Terry Headlight News

We have waited and studied and thanked throughout the four weeks of the Advent season. By the time you are reading this, it may well be Christmas Day. It will certainly be one of the days immediately before Christmas. Many local churches are planning services for Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve service in Terry (of which I am aware) will be at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Claiborn Street at 3:00 p. m. There may be other services of which I am not aware.

There are various readings for Christmas. One set consists of Isaiah 62:6-12 (new Jerusalem), Psalm 97 (a hymn about the Lord’s power), Titus 3:4-7 (the right way to live) and Luke 2 (1-7), 8-20 (the birth of Jesus and the shepherds hear about Jesus).

This column wishes to all a very joyous holiday season! Although January 1 will be New Years Day, it will be the seventh day of the twelve-day Christmas season. It is a special time with my family, as it is the birthday of my father, the late Dan Johnson. New Years Day, next to Easter and Thanksgiving, is my favorite holiday! I love the various ways in which black-eyed peas may be prepared. I also love and treasure the traditions that are associated with New Years Day which are observed, particularly here in the South.

As I mentioned in last week’s column, the obituary of Albert Pleasant is shared: Albert Holden Pleasant (July 23, 1936- December 11, 2022)

Albert Holden Pleasant, age 86, departed this life for his heavenly reward on December 11, 2022. He passed peacefully in his sleep at the V. A. Nursing Home in Jackson. Albert was born July 23, 1936, in Terry, Mississippi to Marion Grant Pleasant, Sr. and Lena Mae Richardson Pleasant. He graduated from Terry High School in 1954, after which he served in the U.S. Army from 1955-58 where he was primarily stationed in Germany.

After serving in the army, Albert began a career in dental sales. At one time, he knew every dentist in Mississippi. He joined the staff of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry when it was founded in 1973 and helped admit the dental school’s first class in 1975. He worked full time for the dental school until 1998 and continued in a part time role until 2010. Albert was an honorary member of the Mississippi Dental Assistants Association and received Employee of the Quarter in April-July 1997.

Albert joined the 972nd Medical Detachment of the Mississippi National Guard in 1977 and retired from guard duty in 1996 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. His unit was activated during Operation Desert Storm and stationed at Camp Shelby.

Albert taught Sunday School and served as a deacon at Terry Baptist Church. He also served as a deacon at Pinelake Church. His hobbies included gardening, growing daylilies, fishing, and hunting. He often received yard of the month in Terry. Albert was a member of the Reservoir Lions Club and received Lion of the year in 1986-87.

Albert is survived by his wife, Gaylyn Pleasant, his children Brenda Carol Baker, Dr. Chandler Pleasant, and Kelley Hall, his step-children Tim Ross, Compton Ross, Laura Beth Hellinghausen, his grandchildren Rachel Ryan, Hillary Mattei, Win Pleasant, Caroline Pleasant, his step- grandchildren Emily Ross, Olivia Ross, Compton Ross, Cameron Ross, his great-grandchildren Annie Mattei, Hallie Mattei, Presley Ryan. He is also survived by his sister Frances Pleasant Mitchell, along with many nieces and nephews.

Albert Pleasant was a gentle man who never said a critical word about other people. He loved his country and his family. He loved animals, including the racoons and possums he fed on his back porch. He trained the fish in his pond to come to the surface when they heard him approach at feeding time. If God has a garden, Albert is in heaven today tending to God’s daylilies.

The service were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14th, at Chancellor Funeral Home in the Byram area, with visitation from 12:00 noon -2:00 p.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations on behalf of Albert Holden Pleasant to be sent to Children’s of Mississippi, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Senator David Blount of Jackson, who represents Terry in the state Legislature, has issued the following statements:

“I met today with staff from the newly created Mississippi BEAM (Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi) office. My goal is (to) get better high speed internet for SE Hinds County..

“Major federal funding is expected next year. The best thing we can do now is to document underserved areas so we will be in a better position for provider subsidies. If you live in this area, please consider contacting the BEAM office at the link below and reporting your internet access (or problems or lack thereof). You can text and/or complete a short survey. Your identity is protected.

“We’ll keep working on this important issue and will keep you posted as the program gets started.” Senator Blount ably represents this area in the Mississippi State Legislature, which will enter into session in January. There are several Representatives whose areas are near Terry. The town itself is represented in the House of Representatives by Gregory Holloway of Hazlehurst.

There are five names which should be added to prayer lists: Cliff Berryhill, Cindy Alford Lewis, the family of Albert Pleasant, Barbara Sills and the family of Town Clerk Alexis Reed Thompson.

Here are some of the birthdays which have been celebrated recently:

Dec. 19: Mark Englehardt; Dec. 22: Donna Hughes Albright, Matthew Flowers; Dec. 24: Anna Ward Oberhausen; Dec. 25: Sheila Hailey, Angela “Angie” Easley Thomasson, Judge Crystal Wise Martin.

The basketball teams of Terry High School have three upcoming games next week. On December 28, 29, and 30, these teams will compete in the Hattiesburg Holiday Tournament in Forrest County.

I close with a short but worshipful hymn for these days of Christmas which was written by the English hymnwriter John Mason Neale (1818-1865) in the 1853 publication Carols for Christmas-tide collection: “Here is joy for every age, Every generation; Prince and peasant, chief and sage, Every tongue and nation, Every rank and station, Hath today salvation: Alleluia!

“When the world drew near its close, Came our Lord and Savior; From the Lily sprang the Rose, From the Bush the Cedar, From the judged the Pleader, From the faint the Feeder: Alleluia! “God, that came on earth this morn, In a manger lying, Hallowed birth by being born, Vanquished death by dying, Rallied back the flying, Ended sin and sighing: Alleluia!”

You have read this weekly column in the weekly Hinds County Gazette, which has served Hinds County since 1845. Your readership is important, and so are your comments about anything printed and your submissions. News about birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baptisms, illnesses, and deaths are appreciated. Please contact me at the telephone number above or (preferably) at terryj1@bellsouth.net. (Pray for PEACE, people everywhere!)