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Volume 119, Issue 39

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Selmer man found dead at Alcorn, Mississippi Justice Center; believed suicide By Mark Boehler

Editor, Daily Corinthian

Authorities say a Selmer, Tenn. man found dead near a car outside the Alcorn County Justice Center Monday committed suicide. Sheriff Ben Caldwell reports a Corinth Police Department officer observed a small silver car parked on a gravel driveway adjacent to the justice center parking area around 6:40 a.m. on Monday, Jan 25. When the officer approached the vehicle he observed a male subject deceased beside the vehicle with a single gunshot wound. Sheriff’s Department investigators determined the individual, 48-year-old Scott Beutow of Selmer, Tenn. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Photo by Joel Counce

Pharmacist Bolton Gean of Todd’s Pharmacy in Adamsville prepares a COVID-19 vaccine. The pharmacy was one of 100 chosen statewide to administer the shot.

Adamsville’s Todd’s Pharmacy chosen as COVID-19 vaccine distribution pharmacy

Photo courtesy of Big Hill Pond State Park

By Joel Counce

Big Hill Pond State Park wins fourth in state for “My TN State Park 2020” fundraiser

Staff Writer

An Adamsville pharmacy is the only one in Hardin and McNairy counties to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Todd’s Pharmacy went through the first 100 vaccines in a three hour period Jan. 27. “We were approved as one of the 24 pharmacy sites in the state,” owner Todd Gean said. Gean’s son, Bolton Gean, also a pharmacist at Todd’s, began working toward the vaccines in December. “Pharmacies have become a trusted place to get vaccines,” Bolton Gean said. “That’s become more true with the flu vaccine. “We wanted to help the community and help get back to some semblance of nor-

By Angele Latham Editor

Big Hill Pond State Park came in fourth place for the state’s “My TN State Park 2020 fundraiser,” a tremendous honor for the local park, which stood against 56 other parks. The park raised $3,774 in the voting fundraiser, according to Justin King, head park ranger of Big Hill Pond. The fundraiser allows voters to donate for each vote cast. “It’s really great for the park,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of people contribute to the donations and vote for Big Hill Pond. It’s amazing that we were able to come in fourth, competing with 56 other parks. Especially considering some of the bigger resort parks.” Voting opened January 1 and closed midnight of the 31st. Employees at Big Hill Pond were awaiting results with bated breath, which

malcy.” Approval for the vaccine meant paperwork, a specialty freezer and a digital data logger – a device that keeps track of temperatures in the freezer and makes them available online. “It provides data for the temperature of the vaccine,” Bolton Gean said. “If it gets outside of the target temperature, it could ruin the vaccine. There is a thermometer in there that is constantly collecting data.” The vaccine will be available to those ages 65 years and older, according to Bolton Gean. “They are doing it in phases,” he said. The vaccine is also currently available to frontline healthcare workers and teachers. Todd’s is giving the Moderna vaccine.

Selmer Farmer’s Market restroom vandalized, destroyed By Angele Latham Editor

A police investigation is underway in Selmer after the Farmer’s Market men’s re-

stroom toilet was found destroyed late Friday night. Selmer Police Department’s Officer Kaleb Sanders made the discovery around

See VANDALISM, 3

See BIG HILL POND, 2

McNairy County’s Teachers of the Year: A peek into their world The Independent Appeal is featuring each of the county schools’ Teachers of the Year in coming issues. See Kennedy’s story on page 4. McNairy Co. COVID-19 Cases as of February 2

A honor in a year of struggles By Joel Counce Staff Writer

Total Tested 18,475 Cases 2,258 Deaths 45 Recovered 2,389

Carole Kennedy returned to the school she attended to teach four years ago. “I grew up in Michie, but I always went to school in Selmer,” she said. “I went here through elementary and middle school.” The Selmer Elementary School Teacher of the Year for 2020-21 graduated from McNairy Central in 1999 before attending the University of Tennessee-Martin. She finished at UTM with a Bachelor of Science degree in English education in 2003. She earned a Master of Science in elementary education three years later. She taught special education at Michie for a year, then Staff Photo by Joel Counce

See Teacher of the Year, 4

Carole Kennedy, Selmer Elementary School

Bible Verse

“‘Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 ❚ Opinion 6 ❚ Obituaries 7 ❚ Events 7 ❚ Classifieds 9 ❚ Sports 11 ❚

NEWS

PAGE 2 ❖ INDEPENDENT APPEAL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

BIG HILL POND FROM PAGE 1

towards new trail signs, King says. “We’re going to use these funds to have some professionally-made interpretive signs to go with some of the confusing trails. We got thirty miles of trails—every trail overlaps another trail at some point, and there’s a lot of confusion at these inter-

they received while on the phone with the Independent Appeal. “Every time a computer has dinged today, or a phone has rang, everybody has checked for the official results,” King chuckled. “And now it’s official! We finished fourth place!” Funds will be going

Bridal Registry April 10, 2021 - Niki Jernigan bride elect of Seth Winton May 8, 2021 - Kenly Blakney bride elect of Austin Wood May 22, 2021 - Taylor Parmely bride elect of Easton Hawkins May 22, 2021 - Jamie King bride elect of Jacob Northcutt

Graph courtesy of Tennessee State Parks

The last updated graphic published by the state of Tennessee as of 5:30 p.m. on January 31. Justin King confirms that after this list was published, Big Hill Pond State Park ended the fundraiser with $3,774 in donations, and Cumberland Mountain moved up to first place. May 29, 2021 - Shannon Watson sections. So we’re going to that extent.” munity, many of which are free. Activities bride elect of Blake Bowder try to get some interpretive Over $96,000 were raised for Tennes- like creek stomping, pelt programs, trailpanels that tell you where see state parks overall, which will go to hiking and photography classes are a few you’re at, which direction trail repair, wildlife program, education of the regularly-schedule specialties at to go to get to where you efforts, etc. across the state. the park. want to go, and maybe When the weather warms, King adds In first place was Cumberland Moun140 W. COURT AVENUE SELMER, TN 38375 even what trees you might that more water excursions like kayaking tain State Park; second was Frozen Head 731.645.7 733 Tami Kennedy and SUZIE GLOVER, owners see, what animals you State Park and Natural Area and third was and canoeing will be scheduled. might see, something to Seven Islands State Birding Park. Until then, the park is excited to begin “Last year was tough on many levels, planning their new improvements thanks but parks emerged as havens for outdoor to appreciative community members. Residential • Commercial • Home Owners & Contractors Welcome! “It’s amazing to have that many peorecreation and rest,” said a statement released by the Tennessee State Parks office. ple vote for us and give donations to the “Nearly 3,000 donations poured into the park,” King said. “Especially in a very park system as donors cast their vote for small county with all the circumstances going on today—with COVID-19 and the park that “kept them going” in 2020.” Big Hill Pond hopes to keep people go- people not working. It’s just really amazing throughout 2021, with the possibility ing that they’re supporting our small little No Job Too Big Or Too Small of their Spring Race in February, as well as park.” FREE ESTIMATES monthly outdoor programs for the com-

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The McNairy County Commission’s budget committee met on Monday to discuss the future of budget talks among the commission. Talks included a discussion of the $15 minimum wage proposed last week by Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. The raise would affect more than 50 county employees in the justice complex and courthouse. It would increase payroll by about $263,000 per year. Nine employees from the solid waste department would be affected by the increase at a cost of about $72,000.

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Total cost for the McNairy County Highway Department would be about $157,000 a year. “I’m just showing what will happen here,” McNairy County Mayor Larry Smith said. “That number represents what will happen if it moves to $15 an hour.” The budget committee will begin meeting to discuss the 2021-22 budget in March. Fiscal years run from July 1 through June 30. The committee also:” • discussed budget planning for the 2021-22 fiscal year. • discussed a bid from Walker J Walker of Memphis for work on the HVAC system at the McNairy County Justice Complex.

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

VANDALISM FROM PAGE 1

11:15 p.m. Beside the destroyed toilet was a cinder block, which had apparently been used to smash the basin. The bathroom was supposedly locked prior to the vandalism. Sanders confirmed that the damage

was not there the previous night. Nearby cameras captured four apparent suspects entering the restroom shortly after 6 p.m. Friday evening. The case has been turned over to Investigator Nathan Harrison.

INDEPENDENT APPEAL ❖ PAGE 3

Adamsville man sentenced to 180 months in federal prison By Angele Latham Editor

Photo courtesy of the Selmer Police Department

In this Selmer Police Department case photo, the destroyed toilet can be seen, along with the cinder block used to damage it. The police are looking into suspects.

Bobby Earl Oliver, 33, of Adamsville has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to a statement from West Tennessee U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant’s office. According to court documents, on September 26, 2019, an officer with the Selmer Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Oliver’s vehicle for speeding. During the course of the traffic stop, Oliver admitted to having a pistol located beside the driver’s seat. While searching the vehicle, the officer found a Jennings .380 caliber pistol beside the driver’s seat. Oliver, a convicted felon after having been previously convicted of three counts of burglary in October 2008 and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver in April 2018 in Hardin County, cannot possess firearms or ammunition. Additionally, after he was found in possession of a firearm, Oliver was later convicted of delivery of methamphetamine in McNairy in January 2020. Oliver was determined to be an armed career criminal under the federal sentencing guidelines, and is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months. On January 26, 2021, Chief U.S. District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Oliver to 180 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Dunavant said, “Convicted felons who possess firearms are an inherent danger to community, and in this case, the Oliver was an armed career criminal who continued to commit crimes and possess a firearm despite his prior felony conviction history. There is and ought to be a significant consequence for such recidivist criminal behavior, and this sentence removing him from the community for 15 years will make McNairy County and West Tennessee a safer place.” The Selmer Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

McNairy leaders tackle preventable deaths with American Heart Month By Joel Counce Staff Writer

McNairy County Public Health Educator Beth Hamilton wants to get the message out. “So many of the contributing factors to leading causes of death in McNairy County are preventable,” she said. “Smoking and tobacco use are the number one contributing factors. Others are – being overweight, lack of activity. “We want to promote healthy behaviors.” Hamilton met with LaShell Moore of the Mary Lou Johnson Foundation, Jessica Huff of the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce and Sybil Dancer of Selmer Parks and Recreation to discuss American Heart Month and to wear red this Friday (Feb. 5) for National Wear Red Day. The day is set aside by the American Heart Association (AHA) to promote awareness and prevention of stroke and heart disease in women. The AHA encourages people across the country to wear red. For Moore and Dancer, it’s personal. Moore lives with cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood through the body. “When I had my younger son, it caused stress on my heart,” she said. “I went through congestive heart failure. That was an eye-opener for me. I think it was due to a

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During the pandemic, over 100 students in the county prepared for and obtained a GED/ HiSet diploma right here at home through the local adult education program. “We’ve had students who get great jobs after earning their diplomas or move on to a community college or four-year university,” said adult education instructor Alex Beene, from the

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long time of not managing my blood pressure.” Moore learned she suffered from the disorder 16 Free estimates years ago. “I’ve learned to live with it and manage it,” she said. “I’ve had to lose a lot of weight, change my eating habits and monitor my medicine.” Dancer learned she had significant blockages at a cardiologist appointment with Dr. Shahzad Shah on Nov. 16. “I went in there thinking he would tell me to slow down a bit and be less stressful,” she said. “I found out I had a 95 percent blockage on the ‘widowmaker’ and 70 percent on another valve.” 356 Industrial Park Dr. Selmer, Tennessee The news did not get better after a visit to a surgeon. “I met with him on Wednesday (Nov. 18) and he set up anthony lambert 731-645-6888 an operation on Friday,” Dancer said. “It was a very quick turnaround. They had told me I was going to have a double bypass, but I ended up having a quadruple bypass.” If you’re caught driving without Heart disease was the leading cause of death in McNairy County for 2019 - the last proof of insurance you could lose year records are available – with 99 deaths in the county. your license, owe a reinstatement The second leading cause of death was fee and have to purchase insurance cancer (malignant neoplasms) with 75 deaths county-wide.

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Adult Education Program carries on, despite fundraiser cancellation By Janet Rail

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state department of education. “Having that piece of paper may not seem like a big deal to those who take it for granted, but for our students, it changes their personal and professional live forever.” Serving McNairy, Hardin and Wayne counties, the adult education program is part of the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and provides services to adults to build the knowledge and skills necessary for high school equivalency

(HISET) diploma. This program relies on state funding, a small grant from United Way and the McNairy County Literacy Council, who supplements everything necessary to obtain a high

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NEWS

Page 4 v Independent Appeal

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

McNairy County’s Teachers of the Year

Teacher of the year From Page 1

reading and language arts and science for 11 years. Kennedy then moved to Selmer Elementary, where she now teaches reading and language arts. She’s been happily there for four years now. Kennedy learned in a staff meeting she was being honored with her first Teacher of the Year honor. “The thing that makes it mean the most is your peers vote on it,” she said. “We have some great teachers in this school and in this county.” “It means a lot, especially, in a year like this where you question if you’re doing a good job,” she added. “It means a lot.” Selmer Elementary School principal Pam Simon said Kennedy deserved the honor. “She is a very dedicated, strong teacher,” Simon said. “She is very tech savvy and she shares her love for technology with her students and that’s been very helpful during this time.” Kennedy, the daughter of Ronnie and Kay Price, is married to Chris

Staff Photo by Joel Counce

Selmer Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, Carole Kennedy (right) works with fourth grader Jemma Reaves. The reading and language arts teacher has been at the school four years.

