a carpenter. My mother
Sammie Chinn Chambers was born in
Farmhaven, Mississippi, and has worked
at Levi Strauss for 32 years. I have one
younger sister Madison Lynn Chambers,
who is 22 and attends Jackson State
University majoring in elementary
education.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
Trying to satisfy the needs and wants
of every person we encounter on a scene.
At times, the resolution a person wants
may not be what’s needed or afforded.
Sometimes giving news that a person
does not want to hear can tug at your
heart. However, I try to satisfy and
fulfill the citizens of Madison with
the greatest professional experience
I can provide.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I enjoy going to the movies, spending
time at the reservoir, and being around
great friends and family.
What are three things on your bucket list?
I would like to go to California to
experience the west coast. I would like
to write a book detailing the things I’ve
gone through in my life, and I would like
to open a family business.
OFFICER
Jessie Chambers
MADISON POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Who is someone you admire and why?
I admire my mother. Growing up, she
always instilled humbleness, gratitude,
and hard work. Her favorite thing to tell
me was, “you never know who is watching
you.” Simply put, always carry yourself
in a manner that is professional,
approachable, and likeable. There could
be a millionaire sitting in the corner
watching your every move, and you
never know it. That same person may
come up to you with an opportunity of
a lifetime. My mother always told me to
keep that attitude in mind. You never
know where life could take you. For that
I admire and cherish her dearly.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
In ten years I would love to continue my
career in law enforcement and see where
it takes me. I also want to become a
pillar in the community by helping
establish scholarships and teaching life
skills to the youth. More than anything
I want to have a family with a lot of kids.
If you could give one piece of advice to a
young person, what would it be?
Never fall prey to peer pressure—and
figure out who you are as a person. Stand
firm on the things you believe in and
learn from your mistakes and never let
them define who you are as a person.
We are all human and no one is perfect.
Accept responsibility and own up to
your mistakes.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
When I was in the third or fourth grade,
it was a snow day and all of my friends
came to my house and ate breakfast after
coming in from playing in the snow.
That was the best time eating and
having fun with all ten of my friends.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
The biggest mistake young people make
today in my opinion is not living up to
their fullest potential. Never let anyone
tell you that you can’t do something.
If you are passionate and want to achieve
something, do it! If you get knocked
down and become discouraged and give
up, get up and get back in the fight. With
God and prayer, anything is possible.
What is your favorite thing about the
City of Madison?
The citizens. I have never seen a tighter
knit community that not only supports
the police department, but also comes
together and makes the community
better as a whole.
Congratulations to Jessie Chambers
for being chosen as the Madison Police
Department’s Officer of the Year!
18 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 19

20 • May/June 2018

ServingOUR
Community
Why did you decide to be a firefighter?
Simple. I love helping people. There’s no
greater honor than being the one people
turn to when they need help.
How long have you been with the Madison
Fire Department?
Nine years.
Tell us about your family.
I have a beautiful wife, Amber, two
beautiful daughters, Layne (14) and
Amelia Rose (8), and an amazing son,
Peyton (17).
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
We face challenging situations every day
in this job, the toughest of which I’d like
to forget. Instead, I’d rather tell you about
the times I’ve been able to use my training
to help someone. Having someone shake
your hand and tell you that you are part
of the reason they are still here today is a
pretty awesome thing.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I love to read and really enjoy a great
book. I also enjoy classic cars. I own a
1973 Ford Bronco that I enjoy tinkering
with and just cruising around in.
LIEUTENANT
Brad Letchworth
MADISON
FIRE DEPARTMENT
What are three things on your bucket list?
To scuba dive in Bonaire, visit Yankee
Stadium, and I would love to own a
restored ‘57 Chevy.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My father. He taught me the value of
working hard, never giving up, and the
importance of being a great father.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Still serving the citizens of the City of
Madison with the fire department.
It’s nice to have a job you love.
If you could give one piece of advice to a
young person, what would it be?
To work hard and go after the things
you want and to never let someone
tell you that you can’t do something.
Never give up.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
Taking trips with my mom. She was a
jokester and it was always an adventure.
What is the biggest mistake you think young
people make today?
I don’t think young people understand
how the choices they make today will
affect their future. With so much stuff
online these days, you have to be careful
what you share and with whom.
What is your favorite thing about the
City of Madison?
The people. It’s nice to work in a
community that supports you and
what you do. Whether it’s the city
or the county, the people of Madison
are great and make it a great place
to live and work.
Hometown madison • 21

