The Charleston Sun-Sentinel from Charleston, Mississippi • 3

Smith pageant winner Nineteen-month-old Dawson Bryce Smith, pictured with his father, Rev. Jason Smith of Cascilla, was crowned overall king in the boys' category of the third annual Christmas Beauty and Beau Pageant Dec. 15 Coffeeville. He also received trophies for best smile, best eyes and best fashion. He is the son of Misty Smith of Cascilla and the grandson of Patti Powell of Charleston, James and Joann Trusty and Cecil and Dorothy Smith, all of Cascilla.

(Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel) Black Perspective By Lucy Mae Boyd himself, He is the reason for the season. He is the star. And it is He who should shine! It is recorded in scripture, John 12:32, "And if I be lifted up from earth, will draw all men unto me." Our own Stephanie Coker, who is so very anointed in the dance, and who was instrumental in introducing the "Holy Dance" to our church body earlier worship unto the Lord, is home for two weeks from a sixmonth teaching venture in France, where she is teaching English at one of the universities there. Stephanie, as is her gifting, got right in and in just a few hours, finetuned some of the numbers that the group would present for the occasion. Edwardanne McCammon was in charge of the overall for the event.

And she and the team had put much prayer, and many long hours into the preparations. Many of the mothers, who also participated in the production, and other members, lent their assistance. They even got pastor Bennie involved to do parts. One of which was to blow the Shofar, the ram's horn, and to do some of the flags. We were indeed blessed by it all.

Francis Robinson has been in the hospital for a brief stay. She is home now and we are glad. We also learned at W.C. Jeffery was a patient in the V.A. Hospital in Memphis at press time.

We are also lifting Robert Little, who has had back surgery, and two of his children, one with a broken arm and one suffered the loss of some fingers, in prayer at this time. Also being liften in prayer are Bobby Woodward, who is a dialysis patient at this time, and his daughter Chun who was involved in an auto accident. We are lifting Cynthia Little and family and the entire Woodard amily in prayer at this time. Thought for the week: As Christians, we should live so we would not be afraid to sell our talking parrot to the most talkative person in our neighborhood. -Selected.

Until the next time. Keep the faith, keep thinking the good thoughts, and keep looking up. Keeping utility poles clean, clear of debris helps linemen do job The Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association lineman trains hard to hone the skills he needs to climb utility poles safely. But something as simple as a garage sale sign attached to a pole can cause him serious injury. The lineman uses cleats to secure his footing while climbing a pole.

If the cleat strikes a nail or a tack, the lineman may slip and fall. You can help the lineman complete his job quickly and safely by refraining from mounting basketball goals, deer stands or any other object on a utility pole. The lineman will have great difficulty climbing around it. Putting anything around the utility pole, such as bird houses or flower boxes increases the chance of serious injuries should the lineman The Sun-Sentinel, Charleston, Thursaay, vanuary 2. 2003-Page 3 Dollie Anne Griffin CASCILLA Mrs.

Dollie Anne Griffin, age 79, homemaker, died Sunday, Dec. 22, at Tri-Lakes Medical Center of heart failure. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, at Dickins Chapel in Batesville with burial in Bethel Cemetery near Enid.

She was born March 14, 1923 in Panola County to Fred Lee and Florence Bell Darby Burks. She was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Fred Burks. She is survived by three daughters, Alice Bell Hodges of Walls, Phyllis Earline Blodgett of Cascilla and Cynthia Gail Vick of Bartlett, a brother, Sammy Lee Burks of Bartonsville, a sister, Maudie Woods of Pope; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Bertice M. Lindley CHARLESTON Bertice and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

McGarrity Lindley, age 89, homemaker, died Saturday, Dec. 28th, at Beverly Health Care in Batesville. Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at Newsom Funeral Home chapel in Charleston with burial i in Lehrton Cemetery in Ruleville.

