Bank of Holly Springs

Fielder’s Choice

Spread love and laughter

It’s Christmas, and for me this year, the emphasis is on two words – love and laugh.

That was a legacy left for me by a dear friend, Lisa Denley McNeece.

I was stunned Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, when I walked into my office, checked my email and learned of Lisa’s sudden death that morning at her home in Bruce.

I’ve been shocked before by people important to me leaving this earth way too soon. But none compares to this one.

I met Lisa many years ago through my involvement with the Mississippi Press Association.

I quickly grew to respect the Denley family.

Her father, Gale, was an inspiration. As a young journalist in a new state, I hung around him as much as I could at conventions, thirsty for knowledge.

Then I had the privilege of working with Lisa on the MPA Board of Directors. As a new member of the board in the mid-1990s, she was a true mentor.

Then in 2001, I was blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of the extended Denley family when I moved to Holly Springs and took over leadership of The South Reporter.

The Denleys were suddenly just 60 miles away. And their guidance and support during my 17 years in Holly Springs have been invaluable.

Pam and I have been blessed to spend time with Lisa and her husband Joel, who she met at an MPA Convention. But we didn’t spend nearly enough.

And I told Joel that Tuesday night of last week at the visitation.

I hugged him and said, “I’m so sorry, and I love you,” and that I wished I had told he and Lisa that many times before.

“She knew it, Barry. She knew it,” Joel replied.

Lisa was just 58. She loved life. She loved her family. She loved Bruce. She loved Calhoun County. She loved community newspaper work. She loved carrying on the rich tradition of her grandfather and father at The Calhoun County Journal.

She lived love. It was a part of her very being.

And a testament to Lisa’s love for others and their love for her was the enormous amount of people waiting in a long line for hours to offer condolences to her family last week.

And most of those, like myself, got the joy of experiencing perhaps her most wonderful characteristic, her laughter. It was contagious.

“She could light up a room,” said MPA executive director Layne Bruce, who delivered a touching eulogy.

Honestly, walking into an MPA function with Lisa present was like an instant “cheerme-up.” She made everyone around her feel better. She delivered joy like no other person I’ve ever been around.

There were many tears in the days surrounding Lisa’s sudden death, and there will be many more. However, both speakers at her memorial services urged her family members and friends to “laugh, not cry,” because that’s the way Lisa would want it.

And that’s my message for you this holiday season. As you spend Christmas with family and friends, spread love and laughter.

Cherish the time together. Life is short.

From the Burlesons, Merry Christmas!

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com