Utica Area News

The Utica High Class of 1959 had its annual class reunion, hosted by Sam and Debbie Newman in Florence, on May 14, 2022. I did not get to the previous two reunions, and was delighted to get to this one. Penns Restaurant catered the food, which was abundant and delicious. The only teacher we had attend was Coach David Oakes and his wife; they come every year and feel like they are one of us.

This is our 81st year of life, 63 years since graduation. Hard to believe! Fifteen classmates got there, and some older and younger as well. Those attending were: Ruth Wilson Curtis, Janice Gibson Walker, Mary Nell Collins Landin, Jack Ross, Bernard Cook, Neil Morrison, Sam and Debbie Newman, Mellany Clements Kitchens, Larry Kitchens, Marion (M.B.) B. and Alice Heard Jr., Joe and Jean Ferguson Jr., Shelby Jean Jenkins Lewis and Bobby Lewis, Charlien Womack Jameson and Alvin Jameson, Don and Jean Martin, and Billy and Stewart Gibbes Curtis.

Others invited were Van and Julia Rigby, Brian and Linda Reed Fisher, Harvey (Bud) Gibson, Tom Landin, Mackey and Gloria Mobley McGuffee. Living classmates who did not get there were Annette Price Ferguson, Beverly Hubbard McGuffee, Mary Evelyn Hutchins Tatarow, Peggy Rae McCay Hunt, and John M. Tompkins. We found out at the party that classmate Ninabel Hubbard Stinson died recently. Everybody has such a good time visiting and updating information that as long as our post-80s bodies can get us there, we will have reunions. The men in our class get together about once a month now, just to visit.

Ninabel Hubbard Stinson, widow of Ed Stinson, aged 81, of Tylertown, died April 28, 2022 at the Walthall General Hospital. She was born January 11, 1941, in Utica. She was in the Utica Class of 1959 but graduated from French Camp Academy. Graveside services were May 1, 2022, at Rushing Cemetery in Tylertown with Rev. Joe Boone officiating, and Hartman Funeral Home in charge.

Ninabel was known as a world-class crocheter and made many beautiful afghans. She loved spending time with family and friends. When we were kids growing up, we spent many happy nights at each other’s houses, just as her brother Shelby and my brother Travis did until we were grown and going our separate ways.

She was preceded in death by her husband Hugh Edwin Stinson, her father Melvin Hubbard; her mother Julia Marie Tompkins Hubbard, brothers Shelby Hubbard and Robert Hubbard; and sister Betty Joe Hubbard Baxley Riley. Survivors include her son Melvin Edwin Stinson (Heide); daughter, Shirley Stinson McCollough; three grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and brothers Melvin.J. Hubbard Jr. and Tony Hubbard.

Edward Eugene Sharpe, Sr. died Thursday, March 31, 2022, at his residence on Barlow Road in Utica, MS. He was 75. Ed was born in Cranberry, PA where he lived most of his life until moving to Utica in August 2015 where he was self employed in the construction business. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Travis Sharpe; his parents, John and Ethel Rapp Sharpe and his first wife of 48 years, Shirley Jean Bly Sharpe.

Ed was a Vietnam veteran of the US Army serving from 1965 until 1967 where he received the Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars serving in Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Cavalry. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Kay Barlow Sharpe; daughters, Karen Sharpe Wenner and Jaime Banks Dole (Jeremiah); sons Ed Eugene Sharp, Jr. (Beverly) and John Banks (Melissa); his sisters, Evelyn Whitmore (Paul), Susan Swift, Diane Ostrowski (Rick Stromeyer), Pamela Eismont (Steve), Julie Prody (Tom), Rosemary Utzinger (Bill); his brothers, John Sharpe (Tess Snyder), Raymond Sharpe (Fay) and Kenneth Sharpe (Deb);his grandchildren, Chelsea Barr, Trevor Sharp, Madalynn Wenner, Jacob Wenner, Raegan Banks, Lilly Banks, Olivia Dole and Ella Dole and one great-grandson, Bricen Hartzell.

A celebration of life will be held at Lighthouse Assembly of God in Vicksburg, MS on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Oil City, PA. Memorials are requested to Vahalla Veterans Services at Vahallaveterans.com in lieu of flowers.

