“Welcome to The Little Town with a Big Heart”
Praying everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!
For those missing someone at this year’s Christmas Table: Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all ... I could not stay another day, to love, to laugh, to work or play; tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief —
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of tomorrow.
Grace United’s youth, kids and chaperons traveled to Gatlinburg for “Winter Extreme” this week.
My deepest sympathy is extended to the family of William Holt. He is the brother of Ann Airhart, Via Everett and Joyce Johnson.
My deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Roy White, 89, Hickory. Graveside services for Roy C. White was held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at Mississippi Veterans Cemetery in Newton. The Revs. Mark Vincent and Wayne Griffith officiated. He is preceded in death by his parents, his father Eugene C. White and mother Mildred P. White; and two sisters, Irma Spann and Florene Addkison.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Sylvia B. White, of Hickory, a son: R. Kevin White, of Hickory, two grandchildren, Carianne White and Colin R. White; a sister, June Youngblood, a nephew, Lee Youngblood (Carol) and a niece: Lynn Wagner.
Mr. White was a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. He owned and operated White Timber Company for almost 60 years. After graduation from Hickory High School he played professional baseball for the Cleveland Indians organization and semi-pro baseball with several clubs in East Mississippi. While in the military overseas he was assigned to help organize baseball clinics and teams in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea.
My deepest sympathy is also extended to the family of Imogene Davis Bray, 88, of Chunky, who passed away on Dec. 23, 2017. She is survived by four daughters, Brenda Harris (Herbert Lee), Tina Grimes (Tony), Linda Cavenaugh (Rick) and Pamela Hensley (Jim); five grandchildren, Adam Cavenaugh (Donna), Daniel Grimes (Tori), Joy Scott (Brooks), Jared Cavenaugh (CeCee) and Cameron Grimes; and six great-grandchildren, Tyler Cavenaugh, Brighton Cavenaugh, Brady Scott, Grayson Scott, Maverick Grimes and Kimber Scott.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Adam Cavenaugh, Daniel Grimes, Jared Cavenaugh, Cameron Grimes and Brooks Scott; and son-in-laws, Herbert Lee Harris, Jim Hensley, Rick Cavenaugh and Tony Grimes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Russell, Joe Clark, John Clark, Jason Clark, Olen Hull, Charles Blake and Aubrey Howard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gib and Lessie Lewis, her husband, Walter Bray, a granddaughter, Eve Bailey and beloved dog, Jasper. Services were held Chunky United Methodist Church, burial followed at Chunky Cemetery, with Bros. Lewis May and Gerald Chaney officiating.
Birthday wishes for the week for Jan.1 go out to Robert Whitman; for Jan. 2 to Gary Thorne and; for Jan, 3 to Danny Shoemaker and Bro. Robert Rowzee; for Jan. 4 to Wanda Brackeen, Donny Cleveland and Rex Jones; for Jan. 7 to T. Q. McGee; for Jan. 8 to Karen Williams, Shawnna Willard, Mart Seal (in memory) and Jackson Drew Plunkett; for Jan. 9 to Johnny Walker, Ryan Strait and Michael Chaney; and for Jan. 10 to Elon Espy and Calvin Cleveland. Happy birthday to each one!
Anniversary wishes for the week for Jan 1 go out to Dick and Jane Holifield; and for Jan. 10 to Kelly and Carla Cluff.
Prayer requests for the week go out to Imogene Bray’s family, William Holt’s family, Roy White’s family, Janice Fisher, Carol Ann Alexander, William Redd, Jack Graham, Marie Eason, Bonnie Walker, Bill Matlock, John Patterson, Doyle Gibbs, Doyle McMullan, Cili Norman, Micheal Roland, Janie McMullan, Stephanie Roland and Stacy Stevens.
Shut-ins are Earlene Everett, Christine Herd, Johnnie McMullian, Mary Stamper and Albertine Walker.
Recipe for the week:
Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter, melted, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons seasoned salt. 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 package (20 ounce) boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 can (28 ounce) Muir Glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained, 1 can (18 ounce) Progresso creamy mushroom soup, 1 can (4.5 ounce) Old El Paso chopped green chiles1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, cubed, softened, 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 ounce), 8-ounce spaghetti, cooked and drained as directed on package, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley leaves,
Directions: 1. Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and garlic. Add chicken; toss to coat. Pour mixture into slow cooker.
2. In same bowl, mix tomatoes, soup and chiles; pour over chicken.
3. Cover; cook on High heat setting 2 to 3 hours or on Low heat setting 3 to 4 hours or until instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken reads at least 165 degrees.
4. Remove chicken from slow cooker, and transfer to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, stir cream cheese and Cheddar cheese into slow cooker. Cover; cook on High heat setting 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Stir.
5. Meanwhile, shred chicken with 2 forks; return to slow cooker, and stir in cooked spaghetti. Top with parsley.
6. To make ahead and freeze: In large bowl, mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and garlic. Add chicken; toss to coat. Pour mixture into 1-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. In same bowl, mix tomatoes, soup and chiles; pour over chicken in bag. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible. Lay flat, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw completely, 8 to 24 hours, in refrigerator. Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour thawed mixture into slow cooker. Follow steps 3 through 5.
