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Hometown RANKIN • 5

6 • MAY 2024

FROM OUR PUBLISHER
As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s a time to reflect on the impact
mothers have had throughout generations.
From the nurturing embrace of our own mothers to the remarkable
journey of motherhood we embark upon ourselves, there is a timeless
thread of love and strength that binds us together.
In life, mothers play a pivotal role. They are the ones who hold us
in their arms, instill in us values that guide our every step, and teach us
the importance of compassion, perseverance, and faith. Just as Jesus
honored his mother, Mary, we are called to honor the mothers in our
lives—those who have shaped us and those whom we now have the
privilege to shape.
I am incredibly grateful for the godly example set by my own
mother—a woman whose faith in God has been a guiding light
through both joyous moments and trials. I am forever thankful for
her presence in my life.
As I celebrate Mother’s Day with my own daughters, I’m grateful
for the amazing moms they are to their own children. Witnessing
their strength, resilience, and devotion to their own families blesses
my heart. They are not only remarkable mothers, but also shining
examples of God’s grace and love.
To all the mothers out there—past, present, and future—I want to
express my deepest admiration and appreciation. Your sacrifices, your
tireless dedication, and your boundless love don’t go unnoticed.
You are the heartbeats of our families.
This Mother’s Day, let us honor and cherish the generations of
mothers who have shaped our lives. May we continue to uphold their
legacy of faith, love, and strength as we journey through life together.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Tahya Dobbs
HOMETOWN STAFF
CFO
Kevin Dobbs
CONSULTING EDITOR
Mary Ann Kirby
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Barbie Bassett
IN THIS ISSUE
The Way We Were 10
Reader Spotlight 15
Limitless 16
Hometown Family 22
Standout Seniors 27
Generational Moms 55
Kids Who Care 64
Fear, Fundraising & Finding Community 68
Salads from the South 85
The Time Coin 98
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Amy Forsyth
ADVERTISING
ASSISTANT
Melissa Kennon
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
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CONTENT MANAGER
Susan Wolgamott
...see you around town.
LAYOUT DESIGN
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STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHER
Othel Anding
STAFF
ASSISTANT
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COPY EDITOR
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www.facebook.com/hometownrankinmagazine. 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 Rankin may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Rankin is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors.
Hometown Rankin maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Rankin is funded by advertising.
Hometown RANKIN • 7

8 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 9

Lee & Dan Tucker
Camille Anding
There’s a charming white-
Furniture and Appliances. She
Lee laughs as she admits that
It was after spending time
framed house that sits at a
grew up just a block from her
she had put out “feelers” among
with Dan that Lee appreciated
crossroads near Pelahatchie.
school and was a serious student.
their friends that she thought he
his kindness for the underdog.
The vibrant green lawn around
She also played on the high school
was cute and would be interested
He was also positive and never
the house and the multiple
basketball team, which had six
in dating him. The mutual physical
put people down.
baskets of blooming petunias
players in those days. “I was #6,”
attractions and the “feelers”
Dan discovered that Lee was
that flank it testify to its owners
she said in describing her
worked. They became friends
not just “good looking,” she was
who are blessed to call this place
basketball talent.
and dated off and on for the next
really smart and popular, making
home: Lee and Dan Tucker.
It was a different game for
three years.
it simple for her to make friends.
In 1920, Dan’s grandfather
Dan who excelled in basketball at
After Dan’s junior-college
On July 31, 1970, they shared
cut the timber on their acreage to
Brandon High School and earned
completion, he enrolled at
their vows before family and
build the home. Now, after three
a scholarship to play at Hinds
Mississippi State, and Lee selected
friends at Pelahatchie Methodist
generations of families who lived
Community College. During
Mississippi College to attend.
Church. There was no money for
here, the Tuckers continue to
their senior year of high school,
Life and the distance were a
a honeymoon, so they drove to
plant family roots in this part
they had their first official meeting
hindrance to serious dating,
their first home, a two-bedroom
of Rankin County in the same,
away from the basketball courts.
but toward the end of college,
apartment in Vicksburg, where
restored, 104-year-old home.
Dan remembers the beautiful
both knew they had found their
Lee would have her first teaching
Dan first knew about Lee
young athlete with the “striking,
forever mate.
position and Dan would begin
through their family furniture
long legs” that gave him the courage
work as the new assistant
store in Pelahatchie – Ross
to call her on the party line.
county agent.
10 • MAY 2024

“ You need to be friends
with common interests.
Resolve any arguments
quickly and remember
that marriage is a
commitment.
For their humble honeymoon,
living in the Brandon city limits
graduate of Ole Miss, is a “mover
The bread-winning gene
they decided to ride through the
to moving to their rural location
and shaker” for the city of Laurel
that is born into men spoke
Vicksburg National Military
was a huge adjustment. Now,
as the director of economic
through Dan: “Find a decent
Park before going to their
it’s a trip into town instead of
development for Jones County.
job that you like so that you can
apartment. They still remember
walking across the streets to
The Tuckers’ daughter, Lee, is
always provide for your family.
how they got lost in the park and
share coffee with friends.
a dentist and married to Will
Just being in love won’t necessarily
took forever to find their way out
As for Dan, he feels right at
Herring. They live with their
make it when it comes to
of the maze.
home – again – after working
twins in Flowood.
meeting your families’ needs.”
The only item their new
for thirty-five years at the
The Tuckers have advice for
From the initial travels of
salaries could afford was a TV.
Mississippi Department of
couples committed to longevity
going in circles on their honey-
Frugality was an early way of life
Economic Development.
in marriage. Lee says, “You need
moon trek, to the obvious
for these newlyweds, but a lesson
One of the couple’s favorite
to be friends with common
evidence of their almost
that furnished them well over
parts of living on their large plot
interests. Resolve any arguments
fifty-four years of journeying
the coming years.
of land is the enjoyment that
quickly and remember that
together, success appears to be
Lee and Dan are enjoying
their five grandchildren
marriage is a commitment.
the chosen route they followed.
their retirement years on the “ole
experience when they visit. Their
There will be good times and
home place,” but Lee, a retired
son Ross and wife Suzanne live
bad times. Hang on, knowing
Brandon High School teacher,
in Laurel, Mississippi, with their
the good times are coming.”
admits the adjustment from
daughter and two sons. Ross, a
Hometown RANKIN • 11

12 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 13

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READER
SPOTLIGHT
Jeremy
SPANN
Why did you decide to make Rankin County
your home?
My home starts with family, my business, a
small-town feel and a growth that accommodates
its people. Leadership has always had the
best interest for the people, businesses, and
safety, so for my family that’s important to me.
How long have you lived in Rankin County?
I have always lived in Rankin with exception
of the time my father moved us to Germany
because of the military.
Tell us about your family.
My family is beautiful because it’s blended.
Shanna welcomed my three sons, and I
welcomed her son and daughter. Jayden, 26
(lives in Alaska), Alanna, 22, Ian, 19, Jordan, 17,
and Kingston, 10, all share a passion and
curiosity for life, which amazes us daily.
Shanna’s a court administrator for Judge
Roberts and she’s worked for the County
for 20-plus years.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Exploring my grandfather’s farm. Every
summer day was an adventure. The land always
offered something new and challenging.
What is your favorite memory of living in
Rankin County?
Sundays at Lakeshore Park on the Rez.
You’re sure to see someone from every
city that makes up this beautiful county.
Sun and water do something for the soul.
Where are your three favorite places
to eat in Rankin County?
Retro Vietnam Restaurant, Harvey’s Fish
House (Brandon), and Not Just A Burger.
They are local business owners, and you can
taste and feel the love in the food.
What are some fun things to do in
Rankin County on the weekends?
As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one thing
to do and that’s golfing. Refuge, Patrick Farms,
or Baypoint. Beyond that, Shanna can get me
to do anything she wants.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
In my spare time, anyone can find me in my
back yard. Because I’m inside the shop all day,
I try to find a healthy balance of outside.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I’ll have a barber school discussing life lessons
with barbering classes.
What are three things on your bucket list?
A family trip to Europe, motorcycling across
the United States, and lastly, the Italian coast
with Shanna.
Tell us about your occupation.
I’m the owner of J Gerard’s Barber Salon in
the historic district of downtown Brandon.
I’ve worked diligently to create an environment
that’s traditional and modern. I’ve been in the
industry for nearly 36 years. The gentlemen
that patronize my shop are professionals,
pillars of the community, and family men.
Who is someone you admire and why?
I admire my children; they approach every
situation with determination. I want them
to understand that everything they want to
do is possible.
If you could give us one encouraging
quote, what would it be?
The quote I love and live by; “no one’s coming
to help!” Once we understand that, it makes
everything clearer.
Hometown RANKIN • 15

LIMITLESS
16 • MAY 2024

If you saw Anna Leah Jolly, you would
make assumptions about her, and
some of them would not be wrong.
She is absolutely lovely, and her enthusiasm
and vivacity are genuine. You would
probably think she has a charmed life, and
that is not entirely inaccurate. She has a
family who adores her and a God-given
talent for dancing. Anna Leah is easy to talk
to, and her dreams and aspirations come
pouring out of her. After meeting her, you
would think: “She is a girl with the kind of
drive to make those things happen.”
On the other hand, some of your
assumptions would be wrong. Anna Leah has
faced more hardship in her twenty-two years
than many of us will in a lifetime. She has a
depth of character that faced adversity and,
through God’s care and sovereignty, emerged
with a story to tell and a hope to share.
Her physical beauty and the world of
pageantry and ballet, which take up most
of her full schedule, might bring words like
shallow or superficial to mind. In Anna Leah’s
case, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Both require a tremendous amount of hard
work on her part, and both are also platforms
she is using to a greater end.
Anna Leah has extraordinary plans for
her life, and it is her hope to use the unique
experiences God has given her to inspire
others to a brighter future.
Her story began when she was born in
Ukraine in 2001. The country does not have
a foster care system similar to America’s, but
it does have a state program that provides
care for a child for several months while their
parent finds employment or works to better
order their personal life. Anna Leah had
been in and out of state care much of her
childhood, spending short periods of time
with her biological mother.
At the age of eleven, she was brought to
the United States with an international
hosting program intended to give Ukrainian
children a cultural experience in the United
States while also potentially connecting
them with adoptive families. The program
was partnered with Crossgates Baptist
Church in Brandon, but several other local
churches were asked to volunteer in hosting
the group, providing transportation and
hospitality to the children during their
weeks-long stay. Jay and Kelly Jolly had
attended an adoption meeting at Pinelake
and, although they were not sure they were
ready to pursue adoption, they certainly felt
they could help with this visiting group.
Many of the children on the trip were
orphans or were already able to be adopted.
Anna Leah was the only child on the trip
whose biological parents had yet to have their
rights terminated. She was also the only
child there with no siblings. She knew very
Anna Leah
Jolly
Sarah Rein
Hometown RANKIN • 17

few of the children in her group, who were
from all over the country, and spoke absolutely
no English.
She felt an immediate connection to Jay and
Kelly - and they to her. In fact, by the time the
group left several weeks later, the Jollys were
already beginning the mounds of paperwork
that would allow them to be ready to adopt
Anna Leah if possible. In the Ukraine, a child
has a great deal of say in whether they would like
to be adopted. About a month after returning
home, Anna Leah was notified by the courts
that she would be able to decide whether to
move forward with terminating her mother’s
parental rights and, thus, be able to be adopted.
Kelly shares, “When the group was leaving
the airport, Anna Leah came up to us and,
through a translator, showed us her picture and
told us to use it to find her.” Anna Leah laughs,
“I was a kid. I really thought they could just scan
the picture to locate me!”.
After Anna Leah made the difficult decision
that she was ready to be adopted, things moved
quickly. “From the time we met her until the
adoption was finalized was about nine months.
So, after the length of a pregnancy, we had an
eleven-year-old!” Kelly recalls.
God had done a tremendous work in
preparing the Jollys’ hearts to adopt Anna Leah,
preparing Anna Leah for an enormous life
change, and bringing these souls together to
form a forever family. Little did they know,
His work was just beginning.
Anna Leah remembers those first few days
and weeks in America. “I came here at the
beginning of the summer after the deadlines
had passed for registering for most summer
activities. I didn’t know any English, and although
I picked up speaking it quickly through plenty of
TV watching, reading and writing fluently took
much longer. I attended a year of private school
and then a year of public school, but neither were
a great fit for me.”
18 • MAY 2024

