“Welcome to The Little Town with a Big Heart”
Inspiration for the week: Side by side
They lie on the table side by side, the Holy Bible and the TV guide, one is well worn and cherished with pride, no not the Bible, but the TV guide. As the pages are turned, what shall they see. Oh, what does it matter turn on the TV. So they open the book in which they confide, no not the Bible the TV guide. The word of God is seldom read. Maybe a verse before they fall into bed. Exhausted and slept and
tired as can be. Not from reading the Bible, from watching T.V. So then back to the table side by side, lie the Holy Bible and the TV guide. No time for prayer, no time for the word. The plan of salvation is seldom heard. But forgiveness of sin, so full and free, is found in the Bible, not on the TV. — author unknown
The Chuck Wagon Gang will be at Grace United Baptist Church, 2087 Lebanon Church Road, Decatur at 7 p.m. March 1. They are celebrating 80 years of gospel music. For more information call 601-357-0012. Mark this event on your calendar.
The Valentine banquet at Grace United was awesome with a large crowd attending. The youth was awesome in serving everyone their meal, along with providing the music. Marcus Mowdy brought the devotion and prayer, which was awesome.
My deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Bessie Pearl Stamper Johnston, 85, who passed away on Feb. 14, 2018. Bessie was born in Newton to Louis and Velma Stamper.
She is survived by a son, Dennis Johnston (Rita); a daughter, Betty Sheely (Tommy); a son, Ottis Johnston; six grandchildren, Laya Vaughn (Matt), Ginna Freeman (Brad), Mandi Alford (Jason), Rodney Meaders, Thomas Johnston and Emma Grey; six great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents Louis and Velma Stamper. Burial was at Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.
My deepest sympathy is also extended to the family of Randy Walters, 51, of Newton.
Services for Randy Walters were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Milling Funeral Home Chapel of Union with burial in the Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Newton. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1985. He worked at La-Z-Boy for 27 years and then at MDOT for close to eight years. He loved his friends, family, his wife of 23 years and his children. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, golfing and anything outdoors. He also loved his hunting dog, Daisy and lap dog, Magic.
Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Traci Walters of Newton; a son, Matt Walters of Newton; a daughter, Tanya Walters and Cody McMahan of Newton; her parents, Donald and Fran Walters of Newton; a brother, Scotty Walters and his wife, Dee Dee, of Newton; his father and mother-in-law, Johnny and Becky Munn of Decatur; a nephew, Stephen Walters; and two nieces, Ericka and Lana Walters. Milling Funeral was in charge of services.
Prayer requests for the week go out to Ellis (Budgie) Acord, Linda Acord, Dannie Walker, Tommy Walters, Peggy Garrison, Janice Fisher, Helen Valentine, Jack Graham, Marie Eason, Bonnie Walker, Bill Matlock, John Patterson, Hazel Stevens, Doyle Gibbs, Doyle McMullan, Cili Norman, Micheal Roland, Janie McMullan, Stephanie Roland and Stacy Stevens.
Shut-ins are Earlene Everett, Johnnie McMullian and Mary Stamper.
In honor of Kyle Phillips a blood drive and bone marrow registry opportunity will be held from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Clarkdale Fire Department. Walk-ins are welcome to guarantee your time. To make an appointment go to blood-hero.com/mobile/index/cfm. Help spread the word! #phillipsstrong.
Birthday requests for Feb. 21 go out to Michael Linton, and Elmer Rose in memory; Feb. 22 to Kayla Meaders and Janice Embrey Eriekson; for Feb. 23 to Jeanette Allen and JeannaBeth McIIwain; for Feb. 24 to Sherry Roncali and Robert (Lee) Gressett; for Feb. 25 to Jacob Cooley and J.K. Rainer; for Feb. 26 to C.J. Meaders Jr.; and for Feb. 27 to Kelly Todd, Skipper Harrison, and Flora Davis in memory. Happy birthday to all of you!
Anniversary wishes for Feb. 22 go out to Johnny and Jennifer Williams; and for Feb. 27 to Nick and Ashley Lane. Happy anniversary to each one!
Recipe for the week
Strawberry triple layer cake
Cake ingredients: 1 box white cake mix, 1-3 ounce box strawberry Jello, 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup fresh strawberries finely chopped, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup milk.
Strawberry buttercream frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter softened, 2-16 ounce packages powdered sugar, 1 cup fresh strawberries finely chopped.
Instructions: 1. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 3-9 inch cake pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray (I prefer the Baking nonstick cooking spray that contains flour). Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix all cake ingredients with an electric mixer on low until just combined. Scrape the side of the bowl, and increase mixer to medium and beat for 3 minutes.
3. Pour cake batter into prepared pans and bake until a tooth pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 23 minutes.
4. Cool cake in pans on rack for about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. If using the following recipe for Strawberry Buttercream refrigerate cakes until completely chilled. 5. Meanwhile make frosting: In a large bowl, beat the butter at medium until it’s pale yellow and fluffy. Add powdered sugar and strawberries and beat at low until well combined and creamy. Set in the fridge for about 5-10 minutes to firm it up slightly (You just don’t want it to be runny).
6. Spread one of the layers of cake with frosting then refrigerate. Frost the second layer and refrigerate until the frosting on both layers has firmed up a bit. Assemble all the layers and frost the top and sides. Refrigerate!
From the communities of Hickory, Berry, Sand Springs, and Mount Vernon and Poplar Springs, email or call flora-overstreet64@gmail.com or call 601- 479-9044 with your news.
