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Before & After
A Shoulder
to Lean On
A Sparkling
Canton
Christmas

2 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 3

4 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 5

6 • JULY 2023

FROM OUR PUBLISHER
After the princesses and superheroes have put away their costumes,
and Christmas lights begin packing the retail shelves, the “merriment”
seasons are officially underway.
For young families, most months have more than their share
of activities and demanding schedules—but November and
December carry the greatest weight for pausing.
Even with schedules that scream for attention, the majority
in our hometowns take time to express thanksgiving for their
multitude of blessings and to celebrate the greatest of all blessings
– the birth of our only Savior.
Our staff hopes this issue is a reminder of your blessings and
gives you warm thoughts as you pause to reflect on your own
countless blessings. From my office door I catch glimpses of staff
members who are dedicated to completing their assignments
and who continue to help meet those never-ending deadlines.
Their names are listed on the editorial page of each of our
publications. I’m immensely grateful for their talents, attitudes,
and willingness to work as a team.
There are times that are stressful, and all will probably admit,
there’s never a lot of downtime to small talk around the coffee pot.
As we grow, and praise God that’s happening, additional jobs
keep popping up which demand more work on everyone’s part.
I’m blessed and grateful with a team like Hometown’s!
As we set aside time in the next two months to share with
our families and friends, let thanksgiving be at the top of each
menu and gathering. We at Hometown Magazines consider
our advertisers and readers high on OUR thanksgiving list and...
if you are reading this, know that one more deadline was met!
Let the merriment begin!
...see you around town.
IN THIS ISSUE
Reader Spotlight 11
The Way We Were 14
Before & After 18
Hometown Family 24
A Shoulder to Lean On 29
Holiday Gift Guide 36
Daughters of the American Revolution 41
Kids Who Care 48
Missisippi Metropolitan Ballet 64
A Sparkling Canton Christmas 74
A Place Called Raymond 80
The Time Coin 98
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 • 7

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10 • NOVEMBER 2023

READER
SPOTLIGHT
Scarlet
MIDDLETON
Why did you make Madison your home?
My husband was transferred to the area from
Tennessee. We are both in healthcare so we
needed to be near local hospitals. I loved the
atmosphere, architecture, and interstate
accessibility of Madison.
How long have you lived in Madison County?
We moved to the area in 2015. It feels like we
have been here for much longer. It is a very
welcoming area.
Tell us about your family.
I am married to Rob Middleton. We have one
very spoiled fur baby named Lily.
What is your favorite memory of living in
Madison?
I love live music and have attended several of my
favorite concerts in Madison.
Where are your three favorite places
to eat in Madison?
We enjoy Strawberry Café, Kristos and Primo’s.
Jersey Mikes in Gluckstadt is a favorite for us as
well.
What are some fun things to do in Madison
County on the weekends?
I love to shop, and Madison offers so many
options. They know me by name at Calloways!
My husband is a cyclist, so he rides his bike every
weekend.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
I love entertaining and decorating my home for
the holidays. I also love a good concert and will
travel to see my favorite bands.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Travel to the Holy Land
2. Go fly fishing in Montana
3. Spend time in the Virgin Islands
Who is someone you admire and why?
My parents! They both recently passed away and
I long for just one more conversation with each
of them. I would thank them for teaching me the
true value of family, friends, and living life to the
fullest. They taught me how to treat others with
the same respect that I would like to receive. My
father was known for his gentle kind spirit. My
mother worked in radio so she never met a
stranger. My love for music was inspired by my
mother. My parent’s faith in God was strong and
their lives reflected their faith. My brother and I
were blessed to have two of the best.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I am the Business Development Manager for
AFC Urgent Care. We currently have two clinics
in Madison County, but I hope to help them
grow to have many more in the next 10 years!
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Christmas in our home was magical. My mother
decorated every room in the house. Christmas
morning was spent with family opening gifts and
enjoying a holiday breakfast after Santa visited,
of course.
If you could give us one encouraging quote,
what would it be?
I have a favorite quote and a favorite scripture. I
hope you don’t mind if I share both. My favorite
scripture is from the book of Isaiah. “Do not be
afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you
by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
My favorite quote is: “Happiness cannot be
traveled to, owned, worn, or consumed.
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living
every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”
Dennis Waitley
Hometown MADISON • 11

& Healthy
HAPPY ^HOLIDAYS
Front row: Kalai Key, Meghan Watson, Ivey Shelton, Olivia Brown
Back row: Scarlet Middleton, Kim Woodward, MaryRhea Waterloo, Rosalynn Williamson, Shanika Wigley, Allyson Walker
12 • NOVEMBER 2023
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Hometown MADISON • 13

Lisa & Tommy Miskelly
Camille Anding
Lisa and Tommy Miskelly have
agreed and are committed to leaving
their two offspring, Anderson and
Abby, the same kind of legacy that their
parents have instilled in their own lives.
Lisa and Tommy pledged wedding vows
to each other, but they were fully aware
that they were making them based on
their own values, as well as on the
strengths and examples of their parents.
It was in a barber shop in Pearl,
Lisa Hoyt’s hometown, that the future
Miskelly couple first met. Tommy’s
sister-in-law was the hairdresser, and
even though Lisa was in the middle of
a perm, complete with the curling rods,
Tommy took full note of the young
beauty. “I’m gonna marry that girl,” was
his comment to his sister-in-law.
Lisa was a student at University of
Southern Mississippi at the time and
needed to find a weekend job when she
was home. She applied at the fledgling
Miskelly Furniture store and got a
position answering the phone. That’s
when she and Tommy got to officially
meet and have conversations.
The question about their first date
in 1987 came next – the couple laughed
in unison as Tommy shared that Lisa
had actually been the one that asked
him. She called him from Southern and
asked if he would like to visit her for a
dinner date. That’s when God’s plan
stepped in. Joyce Miskelly was walking
through the office while Tommy was
searching for Lisa’s phone number to
call her to decline the invitation. Joyce
asked him, “Why not go?”
That question changed his “No”
to a “Yes,” and the two shared their
first date over a meal that neither of
them touched. It was their evening
of conversation and immediate
connection that was the “main course.”
When Tommy returned to his home
that evening, he called Lisa and they
talked for several hours.
After less than a year of dating, a
note was delivered to Lisa on a rainy
campus day that both still remember.
Tommy’s note said, “Meet me at our
happy place.” Lisa knew immediately
that special spot and hurried to meet
him. He dropped on one knee – almost
to the muddy ground – and asked her
to marry him.
Lisa’s college graduation was on
May 7, 1988, and they were wed on
May 28th of the same year at Crossgates
Baptist Church in Brandon. Lisa’s mom
and a group of her friends covered all the
food and decorations for the reception.
Mrs. Hoyt also made all eight of the
bridesmaids’ dresses – quite an
undertaking for the mother of the bride.
Lisa and Tommy celebrated their
35th anniversary this past May – still
embracing the joys of marriage and the
heritage of godly parents. Lisa’s parents
were married when her mom was
sixteen and her dad was eighteen.
They’ve been married for sixty-six
years. Tommy’s parents are heavenly
dwellers now but lived to celebrate
seventy years of marriage.
There are generational business
guidelines that Lisa and Tommy are
continually implanting in their own
children’s families. Tommy’s parents
raised their two daughters and three
sons in Okolona, Mississippi, in the
business of a dry goods store that God
blessed to supply the family’s needs.
The senior Miskellys were always
tithers and always closed their business
on Sundays. He instilled those guidelines
into his sons who, in addition, took
their mom’s advice to start a furniture
business in the Jackson area instead of
dry goods like they had known.
“Following their examples has been
generational blessings for us.”
Lisa still remembers how all the
Miskelly families vacationed together,
but one of the sons and his family
14 • NOVEMBER 2023

“If you don’t have
Christ, I don’t
know how you
will make it.”
would always have to stay with the
store to keep it operating. That meant
juggling the times so everyone would
get to vacation because the original
employees were the owners and their
families. Now they employ over 350.
The work ethic is another attribute
that was passed on to Lisa and Tommy.
Tommy said, “I worked every summer,
and my dad took those wages to pay
for my fall college tuition. He covered
my spring tuition since I wouldn’t
have enough time to earn the needed
amount.” Tommy and his siblings were
taught to appreciate and enjoy their
work.
Lisa’s parents had three girls before
their last child, a son. “Daddy tried to
make us girls hunters and fishermen.
We tried, but I’ve always been a
girly-girl. Our brother saved us!”
Sharing warm family memories is a
part of Lisa’s early years – just like
Tommy’s.
Tommy gave insight into his
one-of-a-kind mother with a story
from his early years. “Mom would try
to shake us awake to get dressed for
school, and I would plead with her to
let me sleep in – I was just too tired to
get up.” Sometimes she would say,
“Well scoot over, and she would crawl
in bed and go back to sleep, too.”
When Lisa and Tommy recalled
their early days of marriage, Lisa
nudged him and said, “Go ahead, tell
them what you shared with me later in
our marriage.” It was a list of at least ten
“non-negotiables” that he was looking
for in a wife. He named four: she had to
be a Christian; she had to accept that he
always worked on Saturdays, so Friday
would always be his golf day; she needed
a sense of humor; and her own mother
had to look good because she would
someday look like her. Then he added
that Lisa met all ten of his criteria for
the perfect wife.
She demonstrated her sense of
humor when she laughed with Tommy
when he said that he hid her Christmas
presents in the oven. She reminded him
that the oven story was a bit stretched
but did admit that she observes their
share of Columbus nights – Go
Discover Your Meal!
Lisa continued discussing marriage
advice. “If you don’t have Christ, I don’t
know how you will make it. He’s like
super glue. Today’s society makes
marriage so easy to walk away from or
accepts an ‘I don’t have to try’ attitude.”
Both agreed that marriage has its
challenges, but couples need to learn
how to discuss those areas where there
are disagreements.
Lisa and Tommy have great
memories of parenting their two
children, Anderson and Abby. Tommy
used his parenting role to teach them
about budgets, saving, and hard work.
Lisa couldn’t resist talking about the joy
their offspring had given them – including
the two grandchildren they’ve
added to their family. “I hope every
parent brags about their kids, but I can
certainly brag about ours. They had
every opportunity to be spoiled, but
they weren’t and aren’t.”
Tommy offered one suggestion to
the guys who wonder about the special
someone they are dating. “Ask yourself
when you take her home, are you
anxious for her to get out of the car or
do you want her to stay.” Then he
added that young couples considering
marriage should agree that marriage is a
forever covenant – no matter what!”
It’s obvious in this Miskelly match
that Tommy wanted Lisa to stay, and
Lisa didn’t want to leave. Marriage
confirmed that kind of love – no
matter what!
Hometown MADISON • 15

Dr. Jason Cox
Dr. Daniel Atkins
Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth
peace, good will
toward men.
Luke 2:14
PHONE: (601) 919-8575 ONLINE: www.bellemeadefamilydental.com ADDRESS: 105 Belle Meade Point, Flowood, MS 39232
16 • NOVEMBER 2023

save the date
Presented by the Junior League of Jackson
For more information, please visit
MistletoeMarketplace.com or call 601.948.2357.
Hometown RANKIN • 17