In the meantime, Anna Leah had discovered
a passion for ballet. One evening when
the family was out to eat, their server was a
dancer at Ballet Magnificat, a professional
Christian ballet company located in Jackson.
She suggested Anna Leah come give it a try.
Ironically, her small-group leader at Pinelake
was also on staff there and was later able to
give her private lessons. It was the beginning
of a new world for the twelve-year-old. Her
parents decided that homeschooling made
the most sense for their daughter, and her
goal soon became being a professional ballet
dancer. She eventually made it into Ballet
Magnificat’s trainee company, in which she
performed for two years, and was then
invited to participate in the Brazil touring
company.
However, by that point, Anna Leah had
recognized that her greater desire was to open
her own dance studio and create choreography.
When considering her next steps after
graduation, she decided to pursue her dream
of teaching at her own dance studio, which she
named Studio A Dance Company. Currently
located inside the popular Courthouse
Gymnastics building, students from age three
through high school are able to sign up for a
variety of dance classes Anna Leah teaches.
You may have already seen her dancers out
in the community as “Christmas Belles”
participating at local parades and businesses.
Anna Leah’s mom, Kelly, suggested
another way that her daughter might want
to use her giftings and experiences. She
encouraged Anna Leah to consider entering
the world of pageants. It would give her a
place to use her desire to choreograph and
dance while gaining some excellent public
speaking skills and confidence.
Participating in pageants would also give
Anna Leah a chance to use her story. The
Miss Mississippi Pageant, which Anna Leah
wanted to pursue, encourages its contestants
to choose a public service platform. “I have
gathered that sometimes people want to
leave the state for various reasons, but, with
my background, I really see Mississippi
differently. I see all it has to offer, and I think
this pageant is a way to promote the value I
see in our state.” She has chosen a community
service initiative she is calling “Limitless”
and is partnering with the national organization
C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special
Advocates). C.A.S.A.’s role is to provide
trained, local volunteers who are focused on
advocating for abused, neglected children in
youth courts. These volunteers work
alongside Child Protective Services to build
relationships with children in situations of
abuse or neglect, connect them with available
resources, and make recommendations to the
courts about what is in the child’s best interest.
Limitless is Anna Leah’s personal platform
intended to create a stronger community for
foster care and adoption in Mississippi as
well as using her own story to encourage all
Mississippians to set life goals and overcome
obstacles. To those ends, she has helped
promote the passage of Mississippi House Bill
1624, which will provide C.A.S.A with
additional funding for foster children’s
medical expenses; she sees that as simply the
beginning of what she would like to accomplish.
Her life experiences allow her unusual
insight into the needs of children in foster
care as well as adoptive families. Her hope
is to represent Rankin County at the Miss
Mississippi Pageant and then have the chance
to shine a spotlight on these needs at a
national level at the Miss America Pageant.
Regardless, her story will serve as an
inspiration to the community, where the
overwhelming needs of children in the foster
care system, their case workers, their
biological families, and those who serve as
foster care families and advocates are growing.
Kelly tears up at the thought of what her
daughter is accomplishing. “As adoptive
parents, I wish we would have had the
wisdom and insight she is providing to
families. They can get lost in the needs of
a child coming into their home. To see her
stand in this gap and the difference she is
making...we are so proud.”
Support our Miss Rankin County during
the Miss Mississippi Pageant June 5th-8th.
You can follow her on Facebook or
Instagram - Anna Leah Jolly. You can also
read more about C.A.S.A. at casams.org if
you might like to get involved. Certainly, be
in prayer regarding your involvement in the
many foster care needs in our state. To learn
more about dance lessons with Anna Leah,
vivit courthousegymnastics.com/elitedance-team.
Hometown RANKIN • 19

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20 • MAY 2024

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Hometown RANKIN • 21

22 • MAY 2024

The Bentons
Tell us about your family.
Lee (52) has been in law enforcement since 1992. He has worked for
many agencies and is currently employed by the Mississippi Attorney
General’s Office. Lee is also planning to retire from law enforcement
at the end of May 2024 after thirty-two years serving the citizens of
Mississippi. Prior to his law enforcement career, Lee graduated from
McLaurin High School in Rankin County in 1989. Lee was enlisted
in the United States Air Force from 1989 to 1994. During this time,
he was deployed for Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Lee also has
spent several years in Iraq and, more recently, a year in Afghanistan
as a privately contracted law enforcement professional imbedded
with the military. Looking ahead to life after retirement, Lee
recently started his own pool service company, Pool Patrol. What
started as a funny nickname at home (“pool boy”), turned into a
legitimate business and will occupy most of Lee’s time once he is
officially retired from law enforcement. “The response to this new
venture has been exciting, and we are looking forward to expanding
this business,” states Lee. When he is not wearing a badge or
cleaning pools, Lee enjoys bass fishing and participates in numerous
tournaments all over the South.
Cameron (51) has been a practicing attorney since 2003. She also
graduated from McLaurin High School in 1990. She attended
Hinds Community College, Belhaven University, and Mississippi
College School of Law. She worked for a number of years for the
Federal District Court in North Mississippi. She left federal
employment and began work for then Mississippi Attorney General
Jim Hood. Cameron worked exclusively prosecuting cases involving
death row defendants. In 2020, Cameron left the Attorney General’s
Hometown RANKIN • 23

Office for private practice. She currently practices law with Ringer,
Lingold & Spencer in Florence, Mississippi, the only law firm in
south Rankin County. When she is not working or attending
various events for her children, Cameron enjoys being outside by the
pool, fishing, and traveling, whether it is to the coast for a quick trip
or hopping on a cruise ship for a few days.
Mckena Fisher (18) is the daughter of Cameron and Travis Yancy
Fisher (deceased). Mckena has lived with Lee as her stepfather since
she was five years old. Mckena has attended McLaurin since second
grade and she will graduate this May. After graduation, she will play
soccer for Hinds Community College. She has worked very hard
throughout her time at McLaurin and has devoted herself to her
school and her commitments. She is a three-time all-American
varsity cheerleader, soccer team captain, Diamond Doll, honor roll
student, and a member of both Beta Club and National Honor
Society. Mckena was also a MHSAA Scholar Athlete for 2023
and was voted Ms. McLaurin High School by her peers this year.
She is graduating as a Mississippi Scholar with over 200 hours of
community service.
Keaton (12) Keaton is Cameron and Lee’s youngest daughter.
Keaton has attended McLaurin since pre-K and is currently
wrapping up sixth grade. She has played softball and cheered for
local recreation teams. Keaton plays the piano and takes lessons
weekly, a hobby inspired and encouraged by her grandmother,
Lee’s mother, Yvonne Benton. For her 7th grade year, Keaton will
be on the McLaurin dance team. She is also an honor roll student
and is a member of Junior Beta Club.
How did you meet and how long have you been married?
We’ve known each other since 1985. We dated briefly in 1989 after
Lee graduated from high school and just before he left for Air Force
boot camp. We both went separate ways and lost touch. In 2010,
I was living and working in Tupelo and Lee was living and working
in Iraq. I commented on a photograph Lee posted on social media
and we started chatting online. In December 2010, he came back to
the states for the first time in three years, but before he left Iraq, he
renewed his contract for another year, which meant he was committed
to go back for twelve months. Since we had been chatting, I
offered to at least buy him dinner while he was home. He was
non-committal.
One afternoon, his sister Brandy, who knew he and I had been
chatting, without Lee’s knowledge, texted me that they would be
at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ridgeland if I wanted to come visit.
I immediately dropped everything and decided to seize the opportunity
to see him before he went back overseas.
On my three-hour drive (Tupelo to Ridgeland) to meet them,
Lee texted me about forty minutes before I got to the restaurant. He
reluctantly invited me to join them. If I had waited for his invitation,
I would have never made it in time. I showed up, and this was the
first time in eleven years we had actually seen one another. The
point of the story is if Brandy had not intervened, the last thirteen
years might have looked a lot different for all of us. I spent the next
two weeks with Lee knowing he was going back to Iraq for a year.
He left, traveled back to Iraq, and within two months, resigned from
his position and came back home in March 2011. By May 2011, we
were engaged. We married in August 2011. The rest is history. We
will celebrate thirteen years of marriage this August.
Do you allow time to be with your spouse for a date night?
Since we are both so busy with careers and kids’ events, our date
nights are mostly spent at home. We enjoy cooking and hanging
around the pool. When we have time, we both enjoy traveling. We
have been fortunate enough to be able to take a weeklong vacation
each year just the two of us. Other than the vacation, we occasionally
will attend a concert or spend a weekend on the Gulf Coast.
What brings you the greatest joy as a parent?
We experience joy seeing our girls achieve success whether it is
in academics or any number of their extracurricular activities.
We enjoy watching them realize their own potential and making
the connection between working hard and accomplishment.
They also both happen to be beautiful, too.
What do you see in your role as the greatest benefit to
your family?
I hope that we have been a good example for the girls to show them
that they can accomplish anything they want, do anything they put
their mind to, and be strong, independent, and successful. I hope
that we have taught them to hold on to their own beliefs, despite
outside influences, and also be respectful of others’ opinions even
though they might be different. I also hope we have instilled the
importance of family.
24 • MAY 2024

What is a quick go-to meal that isn’t fast food?
Lee does most of the cooking, which usually involves one of three
grills. Fortunately, he is really good at it, and I do not mind at all.
A quick meal usually consists of hamburgers on the grill. We buy
fantastic pre-made ones from Country Meat Packers in Florence
(a great Rankin County success story).
How long has Rankin County been your home?
As a family of four, we have lived in Rankin County for thirteen
years. Lee has lived in Rankin County, when he has not been out
of the country, since he was five years old - roughly forty-seven years.
I’ve lived in Rankin County since I was eleven years old with an
8-year hiatus–so, approximately thirty-two years.
What are some of your favorite things about Rankin County?
No matter where else we have lived, Rankin County is home. Lee
has lived all over the world. I have lived all over Mississippi, but
Rankin County is always home. We are enjoying the thoughtful
growth that Rankin County has experienced and continues to
experience like Dogwood Festival Market, restaurants, Brandon
Amphitheater, the rebirth of downtown Brandon, and new restaurants.
When the girls were younger, we enjoyed all the nice public
parks. As a family, we enjoy going to the reservoir and up river.
What accomplishments make you proud during your time
living in Rankin County?
Nearly all of our accomplishments have been in Rankin County.
Our biggest and most proud accomplishment is establishing our
family–including extended family, Lee’s parents, and his sister.
Lee has served this community, county, and state well for thirty-two
years in the military and as law enforcement. I’ve served the public
for years as a prosecutor and now provide legal services for the
community in private practice. This role has provided the flexibility
to be involved and present at most of the girls’ activities and school
functions.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CHILDREN
What is your favorite thing to do as a family?
Mckena I like going on vacations.
Keaton I like going to the reservoir.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Mckena Logan’s
Keaton Chick-fil-A
What is your favorite tv show?
McKena Love Island
Keaton Young Sheldon
Hometown RANKIN • 25

26 • MAY 2024

Standout
SENIORS
What event in the life of a teenager could
be more epic than
high school
graduation?
It marks the end of one important period
of your life–and the beginning of another.
It’s exciting and full of anxious anticipation.
But you’ve made it!
Whatever you decide to do with your life after graduation–
remember to follow your dreams with confidence.
What feels like the end is just the beginning.
We pray that wherever life takes you next,
it is sure to be a great adventure!
Congratulations and best wishes
for your continued success!
Hometown RANKIN • 27

Meri
Morgan
MARSHALL
BRANDON HIGH
One of Meri Morgan’s most memorable highlights of
her senior year is being named Miss BHS. She loves
Brandon High School and has worked hard over the past
four years to help make BHS a home-away-from-home
for all students. Her advice to incoming freshmen is:
“Get involved! There are so many different opportunities
for students. Find your people, and have fun! “
She holds the faculty and staff at BHS very dear and says
BHS has been blessed with the best teachers. “I really
can’t name just one favorite. I have loved all my teachers
and am thankful for all they have done for me.”
If she could change one thing during her high school years,
she wishes the BHS football team would have won a state
championship. She says everyone is so proud of their
accomplishments and that there is nothing like a Friday
night in Bulldog Stadium.
Meri Morgan finds motivation in the quote: “Success is
never owned; it is rented, and the rent is due every day.”
While these words speak to her determination to succeed,
she also makes time to enjoy the little things and make
memories. As she recalls junior/senior prank week, she
pauses, then says, “Let’s just say trying to roll BHS might
Meri Morgan will attend the University of West Georgia
to continue her cheerleading and academic journey.
In ten years, Meri Morgan sees herself moving back to
her hometown. She plans to live in Brandon, raise a family,
and continue cheering on the Brandon Bulldogs.
not be the best idea.”
28 • MAY 2024