Adult Education From Page 3

school diploma free to any adult student in the county. Located at the Charlotte Boley Center, 701 Industrial Drive in Selmer, Beene is connecting with students both virtually and in the classroom to adapt to the changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, when schools and colleges were struggling with questions about how to operate schools safely, the Charlotte Boley Adult Education Center closed temporarily in order to determine how to operate safely. As the pandemic lengthens on, however, the number of students preparing for their diploma is ramping up. So the center is doing what it does best-- adapt and

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Elementary Breakfast Mar 1 Blueberry Muffin Juice Milk Mar 2 Sausage & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 3 Chicken & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 4 Chocolate Chip Muffin Juice Milk Mar 5 Manager’s Choice Mar 8 Confetti Pancake Bites Juice Milk Mar 9 Sausage/Gravy Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk Mar 10 Sausage & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 11 Cinnamon Roll Juice Milk Mar 12 Manager’s Choice Mar 15 Mini Cinnis Juice Milk Mar 16 Sausage & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 17 Chicken & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 18 Chocolate Chunk Granola Bar Juice Milk Mar 19 Manager’s Choice Mar 22 through Mar 26 Spring Break

overcome. “I have seen students with tears in their eyes over the last year at how grateful they are for our services. Many of our adult students have had major setbacks in their lives, and the pandemic just intensified those. We provide them with the resources to better themselves and get their lives back on track,” said Beene. To raise much needed funds, the Independent Appeal sponsors an annual fundraiser, the Love of Literacy Dessert Tasting Fundraiser, the Thursday before Valentines Day to benefit the Literacy Council. Due to COVID-19, the event is cancelled this year. Plans are to approach previous vendors, businesses,

For March 1 - April 2

Mar 29 Assorted Pop-Tarts Juice Milk Mar 30 Sausage & Biscuit Juice Milk Mar 31 Chicken & Biscuit Juice Milk Apr 1 Chocolate Chip Muffin Juice Milk Apr 2 No School Today

Elementary Lunch Mar 1 Pepperoni Stuffed Crust Pizza Potato Rounds Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Milk Mar 2 Chicken Tenders/Peppered Gravy/Biscuit Batter Bites Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Applesauce Cups Milk Mar 3 Cheeseburger Battered Potato Wedges Blueberries Milk Mar 4 Traveling Taco Whole Kernel Corn Diced Peach Cups Milk Mar 5 Manager’s Choice Mar 8 Mini Corn Dogs Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Rosy Applesauce Milk Mar 9 Rotel Chicken Glazed Carrots Blushing Pears Milk Mar 10 Cheeseburger Battered Potato Wedges

Chilled Peaches Milk Mar 11 BBQ Sandwich Baked Beans Cole Slaw Diced Strawberry Cups Milk

Apr 2 No School Today

High School Breakfast

and individuals for donations in lieu of the event for monetary donations. With the community’s help, the center can do what it has always done - prepare students for the test. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the Adult Education Center, 701 Industrial Park Drive, Selmer, TN 38375 or to BancorpSouth, 515 Mulberry Avenue, Selmer, TN 38375, attention Andrea Littlejohn, Vice President McNairy County Literacy Council. The Council is a 501(c) (3), so all donations are tax deductible. For more information about getting your diploma call 731-453-5572.

Menus are subject to change due to availability. Mar 17 Sausage & Biscuit Confetti Pancake Bites Juice Milk Mar 18 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk

Mar 12 Manager’s Choice

Mar 1 Sausage & Biscuit Mini Cinnis Juice Milk

Mar 15 Chicken Rings/Roll Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Glazed Carrots Rosy Applesauce Milk

Mar 2 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage/Gravy Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk

Mar 19 Manager’s Choice

Mar 16 Steak & Gravy/Roll Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Pinto Beans Mixed Fruit Milk

Mar 3 Sausage & Biscuit Confetti Pancake Bites Juice Milk

Mar 29 Sausage & Biscuit Mini Cinnis Juice Milk

Mar 4 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk

Mar 30 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage/Gravy Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk

Mar 5 Manager’s Choice

Mar 31 Sausage & Biscuit Confetti Pancake Bites Juice Milk

Mar 17 Soft Shell Chicken Taco Whole Kernel Corn Oranges Milk Mar 18 Hot Dog Baked Beans Cole Slaw Chilled Peaches Milk Mar 19 Manager’s Choice Mar 22 through Mar 26 Spring Break Mar 29 Sausage Stuffed Crust Pizza Potato Rounds Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Milk Mar 30 Spaghetti/Garlic Bread Stick Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Applesauce Cups Milk Mar 31 Cheeseburger Battered Potato Wedges Blueberries Milk Apr 1 Breaded Chicken Sandwich Spicy Fries Diced Peach Cups Milk

Mar 8 Sausage & Biscuit Mini Cinnis Juice Milk Mar 9 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage/Gravy Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk Mar 10 Sausage & Biscuit Confetti Pancake Bites Juice Milk Mar 11 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk Mar 12 Manager’s Choice Mar 15 Sausage & Biscuit Mini Cinnis Juice Milk Mar 16 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage/Gravy Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk

Mar 22 through Mar 26 Spring Break

Apr 1 Chicken & Biscuit Sausage Breakfast Pizza Juice Milk Apr 2 No School Today

High School Lunch

Mar 1 Steak & Gravy/Roll Corn Dog Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Rosy Applesauce Juice Milk Mar 2 Pepperoni Wedge Pizza Chicken Tenders/Peppered Gravy/Biscuit Battered Potato Wedges Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Juice Milk Mar 3 Cheeseburger Soft Shell Chicken Taco Crinkle Cut Fries Whole Kernel Corn

Chilled Peaches Juice Milk Mar 4 Sausage Stuffed Crust Pizza Spaghetti/Roll Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Green Beans Blushing Pears Juice Milk Mar 5 Manager’s Choice Mar 8 Mini Corn Dogs Cheese Sticks/Sauce Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Blushing Pears Juice Milk Mar 9 Pepperoni Wedge Pizza Rotel Chicken Potato Rounds Green Beans Applesauce Cups Juice Milk Mar 10 Cheeseburger Beef & Cheese Nachos Battered Potato Wedges Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Juice Milk Mar 11 Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza BBQ Sandwich Spicy Fries Cole Slaw Chilled Peaches Juice Milk Mar 12 Manager’s Choice Mar 15 Fiestada Pizza Chicken Rings/Roll French Fries Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Rosy Applesauce Juice Milk Mar 16 Pepperoni Stuffed Crust Pizza Chicken Spaghetti/Roll Spicy Fries Glazed Carrots Diced Strawberry Cups Juice Milk

Mar 17 Cheeseburger Soft Shell Chicken Taco Crinkle Cut Fries Whole Kernel Corn Chilled Peaches Juice Milk Mar 18 Breaded Chicken Sandwich BBQ Nachos Battered Potato Wedges Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Juice Milk Mar 19 Manager’s Choice Mar 22 through Mar 26 Spring Break Mar 29 Steak & Gravy/Roll Corn Dog Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Broccoli/Cheese Sauce Rosy Applesauce Juice Milk Mar 30 Pepperoni Wedge Pizza Chicken Tenders/Peppered Gravy/Biscuit Battered Potato Wedges Baked Beans Mixed Fruit Juice Milk Mar 31 Cheeseburger Soft Shell Chicken Taco Crinkle Cut Fries Whole Kernel Corn Chilled Peaches Juice Milk Apr 1 Sausage Stuffed Crust Pizza Spaghetti/Roll Fluffy Whipped Potatoes Green Beans Blushing Pears Juice Milk Apr 2 No School Today This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

NEWS

INDEPENDENT APPEAL ❖ PAGE 5

McNairy County Sheriff’s Office reports By Angele Latham Editor

• On February 1, 2021, Sergeant Mike Shipman was dispatched to a Highway 22 South address in Michie regarding a stolen or lost pistol. The victim reported that they had their .38 Smith & Wesson air-weight, five-shot revolver on Friday when they left the house around 10 a.m. The victim was unsure if they laid it down “before they walked out of the house,” or if it was stolen from their car, because upon arriving back home around noon, the gun was gone. The handgun is a silver .38 Smith & Wesson fiveshot airweight with black grips. The serial number is CVT1735. • On January 30, 2021, a white 2000 Dodge D20 truck that was stolen out of Madison County was recovered on Racepath Road in Stantonville by Deputy Randy Collins. Collins was originally dispatched to the scene regarding a white vehicle that was “halfway in (the) highway and halfway on Racepath Road.” Searching the vehicle rendered no clues of anyone in or around the vehicle. Deputy Devine, who joined Collins at the scene, confirmed the vehicle had not been there an hour previous. The truck was towed to allow for Madison County law enforcement to pick it up. • On January 29, 2021, Deputy Randy Collins responded to a report of a stolen tag from Elam Trucking Company. The caller stated that sometime within the previous day, the tag #U407034 was stolen off a trailer from their parking lot. • On January 27, 2021, Matthew Shields, 30, of Adamsville, was charged with theft of property after Deputy John Sims was called to a Lawton Road address regarding a stolen vehicle. Upon Sims’ arrival, the victim was sitting in their 1992 silver Chevy S10 truck, which they described as the vehicle that had been stolen, but recovered. The victim explained that the truck was stolen from 169 West Elzie Pounds Road after they had parked the vehicle on the shoulder and was “away from the vehicle for approximately fifteen minutes.” It was then the vehicle was stolen, though the victim did not see by whom. However, the victim did note seeing Matthew Shields walking down the road “not far” from where they had parked the truck. After being given a ride to Lawton Drive after having their vehicle stolen, the victim spotted their vehicle sitting in the middle of the road. When they walked up to the vehicle, Shields was “sitting in the driver’s seat, and the vehicle was out of gas.” The victim “then took possession of the vehicle,” and Shields “got a ride from someone.” Shields is being charged with theft of property. • On January 25, 2021, Brandon Hopper, 28, of Michie, was arrested and charged with vandalism and aggravated assault after Deputy David Kelso was dispatched to a residence on Hamburg Road in Michie regarding an auto burglary. Upon arrival, Kelso “observed a male subject,” later identified as Hopper, “look out a window on the front of the house.” According to the report, Kelso knew that Hopper had two active arrest warrants. He directed Hopper to got to the door and meet him. Once Kelso entered, he found Hopper sitting on the couch in the living room. He was taken into custody. The original caller showed police a piece of trim from their van door that had been “thrown in the passenger floorboard,” and a bag of chips in the floorboard. The caller said that the chips had come from their bedroom and they had not put them in the van. At the time of the report, the victim “could not state if there was anything missing from inside the van.” • On January 25, 2021, Brian Isbell, 42, of Bethel Springs, was charged with criminal trespassing after Deputy Rachel Devine was called to a Bethel Springs residence regarding Isbell’s trespassing. This is the third such report filed against Isbell, who had been previously arrested for the exact same situation about three weeks ago. The caller stated that their cameras captured Isbell trespassing again, this time showing him walking onto

