Terry Headlight News

Unfortunately, there are two deaths with connections to the town of Terry to report. This morning, I learned of the death of Albert Pleasant. He was a graduate of Terry High School and the widower of fellow graduate Sandra Whittington Pleasant, who was an accomplished musician. They were the parents of two daughters, Brenda Carol and Kelly. Albert’s obituary will be published as soon as it is available.

The second death to mention is that of the mother of Town Clerk Alexis Reed Thompson. I do not have her name to share here, but I do know that she was a beauty operator in Jackson. I will also be publishing her obituary as soon as it is available.

A one-vehicle accident claimed the live of a young man around 4:30 on Saturday morning. Hinds County deputies said that a white 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Michael Zane Craft, 24, left the road and hit a tree. Mr. Craft was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene.

Congratulations to Ms. Tatu Taylor upon graduation from Mississippi State University in Starkville. She now has a Master of Science Degree in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion with emphasis in Health Promotion. She is the daughter of Rev. Chris Taylor and his wife, Alderwoman Connie Taylor. Tatu is a native of the country of Malawi. Her brother, musician Jalen Taylor of Atlanta, is also a graduate of Mississippi State University. Their younger sister is presently a student at Belhaven University in Jackson.

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Champion Honeycutt upon becoming a doctor in the field of Nursing Practice and Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Dr. Honeycutt is the daughter of Curley and Peggy Champion of Terry.

Congratulations to Terry native Freddie Geiselbreth upon being named Terry Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. He is a 1968 graduate of Terry High School.

The annual Town of Terry Christmas Parade was held last Saturday evening. Some of you may not have seen me, but I was riding with (and throwing candy for) Senator David Blount. We were behind the vehicle of Fifth District Supervisor Bobby “Bobcat” McGowan. I saw many faces that I had not seen in a very long time.

There has been a variety of activities at the Ella Bess Austin Library on Cunningham Avenue during the past months, and it is hoped that you have been active in these. On October 1, Fall Fun Day was observed. Pre-school and elementary children participated in S. T. E. M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities and watched children’s films. On October 22, a craft day scavenger hunt for youngsters was held at this Library. A television marathon was hosted. This month (from the 7th to the 22nd - twelve business days), a Christmas Trivia activity is taking place. When a participant answers a trivia question correctly, he or she will win a free coupon. The Ella Bess Austin Jingle-and-Mingle Christmas Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 17 at 10:00 a. m. A game of Christmas Password will be played, and all in attendance will be encouraged to make winter celebration crafts. Light refreshments will be served. Ms. Corey Tyler is the branch manager of the Austin Library.

I learned this week of the name change of a business in Terry. What formerly was called the Autumn Lights Center is now called “Oasis Haven.” This home for men is owned by Terry native Freddie Terry, R. N. and is located in the former Perryman School on the east side of the railroad tracks. The E. C. W. of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Claiborn Street will be visiting the residents there and serving lunch on Saturday, December 17 at noon.

Later on Saturday at 6:00 p. m., the Church of the Good Shepherd will be celebrating at its Christmas party. This will be held at the home of Ed and Wava Peters.

A prayer list was published in last week’s column. Two names (Mary Joyce Kister and Nancy Kister Cohn) were omitted by mistake. The names of Keith Morrison and the family of the desceased Mr. Craft should be added to the list for the first time. Please remember these while praying for the others.

As our year progresses, we are coming to the ending of autumn and the beginning of winter, which comes next week on Thursday, December 22. This will follow the winter solstice on Wednesday. This is the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year.

The fourth and final Sunday of Advent in 2022 will be on Sunday, December 18th. Advent is the season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. Reading, prayer and reflection are ways we can cultivate a sense of holy anticipation this Advent. The fourth Sunday of Advent we meditate on the peace which Jesus brings into our hearts and our world. Scripture is the place we can find the promises of God. This week we focus our hearts on the “Lord of peace” who came down from heaven in the form of a baby. Our creator who sends us the Messiah understands that we are in a constant battle against fear. Fear wants to cripple us, to push us to react rather than carefully respond, and fear steals our joy. God has given us the gift of peace so we can live joy-filled lives.

The readings for the fourth Sunday of Advent are Isaiah 7:10-16 (Immanuel - God is with us.), Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 (a prayer to bring Israel back), Romans 1:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-25 (the birth of Jesus Christ). The next 2 Sundays will be the Sundays of the Christmas season (which lasts twelve days until January 5) and will be followed by the Epiphany season, which will last for seven weeks in 2023.

These birthdays of Terry residents and others with connections to Terry have been celebrated recently: Dec.5- Alderwoman Bonnie Holly; Dec.11- Keith Brent; Dec.12- Karla Richardson Lovertich, Christina Beasley, Kevin Jones; Dec.13- Brenda Bass, Susan Lunardini; Dec.15- Jo Ann Combs Lawrence, Kathy Hardy, Connor McDavid, Terry Johnson; Dec.16 - Debbie Buffington Jones.

I close this week’s column with the words to one of our great hymns for the close of Advent. These are a combination of words by Ambrose of Milan (340-397) and by the Swedish-American Ernst William Olson (1870-1958). It is a wonderful set of words for all of us in the closing of this season and to prepare us for worshipping Him during the 12 days of Christmas.

“Now hail we our Redeemer, Eternal Son of God, Born in the flesh to save us, And cleanse us in His blood. The Morning Star ascendeth, Light to the world He lendeth, Our Guide in grief and gloom. “A man, of God begotten, Brought in the age of grace; Lo, all the earth is radiant; With light, and hope, and peace. Our prison He demolished, Death’s power He abolished, And opened Heaven’s gate. “O Jesus, grant us mercy, And grace on us bestow, To walk by Thine own guidance, Thy saving truth to know. For Thee our hearts are yearning, From worldly pleasures turning; Unto Thy righteousness. “Into Thy hand the Father; Gave all, that we might be; In bonds of faith united, And dedicate to Thee, A people through Thy merit; Entitled to inherit; Thy realm eternally.”

You have in your hands the greatest newspaper in Hinds County, our beloved Gazette. It has began publishing in 1845. Please contact me with your submissions, etc. at terryj1@bellsouth.net or 601-878-5714. (Pray for PEACE, people everywhere!)