18 • NOVEMBER 2023

Before & After
Brandye Boyd’s Story
Sarah Rein
You know those moments in life when
all seems to be going well? There are
no major issues at work, the laundry is
caught up, the children are getting good
grades and staying out of trouble, and
more meals were eaten at home than
out that week. You have that brief,
illusory moment in which you think...
“I might actually have
life under control.”
In her previous life, Brandye Boyd would
have treasured that feeling. A self-proclaimed
busybody who thrived on having things
together, she was the woman many of us
aspire to be—an involved mom to three young
kids, leader of her church’s ministry to young
mothers, and an adjunct college professor
with a master’s degree.
The first part of Brandye’s story sounds
like a life many of us would have been glad
to have. She was fortunate to grow up in a
happy home in Clinton - with a mother who
put the needs of Brandye and her brother
first, a stepfather who treated them as his
own, involved grandparents, and a church
family. As a regular churchgoer, she knew
about Jesus from an early age and, though
she considered herself a Christian, she isn’t
sure she understood what it meant to
relinquish control of her life to God.
After receiving her degree in education
from Mississippi College in 1996, Brandye
began teaching school and coaching a
cheerleading squad at Byram Middle School
and moved into an apartment with her best
friend from high school. Young and single,
Brandye was enjoying her freedom. When
she met her current husband, Joey, she did
not relish the thought of settling down.
The night they met, Brandye was at a
Halloween costume party at her apartment
complex. She had recently been in a car
accident that left her with a broken femur
and was on crutches. Not wanting to miss
out on the fun, her roommate decided to
make the most of Brandye’s misfortune by
dressing them in coordinating patient and
nurse costumes. After she’d changed out of
her costume, Joey, who worked at the
apartment complex, approached her to ask
for a date and comment on her costume
choice. Brandye, who was savoring her
newfound adult life, was not eager to accept.
“I thought he seemed like a cute, good guy,
but I wasn’t ready for a relationship,” Brandye
shared. Eventually, however, Joey’s persistence
won her over, and they went out for lunch.
Brandye’s intuition had been correct, and
the two have been inseparable ever since.
When they got married just a year later,
both agreed they wanted to grow up and make
some life changes. They moved to Rankin
County because of the excellent school
district, and Brandye decided to pursue a
master’s degree in education. Joey began a
new career with BellSouth. Their first order
of business after moving was to choose a
church to attend. These were the days before
your first thought was to Google church
options. “We opened The Clarion-Ledger to the
Places to Worship section and saw that
Pinelake was near our house,” she recalls
laughing. And that church is where they
found their community - the people they
were going to do life with.
Hometown MADISON • 19

As they joined small groups and mentoring
programs, they didn’t realize how vital those
connections were going to be. They began
having children and raising them alongside
the other couples from their young adult
Sunday school class. Brandye shares that at
one point there were thirteen women in
their church group that were pregnant
simultaneously. This was a pivotal time in
Brandye’s life, and you can tell she’s unsure
how to explain it. “This was when I truly
came into relationship with God,” she
remembers. “I don’t know if I’d say it was a
rededication or what, but I know that’s
when I really met the Lord.”
Their careers were also off to a promising
start. Brandye took a job at the Department
of Education, and Joey had moved into
management at BellSouth. But commuting
to Clinton to drop off her oldest son, Blayze,
with her mother before heading to work in
Jackson was wearying. And when Brandye
became pregnant with their second son,
Bran, she and Joey agreed it was time for her
to scale down to working part-time. She set
her own schedule conducting teacher
training for the Department of Education
and became a representative for Cheer &
Dance apparel. But when their third child
and only daughter, Breyle, was born, they
decided to make adjustments that would
allow Brandye to be home full-time…
something she’d been praying for for years.
Brandye thrived in the business of that
season of life. “I had everything color-coded
for each kid and three-ring binders with lists
and schedules,” she chuckles. “I was such a
control freak, and I just couldn’t sit still.”
Indeed, she filled up every spare minute
volunteering at Pinelake and heading up
various committees and programs at her
children’s schools. She was the mom who
kept her kitchen stocked with children’s
snacks so the neighborhood children would
gravitate to their house to play.
That was life before.
In the summer of 2010, Brandye was
training for the Watermelon Classic run
when she began having regular headaches.
Blaming it on the heat and the fact that her
children were a handful during the summer
months, she began taking Excedrin Migraine
regularly to try to find relief. She’d experienced
migraines off and on during her life
and saw a neurologist once a year to keep
them managed. But as the summer continued,
feeling unwell began to take a toll on her.
Brandye found herself sending the kids
over to the neighbors’ homes to play and
not planning her usual outings. Events she
usually hosted and enjoyed, like the summer
planning meeting for Pinelake’s MOMS
program, she forgot to prepare for. She
missed her yearly neurologist appointment
without ever realizing it and unintentionally
offended friends by behaving in ways they
would not normally expect.
In the meantime, Brandye had been
reading in the book of Luke during her daily
devotional time. A few days before her
August 13th birthday, she wrote the words
“God, increase my faith,” in the margin of
her Bible. There was an upcoming church
mission trip to Africa that several of Brandye’s
friends were going on and that she wanted to
join, but she was nervous about leaving her three
young children. “That’s what I meant when
I wrote that. I wanted Him to increase my faith
enough to make me feel comfortable about
leaving the kids,” she laughs. But He would
answer that prayer in a very different way.
In August, Joey planned a trip to New
Orleans to celebrate Brandye’s birthday. Her
brother, an Ole Miss graduate, and Joey, an
LSU fan, had made a bet on which team
would win when they played that year. And
the couple whose team lost had to babysit
the winning couple’s children for a weekend.
Since LSU was victorious that year, Brandye
and Joey were cashing in on the bet and
planned to drop their children (ages 8, 6,
and 3 at the time) off in Covington with her
brother. But as they were unpacking the
kids’ stuff, Brandye suddenly fainted. When
she recovered, she insisted she felt well
enough to continue with their plans. But it
did force her to share with Joey what had
been going on with her health recently.
While they were alone that weekend,
Joey paid closer attention to Brandye’s
behavior than he was usually able to. And
she didn’t seem like herself to him. Her gait
was off as she walked and she was more tired
than usual, so Joey insisted she see a doctor
when they got home. Brandye was unable to
get in to see her neurologist, Dr. Ruth
Fredericks, on such short notice but she did
agree to go to MEA the Tuesday morning
after they returned. She was hoping for
some relief from her headaches.
The doctor she saw that day at MEA
gave her a shot for pain relief but required
that she get a ride home from the clinic. He
also made a call to get an MRI scheduled for
her as soon as possible. Joey, who was at a
meet-the-teacher event for their daughter’s
preschool program, came to pick her up and
asked Brandye’s mentor from Pinelake,
Susan, to come stay with their daughter. But
just as Joey and Brandye were leaving MEA,
the doctor informed them that the imaging
center had a cancellation and asked if they
could go have the MRI performed right then.
The Boyds headed straight to the center for
the test and afterwards were told they could
return to MEA for the doctor to read the
results to them.
Assuming this was how the process usually
worked, they returned to MEA and were
taken immediately to an exam room. A new
doctor, Dr. Marc Hellrung, came into the
room to meet them, explaining that his
colleague they’d just seen that morning was
gone for the day. Dr. Hellrung began their
conversation by saying, “I’ve been praying
about how to deliver this news to you.” And
then he shocked them by saying Brandye
had a brain tumor encased in a cyst that was
the size of a grapefruit. It needed to be
removed immediately.
Life as they knew it was over. Reeling
from the news, the Boyds asked their doctor
if he would pray for them. And so they were
ushered into their new reality through the
prayers of a complete stranger. Brandye said,
“My mind immediately went to what I’d
written in my Bible days before. I knew this
was God answering that prayer. Joey didn’t
know about that yet, but I felt at peace.”
20 • NOVEMBER 2023

They went to more appointments that
day for initial neuro-oncology consultations
and, when they arrived home at the end of
the day, they were met by a crowd of their
church friends. Joey and Brandye took their
boys into a bedroom to share the news with
them (their daughter was too young to
understand what was happening) and pray
together. Brandye remembers those moments
vividly. “The only hospital their boys were
familiar with is the one they were born in -
St. Dominic. So, Blayze prayed that I would
get to go there for my surgery, and he also
asked that I wouldn’t be left alone at all.”
That night, their pastor, Chip Henderson,
and some of the church’s elders, along with
their family and friends, came to pray for the
Boyds. Brandye surprised herself by being
able to pray aloud. “I asked God to let me be
here to finish my roles on earth - to be a help
to Joey and raise my babies. I know I’ll be
healed ultimately, but I do want to be healed
here on earth. Still though, I trusted that His
ways are higher than mine.”
Over the next few days, Dr. Fredericks
helped them form a treatment plan. She was
immediately admitted to the hospital where her
surgeon practiced—which was St. Dominic.
After waiting a few days for the level of
aspirin in her blood to reduce, Brandye had
a five-hour surgery to remove the tumor
which was then sent off for testing. And, in
another answer to her son’s prayer, a kind
nurse brought a cot into the ICU for Joey to
sleep on so he never had to leave Brandye’s
side during recovery.
The initial reports were that the tumor
was benign - a best-case scenario meaning
no additional treatment would be required.
However, further tests revealed the tumor
was malignant - an aggressive grade 3 tumor
that would require every form of treatment
they could throw at it. So, while Brandye
began undergoing radiation, their friends
mobilized support.
Meals began arriving that week in
August and didn’t stop until Thanksgiving.
She remembers offers of help coming in
constantly - “One friend called about
organizing a barbecue fundraiser which made
me laugh because I thought…what am I
going to do? Pass out red and white napkins?
And then another friend asked if she could
sell t-shirts at the fundraiser.” Next, someone
asked Brandye to design a Christmas shirt to
sell, and now, thirteen years later, the shirts
have become an annual fundraiser. “I never
imagined we would still be doing this thirteen
years later. Or that people would actually
continue to buy them!” Brandye marvels.
That was largely because of the poor prognosis
Brandye received after being diagnosed.
They knew her life expectancy would likely
be shorter. The Boyds trusted their doctors,
and they knew that, ultimately, God was in
control of her disease.
After receiving the lifetime maximum
amount of radiation, Brandye began chemotherapy
to hold the cancer at bay. She is
scanned regularly and her treatment is
adjusted as needed when a particular medicine
stops being effective in keeping the remnants
of her tumor stable. But it’s not just the
cancer that has to be monitored constantly.
Brandye fights an even more important daily
battle in her mind and heart. “I’ve always
heard to take your thoughts captive but I
didn’t grasp what it meant. It’s moment by
moment. When my mind starts to go on
trips, I have to say the truth out loud. I may
have this, but God You are still good! When
I got to see my sons graduate from high
school, I was so thankful to live to see that
day. It just changed my entire perspective.”
Early in her treatment, Brandye remembers
waking up at the usual 4am to spend time
with God before the day started. She has a
particular chair she sits in with her Bible and
journal. But, on that particular morning, she
lay there exhausted, trying to will herself up
and into her reading spot. As she lay there,
she felt God prompting her to rest and
assuring her that He could talk to her right
there in her bed. She believes that God then
gave her a visual - a mental image she has
held on to in the years since. She imagined
herself on a roller coaster but knew that
God was the one in charge of driving it. She
shares, “It was like He told me, ‘Look, there
are going to be dips and sharp turns. In the
end, we are going to arrive just fine. But first,
you have to get out of the driver’s seat and
let me take over. Just stay behind me and all
will be well.’”
There have been plenty of scary moments
in the last thirteen years. Her chemo has been
changed twice because of tumor growth, and
she experiences seizures and mini-strokes on
occasion. Brandye has moments, she confesses,
in which she wishes her children could have
had more years with the pre-cancer version
of herself. She’s been sick since her daughter,
now a junior at Hartfield, was three, so she
has no memories of life before her mom’s
diagnosis. And yet, she knows their lives are
better because of it. Brandye thinks often of
the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible.
When Jesus came to visit, Martha was up
cooking and cleaning and playing hostess
while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to learn. When
Martha complained to Jesus that Mary
wasn’t helping, He told her that Mary had
“chosen the better part.”
Brandye remembers herself before cancer
almost as a different person. She longed to
be like Mary but knew her personality made
her prone to Martha’s distraction and worry.
She reminisces, “I don’t think my faith would
ever have grown like it has otherwise. I believe
God knew me and loved me enough that He
knew I needed this. And, honestly, it sounds
crazy but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Hometown MADISON • 21