their property and opening the door of a vehicle parked in the driveway, before closing it and walking away. Isbell then walked back towards his own residence. Devine attempted to make contact with Isbell, but was unsuccessful. Isbell has been charged with criminal trespassing. • On January 26, 2021, Isbell was placed under arrest for domestic assault after Deputy Collins and Woods were dispatched to the Forty Forks residence regarding an assault. Upon arrival, Collins spoke with the victim. While speaking, Collins noticed that the victim was “(bruised) and blood was settling under the skin.” The victim stated that Isbell had been “using drugs and just acting crazy,” and had attempted to take the victim’s truck. When the victim told him no, Isbell said ‘he had to do this,” and slammed the victim to the ground. The victim received injuries to their chest and wrist, but stated that they did not need EMS services. Isbell was placed under arrest and transported to the McNairy County Jail. • On January 25, 2021, Timothy Kitchen, 45, of Adamsville, was arrested and charged with domestica assault following an altercation at an Old Stage Road residence. Deputy Jason Gray was dispatched to the scene after a third party called emergency services, reporting that they had received a call where they could hear someone “crying and saying (they) needed help.” Officers arrived at the scene and found both the front and back doors open, but no one inside. While on the scene, dispatch received another call saying that the involved male—later identified as Kitchen—was seen walking from Adamsville towards his residence on Old Stage Road. Another call was received saying that the victim was at Sunoco in Adamsville. Deputy Rachel Devine responded to the victim at Sunoco, while Gray responded to Kitchen. According to Gray, Kitchen had “small spots of blood on his shirt, scratches on his left arm, and a small scratch below his hairline.” When asked what happened, Kitchen replied that he had gotten in an argument with the victim, and when the victim tried to leave, he stopped them “with force.” Gray asked for clarification on that, and Kitchen explained that he “grabbed (the victim)” and “threw them to the floor and came down on top of (them).” When he noticed the victim bleeding from their nose, he “immediately got up and started apologizing.” They got in a vehicle together before the victim made him exit the car at Sunoco. Devine spoke with the victim while they were at Sunoco. The victim’s story matched Kitchens, but detailed more violence on Kitchen’s part. The victim also said that when they tried to leave, Kitchen jumped in the backseat of the car and would “threaten to jump out” while they were driving. At one point, the victim attempted to get out, but Kitchen jumped in the front seat and “started revving the engine and threatening to run over (them).” The victim returned to the vehicle and drove until they saw an Adamsville officer, which is when they pulled over and made Kitchen leave the vehicle. Due to the consistent fact in each story that Kitchen “placed hands” on the victim first, Kitchen was placed under arrest and transported to the McNairy County Jail. • On January 28, 2021, Sergeant Mike Shipman was called to the scene of a civil matter regarding a blocked driveway in Bethel Springs. The caller stated that their neighbor—with whom they share a driveway—has been routinely blocking the road that leads to the caller’s residence. This has been going on for about a month, according to the report. The caller added that neighbor had been blocking the road with vehicles, a “speed bump with nails all in the road”—which has led to five flat tires—and prior to calling officers, the neighbors had even “dug a ditch across the road.” Additionally, “there was firewood in the driveway which got hung up under one vehicle leaving the residence.” The caller explained that, while the driveway was indeed on the neighbor’s property, it is the only road that leads to their residence, and has been that way for

Local churches face spike in thefts, air-conditioning vandalism By Angele Latham Editor

“many years.” Officers spoke with one of the neighbors, who stated that they had been “having problems” with people “driving at a high rate of speed up and down the driveway all hours of the day and night.” The neighbor added that they had a special needs child and were afraid they were going to get hurt “due to speed and heavy traffic up and down the driveway.” Shipman explained that they could not block the road until the matter could be heard in court. • On January 28, 2021, Ronald Lambert, 57, of Selmer, was arrested and charged with driving on a revoked license after Deputy Tommy Howell noticed Lambert driving a tractor down the shoulder of the highway. Howell had “prior knowledge” of Lambert’s revoked license status, so performed a traffic stop. Howell asked if Lambert had renewed his license, to which Lambert said he had not. Lambert had, however, been using his tractor as a personal vehicle and “going to stores to buy groceries and using the tractor to go pay bills.” Lambert was asked to exit the tractor and was placed under arrest. • On January 28, 2021, Dylan Collins, 25, of Finger, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of domestic assault after Deputy John Sims was dispatched to Highway 45 North regarding a domestic. Dispatch advised that Collins, who had recently been diagnosed with mental health issues, had been making threats with a knife towards two victims. When officers arrived, the victims were outside the house, but Collins was still inside. After more units arrived on scene, Collins came out peacefully and was placed in custody. The victims stated that Collins told them that “one of them had to die,” before he began beating on the door of the room they were hiding in. According to the report, it was later noticed that he had stabbed the door three times. Collins did enter the room later, and took one of the victims’ phones before going to a bathroom and shutting the door. The victims then ran outside. While in the bathroom, Collins called dispatch, who were able to calm him down and have him put the knife down. Officers then arrived on scene. Collins was arrested and transported to the McNairy County Jail. • On January 28, 2021, Justin Jones, 36, of Bethel Springs, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after Deputy John Sims was dispatched to a Payne Road residence regarding a domestic. Upon arrival, Sims spoke with the victim, who stated that, after getting angry about a card getting declined, Jones “got mad” and began swinging a wooden stick at the victim. He did not make physical contact with her, but did break the stick. He also “grabbed (the victim’s) dog by the neck and threw the dog across the room.” Jones was placed under arrest and transported to the McNairy County Jail. • On January 31, 2021, Arthur Atkins, 42, of Bethel Springs, was arrested and charged with domestic assault after Deputy Kevin Wood was dispatched to a New Bethel Road residence regarding a verbal domestic. The victim stated that Atkins had struck them in the temple, and that they were currently “locked in the bathroom.” Atkins stated that they had gotten into an argument over cigarettes, and claimed that the victim attacked him over a misplaced phone. The victim showed a video of the argument, in which Atkins can be seen clenching his fist and saying that he was going to “knock the **** out of you” numerous times. The argument continued on until Atkins can be seen “coming towards the camera,” which is when the victim stated he hit them in the temple. Atkins was determined to be the primary aggressor, and was taken into custody.

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where thieves could work undiscovered. The other two incidents—both at the Greater Evangelical Church—involved a catalytic converter from a vehicle and numerous expensive church décor items. The rise in thefts at churches is not entirely unsurprising, as it follows the annual county trend of a spike in thefts in January. Indeed, McNairy County has seen 28 theft, burglary and robbery reports in January, as compared to December’s 18 and November’s seven. The theft of copper wiring remains a common crime, due to the high resale value of copper.

Four churches have been the victims of theft in the past month, according to numerous reports from the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department analyzed by the Independent Appeal. The Springs Pentecostal Church, of Bethel Springs; Bethesda Presbyterian Church, of Selmer; Bethel Springs Church of God, of Bethel Springs; and The Greater Evangelical Church, of Selmer each filed theft reports between December 22, 2020 and January 19, 2021. The Greater Evangelical Church filed two reports for separate incidents. Three of the five thefts involved the copper wiring from within the airconditioning units belonging to the churches, each resulting in several hundred to several thousand dollars-worth in damages. In the cases of the Springs Pentecostal Church and Bethel Springs Church of God, entire units were stolen and others destroyed. Almost all of these cases involved air-condi1305 Wayne Rd. | Savannah, TN 38372 tioning units that were at CALL US TODAY! 731-925-2871 the back of the property,

CHAMBERS INSURANCE AGENCY Selmer • (731) 645-3551 www.chambersinsuranceagency.com

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MISSION STATEMENT: The Independent Appeal strives to promote and advance McNairy County, educate and inform its citizens, while protecting the people’s right to know, and the rights and interests of our readers and advertisers. The Independent Appeal has a legacy of independent family ownership. Past publishers were: William J. Rail 1976-2000; Leslie Houston, 1974-1976; Bruce Hurt, 1970-1974; George Hamilton, 1964-1970; Wilbur Wright, 1946-1964; B.O. Weeks, 1941-1946; Ken Duke, 1938-1941; Orpheus Abernathy and Family, 1920-1938; Col. J.W. Purviance, 1902-1920. “Dedicated to the peaceful, progressive and proud people of McNairy County.”

Opinion Independent Appeal

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Independent Appeal welcomes your opinion. Letters to the editor are subject to editing or omission for length, style or libel. All letters must include the writer’s name and signature, as well as a phone number and address for verification. The Independent Appeal does not publish anonymous letters. Letters deemed suitable for publication will run as soon as possible after receipt on a space-available basis. Because of space limitations, letters should be limited to 400 words, about two double-spaced, typed pages, one letter per person every 90 days. Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Independent Appeal, P.O. Box 220, Selmer, TN

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Page 6 Independent Appeal

What Examples Are You Setting for Others? By Bryan Golden Columnist

More people are influenced by your words and actions than you realize. Your children imprint on your behavior. They model themselves based on what you say and do. Any people who you supervise at work take cues from you. If you serve customers or clients, they see your actions as representative of your business. You can be a positive influence on anyone you interact with. People watch what you say and do. Leading by example is one of the best ways to be a positive role model. Acting in the way you expect others to act gives you credibility. Treat others with courtesy and respect. Keep your word. Be honest and ethical in everything you do. A solid reputation takes a lifetime to build but seconds to destroy. Do the right thing. You know what that is. Cutting ethical corners is a dead-end road, which leads off a cliff. A reputation destroyed by lies or unethical behavior is next to impossible to get back. Always act and speak in a manner you’re proud of. Never say anything you would be embarrassed about if it appeared on a newspaper’s front page. You never want to be in a position of worrying about your words or deeds being exposed. Think before you speak or act. Never say or do anything while you are angry or upset. Doing so leads to bad decisions. It’s much easier not saying something rash than attempting to apologize for it later. Being willing to do tasks you are asking of others demonstrates that there is no job beneath anyone. A boss who pitches in to help any employee earns well deserved respect from those he or she supervises. Not being afraid to get your hands dirty speaks volumes about your character. Other people are far less likely to grumble about their work when you perform the same functions without complaining. Problem solving sets a great example. Demonstrating how to find solutions, overcome obstacles, and persist in the face of challenges is motivational. Furthermore, a parent, boss, supervisor, or mentor plays a valuable role by removing impediments which interfere with others doing their jobs. Take responsibility for what you say and do. Never make excuses. Apologize when you make a mistake or a bad decision. You will garner much more respect than if attempting to excuse or cover it up. Never be rude, condescending, or mean. Putting others down sends a message that you condone this type of behavior. Avoid creating or spreading gossip. You can’t criticize anyone for being uncivil when you act that way yourself. Communicate clearly. People can’t read your mind. Be patient when someone isn’t sure of what you are saying. Being understandable is your responsibility. If you are not sure of what the other person is saying to you, politely ask for clarification. Treat people with kindness and respect. Help others to learn, grow, and improve. When someone makes a mistake, encourage them to determine what went wrong and why, so they can avoid repeating the same mistake. Paying attention to others conveys respect. Listen when they speak with you. Use eye contact and body language to demonstrate that you are focused on what they are saying. You don’t have to agree with them, but you need to hear them out. Being a positive influence leaves a wonderful legacy. You never know how far the impact you have on people will travel. The people you influence go on to influence others, who then impact even more people. So, the effort required to be a great role model is well worth it. -----------NOW AVAILABLE: “Dare to Live Without Limits,” the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2021 Bryan Golden

Letter to the Editor: Glorious Robinson Damron Adamsville

Dear Editor, My name is Glorious Robinson Damron. My sister Carolyn Robinson Kendall and I are co-founders of an outreach ministry called God Pleasers. We received our non-profit status in 2016. We have over 30 years experience in outreach through our local church. Our Outreach Ministry serve as many people as we are financially able to. Before the pandemic, we delivered “care & share” baskets to Bethel University in McKenzie every two weeks and to both Adamsville and Selmer nursing homes monthly. These baskets included food and toiletries for students that did not get to go home on weekends, as well as residents at local nursing homes. We offer a Community Service Scholarship through Adamsville High School. We did curb-side feedings in the spring and summer of 2020, and we also do a Summer Food Program at Adamsville City Park. We deliver “care & share” baskets to the Worley Cancer Treatment Center in Savannah. These baskets are

to be shared by the staff and patients. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas we deliver hams or turkeys to needy families in Hardin and McNairy counties. We also fed essential workers in 2020 at our local nursing homes; they were so appreciative of the gesture! We also do “a gift for you, a gift for me,” Children’s Christmas Fund. December 2020 was a different shopping experience because of COVID-19. We gave the children gift cards. It was such a blessing! We thank the people that donated to help us meet our many obligations of love in 2020. In 2021, we plan to host very essential-worker feeding and continue our mission as donations permit. Our goal is to have a center for special needs children and adults. God Pleasers Outreach is a 501 (3)(C). Dontations can be mailed to God Pleasers Outreach, 1000 Leapwood Enville Rd. Adamsville, TN 38310. Thank you for being that shining light of compassion to our fellow man. Sincerely, Glorious Robinson Damron, President/CEO God Pleasers Outreach

Worry or Hope By David Coy Columnist

As a new year has begun anxiety continues to grip so many people around the world. Someone has said that denial is only anxiety management. Anxiety is another word for worry. A lot of people are worried about their present and future. This creates pain of mind (grief) in the mind of many. It has been observed in the medical field that attitude toward caregivers has a tremendous impact on not only their care, but also their healing capacity. An attitude of gratitude increased the level of healing, the level of care, and decreased the time it took to heal. Now if we transfer this positive attitude to our grief what would happen to our confidence and motivation to move forward in our life and not give up or give in to our worries? A proverb says that hope is grief’s best music. We need to hold on tight to hope through our entire journey with grief no matter where it takes us. People overcome adversity with hope and perseverance. Socrates said,

