Auburntown News

By ANNA PATRICK

Not many times you can get anything on this girl but a surprise party caught her off guard. It was Melinda Crook's 40th birthday that fellow teachers and co-workers joined together to honor her on her big day with a surprise party.

Prosperity Baptist Church ended this year's Vacation Bible School Sunday night with ice cream and toppings finishing with a big splash! Every year there is a girls/boys competition with the offering and the leader of the losing group pays a price. This year it happened to be Janna Womack who was "submerged" by Chris Blackburn of the local fire department. Jordan Blackburn was the boys' leader and since the amount was so close with only about $4.00 separating the two, he eventually joined Janna in getting "submerged". But I don't think there was any need for either to get soaked as there were lots of students who joined in on getting wet. It was a great week, a great night with lots of fun thrown in while learning about being "Submerged in God's Word".

Sunday afternoon, Lilyan Adora Bennett was honored with a tea at the home of her grandmother's, Donna Sherrell. Mom Michelle and Dad Aaron were on hand to check out the special and needed gifts she will be using when she arrives sometime in August.

Helping Donna was Samantha Gaither who did a great job with the beautiful cake and decorated-duck cookies that were served.

The battle is finally over but she was a fighter to the end. Bobbie Whited fought the beast of ovarian cancer for 13 years. Her battle may be over but she won the war as she is now celebrating with the heavenly host with no more pain, sorrow or tears.

We can now concentrate our thoughts and prayers on her husband, Jeremy, daughter, Emily and other loved ones as they face the days ahead without her strength and laughter.

It was in the wee hours of Monday morning when someone just "happened" (God's Hand?!) to be riding along on Pleasant Ridge and saw a rather large glow in the sky. On closer observation it was noted to be a fire at the residence of Mark and April Melton. Unknown to them as they along with their young daughter, son and a friend slept, their home was burning. However, due to the one who saw the fire and alerted them, they were all able to get out in time with nothing but their pajamas. They lost EVERYTHING materialistic but so thankful lives were not included.

They family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of thoughtfulness this county has shown. Here is an update on their needs per daughter, Kenzie Bennett: Household items like towels, washcloths, blankets, pillows, any kind of furniture, kitchen items, really anything to help stock their new home when they are able to build another one! Thank you all for everything you have done, brought, called, prayed, EVERYTHING!! Cannon County may be small but ya'll sure do know how to rally around and help people out!! We are so very grateful!!

Joyce Leach and Ashley Kress start our birthday list this week when they celebrate the 22nd. Judy Todd's is the 23rd. We skip 3 days and see where Cason Shirley enters another year on the 26th. Amy Hastings, Charlotte Wimley and our daughter-in-law Shannon Patrick get to celebrate on the 27th and Adam Jones enters double digits on the 28th. Happy birthday to all of you.

Happy 26 years if married bliss to Tim and DeAnna Reed on the 23rd. The 24th belongs to Brandon and Dwinna Reed for their 10th. On to the 25th when Phillip and Linda Hayes have their 45th the same day that Blake and Tammy O'Neal have their 28th. Happy anniversary to all couples.

If you have news for this column, please e-mail me at apatrick@dtccom.net, or call 464-4310 and leave a message if no answer.