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M A D I S O N R I D G E L A N D F L O R A C A N T O N G L U C K S T A D T 

V91 

323

2 • JANUARY 2023

FROM OUR CONSULTING EDITOR 

As we put the finishing touches on this issue I’m sitting in my 

office awaiting a strong line of storms to move in. 

Two years ago at this exact same moment, ice had blanketed the 

entire city in what was being referred to as an “historic” weather event. 

Today, it’s seventy degrees outside. In two days, it will be forty degrees 

cooler. I’ve often heard Mississippi’s weather being referred to as 

psychotic. They’re not wrong... 

But if you were to look at history, wouldn’t it be revealed that wild 

swings in weather patterns have always existed—like since forever? 

I think about the news and its use of hyperbole to create fear in the 

minds of the reader and viewer. Use of words like “historic,” “unprecedented,” 

“the largest,” the deadliest,” and literally one of my personal 

favorites, “apocalyptic.” Headlines like these create feelings of panic and 

uncertainty. But again, if we were to look at history, wouldn’t we see that 

these types of events have been happening since the beginning of time? 

I’m certainly not immune to the effects of persuasive messaging. 

I’ve found myself in seasons of fear and uncertainty. But then I stop 

and think to myself, “Is this the first time this has ever happened in the 

history of mankind?” So far, the answer has been no, one hundred 

percent of the time. That’s when I regain my balance. 

I’ve recently been made aware of a multi-million-dollar media 

campaign that’s been launched nationwide. He Gets Us puts today’s 

issues into context, using today’s vernacular and imagery, by reminding 

us that nothing we’re experiencing today is new. Not a bit of it. Jesus 

experienced these same things on the regular. They look at the 

biography of Jesus through a modern lens—and it’s brilliantly done. 

I encourage you to check it out at HeGetsUs.com. 

Thank you for picking up this issue of Hometown Madison. It is our 

hope to tell stories that create feelings of joy and hope as well—with no 

hyperbole—just stories from the heart. 

HOMETOWN STAFF 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Reader Spotlight 7 

Hometown Family 10 

BlueHealth Madison 16 

Fighting for Mississippi Veterans 22 

Interior Inspirations 24 

Woman of Impact 28 

Touch A Truck 32 

Kids Who Care 36 

Through the Fire 38 

Mississippi Makers Fest 46 

SPECIAL PROJECTS 

ASSISTANT 

Caroline Hodges 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

ADVERTISING 

ASSISTANT 

Lexie Ownby 

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 

Nikki Robison 

...see you around town. 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

Daniel Thomas 

3dt 

STAFF 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

STAFF 

ASSISTANT 

Debby Francis 

www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 200 Felicity Street / 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. 

Hometown MADISON • 3

4 • MARCH 2023

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READER 

SPOTLIGHT 

Brittany 

HARVEY 

Why did you make Madison your home? 

We wanted to live in a community with a “family” feel 

in which we could raise our children while also having 

the small town features similar to where we grew up. 

We found everything on our checklist of where we 

wanted our family to live here, including the safety 

features and great schools. 

Tell us about your family. 

I am Dr. Brittany Harvey. I have recently graduated 

with my doctorate in education administration from 

the University of Southern Mississippi. I also hold 

three other degrees from Jackson State University. 

This school year, I have had the opportunity to stay 

home and take care of Morgan Faith who was born 

this past August while also volunteering at Amayah 

Grace’s school. I am very passionate about the field of 

special education and the inclusion of individuals with 

disabilities. 

My husband, Dennis, is an Army veteran who works 

as a cloud security engineer with Cisco Systems. He 

is also a graduate of the University of Southern 

Mississippi. During his free time, he enjoys volunteering 

with the audio/visual ministry at our church, Priestley 

Chapel MB Church, novice woodworking, traveling, 

and spending time with family. 

Amayah Grace, 7, enjoys dancing, reading, and all 

things unicorns or Barbie related. She wants to 

someday become a teacher like a few of her favorite 

teachers who have included: Mrs. Ella Collier, Mrs. 

Lakendria April, and Mrs. Suzanne Williams. 

Morgan Faith, 5 months, enjoys being spoiled by 

Daddy, Mommy, and big sister. She will be attending 

daycare soon! 

What is your favorite memory of living in 

Madison? 

My favorite memory would be family car rides to 

view Christmas lights around town, attending the 

2022 Christmas Open House held at the Township, 

and especially seeing the joy in Amayah’s eyes as we 

rode the train around the buildings. 

Where are your three favorite places to eat in 

Madison? 

Koestler Prime, Sal & Mookies, Another Broken Egg 

What are some fun things to do in Madison 

County on weekends? 

Fun things to do on the weekend around Madison 

County would include starting the morning off with 

coffee or tea from The Bean Parlor, visiting the local 

boutiques, having family time at the movie theatre or 

Liberty Park, attending church at Priestley Chapel MB 

Church, and having Sunday dinner from Marlo’s 

Backyard BBQ. 

Share some things you enjoy doing in your 

spare time. 

During my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my 

family, traveling, reading, and crafting. I also enjoy 

visiting various restaurants in search of the best 

gumbo! 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

Visiting each continent. Visiting the history museums 

and monuments in Washington, DC. Opening a 

family entertainment center focused on including 

individuals with disabilities. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

The person I admire the most would be my mom, 

Gwendolyn Morgan. My mom has a heart of gold and 

has always taught me to put forth my best no matter 

what and to give to others whether it be monetary or 

through the act of service. Throughout my life, I have 

watched her often neglect herself to ensure that she 

was available to take care of my younger brother who 

has multiple disabilities. I have never seen her 

complain, or wish for a different life. In 2020 when 

my father passed unexpectedly, my mother continued 

to show how strong she was. I have seen my parents 

happily married my entire life and can only imagine 

the pain she still deals with but never showed. I pray 

that I can be as great an example to my girls that my 

mother continues to be to me. Even now, my mom is 

still striving to achieve a lifelong dream of hers. 

Where do you see yourself ten years from now? 

I see myself and my family still residing in Madison 

County. Our goal is to eventually find property with 

acreage in which we can have a family farm similar to 

the one I grew up on. I also see my family being in a 

position in which we can give back even more to 

others. God has truly blessed my husband and me and 

we pray that others can get to know Him through us. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

Spending time with my dad at the barn with his horses 

and at his dog kennels helping with the beagles. My 

dad’s full-time job was as an educator, but afternoons 

and part of the weekends were spent tending to the 

animals. On rare occasions, we could even convince 

my mom to come out and help us! 

If you could give us one encouraging quote, 

what would it be? 

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come 

from, the ability to triumph begins with you—always.” 

– Oprah Winfrey 


Students are explorers. Our 

job as educators is to help 

them FIND THEIR WAY 

academically, athletically, 

artistically, and spiritually. 

Amanda Slack 

Head of Lower School 

jacksonprep.net 

PreK-3 through grade 12 

8 • MARCH 2023


10 • MARCH 2023

The 

Lewises 


We are Jay and Crystal Lewis and we are the proud parents of 

two daughters and one son whose names are Shelby (14), 

Jaxon (11), and Paityn (10). We love traveling as a family, 

attending sporting events and dining at some of our favorite 

restaurants. 

How did you meet, and how long have you been married? 

We met in church as teenagers. As a child growing up, I would 

spend weekends with my grandmother and attend church with 

her on Sundays. He and his family were members of the same 

church. We have been together for 20 years and married 15 

years. 

Do you allow time to be with your spouse for a date night? 

Yes, we try to spend time together weekly away from the kids. 

We love to dine and listen to live music. We also try to take a 

trip with just the two of us here and there. 


What brings you the greatest joy as a parent? 

What brings me the greatest joy as a parent is watching our 

children develop into their own people. They now have their 

own interests and viewpoints on things, and they are now at an 

age where they do well to articulate why they take certain stances 

on issues. I also love their relationship with one another. They 

bicker but they are extremely close and look out for one another. 

Who is the financial manager in your home? 

We both manage finances jointly. One of us focuses on due 

dates and deadlines and the other physically goes in and pays 

bills and completes other financial allocations. We also have our 

own personal “pocket change” for things we enjoy individually 

to maintain a level of autonomy and independence. 

When your children were younger, what was your discipline 

philosophy? 

We learned early that not only is every child different, but every 

child responds differently to forms of discipline. We like to get 

to the root cause of offenses in our home and find out why our 

children felt like certain behaviors were appropriate. If we have 

redirected our children multiple times for the same behaviors 

and offenses, we take electronics and privileges away. 

How do you spend your summer breaks? 