Ben
GIPSON
DISCOVERY CHRISTIAN
The highlight of Ben’s senior year is being blessed with
the opportunity to develop and strengthen relationships
with both new classmates and lifelong friends. Ben will
always remember the time he got his truck stuck in the
soccer field, and the whole class had to come push amid
flying chunks of mud and turf grass. He recalls pressing
the pedal to the floor, the whine of the strained engine,
and the tires screaming for traction almost as loud as
the now unrecognizable peers shouting, “Don’t stop!
Don’t stop!”
Mrs. Ashleigh Brown is Ben’s favorite teacher through all
of high school. She has been his history teacher every
year since eighth grade. Ben says, “Her care for students,
passion for learning, and subject knowledge was
unparalleled through my high school career.” Ben also
hard. Be respectful. Be good at what you do. Get outside.
Make friends. Follow the Lord’s will for your life.” Looking
forward to his own next chapter, Ben values and heeds
the implications of a quote from Fox Haas of Mossy Oak:
“The good that men do will live long after they’re gone.”
acknowledges Jason Stewart, a dual enrollment instructor
from Hinds Community College. He emphatically states that
Mr. Stewart is a phenomenal educator. He goes on to say,
“I don’t believe I have ever learned so much in one class!”
Ben plans to major in political science and pre-law at
Mississippi College before receiving accreditation as a
certified associate wildlife biologist through Mississippi
State University’s conservation education graduate
Ben has done some reflection on his high school experiences.
Admittedly, he says if he could go back and change one
thing, he never would have attempted to take an online
algebra course. His advice to incoming freshmen is: “Work
program. In ten years, Ben plans to be an attorney, as
well as an associate wildlife biologist, practicing business
or environmental law for a conservation organization such
as Ducks Unlimited or Quail Forever.
Hometown RANKIN • 29

Abigail
STEVENS
EAST RANKIN ACADEMY
Abigail confidently states that the highlight of her senior
year was softball season. She says, “We had an amazing
year that included winning back-to-back district and north
state championships. The East Rankin softball program will
always hold a special place in my heart, and I am so
thankful for it.”
Abigail’s favorite teacher throughout all of high school is
Mrs. Stroh. She says Mrs. Stroh has always been supportive
of her and listens whenever she needs to talk. AbigaiI will
always be thankful for Mrs. Stroh’s guidance, kindness, and
support. She also makes special mention of East Rankin’s
entire faculty: “They have been more than great. I have
always felt supported and appreciated. Thank you.”
Abigail will always remember her senior homecoming:
“It was such a memorable time for me, and I got to spend
it with some of the most amazing people.” Immediately
following the homecoming football game, where she was
crowned homecoming queen, Abigial headed straight to
Starkville for her official softball visit. She says, “I’ll never
forget it; God has truly blessed me.”
Some of the best advice Abigail has ever been given is:
“You are going to make mistakes.” She adds, “Failure is
inevitable, but success comes in how you respond to that
failure. You can choose to feel sorry for yourself, or you can
bounce back and fix it.” Abigail urges incoming freshmen,
“Don’t let sports, grades, popularity, friendships, or anything
else define who you are. Find your worth in Christ. He is
more than enough.”
“If I could go back and change one thing, it would be to
not wish my life away.” Abigail says it is common for
people to get caught up in the past and future, and they
forget about where they are in the moment. She reflects,
“I wish I would have taken a moment to enjoy all the little
things in life instead of stressing about something that is
coming up, and instead, live in the moment.”
After graduation, Abigail will attend Mississippi State
University where she will play softball and major in engineering.
In ten years, Abigail hopes to be successful in
whatever God has chosen for her life and enjoying each
and every day.
30 • MAY 2024

Lincoln
JONES
FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL
“Life isn’t always about getting what you want and only
focusing on yourself. Nobody becomes successful working
all by himself, and connections with others is one of the
most important things to do to become successful,”–
wise words from Sergeant Major Donahoe, one of Lincoln’s
JROTC instructors. He holds this advice dear and does his
best to live it out daily.
Lincoln says he will always remember the time he spent
on a team in JROTC. Joining the competitive teams has
taught him a lot about being a better team player and
what it takes to be a good leader. His natural talent has
allowed him to excel, and he finds joy in encouraging and
motivating others to be better versions of themselves.
The highlight of Lincoln’s senior year was the JROTC
Military Ball where he had a lot of fun with his friends.
Participating on the different competitive teams in JROTC
has built an unforgettable bond for Lincoln with his school
and with different cadets across grade levels. He says the
ball was a fun experience where they all got to sit back and
talk about the memories they have made over the years.
Lincoln’s favorite teacher throughout his high school is his
track coach and math teacher, Coach Williams. He says,
“Coach Williams has always inspired me to do my best,
whether we’re in the classroom or on the track. He always
pushed me to take the extra step, even when I didn’t want
to or think it was possible.”
If Lincoln could change one thing, he would go back in
time to talk to more upperclassmen. He says, “I was mostly
quiet when I was younger and only talked to people I
knew. I wish I had talked to people who were older and
wiser than I was to learn from their experiences. Even
though we have parents, teachers, and coaches who are
older than us, some of the most memorable advice comes
from friends or older highschoolers.”
Lincoln hopes incoming freshmen take opportunities to
try something different. He says there is much more to
high school than what happens in a classroom. It’s a place
to meet people and develop yourself by learning different
skills. Lincoln believes, “Even if it’s a little more than what
you’re used to, pushing yourself to do more will steadily
make you a better person.”
After graduation, Lincoln will continue his education at the
United States Military Academy at West Point to pursue a
degree in computer science. He is currently considering
becoming an Army engineer after college. In ten years,
he plans to be working in a steady job with computers.
He hopes his career takes him all over the world so he
can experience different places and meet people from
different cultures and backgrounds.
Hometown RANKIN • 31

Jake
JOHNSON
HARTFIELD ACADEMY
“Just be yourself and don’t let anyone or anything change
who you are,” are the words Jake Johnson hopes incoming
high school freshmen will remember as they embark on their
secondary journeys. Jake certainly leans into who he is and all
his many interests from sports, to music, to missions. He is
confident in his choices and chooses not to spend time
“crying over spilled milk,” per his favorite quote; instead, he
values the experiences he has had and plans to pursue his
passions through college and into his career.
Some of Jake’s favorite memories from high school include
his senior mission trip to the Dominican Republic and being a
Hartfield Huncho, supporting the Hawks football team to a
After graduation, Jake will be attending Mississippi State
University and majoring in finance. In ten years, Jake hopes
to be well-established as a professional in the music industry.
state championship win. He also recalls sharing new music
with his favorite teacher Coach Stuardt Saxton and a special
time when they “got to jam together” in class sophomore
year. Jake would not change anything about the past four
years. He says, “My high school experience has been great,
and there’s not much that I regret.”
32 • MAY 2024

Lilly
LUCKETT
JACKSON PREP
The best advice Lilly has ever received is: “Be yourself no
matter what others think.” Being so heavily involved in theatre
and show choir, she says it has been difficult at times to not
care about others’ opinions. However, she has learned an
important lesson: “I have found that what you love to do and
what you are passionate about is way more important than
someone else’s opinion,” she claims. “Doing what makes you
happy will lead to such a positive high school experience, and
the people you meet and the memories you make are so
much more valuable to you in the long run.”
The highlight of Lilly’s senior year was a show choir trip to
Los Angeles and bringing home first place on her eighteenth
birthday. She was the senior Reveillon member who went on
stage to receive their trophy and says having all of their hard
work pay off at her last show choir competition was a very
rewarding experience.
Lilly’s favorite teacher throughout high school is her math
teacher, Mrs. Daniels. Not only is she Lilly’s senior math teacher,
but Mrs. Daniels has also been her teacher-advisor for the
past three years. Lilly says Mrs. Daniels has been an amazing
mentor and truly cares about her students. She adds, “Her
patience and understanding towards me has made all the
difference throughout the years, and she has most definitely
impacted my high school experience for the better.”
Lilly will always remember the Jackson Prep Lower School
and its effect on her senior year. “The kids at the lower school
have helped me more than they know, and being able to walk
over and spend time with them has been such an incredible
thing to add to my senior year.” Lilly’s mother is a pre-K3
teacher. She says that nothing brightens her day more than
going over to her mom’s class to play on the playground or
read books with her students. She says, “I am so glad that
I was able to experience the lower school my senior year,
even if it was for a short time.”
Lilly says she has always been very hard on herself when it
comes to test scores and exams, and if she could change
something, it would be the way she thought of herself after
making a bad grade. She says, “At the end of the day, a bad
grade on a test doesn’t define me as a person, and having
room for improvement is not a bad thing.”
Lilly advises incoming freshmen not to be afraid to leave
their circles of comfort. She says, “High school is a time to
find yourself and what you love to do, so do not hesitate to
try out for something that you may have never seen yourself
participating in.” She believes it is better to try something
new rather than regret missed opportunities later.
Next year, Lilly will be attending the University of Arkansas
and majoring in political science. She plans to eventually go
to law school with a focus in entertainment law. She is very
excited for the next chapter in her life and cannot wait to
meet new friends and watch herself grow in an entirely new
environment. In ten years, Lilly plans to be a practicing
attorney. She hopes to live in a large city and have
opportunities to travel and see the world.
Hometown RANKIN • 33

Hannah
Claire
SMITH
PISGAH
Hannah Claire’s favorite part of high school has been being
a member of the cheerleading squad and cheering on the
Dragons for the past six years. Pisgah football games and
the memories made sharing the sidelines with her best
friends are ones she will always cherish.
The highlight of Hannah Claire’s senior year was being
crowned homecoming queen. She was very honored to
be chosen by her peers to represent her school. She
credits her family, friends, and teachers for making that
night special for her. One of those teachers is Mrs. Kelsey
Treadwell, Hannah Claire’s favorite teacher throughout all
of high school. She appreciates all the ways Mrs. Treadwell
has invested in her over the years through teaching,
coaching, and friendship. Mrs. Treadwell has always given
Hannah Claire the best advice and has truly helped her
grow as a person. Hannah Claire will forever be grateful
for Mrs. Treadwell’s support.
Hannah Claire’s advice to incoming freshmen is:
“The people you choose to surround yourself with will
shape you, so surround yourself with people who lift you
up!” She also encourages students to meet new people
and be open to getting to know others who appear to be
different from them. She says, “You never know what kind
of friendship you could miss out on just because you think
you don’t have anything in common with someone.”
Hannah Claire says she would not go back and change
anything. She believes all her experiences throughout high
school have either brought her joy or taught her a lesson
that allowed her to grow into the person she is today. She
says the best advice she has ever been given was from her
mom who said, “It doesn’t matter what other people say
or do to you because you aren’t supposed to be living to
please others. Instead, live to be more like Jesus!”
After graduation, Hannah Claire will be attending
Mississippi College to pursue a degree in nursing.
Upon completion of her bachelor’s, she plans to gain
nursing experience then return to school to become a
nurse practitioner. In ten years, Hannah Claire plans to
be working as a pediatric nurse practitioner, married,
and raising children.
34 • MAY 2024

