Close to Nowhere - Linda Jones


Thursday, December 17, 2009
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery

Close to Nowhere
By Linda Jones

“He had a good heart...”

• This week was one of the few times I’ve written my column over the weekend. Normally, that’s the last thing I do and I’m usually pushing deadlines as I frantically type away on my keyboard.

My column about Clyde and Santa and the Clydesdale Christmas Store at Holiday Lodge will wait until next week.

• Henderson Milan has written for The South Reporter since he was 12 years old. He supposedly retired in 2005, but he kept sending little snippets and news for several years. If my memory serves correctly, he’d sent news in even during at least part of 2009.

Mr. Milan passed away Monday night. He was 88. And while he and his beloved wife Mary had no children of their own, he left scores of children behind.

Lincoln Martin, who owns South Center Printing next door to the newspaper office, came in this morning to make sure we’d heard the news.

“He taught me 40 years ago,” Lincoln said. “He never harmed anyone. He just had a good heart.”

Mr. Milan sent a letter to The South Reporter announcing his retirement and the reason:

Dear Editor,
Henderson Milan is retiring from writing for The South Reporter after 72 years of column writing. His first writing was for Union Valley community, followed by Holly Springs No. 2, followed by Holly Springs.
When he began writing his column it was under the heading “News Of Interest To Colored Readers.” Later, it was not restricted.
Milan served eight editors, namely Mr. C.H. Curd, Mr. C.V. Whitten, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Hilburn, Mr. George Yarbrough, Mr. Walter Webb and Mr. Barry Burleson.
The column writer is very appreciative to the staff for accepting his news. Milan is also indebted to the many friends and neighbors who gave him news and pictures to put in the paper for them; to each contributor a special thanks.
Milan is retiring because his eyes are no longer able to help with the task of putting together a weekly column. Thanks again for the typewriter that The South Reporter gave us and Mrs. Linda brought to our home.
Milan sends well wishes to the editor and staff of this paper. He also hopes to send special articles when events occur. Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Henderson Milan

I wrote an “official” story about Mr. and Mrs. Milan at his retirement:

How he began writing for the paper, to get his church news in, when he was 12 years old; how he sent news home when he served overseas in the Army during World War II; how he met Mary, courted her and they married and both began long teaching careers. Mr. Milan taught for 30 years and Mrs. Milan taught for 37.

The official story doesn’t convey the love still evident between the Milans after 58 years of marriage. It doesn’t convey the kind and gentle nature and the vast, huge heart of Mr. Milan, his thoughtfulness and willingness to go that extra little bit for someone else.

Holly Springs has lost a great man. We here at the newspaper office have lost a loved friend and faithful correspondent.

God blessed him -- and us...

Mr. and Mrs. Milan

Henderson and Mary Milan in front of the cake and flowers at Mr. Milan’s retirement party held at The South Reporter office.

Celebrating 58th anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Milan are pictured at the Ida B. Wells Museum just a few weeks before their 58th wedding anniversary. Mr. Milan was being honored as a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Honored

South Reporter Editor Barry Burleson and Holly Springs Mayor André DeBerry presented Mr. Milan plaques of appreciation at his retirement party, April 29, 2005.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page