Our family loves the beach and theme parks. We typically spend 

spring and part of summer breaks at one or the other. The kids 

also participate in different camps during the summer. 

What accomplishments make you proud during your time 

living in Madison? 

I love seeing all of the growth in Madison. I remember when 

Hwy 51 only consisted of Sledge’s and then later a Jitney Jungle. 

Many of the neighborhoods that we have made our homes were 

woods located off back roads. It is great to see how Madison is 

thriving and has become a sought-after community. 

What drives you to have the job that you have? 

And what do you do for a living? 

Both my husband and I both have careers in the field of health 

care. He is a manager for a pharmaceutical company, and I am an 

account executive for a home health agency. We also own a 

home-based travel business. We are both people persons and love 

being able to provide people with experiences, services, and 

medications that give a better quality of life and makes them well. 

What do you see in your role as the greatest benefit 

to your family? 

I would say that being present is the greatest benefit. I feel that as 

our children get older and recollect on memories that were created 

when they were young, it is important that you as a parent are a 

part of those memories. 

What’s a quick go-to meal that isn’t fast food? 

And who does the cooking? 

The children love spaghetti and garlic bread so that is in rotation 

on our household menu at least biweekly. I do most of the cooking, 

however, there are a few dishes that are the sole responsibility of 

my husband. He is the grill master, and he also makes wonderful 

homemade biscuits. 

How long has Madison been your home? 

We are both lifelong residents of Madison County. I grew up in 

Madison and my husband grew up in Canton. Madison has been 

our home for 15 years. 

What are some of your favorite things about Madison County? 

We love the aesthetics of Madison County. It is truly a beautiful 

family-oriented place, and we have the best of both worlds. We 

can shop, dine, and participate in fun activities, but we can also 

slow the pace and enjoy the sense of calm and country charm that 

the county has to offer. 

12 • MARCH 2023

QUESTIONS FOR THE CHILDREN 

What’s your favorite thing to do as a 

family? 

Shelby Go to the beach 

Jaxon Go to the beach 

Paityn Go to the beach 

What your favorite restaurant? 

Shelby Walk-On’s 

Jaxon Ichiban and Hokkaido 

Paityn Chick-fil-A 

What’s your favorite TV show? 

Shelby Manifest 

Jaxon YouTube shorts and tutorials 

about pranks 

Paityn YouTube shorts and tutorials 

about makeup 


Cameren Ward 

10th grade 

I hope to get a 30 on the ACT by my 

senior year, and also to get accepted 

into most of my ideal colleges. 

Madison Central 

High School 

Q&A 

What are 

2 things 

on your 

bucket list 

?? 

Dylan Thomas 

10th grade 

One thing on my bucket list is to star 

in a Broadway musical. Specifically, 

I would want to play Persephone in 

Hadestown or Sonya from Natasha, 

Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. 

I also want to be able to foster cats 

or kittens when I’m older. 

James Phillips 

12th grade 

I have two things on my bucket list. 

I would like to acquire a good amount 

of wealth so that I am able to travel 

the world and see new places. 

Another thing on my bucket list is to 

star in a Scream movie. 

Jenny Nguyen 

10th grade 

I want to become an old, cat lady. 

I also want to travel the world. 

Mary Katherine 

McIntyre 

10th grade 

There are tons of things on my bucket 

list, but there are two of them I really 

want to do. The first thing I want to do 

is go to Switzerland, because it is 

gorgeous. The second thing is to 

move to Hawaii. I want to wake up 

and be able to hike in the mountains 

and go to the beach all in one day. 

14 • MARCH 2023

Brittan McFadden 

11th grade 

I want to go to Greece. It has so 

much scenery and is so pretty. 

Another bucket list item I want to 

check off is swimming with sharks. 

Ephram Lake 

12th grade 

I want to go sky diving. I also want 

to go to Israel or somewhere in 

the Middle East. I love thrills and 

adrenaline rushes. My dad and I 

have been planning it since I was 

a kid. I want to go to Jerusalem to 

see Golgotha and a lot of Jesus’s life. 

Calesha Doyle 

10th grade 

The main two things would be to 

get rich, then go to Egypt and 

Africa and see where the Moses 

story happened. 

Ryan Delaney 

10th grade 

One thing I have always wanted to 

do is go scuba diving in clear water 

and see exotic animals. Another thing 

I have always wanted to do is go to 

California and see all the people. 

Anna Kimbrell 

12th grade 

My first item is to be on the field 

during an NFL game and interview 

a player. My second item is to 

travel this country and later go 

to Italy, Greece, France, Spain, 

and Great Britain. 

Logan Kennedy 

11th grade 

Two items would be skydiving and 

living in Paris. Both of these things 

are very different but also very 

hard to do. 

Avery Holland 

11th grade 

The top thing on my list is definitely to 

travel to Romania. I love the culture 

and the landscape. A close second 

would be learning how to figure 

skate. It’s a graceful and beautiful 

sport I would love to learn. 

Emily Hodges 

10th grade 

By the time I die, I want to have 

traveled in a tiny house on wheels 

around the country and have visited 

at least 50 countries around the 

world. Ever since I was little I have 

wanted to travel, because I want to 

get out of Mississippi to see the 

world around me. 

Rachael Carpenter 

11th grade 

My bucket list consists of many 

places to visit and people to meet. 

Two of my items are to visit the 

United Kingdom and hike across 

the nation. I also want to meet 

Ross Lynch. 

Southern Callahan 

10th grade 

Two things are to become a Dallas 

Cowboys cheerleader and be invited 

on a Tarte Cosmetics travel trip. 


ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT 

BlueHealth 

Baptist Susan Marquez 

There is something noticeably 

different about BlueHealth Baptist in 

Madison. From the moment you pull 

into the parking lot of the primary care 

clinic, it is apparent that it is not like 

most other clinics. For one thing, a row 

of bays line one side of the building – 

designed for drive-up lab testing that 

can be done easily on the way to work, 

without leaving your vehicle. Parking is 

a breeze and literally at the front door 

of the clinic. The partnership between 

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi 

and Baptist Health Systems is working 

towards a shared purpose of redefining 

the traditional primary care experience 

Whether a patient is not feeling well, 

needs care or they simply want to 

improve their overall health, they will 

find a remarkable difference in the 

modern clinic. Instead of a waiting 

room, the lobby is filled with sunlight 

and you are greeted by a friendly face. 

Patients are escorted down a hallway 

lined with windows on one side, looking 

into a grassy courtyard area. Exam rooms 

are beautiful, with comfortable reclining 

chairs instead of hard examination tables. 

The clinic was designed to eliminate the 

anxiety many people have when they 

go see a doctor. 

16 • MARCH 2023


There is definitely a feeling that your health is important to the staff. 

The executive director of BlueHealth Baptist, Price Davis, is friendly and 

approachable. He is responsible for holding the clinic to its vision of creating 

a one-of-a-kind health experience that is unlike any other in Mississippi. 

“We deliver a distinctively different and personalized approach to health. 

To us, you are your own person, not just another patient.” 

The central member of the medical team is Timothy Chen MD, the 

clinic’s medical director, who uses an integrative medicine approach in his 

practice of medicine. “We want to work with a patient to improve their health 

and prevent disease, not just treat it after the fact,” he explains. “We look at 

a patient’s nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, community 

engagement, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use.” 

Nurse Practitioner, Melissa Wood, supports Dr. Chen by empowering 

patients with the knowledge and tools to take an active role in their own 

health journey. “We are providing a very personalized approach to medicine 

that is results-driven. I’m a big believer in celebrating success along the way.” 

Wood has a certification in lifestyle medicine and, in some situations, ops to 

prescribe lifestyle adjustments to optimize patients’ health instead of medication. 

“We spend time with each patient to review their current lifestyle and tailor a 

new plan for them.” 

A team of health coaches round out the team. “We have registered 

dieticians who see patients during their wellness visits,” says Chen. “They 

work with patients to set health goals.” At the end of each wellness exam, 

patients get a smoothie from the smoothie bar in the lobby. “We also 

provide recipes,” adds Davis. 

18 • MARCH 2023

To help put patients’ plans into practice, BlueHealth Baptist offers pharmacist 

consultations, coaching, yoga classes at the clinic, as well as a 

walking trail that is open to the public. While the clinic is only available to 

those covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, anyone can benefit from the 

videos and information posted on the clinic’s social media sites. 

Wood emphasizes that care doesn’t end when the patient leaves the 

clinic. “We know reaching health goals can be hard to do on your own. If you 

need an accountability partner, we’ll be right here to help you stay on track. 

We collaborate with your specialists to get your care plan and then follow 

up to make sure your following it correctly and are able to ask questions.” 