Nathan
GRICE
PUCKETT
The highlight of Nathan’s senior year is now having the
ability to look back at how far he has come. He cherishes
all the effort that he and his friends have put forth sideby-side
over the years and how those efforts have
provided them promising futures. “Being able to stop,
turn around, and see the adventures we have had is
an amazing feeling.”
Nathan is quick to name Mr. Patrick Lemoine as his
favorite teacher. He has been Nathan’s agriculture teacher
for the past five years as well as his FFA and 4-H advisor.
Nathan credits Mr. Lemoine’s guidance and leadership as
the sources for multiple state victories and high national
rankings in forestry, poultry, and meat competitions.
“It has been an honor to learn from and work for
Mr. Lemoine, and I would gladly do it again.”
Nathan says he will always remember how proud his
teachers, faculty, and fellow students are of each other
as they face new challenges each day. He speaks fondly
of his hometown and the important role its community
has played in his life. “Puckett has been an amazing place
to live and grow, and I am reminded of that every day by
the good people surrounding me.”
The best advice Nathan has ever been given are words
he says he lives by daily: “Give it all to God.” He goes on
to say, “Nothing is too great for the good Lord to handle,
and every tough day that I have ever faced was instantly
turned around with this one action. When the Lord is for
me, what should I fear?” That said, it is no surprise that
Nathan says he would not go back to change a single
thing. “I have had a blessed life, and there is much more
to come. The hardships that I face are simply learning
opportunities that equip me for the future. I believe
I was, am, and will always be right where I belong.”
Nathan advises incoming freshmen to heed the wise
words of George Strait: “We aren’t here for a long time,
but we are here for a good time.” He says they should sit
down, buckle up, and grab a Red Bull because they are in
for a wild ride. “High school seems overwhelming at first,
but as it flies by, memories will collect.”
Following graduation, Nathan will attend Copiah-Lincoln
Community College where he will join the Blue Wave
Show Band and become part of Co-Lin’s various music
programs. He will begin pursuing a degree in mechanical
engineering through Co-Lin that he will complete upon
transferring to Mississippi State University.
In ten years, Nathan sees himself working in mechanical
engineering, having a family, and, “Quite possibly driving
a King Ranch F-250.” Most of all, he sees himself following
the Lord, carrying His light with him everywhere he goes,
and sharing His love with the world.
Hometown RANKIN • 35

Tyranisha
McLIN
MCLAURIN HIGH
The highlight of Tyranisha’s senior year is being inducted
into her school’s hall of fame. She is very thankful to be a
part of it, and, through that process, she learned that
anything is possible.
Tyranisha’s favorite teacher throughout high school is
Mrs. Lydia Herd. Mrs. Herd has been very helpful to
Tyranisha, and her support and encouragement have
allowed Tyranisha to see art in a completely new way.
Mrs. Herd’s confidence in Tyranisha pushed her to work
hard and improve her skills and artwork, which has opened
doors for multiple opportunities for her.
Tyranisha confidently claims she will always remember to
keep God first and never give up. She will push through
anything no matter how challenging it may be. Most
importantly, she will always take time to enjoy family and
friends and will live her life to the fullest. The best advice
Tyranisha has ever been given echoes these sentiments:
“Keep God first. Stay focused on your education. Explore
life. Never settle for less.”
Tyranisha wishes she could go back and “put herself out
there” a little more. She wishes she would have been more
open to trying new things and taken advantage of new
opportunities sooner. She wants younger students to do
what she did not. She says, “Some advice I would give to
incoming freshmen is to not be afraid to take a step
forward. Try your best at whatever you do, and push
yourself to work harder, even when you think there is no
hope because, in the end, it will all pay off.”
After graduation, Tyranisha will attend William Carey
University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in
art. Then, she plans to further her education through a
degree in business. In ten years, Tyranisha sees herself
having a successful career in art while also gaining more
knowledge and experience. She would like to be able to
travel regularly. Some of her dream destinations are Dubai,
the Bahamas, Paris, Jamaica, Egypt, and Bora Bora. She
also plans to open her own art studio so she can share
her art and inspire others to express themselves through
art as well.
36 • MAY 2024

Kate
HULSEY
NORTHWEST RANKIN
The highlight of Kate’s senior year is being awarded the
Legion of Valor award. The Legion of Valor is a JROTC
award presented annually to approximately twenty-five
cadets in JROTC programs across the country. Out of
nearly 500,000 cadets in these programs, there were
roughly 1,900 cadets nominated, and Kate says she is
blessed to be one of twenty-six to receive the award.
Kate was shocked and excited when Northwest Rankin
principal, Mr. Lewis Bradford, surprised her with the news
in the middle of lunch during homecoming week. She was
then later recognized during a pep rally and presented
with the official award by (Retired) General Harold A. Cross.
Kate assuredly says her favorite teacher throughout high
school is Mrs. Lora North. Mrs. North is a Spanish teacher
who teaches a variety of levels of the language. She has
taught Kate all four years high school through Spanish II,
III, IV, and AP Spanish. Kate speaks fondly of Mrs. North:
“She is an amazing teacher who cares so much for each
and every student who passes through her classroom.
Each year, she has not only pushed me to further my
understanding and knowledge of the Spanish language
and culture, but she has also pushed me to be the best
student and person I could be on every level.”
Kate says the best advice she has every received is:
“Everything happens for a reason.” A former gymnastics
coach said this to her to remind her that good things come
from hard days. She says, “I have learned to apply this to all
aspects of my life through reminding myself that whether
it be school or a sport, sometimes you just need to take a
step back, take a deep breath, and know that everything is
going to work out according to God’s plan.”
If she could go back and change one thing, Kate says she
would be more open to talking to new people and making
new friends and that the friendships she has made throughout
high school have been so important to her and full of
support and laughter. “Had I quit being too shy or too
nervous of how someone might think of me, I may have
talked to someone I usually wouldn’t have and made a
new friend along the way.”
Kate advises incoming freshmen to enjoy every moment.
She acknowledges how often high schoolers hear, “The
days go by so fast,” but insists this is the truth. She wants
them to know the stress they may feel is only temporary,
and the friends and experiences they have are what is
important. She says, “Focus on finding the people who
share the exciting moments with you so that you have
memories to look back on twenty years down the road.”
Kate will be attending the University of Mississippi, where
she will major in biochemistry and minor in Spanish as well
as compete for the Rebel track and field team as a pole
vaulter. During her sophomore year, Kate cleared three
new, personal best heights in pole vault and set a new
high school girls’ pole vault state record at 13’ 1.75”. She is
excited to continue her academic and athletic careers at
Ole Miss.
In ten years, Kate plans to be a practicing physician’s
assistant in pediatric oncology.
Hometown RANKIN • 37

Chris
ATKINSON
PARK PLACE
Soli Deo Gloria
For the past two years or so, Chris and his best friend
Jaydon have tried to one-up each other with ridiculous
birthday gifts. This year, Jaydon got Chris something he
says he will never top. Jaydon found a website that creates
custom pillows from photographs. Jaydon chose to give
Chris a three-foot-tall pillow featuring the face of his
track/cross-country coach. Chris says, “I have never laughed
so hard in my life! Of course, my coach thought it was
hilarious, too, and it’s something I will never forget.”
Actually, Chris says the best advice he has ever been given
came from his track/cross-country coach, Dr. Wyck Neely.
Dr. Neely has taught Chris the importance of mental strength.
He remarks, “Distance running is a very mind-oriented
sport that requires a lot of mental strength. The biggest
takeaway I have learned from Dr. Neely is that there is
always something left in your fuel tank; you just have to
find it. You may have to dig down deep to reach it, but
you always have something left in you.”
When asked who is his favorite teacher throughout all of
high school, Chris hesitates, “That’s a tough one, I don’t
want any of my teachers to feel hurt because I didn’t
choose them. I love them all, but if I had to choose, I would
probably say Mr. John Clendinning is my favorite. I love
literature, and when we were studying American literature,
I remember that class being the only core class that I
would actually look forward to every day. He managed to
make that class incredibly fun.” Chris also mentions his
drama teacher and says he will always remember the plays
in which he has participated as part of PPCA’s drama class.
“Mrs. Tami Ham is an excellent drama teacher and has put
up with way too many of our shenanigans. We love her,
and I will miss my time in her class.”
Chris has been singing for thirteen years and loves music.
But if he could go back and change one thing, he would
have started learning to play an instrument when he was
much younger. He is currently learning to play the guitar
and wishes he would have developed the habit of practicing
at a young age. He says, “I realize that it is never too late to
start something, but I regret not being more disciplined
about that.”
Chris has sound advice for incoming freshmen. He urges
them to maintain a good work ethic, have fun, but remember
due dates. He wants them to jump at every opportunity to
do something interesting: “If you can go on a mission trip,
do it. If you can represent your school in something
interesting, do it. Take every opportunity you are given.
You never know what looks good on a college resume,
and you’ll never find something you’re passionate about
unless you try something new.” Lastly, Chris wants students
entering high school to remember to seek God above
everything else. He adds, “The Christian life is not easy.
In fact, it may be much harder after you begin to trust
Jesus, but I promise there is nothing more worth it than to
give your life to Christ.” Then, Chris references Matthew
6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in
and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves
do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also.”
Chris says he doesn’t know where he will be in ten years,
but he knows where he wants to be. He desires to learn
more about music theory and how to conduct a choir. He
would also like to have run at least one marathon, maybe
more. He believes he is being called into Christian ministry,
and he would like to have started a career in whatever
God has called him to do. Right now, he believes that is
music ministry. So, Chris plans to attend Mississippi College,
where he will major in music education and minor in
ministry studies. His ultimate goal is to be a music
minister, but he is willing to go wherever God calls him.
38 • MAY 2024

Oakley
BOUNDS
PEARL HIGH
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths.” These words from Proverbs 3:6 are ones
Oakley holds dear. He says he will always remember the
lessons he has learned throughout his high school career
and describes the highlight of his senior year: “All the
laughs and tears that I have had the privilege of sharing
with my friends over this past year.” There have been
countless good and bad times, and each one has taught
him a different lesson, whether it be the importance of
hard work or simply understanding that he cannot
control everything.
Mrs. Jo Ann Crawford is Oakley’s favorite teacher because
she never failed to demand the best from him, especially
when he did not demand it of himself. He says she saw
something in him and would not let him settle for less.
Furthermore, her focus was never just on results or
knowing everything for her class. Oakley says, “To her, it
was all about the process and enlightening us through
literature, and that has really left an impact on me.”
If Oakley could go back and change something about his
high school experience, he says he would change all the
times he did not give his best or go the extra mile, especially
with sports. He has gained a valuable perspective
and says that just few years ago, he did not always understand
what a privilege it is to play high school sports. Since
then, he has realized there is nothing else quite like it, and
he oftentimes took it for granted. To that end, he urges
incoming freshmen to give their best in all that they do
and not to let fear of failure hold them back. He adds, “You
will never regret giving too much effort, and you will
remember the times you could’ve given more.”
After graduation, Oakley plans to pursue a bachelor’s
degree in aerospace engineering. In ten years, he sees
himself serving the Lord’s purpose for his life in whatever
way He sees fit. He hopes to be a husband, possibly a
father, and working as an aerospace engineer.
Hometown RANKIN • 39

Jimmy
HOLIFIELD
PELAHATCHIE HIGH
The highlight of Jimmy’s senior year is winning the district
championship for both soccer and basketball. These wins
meant so much to him because they were a result of the
teamwork and dedication he and his teammates had to
support one another throughout their seasons. Jimmy
was proud to represent his school and says these events
will always be a favorite memory.
Jimmy names Mrs. Angela skinner as his favorite teacher
because she taught him well and helped him learn many
lessons throughout his high school years. He says she
always manages to put a smile on all of her students’
faces, and she encourages her students to strive for their
personal bests. Jimmy says, “I thank her for all she has
done for me.”
The best advice Jimmy says he has ever received is: “Only
focus on what you can control.” Looking back, he considers
what he might change. “If I could go back and change one
thing, I would change my mindset,” he remarks. Until his
junior year, Jimmy says he only looked at life from a
negative perspective; he struggled to find the positive. He
did not enjoy school and viewed it as a punishment.
During his senior year, he realized school “really is not that
bad.” As he enters into young adulthood, Jimmy is realizing
he is more positive, which has greatly improved his
mental health. He wishes he would have had adopted an
optimistic mindset long ago. He hopes incoming freshmen
recognize and use the power they have over their own
circumstances and that they have fun, too, of course!
After graduation, Jimmy will attend the electrical program
at Hinds Community College and, in ten years, he hopes to
be working as an electrician and living a productive life.
40 • MAY 2024

Isaiah
HARRIS
RICHLAND HIGH
Isaiah will always remember the mixture of emotions
that comes along with senior year. Those feelings have
prompted him to reflect on his past decisions, celebrate
his achievements, and look forward to the opportunities
that lie ahead. So, his advice to incoming freshmen is:
“Don’t ever short yourself - no matter the circumstances.”
The best advice Isaiah has ever been given is: “Don’t be
passive. Always take initiative!” Funny enough, if he could
go back and change one thing, he would have started
saving money in kindergarten.
His favorite teacher throughout high school is Mr. Rodgers,
whose intelligence and wisdom Isaiah admires greatly.
Mr. Rodgers values his relationships with students and
offers them many life lessons in addition to academic
knowledge. Isaiah says he will always cherish Mr. Rodgers’s
guidance.
Graduating basic combat training was the most significant
milestone of Isaiah’s senior year. The skills, discipline, and
camaraderie he developed will serve as a strong foundation
for his future. After graduation, he will transition into
advanced individual training to become a military police
officer. Upon returning, he will pursue education at the
Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans and major
in Biblical studies.
In ten years, Isaiah will continue trusting in his faith,
allowing himself to be guided by God, and believes
He has placed him where he needs to be to fulfill a
purpose-driven life. Isaiah plans to be a college graduate,
to have served ten plus years in the armed forces, to be
very successful in his profession, and to be a doting
husband and father.
Hometown RANKIN • 41