“If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own part and depart,” believing that they can overcome and rebuild from whatever misfortune has occurred in their life. It is possible to worry oneself sick. “No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear” so says Edmond Burke. Fear is the foundation of worry and anxiety. The antidote to worry, anxiety, and fear is understanding that most of us will grapple with these at some point in our lives. Understand also our limitations. There are some things out of our control and thus is pointless to worry, but we can pray. What is in our control we can and should work too correct or change, and ask for help if we need it. -----------This is Sunrise Aftercare, sunrise@sfdcares.com David Coy Shackelford Corporation Sunrise Aftercare Coordinator/Consoler-Counselor

Our thoughts and prayers go out to members of our community who are serving in the armed forces: • PFC Casey William Akin • Spc. Allen Alexander • AA Nicole B. Ayres, US Navy • Sgt. Joseph W. Baggett • Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew L. Barkley, US Navy • Capt. William B. Barkley, USMC • Sgt. Andrew W. Bayless USMC • Petty Officer 3rd Class Katie Lynn Bizzell, US Navy • Staff Sgt. Dustin Blakney, USAF • GySgt. Christopher T. Byrd, USMC • Staff Sgt. Susan Cawley • Staff Sgt. Alicia L. Coil, USAF • Cpl. Mandy L. Cooper, USMC • Spc. Mark A. Cooper, US Army • Staff Sgt. Adam Court, USAF • Sgt. James P. Crain • Tony Crouse, U.S. Army • Senior Airman Aaron J. Cull U.S. Airforce • Sgt. Bobby J. Dickey US Army • C.W.3 James R. Dickey, Retired • Capt. Todd Joseph Drobina, US Army • Capt. Bonnie Lynn Dunlop • Cpl. Bradley Eisenhut, USMC • Master Sgt. Carrie L. Ellis, Air Force • Airman Christopher D. Ellis, Air Force • Master Sgt. Lonnie J. Ellis, Air Force • Kip Ellison

• Sgt. Cory Brandon Emily USMC • PV2 Jana Estes • Specialist Bryan Ray Ferguson • PV2 Ashley Freeman, US Army • A1C Ian James Furman, Mountain View, Idaho • PV2 Skyler Gammill, US Army • Pvt. Adam Gray, US Army • Daniel Gray, USMC Lance Corporal • Sgt. Rob Gray, US Army • A1C Stephanie Lynn Griffin, USAF • Captain Dustin Hamm, USMC • PFC Isaac Harville • Staff Sgt. James Taylor Haubrich, US Air Force • Col. (Chaplain) Billy Hawkins • Spc. Matthew Hemby, Army • Sgt. Brian W. Hendrix • Sgt. Timothy Hixon • Staff Sergeant Brian Lee Hood • Pvt. Alex Johnson, US Army • Sgt. Ricky L. Jordan, USMC • Petty Officer 1st Class Arnold Jermaine Knight • Army Officer Major James Lax • Sgt. Joseph Lilly • Sgt. Michael C. Lipford -Army Service Member • Spc. Ritchie A. McCrary • Spc. Dustin McDonald • A1C Amanda K. McMillen, USAF

• Joshua Lane Meek, Army • AO3 Kevin Dewayne Mettlin, Navy • Cpl. Jeffery Mitchell, USMC • SSgt. Patrick Michael Moore, Nat. Guard • A1C Kassidy N. Mosier Deneen, USAF • A1C Logan D. Mosier, USAF • Cpl. Dallas Nelms, USMC • Sgt. Major Paula Norris • Pvt. Justin Overton, USMC • Spc. Joseph Payne, US Army Nat. Guard • CPO Denise Picard Culverhouse • Spc. William Andrew “Andy” Pickett, Nat. Guard • Spc. Robert H. Pittman, II • Sgt. David Poole, National Guard • Cpl. James Scott Powell • Cpl. John M. Powell • Airman Cameron B. Prater, Air Force • Ernest Purez, Air Force • Pvt. Samuel Bradford Ray, Army • E4 Sophia Reinke • Sgt. Charlie Rickman, US Army • John Robinson US Navy • Staff Sgt. Ryan Robinson Air Force • Angel Rodriguez, Petty Officer US Navy • Spc. Blake Rudd • Specialist Robert Rzasa • Sabion Sanders, USAF A1C

• Veronica Sebree, Navy Chief Officer • Alan Seigers, Army • SFC Patrick Michael Shaughnessy • Spc. Hector Soto, Jr., Army • LT Kevin Shelton, Navy • Cpl. Jeremy Tyler Sisk • ITS Rusty Smith, US Navy • Preston Cross Smith, U.S. Air Force • Cpl. Sam Speck, USMC • Sgt. Shaun Spicher, USMC • Sgt. Richard A. Ssesanga, US ARMY • Airman Nathaniel A. Stout • Spc. Daniel Sullivan, Army • 2nd Lt. Chad Sweaton, Army • Spc. Dakota Taylor, National Guard • Jeremy Thompson • Cpl. Logan Gage Ward, U.S.M.C. • ET3 Jeremy Wilbanks, US Coast Guard • Pvt. Demaro Wiley, SC, Army National Guard • A1C Logan James Williams, USAF • Joseph Lloyd Williams MM3 US Navy • Master Sgt. Stanley Wilson, USAF - Retired • Spc. Jeffrey Witoszczak U.S. Army • Petty Officer 1st Class (CTNI) James M. Wolford EDITOR’S NOTE: If a loved one has had a change in status, contact us at (731) 645-5346.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

OBITUARIES

Brian Clay Knight

Elizabeth Ann (Bet) Ward

Brian Clay Knight, born November 18, 1975 and died on January 1, 2021. He was 45 years old. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Lee Knight; grandmother, Maggie Mae Nixon Knight; grandfather, Gracly Knight; maternal grandmother, Theda Eastman Murphy; maternal grandfather, Lewis Myron Eastman. He is survived by his mother, Patricia E. Knight; brother, Allen Lee Knight and wife Molly Knight; aunt, Gay Harville of Savannah, Tenn., and Sue Bruce of Indiana; aunt, Judy Weatherholtz of Alabama; uncle, Larry D. Knight of Selmer; and a host of cousins, friends, nieces and nephews. Brian was a member of Lakeview Church of Selmer. He held a CDL , drove a big truck, loved recording music in his small studio and DJing for others. He loved camping, the outdoors and occasionally working for his mother.

Elizabeth Ann (Bet) Ward was born March 6, 1928 in McNairy County, the daughter of the late James L. and Jewel Wilkins Gilchrist. Mrs. Ward attended Adamsville High School where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team. She was a member of Mt. Sharon Presbyterian Church. She cooked countless meals for her family and friends. She also enjoyed watching her favorite NBA teams on TV. Mrs. Ward departed this life on January 26, 2021 in Adamsville, Tenn. at the age of 92 years, 10 months, 20 days. She is survived by a son, Randy Ward and wife Becky of Dyersburg, Tenn; three grandchildren, Kirstie McCormick and husband Terry of Adamsville, Tenn., Edie Barnett and husband Matt of Jackson, Tenn., Chad Ward and wife Alana of Clarksville, Tenn; eight great grandchildren, Ali Butler of Jackson, Tenn., Elle Catherine McCormick of Adamsville, Tenn., Samantha McCormick of Adamsville, Tenn. Jackson McCormick of Adamsville, Tenn., Avery McCormick of Adamsville, Tenn., Maggie Ward of Clarksville, Tenn., Price Barnett of Jackson, Tenn., Becca Barnett of Jackson, Tenn; and a host of extended family and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband James L. “Buddy” Ward; a son, Al Ward; a daughter-in-law Che Chee Ward; and a brother, J.L Gilchrist. A graveside service was held on January 28, 2021 at the Gilchrist Cemetery in Adamsville, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Sharon Presbyterian Church. The family is requested anyone attending the graveside service to please wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines.

Georgia Edna Smith Williams Georgia Edna Smith Williams was born April 16, 1926 in McNairy County, Tenn. the daughter of the late Bill Smith and Mary Susan Russell Smith. Georgia attended McNairy County High Schools and graduated from Bethel Springs High School in 1943. She enjoyed playing basketball during high school. She lived in Jackson, Tenn. for most of her life. She worked for Ragland Potter Grocery in Jackson for several years. Then moved to Tupelo, Miss. where she worked for her sister Mildred at Boyd’s Flower Shop for many years. She was a member of the Church of Christ and the Ladies Auxiliary Firefighters in Tupelo. Mrs. Williams departed this life on January 26, 2021 in Jackson, Tenn. at the age of 94 years, 9 months, 10 days. She is survived by a brother, James W. Smith Sr. and wife Beverly of Selmer, Tenn; and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. In addition to parents, Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Hoyle Williams in 1993; seven sisters: Ruby Pearl Hickman, Billie Jo Smith, Cletus Cooper, Nancy Surratt, Gladys Sewell, Irene Frye and Mildred Boyd. Visitation was held on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 2 - 3 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer, Tenn. with a graveside service to follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Selmer, Tenn., Danny Eubanks to officiate.

Gerene Underwood Gerene Underwood age 81 passed away January 24, 2021 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. He was born April 7, 1939 in Russellville, Yale County, Ark., the son of the late Ray and Theo Hillard Underwood. He grew up in Hughes, Ark. and picked cotton in his youth. At seventeen, he moved to Rochelle, Ill. and worked in a canning factory before landing a job at Caron International a textile factory there in Rochelle. He worked there for over 35 years before retiring. He married Iva Wilson on August 25, 1956. They made their home in Bethel Springs about twenty years ago. He raised chickens, ducks, cows, llamas and goats. He enjoyed growing watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers and tomatoes. Mr. Underwood is survived by his wife, Iva Sharon Wilson Underwood of Bethel Springs; three daughters, Laura Ysco of Compton, Ill., Lois Rorah (Donald) of Lakeland, Fla. and Kathy Shorter (Edward) of Bethel Springs; seven grandchildren, twenty seven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two sisters, Patsy Tate of Mississippi and Betty Sue Rose of Marion, Ark; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandchild, April French, a great grandchild, Kayd Shorter, sisters, Vera Christian, Alice Duncan, Lois Mullivain and Hazel Leffelman and brothers, Bud Underwood, Leon Underwood and Jim Underwood. The family received friends at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28th 2021. Funeral services were 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4th, 2021 at the Torman Funeral Home in Paw Paw, Ill. Burial followed in Melugin Cemetery in Compton, Ill.

Public Notice

The Town of Selmer Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Selmer City Hall to consider the following relief under the Selmer Zoning Ordinance:Variance for the setbacks of the property known as 207 Jones Rd. Map 100L Parcel 016.01. “The Town of Selmer is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

To help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, please wash your hands and keep 6 ft. away from others.

Bobby Blankenship Bobby Blankenship was born October 9, 1932 in Ramer, Tenn. the son of the late Jessie Lee and Ruby Lee Horton Blakenship. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Harben on June 23, 1953. Mr. Blankenship served in the United States Army for two years. He was a 32 Degree Mason; a Kentucky Colonel; Member of Antioch Church of Christ in Ramer, Tenn. and the VAW Checker Champion of 1972 in Kentucky. Mr. Blankenship enjoyed playing checkers, fishing, hunting and gardening. He loved his family with all of his heart. Mr. Blankenship departed this life on January 25, 2021 in Corinth, Miss. at the age of 88 years, 3 months, 16 days. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann Blankenship of Guys, Tenn; three daughters, Debbie Nethery and husband Trent of Walnut, Miss., Amy Wray of Louisville, Ky. and Darlene Thacker of Guys, Tenn;a son, Ronnie Blankenship of Guys, Tenn; two sisters, Linda Martin and husband Andrew, Donna Reynolds and husband Don; nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, a special checker playing buddy, Marland Harben and all of his checker playing buddies. In addition to his parents, Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Stephens; and a granddaughter, Sarah Wray. Services were held on January 29, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tenn., with Trent Nethery Sr., Trent Nethery Jr. officiating. Burial was followed in the Indian Creek Cemetery at Ramer, Tenn.

Retha Kiddy Retha Kiddy was born in Selmer, Tenn. on July 17, 1929 the daughter of the late Elbert Martin and Frances Parrott Killingsworth. In April of 1948 she was united in marriage to Lenard Kiddy, who preceded his wife in death on February 23, 2005. Retha was a devout Christian woman and member of Meek’s Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Stantonville, Tenn. She was a true homemaker, enjoying cooking, canning and working in a garden. Retha’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and family. She also loved dogs, singing and watching television, especially HeeHaw, Lawrence Welk and the gospel singing channel in Adamsville. Retha departed this life on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Savannah, Tenn. at the age of 91 years, 6 months and 12 days. She is survived by her son, Jerry Kiddy and his wife Debbie of Adamsville, Tenn; granddaughter, Brandie Ford and her husband Rocky; and great grandchildren, C. J. Hardy and Halle Ford. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruthie Eaker and Bertha Moffett. Services were held on February 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Savannah in Savannah, Tenn., with Allen Guyer officiating. Burial was followed in the Clear Creek Cemetery at Selmer, Tenn.