Davis is excited about the clinic’s growth. “One of our future goals, as we 

grow with intention, is to have more engagement with the community, 

whether it’s prevention or management of diabetes, a weekly exercise class, 

or addressing mental health. We want to provide a holistic health experience, 

and we do that by meeting people where they are. It may be a virtual 

visit if that’s most convenient for the patient. The main thing is to simplify 

your health care experience and design our experience in a way that works 

for you.” 

BlueHealth Baptist has only been open 

for one year and the results are positive. 

“We’re seeing people improve their health 

numbers, but as with anything else, results 

depend on how engaged people are,” says 

Chen. “We believe this will be the new 

model for medicine, and that the focus will 

be on preventing health issues instead of 

dealing with issues as they arise.” 

For more information on BlueHealth 

Baptist, visit www.bluehealthbaptist.com. 


This is physical jumps and mental leaps. 

This is the discipline, the art, the passion, 

the world, on one stage. 

And it all comes down to this. 

THIS IS BALLET. 

THIS IS JACKSON. 

Photography by Michael J. Moore 

JUNE 

10 – 24 

2023 

FOR TICKETS, VISIT 

USAIBC.COM/ATTEND 

SALES START APRIL 3 

Chisaco Oga 

USA IBC 2018 Bronze Medalist 

Soloist, Boston Ballet 

Night on the Town 

at the Ag Museum 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 • MARCH 2023


Fighting for 

Mississippi’s Veterans 

Poppy Williams 

“Sometimes the hardest wars 

are fought at home.” - Anonymous 

Cheryl Bruce is a shining example that one 

can use their life experiences to positively impact 

the lives of others. Although she is too humble to 

admit it, through the work of her nonprofit, the 

Wounded Warriors of Mississippi, Cheryl has 

shaped the lives of hundreds of Mississippi 

veterans. 

According to Cheryl, this all started through 

the inspiration of her son, Dustin Ryan, who 

bravely served in the U.S. Army and was deployed 

to Iraq in 2005. After a IED (improvised explosive 

device) hit his vehicle and resulted in serious 

and traumatic brain and back injuries, Dustin 

returned home. However, the Dustin who 

returned was admittedly different than the 

Dustin who first deployed. 

“You might not always see a veteran’s injuries 

since not all of them are visible. Post 9/11, we have 

hundreds upon hundreds that came back with 

physical and/or mental scars. They made the 

sacrifice, served our country, and then came 

home as a changed person – just like my son,” 

said Cheryl. 

Through her experience seeing Dustin 

struggle with those mental and physical scars, 

Cheryl knew, first-hand, that veterans needed 

more – more support, more camaraderie with 

other veterans, more action, and more prayer. 

Though Cheryl initially raised money for the 

national Wounded Warriors project, she decided 

her time would be best spent focusing on 

Mississippi’s veterans. And just like that, the 

Wounded Warriors of Mississippi came to life 

and is thriving nine years later. 

Wounded Warriors of Mississippi is a 501(c)3 

nonprofit organization that supports Mississippi 

veterans who have served in the armed forces post 

9/11. They aim to support Mississippi’s veterans 

mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually, 

through a wide range of services and aid. They 

also stand up for veterans to educate against and 

prevent veteran abuse. 

22 • MARCH 2023

This support is multi-faceted, and it looks 

different for every veteran and their specific 

needs. Some examples of the real ways they’ve 

put their words into action for Mississippi 

veterans are through organizing events where 

veterans can meet other veterans and share life 

together, by providing physical assistance with 

daily tasks that many struggle to complete after 

injuries, by matching veterans with a service 

dog, and much more. 

Some days serving Mississippi veterans looks 

like a roof repair, making a wheelchair ramp, 

providing physical therapy or counseling, 

providing financial advisement sessions, or even 

helping to provide Christmas gifts for their 

families and kids. No matter how it looks that 

day, serving Mississippi’s veterans means that 

meeting their needs is – and will remain – a 

priority. 

“I can’t begin to explain the many ways that 

we’ve been able to help Mississippi’s veterans 

– mentally, physically and financially,” said 

Cheryl. “These things are not gifts to our veterans. 

Instead, they are small tokens of our appreciation 

for the huge sacrifice that they’ve given. Nothing 

we do will ever match that, but that doesn’t stop 

us from trying to do everything that we can. 

This all started because of my son, but now I 

feel like I have hundreds of sons!” 

Wounded Warriors of Mississippi speaks 

for, and acts, on behalf of our state’s veterans 

because not every warrior can speak for 

themself. With the support of the community, 

donors, and volunteers, they work tirelessly to 

give a voice to those needs and empower our 

state’s heroes to begin the journey to recovery. 

According to Cheryl, their strength, and 

the ability of current and future support, is 

amplified with collective action. They continuously 

welcome others to join their mission of 

making a difference in the lives of Mississippi’s 

veterans through volunteering, donating, or 

learning more about the organization at 

www.woundedwarriorsofms.com. 


Inspiring the Interior of Your Heart and Home 

SUSAN MARQUEZ 

Lisa Rippy works as hard to impact the interior of people’s lives as she 

does their homes. Along with her husband, Randy “Rip” Rippy, Lisa works 

to improve people’s lives by improving the spaces in which they live. 

Their company, Interior Inspirations, was started in 2004. “My sister 

helped name it,” says Lisa. “She said to me that because I was wanting to 

inspire the hearts (interior) of homemakers to call it Interior Inspirations. 

It’s been the mission of this business ever since. Our tagline is, Interior 

Inspirations—Inspiring the Interior of Your Heart and Home. The Bible 

verse this mission was founded on is Psalm 26:8: ‘I love the house 

where You live, O Lord, the place where Your glory dwells.’” 

Once Lisa began working with others to renovate parts of their 

homes, she decided to go all in, taking every class she could find 

on decorating and remodeling. “We did this for ten years in Nashville 

before moving back to Mississippi,” she says. 

Raised in Jackson, this is home for Lisa. She and Rip made the move 

to Madison in 2016. “We bought a home in Graystone, but Rip is a 

country boy from Tennessee. He needed more land!” 

One day while remodeling a bathroom located in a home just north 

of Madison on Old Canton Road, Lisa asked the homeowners about the 

small blue house next door. “They told me they owned it, and it was for 

24 • MARCH 2023

sale, but they wanted to find the right buyer.” Lisa took Rip to walk 

through the 1951 farmhouse. “It was amazing. Like nothing had been 

touched in it since it was built. It had the original linoleum floors and 

five-paneled doors.” The home also had rotted wood and peeling 

lead paint. 

Lisa and Rip did a rent-to-own deal on the home and the land on 

which it sat. They jumped in with both feet, moving into the house in 

2018 and slowly making it their home. “We did a lot of the work ourselves,” 

says Lisa. We have five children, all grown and gone, so it was 

just us. It was a little overwhelming. There was so much to do, and 

we were also working on projects for other people.” 

The first thing they did was to work on the front porch. “It was a big 

concrete porch with a swing on either end, and it was painted brick red 

and had no railing whatsoever. We started by scraping the paint off and 

painting the porch gray, then we added a railing.” That gave them the 

motivation to keep on going. 

“We did the remodel in stages,” Lisa says. “We moved from one 

room to another, dragging our mattress with us. We truly lived in 

chaos, but we knew it wouldn’t be like that forever. With each addition 

or renovation, we’d write scripture on the framing. The more we did, 

the more fun we had. We enjoyed doing it together.” 


Along the way, they added an additional 600 square feet. “From 

what I can tell, the house started out as a one-room building with an 

outhouse. Plumbing was added in 1942, and the big addition was 

added in 1951. A master bedroom and bathroom was added in 1978. 

When we got it, the house had two bedrooms and two baths. We 

added a third bedroom and bathroom, as well as a keeping room that 

would compliment a house of that age.” Lisa says they put in hardwood 

floors throughout the house except for the bathrooms, which were 

tiled. “We also added 32 new double paned windows.” Other exterior 

work included ripping off all the rotted exterior wood siding and replacing 

it with twelve inch hardy board. They also replaced the soffits, fascia, 

gutters, and replaced the roof. “We have also added brick pavers and 

tongue-in-groove paneling.” 

The Rippys closed on the home in May 2021, and now that the work 

is finished, they have put it on the market. “People can’t believe we are 

selling it after all the work we’ve put into it,” Lisa laughs. “But Rip has a 

plan.” The Rippys want to buy one more home to renovate, then sell it 

so they can buy the home in which they will live when they retire. 

For Lisa, Interior Inspiration is a ministry as much as anything else. 