22 • May/June 2018
18 Summers
Mary Ann Kirby

“Let me love you a little more before you’re not little anymore . . .”
Anonymous
We have a new driver in the house. Well, sort of.
My fifteen-year-old got his learner’s permit over spring
break. And while I could write an entire book on the
insanity of actually navigating the agonizing process,
the greatest takeaway, for me, was that he and I did it
together.
We’re approaching number fifteen . . . of our
eighteen summers.
On this particular day, my son and I left the house
at the crack of dawn thinking we’d be getting ahead of
the crowds that were known for gathering quickly at
the area DMV offices. When we pulled up, there were
already forty people ahead of us—thirty minutes prior
to opening—which grew to sixty by the time we’d
decided to bail. Spring break may not have been the
best time to try to get a permit.
On the off chance that we may have better luck
somewhere else, we drove to another DMV office
where we found nearly a hundred in line ahead of us.
Yep, spring break was definitely a bad idea.
At this point, both of us were frustrated—not to
mention disappointed. So much emphasis is put on
this whole “rite of passage” thing. Actually enduring
the process makes it a real pain, too.
On a whim, we decided to go to Vicksburg. I mean,
what’s another 35 minutes, right? We got to the testing
office and there were five people in line—and I’m pretty
sure that three of those people were there for support.
Twenty-two minutes later we were done. And in an
instant, the mood lifted. My son had passed his test,
and I was so thankful to be there to be a part of it.
He’ll be driving on his own by his sixteenth summer.
It’s so ironic how the things in which we want our
children to succeed are the very things that lead them
away from us. I mean, what parent doesn’t dream of
their kid making a 36 on the ACT? And yet the better
they do, the farther they go. Life is bittersweet that way.
No one tells you that the hardest part of motherhood
is when your kids grow up.
* * *
My husband has been absolutely amazing about
planning summer trips for our family for as long as
we’ve been able to easily travel. Facebook memories
take me back to past vacations and serve as a wonderful
reminder of how we’ve invested our time together.
Last summer we spent several nights out of state
playing in a select-team baseball tournament. We found
a local spot for dinner about a half-mile from our condo
—all the while, my son busy texting his buddies from
the team. Apparently they were all gathered up and
headed to the pool.
He announced at the restaurant that he was going
to head back to catch up with his friends—which
meant he was planning to walk since his dad and
I had not yet finished eating.
So he left. “I’ll see ya’ll,” he said.
He just walked out of the restaurant and down
the road a full half-mile, by himself. And as absolutely
ridiculous as it sounds, I teared up. It seemed like mere
moments had passed since he and I had last crossed a
busy street together making a huge production out of
looking both ways—he holding my index finger, me as
his protector.
Being mentally prepared and emotionally prepared
are two entirely different things when it comes to our
kids leaving. And the changes that come, at least at our
particular stage in life, seem to be coming at warp speed.
* * *
So after my son passed his permit exam we started
our journey home. There was a confidence about him
that had not been quite as evident on the trip over.
He was proud of himself. I was proud of him, too.
It was one of those moments that he and I will never
forget. We had won—together.
And then, as if the anxiety of it had drained him
completely dry, he slept all the way home. It felt like he
was four again. My baby.
Learning to let go is hard, but we do it. A driver’s
license here, a later curfew there, more freedom, more
choices—we let go and they grow.
So here we are at the boundary between childhood
and everything that comes after. Now comes the time
for pure faith and endless prayer as the fifteenth summer
is spent getting ready for the sixteenth. Sooner than
later my son will roll out of our driveway on to bigger
and greater things.
And eighteen summers doesn’t seem nearly long
enough for this mama to prepare . . .
Hometown madison • 23

24 • May/June 2018

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Keeping
it in the
Family
Susan Marquez
It’s often inspiring to hear of parents
and their children running successful
businesses together while still respecting
each other’s positions in the family.
With generational insights and
differences, each bring a perspective
to the workplace that can help ensure
the business stays relevant and
customers keep coming back.
Just in time for Father’s Day, we’re
taking a peek into the lives of three of
Madison County’s most recognizable
father-son business partners and
hearing about how they’ve made it
all work by keeping it in the family–
along with their advice for other
parent-child owners . . .
Hometown madison • 27

28 • May/June 2018

Jerry Dillion and sons Jason Dillon & Jeffrey Dillon
Parkway Pentecostal Church
When he was just eight years old, Jason
Dillon looked his Uncle Mark square in
the eyes and said, “I’m going to preach
whether God calls me to or not!” It was a
very prophetic statement, because young
Jason is now Pastor Jason Dillon at Parkway
Pentecostal Church in Madison. It’s
something he was born into, so to speak, but
it was a calling he received later in his life.
“Our family moved to Canton when
I was three months old and my father,
Jerry Dillon, was pastor at a church there
for 18 ½ years,” Jason explains. “He started
Parkway in Madison with only seven
members.”
Jerry Dillon recalls purchasing 30 acres
off Mannsdale Road. “There was a little
shell building there that we had to remodel
to use as a church. Over the years, we
expanded, even adding a family life center.
What a lot of people don’t know is that
Highland Presbyterian started in our building.
I was still preaching Sunday morning services
in Canton, and preaching in Madison at
2:00pm. The Presbyterians were using our
space in the morning. We did that for five
years until we moved to Madison full time.”
Jason attended Canton Academy from
first through eighth grade, and when the
family moved to Madison, he attended
Madison Central from ninth through
twelfth grade. From ages 18 to 28, he
evangelized, attending the Jackson College
of Ministries and Twin Cities University
in West Monroe, Louisiana, and traveling
around the country preaching at revivals.
“I was blessed to meet my wife, Christine,
in Spokane, Washington, while preaching
at a revival there,” Jason says. The couple
now has two children, Jared Christopher
(12) and Mark Anthony (8).
Jason returned to Parkway when he was
28 and became a full-time associate pastor.
“I wasn’t intimidated preaching in front of
my dad,” he says, “but sometimes I’d be a
little nervous at first. But he was so good at
giving me constructive criticism after a
sermon. He’d point out ways that I could
improve. He has always been my biggest
supporter.”
Jason is now the pastor of the church,
and Jerry is a presbyter for the 33 Pentecostal
churches in central Mississippi. “I’m still
very much involved at Parkway,” Jerry says,
“but my job now is to oversee many churches.”
Jerry’s other son, Jeffrey, also works at
Parkway as the church’s worship leader and
chief financial officer. “I began my career in
banking, where I worked about six years
before going into real estate,” says Jeffrey.
“But I started to follow my passion, with
the encouragement of my parents. I saw
their love for people, and how they cared
for their souls. My brother and I caught on
to that. We both love to connect God with
people, which is what happens at Parkway.”
Jason says he was always free to follow
his own dreams. Because his parents were
such good role models, Jason wanted to
follow in his father’s footsteps. “I’ll never
really fill his shoes, but my feet will always
be pointed in the same direction as his.”
He was moved at an early age by his parents’
love of people. “I’ve watched my parents
love people. I’ve heard them pray for
people, and they never talk ill of anyone.
They put into me the same desire to love
people. When I see someone, I think ‘that’s
a person Jesus Christ died for. That just
sets the stage for me to love them, too.’”
It’s evident in his voice that Jerry Dillon
is proud of his sons. “The proof is in the
passion. You can’t sell something you’re not
sold on yourself.” He recalls the time a
young Jason came to him and said “Daddy,
pray for me.” He was concerned because he
was thinking about girls. “I just laughed.
But the truth is, Jason has always had a
pure heart.”
Jason says there is no flaw, to his
knowledge, to anything his father has done.
“He’s an honorable man and I’m happy to
be the pastor of the church he started. I
laugh about my dad and say he’ll never
retire, he’ll just re-fire! He has so much
energy and love in his heart.”
✞ ✞ ✞
The annual Apostolic Conference at
Parkway Church will be held August 1-3.
“This is our 20th year,” Bishop Jerry Dillon
says. “The Lord began to deal with my heart
about revival in America. We’ll be bringing
in, at no cost to them, 150 families from 39
state and six provinces of Canada to
participate in workshops on topics such as
finances and how to grow their church. Not
all areas of the country are like Mississippi,
which is the buckle of the Bible Belt. In
some places, any church is difficult to find.
The people we are bringing in have two
jobs and run storefront churches. They are
trying to bring the message of God to the
people in their area, and we are all about
advancing the Kingdom of God.” For more
information on the Apostolic Conference
or about Parkway Church, visit their
website at www.parkwaychurch.net. l
Hometown madison • 29