Community Event Saturday, February 13th •Finger Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry & Barbecue Chicken Dinner The Finger Volunteer Fire Department will have a fish fry and barbecue chicken dinner on Saturday February. 13th. 2:00-6:00 p.m. It will be all

you can eat fish or chicken with all the trimmings and homemade desserts. Adults: $12.00 and children: $6.00. All proceeds will go towards the operating expenses of the Finger Fire Dept. Dine in or carry out. Please wear a mask for your protection!

INDEPENDENT APPEAL ❖ PAGE 7

Harriet Jul Ebert Harriet Jul Ebert was born on June 10, 1946 in Middleton, Conn., the daughter of the late Carl and Frances Pudeler. On January 15, 1966, she was united in marriage to Howard Norton Ebert, who preceded his wife in death on February 2, 1982. Mrs. Ebert worked as a computer programmer for AETNA. Harriet Jul Ebert departed this life on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Selmer, Tenn. at the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 10 days. She is survived by her son Clifford Ebert and his wife Laura Logan Ebert of Selmer, Tenn; daughter, June Ebert of Tampa, Fla; sister, Irene Donald of Pawcatuck, Conn; brother, Earl Pudeler of Groton, Conn; and two grandchildren, Clifford Ebert, Jr. and Laura Johnson. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Pudeler. No services.

Scott Edward Beutow Scott Edward Beutow was born April 12, 1972 in Illinois the son of the late Charles Wayne and Jackie Leekieta Wade Beutow. He worked 22 years for the Selmer Utility Division. He was Baptist in belief. Mr. Beutow departed this life on January 25, 2021 in Corinth, Miss. at the age of 48 years, 9 months, 13 days. He is survived by his siblings: Charles Beutow Jr. and wife Debbie of Clinton, Ill., Lona Simmons and husband Creath of Adamsville, Tenn., Timothy Allen Beutow and wife Sharon G. of Selmer, Tenn., Tina Beutow Britt and husband Douglas of Adamsville, Tenn; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends. No services held, burial held in Adamsville Cemetery in Adamsville, Tenn.

Peggy Plunk New Peggy Plunk New was born July 9, 1938 in Mcihie, Tenn. the daughter of the late Eula and Mary Green Plunk. She was united in marriage to Donald New on April 26, 2001. Mrs. New worked for St. Louis Bell as a switchboard operator. She also worked for Adamsville Senior Center driving the van and local nursing homes. She enjoyed reading and attending services at Landmark Pentecostal Church in Stantonville, Tenn. Mrs. New departed this life on January 30, 2021 in Michie, Tenn. at the age of 82 years, 6 months, 21 days. She is survived by her husband Donald New of Michie, Tenn; a sister, Tava Lawson of Eastview, Tenn; a brother, Wayne Plunk of Waynesboro, Tenn; friends, Anthony Rowland and wife Regina and Daniel McAfee and wife Penny all of Michie, Tenn; and a host of fine friends and neighbors. A graveside service was held on February 2, 2021 at the Beauty Hill Cemetery in Bethel Springs, Tenn.

Ramelle Hardin Ramelle Hardin was born November 23, 1930 in McNairy County, Tenn. the daughter of the late Huey Virgil and Elnora Pearl Stovall Miller. Mrs. Hardin was a graduate of Bethel Springs High School class of 1949. She attended Freed Hardeman University, and was a member of the Bethel Springs Church of Christ. She was united in marriage to John Ernest Hardin on April 19, 1951. Ramelle was an avid reader. She was a good cook, and was known for her chicken and dressing, potato soup and she had the best cornbread around. She loved visiting with her family and friends. Mrs. Hardin departed this life on January 31, 2021 in Finger, Tenn. at the age of 90 years, 2 months, 8 days. She is survived by her husband John Ernest Hardin of Finger, Tenn; three daughters, Melinda Winbush and husband Mike of Finger, Tenn., Laurel Vigil and husband Mike of Finger, Tenn., Tracy Hardin of Finger, Tenn; a son, Keith Hardin and wife Penny of Finger, Tenn; a brother, Ronald H. Miller and wife Naomi of Selmer, Tenn; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs Hardin was preceded in death by a sister, Ivy Jewell Frye; and a granddaughter, Kimberly Bizzell. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until services at 1:00 p.m. all held at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tenn., with Michael Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Refuge Cemetery at Bethel Springs, Tenn. Visitors are requested to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines when attending the visitation or service.

If you have an event or obituary to submit, please email to graphics1@independentappeal.com

PAGE 8 ❖ INDEPENDENT APPEAL

OBITUARIES/ CHURCH DIRECTORY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Brenda C. Henley

Virginia (Nanny) Dixon

Joe Nathan Nichols

Brenda C. Henley was born December 21, 1960 in Russellville, Ky. the daughter of the late Arthur and Hettie Jane Cockrell Marshall. She was united in marriage to Paul Benjamin Henley Sr. on March 29, 1984. Mr. Henley preceded her in death on December 1, 2016. Mrs. Brenda worked at Flint Enterprises in Kentucky. Her husband, Paul was a pastor and she was a gracious pastor’s wife. She was compassionate, caring, loving and gentle to everyone including strangers. She shared her joy for God everywhere she went, embraced strangers/friends with her warm hugs and always had encouraging words. Her ministry was one of love and selflessness. Mrs. Brenda Henley departed this life on January 23, 2021 in Jackson, Tenn. at the age of 60 years, 1 month, 2 days. She is survived by a daughter, Sylvia Nicole Robertson of Selmer, Tenn; two stepsons, Paul Henley Jr. of Billings, Mont., and Robert Lloyd Henley of Russellville, Ky; five grandchildren, Paul Benjamin Henley III, Jacob Henley, Lucas Henley, Sammy Henley, Eli Robertson; two sisters, Sally Jeanette Case of Elkton, Ky, Lawanda Whitaker of Elkton, Ky; a brother, James Arthur Marshall of Russellville, Ky; and a host of extended family and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Henley was preceded in death by two sons, Joshua and Matthew Henley; three sisters, Betty Jane Davenport, Annie Yvonne Parish and Lydia Estelle Whitaker. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Virginia (Nanny) Dixon was born November 20, 1931 in Leapwood, Tenn. the daughter of the late Hillard and Freddie Ashe Gann. She was united in marriage to Ernest Dixon on December 30, 1950. Mr. Dixon preceded her in death on June 15, 2007. Mrs. Dixon worked for many years in the packing department at Brown Shoe Company. After retiring from the shoe company, she provided private duty care. She was a strong faithful Christian lady who loved the Lord, her family and working in her garden. She was a devoted member of The United Pentecostals of Bethel Springs. Mrs. Dixon departed this life on January 24, 2021 in Bethel Springs, Tennessee at the age of 89 years, 2 months, 4 days. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Lacoco of Bethel Springs, Tenn., Barbara Park and husband Jerry of Jackson, Tenn; two sons, Wayne Dixon of Saltillo, Miss., David Dixon and wife Tracy of Bethel Springs, Tenn; two sisters, Louise Miller of McNairy, Tenn., Patricia Cates of Enville, Tenn; a brother, Bill Gann of Yakima, Wash; 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two great great Grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Dixon was preceded in death by a daughter, Tina Dixon; a son, Calvin Dixon; two sisters, Polly Gann and Nancy Carroll; three brothers, Odell, Robert and Wayne Gann; a grandson, Cecil Sanders. Services were held on January 28, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tenn., with Jeff Young officiating. Burial followed in the Prospect Cemetery at Selmer, Tenn.

Joe Nathan Nichols was born to the late Albert and Dora Nichols on December 19, 1945. Joe was married to Louise Nichols for 35 years and after divorcing they still remained the best of friends. He worked on the pipeline for several years and later started his own concrete finishing business which he did until retirement. Joe was a member of The Cypress Creek First Baptist Church. Joe was preceded in death by; two brothers, Elmer Lee and Billy Ray Nichols. Joe leaves to cherish his precious memories; the love of his life, Louise Nichols of Selmer, Tenn; three children, Kay Brown of Selmer, Tenn., Lillian ( Kelvin) Buck of Jackson, Tenn. and Charles Wynn of Savannah, Tenn; two sisters, Delores Westbrooks (Jerry) and Madine Nichols of Selmer, Tenn; two brothers, Thomas (Mildred) Nichols of Adamsville, Tenn. and Gary (Melanie) Nichols of Selmer, Tenn; five grandchildren; Cierra Armour, Kayla Nelson, Kiaesha Brown of Selmer, Tenn. Marcella Fouse of Jackson, Tenn. and Travis Luster of Nashville, Tenn; seven great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

SAVE MATTRESS HUNDREDS BARGAIN OF BARN DOLLARS

3150 Hwy 64 Crump, TN / (731) 632-5011 / Closed: Sunday

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building hope dessert tasting fundraiser

Sleep Better Tonight

From The Guest Bedroom To The Master Bedroom

2021 event has been cancelled due to COVID-19. We hope to see you next year

Card of Thanks From the Family of Brain Clay Knight Thanks to Selmer Mortary and all your staff. Thanks to the Eastside Church of Christ, the employees at Pat’s Cafe and to all my dear friends and customers for your kindness, gifts and cards at this terrible time in our life. Allen and Pat Knight

MCNAIRY COUNTY CHURCH DIRECTORY

APOSTOLIC Life Tabernacle 1353 Hwy. 142, Selmer Thomas Davis, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m.

New Jerusalem Faith Apostolic Church 27 Linley Circle, Selmer Bishop Ferdinand Gant Sr. Pastor Wanda Gant Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Bible Class: Wed. night 7 p.m. Prayer: Wed. night 6 p.m. BAPTIST Meeks Grove Freewill Baptist 1030 Tommy Sanders Rd., Stantonville Adamsville Freewill Baptist Church Old Shiloh Road Adamsville, TN 38310 Marcus Morrow, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship: 11:15 a.m. Sunday night: 5 p.m. Bible Study 7 p.m. Solitude Freewill Baptist Church 414 Meeks Rd., Adamsville Sunday: 9:45 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. INDEPENDENT Calvary Baptist Church Hwy 22 North, Adamsville Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship: Sun. 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Faith Baptist Church 1301 Peach St., Selmer Mark Shumaker, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Fellowship Baptist Church 1308 High School Rd., Selmer Pastor: J.D. Matlock Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Locke Road Baptist Locke Road, Selmer Bobby Bray, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. / Wed. 6:30 p.m. Lighthouse Baptist Church 1780 Mulberry Ave., Selmer Jorgen Runquest, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. PRIMITIVE BAPTIST Better Hope Primitive Baptist 4235 Leapwood-Enville Rd., Adamsville Elder Gene Gist, Pastor First Sunday of month beginning at 10:30 a.m., preaching 11 a.m. Michie Primitive Baptist Church Hwy 22 Michie Elder Rickey Taylor, Pastor

10:30 a.m. Song Service 11:00 a.m. Preaching Service

5 p.m & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6 p.m.

Selmer Primitive Baptist Church 331 Falcon Rd., Selmer Elder Clinton Barnett, Pastor 3rd Sunday Each Month: 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Michie 5658 Hwy 22 S., Michie Bro. Ben Martin, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m.

SOUTHERN Chapel Hill Baptist 6371 Vernie Kirk Rd., Pocahontas Bro. Frank Bell, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Chewalla Baptist Church 190 Chewalla St., Ramer Richard Doyle, Pastor Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Clear Creek Baptist Church 1728 Lawton Rd., Selmer Chuck Castles, Pastor Sunday School: 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. & 6 p.m., Wednesday: 7 p.m. Covenant Baptist Church 6515 Hwy 57 East, Michie, TN Pastor: K. Brian Rainey Music & Youth Director: Seth Bragg Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday Night: 7 p.m. Cypress Creek First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1104 14 Falcon St. • Selmer Pastor: Clifford E. Wynn, Jr. (731) 645-8094 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Wednesday Prayer - 6:30 p.m. Bible Study: 7:00 p.m. Jam Zone: 7:00 p.m. Eastview Baptist Church Hwy 45 S., Eastview, Tenn. Rob Burnes, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Bible Study: 7 p.m. Falcon Baptist Church 777 Falcon Rd., Selmer Jay Houston, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m., Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Adamsville 222 West Main St., Adamsville Senior Pastor: Dr. Chad Ball Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:15 a.m. Discipleship Training: 5 p.m. Evening Worship: 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Activities: Prayer/Bible Study: 6:15 p.m. Children & Youth: 6:15 P.M. during the summer First Baptist Church of Bethel Springs 143 Jackson St., Bethel Springs David Singleton, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Selmer Joey Johnson, Pastor 310 W. Court Ave., Selmer Sunday School: 8:45 a.m., 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 8:45 a.m., 10 a.m., Wednesday: 6 p.m. First Baptist Church of Finger Finger-Leapwood Rd., Finger David Sims, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wednesday: 6 p.m. Forty Forks Baptist Church 672 Ed Barham Rd., Bethel Springs Randy Smith, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Good Hope Baptist 678 Good Hope Church Rd., Adamsville Bro. Randy Latch Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday: 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Grace Baptist Church 1255 Connie Smith Rd., Selmer Pastor: Bro. Don Singleton Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Gravel Hill Baptist Church 86 Tom Baker Rd., Ramer Pastor: Bro. Eric Jones Church Phone: 645-6776 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. ; Wednesday: 7 p.m. Lakeview Baptist Church Pastor: Clint Overton 877 W. Cherry, Selmer Sundays: 11 a.m. Wednesdays: The Upper Room Student Ministry 5:30 For more info. call 731-645-9771 Lorraine Baptist Church Melvin Qualls Rd., Michie,TN Trent Nethery, Jr., Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Mt. Gilead Baptist Church 6185 Rowsey School Rd., Bethel Springs Rev. Mark LaRue, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wednesday: AWANA 6:30 p.m. Youth & Adults 6:45 p.m.

