Society

Gene Brown, Kay Wheeler, Melinda Skelton and Mary Clay Brooks and children, Caitlyn and Grady, travelled to Mississippi College Wednesday to watch the North All-Star softball team play the South. Senior Chelsey Gilliam, daughter of Mary Beth and Jimbo, represented Marshall Academy on the team. The game started off tied up at the beginning of the second inning when the bottom dropped out. After a rain delay and seeing it was not going to stop, the game was postponed until Tuesday this week.

Phoebe and Tom Stewart arrived last week to visit Linda and Tom Stewart and children, Brittany and Thomas.

Brittany Stewart spent the weekend in Starkville. While there, she visited with Marshall Academy alumni Sarah Poteet and Kelsey Shaw, as well as many others.

Lynn and Johnathan Rowe and son, Jack, of Memphis, were the weekend guests of Margaret Brown.

Hank Wheeler of Newnan, Ga., was the weekend guest of Mary Clay and Gene Brooks and children, Caitlyn and Grady.

Ann Yager and Alex McCrosky of Danville, Ky., visited with Bea and Drew Tolsdorf and daughter, Caroline, of Jackson., this weekend along with cousins, Shelley and Rives Pringle of Gulfport.

Grady Brooks celebrated his 10th birthday over the weekend. He went to the Memphis Zoo, along with his parents, sister, granddaddy, and friend, Thomas Stewart. They enjoyed seeing all of the animals. After the zoo trip, they were joined by Kay and Laura Wheeler at Firebirds for a wonderful meal. Happy birthday, Grady!

(To put your news in City Personals, please e-mail maryclayb@yahoo.com; mail to City Personals, The South Reporter, P.O. Box 278, Holly Springs, MS 38635 or call 662-252-4261. You may also e-mail your City Personal news to southreporter@dixie-net.com).

Elaine Denise Key and Christopher Brandon Garrett

Elaine Key and Chris Garrett to wed November 5 in Greenville

Elaine Denise Key, daughter of Mrs. Harry Dennis Key and the late Harry Dennis Key of Greenville, is engaged to Christopher Brandon Garrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Braiden Garrett of Holly Springs.

The bride-elect is a graduate of Washington School in Greenville, and attended Northwest Community College in Senatobia, and Concorde Career College in Memphis, Tenn.

The prospective groom is a graduate of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis and earned a degree in psychology from Crichton College. He is a project manager for ServPro in Fort Collins, Colo.

The two will wed on November 5, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Greenville, with a reception to follow at the EE Bass Cultural Arts Center.

Elaine and Christopher will reside in Fort Collins, following their nuptials.

Rebecca Thompson to wed Andrew Wright January 7, 2012, at First Baptist Church, Holly Springs

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Thompson of Holly Springs are proud to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Rebecca Nichole Thompson, to Andrew Richard Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Wright of Cedar Bluff.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Ophelia Thompson and the late Le’J Thompson of Hickory Flat, and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gabbert also of Hickory Flat.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Irma Latham and the late Howard Latham of Ethelsville, Ala. and Rachel Donahoo Cannon and the late Thomas Donahoo Sr. of Cedar Bluff.

The bride-elect is a 2006 salutatorian graduate of Marshall Academy and also a graduate of Mississippi State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Rebecca was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and held the office of vice president of standards for her sorority. She is presently attending Mississippi College where she is pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical science.

The prospective groom is a graduate of Oak Hill Academy and a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi. Andy received his degree with honors in science and business administration and a degree in finance with real estate emphasis.

He was a member of the Sigma-Chi Fraternity at Southern. He is presently employed with Sherwin-Williams in Corinth, as the assistant manager.

The couple will exchange vows at 5 p.m. on January 7, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Holly Springs, with a reception following at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Schneller.

2011 Christmas in Holly Springs
Thomas home “The Whittens” on the December 3-4 Christmas Tour

Originally a three-room log home built by D.D. Jones in 1844, The Whittens is now the home of Jim and Martha Thomas. Features of the home are the beautiful ruby etched glass over the front door, the dentilled cornice and single bay pedimented portico supported by paired Tuscan piers.

While retaining its original antebellum Greek Revival lines, the home has the appearance of an English basement style home. There is a full basement where the Thomases maintain their home offices and Mr. Thomas’s train set. Mrs. Thomas decorates with her Santa Claus collection.

Wesley Merritt owned the house in the 1870s and he receives the credit for laying the ale bottles down the front walk. They remain but have been covered by concrete.

The house was also owned by Robert McWilliams who was a noted Confederate soldier. His son lived here and was sheriff. His daughter was named Janie Lyon and she was the only woman deputy I ever knew. She could really play the piano and played for the movie house for the silent movies shown in the theatre over Nancy Hutchens’ office on Van Dorn Avenue.

Her daughter was named Janie Jr. and she, too, could ragtime that piano. She gave free piano lessons during the Depression to people who wanted to learn through the government W.P.A.

The Lyons moved to California as that state had a retirement program where they could live forevermore.

After that, the house was bought by Opal and Janie Whitten and they enjoyed it as a home for them and their family. At that time, the Whittens also owned “The South Reporter.”

The Christmas Tour will be December 3 and 4. The tickets may be purchased at the Marshall County Historical Museum, 220 East College Avenue. Advance tickets in groups of ten cost $15 each, advance tickets cost $18 each. The week of the tour all tickets will be $22 each. We take credit cards, checks and cash. Our telephone number is 662-252-3669.

The tour is incredible and features some of the oldest houses in Holly Springs -- the newest house is 1885.

The musical part of the tour is the fantastic Christmas Dinner theatre each night at the Baptist Recreational Building, which is like a New York production.


Thursday, October 27, 2011
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