Help a child
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Friends of Children’s Hospital Debit Card
The Friends Card cost $12 per year, 100% of which is donated to Friends.
BankPlus makes a donation to Friends each time the card is used.
Available via instant issue. Since inception, the Friends debt card has
raised over $4,000,000.
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!
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22 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 23

24 • NOVEMBER 2023

The
Coxes
Tell us about your family.
Jason & Leah Cox – Jason is a dentist in Flowood at Belle Meade
Dental and is an avid deer hunter in the MS Delta and Illinois.
Leah helps with financial management at their dental office. She
loves to sing, run, and work out. Leah is a servant worship leader at
Pinelake Church. Jason and Leah’s hobbies have changed over the
years as they spend most of their free time cheering on their boys
in their sports or investing in helping their boys be better prepared
as athletes. Jason and Leah share the same interests when it comes
to physical activity. They spent years competing in marathons,
triathlons, and Ironman before their children’s schedules became
quite busy.
Jonas, 18 – Jonas is a runner. He runs cross country and track for
MRA. He was the 2022 MAIS 6A state champion in cross country
and holds the 6A MAIS state title for the 2 mile.
Fletcher, 16 – Fletcher plays football and baseball for MRA and
the SBG Sox organization. When he is not training for his sports,
he loves to hunt or play golf with his friends.
Asher, 14 – Asher, too, plays football and baseball for MRA and
the SBG Sox organization. Asher loves being outside fishing,
riding 4 wheelers, hunting or playing golf with his friends.
Hometown MADISON • 25

How did you meet, and how long have you been married?
We are high school sweethearts! We have known each other since
6th grade. We started dating in 10th grade and have been
together ever since. We have been married 28 years having been
together for 33 years.
Do you allow time to be with your spouse for a date night?
We have always made our relationship a priority through date
nights even in the midst of a crazy schedule with our boys. We feel
it is important that our boys see their parents date each other.
What brings you the greatest joy as a parent?
3 John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my
children are walking in the truth.” That truly is our greatest joy.
We find great joy when we see our children living to their fullest
potential and journeying through life lessons that may be hard but
come out on the other side with greater understanding. It is easy
to find joy in their successes—but those are temporary. When you
see character being built in them and them emulating the fruits of
the Spirit, that is where true joy comes.
Who is the financial manager in your home?
It is a shared responsibility. Jason is the financial provider for our
family. I am the one who pays the bills. We both are aware at the
end of the day what has been spent. We always come together
when large purchases need to be made. Neither of us make large
purchases without discussing and praying about what is best for
our family.
When your children were younger, what was your discipline
philosophy?
We have a saying in our home and my children have heard it from
the youngest of age, “Everything you do leads to blessing or
discipline, it’s your choice.” Even today as teenagers they hear me
say this. This was a way in which it taught them to take responsibility
for their actions—understanding that they chose either
blessing or discipline with their actions. The discipline looked
different for each child as their personalities were so different.
One may have needed to have a lengthy discussion about their
actions, one simply needed to hear how disappointed we were in
their actions, and another may have needed some time alone. As
they have gotten older the removal of “entertainment and
communication devices” has been a go-to for discipline. Honestly,
as they have gotten older, having conversations about certain
actions has been the best and the most beneficial.
What do you see in your role as the greatest benefit to your
family?
Leading our children in their spiritual journey to learn their
truest identity in Christ. It is a daily discussion and reminder at
our home. Jason is a strong leader and teacher of daily disciplines
for life in general. Our boys see in him a strong work ethic and he
is a teacher of everyday life skills. I am the resident encourager for
Jason and the boys. I take great joy in providing a home for my
family. We allow the door to our home to be a revolving door for
the boys’ friends, loving to be the place where they want to gather.
What’s a quick go-to meal that isn’t fast food?
And who does the cooking?
Leah does the cooking and has a long list of quick-fix meals to
keep from living in the Chick-fil-A drive through. The crockpot
is a lifesaver for our schedule. Taco bowls in crockpot, meatball
subs, grilled hamburgers and even homemade chicken alfredo are
quick go-to meals for our family.
How long has Madison been your home?
We have lived in Madison for two years. We were lifelong Rankin
County residents, but as our children changed schools in 2021 to
Madison Ridgeland Academy, we moved to Madison County.
What are some of your favorite things about Madison County?
Madison County is so clean, organized, and well put together.
Development in Madison County has been thought through very
well. It is a great community that offers quite a variety in shopping
and restaurants. For us and where we live, we are a few short
miles from our boys’ school and pretty much anything we need is
a quick drive up the road. The convenience to everything is great!
When making a move to a new community after living elsewhere
for many years, there is always great fear of trying to find community.
That is one thing that has shocked us after moving to
Madison. This community is so welcoming. It has been such a
refreshing blessing for us and our family.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
The last several years have been spent traveling around the
southeast for baseball for our boys. It is typically a divide and
conquer type approach as Fletcher is usually in one state and
Asher in another. The last couple summers, Jonas has traveled
to Oregon and Utah to train at altitude for his upcoming
cross-country seasons. We might squeeze in a quick family trip
somewhere if the schedule allows.
26 • NOVEMBER 2023

What drives you to have the job that you have?
In Jason’s career as a dentist, he is constantly solving problems for
his patients. There is a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you
have helped someone who is in pain or is need of restoration in
their mouth. There are patients who have desired to transform
their smile for many years, and it brings great joy to see their
satisfaction in his completed work. Although I help at Jason’s
office, I spend most of my time being the family organizer of all
things for Jason and the boys. I find great satisfaction in creating a
haven at home and helping Jason and the boys with anything they
need.
QUESTIONS FOR THE BOYS
What’s your favorite thing to do as a family?
Jonas Our family has a great love for fireworks! Shooting fireworks
on 4th of July and New Year’s Eve is so much fun!
Fletcher When we do vacations, it is typically not sitting on the
beach somewhere. We like adventure. We have had fun vacations
to Colorado, Niagara Falls, NYC, Disneyworld and Disneyland in
California, St. Louis, and MLB spring training games in Florida to
name a few.
Asher I love spending holidays together with all our extended
family. Birthdays are a big thing in our home. My mom makes sure
we are well celebrated, and I love the tradition of birthday dinner
out at the restaurant choice of whose birthday we are celebrating.
It’s always a fun evening out together with my family.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Jonas Amerigo
Fletcher Koestler
Asher Amerigo
As the boys were asked these questions I was certain that El
Ranchito or Red Samurai would have been listed because they have
their own line in our family food budget!
What’s your favorite TV show?
We are not big TV show watching people. Never home long
enough to sit and watch. The boys do watch a lot of YouTube and
sporting events though.
Jonas I watch a ton of videos regarding running. I keep up with
the success of Lex and Leo Young from California and their great
accomplishment in cross country. I enjoy laughing at The Family Guy!
Fletcher Bomar Hunting, Good Good, and lots of baseball and football
videos.
Asher Bat Bros, Dude Perfect, Bomar Hunting and lots of baseball videos.
Hometown MADISON • 27

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28 • NOVEMBER 2023

Melanie McMillan
▲
A Shoulder
to Lean On
Madison resident John Nordan met the girl who would
become his wife, Laurie McKay, his senior year at Ole Miss.
The two began dating, married in 1983, and just celebrated
their 40th wedding anniversary. John had gotten more
serious about his faith in college, and so, following a brief
period working in sales and advertising, he felt called to
full-time ministry. He enrolled in Reformed Theological
Seminary in Jackson and earned a Master of Divinity.
For the next fifteen years, John served in pastoral roles
across the Southeast, and the couple added four children,
Trey, Natalie, Shelby, and Oliver, to their family. In 2003, the
Nordan family experienced a difficult church situation and
made the decision to transition out of full-time ministry.
Hometown MADISON • 29

John, Laurie, and their children moved to Madison, and
John took a job with C-Spire as their corporate recruiter and
employee relations director. Even in the corporate world,
sharing his faith was an important part of John’s life, and while
at C-Spire he began a ministry for local businessmen called the
Men’s Roundtable. The group is still going strong 15 years later,
with up to 75 men in attendance regularly. It was through a
colleague at C-Spire that John learned about an organization
called Corporate Chaplains of America (CCA), whose mission
statement is to “bring care and compassion to the workplace,
where it is needed most, and where it can make a meaningful
difference.” All chaplains with CCA are men and women who
are vetted, and seminary trained.
Corporate chaplaincy seemed to be a good fit for Nordan,
with his experience in the business world and his years in
ministry. After 19 years at C-Spire, John took a leap of faith to
become a corporate chaplain and has been in this role since
April of 2022. He serves as chaplain for nine companies,
ranging in size from 10 employees to over 200. “Businesses
provide the service for their employees free of charge,” John
says. “It’s totally confidential, voluntary, and permission-based.”
It’s often said that in order to truly minister to people,
you must meet them where they are.
“People spend most of their time at
work, so it makes sense to provide
them with someone they can talk to
confidentially about things going on
in their life,” John says. “We’ve found that job performance
tends to go up and employee retention and satisfaction
are positively impacted when a chaplain is consistently on site.
Employees are able to build a relationship with the chaplain.
They know they can talk to me about anything - whether it’s
relationship issues, bereavement, marital issues, and even
alcohol and drug addiction.” When crisis situations occur in the
workplace, John is able to be of help immediately, as he already
has a relationship with the employees.
One of Nordan’s weekly meetings is with a group of 15-20
line haul drivers every Monday night. “In their line of work,
it’s crucial that they not be distracted. Knowing they have
someone to talk to every week can ease the stresses of life
and give them peace as they head out on the road,” John says.
30 • NOVEMBER 2023

