65 years ago, July 22, 1954
“Sunday, July 25, will mark a milestone in the progress of the North Columbia Baptist Church when the new church building will be occupied for services for the first time and a dedicatory address delivered by Dr. A.L. Gatewood, pastor of the First Baptist Church. … The church has grown to its present size from a very small beginning in 1935 when a missionary circle of the First Baptist Church met in the community and developed an interest in a mission Sunday School which met in several homes. At least one revival was held under the large oak tree in front of the B.B. Buckley home just south of the property later donated for a church building. … On Aug. 3, 1938, the group met to organize North Columbia Baptist Church with the Rev. J.O. Chappell as moderator and Miss Nell Mikell as clerk.”
60 years ago, July 23, 1959
“On Thursday evening, July 9, a group of the citizens of the Darbun community and other interested parties met at the Marion-Walthall school auditorium for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. … There were 47 chartered members. After the organizational meeting Reverend Caley Ray Nichols was elected to serve the new church as pastor. … At the present time the Darbun church will hold its regular services in the Marion-Walthall school building.”
50 years ago, July 24, 1969
“An Open House will be held at ‘The Rec’ in the City Waterworks Building in honor of Mrs. Edwin (Susie) Warley, who has resigned as director of the youth recreation center after 23 years of service. … Mrs. Warley has operated the center on a small budget through the years and has served beyond the call of duty – taking kids home when their rides failed to show, mopping and even waxing the floor at times – always working toward the goal of providing a place of nice, clean, wholesome recreation for the youth of the city. Ray Griffith Jr. is credited with originating the idea of the establishing the Recreation Center. An outstanding tennis and badminton star, Griffith gave unsparingly of his time in coaching younger boys in various games.”
“Marion A. Stephens Jr. of Columbia has been named chief forester of Crown Zellerbach Corporation’s Southern Timber Operations. He succeeds the late Thurman E. Bercaw, who was killed in a car-train collision June 2.”
“Joe Owens, 235-pound 22-year-old linebacker, left Friday for San Diego to join the New Orleans Saints professional football team at its training camp for a practice season of three weeks. Owens was drafted by the Saints at his graduation in May from Alcorn A&M where he was a member of the varsity football team for four years. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Owens of Hathorn and is a graduate of John J. Jefferson High School.”
“Navy Ensign Thomas F. McDaniel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. McDaniel Jr. of Route 2, Columbia, has made his first solo flight. The flight was made in a T34 ‘Mentor’ trainer after five months of intensive academic, military and physical training, including one month of Primary Flight Training with Training Squadron One at Saufley Field, Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.”
“A one-man exhibition of paintings by Carol A. Durham, graduate painting major in the Department of Art at Northeast Louisiana State College, Monroe, was on display at the Exit Coffee House gallery in the Wesley Foundation building near the college campus. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Parker Durham of Columbia.”
40 years ago, July 26, 1979
“Six young people played in the junior championship golf tournament at Columbia Country Club recently. Dan Drane won, and Brad Livingston was runnerup. Others playing were Andrew Foxworth, John Callender, Trey Carley and Flynt Applewhite.”
“Poochie’s Pride went undefeated and captured first place in the B District Softball Tournament held in Laurel Saturday. … The team is coached by Hillman (Poochie) Breland. … Players in the Laurel tournament were George Stewart, pitcher; Jim Smith, first base; Scooter Day, second base; Larry Watkins, shortshop; Cliff Lowe Jr., third base; Danny Wilks, left field; Sammy Odom, left center; Pete Taylor, right center; Buddy Keys, right field; and Brad Duncan, catcher. Larry Faris was the 11th man.”
30 years ago, July 20, 1989
“Residents in Marion County will no longer be able to carry their garbage to the dump after July 31. … Billy Ray McKenzie, president of the Marion County Board of Supervisors, said, ‘We’ve been ordered by the EPA to close the dumps and we will.’ McKenzie said beginning Aug. 1 Districts 1, 4 and 5 will begin house-to-house pick up of household garbage. ‘We already have two districts (2 and 3) that are picking up,’ said McKenzie.”
20 years ago, July 22, 1999
“Tri-Community Fire Department presented its first Joel Patterson scholarship at the June board meeting. Stacey M. Williamson, daughter of Ann and Charlie Conerly and Wayne and Trudy Mulford, all of Marion County, was presented the $500 scholarship by Ricky Everhart, president of the board.”
“Conservation Officer David DeOrnellas was recently promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said Lt. Randy Carr of District 5. Msgt. DeOrnellas began his career in 1983 and is assigned to Marion County.”
10 years ago, July 23, 2009
“Wes Hoffman, computer diagnostic technician at Columbia Academy, discovered a 40-year-old memento while installing an air conditioning/heating unit in the computer tech room off the gymnasium/cafeteria building at the school. According to Hoffman, he was removing an old drainpipe from the outside wall of the room that used to serve as a sports dressing room, in order to install the vent for the heating unit. … A while later he saw something shining on the ground and, upon closer inspection, found it to be a 1968 Improve School class ring.”
Pictured Above: In this photo from 40 years ago, July 26, 1979, The New Hope A team, with an overall record of 19-4, received trophies for being the County Church League Champs on the West Side of Perl River and for being the overall champions in men’s softball. The team includes, front row, from left, Steve Bennett, Pud Stringer, Ronnie Lowery, Irvin Henry Pounds, Darron Slocum and Brent Slocum. Middle row, Juniro Lowe, Bobby Smith, Donald Lowery and John Fortenberry. Back row, Garry Slocum, Sherman Pounds, Larry White and David Stringer.