30 • May/June 2018

Clint Herring and sons Kenneth Herring,
Gabriel Herring, & Warren Herring
Kerioth Corporation, Inc. & TrustCare Express
Kerioth Corporation, Inc., a Ridgelandbased
company, builds, owns, and manages
commercial real estate properties. The
company also provides brokerage, property
management, facility management,
construction, project development, and
asset management services to tenants,
property owners, and real estate professionals.
The company was established in
1983 by Clint Herring, the president and
CEO. “I’m in charge of vision, strategy
and leadership,” Clint says.
As the years have passed and Clint’s
three sons have developed into young men,
they have joined their father in business
either at Kerioth Corporation or TrustCare
Express Medical Clinics, which are owned
by the four Herring men. Clint says working
with his sons is neither difficult nor easy.
Instead, he describes it as rewarding. “All
three are professionals and they are real
‘difference makers.’”
Kenneth Herring, was the first son to
join his dad in business in 2002. In his
position of director of sales and leasing at
Kerioth Corporation, Kenneth is responsible
for leasing and sales oversight, investor/
partner relationships, financing of projects,
managing franchisor relations, oversite of
tenant build-out in Kerioth properties,
tenant relations and development of new
projects including site selection, due
diligence, and project proforma/underwriting
for hotels, TrustCare and Club4Fitness, etc.
“Working with family, overall, is easy,” says
Kenneth. “Most difficulties were eliminated
in the first few years. There is no substitute
for blunt and honest conversation with
family.”
Gabriel Herring, who serves as the
project and development manager, began
working at Kerioth in 2005. His job, which
he says is “really, operations,” is to work
with and manage personnel in property
management, construction, development,
marketing and information technology.
“Working in a family business, by and
large, has been very rewarding,” says Gabriel.
“It requires a mix of personalities and we are
all blessed to have grown up with a strong
work ethic being central to who we are as
people. I can honestly say we all have a
drive to see things move and progress.”
While Warren Herring does not work
for Kerioth, he jointly owns TrustCare
Health with his brothers Kenneth and
Gabriel, and his father, Clint. Warren serves
as president of TrustCare, which opened
its doors in February 2012. TrustCare now
has six locations around the Jackson Metro
area. In his role as president, Warren is
responsible for establishing and maintaining
the values and vision for TrustCare Health,
strategic planning and innovation, team
member accountability and professional
development, business operations
management, financial analysis and business
development, risk management and physician
and provider recruitment.
“Working with family has both positives
and negatives,” states Warren, “particularly
when you work as close together as our
family. Each of us share common values and
vision, which allows us to remain focused
on the strategic plans and goals of each
organization. However, from time to time
we will have differing opinions that must be
worked through to move the organizations
forward. All of us share a strong work ethic,
blunt honesty, and none of our feelings are
hurt easily. When you have common values
and open communication, the positives of
working with family far outweigh the
negatives.”
The dynamics of working in successful
businesses with family are different for
everyone. In the case of the Herring family,
the challenges are minimal, but the rewards
are many. “Initially it felt like I was taking
on a big responsibility, but that didn’t last
long because they are all real producers and
execute with excellence,” says Clint.
Kenneth says that after adjusting to his
dad’s incredibly high expectations, there
were no challenges. “The enjoyable part to
me is touring a completed project, since
many development projects take several
years to complete.”
Gabriel has noticed how often, over the
past four to five years that he and his dad
see eye-to-eye on details and process. “That
doesn’t always mean our approach is the
same, but I’ve certainly gleaned from his
experience and learned the ‘why’ of his
approach.” Warren agrees, stating that
conflict and disagreement is part of life.
“The high majority of our disagreements
are related to the ‘how’ much more than
the ‘why.’ In short, we rarely disagree on
‘why’ certain decisions were made, but it is
not uncommon for us to have slight
disagreements on ‘how’ it was done.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says
Kenneth. “It’s a blessing to share challenges
and successes with family. It just gets better,
year after year.” When the time comes,
Clint says his sons will replace him with
ease because of how competent and
capable they are. l
Hometown madison • 31

32 • May/June 2018

Joel Lofton & son Corey Lofton
Barnett’s Body Shop
When Joel Lofton met Samantha Barnett
at Ole Miss, he was majoring in insurance,
never dreaming he’d one day run her dad’s
auto body business. Joel graduated and
went to work for Farm Bureau and State
Farm for eight years when Samantha’s dad
wanted to open a second location. “He
opened the original Barnett’s Body Shop
on Terry Road in 1968,” says Joel. “He
wanted to open a location in Ridgeland
and asked if I’d like to run it.”
The Ridgeland location opened in 1994
and Lofton has never looked back. Today
there are four locations of Barnett’s Body
Shop: Ridgeland, Lakeland & Airport Drive,
Richland on Highway 49 and the newest
on I-55 South in Byram. “We closed the
original location and all the employees
there moved to the Byram location,”
Joel says. “Our paint vendor now works
out of the old Terry Road location.”
The Loftons have two sons, Corey and
Luke. Corey joined the business in 2014
after graduating from Ole Miss where he
majored in business. “Throughout college,
I thought about how the business principals
I was learning might apply to our family
business,” Corey says. “I started out working
here when I was 16 and wanted gas and
spending money. But learning the business
from the ground up like that gave me a
real sense of appreciation for all aspects of
the business and for all the people who
work here.”
Working with family members has
been a joy for both father and son. “We
eat lunch together every day, and we ride
off-road motorcycles at least once a
month,” Joel says.
“I love working and spending time with
Corey. He’s truly one of my best friends,”
he continues.
Corey feels the same. “You can’t have a
better boss than your own parents. They
care about you like no other bosses would.
That’s something I can take home with me
every night.”
Samantha, Joel’s wife and Corey’s mom,
also works at Barnett’s. “I love watching
Corey and Joel work together. They focus
on their relationship and coordinate their
days together. We work long days here,
7:30am to 5:30pm, so it’s nice to spend that
time with people you love.”
Joel stresses that all their employees feel
like family. “It starts with the customers,”
explains Joel. “We take the best care of
them we can, always striving to do the best
work possible. They come to us when
something bad has happened and we try
to make the best out of a bad situation.
We treat our employees the same way, and
they do the same for us. Many have been
here 15 years or better. We just go full circle,
and it’s worked out great.”
It’s worked out so great that the Loftons
have been recognized for their service to
community with a City Makers Award,
presented by Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee
at the annual Chamber of Commerce
banquet in January 2016. They also won
the Business of the Year the same year.
In 2017, Barnett’s Body Shop was selected
as the People’s Choice for the best body
shop in a Clarion-Ledger poll.
Samantha’s two brothers, Jeff and
Greg Barnett, also work in the business.
As for Joel and Samantha’s younger son,
Luke, it’s anyone’s guess. “He’s in his second
year at Ole Miss,” says Joel, “and we love
to see him every chance we get. He rides
motorcycles with Corey and me when he
can. We’ll have to see if he will want to
come join us in the business when he
graduates.” l
Hometown madison • 33

