Sunday will be a special day in the Centerville community, and I expect to see quite a crowd. Doyle and Grace Jolly will be celebrating their 70th anniversary with a reception at Centerville United Methodist Church from 2 to 4 p.m. Teresa Golden, daughter of Doyle and Grace, shared some of the stories about the courtship of her parents and we thought others might enjoy hearing how it all began. The Faulkner County Singing Club meets at Centerville Church on Mother’s Day each year and they met at the Centerville Church for the singing 72 years back. Young Doyle, with his pretty blue eyes, saw his future bride as she rode in on the back of a wagon and thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. There have been many stories and some say Grace was doing the chasing while some give Doyle that title. Either way, Grace wrote a letter inviting Doyle to a ball game but he was unable to attend. Doyle and Grace were able to reconnect and began dating about three months before Doyle was drafted into World War II. They married before Doyle left and he returned home safely to his new bride and their toddler, Sandy. Over the years, they welcomed Hal, Jim, Don and Teresa to the family. The Jollys farmed and continued to live on the farm that had been Jolly land ever since it was sold by the government after the Louisiana Purchase. All five of the Jolly children have helped out on the farm over time, and some continue today. Zeb Golden raises cattle with his grandpa, Don Jolly raises cattle, and Sandy Jolly raises horses with his wife, Cathy.
Some stories don’t have a happy ending, but this isn’t one of them. Come on out and celebrate with Doyle, Grace, and their family tomorrow.
Please keep Todd Watkins, Betty Griffith, Frankee Dee Battles, Monteen Tarkington, Mrs. Vance, and anyone else that has been ill in the community in your prayers.
This has been a long week of hot and dry weather! Hope everyone has stayed in and kept cool. Please remember there is a burn ban on. The least little spark can ruin a home and put lots of people in danger. So please be careful out there.
My Landon called and said Nana I went to the dentist it was good. And told me he had two teeth loose. Oh my he is growing up! I told him the good fairy would come and bring him some money when those baby teeth came out. I truly enjoy the time I spend with him. I know someday he will outgrow his nana but I hope it will be a long time away and I hope when he becomes a teenager that he will take the time to come and see me and spend time with me.
Happy Birthday to Mary Jane Russell from Vilonia! I hope you had a wonderful birthday and wish you many more.
Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful son Jerry Dowdy! I always knew you would make a wonderful dad.
Happy Father’s Day to Johnny Dowdy, Chase Watkins, Tony VanPelt, Darrel Bearden, Gary and Clay Mode, Richi Rimmer, and to all those Dads out there in the world that take the time to be there for your kids and grandkids. Have a great day.
Please send news to holtb42@yahoo.com or call 679-3299. Can’t put it in there if I don’t hear from you!
I know everyone is going and doing something this summer. Carolyn Hays and family along with Doris and Dawson Watkins have spent this past week in Myrtle Beach. Guess they had a good time. I never heard from any of them.
Have a great week and a safe one and stay cool. Hot weather is coming!