
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery

Community News

Potts Camp News
Dale Hollingsworth

Roger and Kathy Clayton celebrate 40th

Recent weekend guests of Betty Fincher were her son, Tony and Tammie Fincher of Memphis, Tenn., also her grandson Anthony and wife Flecia Fincher, who have moved out of Memphis to Hwy. 349 near relatives; others were Connie and Andy Work and little Anna Rose Fincher, age 5, who is attending Mary Reid School this year, her first year. She likes school.

Congratulations to Sam and Jackie Ford on their 32nd wedding anniversary on Aug. 15.

Special services and dinner were served last Sunday at Temperance Hill Baptist Church. Many of my friends and neighbors attend that special church.

Happy Birthday to Lurline Kimery – August 27, Nancy Gurley Green – August 27, Dene Randolph – August 26, Jennifer Cook Rowland – August 28, Betty Fincher – Aug. 30, Zac Wilson – Aug. 29.

Congratulations to Roger and Kathy Clayton who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a party held in their honor on Sunday, Aug. 21 at the Church of Christ in New Albany.

Recent visitors of Faye Turpen and family and Mr. and Mrs. Marion Askew were Lou Burks; Sharon and Ed Pickeron; and Willene McCabe, of Florida; Troy and Dawn James and Brenda Turbfield, of Red Bay, Ala.; Brack and Janice Logan and children of Fulton; Leon and Kathleen Armstrong of Brewer; Mr. and Mrs. Billy Askew, B.J. and Joanie Askew and children, all of Jackson.

One Who Cares

There is one who we can lean on in times of great despair. He knows our every heartache. He sees our every care. There is one who sees every tear that falls and feels each throbbing pain; He longs to draw us close to Him and restore our soul again.

This friend I tell you of, sweet Jesus is his name. No matter what besets the soul, He’s always just the same. So lean upon His strength today. He’ll bring you safely through. For when the night seems darkest, His love will rescue you. —Unknown

Pray for the sick people and those who have lost loved ones. Henry Tutor, a former neighbor, is very ill in Ripley Veteran’s Home. Charles Henderson, who worked at the Marshall County Courthouse helping people, is ill at home; pray for him. Bobbie Clayton has lost one eye and has trouble with the other one. She has been going for treatment and new glasses. Pray for her.

History

Memories of the old white frame Potts Camp Methodist Church, built by my grandfather, J.A. Potts, in 1904, keep coming back to me.

The church was organized in 1889, one year after the first Potts Camp board meeting. The first little church burned in 1903 after being struck by lightning.

Land for the Methodist Church and parsonage was donated by Mary A. Reid, daughter of Colonel Erasmus Potts, the town’s first settler.

She also gave the land for other churches and schools (both races), and land for Potts Camp Cemetery, and right-of-way for the Frisco railroad that came through the town and built a depot in 1886.

Mary Reid School and Reid’s Gift Baptist Church are named for Mary Reid (my granddad’s aunt).

Looking back, I can almost see the tall steeple, green glass windows, pipe organ, kneeling rail and front steps on the old church.

Tryphone Rogers, daughter of the pastor, was one of my first guardian angels. She taught us all about Jesus and how He died for us.

She also took us on picnics; we would walk to Winborn and wade in the shallow creek water. One day I fell in and got wet. Miss Rogers borrowed a pair of overalls for me.

My younger brother, Bennie, always played with us, so in 1925, when James and I, along with friends, went forward to accept Christ, 4-year-old Bennie climbed over the seat to join us.

As Mother picked him up, he said, “When I get big as Mrs. Cook’s corn patch, I bet I join myself to the church.” And he did. His favorite hymn was “Trust and Obey.” He sang solo. He was really Benton Potts Jr. We called him Bennie.

In 1926, they tore the old church down and built a two-story brick building. We were so proud of it.

In 1929, the church burned during the Christmas season, the fires’ origin is unknown. Thanks to Robert Greer, banker, and other Potts Camp businessmen, the church was fully paid for and rebuilt in 1930.

While it was being rebuilt, we worshiped in the new school, built in 1925, after the two-story school burned the year I started to school, 1924.

The main high school and the church are still being used. I have happy memories of them.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
The South Reporter
P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
©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