34 • May/June 2018

A Closer Look
Melanie McMillan
Dr. Beverly Fulcher, MD
I really enjoy my job,
and every day I go to
work looking forward to
helping my patients.
Beverly Fulcher, MD, has been with Mississippi Ear Nose and Throat
Surgical Associates since December 2017. She is the only female
general otolaryngologist in private practice in the state of Mississippi.
Dr. Fulcher grew up in Hattiesburg with her parents, who were both
educators, and her older brother and sister. As a student at Oak Grove
High School, Dr. Fulcher gravitated to science and math, and it was then
that she knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
She went on to the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was
graduated summa cum laude with a degree in chemistry. She completed
medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1998
and her residency training in otolaryngology in 2003. Her older sister was
in medical school at the same time as is now a practicing anesthesiologist.
“There was a lot of studying in medical school but I loved it,” says
Dr. Fulcher. “I chose to specialize in otolaryngology because of the wide
variety of patients that we treat, from adults with sinus issues, to children
who need to have their tonsils out.”
While in medical school, Dr. Fulcher was a member of the American
Medical Association, Christian Medical Students, and Alpha Omega
Alpha Medical Honor Society. During residency, she published research
papers on vestibular physiology and paranasal sinus disease. Dr. Fulcher
completed her board certification with the American Board of
Otolaryngology in 2004, and has updated her certification every year
to meet the board’s professional standards of training and knowledge
in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery.
Giving back to the community is important to Dr. Fulcher. She recently
helped start a mentoring group and Bible study at her church for women
at various stages in their medical careers and is a sustainer in the Junior
League of Jackson. While an active member of the Junior League, she
helped with the ACT Prep workshop for area high school students,
teaching the science section for several years. She also volunteered at
the Ronald McDonald House at UMMC and is active in neighborhood
organizations.
Dr. Fulcher and her husband have three children, ages 11, 10, and 7.
She enjoys cooking and sewing, and she and her family are avid
fishermen.
Interacting with patients and seeing their health improve after surgery
is very rewarding to Dr. Fulcher. “I enjoy getting to know patients
and their families. I know how it feels to have a child who is having
surgery, so I have experienced both sides, as a parent and a surgeon.
I really enjoy my job, and every day I go to work looking forward to
helping my patients.” n
Hometown madison • 35

Merit Health
Physician Panel
April 16
Bravo! Italian Restaurant
36 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 37

38 • May/June 2018

Canton
Academy
where everybody
is somebody
We are so excited about the
upcoming school year!
Great things are happening at Canton
Academy, and we would love for your
child to be a part. With small class
sizes, we have the ability to nurture
your child as an individual with his own
strengths and weaknesses. Everybody
is somebody at CA.
ENROLLING NOW
Jenny Wadford, Director of Admissions
Enrollment for new families is open now, and we would love to
meet you, tell you more about our school, and schedule a tour.
In the meantime, explore our website and Facebook page. You’ll
find all the academic programs, electives and sports available for
your child. Feel free to call or email with any questions. We hope
to hear from you soon as classes are beginning to be at capacity.
601-859-5231 • www.CantonAcademy.org
Nurturing Hearts and
Challenging Minds in a
Christian Environment
Hometown madison • 39

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
What’s
your
favorite
thing
about
your
mom
and
why?
John Garner
She’s very patient with us. It means a
lot when she doesn’t lose her temper
with us about certain things.
Michaela Longstreet
She’s always so caring. I love that
she’s always checking up on me
to make sure I’m okay.
Olivia Campbell
She’s always there for me. And
because of that, she gives me the
best advice for any situation I am in.
Holland Townes
She’s hard working and because of
that it has rubbed off on me to better
my character to be a hard worker.
Zahra Naveed
Because she’s open and someone
I can to relate to, she’s like my best
friend who is always there for me.
Paige Blackwood
She’s always supportive of me. She’s
my number one fan. Because of that
I can always look to her for support.
Joseph Garner
Her patience. It takes a lot to keep all of
her other qualities being a mom of twin
boys. It inspires me seeing that patience
through her.
40 • May/June 2018

What’s
your
favorite
thing
about
your
dad
and
why?
Garrison Wade
He’s considerate of others and always
putting their needs before his own.
I just really admire that from him.
Anna Case
He’s always working hard. He has to
travel for work sometimes, and even
though that’s hard, he does it for us.
Hannah Caly
His loyalty and commitment. He’s
been coaching 30 years and is always
ready to serve. He’s very inspiring.
Rishad Bolden
Holding me accountable for my
actions. He’s not afraid to set my mind
straight when I do something wrong.
Christian Wade
He’s always there for us no matter
what. He’s always pushing us to
better our potential.
Walter Johnson
Everything he does for me.
He supports me in everything I do
and I’m thankful for that.
SimoneWeatherspoon
His loyalty to our family. He’s always
our protector and making sure we are
provided for
Hometown madison • 41