She was born Aug. 24, 1913. She is survived by three daughters, Estell Barefoot of Charleston, Sadie Roberts of Charleston, Nita Allen of Charleston; a brother, Samuel McGarrity of Greenwood; 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren Evie Kerr Newman CHARLESTON Mrs. Evie Kerr Newman, age 94, widow of Bert Newman, died Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Tallahatchie Extended Care Facility.

Born Oct. 20, 1908, in Tallahatchie County where she lived all her life and reared her family, she was the daughter of John Z. Kerr and Frances Langford Kerr. She worked for the original Mat Factory, the Howard Zinck Car Seat Cover factory and retired after about 20 years as a clerk for Wood's Drug Store. Rev.

Wil Howie conducted services 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 30, at the Charleston First Presbyterian church where she was a very active member. Linda Allison, organist, Elaine Sayle, pianist and Mac Venable, soloist, provided the sacred music. Interment was at the Pine Hill Cemetery near Enid, with Womble Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

WITH She was preceded in death by a son, Keith Newman. She is survived by two daughters, Ruth N. Sanford of Maumelle, Ark. and Peggy J. Curran of Milwaukie, a son, Jesse Newman of Dallesport, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.

Pallbearers were Bruce Newman, Tom Orrell, Joe Sanders, Ike Sayle, Nick Sherman and Gerry Speir. The family requests any memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 413, Charleston, MS 38921; the Unity Hospice Care, 115 Eureka Suite Batesville, MS 38606 or the Tallahatchie Extended Care Facility, P.O. Box 230, Charleston, MS 38921. Bessie Mae Taylor CHARLESTON Bessie Mae Taylor, age 60, homemaker, died Sunday, Dec.

15, at her home. Funeral services were 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church near Charleston with burial in Rocky Branch Cemetery. Rev.

Willie Davis officiated. Delta Burial Corp. had charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were her nephews. She was born Aug.

23, 1942, in Charleston to Jewel B. Shelton and Luequency Taylor. She accepted Christ at an early age at Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church, then moved to St. Louis where she attended church, only recently moving back to Charleston recently where she reunited with members of Rocky Branch. She is survived by a daughter, Macquelyn Taylor of St.

Louis; three sons, Roger S. Taylor of Charleston, Maurice Taylor and Anthony Taylor of St. Louis; her mother, Jewel Shelton of Charleston; her father, Luequency Taylor of Roduco, N.C.; her grandparents, Rochester and Myrtle Carter of Charleston; eight sisters, Ethel Mae Sargent and Jewl Mae Golden of Charleston, Martha Jean Ellery of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lovie Mitchell of Harvey, Ill, Rosie Lee Taylor-Walton of Maywood, Ora Lee Taylor-Fair of Memphis, Cheryl Taylor of Roderco, N.C., Felecia Taylor of Waterbery, ten brothers, John Shelton, Elder Nathaniel Shelton and Matthew J. Shelton, all of Charleston, Moses Shelton of Webb, Luequency Taylor Jr. of Pine Bluff, Keith Taylor, Alton Taylor, Reginald Taylor, Ronald Taylor, all of Waterbery, Conn.

and Kennety Taylor of New York; 13 grandchildren, 2 great- grandchildren and a host of other relatives. Durrett Meaders Bailey OAKLAND Durrett Meaders Bailey, age 91, retired postal clerk, died Friday, Dec. 20, at Tri Lakes Medical Center in Batesville of heart failure. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec.

22, at Garner Harper Funeral Home chapel in Grenada. Interment was in Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Clay Baker officiated. He was born March 27, 1911.

He was a member of Oakland Methodist Church and was a veteran of World Ward II. He was a retired postal clerk and a farmer. He is survived by his wife, Margaret M. Bailey of Oakland and a daughter, Peggy B. Roberts of Oxford.

Pallbearers were David Bailey, David Bailey Ben Townes Bailey, Ben Townes Bailey III, Doug Bailey, Mike Bailey, H.B. Ross, Gene Standridge. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Gibbs, David Gillette, Thomas Holland and James R. Mullen. The family requests memorials be made to Oakland Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 79 Oak Oakland, MS 38948 or donor's favorite charity.

