Potts Camp News - Dale Hollingsworth


Thursday, January 24, 2008
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Potts Camp News
Dale Hollingsworth

Billie Margaret Benefield takes first plane ride to Cincinnati

Joyce Clayton visited her brother, Wayne Smith, at Southaven on Tuesday, then visited her other brother, Jamie Smith, in Olive Branch. They were happy to see her.

Billie Margaret Benefield took her first plane ride to Cincinnati, Ohio, before Christmas and returned on Jan. 7. She was visiting her daughter, Mary and Everett Howard and daughters, Eva Howard and Charlotte Howard.

Congratulations to Nelson Hurst, grandson of Billie Margaret Benefield, who received a full football scholarship from MS State this year. His parents are Tim and Susan Hurst of Indiana.

My son, Danny Hollingsworth, called from Knoxville, Tenn., where he began teaching in a Baptist College the first of January. He had taught many years at MS State College. His family will join him when the younger boys complete the year at the academy in Starkville. Clark graduates this spring there. Jake is younger. Luke is a second year student at MS State and plays in the college band.

We send love and sympathy to Elizabeth Hollingsworth and family in the death of her mother, Mrs. Glen Taylor.

Thoughts

I. Can Jesus depend on us to strengthen the Kingdom of God, just like He depended on the first disciples? For better or worse, we are the only ones Jesus can depend on to tell the world today how He lived and died on the cross to save us from our sins. Today’s Christians are all He has, and He is depending on us.
II. Sometimes we forget that God may want us to be a part of the answers to our prayers! We pray for loved ones, but never speak a word of testimony to them; we ask the Lord to comfort the shut-ins but never visit them. Also we pray for people who need financial help but never give them a dime.
Prayer
By feeding on your word, Dear God, I will no longer weak and childish be. As I listen to your spirit’s voice may childlike love and grace be seen in me. For Christ’s sake, amen.

Thoughts

America needs the healing touch of God! Times have changed over the years; people didn’t have very much money, but many of them worshiped God more.
In school we had chapel programs and sang songs about God and our country. A local pastor spoke to us at least once a week. In study hall, I remember Mr. Caver, the coach, read a few verses of Scripture and prayed for us the first period at school. Those were wonderful days!
II Chronicles 7:14 speaks for itself: “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Happy birthday to: Jan. 22, Mitch Stone Jr.; Jan. 24, T.M. Stone Sr.; Jan. 26, Jimmie Hart and William Byers; Jan. 30, Juanita Stone and Tommy Howell; Jan. 31, Floyd Edwards.

Prayer list: Ella Rea Whaley, Donna Marett, Nadine Vest, Gerry Vanzant, Diane Clayton, Lena Fay Work, Jean Derryberry, Mary Jo McCallum, Roy Foote, Hazel Foote. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, and the lonely. Pray for Allen Renich, who had a recent heart attack. He is in Baptist Desoto Hospital.

Pray for 5-year-old Madylenne Clifton, daughter of Brian and Dephanie Clifton, who had brain surgery last week at LeBonheur Hospital. She is the great-granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clifton.

A niece of the Cliftons, Cerise Wall, who lived with them two years, has moved to New Hampshire.

Memories and History

Potts Camp has always had outstanding basketball teams! The most exciting event I remember was in 1961, when coach Mitchell Stone carried the Potts Camp Cardinals to Overall Championship. A crowd of friends and students watched them board the bus that day. I was working at the school.

Team members were: Gale Goode, James Lee Spencer, Billy Cupp, Jimmy Sidall, Myron Cupp, Quinton Day, Jimmy Bennett, Dewitt (Sonny) Stroud, Jimmy Beckworth, Ralph Clayton, Roger Clayton, Charles Shaw, Robert Phillips. Managers were James Carl Pipkin and Gary (Butch) Morris.

Back in the early ’30s, Potts Camp had a gym for the first time, when the Smith-Hughes Act was passed. They also built a large agri building with home economics classes on one side. (It has been demolished, also the old gym.)

Coach Lloyd Thomas was the first coach in the new gym. Until that time basketball was played on an outdoor court, and they wore black trunks and white shirts.

The first Potts Camp Cardinals were Andrew Watson, Frank Greer, Milton Steele, Clinton Boren, Mitchell Stone, Ben Henderson, E.J. Marett and Ralph Overton. The girls also had a good team.

During the Depression years people had very little money, so the team collected chickens, and sold them in Hickory Flat for 5¢ a pound. They ordered the red suits after selling the chickens. In 1933 the boys team won second in state and only lost two games. Many loyal fans helped support the team with time and money. The girls team also won second in state. In 1936 the Potts Camp Cardinals won first place in state. They were A. D. Swain, Russell Boren, Mitchell Stone, Willard (Jeff) Overton, E.G. Etheridge, Jack Dunn, Dooley Stone, Otto Farr and Allen Reed Grisham. That was the year I graduated from high school.

Another special coach, Carl White, had a winning team also. He died one night in Blue Mountain while attending a ball game. The gym is named for him.

Last year a new recreation building was named for coach T.M. Stone; a large crowd attended the dedication.

Coach Thomas was one of my teachers. He told me that I didn’t eat enough turnip greens and cornbread to be a good ball player. I had other interests but always attended the games.

“The Windy Waves” was the name of our school paper. I was one of the reporters and typist. Miss Stroupe encouraged me to write. Also the Glee Club, under Miss Eason, music teacher, presented many programs at the school. (I was a part of that.) Before the days of TV people attended the school programs often.

Potts camp will always be a basketball town!

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