PRIME CARE MEDICAL CENTER 270 E. Court Avenue • Selmer, TN • (731) 645-7932 710 East Main • Adamsville, TN • (731) 632-3383 426 White Avenue • Henderson, TN • (731) 989-2174

ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1318 Poplar (Hwy. 64) • Selmer, TN 38375 Telephone: 731-645-4188 Rev. W.H. Arnold, Pastor

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Litt Wilson Rd., McNairy TN Bro. Jakob Harris, Pastor Sunday: 11 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. New Hope Baptist Church 854 Chandler Lane Pocahontas, TN Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Olive Hill Baptist Church 46 Olive Hill Church Lp., Guys, TN Robert Hudson, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Pleasant Site Baptist Church 1868 Pleasant Site Rd., Selmer Bradley Woolworth, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Ramer Baptist Church 3899 Hwy 57 West, Ramer Joe Loncar, Pastor Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Selmer Second Baptist 1004 Peach St., Selmer Tony Polk, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Trinity Baptist Church 7193 Michie-Pebble Hill Rd. Hwy 224 South Michie, TN 38357 Pastor: George Kyle Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30 p.m. Wed. Night Bible Study:6:30 p.m. Unity Baptist Church Unity Church Road, Ramer Greg Brasher, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m., 5 p.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. West Shiloh Baptist Church 282 W. Shiloh Church St., Stantonville Rev. John Little, Pastor Sunday 10 a.m. Life Groups Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Children’s Church Sunday 6:30 p.m. Worship Wednesday 6:30 p.m. CHURCH OF CHRIST Antioch Church of Christ 7200 Hwy 57W Ramer, TN 38367 Darrin Stapleton, Minister (732) 645-5639 Bible Study 9:30 AM Worship 10:15 PM Worship 6:00 Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m. Acton Church of Christ 9389 Hwy 22 S. Michie Jon Paul Gulledge, Minister Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:50 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. (731) 239-9691

Sunday Worship: 11 a.m., 5 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Eastside Church of Christ 1366 E. Poplar, Selmer Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Forrest Hill Church of Christ Forrest Hill Subdivision Hwy 45 S., Selmer Shobeck Dethrow, Minister Fourth Street Church of Christ 142 N. Fourth St., Selmer Brian Stephens, Minister Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Liberty Church of Christ 1005 North Liberty Road Michie, TN 38357 Minister: Jeff Harville (205) 712-3502 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 9 and 11 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Stantonville Church of Christ 8228 Hwy 142, Stantonville Randy Cook, Minister Matt Cook, Minister Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. Discussion Class: 11:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. CHURCH OF GOD Center Ridge Church of God 948 Center Ridge Road, Bethel Springs Duane R. Moore, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Only services due to Covid-19. Piney Grove Church of God 888 Rose Creek Rd., Selmer Aaron Moss, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY Church of God of Prophecy Hwy 22 N. Adamsville Alvin Jones, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Church of God of Prophecy 1642 Curtis Hill Church Rd., Bethel Springs Richard Horner, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. , Wednesday: 7 p.m. Bethel Springs Community Church 3886 Main St., Bethel Springs Larry Lancaster, Pastor (662) 415-8012 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Michie Church of God of Prophecy 6681 Hwy 57 East, Michie Roy Bennett, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m.

Adamsville Church of Christ 243 E. Main St., Adamsville Van Vansandt, Minister Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN Court Ave. Cumberland Presbyterian Church 234 W. Court Ave., Selmer Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Cypress Tank Church of Christ 2645 Cypress Tank Rd., Pocahontas Dr. Brian Jackson, Minister Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Mt. Vernon CP Church 3101 Mt. Vernon Rd., Ramer David Sprenkle, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship: 11 a.m.

New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church 453 New Salem Rd., Bethel Springs David Sprenkle, Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. New Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church New Bethel Road Rev. Jeff Powell Worship Service: 9:45 a.m. Ramer Cumberland Presbyterian Church Highway 57 West, Ramer Pastor: Albert Brown Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. METHODIST Adamsville First United Methodist 206 East Main St., Adamsville, TN Rev. Amanda Westmoreland Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Buena Vista Methodist Church Tull Road, Bethel Springs Roger South, Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m. First United Methodist Church 1122 West Cherry Ave., Selmer Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: Supper 5:30 p.m. Bible Study & Breakouts: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Hickory Flatt United Methodist Church Puron Rd., Hickory Flatt Howard Russom, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 10:15 a.m. Lebanon United Methodist Church 250 Chambers Store Rd. Michie Tony Newman, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday School: 11 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Maggie Jones United Methodist Church 8170 Finger-Leapwood Rd. Bethel Springs, TN 38315 Pastor Mathew Emison Contact info: 731-632-0240 Sunday School 10 a.m. - 11 Services (adult & children) 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study 5 - 6 p.m. New Bethel United Methodist Church 74 Wright St., Bethel Springs Shirley Williams, Pastor Sunday School 10 Sunday Service 11 a.m. Bible Study: Wed. at 7 p.m. New Hope United Methodist Church Sticine Rd. - Michie Sunday Worship: 9 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Wed. Bible Study: 6:30 p.m. Tony Newman, Pastor Pebble Hill Methodist Church 2768 Chamber Store Rd., Michie Rev. Alvin Jones, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Stantonville United Methodist Church 8351 Hwy 142, Stantonville, TN Tony Newman, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Ladies Prayer Brunch 2nd Saturday 10:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs United

Methodist Sulphur Springs Rd., Selmer Roger South, Pastor Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.

Union Grove United Methodist Pleasant Site Road, Selmer Roger South, Pastor Sunday School: 10:20 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:20 a.m. Thurs. Bible Study: 6 p.m. Mt. Vinson United Methodist 2100 Tommy Sanders Rd., Stantonville Amanda Hartmann Westmoreland, Pastor Worship: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School: 10:15 a.m. LUTHERAN MISSOURI SYNOD Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 4203 Shiloh Road Corinth, MS Mike Dickson, Pastor Sunday School Adult: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10 a.m. Sunday School Children Adult: 10 a.m. PENTECOSTAL Beauty Hill Pentecostal Church 46 Beauty Hill Road, Bethel Springs, TN Pastor: Jonathan Tubbs Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Wednesday Evening: “Refreshing” 7:15 p.m. Bethel Springs United Pentecostal 3591 Main St., Bethel Springs Jeff Young, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. / Mon. & Wed.: 7 p.m. First United Pentecostal-Eastview 7810 Hwy 45 S, Ramer Rev. Wayne Isbell, Pastor Sunday: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Monday: 7 p.m. Wednesday: 7:15 p.m. The Sanctuary of MPC 54 Pentecostal Ave., Milledgeville, TN Rev. Jimmy Kelly, Pastor Sun. School: 10:30 a.m., Youth 5:30. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Gateway Holiness Chapel 2342 Refuge Rd., Bethel Springs Michael Price, Pastor Sunday: 2 p.m. / Thursday: 7 p.m. PRESBYTERIAN Bethel Springs Presbyterian Church 59 4th Ave., Bethel Springs Rev. Gary Anderson Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Bethesda Presbyterian Church 50 Bethesda Loop, Selmer Bro. Chris Dancer, Pastor 610-1859 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. First Presbyterian Church USA

800 Poplar Ave., Selmer Dr. Larry W. (Bud) Sizemore, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Mt. Sharon Presbyterian Church 108 Mt. Sharon Rd., Adamsville Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. ROMAN CATHOLIC St. Jude the Apostle 1318 Poplar, Hwy. 64, Selmer Rev. W.H. Arnold, Pastor Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. 1st Saturday: 9 a.m. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Bethel Springs Seventh Day Adventist 4352 Main St., Bethel Springs John Johnston, Pastor Saturday Worship: 9 a.m. Sabbath School: 10 a.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. OTHER/NON-DENOM Abundant Life Christian Fellowship 15770 Hwy 64 East Bolivar, Tn. Pastor D.R. Moore Bible Class: Saturday 10:00 a.m. Worship: Saturday 11 a.m. Only services due to Covid-19. A New Beginning Sol Coulston Rd., Bethel Springs Kenneth Kitchen, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Believers Church 1431 Peach St., Selmer Karen Linam, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m., Wednesday: 7 p.m. Encounter Community Church 1026 Peach St. Selmer, TN Pastor: Melvin Berry (731) 645-0055 Sunday Morning Fellowship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Services 11 a.m. First Christian Church 133 N. Third St. Selmer Preacher, Gregg Worthey Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m.

Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m., Wednesday: 7 p.m. Kingdom Church, More Sure Word 1814 Buena Vista Road Bethel Springs, Tenn. 38315 (731) 577-0100 Sundays at 4 p.m. 2nd & 4th Tuesday L.I.F.E. class at 7 p.m. Thirsty Thursday (Bible Class) 7 p.m. Love & Truth, Adamsville Campus 440 Hwy 64 East, Adamsville Lead Pastor - Eddie Cupples Campus Director - Scott Melson Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Wednesday nights: 7 p.m. Phone: 731-632-4999 www.loveandtruthchurch.com Greater Evangelical Ministry 1854 Airport Rd., Selmer Frank M. Holiday, Pastor Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 12 p.m. Wednesday: 7:30 p.m. Life Wind Covenant Church 63 Linsey Lane, Selmer Barry Bishop, Pastor Sunday: 10 a.m. Wed.: 7 p.m. www.lifewindchurch.com Safe Harbor Church 1514 Peach St., Selmer Sunday: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. World of Truth Church Hwy 57 West, Ramer Larry Cooksey, Pastor Sunday: 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 7 p.m. God’s Way Church 1121 Peach St., Selmer Bro. Billy Sanders, Pastor Sunday: 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. Full Gospel Fellowship Church 6595 Hwy 64 West Bethel Springs, Tenn. 731-646-1837 David Paseur, Pastor Sunday: 9:30 a.m.., 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Petra Family Worship Center 54 Pentecostal Ave., Milledgeville, TN 731-434-1002 S.S.: 10 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. Sunday Night: 6 p.m. Thursday Night: 7 p.m. Pastors: Paul and Bonnie Young

First ChristianChurch 254 N. Maple St. Adamsville, TN 38310 Clint Hopper, Minister (731) 632-3012 Sunday Bible Class 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. FCC Wednesdays Meal 5:30 Worship/Studies 615 p.m. City of Refuge Church 300 Emmons Rd., Selmer C.A. “Skeet” Jackson, Pastor Sunday School: 10 a.m.

SMC Recycling, Inc. Selmer, TN • Corinth, MS

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. • Sat. 7 a.m.-11 a.m. - Corinth only

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Classifieds

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Real Estate For Rent FOR RENT: Houses, Apartments and Townhouses. Committed to providing Safe/ Affordable homes in a family friendly environment. No Pets - No Crack/Party Houses, reference & deposit required. Kenneth Sweat. (731) 6100807. Equal Housing Opportunity. (38-TF) OAKWOOD APARTMENT RENTALS: Selmer: 1 bedroom: $365.00/ mo. 2 bedrooms: $385.00/ mo. Both require deposits. No pets. (731) 6102877. (TF) HOUSE FOR RENT IN SELMER: 2 bedroom 1 bath. Central heat and air. Hardwood floors. No pets. 475 plus deposit. 731-610-2877. (26-TF) HOUSE FOR RENT: 3 bedroom 1 bath. Central heat and air. Newly renovated. 600 plus deposit. No pets! 731-6102877 (35-TF)

Employment Job Opportunities DRIVERS! No experience? No problem! 14-day, local training in Jackson, TN to earn great pay, benefits, job security. Placement assistance & student tuition loans available. CALL 1-800-423-8820 or go to www.drive-train.org for training opportunity with DRIVETRAIN, 119 E.L. Morgan Drive in Jackson. (TF)

Services Professional Services HARRIS HOME IMPROVEMENT: Concrete, dirt work, shingles, siding, flooring & foundations, block, brick, painting and additions. Highly recommended. FREE Estimates. Licensed and insured. (731) 439-0343. (TF) DOUG BUTLER: House leveling, rotting sills, replace floors, cracking brick - 30 years experience. (731) 239-8945, cell (662) 284-6146. Free estimat es. (TF) TJY HOME IMPROVEMENT: Painting, wood repairs and all home repairs from A to Z. Save 40% now. Call (731) 435-9736. (20-TF) WE MOVE MOBILE HOMES: 20 yrs. experience. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Do house leveling, floor replacement, support piers installed, porches/decks, underpinning, metal roofs & vinyl siding. FREE ESTIMATES! Call: Tommy Wilson (731) 609-8794. (31-43) GARZA MANUFACTURED HOUSING: Mobile Home Transporting, Blocking, and Anchoring. Licensed with Tenn. State Fire Marshall’s Office. Call (731) 926-0741. (39-45)

Do you have something you want to sell, rent or buy?

