with Patsy Nobles Jones
“It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.” – unknown
Our community expresses sympathy to the families of Dr. Orman Clarence Campbell (8-23-25 to 8-1-22), my first “eye doctor” and such a gentleman; Kristi Marie White Smith (12-4-67 to 8-6-22); Mardy Jean Nelson Jones (12-15-45 to8-7-22); and Sharon Clayton Henson (3-29-34 to 7-28-22).
Also, actress/singer, Olivia Newton-John (9-26-48 to 8-8-22) lost her fight from 1992 breast cancer. Will we ever forget “Grease” and her black leather jumpsuit (sold for $400,000)? Then the older brother, Wally Cleaver departed, too. Tony Dow (4-13-45 to 7-27-22) was the older brother on “Leave It to Beaver.” He patiently gave logical brotherly advice. These are two more people from Don’s and my era. It signals our time is nearing in these golden (tarnished) years.
Sadly, local news shared three were killed after their boat crashed into a barge on the Tennessee River in Decatur County.
Prayer requests — Johnny Hayes returning to ICU; Regina Tignor; Jane (Gleamon) Rhodes; Derick Dukes; Ralph Mays doing better after additional PT; and Charlotte Joyner feeling better after soup and pimento cheese sandwich. Also, tenderly remember those we miss – school bus driver, Waymon Morris (9-23-25/8-5-21); Troy Swafford (1-23-84/8-4-18); Raymond Naylor (9-9-21/1-8-17); and LaTasha Wright Phillips (8-6-56/1-5-17). All loved and “Remembered as long as a name is spoken or written.”
Birthdays —- Cody Brooks (8-8, age 3); Johnathan Pounds (8-5); Doris Maness (8-6); Braxton Ellis (8-16); Debra Connor (8-16); Braelyn Ellis (8-18); Barbara Maness Johnson (8-?); and my favorite holiday, Aug. 9 has three sharing the big day – Larry Bloomingburg, Don Robertson and Patsy N. Jones. Don and Carlette Robertson mailed me three different gifts on three different events. (1) Dolly Parton’s CD; (2) Dolly Parton’s new perfume; and (3) Dolly Parton’s new book. Do we have something in common? Mailed cards to Don and Larry and thought of many others who share Aug. 9, but they celebrate in heaven.
The children of Doris (Andy) Maness planned a very nice and large buffet birthday dinner for a 90th birthday mother. Doris sat at the head of the table with balloons on her chair, and Andy and Willadean Maness Thrasher near her. Thirty-two attended. The Maness children are Roger Maness, Karen Maness (Randy McPherson), Joey (Dianna) Maness and Michele Maness (Glenn Phillips). They have seven grandchildren — Austin, Hayes, Taylor, Nicole, Summer, Brandy, Joseph, and also great-grands whose names I do not remember at age 71. Chester County friends, the Webbs (Charles, Ruth, Royce, Timothy and Maria) traveled together. From Plainview church, Pat Evans and Mr. Presnell attended and sat with Don and me. I wanted to sit near Mrs. Joey Maness’s dad, John – he seemed like a lot of fun. Joey’s friend made one of the ice creams while Karen and Randy did the other. The meal was super. The company special.
The meal consisted of poppy chicken, green beans, corn, squash, okra, marinated veggies, strawberry Jello salad, five-cup salad, watermelon, cantaloupe, purple slaw, cornbread, carrot cake, homemade peach and vanilla ice cream, chocolate-vanilla swirled candy with strawberries and many beverages. The carrot cake was Doris’s recipe. Karen and Randy’s home and the front lawn was a Better Home and Garden scene. The gorgeous backyard was very inviting with wicker and yellow cushions. We scattered and enjoyed our lunch buddies. Don and I appreciated being included in the birthday bash. They are a very precious family to us and Mama Beck adored them. Happy Birthday, dear Cousin DD. I like having you and Andy as cousins from both of my family ties. You are my kissing cousins. I love you both. Do not allow Murdell Barker, Inez Cash, Estelle Jones, or Robert Jones out-do you in birthdays.
Friends, thank you for helping LOVING PAWS. Carol Preuss was in a fall and taken to Memphis ICU July 17. She is better and appreciates dog food donated to LPR from Tractor Supply. Her husband Ron and friends are managing the rescue, but food and supplies are needed. A “cry for help” should be heard. Think of what LOVING PAWS RESCUE has done to help rescue unwanted and unloved dogs and puppies from our county. She adopts her rescues to out-of-state facilities. The adopted family must meet strict guidelines. Follow in her footsteps and see the WORK she does. It is a rough (ruff-ruff) job that seldom is shown appreciation but is expected on demand. Keep Carol in your prayers; she is a good person who has operated this rescue for 16.6 years. Only recently were fundraisers done to help LPR (thank you). Spaying, neutering ONE mother dog and her puppies takes much money plus vaccination and some dog illnesses that come along with raising furry family. If you can not take care of a new pet, do not get one. Carol is the one who usually has to rescue your unwanted puppies.
Computers shows much animal abuse and abandonment. One young man filmed himself killing kittens, another senior dog found abandoned in a deep cave with no escape except up an upward climb. Abby was missing for two months. Makes you wonder! One young man rescued a German shepherd and ended up saving seven more lives when she gave birth in a safe surrounding.
God is watching us. The world sees how we care for animals, too. What is more important than taking care of our elderly treasures, innocent children and loyal pets? Elderly share wisdom from the past we ALL need to know, and be able to practice to survive in this world. Children show complete trust with big innocent eyes during hard times we will face. Animals love us all unconditionally. Many animals give their lives to protect owners or soldiers. Cats bring us snacks.
Treasure these three and God will bless you. We must all cling to our teachings. Let us thank God often for our many blessings. Life is NOT that busy. He deserves our respect always. I so appreciate my parents for being fair and good to us and our friends. They were wise in guidance; and they gave us “enough.” I feel blessed to have been raised in my era, do you? Couldn’t we write a book to guide these young people today?