It’s been a journey filled with faith and hard work. “This is bigger than 

anything I could have imagined,” says Lisa. 

26 • MARCH 2023


2023 METRO JACKSON 

Woman 

of IMPACT 

The American Heart Association, Metro Jackson, is proud to be 

celebrating the Woman of Impact Class of 2023, a complement 

to the Metro Jackson Go Red for Women movement. Over the 

past few months, AHA received nominations for a select group of 

local women to be recognized for their passion and drive in building 

stronger communities. The areas of impact were limitless – from 

healthcare to philanthropy, from business to faith. If they “lead 

with heart,” they were eligible for nomination. 

Women of Impact are changemakers, dedicated to making a 

lasting impact on the health of the Metro Jackson community; 

women who lead by example, improving the well-being of those 

around them. By joining the Go Red for Women movement as a 

Woman of Impact, each honoree has assembled their own team of 

volunteers, set a fundraising goal, and made a meaningful impact 

on the health and wellbeing of the Metro Jackson community. 

For more information on how you can get involved with the 

Metro Jackson American Heart Association, please visit 

www.heart.org/en/affiliates/mississippi/Jackson. 

For more information about the Go Red for Women Movement, 

visit MetroJacksonGoRed.heart.org 

Dr. Nicole Cleveland 

Jackson Oncology 

Jackson native Nicole Duncan Cleveland 

MD is a hematologist/oncologist at 

Jackson Oncology Associates. She and 

husband Kenneth are the parents of three 

girls. The best part of her day is after 

work— “downtime with my husband and 

daughters, whether just sharing the shiny 

or hard moments from our day, or preparing 

dinner together.” 

Heart disease has inherently affected 

members of her family, some surviving 

only for the advances in medicine. 

Professionally, the practice of oncology, 

specifically the women and men who 

undergo chemotherapy and radiation for 

breast cancer, often leads to her patients 

developing cardiac disease. “There is a 

united front from both our disciplines to 

aggressively focus on screening, monitoring, 

and treating that type of cardiac disease. 

We are working hard to continue to 

advance our own cardio-oncology 

program, diminishing morbidity and 

mortality during cancer survivorship.” 

28 • MARCH 2023

Teri Oakes Dyess MD, FACP, FHM wears 

two hats: as physician/director of hospital 

medicine, and the co-chief medical officer 

for St Dominic’s Hospital. Originally from 

Ocean Springs, Dr. Dyess lives here with 

her blended family of five ranging from 

21 to 32 years old. 

Dr. Teri Dyess 

St. Dominic’s 

How does she live a healthy life? 

“Practicing what I preach! I work out before 

work, so that time does not get in the way 

of exercise. I eat a healthy diet. I do not 

ask my patients to do anything that I do 

not do myself. When asked why she is 

fighting cardiovascular disease, Dr. Dyess 

said, “I’ve committed my life’s work to 

healthcare as a physician in hospital 

medicine. As a doctor dedicated to caring 

for patients during their time in the hospital, 

I see firsthand the impact that heart 

disease and lifestyle choices have on our 

loved ones. I also see the potential to 

find new ways to prevent and treat these 

conditions through research and education 

offered by organizations like the 

American Heart Association.” 

Dr. Janet Harris 

UMMC Professor Emeritus 

Dr. Janet Young Harris DNP, RN, 

NEA-BC, spent 45 years in nursing. She 

and husband Joe Mac Hudspeth Jr will 

celebrate a 40-year wedding anniversary 

soon. They have a son and two granddaughters. 

Time spent with family “makes 

my heart sing, but I also love helping 

others—I’ve been so blessed. I give back 

through community involvement and 

service to organizations that I care about. 

I also love my involvement with Lakeland 

Presbyterian Church.” 

Dr. Harris is has been involved with the 

American Heart Association serving as a 

former Go Red for Women chair and as 

a Circle of Red member since the group 

began. When asked why, she offered, “I 

have dealt with hypertension for over 40 

years. I take meds every day to prevent 

stroke and heart attack. Secondly, my 

51-year-old dad had a massive heart 

attack in 1970. He survived but suffered 

congestive heart failure until he died 

years later. Lastly, I do it for my grandgirls. 

When we stand together, there are three 

of us. And, one in three women will 

suffer from heart disease. I believe in 

being a part of change so that other 

mothers, children, sisters, and friends do 

not have to suffer or die early from this 

disease - our #1 killer!” 

Jamie Higdon 

TempStaff 

Jamie Higdon is the vice-president and 

co-owner of TempStaff, a local staffing 

agency. She and her husband, Scott, live 

in Florence where they are raising two 

active daughters. What sparks joy in this 

family of four? Jamie says, “We love 

traveling as a family, solving escape 

rooms, or cheering on the Mississippi 

State Bulldogs. We are also involved in 

various ministries at First Baptist Church.” 

She is committed to bringing awareness 

to the American Heart Association 

as a Woman of Impact because, like so 

many people, “There is a history of heart 

disease in my family. Bringing awareness 

of the signs of heart disease and promoting 

preventative care will help both the men 

and women in my family and others to 

live long and healthy lives.” 


Janie Jarvis 

The Bridal Path, 

Madison the City – Alderman 

Janie Jarvis is the co-owner of the Bridal 

Path and serves the City of Madison as an 

alderman. Thirty years ago, she married her 

husband Mike, a retired owner of a cellular 

tower construction company. Thirty years 

is the same amount of time they have 

lived in Madison, where they have raised 

two daughters, one of whom owns the 

business with her mother. 

As you can imagine, Janie loves meeting 

people. Traveling and volunteering make 

her happy but she said, “Spending time 

with my family in the outdoors brings me 

the most joy.” 

When asked why she is involved with 

bringing awareness to heart disease, Janie 

shared, “My grandfather died from a massive 

heart attack at age 47 and my father-in-law 

died from heart disease at age 62. Both 

of them died way too early in life! I also 

have two daughters and statistics show 

that one in three women face heart 

disease and it is the leading cause of 

death for women in the United States. 

It is important, especially in Mississippi 

with even higher death rates, that we 

educate women on the risks and 

prevention of heart disease.” 

Dr. Yolanda McElroy 

M3A Architects 

Yolanda Jones- McElroy, PhD, is one of 

four children born to Annie Gipson and 

Bobby Jones in Brandon. She was the 

only girl in a family with three boys. She 

“greatly remembers the strength, love, 

and endurance of not having a sister.” 

She now lives in Jackson and describes 

herself as a faithful member of New Hope 

Baptist Church. 

Dr. McElroy’s finds joy in “serving others 

through volunteerism, awareness, and 

ministry.” As an administrator for a local 

architect firm, she is making time to serve 

as a Woman of Impact nominee because, 

“heart disease is the number one killer of 

women, particularly African Americans.” 

Her goal? She says, “To increase cultural 

awareness, prevention of heart disease, 

and promote a better environment.” 

Dr. Sara Sanders is originally from Durant 

and lives in Ridgeland. As a physician, she 

practices geriatric medicine at Baptist 

Premier. Her husband Sean is a cardiologist, 

and together they have two young 

children, ages 10 and 8. They spend most 

of their free time watching their kids in all 

their myriad activities. Watching a New 

Orleans Pelicans basketball game is a 

favorite pastime. 

Dr. Sara Sanders 

Baptist Premier 

Dr. Sanders is focused on her volunteer 

work with the American Heart Association 

because, “I am in the fight against heart 

disease for my patients. I care for patients 

as they age and usually after they have 

received a diagnosis of heart disease. 

Raising awareness earlier (in the lives of 

people) is so important.” 

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE 

2023 Metro Jackson Go Red 

for Women Luncheon 

• Wednesday, May 3rd 

• Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel 

& Conference Center 

• 10:30am - 12:00pm 

Health & Wellness Expo 

• 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Luncheon 

Chair: Melanie Morgan, Trustmark 

30 • MARCH 2023

Erin Pickens 

WAPT 

Erin Pickens is a television news anchor 

for 16 WAPT and is a professor at Tougaloo 

College in the mass communication 

department. She was born and raised in 

Memphis, Tennessee, but has lived in 

Jackson for almost 21 years. Memphis is 

a special place for Erin as it is home to her 

parents and all of her family, “including a 

handsome little 6-year-old nephew 

named Bryant,” the son of her brother 

and sister-in-law. 

We asked her about what brings her joy. 

“I like to make sure others are happy, 

comfortable, and enjoying themselves. 

I never want someone to feel left out or 

misunderstood. If everyone around me 

is content, then I have joy.” 