John is not the only Nordan in full time ministry. Laurie
has served for 15 years as the children’s ministry director and
women’s ministry coordinator at Highlands Presbyterian
Church in Ridgeland. Their family has grown to include two
sons-in-law, Matthew Clark and Tyler Daniels, a daughter-in-law,
Emelia, and four grandchildren, Ginny-Pearl, Charlotte-Anne,
and Jack Nordan and Madeline Clark. John and Laurie are true
partners in ministry. “We share a love for people, and do a lot of
ministry together,” says John. “Throughout our life
as a couple, we’ve tried to touch people’s
lives in a positive way.”
Hometown MADISON • 31

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32 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown RANKIN • 33

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34 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 35

gift
guide
The Gallery
“The Visitor” 4x4 acrylic painting - $20
(inside Sulm’s)
Koestler Prime
All-purpose seasoning - $10
Watercolor Salon
Gift cards -any $$$
Apple Annie’s
ALT perfume. $42 - $66
Open Invitation
Stationery
Marble and acacia wood
serving/charcuterie board - $46
Jackson Jewelers
14k white gold sapphire and diamond
art deco design ring
14k yellow gold ruby and diamond necklace
14k yellow gold and white gold
1/2 ct diamond anniversary band
House of Ora
Quilted, embroidered
velvet pouch - $15
Flora
Pharmacy
Lafco candles with
over 90 hours
burn time - $66
Linden & London
luxury laundry and
home products.
Spongelle shower sponges - $15
36 • NOVEMBER 2023

Ballet Magnificat
Gift certificate for ballet lessons
Ages 3-18 - $20 per class
Tickets to “Most Incredible Christmas”
$25-$70
Brock’s Beauty
& Gift Apothecary
Pre-made gifts for everyone!
Gift your animal-obsessed friend
a photo
Boondocks
session with us.
Gift cards -any $$$
$150
LaDiDa
Mary Square
Christmas PJs
$68
Fleet Feet
Garmin watches
Weather jacket by On Running
High-performance running socks
Fur on my Shirt
Trust us, they’ll love you forever.
Gift card for session fee
Visit www.furonmyshirt.com for more details.
Skin Aesthetics
Even Glow Regimen product bundle
by Skinbetter Science
The Lost Sock
Gift cards -any $$$
THE DAILY SCOOP
Gina Diamonds
Red Velvet Reindeer - $40
Ornament Tree on Pedestal 18” - $72
GIFT CARD
The Daily Scoop
Gift cards -any $$$
The Rug Place
YASTIC rug 2’x3’ - $199
Hometown MADISON • 37

Mocha Mugs
Peppermint Bark Frappe
Farmhouse
Lauren Dunn acrylic nativity set - $85
Sulm’s
Musee Bath Balms - $40
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet
The Nutcracker Tickets $30 - $35
Land of Sweets Tickets $25
Madison
Marketplace
Oyster Shell Nativity
Merri Pennies
Mid-Century dining room
table with chairs- $2,995
Ace of Grace
The world’s softest blankets
make the best Christmas gifts.
Lakeland
Yard & Garden
CR Plastics
Adirondack rocker - $440
End table - $120
The Emporium
Snow to Go makes snow
magically in your hand! - $9
Ashes to Beauty
16” Multi-Crystal Initial Necklace - $14
38 • NOVEMBER 2023

November 16-18
Friday, November 17 • 10am-7pm & Saturday, November 18 • 10am-5pm
brandon city hall / 1000 municipal drive
$5 General Admission
Hometown MADISON • 39

40 • NOVEMBER 2023

In 1955, the National Society Daughters
of the American Revolution petitioned
Congress to set aside September 17-23
for the observance of Constitution Week.
The annual celebration was signed into
law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
on August 2, 1956. Today members of
NSDAR are committed to educating the
public about the U.S. Constitution and
the men who framed it.
River of Pearls Chapter NSDAR in Madison focused their
celebration and education initiative around the seven signers of the
U.S. Constitution who made their livings as farmers. This idea was
incorporated into the application for a Helen Pouch Grant offered
to chapters throughout the country by the national society. Submitted
by Mannsdale Upper Elementary School and coordinated through
our junior members and Mrs. Rhonia Cupstid, the school’s librarian,
a $500 grant was awarded for the outstanding program outline.
Mannsdale Upper Elementary was selected because of its agricultural
program, teaching suburban children the importance of farming
in our country. The children use math and science skills to grow their
crops in greenhouses and hydroponic stations, as well as raising
chickens for their eggs. They learn entrepreneurial skills as they sell
the eggs and the produce at the end of the growing cycles. The money
they earn goes to pay the “loans” they received from family to begin
their program. It is a wonderful way to teach all of these necessary life
skills all while having fun!
By focusing on the seven “Founding Farmers,” students were able to
connect the past with the present and learn how farming has always
been, and continues to be, a priority for a thriving community. Over
six-hundred children from the third, fourth, and fifth grades attended
four learning stations manned by River of Pearls chapter members.
Hometown MADISON • 41

At the first station, children were greeted by George Washington,
portrayed by Kathleen Schutze. Accompanying “George” were a
Colonial era piper and drummer, represented by chapter members
Yvonne Murray and Joan Beninati. Tammy Terry, executive director
of the Madison County Library Bookmobile, sent the bookmobile to
the school to be used as a backdrop and allowed each child to tour it.
“George” introduced several books on the U.S. Constitution and
the founding of our country. The children were briefly introduced to
the importance of the Constitution signed in 1787, and how it still
guides our laws today and is the underpinning of our freedoms. This
book donation will encourage students to pursue their study of the
U.S. Constitution and our Founding Fathers.
A second educational station was located in the library, where a
Colonial woman, portrayed by Saundra Dewey, and assisted by Shelia
Bryson, read a book selected by Ms. Cupstid and featured one of the
seven farmers.
The third station introduced the children to Benjamin Franklin,
portrayed by Kay Ewing. “Dr. Franklin” spoke about the various
crops the seven signers produced on their farms. To bring them alive,
there was a large poster with cutout pictures of Presidents George
Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison,
and the historic figures Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton.
These men were responsible for many inventions, innovative farming
techniques, and experimental discoveries that improved the production
and success of growing food in America. Dr. Franklin pointed out
42 • NOVEMBER 2023

where each man lived and the crops he grew. He also told the story
about his love of apples and how he made it a practice to send bushels
of apples ahead to every place he traveled. He wanted to be ensured
of having apples because, as he always said, “An apple a day keeps the
doctor away!”
The final station brought the students to the cafeteria where
they learned the importance of corn to the American food supply,
and to compare and contrast the differences between planting,
harvesting, and preparing corn in Early American times versus today.
Sally Patterson, wearing Early American dress, explained the colonists
were not familiar with corn before arriving in the colonies in the
1600s, but were introduced to it by Native Americans.
As the children ended their study of the Founding Farmers, Rebel
Clark, Dianne Belton, and Frieda Hawley offered each child a Johnny
cake topped with a dollop of homemade apple butter, prepared by
using a 200-year-old recipe.
The River of Pearls Chapter donated over 50 books to the school’s
library, with subject matters covering the biographies of each Founding
Farmer, farming techniques used by them, and recipes of the period.
River of Pearls Chapter Regent Donna Russell coordinated the event
with Mannsdale Upper Elementary Principal Dr. Nicole Cockrell and
Librarian Rhonia Cupstid, as well as teachers and staff who supported
this day. The teachers will continue with U.S. Constitution curriculum
and further studies during the semester.
Hometown MADISON • 43

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Hometown MADISON • 45

Cranberry Pecan Sweet
Potato Wild Rice Pilaf
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup wild rice blend
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup sweet potato diced small
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup pecans chopped
In a medium saucepan, bring the
broth to a boil and add wild rice,
parsley, oregano, and thyme. Reduce
the heat to a simmer and cover with
a lid. Cook for 45 minutes or until
tender. In another skillet add olive
oil, sweet potato, and onion and
cook until tender. Add
cranberries and chopped
pecans and cook for 1-2
minutes. Add to the rice
mixture and fluff with a fork.
Parmesan Herb Roasted
Acorn Squash
• 2 acorn squash
(small to medium sized)
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup finely grated parmesan
cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Preheat oven to 425. Slice the top
and bottom of the squash, then
place it on a flat end and slice it in
half. Scoop out the seeds with a
spoon and slice each half into slices
about 1-inch thick.
Place slices on a parchment-lined
baking tray. If there’s extra parmesan
herb mixture in the bowl, just press
that onto the top side of the slices.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until soft
and lightly golden on top. Transfer
the roasted acorn squash to a
serving platter and enjoy!
Pineapple Cheese
Casserole
• 2 (15 oz.) cans pineapple chunks
drained
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups shredder cheddar cheese
• 25 buttery round crackers,
crumbled
• ½ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350. Spread
pineapple a 2 quart casserole dish.
In a small bowl, stir together sugar,
flour and cheese. Add to casserole
dish. Sprinkle crackers over the top
of pineapple and cheese mixture.
Pour melted butter over the top and
bake for 30 minutes.
Cornbread Casserole
• ¼ lb. butter, melted
• 1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn,
drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can cream corn
• 1 (8.5 oz.) package corn bread mix
• 1 oz. sour cream
Preheat oven to 350. Fold all
ingredients together in a mixing
bowl and pour into a 2 quart
casserole dish. Bake for 1 hour.
46 • NOVEMBER 2023

Garlic Parmesan
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• 2 large sweet potatoes, washed
(peeling is optional)
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup parmesan
• ½ teaspoon fresh cracked
black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
(or garlic powder)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 4 strips of bacon (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
for garnish (or chives)
Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking
sheet with parchment paper. Prep
sweet potatoes by first cutting off the
ends and slicing in rounds with
a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife.
In a small bowl, combine parmesan,
garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian
seasoning. Arrange sweet potato
slices on the baking sheet, slightly
overlapping. Brush with melted
butter and sprinkle the parmesan
mixture over. Roast sweet potatoes
at 400 for 25 minutes.
In the meantime, cook bacon on the
stove until crispy, drain from fat, and
then cut into small bits. This step is
optional. Remove roasted sweet
potatoes from the oven, sprinkle with
bacon bits, and fresh chopped parsley
or chives. Serve the roasted sweet
potatoes immediately with a delicious
grilled meat, or on its own, enjoy!
Apple Cranberry
Walnut Salad
• 6 cups salad
• 1 red apple
• 1 green apple
• 1 cup walnuts - roughly chopped
• 4-6 bacon strips - cooked and
chopped (optional)
• ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
Dressing
• 1 cup apple juice
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
(or white vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup oil
• candied walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup walnut halves
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Core and chop apples (thin slices or
1 inch chunks). Toss lettuce, apples,
walnuts, feta, bacon (if using) and
cranberries together in a large bowl.
Whisk together all dressing
ingredients or combine in a jar and
shake vigorously. Toss with salad
immediately before serving. Enjoy!
Sheet Pan Roasted
Vegetables
• 8 zucchini, peeled and chopped
• 1 eggplant, peeled and diced
• 8 carrots, diced
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• 2 red onions, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves, crushed
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste
In a large bowl mix zucchini, eggplant,
carrots, tomatoes, onions and peppers
with oil, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves,
oregano, garlic, lemon juice, lemon
zest, salt and pepper. Cover and chill
for at least 2 hours, and preferably
overnight. Preheat oven to 400.
On a large pan, roast the vegetables,
uncovered, for 20 minutes, or until
the tomatoes have split and the edges
of some of the vegetables are starting
to crisp. Remove from oven and stir
before returning to the oven for
another 20 minutes. Reduce heat to
200 and continue cooking until
vegetables are tender, turning every
20 minutes.
The Best Mashed Potatoes
• 5 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
• 2 cups parmesan cheese
• 1½ cups cream cheese
• 1 cup chopped fresh chives
• ½ cup butter
• ½ medium head garlic,
peeled and minced
• 1 pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Peel and quarter potatoes and place
in a large pot. Cover with salted water
and bring to a boil. Cook until tender
but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain
and return potatoes to the pot over
low heat to dry for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add parmesan cheese, cream cheese,
chives, butter, garlic, salt and pepper.
Use a potato masher to mash until
smooth and serve.
Easiest Eggplant
• ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 medium eggplant, peeled and
sliced into ½ inch rounds
• 4 Tbsp. mayonnaise, or as needed
Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking
sheet with aluminum foil. Place
breadcrumbs in a small shallow dish.
Coat eggplant slices on both sides
with mayonnaise, then press into
breadcrumbs to coat. Place on the
baking sheet. Bake until bottoms are
golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Flip slices over and continue baking
until brown on the other side, 20 to
25 minutes.
Hometown MADISON • 47

