Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow

Last week snow, this week rain. Not that I’m complaining. We need the rain. Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni are still very low but they are starting to fill back up. A few more good rains and I think they will be looking much better.
My condolences to the family of Jim Perry Burns, who entered Heaven on Feb. 25. Jim passed peacefully at his home in Miller Grove. Jim Perry was a good friend and cousin of mine. I always enjoyed visiting with him and listening to him tell me stories from days past. He was born Mar. 21, 1927, in Miller Grove to Johnie Linzy Burns and Virgie Bess (Johnson) Burns. While attending school at Miller Grove he actually skipped a grade and was able to graduate in 1944. After attending college he landed his first job teaching at Sulphur Bluff High School. While in the Sulphur Bluff community he was ordained as a deacon of the church and joined the Masonic Lodge where he served as a 32nd degree Mason for over 60 years. He married Mary Kate Lindley on Aug. 14, 1948, in Quitman, Texas. In 2008, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary followed by a special honor – the Dallas Morning News doing a feature story on the couple. For decades Jim worked tirelessly collecting historical data on the Miller Grove community. He collected quite a bit of information on the school, churches, cemetery, and his family genealogy. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Miller Grove Cemetery Association for many years as well. Over the last year or two, even with health declining, Jim still enjoyed going to school events and visiting with friends and neighbors. Survivors include his wife, two daughters (LaQuita Brantley and LaCheeta McPherson), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held last Saturday, Mar. 7, at Miller Grove United Methodist Church.
Another MG native that also passed on Feb. 25 is Freida Johnson Wallace. She was born in Miller Grove on Apr. 4, 1925, the daughter of William Washington “Bill” Johnson and Annie Eliza (Blount) Johnson. Freida was salutatorian of the Miller Grove graduating class of 1941. After graduation she relocated to Dallas and attended the Rutherford Business School. She then accepted a position at Hydrotex Industries where she retired as an executive after 42 years of service. She was member of Lakeside Baptist Church for 61 years. Memorial services will be held at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home on March 19. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Wilma, Melba, Edith, Rema and infant sister Billie. She is survived by her husband, James Wallace of 67 years, children Sheri Hamer and Jamie Wallace, brother Bill “Junior” Johnson, and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends from the Miller Grove community.
Congratulations to the following athletes who recently received district honors in basketball: Logan Miller & Aaron Smith (Co-MVPs), Trey Lester (First Team All-District), Brennan Green (Second Team All-District), and Tatom Sink & William Clinton (Honorable Mention).
Happy Birthday this week to Tim Heijligers & Victoria (Edwards) Reeves on Mar. 10; Caryn (Lewis) Darrow, Retha (Waskom) Heath & Terry Tate on Mar. 11; Johnny Ferguson, Jordan Lennon & Lindsey (Watson) Cipoletta on Mar. 12; and Peggy Harland & my brother, Bradley Darrow, on Mar. 14.
Happy 13th Anniversary to Heath and Sheena (Petty) McCraw on Mar. 9.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].