Erin said that she is committed to 

raising awareness about heart disease 

because, “with cardiac arrests making 

headlines recently with Damar Hamlin and 

Lisa Marie Presley, then, with us embarking 

on American Heart Month, the focus is 

on the heart. I was ashamed to admit that 

I didn’t know CPR. I work in a stressful 

profession and I’m sure I need to be more 

heart healthy. I feel I need to do more to 

educate myself, and at the same time, 

why not help educate others as well?” 

Erin is now trained in CPR. 

Dr. Julia Thompson 

Merit Health Heart 

Dr. Julia Thompson is an interventional 

cardiologist at Merit Health. Originally 

from Thornton, she now lives here with her 

husband Michael and two young children. 

Rounding out the household are a dog, 

three cats, two chickens, and a snake! Her 

family and the people in her life are what 

bring joy to this busy physician. 

Following a stint in nursing in the cardiac 

ICU, she went back to medical school and 

never wavered from her focus on cardiology. 

Dr. Thompson said, “I love working in 

the cath lab, but the most rewarding part 

of my job is seeing patients back in clinic 

doing well after a heart attack or other 

major heart issue.” 

Heart attacks and cardiac arrests have 

been in the news recently, but she says, 

there is so much more to heart disease 

and lists high blood pressure, congestive 

heart failure, heart rhythm problems (atrial 

fibrillation), and women with peripartum 

cardiomyopathy as examples. Then, 

Dr. Thompson says, “There are issues 

like high cholesterol and diabetes that 

increase the risk of cardiac events like 

heart attack and stroke. In short, when 

you include the entire spectrum of heart 

disease, it is really difficult to find someone 

that it hasn’t affected. So, I’m in the fight 

to try to limit the impact of heart disease 

on my family and yours,” she said. 

Amy Lampton Walker 

Ergon 

Amy Lampton Walker is the area sales 

manager for Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. 

She and husband, DeFord, enjoy spending 

time with their three children and attending 

their sports and performance events. Amy 

said heart disease has greatly impacted her 

family. Her father Lee Lampton’s struggle 

with heart disease began at age 52. “His 

road to recovery was long and taxing. But 

thanks to God, because of his commitment 

to being more intentional about healthy 

heart habits, along with the support of our 

family, he has persevered and is enjoying 

another chance at life.” Her maternal 

grandfather died at 52 from a heart attack 

and Amy lost her father-in-law and 

sister-in-law the same tragic way. 

She shared with us, “Realizing how 

heart disease has impacted generations of 

family members has driven my commitment 

to ensure my children have a chance 

to live long and healthy lives. Heart disease 

claims the life of a woman about every 80 

seconds. I want to work against this statistic.” 

Amy’s goal is to find ways to encourage 

more health-conscious mindsets early on 

and not as a reaction to the disease; to 

help facilitate the growth of communities 

that support access to healthy choices; 

and to help ensure equal and adequate 

access to health care and healthy lifestyle 

resources for the whole family. 


Touch A Truck ® Jackson 

Celebrates 10 Years 

Touch A Truck ® Jackson is a family-friendly, hands-on event 

offering opportunities for children of all ages to explore, 

climb, and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy 

machinery, public service, and other equipment. Learning 

will come alive at Touch A Truck® Jackson, providing children 

with an opportunity to connect vehicles and equipment to 

our Mississippi economy and potential careers in industries 

like public service, farming, manufacturing, and construction. 

A decade ago, the Junior League of Jackson brought the 

Touch A Truck ® Jackson experience to the community as a 

hybrid fund development business and community project. 

The first Touch A Truck ® Jackson was met with resounding 

praise in the community. Katy Pacelli, the first Touch A Truck ® 

Jackson event chair, said, “our goal for the first year was to 

create a solid foundation for this event that would not only 

raise funds for our community partners, but also give children 

32 • MARCH 2023

Presented by the Junior League of Jackson, 

Touch A Truck® Jackson rolls into 

Trustmark Park March 31 & April 1, 2023 

The 2023 Touch A Truck ® Jackson 

Steering Committee 

Meredith McCullough, Chair; Laura Hearn, Co-Chair; 

Jennifer Boydston, Chair-Elect; Megan McBeth, Corporate 

Sponsor Chair; Jasmine Smith, Finance Chair; Teneisha Wynter, 

Placement Chair; Jennifer Gray, Promotions Chair; Barbara Byrd, 

Special Events Chair; Sallie Campbell, Staging Chair; 

Mimi Arthur and Rebecca Henley, Sustaining Advisors. 


34 • MARCH 2023

an opportunity to experience something new. It was a group 

effort from the entire League and was so much fun to launch 

something new in our community and League. I have enjoyed 

watching it grow and evolve over the past ten years,” Pacelli adds. 

A unique aspect of Touch A Truck ® Jackson is that it is a 

fund development business and a community project of the 

Junior League of Jackson. Each year, Touch A Truck ® Jackson 

invites 1,600 students from around the Jackson metro area as 

part of Field Trip Friday. Thanks to the generosity of our corporate 

sponsors, supporters, and Junior League members through 

Handy Helper donations, we are able to offer this educational 

opportunity to invited second-grade students at no cost. 

Meredith McCullough, 2023 Touch A Truck ® Jackson chair, 

said, “I wanted to take on this role because I love hearing all 

the sweet stories of the children who attend Field Trip Friday 

and experience all the excitement that comes with interactive 

fun bringing classroom learning and pages of books to life. 

This year we have so many great activities planned, and I look 

forward to seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they explore, 

climb, and touch trucks and equipment at our various 

interactive exhibits.” 

Over the past ten years, Touch A Truck ® Jackson has raised 

more than $350,000, which stays here in the Jackson metro 

area. These funds allow the League to fund its mission, 

including the support of more than 30 community projects 

and initiatives in the areas of children’s health, early literacy, 

and social development. “Touch A Truck ® Jackson has evolved 

over the past ten years to incorporate activities and opportunities 

for children and schools in the Jackson metro area 

beyond the initial Touch A Truck ® Jackson experience. In 2018 

we introduced a literacy tent with guest readers throughout 

the day and in 2019 we established STREAM stations to further 

expand the hands-on learning experience. We continue to 

evolve the Touch A Truck ® Jackson experience to coincide 

with the mission of the Junior League of Jackson. This event 

has grown into an experience that showcases how fun and 

learning can come together beautifully through focused 

volunteerism and an impact-based model of service. I could 

not be more excited about this tenth anniversary event for our 

community,” said Bethany Smith, 2022-2023 Junior League of 

Jackson president. 

Touch A Truck ® Jackson 2023 kicks off Friday, March 31, 

with Donuts & Dump Trucks, a preschool event; followed by 

Field Trip Friday; and Unplugged, an event for children with 

sensory needs. The fun will continue that night with a new 

special event, Glow in the Park–a glow party like you have 

never seen with music from DJ Adam, illuminated exhibits, 

and fun activities! 

Big Wheel Breakfast will kick off Saturday morning, April 1, 

allowing attendees to enjoy breakfast and early access to 

exhibitors. General admission opens at 10:00am and will 

feature interactive science, technology, reading, engineering, 

arts, and math (STREAM) booths for children to enjoy, literacy 

fun, and so many exciting exhibitors. 

Tickets are available for Glow in the Park, 

Big Wheel Breakfast, and general admission at 

www.touchatruckjackson.com 

Our special events can sell out, 

so don’t delay in purchasing! 


36 • MARCH 2023

KIDS WHO CARE 

Nataleigh Nix 

Mistie Desper 

“ALWAYS SHOW LOVE, 

NO MATTER WHAT.” IT’S A 

SIMPLE STATEMENT THAT 

CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, 

ONE PERSON AT A TIME. 

Nataleigh Nix, daughter of Nathan and 

Leigha Nix, has shown a servant’s heart from a 

very young age. What began as a small acts of 

kindness has blossomed into community service 

projects that are transforming lives. 

Leigha said, “She has always been such a 

caring young lady but this really all began when 

she wanted to go serve meals at an organization 

for Thanksgiving around age 4. She also sang 

for those in attendance and it was the sweetest 

sight.” 

Nataleigh’s love of singing and serving 

others continued to grow. During a time when 

her grandfather was in ICU, she spent many 

hours in the waiting room with other families. 

Quickly, she realized a need and asked how she 

could help. Petitioning a local church as well as 

organizing a Beta Club project at school, she 

was able to provide bottled water and candies to 

those “stuck” in the waiting room. 

“She is extremely determined and well 

organized. She is dedicated to her cause and 

challenges herself. If you tell her something is 

difficult, then that is exactly what she is going 

to set out to do,” added Leigha. 

Continuing her efforts, at age 13, Nataleigh 

created her service initiative, AOK, through her 

participation in the Miss Mississippi Corporation. 