Broken
to Beautiful
When you break a vase, it shatters into a million pieces.
Most people assume that nothing can be done to fix it,
so they throw away the remaining pieces and move on.
Elise Sears
To others, throwing those pieces away can be hard. They want
to hold on to the meaningful object but they assume there is no
way to keep its value. For Sandra Cartwright, those shattered
pieces are the makings for a beautiful piece of art.
It all started when Sandra began to take black and white
portraits of her daughter, Audrey, as a hobby. As her friends
began to recognize her talent, Sandra’s hobby turned into a
full-time job. For years photography became a primary source
of income for Sandra and her family. “I loved it. Photography
was my passion and being able to use my passion for income
was the best of both worlds for me.” In 2006, all of that changed
when Sandra’s brother went through a traumatic health
experience that lead her to a spiritual awakening.
“When my brother went through what he did it made me
realize that I wanted to know what I was truly here for.” Sandra
went on to explain it was during her brother’s health crisis that
her business exploded. It was 2006, and it ended up being
one of the busiest years in photography that she ever had.
“When I first started out in photography I loved it, but then
I got burned out even with the income we were receiving.”
Sandra knew that she was meant to do more, so she began to
pray that God would give her guidance regarding the direction
she was supposed to go. It wasn’t long before Sandra was
called to leave photography in order to pursue what God had
desired of her.
“Moving on from being confident in our finances was a step
out on a limb. As I took that step, the Holy Spirit revealed so
much to me and started talking to me in a way that I could
relate.” Sandra went on to explain that “through that time God
calmly told me ‘I just want you to work for me for a while, let
me figure it out.’ Working for Him was basically me giving
everything up to Him.”
In February of 2007 God had given Sandra a mental image
of a wall with multiple images on it. This included images of her
children and other pieces of indescribable artwork. This
God-given imagery inspired her to look for inspiration from
42 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 43

44 • May/June 2018

“...it is never the end
until He calls us home”.
other people to create meaningful art. Sandra would use stories
or experiences from people to create beautiful frames, clothing,
and even wallpaper. She makes it very clear that while she gets
inspiration from her encounters with others, her artwork is
completely inspired by the Holy Spirit as it all revolves around
Christ.
Her greatest passion is creating pieces she calls “Broken to
Beautiful.” Sandra explains how it began as she was spending
time at a friend’s house one afternoon when her friend had just,
that day, put a vase on display that her daughter had given her.
Without warning, the vase toppled and shattered into a million
pieces. “It took nine years for my friend to display that piece,
and the day she did, it breaks.” As her friend went to throw away
the remains, Sandra stopped her and began to make a flower
out of the broken pieces. She took the pieces and put them on
a handmade canvas for her friend to have. In that moment
Sandra knew that this was the kind of artwork that God wanted
her to create.
Sandra is no stranger to heartache. She’s lost two brothers
– one as a child, the other in his adult years. God spoke to
Sandra with assurance that “there was going to be more life for
her than the spiritual warfare she had gone through.” As she went
through this awakening, Sandra began to pray with scripture that
related to her season in life. “Praying to God with my own words
is one thing, but when you pray God’s Word back to Him, that is
a complete game changer.” Through those moments of prayer,
God would continue to encourage Sandra to pursue a goal of
creating more of the “Broken to Beautiful” artwork.
To Sandra, “Broken to Beautiful” is the Gospel. God takes our
broken heart and He makes it beautiful. That’s what the Gospel
does, it changes our hearts.” People began to give Sandra
objects that were meaningful to them and have her transform
them into art for them to cherish in a new way. “The reactions
I get from people assures me that my inspiration is coming from
a place bigger than me.”
Sandra encourages those who are going through what she
did with moving out of her comfort zone by reassuring them that
God will take care of them. Despite everything Sandra went
through, she was constantly reminded by God that “it is never
the end until He calls us home”.
Hometown madison • 45

• BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT •
Changing the Way We Do Business
- eSimple in Mississippi
Dani Edmonson
uc e
LAND TITLE INC
46 • May/June 2018

W
hile buying new property can be an
exciting and beautiful experience, the
closing process of shuffling and signing dozens
of papers can turn the dream into a temporary
nightmare. Locally owned Luckett Land Title, Inc.
has recently championed the idea of making real
estate closings faster and more convenient than
ever through a concept known as “eClose.”
One of the giants in this revolution is the
eClosing platform company called Pavaso.
According to the Pavaso website, the company
has “… facilitated over 550 eClosings within the
basic and advanced categories. The Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau ultimately found
that consumers who closed using an eClosing
platform, allowed for higher measures of
understanding, efficiency, and empowerment
than borrowers who used only paper forms.”
In late 2017, Pavaso partnered with two national
closing companies making this option available
nationwide.
However, when you can enjoy the benefits of
such innovation at the local level, the experience
can be made even more easy.
Luckett has four offices located in Brandon,
Jackson, Hattiesburg, and most recently,
Gluckstadt, which is run by attorney Courtney
Robbins. “A title closing company offers peace
of mind to all parties involved by providing the
following key services: we examine the property’s
title for any defects; we oversee the closing
process; and we provide title insurance to both
the lender and homebuyer to protect property
rights,” Robbins explained. “When I opened
our Gluckstadt location almost 20 months ago,
I didn’t set out to change how our industry does
business. I just wanted to create the best customer
experience for our clients across all our locations.”
With the blessing of Luckett CEO R. Cratin
Luckett, Jr., Robbins set off on a journey to bring
the closing process from a timely 60-minutes,
to one that is typically 15 minutes or less. After
conducting extensive research, attending various
conferences, and training on the Pavaso platform,
Robbins said, “I’m proud to say we are officially
ready to perform the first eClosing in the state
of Mississippi!”
There are more than 10 states eClosing at
this point. “I recently told an audience of
realtors that we need this because our clients
deserve it. eClosings will change the way we do
business for the better and are gaining rapid
acceptance across the country. We don’t want to
be left behind.” Luckett Land Title covers the
entire state of Mississippi, making eClosings
even more efficient.
For some, innovation can be intimidating,
but Robbins breaks it down quite simply.
“eClosings are very unlike traditional real estate
closings where all parties gather together at the
closing table here in our office to sign, by hand,
dozens of documents in a somewhat long and
very detailed process,” she begins. “An eClosing
is performed in a ‘virtual closing room’ using a
tablet or a computer. All parties are allowed to
review the documents 24 hours before the set
closing date/time. Then, when it is time to close,
all parties are allowed to electronically sign their
documents, rather than tirelessly sign with a pen
each and every page.”
For now, the process will be a hybrid closing
because all notarized documents still must be
signed by hand, but all remaining documents
can be electronically signed. “I still conduct the
closing in person with my clients at my office,
which I like very much because I am on-hand
to answer questions, walk them through the
process, and of course, provide them with their
‘welcome-home gift.’”
Robbins said, “I love my calling. My task is to
try and change an anxious experience and make
it a celebration. I think eClosing truly is that
final piece to get us there.” l
Hometown madison • 47

