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Community News

Potts Camp News
Dale Hollingsworth

Fred Whaley honored on 81st birthday

Fred Whaley was honored on his birthday, May 24, with a special dinner and celebration. He was 81 and still working. It was held in Holly Springs at the home of his granddaughter, Amanda and Kent Smith and young son, Jack Whaley. Many family members attended. Fred is a descendant of Colonel E.F. Potts, the first settler in this area. Sons of Fred and Mary Jo are Rodney Whaley and Brett Whaley.

Get well wishes to Mattie Gurley, who is recuperating from recent hip surgery. She needs our prayers.

On Tuesday I enjoyed seeing Dr. Boatwright and other friends at Williams Clinic in Potts Camp. We are proud we have a clinic and Potts Camp Pharmacy. They are all friendly.

Congratulations to Leigh Ann Sanderson, who is the new principal of Potts Camp School. She had served four years as principal at Mary Reid School. Chris Ferrell is the new assistant principal at Potts Camp School. Pat Kennedy from Byhalia School has become the principal of Mary Reid School. We wish them all success.

We were all happy to see Henry Tutor when he returned home recently. His grandson, William Thompson, changed his bathroom and put in a shower while he was in the VA hospital and nursing home. When he returned to his church, Faith Assembly of God in Myrtle, all the members stood up when he entered the door. They were glad to see him.

My sister-in-law, Joann Potts from Olive Branch, visited me on Memorial Day. She is a retired school teacher. Jo was the wife of my late brother, Rev. Lindy Potts. They have three children, Alan Potts of Tupelo, who is a radio announcer. Others are Dean Potts and Pam Qualls. I was glad to see her and her little dog.

“The Touch of the Master’s Hand” — Lindy’s Newsletter
It was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile. “What am I biddin’,” he cried, “who’ll start the biddin’ for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar and who’ll make it two? Two dollars and who’ll make it three, going for three.” But no — from the room far back a gray headed man came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening the strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer, that voice was quiet and low, said “What am I bid for the old violin,” and he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars and who’ll make it two, two thousand and who’ll make it three?” “Three thousand going once, going twice and going, gone,” he said. The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We don’t understand. What changed the worth?” Swift came the reply, “The touch of the Master’s hand,” and many a man with life out of time and battered and scarred with sin is cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin. A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, a game and he travels on. He’s going once, and He’s going twice, He’s going and almost gone.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd never quite understands. The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought by the touch of the Master’s hand.

Correction in last week’s South Reporter: (This should have been in the Potts Camp Memories last week) In 1948, a lovely Hammond organ was donated to the Potts Camp United Methodist Church (still being used). It was given in memory of the mother of the Greer members, Cordelia Greer. She served as outstanding organist. Anthony Rabe of Houston, Tx., Eugenia Eason of Memphis, a former Potts Camp music teacher, and Faye Peel, the former organist at that time, played at the dedication service.

Prayer list: Mattie Gurley, Jean Derryberry, Roy Foote, Diane Clayton, Nadine Vest, Mary Jo McCallum, Juanita Howell, Lena Fay Work, Jessie Pipkin, Connie Work, Betty Fincher.

History and Memories

I remember the wonderful football team at Potts Camp School for four years under coach Lloyd Thomas! Members of the team in 1934 were Milton Steele, Ralph Overton, E.J. Marett, Andrew Watson, Clinton Boren, Ralph Greer, Frank Greer, Willard Overton, Mitchell Stone, Paul Lowery, Walter Dunn, Wyatt Kidd, Bob Bennett and Dooley Stone, also Herbert Cook.

We sang a song about our team — “There is no team like our team, no captain like Marett, no center like Steele is, he’s just the best yet.” Aileen Jones was crowned “Football Queen” that year.

One year after school, while the football team was playing on the field, someone yelled, “The depot is on fire.” We all ran to town as fast as we could. My dad was the depot agent.

The football team also rushed there, and hooked up the only fire equipment Potts Camp had at that time. It was a huge hose wrapped around two large wheels. I looked for my dad; finally I spotted him coming out of the burning depot with two football players. They were helping him bring out his desk and important records. The depot was too far gone, but the stores on Front Street were in danger. The boys wet them with the hose. Two box cars nearby were filled with explosives. The crowd rushed back as flames shot into the air and made a loud noise. The football team was our hero that day. They saved the town.

For about six weeks, my dad, J.B. Potts, had two box cars set up in the middle of the tracks nearby until a new depot could be built.

My dad, along with George Holley and Sam Nichols were school board members. They picked some wonderful teachers.

We are thankful for our fire department today! It not only covers the Potts Camp area, it reaches across the railroad tracks several miles to the Bethlehem area. At one time trains would block the road and if a house was on fire, they couldn’t get there in time. Now a truck and fire station are located there.

God has blessed us and we are thankful!

Holly Springs News
Henderson Milan

Hopewell No. 1 setting for extravaganza June 14

Board of deacons and the board of trustees were honored Sunday, May 25 at Hopewell No. 1. Pastor James presented gifts to the deacons and trustees.

Samuel Chapel Church presented a Memorial Day program Sunday, May 25. Flags were presented to three veterans.

Mr. and Mrs. Julius Bostick of Memphis, Tenn., visited his aunt during the holidays.

Holly Springs/Marshall County Baptist Association met for great sessions May 20-22, of the 139th session Women’s Auxiliary. The president delivered her address Tuesday night. Moderator Archie Bowen delivered his address. Youth night was Thursday night.

Minister’s Alliance will present an extravaganza Saturday, June 14 at Hopewell No. 1 Pastor Leroy James is the president. The public is invited.

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