Isaiah 55:12 and Psalms 100:2 speaks about life and joy.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into songs before you, and the trees of the fields will clap their hands.” “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.”

Scriptures are guidelines to follow, so as a map is to follow for directions: “Gray hair is a crown of splendor to the old. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me. O God, till I declare your power to the next generation.”

The month of September has been set-aside as the recognition of grandparents’ month. As a grandparent there are many roles to play in one’s life for the good of grandchildren. You have already reared your children, now you are stepping up to another role in life to help your children with their children. A grandparent most likely is retired by this point and is available to run errands, attend different functions, programs, sporting events, pick up a child from school, take child to the doctor, dentist, cook delicious meals of just make a dessert that he or she might not should have. Some times the grandparent serves as a small bank and help the parents out with the financial part of their child’s life. Grandparents are just special people and today we salute you for all you do.

Psalms 136:1-3 says, “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords; his love endures forever.”

It is with great honor and pride that we give special thanks to the God of god and the Lord of lords for placing a person named Laura Lee Lewis into our paths. Mrs. Donna Sue Ballard along with myself, Carolyn Beard Humphries, had the privilege of knowing and teaching Laura Lee during library two times a week while in the Brookhaven School District where we worked. As a child, she was obedient, helpful and very smart, and she was a joy to work with. Mrs. Pamela Fearn served as her elementary school principal along with Ms. Lorraine Carey who served as her assistant principal during her early years of schooling.

As I talked to Mrs. Fearn, she had some fond memories of Laura Lee as a student and as an adult. Mrs. Fearn stated Laura Lee was an obedient, hard working, intelligent and dependable child (at such an early age) and just a fun and loving child to be around, during her tenure in school. Mrs. Fearn also stated that as an adult Laura Lee has matured and carried these same traits of a higher realm into her adult life.

First of all, she loves the Lord and she does not mind who knows this information because he cares for her, and she returns the same phenomenonal feelings. Laura Lee is a person who loves the challenge of helping others and looking out for their well being. We are so very proud of Laura Lee Lewis for been chosen to serve as Miss Mississippi. During this tenure, she will get the chance to show Mississippi and the world the kind, loving, energetic, smart and fun person that we of Brookhaven Elementary School, the Brookhaven School District and the many people in and around Brookhaven already know. We are very proud of you and your success, and we know that God will continue to take you to higher heights in your life. Continue to be strong and keep God in your life and you will go on and on. We love you.

The football season is in full force at this time and some of the schools are even celebrating their homecoming events in September of this year. Loyd Star Attendance Center celebrated their homecoming Sept. 16, starting with a parade around the school campus and around the football field. The parade was led by truck driver Dwayne Beard of Reed’s Metal Company and his daughter Calia Beard (a student at Loyd Star in the eighth grade), and they carried the high school football team who were sporting their red and white team jerseys. The parade also consisted of the senior and the junior high school cheerleaders, the junior high  football team and the homecoming court in convertible cars. Senior maid Courtney Wyant was crowned as the 2016 homecoming queen. She was escorted by Jered Cade. The queen was crowned by the 2015 Homecoming Queen Caitlyn Beard of Loyd Star. She is the daughter of Dwayne and Yolanda Beard, the sister of Dorian and Calia Beard, the granddaughter of Lawrence and Willie Ann Beard Benjamin, all of Loyd Star, Tommie J. and Shirley Braxton, Rev. Andrea and Robin Funches and Terrell and Mary Louise Smith, all of Brookhaven. May God continue to bless and keep each of you in his care. 

There was a reception given on campus in honor of the former students and graduates of ‘46, ‘56, ‘66, ‘76, ‘86, ‘96, ‘06 and ‘16. Even with the rainy weather, the alumni enjoyed themselves. The homecoming court was presented in the gymnasium because of the adverse weather conditions. Loyd Star had the opportunity to play Scott Central for their homecoming game. The inclement weather ceased enough so the game could be played. We encourage the Hornets to continue to move forward and do your best at all times. Go, go, Hornets along with Coach Cook and his assistants!

There is always time for community awareness of things that are happening in or around Brookhaven. Mission Mississippi was established in 1993, and its goals are to “change Mississippi one relationship at a time” by encouraging and demonstrating unity in the body of Christ across racial and denominational lines, so that communities throughout Mississippi can see practical evidence of the gospel message. Mission Mississippi of Lincoln County will host a focused prayer time from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at First United Methodist Church Ministry Center located on South Jackson Street behind the post office uptown. Prayer will include: unity in the body of Christ, children and youth and law enforcement. They are inviting all to come and pray at anytime during these sessions. This time is set to help you attend after school or work. Pastors will help pray during this time. For questions you may contact Betty Harrington at 601-833-6042.

If you have any Loyd Star area news to report, please call Carolyn E. Beard Humphries at 601-833-5753.