Close to Nowhere - Linda Jones


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Close to Nowhere
By Linda Jones

Tribute to Mrs. Dale

When I first began working at The South Reporter, I had no idea how many people I’d meet that would have such an impact on how I view life.

Two of those people are now gone -- Henderson Milan, who wrote the Holly Springs news for The South Reporter (for 72 years) passed away in December of 2009, and Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, Dale Hollingsworth passed away.

Mrs. Hollingsworth wrote the Potts Camp News for around 30 years. Mary Minor and I weren’t exactly sure, since “forever” wasn’t right. But I trust Mary’s judgment, so about 30 is good!

The first Christmas I was here at the newspaper, I was surprised when Mrs. Hollingsworth dropped in and brought all of us, including the very new me, pillows she’d made. She brought us pillows for Christmas for several years.

The South Reporter helped celebrate Mrs. H’s 90th birthday, Dec. 19, 2008. And quite a crowd turned out to say “Happy Birthday” to her.

Many memories were shared that day and Mrs. H’s enjoyment spilled over to everyone present. A former Potts Camp School teacher and a former community correspondent, Sank Owen, came to be with her, along with family and friends from all over.

Sue Watson, The South Reporter’s news reporter, wrote a wonderful story about Mrs. H and her birthday party. Quotes from that story follow:

“She is 90 years old and still writing, and friends and family gathered for a reception at the Potts Camp School cafeteria where she worked 18 years while her three children were in school there. She went to work at the cafeteria to help make ends meet after her husband had a heart attack.
“Hollingsworth is a graduate of the Class of 1936.
“Hollingsworth was a reporter and typist for her high school paper, The Windy Waves, and was encouraged by her English teachers to write.
“My English teacher, Eugenia Stroupe, would submit some of my compositions to help me get started,” Hollingsworth said.
“Another English teacher, Ms. Dunn, who later married a Mr. Curd who bought The South Reporter, also encouraged Hollingsworth.
“Her great-grandfather, Col. Potts, was the founder of Potts Camp and the first settler of the area, she said.
“My daddy, J.B. Potts, grew up at Macedonia,” she said, “and was depot agent 40 years.”
“Hollingsworth took over as community correspondent for Potts Camp after being asked by Mrs. Harvey James, the prior columnist.
“Early on she called her friends in the area to ask if they had any news, but today most people call her with their news of family reunions, visiting relatives, trips and vacations to be taken or those who have fallen ill or have been just released from the hospital.
“It is common for people to drop by and put a note containing their news on her door, she said.
“I enjoy writing and have always put in my Bible verses,” Hollingsworth said. “I added the ‘Thoughts’ later and separated ‘Memories’ from the news about five years ago. And then I added ‘History.’
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it. I get up in the middle of the night and write and read the Bible. I have no enemies but many friends. The Lord’s blessed me to let me live this long and to have good health.”

Mrs. H. continued to enjoy writing her column until she broke her ankle a month or so ago. Mary Minor helped her write it for a bit and is carrying on the tradition for the Potts Camp community.

Henderson Milan was a sweet, gentle man who cared deeply about Holly Springs, education and his large, extended family and friends. I learned a lot about Holly Springs’ folks from him.

Mrs. H. was enthusiastic! About her family, her church, her town and the history of Potts Camp.

Any time we received a request for any type of information about Potts Camp, we passed that request along to her -- and she always knew the answer.

Mrs. Hollingsworth’s column, with her “Thoughts,” “Memories,” and “History,” will be sadly missed.

She was laid to rest Wednesday in the cemetery of her beloved Potts Camp.

Rest in peace...

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