Public Notice

11th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2021 at CITY OF SELMER, 144 NORTH 2ND STREET, SELMER, TN 38375. The Pre-Bid Conference is not mandatory, but all suppliers and contractors are encouraged to attend. Registering for a free account at www.cceplanroom.com will enable bidders to view and/or order Contract Documents online. The only requirement for account registration is a valid email address. Questions regarding website registration and online orders shall be directed to Plan House Printing at (662) 407-0193. Contract Documents are issued to potential Bidders from Plan House Printing and Graphics, 607 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804. The non-refundable cost of the Bid Documents is $200.00. Bidders may opt to purchase Contract Documents online at www.cceplanroom. com. All payments for Bid Documents shall be made payable to Plan House Printing and Graphics, 607 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804. Bids will be accepted only under the name of the Bidder to whom contract documents have been issued by Plan House Printing, on behalf of the Engineer, and whose name appears on the official list of Planholders maintained by Plan House Printing. A certified check or bank draft, payable to CITY OF SELMER, U.S. Government bonds, or a satisfactory bid bond executed by the bidder and acceptable sureties in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the bid, shall be submitted with a Labor

and Material Bid and/or Labor Only Bid in excess of $25,000.00. No Bidder may withdraw his bid within 60 days after the actual date of the opening thereof. All bidders must comply with and be licensed as required by the Contractors Licensing Act of 1976, enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee on March 21, 1976 and as currently amended, TCA 62-6-119. In accordance with TCA 62-6-119, the Contractor applying to bid for the Prime Contract shall put their name, address, license number, date of expiration of the license, license classification, and name of the project and project owner for which the bid is submitted on the outside of the envelope containing the bid except when the bid is in amount less than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00). The Electrical, Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, or Air Conditioning Contractor name, address, license number, date of expiration of the license, and license classification must be placed on the outside of the envelope unless the value of that portion of work is less than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) Failure of any bidder to comply shall void the bid and the envelope shall not be opened or considered. When the bid is less than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), the name of the Contractor only may appear on the outside of the envelope containing the bid; and upon opening the envelope, if the bid is in excess of twenty five thousand

dollars ($25,000.00), the bid shall automatically be disqualified. All bidders shall place the Drug Free Workplace Affidavit, Section 00 45 05, inside the sealed envelope containing the bid. (NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED). The CITY OF SELMER is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, drugfree employer with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. Simultaneously with his delivery of the executed contract, the Contractor shall furnish surety bonds subject to the conditions provided in the Information for Bidders. All applicable laws, ordinances and the rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over construction of the project shall apply to the contract throughout. Each Bidder is responsible for inspecting the site and for reading and being thoroughly familiar with the Contract Documents. The failure or omission of any Bidder to do any of the foregoing shall in no way relieve any Bidder from any obligation in respect to this Bid. A conditional or qualified Bid will not be accepted. Award will be made to the lowest responsible, responsive Bidder. The Owner reserves the right to waive any informality or to reject any or all Bids. Mayor JOHN SMITH CITY OF SELMER, TN Publish: February 3, 2021

Notice is Hereby Given that on the 29th day of January, 2021, Letters of Administration, in respect of the Estate of Jack Lancaster Coffman, deceased, who died March 30, 2020 were issued to the undersigned by the Chancery Court Clerk of McNairy County, Tennessee. All persons, resident

(1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this Notice to Creditors at least sixty (60) days before date, that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or

(B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the Notice to Creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the Notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date, that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or

ary, 2021.

Estate of JACK LANCASTER COFFMAN, late of McNairy County, Tennessee

and nonresident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the Estate are required by law to file the same with the Clerk of the above named Court on or before the earlier of dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will forever barred:

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Separate and sealed bids for the construction of SELMER LPRF PATRIOT PARK IMPROVEMENTS will be received by the CITY OF SELMER, 144 NORTH 2ND STREET, SELMER, TN 38375, until 10:00 A.M., L0CAL TIME, on the 4th day of march, 2021 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. The Project consists of the following work: Demolition of Existing Concessions Stand and Restroom Building, Constructing New Concessions Stand and Restroom Building that is ADA Compliant, Reinforced Concrete Foundation, Crushed Limestone, Damproofing, CMU, Roof Truss System, Lumber, Hardware, Plumbing, Electrical, Asphalt Paving, Ball Field playing surface rehab including drainage improvements, grading of the fields and rebuilding the infields, Chain Link Fencing Repair, Backstop Netting Repair, ADA Parking Places, ADA sidewalk access to each field, Solid Sod, and all other Appurtenances for a Complete and Ready to Use Park Complex Facility. The Contract Documents may be examined at the following locations: SELMER CIVIC CENTER PARK & RECREATION OFFICE, 230 NORTH 5TH STREET, SELMER, TN 38375 and Cook Coggin Engineering, Inc., 701 Foote Street, Corinth, MS 38834. A Pre-Bid Conference to discuss the plans, specifications and contract requirements will be held at 10:00 A.M., THE IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF MCNAIRY COUNTY, TENNESSEE NOTICE TO CREDITORS PROBATE NO. P-1661

Public Notice

The McNairy County Board of Education will meet for the regular monthly meeting on February 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the McNairy County Annex Auditorium.

Advertise it here for only $5 a week up to 20 words.

Call 731-6455346 or come by 111 North 2nd St. Selmer, TN

Independent Appeal v Page 9

SUBOXONE FOR OPIOID ADDICTION WE ACCEPT TENNCARE

REDEMPTION RECOVERY CENTER

731-217-3777

(2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent’s date of death. All persons indebted to the above Estate must come forward and make proper settlement with the undersigned at once.

9224 (39)

THIS NOTICE WILL RUN TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKS Deborah Coffman, Administrator FILE CLAIMS IN TRIPLICATE WITH : Reynolds & Reynolds Law Firm, Attorneys for the Estate KIM BOALS, CLERK & MASTER MCNAIRY COUNTY COURTHOUSE SELMER, TN 38375 Kim Boals, Clerk & Master 9232 (39, 40)

HARDIN COUNTY STOCKYARD 3350 Hwy 226 Savannah, TN 38372 (731) 925-3287 (931) 224-2247

MARKET REPORT January 27, 2021 Total HD 558 Last Week 992 Last Year 915

Cattle 553 Goats 0 Hogs 5

#1 STEERS & BULLS 200-300 WT 168.00-182.00 300-400 WT 156.00-168.00 400-500 WT 146.00-156.00 500-600 WT 134.00-146.00 600-700 WT 128.00-134.00 700-800 WT 122.00-128.00 800-900 WT 106.00-122.00 #1 HEIFERS 200-300 WT 134.00-142.00 300-400 WT 126.00-134.00 400-500 WT 126.00-135.00 500-600 WT 116.00-126.00 600-700 WT 109.00-116.00 700-800 WT 98.00-109.00 800-900 WT 82.00-98.00 HigH Dressing UTiliTy coWs 57.00 - 66.00 HigH Dressing slaUgHTer bUlls 82.00-88.00

This 29th day of Janu-

For the Love of Literacy building hope dessert tasting fundraiser

MOVING SALE Moving Sale

218 Elyson Drive Selmer, TN. 2021 event has been cancelled due to COVID-19 We hope to see you next year

Sat. Feb. 6 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. Furnishings and lots of home goods. Must follow COVID- 19 guideline. Face coverings required. Sanitizer will be provided.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PAGE 10 ❖ INDEPENDENT APPEAL

111 North 2nd Street Selmer, TN 38375 (731) 645-5346

Email News/Pictures to:

editor@independentappeal.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Mid-South Garage Doors Matt & Mark Fowler Office: 7 3 1 - 6 4 5 - 7 7 4 0

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Accepting applications for 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments for the Elderly age 62 or older or Disabled of any age. Rent is based on household income. Applications available at the office: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Hardin County Stockyards, Inc.

3350 Hwy 226, Savannah, TN 38372 • 731-925-3287

Cattle Sale Every Wednesday • 1:00 P.M. Goat & Hog Sale • 11:00 A.M. Begin receiving cattle on Tuesday 8:00 A.M. ‘til dark Trucking & feed available • We are a full service stockyard Video cattle offered for trailer load lots & appraisals We offer an order buying service thru Harry Floyd Livestock www.saledayauction.com

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DECK AND FENCES BUILDING

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Advertise your business here for $8 per week.

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SEPTIC TANK CLEANING American Johnny

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Roberts Appliance Shop

Washer, Dryers, Stoves & Refrigerators

ELECTRICAL/PLUMBING

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Sports

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Local Events If you have a local sports-related event, call the Independent Appeal at 731645-5346 or send an email to graphics2@independentappeal.com. Deadline for all announcement is 5 p.m. each Monday. All events must take place in - or have a connection to - McNairy County.

District 14-AA Girls South Side McNairy Scotts Hill Chester Co. Lexington Adamsville Riverside North Side

District Overall 11-0 16-0 8-2 9-6 7-4 10-5 6-3 11-8 4-5 7-11 2-8 9-10 2-8 5-10 0-10 0-16

Boys South Side McNairy Lexington North Side Chester Co. Scotts Hill Riverside Adamsville

District Overall 10-0 14-1 7-3 11-9 6-4 13-7 5-5 6-10 2-3 5-9 4- 6 9-7 2-8 5-10 2-9 4-14

Local Schedule Thursday, Jan. 28 McNairy County Junior High Basketball Tournament, Boys championship, at McNairy Central, 6 Friday, Jan. 29 High School Basketball McNairy Central at Chester County, 6 South Side at Adamsville, 6 Tuesday, Feb. 2 High School Basketball Adamsville at North Side, 6 McNairy Central at Lexington, 6 Thursday, Feb. 4 High School Basketball Kossuth at Adamsville, 6 Friday, Feb. 5 High School Basketball Adamsville at Riverside, 6 South Side at McNairy Central, 6 Tuesday, Feb. 23 High School Basketball District 14-AA Tournament First round

Page 11 v Independent Appeal

Michie Boys win first county title in 10 years By Joel Counce Staff Writer

The Michie Blue Devils jumped to an early lead and held off a relentless Bethel Springs assault to take a 42-37 win in the McNairy County Junior High Tournament championship. The win was the first championship in a decade for Michie and the second for head coach Michael Cleary. “This team is scrappy, tough,” he said. “I knew they had it in them to win it. We just had to get it out of them. “Bethel Springs is a worthy opponent. They’re well coached and they could have won it.” The Rebels shot 5-for12 from the free throw line on the night. The Blue Devils led as much as 10-6 on a jumper by Skyler Folden with 27 seconds left in the opening quarter. Michie led 10-8 after the initial period. Bethel Springs got as close as 16-14 on a Ryder Plunk layup with 3:11 left in the first half. The Blue Devils scored the final four points of the half, capped by an Ayden McGee layup with 10 seconds left. Ayden McGee gave Michie the 24-16 lead with a layup at the 4:29 mark of the third. The Rebels answered with an 8-2 run to cut the Michie lead to 26-24, capped by a Ryder Plunk putback with 1:42 left in the third. A Skyler Folden layup with 40 seconds in the third quarter gave Michie a 32-24 lead.

Avery Burks pushed the Blue Devils lead to 3425 on jump shot with 5:14 left to play. Ace McGee capped a 10-4 Rebels run on a layup with 1:44 left to play to cut the Michie lead to 38-35. He led Bethel Springs with 16 points, 10 in the fourth period. Plunk scored 12 for the Rebels. Ayden McGee led Michie with 21 points. #4 Adamsville 47, #5 Selmer 38 The Adamsville Cardinals opened with a 10-2 run and never trailed in a 47-38 victory over the Selmer Lions in the opening round of the McNairy County Junior High Tournament on Jan. 21. Selmer answered with a 13-5 run of its own to tie the game at 15-15 on an Avion Jackson putback at the 2:40 mark of the second quarter. The Cardinals went on a 17-3 run that ran into the third quarter, capped by a Briley Ritter layup on a Ben Hill assist to take a 32-18 with 37 seconds left in the frame. The Lions ended the game on a 12-2 run, capped by a Josh Sain putback. Ritter scored a gamehigh 17 for the Cardinals. Ryce Coffman and Brayden McLemore scored 10 each for Adamsville. Jackson led Selmer with 13 points. Sain scored 10.