48 • NOVEMBER 2023

Sims
KIDS WHO CARE
JonesSusan Marquez
TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T
KNOW HER, IT MIGHT SEEM
THAT SIMS JONES HAS
CLONED HERSELF.
For an outsider looking in on her life, it
seems it would be impossible for one person
to do so much. But for Sims, it’s all about time
management and being passionate about
what she is doing.
The senior at Madison-Ridgeland Academy
is as accomplished as she is modest.
“Sometimes I think it may be difficult to do it
all, but then I think about how passionate I
am about everything I choose to dedicate
myself to.”
Sims was named Madison County’s
Distinguished Young Woman, and she
placed in the top ten at the state competition
last summer. “That was a big honor,” she says.
“It is such a good program for young women.
I learned so much in the process.”
Most recently she was crowned homecoming
queen at MRA. “I was a homecoming
maid my junior year, and it was a total
surprise for me to be crowned queen this year.
It was such an exciting night!”
Her mother, Allison, says that nothing
about Sims surprises her. “Her determination
and her drive are way beyond her age. At 17
years old, she is more mature than most
21-year-olds. It makes me happy to see how
she is always so kind to everyone, and she has
friends from every group. I’m so proud of how
inclusive she is. That’s what makes her shine.”
Careful about the activities she chooses to
participate in, most of them lean towards
service to others. She is vice president of the
student body, captain of the dance team, she
is on the school’s quiz bowl team, and she is
on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
leadership committee. She recently spoke at
one of the meetings on her own spiritual
journey.
Sims is also involved with the Madison
Junior Civitan Club, or the Civinettes. The
all-female service organization has over 200
members. “The girls are from all over
Madison County,” Sims says. “They devote
free time to unselfish service. I’m the service
chairman, in charge of philanthropy. In that
role, I visit area non-profits such as Mad-
CAAP and Joni & Friends Mississippi to talk
with them about their needs and how our
girls may be able to fill the gap.”
She is also a bit of a drama queen, but in
the best of ways. Sims loves participating in
school plays at MRA, and this fall she was
one of a few student actors in the Madison
Center Players’ production of the mystery
Clue. “That was so much fun. I would love to
do another production with the Center
Players. The company is a great asset to the
community.”
Sims’ dream since she was a child has
been to be a pediatrician. “I plan on attending
Ole Miss next fall and majoring in pre-med.
I can’t wait to get going with a career in the
medical field.”
She will be joining her older brother,
Holder, who is a freshman at Ole Miss this
year. Sims is the middle child of three. The
youngest, Garner, is in the seventh grade at
MRA. The Jones kids all grew up in
Madison. Sims’ father, Adam, is equally
proud of his daughter’s accomplishments.
Sims takes it all in stride. “I love what
Madison County has to offer me at this point
in my life, and I am grateful to be a part of
such a wonderful community.”
Hometown MADISON • 49

CITY OF RIDGELAND
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Women to Women
A Celebration Luncheon
Guest Speaker Barbie Bassett
August 31
The Country Club of Jackson
52 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 53

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
Let us lighten
your load.
Susan Marquez
54 • NOVEMBER 2023

Cy and Natalie
Parks love laundry.
And no, they aren’t crazy. Because even
more than laundry, they love the clients they’ve
gotten to know through their business, The
Lost Sock. “Our clients are so special to us,”
says Cy. “We will work around their needs and
schedules because we understand what it’s like
to have a busy family.” Married 12 years, the
couple has two young children of their own.
The business started with an idea. “We
were sitting outside our home one evening,
not long after we got married,” Cy recalls.
“We were trying to come up with ideas for a
business we could start together. Something
that would fill a need.” The idea they came
up with was a laundry service. “Laundry is
something everyone has to do, but it can be
time-consuming. Today’s parents compete
with everything in the world for time with their
family. We like to sit down to dinner every night
with our family. If we can free up time for other
parents, that will help them to be the kind of
parents they want to be.”
But the idea was put on the back burner
until their first child, Stetson, was born nearly
seven years ago. “We wanted to do something
that would give us a bit more freedom to spend
time with our son,” says Natalie. Cy began
doing research, “because I’m geeky that way.”
He learned more about doing laundry than
he could ever have imagined. “I already knew
a bit about staying presentable from my ten
years in the military, but I learned while doing
this business that I’m good at laundry!”
The couple took the plunge and opened
their first location in Gluckstadt. “We did well,”
says Cy. “We had regular clients, and they were
pleased with our service.” But the location was
less than ideal, with many new clients saying
the business was difficult to find. Despite that,
Cy says the business increased by 15 to 20%
per quarter. Now the operation is relocating
to Madison.
“There’s a reason we’re opening in Madison,”
says Cy. “It’s because of our clients. They called
the mayor’s office repeatedly and said our
business needs to be located here. We got
a call one day from the mayor’s assistant who
told us there was a place for us in Madison.
We went to look at it and it is perfect for our
needs.” The new location will be opening in
November in what was once the Walgreens
on the corner of Highway 51 and Hoy Road.
Once opened, The Lost Sock will offer laundry
service to anyone who wants to free up their
schedule. “We have streamlined our service,”
Cy explains. “Clients can drop off their laundry
and get notifications on their phone. At pickup,
we will bring the order to the car in a special
bag that serves as a laundry bag for the next
trip. Natalie adds, “we sanitize all bags each
time they come in.”
The interior of The Lost Sock will be inviting.
“Natalie is a great decorator. We want the
business to feel like an extension of our clients’
homes. We want them to feel comfortable
here. She does that by creating a welcoming
space. I handle the business end of things. She
is truly my rock.”
Natalie explains that no family’s laundry will
be mixed with another family’s laundry. “We
even separate laundry. One of our clients,
a busy mother of three, said the service was
already great, but when she didn’t have to
separate the children’s clothes when she got
home, she was thrilled.”
The Lost Sock also launders comforters
and other bedding. “We even put it through a
sanitation cycle,” explains Cy. “We never put
them in a dryer – all comforters are line dried.”
The business uses all Speed Queen washers,
“the Lamborghini of washing machines,”
he laughs. One unique service they provide
is laundering hunting camo using scent-free
detergents. Another option is laundering
and vacuum-sealing bedding. “After hunting
season is over, people can bring their bedding
and camo into us, and we will launder it and
vacuum seal it. It’s easier to store, and it will be
super fresh for the next season.”
The Lost Sock is different from dry cleaners
and other laundry services. “Everyone’s
household is as different as their laundry,”
Cy says. “We work around their schedules.
And rather than dictate when we are available
to our clients, our clients let us know when they
need us. We spot clean, flat dry, line dry…
whatever a client wishes.” Natalie adds that
the company uses high-end detergents, and
has a variety to suit people’s preferences,
including scent and dye-free baby detergents,
and more. “We use Oxy products, and we
have something for everyone.”
In the end, it’s the personal relationships
formed that mean the most to Cy and Natalie.
“One of our clients has a child with Down
syndrome,” says Natalie. “Cy noticed that
he loved the ‘80s. So, one day Cy bought a
Rubik’s cube and tucked it into their laundry
bag. It’s the little things that make such a big
difference. And it’s always touching to me
when people buy gift cards for an expectant
mother’s baby shower, or for someone who has
been ill. It’s not just laundry. The Lost Sock is a
gift of time and a connection with others.”
Natalie adds, “Our motto is ‘Let Us Lighten
Your Load.’ That’s exactly what we are doing
for our clients.”
Hometown MADISON • 55

Unwind!
Ladies’ Night Out
GLUCKSTADT MADISON
BUSINESS ALLIANCE
OCTOBER 12 / BRIDLEWOOD
56 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 57

58 • NOVEMBER 2023

See why Fortune ranked Nucor No. 1 in its industry on the
World’s Most Admired Companies list as well as one of the
Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production.
www.nucor.com/careers
Hometown MADISON • 59

15th
Anniversary
Vision
Celebration
Luncheon
October 17
Country Club
of Jackson
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica Breaux,
Amazon Regional Leader and
Sr. Economic Development Manager
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
RSVP to collins.jan01@gmail.com by October 10, 2023
60 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 61

P r o u d l y s e r v i n g
M a d i s o n C o u n t y
w w w . b r u n i n i . c o m 6 0 1 - 9 4 8 - 3 1 0 1
62 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 63

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating
30 Years
of Holiday
Enchantment
The Mississippi Metropolitan
Ballet’s Nutcracker Legacy
A magical holiday tradition is preparing to dance its way into the heart of Mississippi for a tremendous
anniversary this December. The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet is celebrating its 30th annual performance
of “The Nutcracker.” That’s over a quarter century of delighting locals with spectacular costumes and
sets, exquisite choreography featuring dancers of all ages and touching many lives with the holiday spirit.
This milestone is not only a testament to the enduring appeal of this timeless classical ballet, but also
a celebration of MMB’s profound artistic impact on our community.
64 • NOVEMBER 2023