Madison County
Chamber of Commerce
Crawfish Boil
March 28
JacksonYacht Club
48 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 49

Fresh Cooking Fun
Elizabeth Bennett
Have you ever wanted to learn how to cook
like a professional chef? Well, you have just that
opportunity at Farmer’s Table in Livingston.
Opened for almost 4 years, Farmer’s Table is a
cooking school with an upscale commercialgrade
kitchen complete with granite countertops
and industrial cookware while still maintaining
a homey charm. Bridget Engle is the marketing
director for Farmer’s Table in Livingston and
relishes the opportunity to organize events and
provide fun for a variety of people. “It looks
more like a Martha Stewart kitchen,” says Engle.
Farmer’s Table uses fresh, local ingredients
to create all of their culinary masterpieces.
They utilize home-grown herbs from their
own gardens as well as produce from local area
farmers. They are the “ultimate farm-to-table
culinary experience with interactive cooking
classes, demonstration classes, wine tastings and
receptions,” as stated on their website. They
host rehearsal dinners, weddings, fundraising
and corporate events. The school boasts in its
ability to provide team-building and fun
activities–all based around cooking–making
for a friendly and engaging environment.
The classes connect participants with an “eat
local” philosophy, providing a unique, memorable,
and hands-on experience. And they’re much
more than a just cooking experience–they’re
incredibly social–connecting complete strangers,
50 • May/June 2018

offering the opportunity to make new friends.
Their passion is to create a unique experience
you won’t soon forget. And the best part . . .
there’s wine.
Engle describes what a typical class is like.
“Each class starts with appetizers and wine, then
everyone puts on their aprons and washes their
hands,” she says. Next, the chef begins teaching.
“They have salad, the main course and then
dessert,” says Engle. Every month there are 20
different menu options available for classes.
Every night is different and there are vegan
options available, too.
The executive chef at the helm of Farmer’s
Table is Connor Wolf. Chef Wolf began his
culinary career at restaurants in Jackson,
Mississippi, and later graduated from the
Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Program in Miami,
Florida. He has a wealth of experience to bring
to the table and is completely engaging and
more than willing to answer most any question
you can think of regarding cooking.
Farmers Table is open 6 nights a week. It is
closed on Sundays; however, they are open for
private events on Sundays. “We do a lot of
private corporate events here. It is a real team
building experience,” says Engle. The average
class size is 16 people. In the summertime they
do a kid’s camp for ages 6 and up. Engle is also
a caterer and does wedding receptions, bridal
luncheons, baby showers and other private
functions.
Hometown madison • 51

The beauty of Farmer’s Table extends
beyond the interior walls. “There is a beautiful
back patio with ambiance and the fire is always
going in the winter,” says Engle. In addition to
Farmers Table, where all the cooking takes
place, there is a retail store next door where
everything is sold that is used during the
cooking classes. They sell knives, cutting boards,
mineral free pans, KitchenAid blenders, pasta
machines, Stone Wall Kitchen products, real
syrup, and local honey from Mississippi Bees,
whisks, wooden spoons, bowls, thermometers,
pit barrels, zesters and Casafina dinnerware.
Customers who take a class get 10% off their
purchase in the retail store. A bridal registry is
also offered.
The streets of Livingston come alive in the
spring and summer at the weekly Farmer’s
Market. Each Thursday through July 16th from
5-8pm there is much to enjoy including fresh
produce, wine, music, chef demonstrations, and
free kid’s activities. The attendance is booming
with often as many as 2,000 people enjoying
the market.
Brenda McCall, of Hometown Magazines,
enjoyed a cooking class in April. They made a
field green salad with citrus segments, goat
cheese, candied almonds, shaved red onion and
sweet sherry vinaigrette, with grilled chicken
thighs over potato/bacon/asparagus hash. “It
was a great learning experience. Chef Connor
Wolf has a wonderful demeanor and is
extremely knowledgeable. He made us all feel
like culinary experts by the end of the evening,”
said McCall. She enjoyed the kitchen which,
according to her, is beautiful and spacious yet
cozy. “The food was all delicious,” gushed
McCall. She enjoyed her cooking and dining
experience and was pleased to be able to take
the recipes home with her to enjoy again. l
52 • May/June 2018

Farmer’s Table is located at 1030 Market Street in Flora, Mississippi.
Be sure to check it out. Your taste buds will thank you!
Hometown madison • 53

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Hometown madison • 55

Anna-Claire Campbell & Anna Claire Holloway
A High Tea Celebration
56 • May/June 2018

A fortunate meeting one summer at MRA brought together two
beautiful girls and began a lasting friendship. Not only sharing beauty
and a sweet spirit, these two girls share the same name–Anna-Claire
Campbell and Anna Claire Holloway. So, it was fitting that they
celebrate graduating from Madison Ridgeland Academy together!
Twin Oaks in Brandon was the setting for an afternoon High Tea
honoring the pair.
Guests from their class were invited to don hats and gloves and
learn the rudiments of enjoying High Tea.
Each guest received a beautiful monogrammed handkerchief and
a special booklet commemorating the day. The booklet contained a
letter from the guests of honor’s mothers giving words of wisdom and
life lessons.
“You can make your dreams come true. Never lose that focus.
It might take longer than you planned, but it will happen. You can
accomplish whatever you set your mind to so don’t be afraid to fail.
Sometimes failure is the best teacher. And never be afraid to get up
and try again.”
“Be kind to others and you will always be surrounded by love.
Know how important it is to share, to listen, to talk and to be a good
friend. Your life will be enriched so much by the friends you choose
to share with.” l
Hometown madison • 57