The AOK project includes the promotion and 

importance of intentionally spreading kindness 

throughout the community. 

Now 16, Nataleigh is a junior at Madison 

Central High School and the current Miss 

Metro Jackson Teen. As a local title holder, she 

prides herself on being able to be a role model 

for younger girls. “In today’s world, it is so easy 

to get caught up in other’s lives on social media. 

What people show you is just a small percent of 

the best in their lives, making young girls have 

these unachievable and unrealistic goals. I try to 

give them someone authentic and genuine and 

real that they can look up to.” 

Nataleigh’s heart for giving back has only 

continued to grow since her days of packing 

shoeboxes for underprivileged children with her 

parents. Her list of projects has grown to 

impressive heights and is deeply rooted into 

changing the lives of those truly in need. 

As part of her mission for February’s National 

Random Acts of Kindness Day, Nataleigh is 

working with her school leaders to nominate and 

recognize other students making big changes in 

their community. She has organized an entire 

week of various “kind acts” that include writing 

notes to teachers who have had a positive 

influence on their students, social media tag 

day to recognize someone in a positive way, and 

so much more. She will be speaking to the 

students at local schools during this week. 

One of Nataleigh’s favorite organizations is 

Shower Power of Mississippi which is a ministry 

providing much needed items such as hygiene 

products, food, clothing, and showers to the 

homeless population in Jackson. Nataleigh is 

working with Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins 

to organize a community drive for items for 

Shower Power that includes drop-off locations 

for canned food items along with a night at 

Chick-fil-A where proceeds will go directly to 

the cause. 

She added, “My pageant princesses and I 

went to volunteer there and it was an incredible 

experience. We, or at least I, had this image of 

what homelessness looked like. As I was talking 

with a young veteran, I realized he was there to 

get help at the age of 25. That surprised me so 

much and made me realize what a widespread 

problem homelessness is in our community.” 

Not only does she volunteer, but her love of 

singing has blessed many through her pageants 

as well as service projects singing for nursing 

homes. Nataleigh added, “I think the residents 

at The Orchard have left the biggest impact on 

me. I was singing for the dementia patients one 

time and so many of them do not have many 

memories but they would recognize the words 

of the songs and would begin singing with me. 

It was such a special time to be able to connect 

with them like that.” 

In her spare time, Nataleigh participates in 

her school’s show choir, dance team, is a member 

of the student council, part of the Mayor’s Youth 

Council, Beta Club member, a member of the 

ACT 30+ club, and so much more. Along with 

her upcoming projects, she will be singing the 

national anthem at Ole Miss and competing in 

the Miss Mississippi Teen pageant. 

Leigha concluded, “We are so proud of her. 

It is hard to be a teen in today’s world. She works 

so hard to hold herself to a higher standard and 

truly loves giving of herself to help others.” 


Cameron & Connor Willson 

Through the Fire Susan Marquez 

Little boys love to pretend they are 

cowboys, policemen, or firefighters. 

Cameron and Connor Willson were 

no different. Only now, it’s no longer 

child’s play. Both brothers are professional 

firefighters, and they take their 

jobs very seriously. 

38 • MARCH 2023

Cameron, a firefighter with the Madison 

Fire Department, is the older of the two 

brothers at 31. “It may sound cliché, but I got 

into firefighting because I like to help others,” 

he says. “I enjoy the work. I never know what 

each day will bring. It could be a medical call, 

a car wreck, or a fire. It allows me to be 

spontaneous.” 

Connor, 29, didn’t set out to be a 

firefighter. He went to Ole Miss with aspirations 

of being a coach. “I kind of fell into 

firefighting,” he says. “I knew other firefighters, 

and I thought their job looked interesting.” 

He began his training while still in Oxford. “I 

attended the Mississippi State Fire Academy 

in Pearl to become a certified firefighter.” 

Cameron also got his certification at the 

Mississippi State Fire Academy. While there, 

he learned about a specialized certification 

called Smoke Divers. “It’s a class that was 

initially developed to help with the air packs,” 

he explained. The packs, called SCBA, are 

similar to SCUBA tanks. The difference is that 

SCUBA tanks are used underwater, and SCBA 

packs are used on land, primarily in smokefilled 

structures. “Many firefighters weren’t 

confident with the air packs,” says Cameron. 

The class began with learning the capabilities 

and limitations of the masks. Over the years, it 

has evolved into a class that teaches advanced 

firefighter tactics, such as hose movement, 

search and rescue, and firefighting. “It’s a 

hard workload that really tests your mettle,” 

Cameron says. 

The class is taught at the State Fire 

Academy and requires teams of two. “That 

team of two does the work of three teams,” 

says Cameron. “Because of that, advanced 

training to prepare for the class is necessary. 

Connor says that he and Cameron trained 

together for almost a year before taking the 

class. “We had to work around each other’s 

schedules to train, but it was something we 

had to do.” 


40 • MARCH 2023

Connor says the course was extremely 

hard, and not everyone who starts the class 

finishes with their certification. “We learned 

about victim rescue, fire suppression, and 

other things. Basically, it was taking the 

principals we learned while in the Fire 

Academy and studying them more in depth. It 

was essential to be in top physical condition.” 

The psychological aspect of the class was 

challenging as well. Connor says it was really 

more mental than physical. “You have to be 

able to think under extreme pressure. I’d say it 

was 80% mental and 20% physical. You are 

putting yourself in a stressful situation, so it is 

critical to be mentally prepared to do that.” 

Connor says he always knew he had it in him. 

When Cameron and Connor talked about 

taking the class together, they were both “all 

in.” The fact that they both completed the 

course and got their certification in Smoke 

Diving is impressive. “There is only a 25-30% 

pass rate,” says Cameron. “It is grueling. We 

had to be in full gear all day except for lunch. 

It was like being in a brick oven all day. We 

were given scenarios to perform with simulated 

fire tactics. We were in fully smoked out 

buildings where we couldn’t see anything, 

so we had to rely on our skills. We followed 

a left-hand or right-hand pattern to navigate.” 

Cameron and Connor were the first brothers 

to go together and pass the course. 

It’s not unusual for both Madison and 

Ridgeland Fire Departments to respond to the 

same call. “Just recently, both Cameron and 

I responded to the same apartment fire,” 

Connor says. 

The brothers grew up in Madison, 

attending Madison Station, Madison Middle, 

and graduating from Madison Central. Both 

live in Madison County. Cameron is still single, 

while Connor is married. He and his wife, 

June, are expecting a baby boy in June. 


Where Public Meets Private 

Coming Together for The Betterment of All 

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 | 601.707.3303 

madisoncountybusinessleague.com 

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! 

42 • MARCH 2023

It’s about 

forgiveness 

Dr. Bobby McGuffie, pastor, flowood baptist church 

On January 15, 2023, I preached a message 

on a very difficult subject–Forgiveness. It was 

one of the most convicting messages I have 

personally ever preached. Why was it so 

convicting? Because there have been many 

times that I have not forgiven when forgiveness 

was due. However, as long as there is 

opportunity (personally or collectively), there 

is time to forgive. 

There was one portion of the message 

that I would like to share in order for us, as 

believers, to truly understand. Without going 

into great detail, the passage I used was from 

the story of Joseph. This is a story that you 

may be familiar with. Genesis 45:1 says, 

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before 

all them that stood by him; and he cried, 

Cause every man to go out from me. And there 

stood no man with him, while Joseph made 

himself known unto his brethren.” 

Joseph did something very direct that 

many of us should do. When the time came 

for Jospeh to have a conversation with his 

brothers (those who had hurt him or sinned 

against him), who had thrown him into the pit, 

he removed everyone from the room who 

had nothing to do with it. When we desire to 

forgive someone, genuinely, we do not bring 

other people into the situation who have 

nothing to do with the sin or wrongdoing. For 

instance, we do not go talk to someone about 

the wrongdoing of someone else. Why? 

Because they don’t have a dog in the hunt, 

per se. We go to the one who has hurt or 

offended us and follow church discipline of 

Matthew 18. 

And if someone comes to you and tells 

you what someone did to them, how they 

hurt them, or talked about them, or anything 

remotely close to that—if you are a believer, 

shut it down! We should not listen to what 

someone else says, negatively, when we are 

not involved. 

I would venture to say that most everyone, 

who knows Jesus Christ as the Lord and 

Savior, would agree with the things written 

above. I would also venture to say that not 

one reader enjoys hearing their name come 

out of someone else’s mouth negatively. 

So, what do we do? If we are going to say 

anything that hurts our witness, causes our 

brother/sister to stumble, or negatively impacts 

someone in the future, we ought not do it. 