A Perennial Holiday Favorite
“The Nutcracker” is a beloved full-length ballet that has captivated
audiences worldwide since its debut in the late 19th century. Its enchanting
story, based on the 1816 E.T.A. Hoffman tale, combined with
Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, have made it a cherished part of holiday
celebrations for generations. Each holiday season, the Nutcracker’s magic
transports us to a world where toys come alive, snowflakes dance, and
the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns supreme. For 30 years now, the Mississippi
Metropolitan Ballet has brought this magical tale to life for the metro
area. For many, attending a performance of MMB’s “The Nutcracker”
has become as much of a holiday tradition as decorating the tree or
baking Christmas cookies. “For all of us at MMB, ‘Nutcracker’ and the
holidays are synonymous,” says Artistic Director Jennifer Beasley. “It’s
wonderful to witness how attending our production has become a multigenerational
experience, with parents, grandparents, and children
alike entranced by the magical story.”
A Local Treasure Blossoms
MMB began as The Madison Civic Ballet, which was founded in 1992
at the Madison County Cultural Center by Cherri Barnett. In 1997,
Jennifer Beasley, a former professional dancer and dedicated dance
teacher, took the reins as artistic director and in the same year the name
of the organization was changed to the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet.
In 2002, Artistic Associate Crystal Skelton joined the MMB staff and
since then, Skelton and Beasley have been dedicated to producing
well-trained dancers and to providing quality dance performances for
the Metro Jackson area. “One of the earliest MMB performances I remember
took place outdoors at the Madison County Cultural Center
in front of the famous red caboose,” recalls Beasley. “Just before the
show was set to begin, a strong wind blew in but that didn’t stop us! We
have video footage of the dancers carrying on through the weather, with
their long tutus blowing every which way and things flying through the
air. Talk about determination!” Beasley laughed. “It’s that kind of tenacity
Hometown MADISON • 65

that has helped us achieve so much through the years.” MMB’s earliest
performances of “The Nutcracker” were housed at the Madison County
Cultural Center in the gymnatorium, where MMB hosted its popular
Tea Party Performances. These seated the audience at tables with
delectable refreshments to enjoy throughout the show. This formula
proved extremely popular with audiences, and families returned year
after year. In 2010, MMB moved its annual performances to the
newly constructed Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center, which
allowed the production to grow in numerous ways. The 800-seat theater
allowed for larger audiences, and the bigger stage, professional lighting
system, and full fly-loft allowed for the technical aspects of the show to
grow. “The JA Performing Arts Center has become our performing
home, and our show has really flourished in our time there. The JA staff
has been wonderful to work with, and the central location and size
of the theater seems to really appeal to our audiences,” says Artistic
Associate Crystal Skelton.
One Tradition Leads to Another
The move to JA dramatically changed the Nutcracker MMB experience.
Whereas attendees previously had a combined experience at the Tea
Party Performances, watching the show while munching on gingerbread
men and hot cocoa, at JA, the performance and the tea party
would be separate events. MMB began hosting “The Nutcracker Sweet
Tea Party” following its matinee performances, and transformed the
JA cafeteria into a holiday wonderland with festive decorations and
delectable treats for patrons. These proved highly successful and sold
out several times. In recent years, MMB has changed the tea party
concept to the Land of Sweets Tour, which also follows the matinee
performances, while offering young attendees the chance to visit with
the dancers, see costumes and sets up-close, collect Nutcracker souvenirs,
have their individual Land of Sweet passport stamped…and still enjoy
cookies and hot cocoa! “The Land of Sweets Tour has become a real
hit with our attendees,” says Skelton. “We have a wonderful team of
talented volunteers who have seen this idea through from inception to
implementation, and it is truly a magical event to experience. The way
young eyes light up when they see the Sugar Plum Fairy up close and
personal is unforgettable.”
Keeping It Fresh
Producing the Nutcracker is a huge undertaking. When Beasley
choreographed her first Nutcracker for MMB, she had 50 dancers.
The current cast boasts over 150 dancers. MMB’s production of The
Nutcracker has evolved in several other ways besides the number of
dancers over the years. From costume upgrades to new sets and
props, it’s been important to the organization to keep the production
from becoming as stale as yesterday’s (ginger)bread. This year’s 30th
anniversary production will feature new choreography in the battle
scene between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, as well as a new
version of the Arabian divertissement in the Kingdom of the Sweets.
A new growing Christmas tree prop will also tower over the mice and
soldiers in the iconic battle scene. “The ability to purchase or create new
sets and props every year is due in large part to the generous support
we receive from sponsors and donors, as well as the loyalty of our paying
audience. We are truly grateful to all of our supporters whose financial
contributions have allowed us to grow over the years,” says MMB Executive
Director Amanda Kibble.
66 • NOVEMBER 2023

A Family Affair
Aside from MMB’s professional staff, comprised of Beasley, Skelton,
and Kibble, the gargantuan task of mounting The Nutcracker
production each year is accomplished by countless volunteers, mostly
parents of dancers. From ticket sales to costuming to pulling sets on and
off the stage, MMB is supported by dozens of volunteer parents
who help make the magic of the Nutcracker come alive each December.
“We are so lucky to benefit from the talents of our dancers’ parents, who
give so generously of their time at the most busy time of year,” says
Beasley. “When people hear that our productions are completely run
by volunteers, from backstage to front of house, they are blown away.
It is wonderful to have our MMB families come together at Nutcracker
time to form what we call ‘MMB Family’. It is amazing the things we
have all accomplished together, and I am truly grateful.”
Sharing the Magic
What makes MMB truly exceptional is its unwavering commitment to
community engagement. The ballet company actively fosters a love for
the arts among Mississippi’s youth, offering educational programs,
scholarships, and outreach initiatives. Before opening night, MMB has
historically invited children from organizations such as the Boys and
Girls Club, Sunnybrook Children’s Home, the Mustard Seed, and Big
Brothers/Big Sisters to attend the final dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker,
free of charge. MMB also annually brings a mini-performance into
local schools, along with a mini-ballet lesson and Q&A with the dancers.
MMB has also given outreach Nutcracker performances at Mistletoe
Marketplace, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, and Highland Village.
Giving children from all walks of life the chance to witness the magnificence
of ballet and see, first-hand, why the arts are so important has
been a priority for MMB since its beginning. Janet Shearer, former
MMB executive director and current member of MMB’s advisory
board, fondly remembers a moment when Mississippi Metropolitan
Ballet performed “The Nutcracker” for 1,100 Madison County second
and third graders last November. “MMB’s annual school performances
provide many local students with their first ballet, even their first
theater experience. They are amazed at the space, the backdrops, the
costumes, the music, and especially the dancing, its artistry and its
athleticism” Shearer says. “The children are always absolutely enthralled
by the experience of seeing dancers on the stage. They asked so many
questions after they saw the performance,“ Shearer recalls. “One of the
questions asked most frequently of the dancers after the performance is,
How? How do you jump so high? How do you turn so many times?
How do you dance on your toes? Sharing in these students’ joy and
excitement at these special, educational performances is always such
a magical way to begin the holiday season,” Shearer concludes.
The Magic Continues
As Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet presents its 30th Nutcracker performance,
it is as apparent as ever that the arts bring magic into our lives
and our community. MMB’s devotion to excellence and community
engagement has kept its traditional holiday production shining brightly
after 30 years, filling countless hearts with the magic of the season. Join
MMB, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, and the Nutcracker, alongside
menacing mice, waltzing flowers, sparkling snowflakes, and more, on
December 2 and 3 at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center. There
are matinee and evening performances each day, perfect for either a
festive family outing or a magical date night with that special someone.
The Land of Sweets Tour is a perfectly sweet treat for young ones, and
will follow both matinee performances. To purchase tickets and to find
out more about MMB, visit www.msmetroballet.com.
Hometown MADISON • 67

68 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 69

SALUTE
to First Responders
Why did you decide to be a fireman?
I became a fireman because I admire all of the things that firemen
represent. For example: service, patience, courage, education, and
leading a healthy lifestyle. Since joining the fire service, my life has
changed in many ways. I don’t take things for granted, and it has
taught me to remember the important things in life.
How long have you been with the Madison Fire Department?
Since August 24, 2020. I am currently a firefighter/EMT. I am going to
start paramedic school next year.
Tell us about your family.
I was born and raised in Vicksburg. I was raised by my mom, Delores
DeFrance, and my dad, Carl DeFrance, Sr. I have three siblings,
including my twin, Terrelle. Being raised in a six-person household,
you can imagine that life was hectic, but I would not change it. Some
of my family traditions were going fishing and always having Sunday
dinners. I attended Vicksburg High School where I was a trombone
player in the band. I graduated in 2014 with my high school diploma.
I met my wife, then girlfriend, while we were in high school, and we
have been together since. I then attended Alcorn State University
where I studied criminal justice, and I was a trombone player in the
band. I graduated in 2018 with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Fast forward 10 years, my wife and I are now married and expecting
our first child together.
Fireman & EMT
Terrance
DeFRANCE
MADISON FIRE DEPARTMENT
What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job?
It never gets easier having to tell someone that their loved one has died,
despite putting in your best efforts.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a firefighter?
Aside from saving lives, I love seeing the little ones’ faces light up when
they see a fireman. I love interacting with children while participating
in parades, attending birthday parties, going to the daycares, and
reading to them at the libraries. I also enjoy showing them around the
turnout gear and firetrucks so that they are not scared if a fireman
shows up at their house for some reason.
70 • NOVEMBER 2023

Share some things that you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Now that my twin and I are older, I enjoy our quality time that much
more. In addition, I like a nice workout, being outside with my dog,
traveling, reading books, and eating good food. My wife and I love
going on cruises and exploring new places and countries!
What are three things on your bucket list?
Travel to Milan, Italy, and Santorini, Greece. Milan is one of the
fashion capitals of the world! From videos and pictures that I have
seen of Santorini, it appears to be a beautiful place. I’d love to see the
New Year’s Eve celebration in Sydney, Australia. I love firework shows!
And I’d like to be in a fortunate enough place where I can give back to
people in need.
Who is someone you admire and why?
I do not admire one person in particular, but instead, I admire all of the
fallen firemen who came before me. When I first became a firefighter,
I was assigned the hero number, 343, as my badge number. This is the
hero number because it was the number of firefighters who sacrificed
their lives during 9/11. I admire these fallen heroes because they gave
their lives doing something they love and were passionate about their
fire service careers.
What advice would you give to a young person?
Patience. We live in a society where we want everything now, and we
want immediate gratification. I was fortunate enough to learn this
concept at a very young age, courtesy of my parents. You’re not going
to be able to get everything or obtain everything that you want
immediately. Life is all about timing and waiting your turn for progress
and change to happen. So yes, that would be my key takeaway for any
young person.
What is your favorite thing about Madison County?
The camaraderie of the community. I love interacting with the citizens
of Madison County. Everyone you come into contact with, in all walks
of life, are friendly and display a positive attitude.
Hometown MADISON • 71

72 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 73

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
A Sparkling
Canton
Susan Marquez
It’s more than the
lights for Joann Gordon.
It’s the look on the faces
of the people who come
to the Square in Canton
each year.
Their faces light up brighter than the
thousands of lights that illuminate the
Square with a magical glow each Christmas.
Gordon is the longtime director of
Canton Tourism, now on her second stint
in the position after retiring in 2015.
She still has a deep passion for Canton and
for drawing tourists to the historic town.
“There are many reasons I believe people
should come to Canton,” she says. “We are
the original City of Lights, and we are truly
a preservation setting. People can come to
spend the holidays in a little community that
is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. We started our lighting program as a
way to highlight our city’s architecture and
beauty.”
The Canton Christmas Festival began in
a small way back in 1987. “We put a blow-up
snowman in the gazebo on the grounds of
the Courthouse,” Gordon recalls. “That was
before we even had a tourism bureau. It was
done through the Canton Redevelopment
Authority.”
Over the years the lights on Canton’s
Square truly turned into a destination event.
“This is an event that is built on family
tradition,” says Gordon. “We want generation
after generation to come back. We now see
four generations come to the event. Families
love to come out and see the lights on the
Square. It’s an opportunity to spend time
together – spend an evening together away
from technology and just enjoy life. It takes
people back to a simpler time, and it never
gets old.”
What really touches Gordon’s heart is the
excitement she sees on children’s faces. “For
some, this is as close to Disney World as they
will ever come.” She says that families can
come for the evening and not spend a dime.
“There are a few things that cost money, but
very little. We purposely keep the cost low so
people will be able to enjoy it.”
New this year to the festival are additional
light displays with walk-throughs and photo
opportunities. “There is a beautiful new
garland on the Courthouse fence that will
be absolutely electric when it’s lit up.”
74 • NOVEMBER 2023