58 • May/June 2018

Hometown Madison
READER
SPOTLIGHT
Linda
MARTIN
Why did you decide to make Madison
your home?
Being from Houston, Texas, I just fell in love with
Madison County! I knew fifteen years ago that
this is exactly where we would one day raise our
children.
How long have you lived in Madison?
We have been here over fifteen beautiful years.
Tell us about your family.
My incredible husband, Matthew, owns Capital
Locksmith Company and we have two precious
children, Isabelle Claire (8), and Jasper Knox (6).
What is your favorite memory of living
in Madison?
My favorite memory of Madison and the
community as a whole is how our community
of friends came together last year during a very
difficult time. I was diagnosed with B-Cell
lymphoma shortly after I’d had a stroke due to
a hole in my heart. I had to have several surgeries
to repair my heart and for the removal of my
stomach cancer. All within a six-month time frame
we were hit with some incredible adversity. With
our amazing friends and church family, we were
able to get through such a difficult season with
much grace and peace because people chose to
rally around us and loved us so well. We are so
thankful for are Madison family!
Where are your three favorite places to eat
in Madison?
Our family loves to eat at Nagoya, Kristo’s and
of course Pizza Shack!
What are some fun things to do in Madison
on the weekends?
We have some pretty incredible parks here in
Madison, the Farmer’s Market, and of course,
the kids always enjoy a fun movie at Malco.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
Our family is very involved at Broadmoor Baptist
Church and stays active serving with our LifeGroup,
church and community. We love to travel! As a
family, we serve at The Blake on Saturday mornings,
our kids have enjoyed building relationships with
the residents there.
What are three things on your bucket list?
I would love to be able to watch my kids grow old.
I’d like to continue missions work with my husband.
And throughout my life, I long to bring others to
know Christ by the life I live. I am a sinner saved
by His grace.
Who is someone you admire and why?
Hands down, I admire my husband, Matthew.
Watching him walk through last year with such
faith and strength was beautiful. During a time
that could have been so very tragic for our family,
Matthew was and is a rock. He chose to trust that
the Lord had gone before us—and regardless of
the outcome, we rested and trusted our Father.
Our family is so fortunate to have such a loving
husband and father.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Thankful. Wherever I am in ten years, I can
assure you that I will be thankful.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is remembering
how loved I was. I was greatly loved by my mom,
dad and two older brothers.
If you could give us one encouraging quote,
what would it be?
“Your capacity to love was created for Him.
Your desire to love was meant to draw you to
Him. Your heart was designed to long for love,
and that longing was meant to find its final and
complete fulfillment in Jesus.” –Paul David Tripp
Hometown madison • 59

The CHALKBOARD
MADISON COUNTY SCHOOLS
MRA
It was Dr. Seuss week in K5 at MRA. It was Thing 1 Thursday and
they wore their red shirts with crazy hair and hats to school.
East Flora
At East Flora Elementary students are learning what it means to
have good character. In December the core trait was Generosity.
Students who exemplified the core trait throughout the month
were award the “Super Jag Award”.
Front L-R: Aubri Mason, Derianna Hollins, Bentley Thornton,
Jordan McLaurin, Noah Trim, Darby Horn, Cody Martz, Anthony Cole,
Makayla Williams, Michael Pevey
60 • May/June 2018
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Madison
Central
Senior Class Favorites
Back L-R: Cedric Beal, Adam McDonal, Kobe Cole,
Bradley Davis, Corbin Kirkland, Brooks Parker,
Will Stanard, Chanu Cherukuri, Parth Malaviya.
Front L-R: Catherine Whitten, Anne Daniel Embry,
Brooke Thomas, Isabella Wade, Julia Bhansali,
Brookleigh Johnson, Sara Whitehead, Cayden Shirley,
Claire Smith.
Junior Class Favorites
Back L-R: Caleb Smith, Cade Harrison,
Christian Watson, Bailen Haynie, Peyton Wilbanks,
Myles Hopson, Westbrooks Ross, Haaris Patel,
Michael Zhang.
Front L-R: Sydney Storm, Hannah Brady, Bonnie Hill,
Amber McAlpin, Katie King, Cady Lloyd, Elle Muirhead,
Cara Dale Palmer, Qunajia Hill.
Sophomore Class Favorites
Back L-R: Reggie Black, Christopher Ogburn, Justin
Storm, Logan Landis, Brooks Stewart, Will Wharton,
Jimmy Holiday, Graham Quarles.
Front L-R: Sydney Stokes, Claire Humphreys,
Allison Hill, Libba Ewing, Mary Morgan Williams,
Katie Wellborn, Anna Johnston, Chloe Livingston,
Sarah Beth Clayton, Anna Cate Strong.
STAR Students & STAR Teachers
These seniors scored a 35 or 36 on the ACT
and have an overall average of 93 or above in
selected subjects in the ninth, tenth, eleventh
grades, and first-semester twelfth grade.
Back L-R: Chanu Cherukuri, Jack Dellinger, Luke Little,
John Martin Paczak, Chuck Reynolds, Judy Jenkins
Middle L-R: Rebecca Temple, Alex Nguyen, David
McDonald, Noah Grovich, Anna Brock, James Michels,
Susan Shivers, Phylis Findley
Front L-R: Michelle Robinson, Claire Smith,
Rimika Banerjee, Alexa Aubrey, Abigail Barton,
Mary Ranie Miller, Laura Miller
Hometown madison • 61

The CHALKBOARD
MADISON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Germantown
Germantown High School held its annual Night in the Spotlight on February 24. Beauty and Beau winners were announced by grade.
Senior - Back L-R: Colten Hutchison, Jack Woodward, William McArthur, Seth Albritton, Eli Bryson, Jack Hunter Johnson, Ben Bell, Connor Carter,
Howard Monroe, Collin Magoun, Wilson Volk - Front L-R: Karlea Winstead, Emme Turner, Emily Shows, Tiara Scott, Kristi Stewart, Abbie Hanna,
Kylie Cockrell, Riley Dew, Kenley Brooks, Mary Morgan Agostinelli
Junior - Back L-R: Hugh Walker Johnson, Trey Thomas, Wesley Hayles,
Carson Fisher, Will Jackson, Demartavious Lewis - Front L-R: Daden Wood,
Maggie Robinson, Savannah Richardson, Madison Smith, Rylie Robertson
Sophomore - Back L-R: Thad Stephens, Austin Lee, Matthew Bryson,
Graham Stephens, Reed Carpenter, Peyton Irby, Aaron Sawyer
Front L-R: Zoi Norman, Olivia Irby, Abby Vance, Cy Katherine Robbins,
Peyton Martin, Ava Aslam, and Mamie Ainsworth
62 • May/June 2018
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.