Martha Bullen Gwin TUTWILER Martha Turner Gullen Gwin, age 91, homemaker, died Sunday, Dec. 29, at her home of heart failure. Funeral services were 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Tutwiler Methodist Church with burial in Rosemound Cemetery.

Rev. Jerry Wages officiated. Nowell Funeral Home had charge of arrangements. She was a member of Tutwiler Methodist Church all of her life, founder of headstart in Tallahatchie and 5 other counties in Mississippi. She was a member of Tutwiler Lions Club, a member of Bible study club of Tutwiler Methodist Church and taught Sunday school for many years.

She was the widow of Melvin Bullen and Charles David Gwin. She is survived by three daughters, Martha Elizabeth "Beth" Bullen Christenson of Tutwiler, Dorothy Commack Turner Bingham of Tutwiler, Lydia Barker Dunavent of Sumner; a son, Leigh Melvin Bullen Jr. of Mooresville, N.C.; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. You can count on The Sun-Sentinel to deliver the facts that hit close to home! Local news is our specialty! To report a news item, call 647-8462. PUBLIC NOTICE During November 2002, the Springhill Water System did not collect the minimum number of samples required by law and therefore could not be properly evaluated for this month.

However, we have since collected adequate samples for the month of December and met all requirements. We continually strive to provide quality drinking water for our customers in our community. Customers with any concerns may contact water supply officials at 662-623-7303 or 662-458-1509. MEDITATION: A renewed desire. As we enter the New Year, it is my desire to know You better, Lord.

To be more in tune with Your will and to be a better steward of Your time and Your possessions. "I lift up my hands to You in prayer; like dry ground my soul is thirsty for You. You are my God; teach me to do Your will." "May our sons in their youth be like plants that grow up strong. May our daughters be like stately columns which adorn the corners of a palace. May there be no cries of distress in our streets.

Happy is the nation of whom this is true; happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" (Psalms 143:6, 10; Psalms 144:12, 14A-15) As I sat here in the early morning hours, Thursday, Dec. 26th, looking out at the crisp frost that covered everything in sight, I was awe inspired at the presence and power of God, my Father, in all of His majesty. They are these quiet times when I find such pleasure in knowing the Lord. And here at the computer, I just have a hallelujah time in fellowship with Him! He spreads snow like a blanket and scatters frost like dust. He sends hail like gravel; no one can endure the cold He sends! Then He gives a command and the ice melts; He sends the wind and the water flows.

(Psalms Congratulations to Robert and Shirley Hargett on the celebration of your 50th wedding anniversary. We hope that you will enjoy many more happy, healthy, fruitful years in giving to the Lord. God bless you much is our desire. We were so blessed with the worship at Faith Fellowship Church on Sunday night, the 22nd, when the Praise Dance Ministry presented a special Christmas production, "Look What the Lord Has Done for Us," to the delight of those present. Our youth, even our babies, worshiped the Lord in the dance as Holy Spirit manifested His presence in the place.

It was awesome! To God be the glory! It is Jesus who should be lifted up, and not man seeking plaudits for ATTENTION, CANDIDATES: It's another big election year, and The Sun-Sentinel's 2003 Political Package offers you up to 15 inches of FRONT-PAGE SPACE for a nice printed announcement and a photo. We'll even snap the photo for you! Plus, your name will be listed in our "Political Directory" each week until you are elected or, fall. We all want the lineman to be able to complete his job in the shortest amount of time possible and in the safest way. If we refrain from attaching anything to a utility pole, it will help them to do their job. Paynes Water Association plans annual meeting The annual meeting of the Paynes Water Association will be conducted Thursday, Jan.

2, at 7 p.m., in the courtroom at Charleston City Hall. All members are urged to attend, said secretary and treasurer John B. Denley. gasp, eliminated. All for only $150! For details, call 647-8462..