Christmas
Also new this year is Santa’s Cookie Stop.
Located on the northeast corner of the
Square, the Cookie Stop will provide a place
for people to sit down and enjoy fresh cookies,
hot chocolate, and coffee. “Since Canton is the
movie capital of the state, there will be a movie
theme,” Gordon explains. “We’ll have two
favorite Christmas movies playing inside.”
The popular Animation Museum will be
back again this year, with exciting Christmas
scenes. Santa Claus will be on hand for
photos, and Mrs. Claus will be telling stories
on the Square each night.
Visitors can enjoy the horse and buggy
rides around the Square or ride the train or
fire truck. “We are continually trying to
increase our interactive activities,” says
Gordon.
One of the most heartwarming exhibits
will be Santa’s Snow Village. “It has the most
beautiful story,” Gordon says. “What started
as a tiny Christmas village collection of small
houses and buildings is now a sprawling
metropolis of over 300 pieces.” Dorothy
Raper was taken with the miniature lighted
buildings when she saw them in a Hallmark
store in Grenada one Christmas. Her passion
for the buildings was shared by her grandson,
Neal Marlow, who continued to add to his
grandmother’s collection. Setting up the
village became an annual labor of love.
It became part of the family’s Christmas
tradition for nearly 20 years. Dorothy never
grew tired of the excitement of the village.
Now Neal is setting the village up in Canton
in his grandmother’s memory, and to share
its beauty with all who come to the Canton
Christmas Festival.
The festival kicks off November 24
through 26 and coincides with the Canton
Merchants’ Open House. It will then resume
December 1 through 31, from 5pm to 9pm
nightly. The 16th annual Holiday Sip-N-Cider
event will take place on December 8.
Hometown MADISON • 75

76 • NOVEMBER 2023

The Daily Scoop
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Hometown MADISON • 77

78 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 79

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
SUSAN MARQUEZ
Just a short drive away, Raymond
is one of central Mississippi’s
best-kept secrets.
For an easy day trip, Raymond invites you to shop, eat,
and experience all the unique small town has to offer.
Centrally located almost exactly in the middle of the state,
Raymond is easily accessible from I-20 and is a short drive
from downtown Jackson and the airport. From its earliest days,
native Americans and early settlers were drawn to the area
due to its abundant wildlife. When Hinds County was established
in 1821, Raymond became the first county seat. It still
remains as one of two county seats for Hinds County.
80 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 81

Sadly, Raymond’s namesake,
sells his premium duck calls there,
I love the people. I believe visitors are
up-and-coming haven for the arts and
General Raymond Robinson, was
and he and his wife, Ann, carefully
attracted to genuineness, integrity,
a place where there is never a lack of
killed by Grant’s army as they marched
curate leather goods and gifts for
passion, and a love for what you do.
something to do. Eagle Ridge
his troops through the area on their
those who enjoy the outdoors.
Love and respect for each other’s
Conference Center is nearby and
way to capture Vicksburg. On May 12,
Josh grew up here and has chosen
talents and gifts are the key for
offers a golf course, a meeting venue,
1863, 12,000 Union soldiers and
Raymond to locate his business and
multiple businesses to co-exist and
and newly renovated hotel rooms.
3,000 Confederate soldiers met in
raise their children. “There is a sense
grow in healthy ways toward a
Over 70 happenings are held in
the Battle of Raymond. After the
of community here that I want to
greater future.”
the town each year, including the
battle, over 1,000 wounded soldiers
sustain.” Josh and his wife, Ann, are
Porch has invested all of
Raymond Country Fair each May, and
from both armies were cared for by
raising their two children in Raymond.
herself into growing the community.
Christmas on the Square in Decem-
residents in their homes, in St. Mark’s
“I could have put my business
In addition to other ventures and
ber, the two largest events presented
Episcopal Church, and in the newly
anywhere, but I choose to be here.
accomplishments in Raymond,
by the Chamber. Ribbon cuttings for
built Hinds County Courthouse.
I believe in our town, and I want to
she currently owns two growing
new businesses, open houses,
Stains of blood still remain visible
continue investing in its future.”
businesses. The Lucky Hen is a unique
and meet-and-greets make up
on the wood floors of St. Mark’s,
Take a drive around the Square
gift shop that highlights products
more activities.
a definite reminder of times past.
and it’s easy to see both the town’s
made in Mississippi with a distinct
Shopping in Raymond is a
Today’s Raymond is a quiet and
historic background as well as its
style of gifts and curiosities. The
pleasure, with gift shops offering
peaceful place where people come to
progression towards the future. Kim
White Horse Coffee Shop, situated
made-in-Mississippi products,
raise families and retire. Jerry Bryant
Porch, who serves as president of the
within The Lucky Hen, offers a range
professional framing and art, a coffee
and his wife, Cathryn, moved to
Raymond Chamber of Commerce,
of specialty coffee drinks and good
shop, a shop for teas and shakes,
Raymond in 1969, and for decades
says, “I want to see Raymond grow
vibes all around.
antiques and consignments, and a
he served the town as their only
with integrity to honor the past while
With Hinds Community College
grocery store conveniently located on
pharmacist. “I like seeing the progress
being progressive in our thinking
located nearby, Raymond has cultural,
the Square. Merchants and Planters
in Raymond,” he says.
and vision. I have a love for Raymond
recreational, and educational
Bank is an anchor for the community
Within the past couple of years,
and the state of Mississippi. I believe
opportunities often only found in
and offers many services and
Albert Smathers has created a fabulous
visitors to our sweet city come here
larger communities. The town is
continually helps support the town.
mural on the side of the old drug-
for a genuine experience, and that’s
quaint and vibrant and is focused on
Little Big Store has been selling
store, which now houses Raggio
what they’ll find. It’s a new day in
providing a good quality of life for
albums in Raymond since the early
Mercantile. Josh Raggio makes and
Raymond. I love the history here, and
everyone. It has developed into an
1990s and they ship albums all over
the world. Boondocks on Highway 18
offers shooting ranges and training
classes for the community and they
routinely help sponsor events and
even host events on site.
Several new Airbnbs have opened
in Raymond and surrounding areas,
many in historic 1800s buildings, and
stay booked by people who are
traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway,
located only three miles from the city
limits. Many people also follow the
82 • NOVEMBER 2023

Mississippi Blues Trail. “It’s not unusual
to see people visiting here from
Europe, the Netherlands, Asia, and
other places,” says Porch, who credits
Raymond’s mayor, Isla Tullos, and city
leaders, along with town patriarchs
for making the city what it is today.
“They have worked for many decades
and have paved the way for the
possibilities and potential for greatness
that we enjoy today,” Porch says.
“Groups like the Raymond
Garden Club keep our city looking
beautiful,” says Porch. “They maintain
a community garden, select the Yard
of the Month, keep the community
involved, and work hard to keep our
Square looking nice.”
The Culture Club has been
meeting monthly since the 1930s,
keeping the city’s history relevant and
hosting speakers from all over the
state. Friends of the Library board
offers community events and holds
weekly readings for school children.
Several churches are in the area and
many have fantastic architecture and
histories, adding a real sense of
support and resources for the city.
“Everybody calls this Mayberry,”
laughs Porch. “But there is something
to that. There is a real genuine spirit
here. We have a lot of momentum in
Raymond, and we encourage folks to
come spend a day with us to see all
we have to offer. We don’t take
anything for granted and we believe
every day is a gift to be shared. There
is a real sense of goodness here and
that is something we strive for and
want to share with others.”
Hometown MADISON • 83

84 • NOVEMBER 2023

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
Hometown MADISON • 85

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other
applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status
in its educational programs and activities. We recognize our responsibility to provide an open and welcoming environment that fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for employees and students to collaboratively learn,
work and serve our communities.The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding these policies:
EEOC Compliance: Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3458 or Email: EEOC@hindscc.edu.
Title IX: Associate Vice President Student Services, Title IX Coordinator, Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3353 or Email: TitleIX@hindscc.edu.
86 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 87

88 • NOVEMBER 2023

Raising up world-changing leaders.
Right here in your hometown.
One of the best-kept secrets of
the Madison area is Wesley Biblical
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footprint is small, but our impact is
big: For almost 50 years we’ve been
developing trusted leaders for faithful
churches. That means hundreds of
pastors and ministry leaders across
Mississippi and around the globe helping
people shine their light in the dark places
where the world desperately needs it.
Learn more about
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Hometown MADISON • 89

Together,
WE CREATE LIFE-CHANGING WISHES
FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES.
Who We Are and Who We Serve
Who We Are and Who We Serve
Since Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s inception in 1984, more than 2,528 children with critical illnesses have experienced
life-changing Since Make-A-Wish wishes. We Mississippi’s serve children inception the 65 southern in 1984, most more counties than in 2,528 the state, children spanning with every critical socioeconomic
factor illnesses and ethnic have background. experienced We’ve life-changing never turned wishes. away a We child serve eligible children for a wish. in the A family’s 65 southern financial most status, race, or
religion counties has in no the bearing state, on spanning whether a every child will socioeconomic receive a wish. factor and ethnic background. We’ve
never turned away a child eligible for a wish. A family’s financial status, race, or religion has
Our no continued bearing on success whether at Make-A-Wish a child will receive Mississippi a wish.
only achieved with great people and great relationships.
It’s through the generous support – our community of donors, staff, volunteers, medical professionals and sponsors –
the Our real continued heart and soul success of the at organization Make-A-Wish – that Mississippi we will reach is our only vision. achieved As you with read great through people the information and in the
Fiscal great Year relationships. 2022 annual It’s report, through please the remember generous how support important – our you are community to all the progress of donors, we have staff, made…and all that
is volunteers, yet to come. Your medical impact professionals is profound and meaningful. sponsors – the real heart and soul of the organization
– that we will reach our vision. As you read through the information in the Fiscal Year 2022
On annual August report, 29, a kick-off please social remember for W.I.S.H. how Society important (Women you Inspiring are to all Strength the progress and Hope) we have was held made at Char … Restaurant
in and Jackson. all that Twenty-three is yet to come. women Your are being impact honored is profound which means and meaningful.
that twenty-five wishes will be granted for deserving
kids fighting to overcome unimaginable odds right here in Mississippi.
Thank you for your commitment to our organization and the precious lives we transform
Thank each you year. for your commitment to our organization and the precious lives we transform each year.
90 • NOVEMBER 2023