There is a reason that church discipline is in 

the Gospel. 

The reason is simple, there will be wrongdoing, 

but there is a solution made possible 

through the blood of Jesus! May we all be 

willing to forgive like Jospeh, but ultimately 

like Jesus! 

Do you remember what Jesus said while 

He was hanging on the cross (for you and for 

me)? He said, “. . . Father, forgive them; for they 

know not what they do.” –LUKE 23:34 


SALUTE 

to First Responders 

Why did you decide to be a firefighter? 

As a teenager, I followed my grandfather, the late Ezell S. Johnson, 

when my home community (the Acona community in Lexington, 

Mississippi) was in the process of starting a volunteer fire department. 

Learning and being able to see how important a firefighter was to the 

community, I was sold on a career path. I couldn’t complete my 

volunteer certification because I was not of the age to do so. In 2014, 

my path to becoming a firefighter began when I received a phone 

call from my mentor, the late Clint Cobbins, a retired assistant chief 

for the Canton Fire Department, who asked me if I was ready to start 

my everlasting career as a firefighter. 

How long have you been with the Madison Fire Department? 

I have been a member of the Madison Fire Department for five years. 

I joined Madison in November 2017 as a firefighter with previous 

experience with the Canton Fire Department where I served three 

years. 


I am blessed to have an array of family members throughout 

Mississippi, Michigan, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, who 

love and support me. 

I consider the members of my church, Guiding Light Church of God 

in Christ in Lexington as my extended family and my pastor and first 

lady, Superintendent Willie Hodges and Mrs. Alice Hodges as my 

spiritual mentors. My greatest support comes from my mother, Carol 

L. Stone, and grandmother, Nancy B. Johnson. They are a dynamic 

duo. 

Firefighter 

Marcus 

STONE 

MADISON FIRE DEPARTMENT 

What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job? 

One of the toughest things I have experienced in the fire service is 

seeing someone lose a family member. As a firefighter/EMT, I feel 

the same pain as the grieving family even though we are not related 

or whether I know the deceased individual, personally. The experience 

makes you cherish your own family. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job as a firefighter? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a firefighter is being able 

to see someone that you have rescued or served in their time of need 

be so thankful and happy that you were there for them. 

44 • MARCH 2023

Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time. 

When I’m not at the fire department, I attend and serve in 

my local church as a bass guitar musician and an audio/ 

media technician. I enjoy challenging, hardcore workouts in 

the gym and outdoors. I am also a music lover, and I enjoy 

attending live performances by musical artists and bands. 

What are three things on your bucket list? 

Me being a very adventurous person and a little dare devil, 

I would say the three things on my bucket list would be 

going skydiving, taking a safari trip where I can get close 

and personal with the animals, and taking a ride in a 

military fighter aircraft. 

Who is someone you admire and why? 

A person that I admire is my mother Carol L. Stone. 

I admire her so much for being a God-fearing woman that 

raised me in the church and showed me the right path of 

life. My mother worked while attending graduate school, 

received two advanced degrees, and stayed on me about 

my academic studies. My mom supported me in all my 

after-school activities in high school, traveled to college 

games where I served as an athletic manager, and provided 

opportunities for me to broaden my learning experiences. 

What advice would you give to a young person? 

In everything you do in life, remember to always keep God 

first and seek directions from Him in all endeavors. Never 

allow anyone to tell you that you can’t do something, and 

to always keep your head up, think positively and move 

forward. 

What is your favorite thing about Madison County? 

My favorite thing about Madison County is the loving and 

supportive community. Working in the Madison County 

area is an even greater pleasure because everyone 

appreciates the service given to them and the community. 


2023 

This May marks the return of the 

Mississippi Makers Fest, a celebration 

of the music and art of our home state, 

at the Two Mississippi Museums in 

downtown Jackson. 

Last year’s inaugural festival was celebrated with 

an impressive turnout, including more than fifty 

vendors, artists, and musicians. Performances were 

enjoyed from regional musicians like Chapel Hart, 

Framing the Red, Mr. Sipp, and North Mississippi 

Allstars. It may have been warm, but the environment 

was electric. 

The Mississippi Department of Archives and 

History is thrilled to bring this free festival back 

to the metro area to honor the rich culture of its 

state with fellow Mississippians. Attendees are 

invited to celebrate regional artisans, live music, 

make-and-take activities, food trucks, and more 

this May. 

A powerhouse lineup is already slated for this 

year including headliner Cedric Burnside, the 

Kudzu Kings, the Bass Drum of Death, Track45, 

and 5th Child. Before the day comes, however, 

MDAH is accepting applications for vendors for 

the festival. Mississippi-based artists are encouraged 

to apply to take part in and sell their 

products at Makers Fest. Food vendors are also 

welcome to apply to present a taste of Mississippi 

46 • MARCH 2023


to festival-goers. The festival provides a marketplace 

with low booth fees, artist hospitality perks, wellequipped 

facilities, generous parking, and security for 

its Makers. The deadline for both artist and vendor 

applications is March 13. 

Mississippi Makers Fest will not be celebrated 

solely by Mississippians, but also by people across the 

region, as visitors from the southeast will come to 

honor our state alongside us. They will also be able 

to witness our past and present as the Museum of 

Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights 

Museum will be open and free for visits thanks to our 

sponsorship from Southern Beverage. Join MDAH 

and your community this May in recognizing and 

celebrating the vibrant art and music of our state. 

Mississippi Makers Fest will be held at the 

Entergy Plaza at the Two Mississippi Museums and 

along North Street in downtown Jackson on 

Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 10am to 6pm. 

The festival is brought to you by the Mississippi 

Department of Archives and History. 

Sponsors include Southern Beverage Company, 

the Foundation of Mississippi History, StateStreet 

Group, Visit Mississippi, Regions Bank, LUCID 

INK, Mississippi Tent & Party Rental, and radio 

stations Y101, Your Country US96, Mix 98.7, 93.5 

The Legend, Blues 93.1, and 102.1 The Box. 

More information can be found at 

msmakersfest.mdah.ms.gov. 

48 • MARCH 2023


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50 • MARCH 2023


Lime in the Coconut 

Almond Bark 

• 1 pkg. (10-12oz.) white 

baking chips 

• 4 tsp. shortening 

• 2 to 4 drops green food coloring, 

optional 

• ½ cup sweetened shredded 

coconut, toasted 

• ½ cup chopped almonds, toasted 

• 4 tsp. grated lime zest 

Line a 9-inch square baking pan 

with foil; set aside. In a microwave, 

melt chips and shortening. Stir until 

smooth. Stir in food coloring if 

desired. Stir in coconut, almonds 

and lime zest. Spread into prepared 

pan. Chill until firm, 10-15 minutes. 

Break into small pieces. Store in an 

airtight container at room 

temperature. 

Roasted Broccoli 

with Parmesan 

• 1½ lbs. broccoli (about 2 medium 

crowns), cut into florets of even 

size 

• 3 to 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 

• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 

(about ½ lemon) 

• Kosher salt 

• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced 

• Ground black pepper 

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, 

or to taste 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a 

large bowl, toss the broccoli florets 

and minced garlic with olive oil and 

lemon juice until lightly coated. 

Sprinkle salt over the broccoli and 

toss to coat. Arrange the broccoli 

florets in a single layer on a baking 

sheet that has been rubbed with 

some olive oil or lined with 

parchment paper or aluminum foil. 

Roast at 425 degrees for 16-20 

minutes until cooked through 

(check with a fork, should be fork 

tender) and lightly browned. The 

browned bites are the best! 

Strawberry Spinach 

Salad Dressing 

• ½ cup white sugar 

• ½ cup olive oil 

• ¼ cup distilled white vinegar 

• 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds 

• 1 Tbsp. poppy seed 

• 1 Tbsp. minced onion 

• ¼ tsp. paprika 

• ¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce 

Salad 

• 1 qt. strawberries – cleaned, 

hulled and sliced 

• 10 oz. fresh spinach – rinsed, 

dried and torn into bite sized 

pieces 

• ¼ cup almonds, blanched 

and slivered 

Make dressing: Whisk together 

sugar, oil, vinegar, sesame seeds, 

poppy seeds, onion, paprika and 

Worcestershire in a medium bowl. 

Cover and chill for 1 hour. 

Make salad: combine strawberries, 

spinach and almonds in a large 

bowl. Pour dressing over salad; toss 

to coat. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 

minutes. 