42 • MAY 2024

BE HEARD
IN YOUR
HEALTH
What’s on your mind matters in your care. And sometimes, it’s hard
to know the right questions to ask or a simple way to ask them. It’s
our job to make that conversation easier, to stay with you for longer,
to be there when you need us — to listen. That’s our priority and our
promise. So, tell us what concerns you. Tell us your story. The doctor
will hear you now. Learn more at stdom.com/listen.
T H E
F I N E S T
I N F I T N E S S
1 0 0 P R O F E S S I O N A L D R
B R A N D O N , M S 3 9 0 4 2
6 0 1 . 5 9 1 . 2 5 8 2
www.completefitnessms.com
Hometown RANKIN • 43

Chicken Tortillas
• 1 pkg. of flour tortillas
• 6 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 lb. shredded Monterey jack
cheese
• ¼ stick of butter
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
White Sauce
Melt ¼ stick of butter. Add 2 Tbsp.
flour and 2 cups of chicken broth.
Cook until thickened and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350. Cook chicken
breasts and sautee onion. Mix
chicken, onions, and cheese. Roll
some of the mixture in each tortilla.
Pour the white sauce on top,
and bake for
20 minutes.
Sprinkle
cheese on
top and serve.
Shrimp Creole
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 large green pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup okra sliced across
• ½ cup ham or bacon grease
• 3 Tbsp. flour
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 or more cans of shrimp
• Chili powder to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Minced garlic to taste
• Red pepper to taste
Brown onion in bacon grease. Add
green pepper and okra. Sprinkle
with flour and cook until dark in
color. Add hot water, and cook for
15 minutes. Add tomato juice and
seasonings. Cook 15 minutes more.
Add shrimp, and serve over rice.
Strawberry Butter
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 10 oz. package frozen, sugared,
sliced strawberries
(drain and save juice)
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Whip butter, add sugar and whip
again. Add strawberries, and whip
more. Gradually stir juice into
mixture.
Taco Salad
• 1 lb. hamburger meat
• 1 head of lettuce, chopped
• 1-2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 lb. grated cheese
• 1 can drained kidney beans
• 1 bag of Fritos
• 1 bottle Thousand Island dressing
Brown meat. Add taco seasoning,
but do NOT add water. Stir
together. Mix lettuce, tomato, onion,
grated cheese, and beans together.
Add meat to the salad mixture.
Toss with Fritos and Thousand
Island dressing.
Twinkie Dessert
• 1 box of Twinkies
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz. whipped topping
• 1 can condensed milk
• Strawberries, sliced
Halve Twinkies and lay filling side
up in a dish. Mix together softened
cream cheese and condensed milk.
Fold in whipped topping. Pour over
Twinkies. Slice strawberries, and add
sugar to them until it makes a juice.
Pour on top, and refrigerate.
44 • MAY 2024

Caramel Icing
• 2 cups of sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ pt. whipping cream
• 1 stick oleo
Mix whipping cream and 2 cups of
sugar in a boiler, and bring to a boil.
In a black iron skillet, heat ½ cup
sugar on low heat to caramelize.
Mix everything together, and bring to
a hard boil. Beat until thick by adding
1 stick of oleo to the mixture.
Julia’s Green Beans
• 4 16 oz. cans whole green beans,
drained
• 1 medium onion sliced into rings
• 1 12 oz. package of bacon
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cups vinegar
Place green beans in a baking dish.
Spread onions over green beans.
Fry bacon until really crispy, and keep
drippings. Crumble the bacon and
sprinkle over the beans. Let the grease
cool, then add brown sugar and
vinegar until the sugar dissolves.
Pour the mixture over the
beans and chill overnight.
Bake at 325 for 1 hour.
Chocolate Èclair Dessert
• 1 box graham crackers
• 1 tub regular Cool Whip
• 1 large box of vanilla pudding
• cocoa
• confectioner’s sugar
• butter
Make pudding according to directions.
Let sit a few minutes to thicken. Mix
in cool whip. Layer a 9x13 dish as
follows: graham cracker on bottom,
pudding mixture, graham crackers
pudding mixture, graham crackers.
Icing
• 3 Tbsp. melted butter
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1½ cup confectioner’s sugar
• 2-3 Tbsp. whole milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla
Mix all ingredients and spread on top
of the graham crackers.
Pepper Steak
• 1 chuck roast
• 1 large white onion
• 1 large green pepper
• soy sauce
• cornstarch
• salt and pepper to taste
Cut the roast into strips, and soak in
soy sauce for at least 3 hours. Cut
onion and bell pepper into strips.
Brown the meat in one pan and
onions and peppers in another. Mix
meat with peppers and onions. Mix
corn starch and water in a glass, then
add to mixture to thicken. Add soy
sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over
rice, and top with chow mein
noodles.
Jamie Elmo
Growing up in Carthage, Jamie was
left the legacy of many great cooks
in her life. She grew up during a time
when families sat around tables to
enjoy meals together that usually
consisted of fresh vegetables. It was
good, “country cooking ,” bacon
grease and all!
Julia Peoples, Jamie’s mother, was
a fabulous cook, which resulted in
passing on the love of cooking to Jamie.
Jamie and her husband of twenty-six
years, Craig Elmo, make their home
in Brandon. Jamie is retired from
Entergy after thirty-eight years in
customer service. This leaves more time
to cook for family and friends. She is
well-known for her cinnamon bread
and gives it away weekly to some
lucky person or persons. A dear friend
gave her “Herman” starter twenty-six
years ago and she has been making it
weekly ever since.
Happiest times for Jamie are in the
kitchen preparing for visits from
Julia Eastland and her family.
Hometown RANKIN • 45

46 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 47

1 2 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
48 • MAY 2024

PEARL JUNIOR HIGH
What’s your favorite thing
to do with your mom?
1. Cooper Batson
6TH GRADE
Watching movies together.
2. Garrett Smith
6TH GRADE
Playing video games together.
3. Eliana Ashe
7TH GRADE
Shopping.
4. Kynnedi Rankin
7TH GRADE
Going to get our nails done.
5. Madaline
Vanlandingham
7TH GRADE
Going to church and going out to eat.
6. TJ Jackson
7TH GRADE
Going to shop for some new shoes.
7. Lyric Landry
8TH GRADE
Baking.
8. Kaleigh Bailey
8TH GRADE
Going to get our nails done
and shopping together.
9. Kaylee Williams
8TH GRADE
Going shopping.
10. D’Lalah Friday
8TH GRADE
Going out to eat and shopping.
11. Makayla Guillory
8TH GRADE
Going out to eat and shopping.
12. John Parker Greer
8TH GRADE
Watching Alabama football.
13. Ja’Cobie Harris
8TH GRADE
Go out to eat at Yummy.
14. Andrew Caraway
8TH GRADE
Going to the car wash together.
We go once a week.
Hometown RANKIN • 49

RCSD
Disco
Party
Prom
Florence High School JROTC students,
under the direction of Sergeant Major (R)
Douglas Feazell, escorted 9-12th graders
from the District’s self-contained classes
down the red carpet for a very special
evening. The Florence High School
Student Council partnered with students
as professional photos were taken and
donated by Corey Smith. Candids were
taken by Florence High School yearbook
staff member Sarah Kathryn Branch.
Dewayne Williams, aka DJ Hypnotic,
was the amazing DJ for the night and
Simply Balloons created the beautiful
disco-themed balloon entrance.
Northwest Rankin High School’s
self-contained class prepared and
provided the food for the night.
Florence High School transition classes,
under the direction of Brittany Eaves and
Tiffany Withers, worked hard to make it
all happen. Special thanks also go to
McLaurin’s self-contained class under the
direction of Nicole Wimberly, Miss Kim,
Nicole Greer, Shalonda Powell, Tricia
Bennett, Amy McAlister, Mr. Miles,
Mr. Roberto, and many more!
50 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 51

52 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 53

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO
®
THEIR DREAMS
From Playroom to Boardroom
Growing up, you always took make-believe to the
next level. Today, you still pursue the full potential
of each idea – finding advisors who relate to your
intuition. We share that drive, because connecting
people to their dreams is our true passion.
Every great relationship has an Origin story.
Start yours today at Origin.Bank/YourStory
EVEN MORE TO
ENJOY
At The Blake at Flowood, we are committed
to giving you fresh experiences. That’s why
our activities calendar is full of opportunities
to try out new hobbies, play games, learn
about history and art, explore local
attractions, and enjoy good company! We
ensure that each day for our residents feels
like a vacation, not just through our beautiful
sun-lit spaces and our restaurant-style
dining, but through a wide variety of events
and daily get-togethers. Call today to
schedule your tour and experience how The
Blake at Flowood makes every day exciting!
MEMBER FDIC
Call (769) 305-9265 to schedule your tour!
350 Town Center Way, Flowood, MS 39232
blakeseniorliving.com/flowood
54 • MAY 2024

From One
Generation
to the Next
It was an observant person who understood families and said,
“They’re like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”
For sure, a few “nuts” are scattered through our families. Maybe there’s
a black or spotted sheep – and maybe every member is not blood-kin,
but for the majority of these God-ordained collections of humans
in a family - we stick like glue or hair and bubble gum!
This issue’s Mother’s Day feature highlights generations of families
and personal looks at their own generation. You’ll see some similarities
and some vast changes, but there’s one constant – love.
That key ingredient binds families together from “start to finish.”
Hometown RANKIN • 55

What was your favorite childhood game?
Denelda Growing up in northern Montana in the late 1930’s, most of our
playtime was in the snow. The snow drifts were so high we had to tie
a rope around my dad’s waist when he went out to the barn. The rope
would lead him back to the house.
Brenda Growing up in California, my mom and I would make cupcakes
in a cone. I would sit in the front yard and sell them. One day, my mom
looked out the kitchen window to see how I was doing and the Hell’s
Angels had seen me from the interstate, veered off, and stopped to
buy a cupcake cone from me.
Glenda Hopscotch. My mom would give us an old necklace to use as
our marker. She sure must have had a lot of old necklaces!
Taylor Growing up, the lot behind our house was vacant. We would
have neighborhood baseball and kickball games on that lot.
Olivia My favorite game was playing school with my “cove friends.”
I was the teacher, and I would insist the other kids be my students.
1st Generation
Denelda Tobiason Smith
Outlook, Montana, 1953
2nd Generation
Brenda Smith Myers
Pearl High School, 1974
2nd Generation
Glenda Smith Thurman
Pearl High School, 1978
3rd Generation
Olivia Myers Dees
Pearl High School, 2005
3rd Generation
Taylor Thurman Henderson
Pearl High School, 2009
4th Generation
Norah Alexandra Dees
2½ years
4th Generation
Mary Parker Henderson
18 months
4th Generation
Lennon Kate Dees
6 months
Describe a typical outfit you would wear to high school.
Denelda A skirt, blouse, and tennis shoes. In the winter, we were
allowed to wear pants and a sweater.
Brenda Low-rise bell bottom jeans and tennis shoes.
Glenda Low-rise bell bottom jeans and tennis shoes.
Olivia I was obsessed with Abercrombie and Fitch. That is all I would wear.
Taylor Pearl schools required uniforms through middle school. When I
was in high school, I wore jeans, v-neck t-shirts, and Wallabees.
What age were you allowed to begin dating?
Denelda Our town and school were so small, we all went to movies
and dancing as as group. I began dating when I graduated high school.
I met my husband on a blind date.
Brenda My first date was when I was sixteen. We went to an afternoon
matinee of Gone with the Wind . My dad said I had to be home before
dark. I had no idea Gone with the Wind was a four-hour movie!
Glenda I was not allowed to date until I was sixteen. Not one minute
before. My sister must have negotiated the after-dark rule before
I reached sixteen!
Olivia I was sixteen. Sounds like it was a family rule!
Taylor My first date was a group date to the movies in the sixth grade.
My first real date was in the 8th or 9th grade.
Describe a date night during your generation.
Denelda Going out dancing was a favorite. Our town was five miles
from the Canadian border. We would cross the border to go dancing
but had to cross back over prior to midnight or the border was closed.
Brenda During high school, we would go to a movie. There were no
fast-food restaurants in Pearl. After high school, we loved going out
dancing to Marney’s or the Zodiac.
Glenda Dinner and a movie. Your date had to come to the house and
pick you up and meet your parents. I had a very strict curfew of 11pm.
Olivia We mainly went on group dates to Bonsai or O’Charley’s.
We went so often; the servers knew exactly what our order would be.
Taylor Movies and a Mexican restaurant.
As a child, what was your favorite sweet treat?
Denelda My mom would make cupcakes from scratch.
Brenda Rice Krispy Treats.
Glenda Snickers bar - still is!
Olivia My mom’s homemade sugar cookies with buttercream icing.
She would invite my girlfriends over and let us decorate them while
their moms went Christmas shopping. We called it “Cookie House.”
She still makes them for holidays throughout the year.
Taylor Ice cream Blast from Sonic.
56 • MAY 2024