We are sad to announce that on May 22, 2022, at the age of 99, Dorothy Louise Jenkins Fisher Carraway, Utica, MS passed away. She was born on October 2, 1922. Her first husband died in a railroad accident in 1943. I do not have a complete obit for Mrs. Carraway, but know she had children Brian Fisher and Wanda Carraway Cessna, a large number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She was an active lady in our community until her last few years.

Visitation ands funeral services were held on May 26th 2022 at the Utica Christian Church (316 E Main St, Utica, MS 39175). Burial was held on May 26th 2022 at 3:00 PM at the Pine Bluff Cemetery (11188 Dentville Rd, Hazlehurst, MS 39083).

Peggy Ann Pickett Culberson was born in January 1932, and spent her childhood in Utica, MS. Her family later moved to Jackson, MS where she raised her family. Peggy has lived in Madison, MS for the past 30 years where she has enjoyed her retirement. Peggy loved being ‘Grandmama’ to all her grand and great-grand children. They were the light of her life and she loved each one with all of her heart. Her favorite pastime was taking care of and loving her cat Shiloh. She enjoyed sharing photos and stories about him with all her many friends on FB.

She was predeceased by her parents, Bill Pickett and Nellie Pickett. She is survived by her children, Mickey Culberson (Mary Lee) Cindy Culberson, Pam Culberson, and Kim Abercrombie (Steve); and her great grandchild Shiloh. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 24th 2022 at the Lakewood Funeral Home (6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209), followed by a funeral service and internment at the Lakewood Memorial Park (6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation would be made to the Webster Animal Shelter in Madison, MS as this is what Peggy would have wanted.

Other recent deaths in Utica that I did not find obits on are James Bradley who died on April9, Patrick Earl Lee Sr. Who died on April 9, Robert B. Bailey who died on April 14, Mozelle Cooper Jr., who died April 27, and Lynda Sue Keever, age, 81, who died April 24

Mississippi coronavirus (Covid) cases are now at 805,040, and almost all of these are over with. In Hinds County, there have been 53,221 with 791 deaths. Statistics can be misleading things. Because Mississippi has such a low number of cases over time, we now are shown by one news outlet as leading the nation in new cases. Keep wearing your masks in risky public places, and get your next round of boosters. They are available in all makes. I prefer Moderna because it provides the longest immunity.

The Utica Institute Museum is hosting the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibits and interactive sessions through June25, 2022. Location on the Utica Campus, Hinds Community College on Highway 18 South just across the Copiah County line. This is a good opportunity to see the new Utica Museum and one of the Smithsonian’s traveling masterpieces.

My brother LTC Thomas Collins III was invited to a veterans ceremony at the Governors Mansion in Jackson last week, and he will be an honored guest in the Rankin County Memorial Day Parade this week. He and his son Marty Collins told me that so many people asked about me and told them they missed me that it really makes me sad not to be there and involved in county politics, GOP, state and chapter organizations, and other activities we all share. I guess I am shuffling between Utica and my son’s in Huntsville for the time being, because I could not find a reliable person to stay with me and help me out in Utica.

Don’t forget to participate in the many Memorial Day activities on Sunday and Monday. We just replaced the worn flags at the Utica Veterans Memorial, and I hope some of you will gather to observe that sacred day. I have my flag flying on my door.

I hope you all are planning to vote on June 7 in the primary elections in Mississippi. Alabama just had a critical election on May 24, electing senator, congressmen, governor and other officials all the way down to lowest county and city offices. Mississippi’s are not so complicated, but vote anyway!! I get tired of seeing and hearing all the gripes, and find out that people did not show up and vote. Voting is the best way for us to have our voices heard, folks, so take the time to do it! I voted absentee already, because that is easier than going through the line at the polling place. All of us over 65 can vote early at the county courthouse Circuit Clerk’s office.

My Utica address will always be 3084 Tom Collins Road, Utica 39175. My temporary Huntsville address is 2099 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville AL 35801. I am still having trouble with the Post Office getting my mail straight. I depend now on phone, text, other ways to communicate and facebook, much to my regret, because that also gets mixed up. Until next week, send me your news!