Many things have happened in “The Grove” since my last writing nearly a month ago. May was a busy month and June has been nearly as busy. My garden is in full swing and taking up the majority of my free time but hey, at least it is producing and not being consumed by grasshoppers…yet!
I took a quick vacation out to Amarillo on May 19-20. I went with my cousins Hunter, Nathan, and Tiffany (Hunter’s wife). We had a lot of fun on the weekend trip. We went to Cadillac Ranch and then to Palo Duro Canyon. After that we headed down south a few miles to Cap Rock State Park. Both places were well worth the trip. At Cap Rock we saw a couple of buffalo herds and a prairie dog town. On the way back home we took a minute to stop in Bob Wills’ home town of Turkey, Texas, and the continued our trek to Childress where we spent the night before making the rest of the way home.
I would like to congratulate all of our graduates this year. I was glad to be able to make it to all three graduations (Kindergarten, 8th Grade, and High School). Each ceremony was well planned and the graduates honored properly. Not to take away from the other graduates, but Kindergarten was probably the most exciting. They had two classes graduate into first grade and since one Kindergarten teacher wasn’t able to be there (Lindsay Beaver), she made a video to play that day to congratulate her students and wish them well as they venture to a new grade. And everyone was so proud of the scholarships that were handed out at the high school graduation Unfortunately, I can’t name all of the recipients by memory or the amounts of the scholarships but I can say that there were several announced that night. Cherrie Bessonett also took home an award that was given out by the Masonic Lodge in Cumby.
As I mentioned earlier, Mrs. Beaver wasn’t able to attend Kindergarten graduation and I must say, she had a very good excuse – she and husband Cody delivered their baby just days before the ceremony. Little Hayes Russell Beaver was born May 23, weighing in at 7 lbs, 2 oz.
My condolences go out to the family of Belinda Kay Renshaw. Belinda passed May 27, at Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas. She was born to Leon Murriel Renshaw and Geraldine “Gerri” Fatheree on May 11, 1954, in Greenville. She had battled cancer for some time but was laid to rest in Miller Grove Cemetery on May 31. Belinda was a nurse, working at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Heart Hospital in the cardiac recovery unit. Services were conducted at First Baptist Church of Point with Bro. Billy Smith officiating. She is survived by sons, Shawn Armstrong and Ryan Armstrong; brother, Darrin Renshaw; sisters Paula Brown and Karan Coleman; and many friends and family. Funeral arrangements under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
Another recent death with a Miller Grove connection was that of Cletius Brown. Mr. Brown passed Wednesday, June 7, at his residence. He was born Mar. 27, 1948 in Sulphur Springs the son of Earl Sterling Brown and Louise Watson Brown. He married Brenda Hatcher on May 28, 1977, in Hugo, OK. He served in the US Army during Vietnam War and was a truck diver by profession. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughters, Nicole Brown Stewart, Allison Brown Mosher, and Anne Bowen; 3 sisters and several grandchildren. Cletius was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. Funeral services to take place at Miller Grove Methodist Church on Saturday, June 17, at 2:00 pm with Bro. Howard Strickland officiating. Interment in Miller Grove Cemetery following the services.
Kacie Potts and Chris Kultgen were married on May 27. Congratulations to them. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to go to the wedding. It looks like, from Facebook pictures, that it was a beautiful wedding with an extra beautiful bride. Kacie is the daughter of Jim and Tanya (Middleton) Potts and grew up in Miller Grove and graduated from Miller Grove High School. One thing that I thought was very special is that her uncle, Tim Potts, is the one who preformed the ceremony that night.
Please remember to keep Jennifer (Peek) Moore and her twins in your prayers. Jennifer had a wreck on FM 1567 last week. She was west bound, headed toward Miller Grove, and hit the guard rail in Harold Knight’s bottom. Mother and children are in the hospital and have made major improvements but still have a long way to go. Several of you may know Jennifer’s parents – Larry Peek and Laura Kay (Russell) Peek.
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].