Who was your favorite movie star?
Denelda The only movies I remember going to see were Westerns.
On the way home, my parents would take me by the library because
I loved to read. I still do!
Brenda That’s easy – Elvis Presley.
Glenda Bobby Sherman.
Olivia Jonathan Taylor Thomas or Zack Morris from Saved by The Bell
(Mark Paul Gosselaar).
Taylor Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and, of course, Brad Pitt.
Briefly describe a typical church service you remember as a child.
Denelda We grew up in a Lutheran Church. There is an enormous amount
of reciting scripture and standing up and sitting down, so you didn’t
dose off.
Brenda & Glenda Mom would bring crayons and paper to keep us quiet
during the sermon and, if we were lucky, she would give us snacks!
Taylor & Olivia Taylor and Olivia’s generation, their families had joined
Flowood Baptist church. “My favorite part was going to Sunday
school,” says Taylor. “Our family sat on the third row from the front
in ‘big church.’ We would discreetly pass notes to one another on the
church program with options on where to eat lunch after the service.”
Olivia says she always looked forward to the fun, active youth and
children’s ministry.
What was your favorite family vacation growing up?
Denelda Living on a farm far away from any vacation spots, our family
did not go on vacation. Also, we had animals to feed and could not
leave them. We had chickens, cows and horses.
Glenda We did not take any vacations during our young years at home.
Brenda We lived in California by the beach. We went to the beach yearround.
Quite often, mom would drop off my sister at school and take
my brother and me to the beach with a picnic lunch. Not a worry in the
world. Well, except for when my sister found out what we did while she
was at school. We never realized we did not take vacations.
Olivia We flew to Utah, rented a car, and drove to Montana to visit cousins.
Taylor Along the way, we toured Yellowstone National Park.
How did your parents discipline you?
Denelda In the 1930s, the rules were clearly communicated. And with so
many chores to do around the farm, we really did not have time to
break the rules. However, every Halloween the mischievous kids would
go through the town tipping over outhouses. The next morning, the
principal would come into our class and make us go set them all back
up. One year, we tipped over an outhouse that was occupied!
Brenda I was spanked; I never wanted to disappoint my parents
so I don’t remember too many spankings.
Glenda The first warning was my dad’s “look.” If I didn’t get the message,
I was spanked with a belt; that got my attention.
Olivia My daddy couldn’t discipline me; I was a daddy’s girl. But I knew
my mom meant business. When she gave me the consequences of
my actions, I definitely knew she would follow through.
Taylor I didn’t get in trouble much growing up, but when I did, I would get
a spanking, grounded to my room, or have something taken away from
me for an extended period of time.
What do you think was the most important value your parents
taught you?
Denelda To always think about others.
Brenda Honesty. Always tell the truth, and if someone tells you something
in confidence, you never, ever share it.
Glenda Hard work, be nice, and treat everyone with respect
Olivia To treat everyone with respect and kindness.
Taylor Be kind to others.
How did you celebrate birthdays as a child?
Denelda Birthdays were a big event in the Montana farmland. All the
neighboring farmers would come to each child’s birthday party.
Brenda My mom always made our birthdays special. She would make a
cake and let us have a spend-the-night-party.
Glenda Birthdays were a big deal. Our mom let us invite our friends and
she would make a cake, chips, and dip. We always had music and
dancing. Mom loved music and dancing.
Olivia I will say my mom always went above and beyond for our birthday
parties. I loved my birthday, so we had a party every year with a
different theme.
Taylor Birthdays were a big deal for our family. We celebrated each
birthday with an extended family party and homemade cake.
The birthday person got to pick the meal.
What was a favorite Christmas memory?
All The first and second generations celebrated every year pretty much
the same eating oyster stew, reading the Christmas Story, playing
Christmas songs on the guitar, and each sibling singing a song,
reading a poem, or a presenting a performance. Then, they opened
presents. The third generation ditched the oyster stew and added
homemade costumes complete with a cardboard sleigh and a
performance of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” Then, there was
a quick costume change and a performance of the birth of Jesus.
There were also individual performances, a birthday cake for Jesus,
and family member lighting a candle, expressing what they were
thankful for. Then, it was time to exchange gifts.
What was your scariest thought or biggest fear growing up?
Denelda On our farm, we had a goose. When I walked up the road from
school, the goose would chase me. I was so scared of that goose!
Brenda My parents were so loving. My biggest fear was disappointing them.
Glenda Growing up I did not have any fears. My parents were very loving
and protective. I had a very happy childhood.
Olivia My biggest fear was losing my family. We are very close.
Taylor Growing up, and still to this day, my parents always made sure we
felt taken care of. I didn’t take that for granted; so, honestly, my biggest
fear was losing my parents.
What was a family tradition that you insist or insisted on
passing down?
All Our Christmases included of performing the secular and Biblical
events that define Christmas. Including singing “Happy Birthday Jesus”
with our homemade cake. Traditions are very important to our family,
and passing down those traditions is meaningful to each of us.
What chore did you most dislike as a teenager?
Denelda Going to the chicken house and gathering eggs because they
would peck me.
Brenda Every Saturday morning, my chore was to scrub the baseboards.
I could not go out with my friends if I didn’t complete this task.
Glenda Hands down doing the dishes after supper. We did not have a
dishwasher. I would make an excuse to go to the back of the house
for something and not return until I knew my sister had finished
washing, drying, and putting the dishes up in the cupboard.
Olivia Cleaning baseboards.
Taylor Cleaning baseboards.
We all answered these questions independently.
We obviously pass down family traits without even
realizing it!
Hometown RANKIN • 57

What was your favorite childhood game?
Desieree Jumping rope.
Charlotte Hide and seek.
Rebecca I liked to play with my siblings and cousins.
Suzanne I enjoyed hide and seek.
Describe a typical outfit you would wear to
high school.
Desieree A dress.
Charlotte Skirts and blouses.
Rebecca Jeans and shirts.
Suzanne I was homeschooled throughout high school; so, I would say
athletic shorts and a t-shirt.
1st Generation
Desieree Chandler
December 18, 1932, GED
2nd Generation
Charlotte Phillips Bell
April 28, 1950, Scott Central
3rd Generation
Rebecca Bell Hollingsworth
January 18, 1973, Scott Central
4th Generation
Suzanne Waggoner
March 20, 1998, Homeschool
What age were you allowed to begin dating?
Desieree I did not date. He just would come to my house.
Charlotte Fourteen years old, and we double-dated.
Rebecca Fifteen, but Daddy had to meet them first. They always had to
come in the house, or I could not go.
Suzanne I was allowed to start going out on dates right around the same
time I was able to drive, at the age of sixteen.
Describe a date night during your generation.
Desieree I did not have date nights.
Charlotte It was usually a church activity or a movie and driving around.
Rebecca Dinner and riding around town.
Suzanne Normally, we would go out to eat, see a movie, or both.
As a child, what was your favorite sweet treat?
Desieree Tea cakes.
Charlotte Fruit, especially strawberries and plums.
Rebecca Turtles, but I did not get them often.
Suzanne I have always liked food in general. I have never been picky.
I don’t remember ever craving sweets until my teens. If I had to choose
a favorite, I would say cookies are my favorite sweet treat.
Who was your favorite movie star?
Desieree Roy Rogers
Charlotte Elvis Presley
Rebecca John Travolta
Suzanne Ryan Reynolds or Selena Gomez
58 • MAY 2024

Describe a typical church service you remember
as a child.
Desieree We would have singing and preaching once a month.
Charlotte We sang hymns and then had the sermon.
Rebecca Sunday school and church which consisted of singing then
preaching. I had to be good in “big church,” or I would be taken
outside...not for anything fun.
Suzanne A typical church service would begin with a greeting.
Everyone would get up to say hello to each other and shake hands.
Then, we would sing a few worship songs followed by the sermon.
What was your favorite family vacation growing up?
Desieree We did not take vacations.
Charlotte We drove to West Virginia to see a man that my daddy was
in the Air Force with and whom my brother was named after.
Rebecca The vacation we visited thirteen states. We crossed state line
of a few, then turned around, just so we could say we were there.
We also swam in creeks and visited anything free.
Suzanne My favorite family vacation was going to an RV park, Turkey
Creek, where we were able to play with different kids, ride bikes, and
have quality family time.
How did your parents discipline you?
Desieree Spanking with a peach tree switch.
Charlotte Sometimes with a switch, sometimes a belt, sometimes
being grounded.
Rebecca They used a switch or a belt or grounded me.
Suzanne My parents disciplined me in different ways: spanking, taking
my phone, and grounding.
What do you think was the most important value
your parents taught you?
Desieree Honesty.
Charlotte To be good even if you are the only one and to be honest
in everything.
Rebecca Always be respectful, love the Lord, be honest, and be nice
to everyone.
Suzanne The most important value my parents taught me was the
importance of knowing God and keeping Him in the center of my life.
How did you celebrate birthdays as a child?
Desieree Cake, if anything.
Charlotte Mostly just a family dinner.
Rebecca I usually had joint party with my sister as our birthdays are two
weeks apart.
Suzanne I would either have a birthday party or have friends over to
spend the night.
What is a favorite Christmas memory?
Desieree Getting fruit and nuts and going to my grandmother’s house.
Charlotte Santa came early before dark when we went over to
Grandma’s.
Rebecca Driving around looking at Christmas lights.
Suzanne My favorite Christmas memory is helping my momma find
a present my daddy hid for her.
What was your scariest thought or biggest fear
during your childhood?
Desieree Snakes.
Charlotte Mostly, the dark or being by myself.
Rebecca Never remember being scared. My parents made me feel safe.
Suzanne I do not remember being scared of anything as a young child
other than, maybe, the dark.
What was a family tradition that you insist or insisted
on passing down?
Desieree Cutting watermelon on July 4th.
Charlotte Taking pictures at family get-togethers.
Rebecca Always spending time with family and putting the Christmas
tree up after Thanksgiving.
Suzanne A family tradition that I insist on continuing is spending time
with family during the holidays.
What chore did you most dislike as a teenager?
Desieree Gathering eggs.
Charlotte Carrying slop to the hogs.
Rebecca Working in the garden.
Suzanne I really didn’t like to clean much of anything, especially my room.
Hometown RANKIN • 59

What was your favorite childhood game?
Glenda Tag. And I enjoyed riding our horse “Dilly”.
Brenda Hopscotch.
Ashley Red Rover.
Brooke Hide and go seek.
Describe a typical outfit you would wear
to high school.
Glenda Homemade skirt and blouse with a sweater and bobbie
socks with saddle oxfords.
Brenda Bright colored bell-bottomed pants with colorful tops,
jeans, and skirts.
Ashley Colored jeans with matching socks, Dexters, and bodysuits
or tucked-in shirts.
Brooke T-shirt and leggings.
1st Generation
Glenda Vinson
Puckett High 1952
2nd Generation
Brenda Vinson Murphy
Brandon High School 1976
3rd Generation
Ashley Shivers
Puckett High 1999
4th Generation
Brooke Elizabeth Shivers
13 years old, Puckett Jr. High
What age were you allowed to begin dating?
Glenda 17 and had to be home by 10pm.
Brenda 16
Ashley 15
Describe a date night during your generation.
Glenda Movie or just get together with friends.
Brenda Movies.
Ashley Go out to eat, sometimes bowling or a movie, then go ride
“the block” in Magee or back to Puckett to “hang out.”
As a child, what was your favorite sweet treat?
Glenda Homemade Ice cream
Brenda Homemade vanilla ice cream
Ashley GG’s apple dumplings
Brooke Cotton candy ice cream
Who was your favorite movie star?
Glenda Loretta Young
Brenda Farrah Fawcett
Ashley Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey
Brooke Elsa and Anna
60 • MAY 2024