52 • MARCH 2023

Best Spinach Dip Ever 

• 1 (16oz.) container sour cream 

• 1 cup mayonnaise 

• ½ (10 oz.) package frozen chopped 

spinach, thawed and drained 

• 1 (4 oz.) can water chestnuts, 

drained and chopped 

• 1 (1.8 oz.) package dry leek 

soup mix 

• 1 (1 lb.) loaf round sourdough 

bread 

Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, spinach, 

water chestnuts, and dry leek soup 

together in a medium bowl. Chill in 

the refrigerator 6 hours or overnight. 

Slice off the top of the sourdough 

round and pull out the soft interior, 

leaving a sturdy bread bowl. Fill with 

spinach mixture. Tear removed bread 

chunks into pieces for dipping. 

Avocado Green Goddess 

Salad Dressing 

• 1 avocado 

• 1 juice of lemon 

• 1 clove of garlic grated 

• ¼ cup plain yogurt 

• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 

• 2 Tbsp. green onions minced 

• 2 Tbsp. fresh basil 

• 1 tsp. salt 

• ½ tsp. pepper 

Place all ingredients in a food 

processor or blender and puree until 

smooth. Add water as needed. Serve 

over green salad or use as a dip for 

veggies. 

Festive Corn & Broccoli 

• 1 pkg. (16oz.) frozen chopped 

broccoli, thawed 

• 1 can (7oz.) Mexicorn, drained 

• ¼ cup butter, cubed 

• 1 tsp. dried basil 

• ½ tsp. salt 

• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder 

• 1/8 tsp. pepper 

In a large cast iron or other heavy 

skillet, combine the broccoli, corn, 

and butter; cook over medium heat 

until butter is melted. Stir in the basil, 

salt, garlic powder and pepper. Cover 

and cook until vegetables are tender, 

8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Roasted Cabbage 

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 

• ½ head green cabbage, cut into 

4 wedges 

• 1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste 

• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste 

• Salt and black pepper to taste 

• 2 lemons, halved 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 

Brush both sides of each cabbage 

wedge with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic 

powder, pepper flakes, salt and 

pepper over each wedge. Arrange 

wedges on a baking sheet. Roast in 

the preheated oven for 15 minutes; 

flip cabbage and continue roasting 

until browned and charred in some 

areas, about 15 minutes more. 

Squeeze lemon over each wedge 

and serve. 

Pesto Penne with 

Shrimp and Peas 

• 12 oz. penne paste 

• 2 cups baby spinach 

• 1 cup fresh basil 

• 1/3 cups plus 1 Tbsp. extra virgin 

olive oil 

• ¼ cup grated parmesan, 

plus more for serving 

• ¼ cup pine nuts or almonds 

• 1 clove garlic, minced 

• Kosher salt 

• Ground black pepper 

• 1 lb. peeled and deveined 

medium shrimp 

• 1 cup peas 

• Crushed red chili flakes (optional) 

In a large pot of salted boiling water, 

cook pasta until firm to the bite. 

Drain reserving 1 cup pasta water and 

return to pot. Meanwhile, make 

pesto: In a small food processor fitted 

with a metal blade, pulse spinach, 

basil, and 1/3 cup olive oil until 

combined. Add parmesan, pine nuts 

or almonds and season with salt and 

pepper. In a large skillet over medium 

heat, heat remaining tablespoon olive 

oil. Add shrimp and cook until pink, 

about 3-4 minutes. Add pasta pesto 

and peas to skillet and toss until 

completely combined. Stir in ¼ cup 

pasta water and stir until creamy. 

Sprinkle with parmesan and chili 

flakes (if using). 


SPRING CLEANING? Let us help! 

DONATE TO: 

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tax deductible. 

We accept: 

Appliances 

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And more! 

we offer free, 

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615 STONEWALL STREET | JACKSON - 39213 | 769.209.5100 

TUESDAY - FRIDAY | 9:30AM - 5PM SATURDAY | 9:30AM - 4PM 

HABITATMCARESTORE 

HABITATMCA_RESTORE 

54 • MARCH 2023

LIKEUS 


The CHALKBOARD Madison Schools 

Madison Central 

Madison Central High School’s yearbook 

financial staff hosted Beauty and Beau 

the week of February 6. 

SENIORS 

Front L-R: Mary Bogan Dean, Anna Kimbrell, 

Mary-Kate Sandifer, Cameron Rainey, 

Olivia Stevens, Most Beautiful Kinsley Wilson, 

Most Handsome Bryman Williams, Megan Stokes, 

Olivia Davidson, Elizabeth Delaney, Anna Kaden 

Thomas, Casey Pierce. 

Back L-R: Hunter Beach, Kamden Boyd, 

Truitt Mayhue. 

JUNIORS 

Front L-R: Ellis Nichols, beauties Avery Johnston, 

Dixon Shirley, Katie Norris, Izzy Goddard, 

Nataleigh Nix, Hayes Williams. 

Back L-R: Will Brown, Camden Hood, Harry Singh, 

Reed Cascio, John Griffin, Reese Moseley, 

Ty Miller, George Tickner, Max Zuluaga. 

SOPHOMORES 

Back L-R: Jackson Henley, Noah Henley, 

Wesley Oakes, Cruz Trisler, Brandon Huerkamp, 

Gus McKey, Tripp Higgins, Christopher Navari, 

Powers Culver. 

Front L-R: Claire Thomas, Brooke Highfill, 

Bailey Donahue, Mivie Barrett, Southern Callahan, 

Brooke Fairfield, Mallory Nordquist, 

Londyn Gardner, Ally Harper Neyland, 

Caroline Bennett. 

56 • MARCH 2023

Madisn Ridgeland Academy 

McPherson Library Dedication 

Madison-Ridgeland Academy celebrated their newly renovated, state of the art, library with a ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Students were thrilled over the reading nooks and makers space that in their words could even ‘turn bad days into good ones’. 

Jeff and Tracie McPherson were there with their family to celebrated the dedication. 

L-R: Termie Land- Head of School, Rhett Donahoo, Mary Margaret McPherson Donahoo, Tracie McPherson, Townes Donahoo, 

Jeff McPherson, Anne Tatum McPherson Yerger, Bennett Yerger, Elementary Principal Amanda Smillie 


TheTime COIN 

Camille Anding 

College days were fun days for me. 

It was truly independent living and a carefree attitude that was a gift from my parents - chiefly 

because they paid all my expenses my freshman and sophomore years. I helped supplement 

a small amount of my monetary needs the remainder of my college life with part time work, 

but it was those first years of life-on-my-own that I loved. 

Marriage and family were far from my thoughts as I indulged in my freed lifestyle. 

Life moves quickly. Love intervened, and suddenly my conversations turned from “I” to “we.” 

“I” meant lonely and too quiet. “We” meant fun, laughter and a kind of joy I hadn’t experienced. 

Marriage vows could make us “we” permanently, so I chose “we.” 

The “we” was truly the joy and more than I had hoped. I hadn’t been surprised by that joy, 

but I was surprised when my doctor told me that my tiredness wasn’t from a lack of vitamins. 

I was pregnant! 

The initial shock carried me to wondering how this unknown family member-to-be would 

affect our utopia of marriage. Life was just about as perfect as it could be. Was all of that about 

to change? I had no idea what kind of changes were coming. 

The love that God pours into our hearts for spouses, parents and siblings is prodigious, but 

that mother’s love that He supplies comes in king-size quantities. How else does one explain 

a totally dependent stranger suddenly consuming its mother’s quality sleep with no complaints 

for that interruption? Every need is met for that tiny creature that can’t speak a word, because 

a mother soon learns to interpret that infant’s cries. With that love, God sends Wonder Woman 

hearing to the mother that enables her to detect a change in her infant’s breathing in the same 

room or down the hall. 

Before postpartum leaves, a mother BEAR makeover invades the new mother. A shield like no 

other allows or denies any or all access to the newborn. The mother remains on guard 24/7 

whether rested or exhausted! 

I’m grateful that I asked Jesus to invade my heart when I was young. That gave me insight into 

the various kinds of His love that I have experienced over the years. When our first grandchild 

was born, I scooped her – gently – into my arms and said, “Lord, how can such love continue?” 

Then in more blessed years, God gave me the joy of holding our first great-grandchild. 

By now I have no words to describe my Father’s love, but I somehow think a mother might 

have the closest understanding. God truly is LOVE. 

58 • MARCH 2023


YOUR HEART IS IN 

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THEY SAY HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, 

SO WE PROVIDE HEART CARE CLOSE TO HOME. 

Our team of heart specialists are here for your routine 

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When you put your heart in our hands, you get the 

benefit of skilled, experienced cardiovascular specialists 

and Merit Health Heart’s collaborative approach to care. 

To learn more, visit MeritHealthHeart.com 

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Madison323web

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