Germantown Beta Club traveled to Biloxi, MS on Monday,
February 19, 2018 to participate in the Mississippi Senior Beta
Convention. The convention gives student the opportunity to
strengthen their academic and leadership skills, showcase their
talents and artistic abilities and interact with Senior Betas. The
GHS Beta Club competed against some of the brightest
scholars in the state and brought home several awards.
Freshman - Back L-R: Justin Bergeron, Carson Buckner,
Thomas Hollingsworth, Colton Gardner, Bryce Fowler, Wilkes Stubbs,
Houston Haley, Nick Perkins, Sam Owen Jones
Front L-R: Amelia Agostinelli, Kate Brasher, Anna Claire Savell, Chloe Carter
L-R: Braden Montgomery-2nd place 9th grade Math; Lexi Hudnall-5th place
Speech Division II; Harrison Grimes-3rd place Senior Scholarship; Chandler
Alexander-5th place 10th grade Social Studies; Kathryn Jarjoura-1st place
Agriculture Science; Claire Price, Rebecca Zorn, Victoria Jackson and Grayson
Hewes-4th place Advertising Design; Jamey Cobb-5th place 11th grade Math.
Mr. and Miss Germantown High are Mary Morgan Agostinelli
and Benjamin Bell. The titles of Mr. and Miss Germantown High
School were voted on by the entire student body. The students
chosen exemplify what it truly means to be a GHS Maverick and
have shown great leadership throughout this year.
Back Row L-R: Jake Worrell, Mac Yoder, Noah Gibbs,
Braden Montgomery, Kathryn Jarjoura, Tyler Murphy, Harrison Grimes,
Reid Lott, Mr. Michael Estes
Middle RowL-R: Clark Templeton, Jacqueline Lee, Jordan Jones,
Hope Ellison, Lauren James, Jamey Cobb, Keely May, Taylor Smith,
Claire Price, Rebecca Zorn, Hannah Mohon, Corinne Dickens,
Skylar Montgomery, Lily Boggan
Front Row L-R: Mrs. Andrea Nelson, Baiden Gibbs, Chandler Alexander,
Madelyn Jarjoura, Lexi Hudnall, Emme Walker, Samantha Sherman,
Aurea Toledo-Dunham, Grayson Hewes, Victoria Jackson, Luke Mason,
Mrs. Dawn Farrington
Hometown madison • 63

NAMED BEST NURSING HOME IN MISSISSIPPI *
As soon as we stepped beyond the gated entrance, I knew that
St. Catherine’s Village was the right place for dad. That he would
receive the personalized attention he needed. And would retain his
dignity with person-centered care to support his emotional, social,
intellectual, and spiritual…as well as physical…well being.
You know what else I found?
Living here is unexpectedly within reach.
SPECIALIZED SKILLED NURSING
• Semi-private and private rooms
• 24-hour nursing care and
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• Assistance with
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• Three meals served daily
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I FOUND
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64 • May/June 2018
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Hometown madison • 65
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The
Time
COIN
Camille Anding
Tears glazed over Martha’s
eyes as she stood in the
center of the grocery aisle.
Then the tears puddled and slowly ran
down her face. The pain caught her off guard,
and tears were her only response.
Who would have thought that the
containers of applesauce in the fruit section
was the culprit behind her pain? They
appeared innocent and harmless, but today
they were reminders of Martha’s dad and his
years of being tethered to dialysis machines.
For months, even years, Martha had
shopped by her mother’s list for items on a
dialysis patient’s menu. It was a gloomy list, a
limited list, and his favorite applesauce treat
was a stark reminder of his years of struggle.
But now, his struggles were over. Both
Martha’s parents had stepped from their
earthly tents to their heavenly eternal home.
Life had changed drastically for Martha.
She wiped away the tears and rushed
her cart down the aisle. Sorrow was nudging
closer and closer, and his companionship
was suffocating.
Scripture! That was the answer. Martha
recalled the verse in her morning devotional
and spoke it audibly: “He will cover you with
his feathers; you will take refuge under his
wings. His faithfulness will be a protective
shield.” She repeated it for a third time.
The power of His Word hadn’t failed, but
Sorrow had clamped her ears shut. The pain
wouldn’t subside.
Martha scarcely remembered the
grocery checkout or the ride home. She
pushed items into her pantry, walked out
of her kitchen and into her backyard—
her sanctuary of peace. Wandering through
the budding peonies, she released the
held-back tears and had the kind of cry that
washed away pain. She prayed for strength
and a greater sense of His indwelling so
Sorrow wouldn’t always camp in her emotions.
The prayer was sincere, as sincere as she
could muster.
Did God hear? She believed in prayer
and was confident God always heard, but
today she would have rejoiced over an answer
written across the sky or His thunderous
voice that affirmed His response.
As the garden path led past the grouping
of azaleas, Martha suddenly stopped. There
it was—complete and total affirmation that
God heard and had answered!
Martha stopped down to pick up the
single, tiny feather that rested on her path.
Joy rushed in. Sorrow and Gloom were
nowhere to be found. ●
66 • May/June 2018

Hometown madison • 67

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areas, Merit Health Medical Group providers offer quality care for your family with your schedule in mind. From sore
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To see all locations and specialties, please visit MyMeritDoctor.com
Call 844-MSMERIT for a provider near you.
Walk-ins are welcome at all primary care practices,
or ask about same-day and next-day appointments.