Describe a typical church service you remember
as a child.
Glenda Singing old hymns and preaching.
Brenda Sitting quietly and reverently – traditional service.
Ashley Traditional service – singing, greeting, and preaching.
Brooke Going down to children church.
What was your favorite family vacation growing up?
Glenda Going to the mountains in Tennessee.
Brenda Six Flags in Texas.
Ashley Disney World.
Brooke The beach.
How did your parents discipline you?
Glenda Spanking.
Brenda Spanking.
Ashley Spankings with a belt or grounding from going out.
Brooke Get grounded from things I like.
What do you think was the most important value
your parents taught you?
Glenda Hard work and honesty. Always going to church.
Brenda Respect, equality, love of family and family gatherings.
Ashley Christian based values and respect.
Brooke How to use good manners.
How did you celebrate birthdays as a child?
Glenda Mamma would cook my favorite meal and make my favorite cake.
Brenda Birthday cake and ice cream with friends and family.
Ashley McDonald’s or Chuck E. Cheese.
Brooke Pump It Up. Magician. Swimming.
What is a favorite Christmas memory?
Glenda Going to my grandparents and being with my cousins.
Brenda Santa bringing me a baton and a little red dress
(costume made by my momma) to twirl the baton in.
Ashley Christmas Eve at GG & Papa’s was and still is the
highlight of my Christmas.
Brooke Disney World tickets.
What was your scariest thought or biggest fear
growing up?
Glenda Very fearful of snakes and wild animals.
Brenda Being run over by a cow. Dad told me to stand at the gate
on the farm and not let the cows out. I took off running and told him
“I wasn’t a country girl.” Now I live in the country. HA!
Ashley Making bad grades.
Brooke Sleeping by myself.
What was a family tradition that you insist
or insisted on passing down?
Glenda Regular family gatherings.
Brenda Family gathering on Christmas Eve night eating chili and soup,
waiting on Santa’s arrival by tracking him when news came on.
Ashley Annual beach trip to Seagrove with the “Puckett Crew” the week
of July 4 with all of our family and a lot of our friends.
What chore did you most dislike as a teenager?
Glenda Any outside work.
Brenda Dusting furniture.
Ashley Dusting/polishing furniture.
Hometown RANKIN • 61

62 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 63

64 • MAY 2024

KIDS WHO CARE
Reed Rogers
Susan Marquez
LOOK UP “WELL ROUNDED,”
“COMMITMENT,” OR
“COMPASSIONATE” IN THE
DICTIONARY, AND CHANCES
ARE YOU MAY FIND REED
ROGERS’ PHOTO.
This Florence High School junior exemplifies
those attributes and more according to Kelley
Lingold, who taught Reed in third grade, and
again in tenth grade.
“She also taught my older sisters, Payton
and Neely,” says Reed, who grew up in Florence.
“I always attended school in Florence,” he says.
At Florence High School, Reed is an active
member of both the Beta Club and the Interact
Club. “He actively participates in club activities
and projects, contributing valuable ideas and
insights to team discussions,” says Lingold.
“His involvement in the Florence Mayor’s
Youth Council further underscores his passion
for civic engagement and community service.”
Reed’s community service has made a
difference in the lives he has touched. He has
coordinated fundraisers for his high school as
well as volunteering at a local food pantry and
assisting members of the community with yard
work and manual labor. “He also plays a crucial
role in operating the coffee shop at FHS,”
adds Lingold.
Reed recalls a mission trip he took to New
Orleans with his youth group at Hickory Ridge
Baptist Church. “Every neighborhood in New
Orleans has a little park, and we went to those
parks with basketballs, soccer balls, and other
things and fellowshipped with the neighborhood
kids. We also went to City Park where
we talked to homeless people about the Gospel.
It was fascinating to hear their stories. I have to
admit, it provides a lot of personal gratification
to me from the aspect of feeling good about
making a difference.”
The desire to serve others comes from his
parents, Steve and Tanya Rogers. “They have
always encouraged me to be involved. They have
suggested a few things I’m involved with, and
I found other things on my own. They both
have a heart for service. They are both peacemakers,
and I suppose that rubbed off on me.
I don’t like to see a student on the verge of a
meltdown or being bullied in any way. I can’t
help but step in to diffuse the situation.” Lingold
says that Reed seeks to ensure that each student
in his class is acknowledged and feels included.
“He never uses his talents to tear people down,
rather, he endeavors to build others up.” His
classmates have recognized that by voting him
class favorite, best personality, and most
dependable – a reflection of his outstanding
character and contributions to his school
community.
Reed excels academically, maintaining all
A’s throughout his academic career. He has won
several prestigious awards such as the PSAT
Scholar Award, College Board National Rural
and Small-Town Award, ACT Honors, and
ACT WorkKeys Scholar recognition. “I wish
I could say there was a secret to my success
academically, or that I am exceptionally good at
time management, but honestly, school comes
easy to me. That’s always allowed me to find
time for other things in my schedule.”
One thing Reed feels strongly about is doing
a job right. “I have always been taught that if a
job is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”
Reed plans on attending Mississippi State
University when he graduates. “I’m very
math-oriented, so I plan to major in civil
engineering. I have a few relatives who are
civil engineers, and they like it.”
Lingold says she wishes she could have a
hundred young men like Reed, “...ones who
set an example with their actions in addition
to their servants’ hearts.”
Hometown RANKIN • 65

66 • MAY 2024
Amplify Tour
APRIL 23 / TABLE 100

Hometown RANKIN • 67

68 • MAY 2024

Fear, Fundraising,
& Finding Community
Melanie McMillan
When eleven-year-old Hunter Burkhalter
began experiencing knee pain nearly a year ago,
his parents, Kristen and Philip, initially chalked
it up to “growing pains.” Though Hunter’s pain
was not constant, it persisted and was particularly
bad after physical activity. “I had done some
research online and learned about Osgood-
Schlatter disease,” says Hunter’s mom, Kristen.
“It’s a condition that causes pain around the
knee that worsens with activity and seemed to
fit what Hunter was experiencing.” Kristen
scheduled an appointment at Mississippi Sports
Medicine. The appointment happened to fall
on the afternoon of Field Day at Hunter’s
school, Highland Bluff Elementary, where
Kristen also teaches. Surprisingly, Hunter’s knee
was not hurting after all the day’s activities. “I
almost canceled the appointment, but I didn’t
know when I would be able to take off again, so
we went,” Kristen says.
After evaluating Hunter, the nurse told them
to come back the next morning. “I could tell that
they saw something that concerned them,”
Kristen says. Following an MRI and lab work
the following day, Hunter was sent to Children’s
of Mississippi for further testing. The initial
diagnosis was osteomyelitis, which is an
inflammation of bone tissue caused by infection.
“They did surgery to drain and clean out the
infection,” says Kristen. “They also took a bone
biopsy as a precaution.” When the biopsy results
came back, they learned that Hunter had
osteosarcoma and had also developed a spot on
his other hip. Because the disease had metastasized,
he qualified for a study at St. Jude Children’s
Hospital, and he was there within days. Hunter
began chemotherapy on June 16th, but after
several rounds, it was clear the tumor had invaded
too much tissue and the difficult decision was
made to amputate his leg.
Hunter had surgery on August 31st, and
began chemotherapy soon after. After eight
months at St. Jude, he was able to return home
in February and continue chemotherapy here.
For Hunter and his mom, being back at school
has been a blessing. “The Highland Bluff family
has been extremely supportive of us,” Kristen
says. “We have experienced an outpouring of
love throughout these difficult months.”
The Burkhalter family has received support
from the larger community as well. “Mike
Armstrong, the softball coach at Northwest
Rankin High School, reached out to me when
he heard about Hunter,” Kristen says. “Mike is
also an amputee and offered to support us
however he could. We were even invited as
special guests to a softball game where Hunter
got to throw out the first pitch.”
Support for Hunter and his family has also
come from a group well known to Mississippians,
Grabuone Outfitters. The seeds for what would
become Grabuone began more than thirty years
ago when Jimmie Nichols, his cousin Joey
Rigby, Rayford Palmer, and others were fishing
in Louisiana. From the boat, Jimmie spotted a
diamondback snake on a tree limb, reached
behind Rayford and grabbed the snake, pulling
it into the boat. “Rayford was convinced it was a
deadly cottonmouth, so you can imagine his
reaction,” Jimmie says. “Rayford told me then
that I should just start catching snakes because
I was no good at fishing.”
After several years of fishing trips in
Louisiana, the guys began fishing Lake Washington
in the Mississippi Delta with “snake
grabbing” being a big part of their outdoor
adventures. “We would have thirty to forty
snakes in the boat at a time,” recalls Jimmie.
Not surprisingly, they attracted a lot of spectators
and usually had a number of boats following
them around the lake. “The name Grabuone
Outfitters came from one of those trips when
Joey and I, along with our buddies Joey Mayes
and Shane Gibson, had a boat full of snakes.
Shane told one of the guys in the boat, ‘Grab
you one,’ and the name just stuck.”
Just for fun, the guys made several videos of
their snake grabbing, and even created t-shirts
with the Grabuone Outfitters name. Shane
posted one of the videos on YouTube, and before
they knew it, the video had more than 300,000
views. That video was the beginning of a journey
that included a CMT series and thousands of
DVD sales over the years.
Grabuone Outfitters is known almost as
much for their contributions to the community
as for their snake-grabbing skills. When the
CMT series took off, Brad Vincent, who had
joined the original four Grabuone Outfitters,
suggested that the group donate a portion of the
proceeds to the children’s hospital. This began
the group’s tradition of giving to those in need,
Hometown RANKIN • 69

and the Grabuone Outfitters Snake Grabbin’
Rodeo and Benefit was born. Brad suffered a
heart attack and passed away suddenly in 2018,
but his generous spirit lives on as the outfitters
mark the fifteenth anniversary of the rodeo and
benefit this June. Each year, the organization
hosts the weekend-long event at Lake Washington
with proceeds benefiting an individual or
family in need, and this year’s honoree is Hunter
Burkhalter. Last year $65,000 was raised, and
the group’s goal is always to raise “at least one
dollar more than the year before.” “It’s been so
rewarding for us to be able to help families
financially,” says Nichols. “Our first benefit was
for Jared Howington, who was fighting cancer,
and he was a fan of our videos. It was a very
humbling experience visiting him in the hospital.
It makes you think about what’s important.”
At a recent meet-and-greet held at McClain
Resort, attendees were able to meet the
Burkhalter family - Philip, Kristen, Hunter,
and younger sister Hannah Grace - as well as
members and supporters of Grabuone Outfitters.
J.J. Bailey, John Mikel Merchant, and Jared
Howington, three of the Snake Grabbin’ Rodeo’s
past beneficiaries, were all in attendance. Gary
and Karen Golden were also special guests that
night. Their late son Corey Ray was a Madison
police officer and a previous rodeo beneficiary.
The impact of Grabuone’s work on the lives of
these young men and their families was evident in
talking with them. “The rodeo is the highlight
of our year,” says Tina Brown, Jared’s mother.
“We really are like a big family.”
While the majority of Hunter’s medical bills
are covered by St. Jude, there are expenses that
the family faces that the Snake Grabbin’ Rodeo
fundraiser will help with. “Hunter really wants
to be able to participate in sports and run at
recess like his friends,” says Kristen. “A running
leg is very expensive, but with the support of
Grabuone, it can be a reality for Hunter. When
he gets older, he will need car modifications to
be able to drive, since it is his right leg that was
amputated. This fundraiser is such a blessing
for our family.”
Hunter is a mature, bright young man
with a great sense of humor, as evidenced by his
collection of t-shirts featuring phrases such as
“Leg Stories: $20” and “I Swim in Circles.”
Visiting with his family, it is clear they are
people of faith. Kristen says, “I have realized
how easy it is to be complacent, but there is so
much peace from surrendering all your fears
and worries to God.”
For more information on the 15th Annual
Snake Grabbin’ Rodeo and Benefit, you can
find them on Facebook @GrabUOneOutfitters.
70 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 71