Mandy Baker
Nurse Practitioner
During my time working at Batson
Children’s Hospital, I was able to see,
first-hand, how much Make-A-Wish
impacted the children of Mississippi.
These families were given an amazing
experience, making happy memories
during such a devastating time. I’m honored to have such
a small part in helping grant wishes!
Katie Banks
Tax Accountant/Grantham Poole CPA
I am honored to accept the position as
honoree for Women Inspiring Strength
& Hope to further the mission of Make-
A-Wish MS. I look forward to raising
funds to assist children in our state
who have been presented with difficult
diagnoses and medical conditions. All children deserve hope,
strength, and joy, especially as they navigate medical treatments.
Natalie Baten
Mocha Mugs, Owner
I am honored to have been selected as a
Make-A-Wish Foundation honoree. I look
forward to helping raise money to fulfill a
child’s wish. It is a privilege to be able to
help these families and children in need
and to bring awareness to Make-A-Wish
Mississippi. Make-A-Wish makes a huge impact on so many
lives and it is an incredible honor to be part of it.
Beth Brantley
After Five Designs
As a mother of four children, and soon to
be grandmother, I know it takes a village
when caring for children. When this opportunity
presented itself, I knew I had to get
involved. If the love, compassion, and
experience as a parent or the skills I’ve
acquired through work and various volunteer
positions I’ve held over the years can make a difference in a
single child’s life, then I’m all in! I’m looking forward to what we
can do together.
Ashley Dukes
Pre-School Teacher,
First Presbyterian Day School
When my daughter, Charlotte, was a patient
at St. Jude, Make-A-Wish asked if they could
meet with us. I realized how much hope they
were offering to Charlotte and our whole
family. For our whole family, knowing
Charlotte’s wish would be granted was a God-given rainbow
in our darkest and hardest days. I will always do what I can for
MAW because what they gave us was simply immeasurable.
Jamie Foster
Event/Wedding Planner,
Kendall Poole Event Planning
I have long desired to work with children in
need, and to make a difference in just one
life would be a blessing. There is nothing
more important than bringing joy and hope
to a child and to families dealing with the
fear associated with a life-threating illness. I would also like the
opportunity to highlight the need for supporting this amazing
organization.
Beth Hennington
The Vanillan, Owner
I have a special place in my heart for all
God’s children and especially those that
need a little extra help. I accepted the honoree
position and wanted to fundraise in
order to help some of these kids’ dreams
become a reality.
Rae Ann Lawrence
Having four children of my own, I am
keenly aware to never take the health
of my family or those I love for granted.
I can’t imagine anything more rewarding
than helping a child and their family forget
their hard and heartbreaking circumstances
—even if only temporarily—by allowing
them to simply live in the moment and make memories with
one another.
Hometown MADISON • 91

Elizabeth Mehrle
I am honored to accept the position as
honoree and look forward to raising money
for such a worthy cause. As a mother of
four children, I cannot imagine the challenges
involved with a child suffering from
a life-threatening disease. I know that
wishes become such an important part of a
child’s treatment and provides them a glimmer of hope and a
break from treatment. The impact of a wish for a child can be
transformational. I am thrilled to be a part of this Wish Society.
Kamesha Mumford
Mumford Title,
Closing Attorney & Owner
I struggled with infertility for many years.
In 2010, I lost a pregnancy at 13-weeks
due to Turner’s Syndrome. After the loss,
I learned that only 1-2% of babies with
Turner’s survive. My motivation is to honor
the babies I lost by supporting children who are dealing with
critical illnesses. Life is so precious, and I feel honored to have
the opportunity to create a special moment for a child.
Katie Nalty
Sales and Leasing Agent,
Pinpoint Commercial Real Estate
I am incredibly grateful to be an honoree
and member of the Wish Society. For years,
Make-A-Wish Mississippi has helped to
bring much needed joy to children who
are battling critical illnesses. Joy is such a
powerful took and I hope that through these fundraising efforts
we can experience the joy of philanthropy while showering the
children in as much joy and love as possible.
Manisha Patel
Realtor, EXIT New Door Realty
I feel incredibly honored for the opportunity
to raise funds for Make-A-Wish and
contribute to a child’s wish coming true.
The decision to fundraise for this organization
is simply because through the help
of the community, we can all make a
difference. While I can’t change the world, I believe that even
a small contribution can make a significant impact in the life
of a child battling illness.
Ceejaye Peters
Vice President and Corporate Counsel,
EastGroup
Over the years, I have followed several
Mississippi Wish kids through updates
shared by their families. The parents of
these special children have experienced
highs and lows that I can’t even begin to
fathom. Their hearts have been broken many times over, but
they remain strong and brave. The wishes granted by Make-A-
Wish are life-changing for Wish Kids and their parents.
Brittany Rogers, OD
CEO, Optometrist,
Rogers Family Eye Care
I am so honored and humbled to be
recognized as a 2023 W.I.S.H. Society
honoree. Service to my community is near
to my heart because I believe serving
others, selflessly, enriches the lives you
touch. I am passionately invested in partnering with Make-A-
Wish to inspire hope, strength, and empowerment to any child.
Bethany Smith
I am excited to help bring awareness to the
mission of Make-A-Wish and all that this
wonderful organization does for children
and families in our state. As a mama of
three young children, my heart goes out
to families with children battling a critical
illness. The wishes granted by Make-A-Wish
give these children the opportunity to make precious memories,
to feel joy, to sustain hope, and to be celebrated. I am honored
to play a small role in this important work.
Brittany Spiers
Owner and Stylist, Raymond’s Salon
As a mom of three, it was easy to say yes
and accept the challenge of fundraising as
a Make-A-Wish honoree. I am grateful to
play a small part in providing hope and
happiness to the children and families of
Make-A-Wish. During the most trying of
times, Make-A-Wish has the ability to renew strength and restore
faith by granting a life-changing wish.
92 • NOVEMBER 2023

Bethany Stanfill
Partner, BSS Global
If I can make one child’s life a little bit
better by granting their ultimate wish,
then hopefully I can bring some light to
their tough situation and ease the burden
on their loved ones. I can’t imagine what
some of these children go through, and
I’m honored to be a small part of Make-A-Wish Mississippi.
Make-A-Wish is the national philanthropy for my college sorority,
Chi Omega, and has been near and dear to me for years.
Anna Stroble
Partner, HORNE
Children are one of the greatest gifts in life.
It is heart-breaking to see a child experience
challenges to their health and even
fight for their lives. Make-A-Wish serves a
meaningful purpose for these children and
their families as it brings light to a dark season
in the lives of many. I accepted this opportunity to serve,
hopeful that, alongside remarkable women, our efforts will result
in numerous wishes granted for brave children in need of a
ray of hope as they walk through this season of their life.
Denisa Strong
Manager, Wal-Mart Pharmacy
I am committed to making a difference in
the lives of others, including children with
life-threatening medical conditions. As a
two-time breast cancer survivor, I know
personally how it feels to experience unexpected
life altering health adversities and
struggles. I will remain diligent in my commitment to supporting
children facing life-threatening illnesses so that their wishes are
fulfilled, and they can make priceless memories of a lifetime.
Hannah Waller
Account Executive, UPS
My niece, Makinzi, at age four, had brain
surgery due to an AVM. We spent a lot of
time over the years at Blair E. Batson and
had the pleasure of meeting some of the
sweetest kids and families that were granted
a wish and saw what a huge impact it
had on their lives. Seeing how an organization can fulfill and
give so much joy to the children and parents, I knew I wanted
to be involved one day with Make-A-Wish.
Jamie Woods-Dull
Co-Owner All Pro Clean
I had no idea when I attended a fundraiser
for Make-A-Wish event in 2022, that I
would form a bond with a precious soul
and her family. Gabby Buford was diagnosed
with a brain tumor in 2021. Make-A-Wish
provided a trip of a lifetime in 2022 to
Gabby and her family to Hawaii. Gabby’s family was able to
enjoy this experience of a lifetime with her thanks to Make-A-
Wish. I pray other families can experience this joy.
Dr. Teneisha Wynter
St. Dominic FMOLHS, Rehabilitation
Supervisor – Physical Therapist
As a healthcare provider, I strive to offer
support, lend a listening ear, and demonstrate
love, respect, and compassion to
those in need. I am committed to making
a meaningful difference in the lives of
families and children facing life-threatening conditions.
By granting a wish, I hope to provide them with a glimmer of
hope, strength, and joy during their challenging journey.
Chanda Yelverton
Owner, Madison Nutrition
It is an extreme privilege to be nominated
as an honoree. I have seen how these
wishes can make such a huge difference
for children fighting illness. To be a tiny
part of this and to get to help Make-A-
Wish is all the motivation needed to help
grant some wishes. I am excited to work alongside this amazing
group of lady leaders in our community for a common goal in
fundraising.
Hometown MADISON • 93

Hometown MADISON • 95

The CHALKBOARD
Madison Central
Madison Central High School is proud to announce its 2023-2024 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholar.
Madison Central, once again, has the highest number of National Merit Semifinalists in the state of Mississippi.
Front L-R: Semifinalists Stephanie Ko, Samantha Wong, Chloe Spitz, Val Medina, Annalise Kirk;
Commended Scholar Sneha Vuyyuru; Semifinalists Katie Farthing, Sophie Gao.
Back L-R: Semifinalists Abraham Young, Colin Brannon, Adel Abdo, Soren Heydari,
Andy Lu, Thomas Adcock, Camden Hood, Jordan Campbell.
96 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 97

TheTime COIN
Camille Anding
Living in Mississippi means living far from climate control.
The temperature gauge can resemble a rollercoaster, and the seasons can
name their own conditions – even in November and December.
I recall a particular December weather pattern when we lived further north in
the state. The radio Christmas station sang of winter wonderlands, sleigh bells
ringing, and “Baby, it’s cold outside.” But in reality, the grass was still green, the lawn
mowers still hummed, and shoppers wore shorts and flip flops to the mall.
We opened lovely Christmas cards with traditional snow scenes, but our
back yard actually had December blooms of daisies, begonias, and Mexican heather.
My four baskets of hanging ferns shot out new growth and leafed out like they were
finalists in the county fair.
Meanwhile, sweaters stayed in dresser drawers, fleece jackets rested in closets,
and furry boots waited their turn behind sandals. Turkey and dressing kept their spot
on the Christmas menu, but grilled burgers and baked beans would actually
have been the more appropriate fare.
There was a lesson for me in the unseasonable December weather.
Complaining and whining didn’t drop the thermostats a single degree.
While I dreamed of frosty mornings and toasty firesides, those on
fixed incomes were grateful for the break on heating bills, and the
homeless surely rejoiced for every mild night.
Nature didn’t gripe about balmy December days. Instead, they
flourished in the lingering blooming climate. I enjoyed roses longer
than I ever remembered because they continued to do what their
Creator intended. They bloomed where they were planted!
If they had followed the calendar, they would have dropped their
leaves and turned into thorny stubs. Instead, they absorbed the warm sun
rays and continued to add beauty to the landscape.
The apostle Paul is a shining example of living free from murmuring and
complaining: ”...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
A few “blooms” added to our attitudes during a month that’s become way too
frenzied could make a powerful statement on our world’s landscape.
98 • NOVEMBER 2023

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Hometown MADISON • 99