BUYING, BUILDING,
OR REFINANCING
Your Home is
Our Priority
72 • MAY 2024

1-800-HINDSCC
hindscc.edu
Summer & Fall Registration
is happening now!
Fine & Performing Arts Department
Montage Theatre of Dance
Whether you’re starting your college journey or
returning to advance your career, we’ve saved
a seat just for you. Hinds is the perfect place to
learn, grow and succeed. Enroll today at Hinds
Community College. Your future is waiting. Visit
hindscc.edu or call 1-800-HINDSCC
1-800-HINDSCC
JACKSON | NAHC | RANKIN | RAYMOND | UTICA | VICKSBURG
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: Office of Campus Culture and Diversity, PO Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3569 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.
Hometown RANKIN • 73

SALUTE
to First Responders
What made you decide to work as a first responder?
When I was in high school, I was interested in wildlife biology, but I
also had a slight interest in the medical field. When I graduated, I really
did not have a direction that I wanted to take, but I worked a number
of jobs. I started working with my grandfather in his house-moving
business. After the fall of 2013, I applied to the nursing program at
Belhaven University. While I attended Belhaven for two semesters,
I was also a part of the Langford Volunteer Fire Department. Langford
is where I fell in love with being a first responder. In the fall of 2015,
I applied for EMT school, and that is where my career in the
ambulance service began.
How long have you been with the Pafford EMS?
As of 2024, I have been at Pafford EMS for eight years, and it has been
a great experience. It feels as though I have found my home.
Paramedic
Brayden
McKAY
PAFFORD EMS
Tell us about your family.
My family is my rock. My mother and father helped guide me most in
life. My mother is who I confide in when I have a hard day at work or
just in general. She offers advice in situations where I am struggling.
My father has always used a firm hand to help me learn life lessons.
I have learned many valuable lessons from my father because he has
tested me in situations that I would classify as “sink or swim” scenarios;
the quote, “The teacher is always silent during the test” reminds me of
his methods. My brother is also important to me. As my brother and
I have gotten older, we have found it difficult to spend time together
because of our busy lives, but I would say we have also grown closer in
adulthood. My brother has always encouraged me during times I was
down. He has always been great at helping me stand back up and dust
myself off, so to speak. My girlfriend has also been a wonderful support
system in life and in my career. She always brings a smile to my face,
even on my darkest days.
SPONSORED BY
74 • MAY 2024

What is the toughest thing you have experienced
in your job?
Something I have always struggled with while on the job is
explaining to family members when their loved one has passed
away. It is hard to do that without losing a piece of yourself, too.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time.
I often play video games to escape and decompress.
I also enjoy playing golf and hunting.
What are three things on your bucket list?
My bucket list consists of driving a racecar at Talladega, travel to
Switzerland, and build a house on fifteen to twenty acers of land.
Who is someone you admire and why?
I have always admired my father. He has been a great role model
in my life. One thing he always does that I appreciate is playing
devil’s advocate when I am faced with major decisions. He offers
multiple pros and cons to help me make a decision, so I do not
dive into something I should not.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young person,
what would it be?
If I could give any advice at all it would be to work hard.
Nothing in life is should be handed to you. If it is, it does not
feel as valuable.
What is your favorite thing about the Rankin County?
I have spent practically my entire life in Rankin County and
have watched cities like Brandon and Flowood grow and develop.
Some of my favorite things here include the parks and quiet
scenery throughout the county.
Hometown RANKIN • 75

76 • MAY 2024

Registration
NOW OPEN
Hometown RANKIN • 77

78 • MAY 2024
April 13
Downtown
Brandon

Hometown RANKIN • 79

Addiction treatment for adults
Inpatient and outpatient treatment
components can include:
• Medical, mental health and behavioral health assessments
• One to two individual therapy sessions per week
• Group therapy including 12-step principles and journaling
• Family therapy sessions as needed
• Ongoing psychiatric medication management
• Alcoholics Anonymous ® and Narcotics Anonymous ® meetings
• Develop relapse prevention coping skills
• Healthy relationship building
• Improve mental and physical wellness
• 24/7 access, call to learn more
Call 601-936-7886 to schedule a
confidential, no-cost assessment.
Walk-ins are welcome and most
insurances are accepted.
Learn more at brentwoodjackson.com.
3531 Lakeland Drive
Flowood, MS 39232
601-936-7886
Model representations of real patients are shown. Physicians are on
the medical staff of Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare, but, with limited
exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents
of Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare. The facility shall not be liable for actions
or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability
accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
240334-0517 3/24
80 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 81

82 • MAY 2024
Awards Luncheon
April 17 / Pearl Community Center

Hometown RANKIN • 83

Help a child
While you shop.
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.
Service Is Our Legacy
From our beginning in a one-room building in Jackson,
Mississippi, to a well-diversified organization with
locations around the world, Ergon remains committed
to Doing Right for our employees, our customers and
our communities. Learn more at ergon.com.
© Copyright 2023 BankPlus.
Member FDIC.
84 • MAY 2024
Hometown Rankin April 2024 ad 4x5.indd 1
3/7/24 9:15 AM

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
Embark on a culinary adventure
through the heart of Mississippi
with our exclusive feature
Salads
South
from the
Explore these Southern flavors
as we unveil four delicious salads from
amazing restaurants in our community.
From farm-fresh greens to savory toppings,
experience the epitome of Southern charm
and hospitality as we celebrate the art
of salad-making in our beloved hometown.
Hometown RANKIN • 85

Classic
Salad
Your choice of any of our 12
delicious chicken salad flavors
served atop a bed of our spring
lettuce blend with tomatoes
and cucumbers.
Wedge
Salad
Diced tomatoes, fried onion
strings, blue cheese crumbles,
ranch, and bacon bits. Add fried
or grilled chicken.
86 • MAY 2024

Southwest
Salad
Rocket romaine, spicy savory
chicken breast, black beans,
cheddar, mozzarella, corn,
cilantro, avocado, crushed
Fritos, spicy ranch dressing.
Savannah
Chopped
Salad
Seasoned grilled chicken,
dried cranberries, Gorgonzola,
honey-roasted almonds,
tomato and cucumber on
mixed greens. Try it with
Sherry Shallot dressing.
Hometown RANKIN • 87

88 • MAY 2024

APRIL 11
BELHAVEN
TOWN CENTER
Hometown RANKIN • 89

90 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 91

Happy Mother’s Day
from all of us at
Hometown
Magazines.
92 • MAY 2024

Save the Date!
Wednesday, July 3 / 6pm / Brandon Amphitheater
Free to the public! Fireworks at dark !
FOOD TRUCKS • INFLATABLES • FACE PAINTING • DOOR PRIZES • PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST
PIE-EATING CONTEST • CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT • BICYCLE PARADE
Community choir concert with special guest, Charles Billingsley!
Hometown RANKIN • 93

Rankin County Chamber
APRIL 16
CLYDE MUSE CENTER
94 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 95

The CHALKBOARD
Pearl Public School District
On April 8, students and staff donned solar eclipse glasses to witness the stunning celestial event firsthand. This remarkable occurrence
revealed incredible wonders, far surpassing what we learn in textbooks. It was a day of awe and learning beneath the open sky, truly a
memorable moment for all involved.
96 • MAY 2024

Jackson Prep
JACKSON PREP SENIOR HONORED BY STATE SENATE
Konnor Griffin, the multi-position senior baseball player from Jackson Prep,
was honored on March 28 by the Mississippi Senate with presentation of Senate
Resolution 51, saluting his excellence, as the 17-year-old is considered by many experts
to be the best high school player in America. Griffin pitches and plays shortstop for
Jackson Prep, but he could play anywhere on the diamond. Some Major League scouts
predict Griffin will play center field at the highest level, according to Senate Resolution 51.
Griffin has traveled the world playing the game he loves. Perfect Game has ranked him
second in the country, and he has been invited to play in Perfect Game events, future
MLB events, and the Under Armour All-American Game. Griffin has had an impressive
career at Prep as part of the three-time state championship baseball team.
Griffin helped lead Jackson Prep to its sixth consecutive and Mississippi record MAIS
Class 6A State Championship, a 31-4 record, and a No. 19 national ranking by Perfect
Game this past spring. He was named a High School All-American and selected as the
PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Baseball Player of the Year.
A right-handed pitcher, whose fastball tops out in the mid-90s, Griffin had a 7-1 record,
and a 1.38 earned run average with 81 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 50 2/3 innings.
As a right-handed hitter, Griffin had a .537 batting average with 43 runs, 30 runs batted
in, 6 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs. Blessed with the ability to hit with power
to all fields, Griffin had a .951 slugging percentage.
2023-2024 STAR STUDENTS & TEACHERS
Shown from L-R: Nolan Lundberg, Lee Waits, teacher; Lytle Moore,
Molly Parks, teacher; Beth Watts, teacher with student Rachel Hammack.
SENIOR NAMED USA SWIMMING
SCHOLASTIC ALL-AMERICAN AND
SIGNS TO SWIM AT AUBURN
Congratulations to Warner Russ on being
named a USA Swimming Scholastic
All-American for 2022-2023 competition
and academic season. Warner is a senior
at Jackson Prep and will be attending
Auburn University in the Fall of 2024.
Warner competed in both the Winter
Juniors in Columbus, OH, in December
finaling in the 200 IM and the 100 & 200
Freestyle (also breaking the 17-18 Men’s
state record). Over the summer, he
competed at Summer Juniors in Irvine,
CA, racing in the 50 & 100m Freestyle
and the 100 & 200m Backstroke events.
This award is the highest level earned
for a HS athlete through USA Swimming.
MATHLETES WIN FIRST PLACE AT MSMS COMPETITION
Ninth-grade geometry students competed in several math categories at the 2024
Mississippi Math and Science Competition. These geometry students won first place in
the geometry written test and in geometry ciphering. Front L-R: Caroline Jordan,
Catherine Hawkins, Brianna Wang, Adrianna Wang, James Gauthier.
Back L-R: Manning Parks, Stewart Russ, Payne Stroud.
SPECIAL VISIT FROM FIRST LADY OF MISSISSIPPI
Lower School kindergartners culminated their lesson of the letter “R” with “R is
for Reeves” when First Lady Elee Reeves came to read to the class.
Front L-R: Gus Dew, Colin Steadman, Wimberly Prince, Eryn Grace Harris,
Charlie Dixon, Mary Myron Nix, Townes Brown, Joshua McKeown, Rosalie Kuhn,
Seanna Arnold, Maggie Baker, Ryleigh Rawls, Rhodes Wilson.
Back L-R: Olivia Kneip, assistant teacher, Elee Reeves, Kathryn Watson, teacher.
Hometown RANKIN • 97

TheTime COIN
Camille Anding
The topic was Heaven, and the conversation was lively;
it usually is when people take time to consider the next step after death.
There is always the customary list: Will we know our family and friends? Will we get to eat? What will our
new bodies be like? How about work and jobs?
The questions from Sunday school members were kindled during the tape series recorded by a respected
and notable pastor in our denomination. His facts were authenticated by scripture, so the lesson was interesting
and beneficial.
A forever body is more than my imagination can capture, but living eternally in one that will never ache,
break, or wrinkle is wonderfully fascinating. I once read in one of those near-death-experience books that our
eyes will see added colors with greater brilliance. The book of John describes Jesus in a post-resurrection
appearance to His disciples in His forever body, but the doors are locked in the room where He appears.
Does this suggest there are additional dimensions that our new bodies will experience and navigate?
The following Monday, I walked around our back yard looking for signs of resurrection in some of my
dormant plants and perennials. I planted a small dogwood before the last frigid temps, and I stopped to
examine it for signs of life. Near the base of the sleeping dogwood was a tiny, three-inch oak tree. I bent over,
and with a jerk, pulled it from its earthly mooring. There it was! The Lord was giving me a living interpretation
concerning our “corruptible bodies being raised incorruptible,” and “It is sown a natural body;
it is raised a spiritual body.”
Attached to the base of the tiny tree was an acorn – the tree’s original body, but the small
tree had no resemblance to it. The acorn had to be buried and die an acorn to be “resurrected”
as a living oak tree.
If any of our neighbors happened to witness me inspecting that tiny phenomenon, they
would never imagine the theological breakthrough I was making. Certainly, it was a simple
prototype of something much more complex, but it brought clearer meaning to the picture of death.
Death! O, yes. It is the stalking enemy, the dark prerequisite for leaving this world. Death is a fact that
always comes attached to every life. It always has its turn. However, the believer has a resurrection verse from the
apostle Paul who asks death a question it can’t answer: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
Then Christians resound, “But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
98 • MAY 2024

Hometown RANKIN • 99