Staff Photos by Joel Counce

Michie’s Ayden McGee (30) drives to the bucket against Bethel Springs’ Ace McGee during the McNairy County Junior High Tournament championship. Ayden McGee finished with a game-high 21 points. Ace McGee scored 16, 10 in the fourth quarter.

High Tournament championship game with a 46-23 win over the Adamsville Cardinals on Jan. 23. The Rebels opened with an 8-0 run – all eight by Kendall Kiestler - before Adamsville came back to tie the game at 8-8 on a Ryce Coffman 3-pointer with 1:23 left in the first period. Bethel Springs went on a 22-3 run capped by a Ryder Plunk 3-pointer at the 5:42 mark in the third period to take a 30-11 lead. The Rebels led as much as 35-13 on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Ryder Plunk with 4:41 left in the third period. #1 Bethel Springs 46, Adamsville pulled #4 Adamsville 23 within 35-17 on a Brayden The Bethel Springs McLemore jump shot with Rebels earned a trip to the 3:31 left in the third. McNairy County Junior The Rebels expanded

their lead to 46-19 on an Austin 3-pointer at the 55 seconds mark in the third. J.C. Gray scored the only basket in the fourth quarter on a layup with 39 seconds left to play. Kiestler finished with a game-high 13. Ace McGee scored 10. Coffman led Adamsville with six. 27

#2 Michie 48, #3 Ramer

A dominant third quarter pushed the Michie Blue Devils to the championship game in a 48-27 victory over the Ramer Eagles on Jan. 23. Jackson Arnwine gave the Eagles their only lead early on a putback to push the score to 2-1 at the the 4:26 mark in the first. Michie answered with an 7-0

run, capped by an Ayden McGee putback at the 2:47 mark in the first period give the Blue Devils an 8-2 lead. The Eagles tied the game 15-15 with another Arnwine putback with 45 seconds left in the first half. Michie scored the last five points of the first half, the last a Roberts 3-pointer to give the Blue Devils a 2015 halftime lead. The Blue Devils opened the second half with a 20-2 run, capped by an Avery Burks layup with 1:13 left in the frame. McGee scored nine of his gamehigh 17 points in the frame and Michie led 40-19 after three. Denton scored 11 for the Blue Devils. Kylyn Allen led Ramer with 11. Arnwine scored seven.

McNairy County Junior High Tournament Boys Champions 1977 - Ramer 1978 - Adamsville 1979 - Adamsville 1980 - Selmer 1981 – Michie 1982 – Ramer 1983 – Selmer 1984 – Selmer 1985 – Selmer 1986 – Selmer 1987 – Selmer 1988 – Selmer

1989 – Selmer 1990 – Selmer 1991 – Selmer 1992 – Adamsville 1993 – Selmer 1994 – Adamsville 1995 – Ramer 1996 – Selmer 1997 – Selmer 1998 – Ramer 1999 – Ramer 2000 – Michie

2001 – Michie 2002 – Selmer 2003 – Selmer 2004 – Selmer 2005 – Adamsville 2006 – Adamsville 2007 – Selmer 2008 – Ramer 2009 – Adamsville 2010 – Adamsville 2011 – Michie 2012 – Bethel

2013 – Ramer 2014 – Ramer 2015 – Selmer 2016 – Selmer 2017 – Selmer 2018 – Ramer 2019 – Ramer# 2020 – Selmer # Tournament changed from annual January start to December.

Ayden McGee (30, top left) attempts a jump shot against Ramer in the semifinal game of the McNairy County Junior High Boys Tournament.

J.C. Gray (16, top right) drives through the Bethel Springs defense during the Cardinals 56-23 loss to the Rebels. Gray scored the only points February 25-27 in the fourth period on a layup. Selmer’s Colton White (bottom left, 32) goes for a layup against Adamsville in the Cardinals 47-38 victory High School Basketball District AA Regional Tour- on opening night of the MCJHT. (bottom right) Bethel Springs’ Ryder Austin shoots a layup against Michie during the MCJHT championship. nament Quarterfinal March 1 - 2 High School Basketball Regional Semifinals Wednesday, March 3 High School Basketball Regional Finals March 15 High School Soccer Adamsville at Middleton, 5:30 High School Baseball South Side at McNairy Central, 5 March 16 High School Softball Wayne Co. at Adamsville, 5 High School Soccer Hardin County at Adamsville, 5:30 High School Baseball McNairy Central at South Side, 4 March 17 High School Baseball Tomahawk Classic McNairy Central vs. Hillwood, 4 (at North Side) McNairy Central vs Milan, 6 (at North Side March 18 High School Softball McNairy Central at Adamsville, 5 High School Soccer Lexington at Adamsville, 6 March 22 High School Softball Adamsville at Scotts Hill, 5:30 March 29 High School Soccer Adamsville at McNairy Central, 5:30

Photo courtesy of Claire Hallissy

Staff Photos by Joel Counce

PAGE 12 ❖ INDEPENDENT APPEAL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Central downs Lady Cards Adamsville falls to MC

Staff Photos by Joel Counce

Adamsville’s Jaden Driskell (4) drives through Willow Merry (left) and Lynlee Brown (right). The Lady Bobcats led throughout the game and took a 61-45 victory. By Joel Counce Staff Writer

The McNairy Central Lady Bobcats took an early lead and never looked back in a 61-45 victory over the Adamsville Lady Cardinals at the Round House on Jan. 26. The Lady Bobcats led 15-10 after the first quarter and pushed to a 22-12 lead

on a Maddie Kirk layup with 5:47 left in the first half. Adamsville got as close as 26-19 on a Kaylin Godwin jump shot 40 seconds before halftime. The Lady Bobcats led 29-19 at halftime. A Kallie Martindale 3-pointer cut the McNairy Central lead to 31-26 at the 5:03 mark in the third.

Alexis Weirich pushed the Lady Bobcats lead to 53-38 on an old-fashioned 3-point play with 2:46 left. Jada Wynn led Adamsville with 15. Jaden Driskell finished with nine. Kallie Martindale scored eight. Kirk led the Lady Bobcats with 15. Weirich scored 12. Jilli Johnson finished with nine.

Adamsville blasts Lady Lions By Joel Counce Staff Writer

Adamsville 58, Frank Hughes 28 The Adamsville Lady Cardinals blanked the Frank Hughes Lady Lions in the second quarter and held them to six first half points in a 58-28 victory on Saturday. Adamsville took an early 14-6 lead after the opening period. Chloe Swearingen scored six points in the second quarter and the Lady Cardinals took a 30-6 halftime lead. Tillie Cima scored seven in the third period to

pace a 19-point Adamsville attack. The Lady Cardinals led 49-18 after the third. Cima led Adamsville with 13 points. Swearingen scored 11. Kyla Sanders added nine points. Zoe Boyd scored 11 for Frank Hughes. South Side 63, Adamsville 34 The Adamsville Lady Cardinals fought early, but fell to the South Side Lady Hawks 63-34 on Friday. A pair of Jada Wynn 3pointers in the first period fueled an early Lady Cardinals tie with the districtleading Lady Hawks. Chloe

Swearingen also hit a three in the frame. Kaylin Godwin scored two. But South Side came out swinging in the second quarter, led by seven points from sophomore Ti’Mia Lawson to take a 2615 halftime lead. Wynn scored five of the Lady Cardinals’ nine points in the third, but South Side pushed its lead to 43-24 going into the final quarter. Wynn led Adamsville with 11 points. Swearingen scored seven. Sharnecce Currie-Jelks scored a game-high 15 for the Lady Hawks. Lawson finished with 11.

Staff Photos by Joel Counce

Right) McNairy Central’s Nate Moore (12) navigates through the Adamsville defense during the Bobcats 65-46 victory on Jan. 26. By Joel Counce Staff Writer

The McNairy Central Bobcats completed their fourth consecutive sweep of inter-county the Adamsville Cardinals in a 65-46 victory on Jan. 26. McNairy Central raced to a 12-0 lead to open the contest, capped by a Jasper Sanders old-fashioned 3-point play with 1:15 left in the first period. The Cardinals answered with a 12-4 run to pull within 16-12 on a Landon Smith layup with 3:28 left in the first half. The Bobcats responded with 9-0 run, capped by a Sanders 3-pointer off a Jack Johnson assist with 2:02 left in the first half to give McNairy Central 25-12 lead. McNairy Central took a 27-14 lead into the half. Adamsville head coach Nick Ritter was assessed a technical foul at the 4:12 mark of the third period for telling an official “If you give me that whistle, I will show you how to blow it.” Ritter was upset when officials opted to not make

a call after the Bobcats used an aggressive pressure defense against Cardinals guard Landon Smith. The Bobcats pushed the lead to 45-23 on an Ethan Johnston layup with 54 seconds left in the third. Adamsville rallied with a 16-4 run to pull within 49-39, capped by a Drake Crabb jumper with 4:03 left to play. “We keep having these spurts,” Ritter said. “Earlier in the season, they would last maybe two minutes. Now, they’re lasting four or five minutes.” A Kameron Starks free throw with 1:44 left to play pushed the McNairy Central lead to 59-44. Adamsville 32, Frank Hughes 22 The Adamsville Cardinals and Frank Hughes Lions combined for 54 total points in a Cardinals 32-22 win on Saturday. Landon Smith scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth to rally Adamsville to the win. Jacob Bowles (4) led the opening charge with a pair of 3-pointers for six of

the Cardinals’ eight points. Frank Hughes, led by Alex Shumer’s nine first quarter points, took a 13-8 into the second period. The Adamsville defense stiffened and the Cardinals outscored Frank Hughes 5-0 to tie the game at 13-13 before the half. The Lions led 16-15 after the third period. Shamer and Clayton Davis scored nine each for Frank Hughes.

South Side 66, Adamsville 32 The South Side Hawks led early and never looked back in a 66-32 victory over the Adamsville Cardinals on Friday. Brandon Maclin scored eight of the Hawks’ 19 first quarter points and South Side led 19-8 after the first. The Hawks led 37-18 at halftime. South Side took a 53-27 after the third period. Bowles (4) led Adamsville with 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. Maclin led the Hawks with 13. Rico Sain scored 10.

Issue 31 February 2, 2021 Throughout the spring semester, we are highlighting members of the Class of 2021 on social media, the school website and in the newspapers.

Member of the Tennessee High School Press Association The PawPrint is a publication of McNairy Central High School. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the administration, faculty or staff. EDITOR Lisa Forsythe

Kaylee Wiggins

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUE Feb. 2 •6:00 BB Lexington A FRI Feb. 5 •ReConnect Day •5:30 Basketball Homecoming •6:00 BB Southside H •Senior Night during halftimes SAT Feb. 6 •3:00 BB Kossuth A FRI Feb. 12 •School Dismissed •6:00 BB Middleton A MON Feb. 15 •President’s Day School Dismissed FRI Feb. 19 •ReConnect Day WED Feb. 24 •Club Picture Day THU Feb. 25 •Club Picture Day FRI Feb. 26 •ReConnect Day

Daughter of Karen and Jackie Wiggins Plato said “music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Music has certainly been life for senior Kaylee Wiggins. Kaylee has been a member of the MCHS choirs each year of

her high school career. This year, she is an alto in JazzCats and a second soprano in Women’s Choir. “Choir is my safe place I found myself because of choir and the people in it. I’ve made amazing friendships and learned incredible songs.” One of Kaylee’s favorite choir experiences has always been Solo and Ensemble, where students learn a piece to perform in front of a judge. Choir teacher Sarah Lemons chooses the piece Kaylee performs, which helps push Kaylee out of her comfort zone. She learned a

beautiful Italian song called Amarilli Mia Bella for her last performance. Kaylee is grateful for Mrs. Lemons’ influence in her life. “She has been such an incredible role model for me. I came into this school terrified and anxietyfilled, but slowly she encouraged me to do things out of my comfort zone like plays, solo and ensemble, or trying out for solos. This lead me to doing things that scare me in other aspects, too, like going to a new place alone or ordering my own food; not scary to the average

Kaylee Wiggins (center) with fellow choir members Chloe Barmer and Kenan Trice after a choir performance.

person but huge accomplishments to someone with social anxiety. Every bad experience I’ve had in high school had been made somewhat better by Ms. Lemons. Literally every time anything happened, she was there, like the universe put her there to help and guide me. She is my hero and is someone I will never forget.” After graduation, Kaylee plans to attend

UT Martin to earn a bachelor’s degree, then a Master’s. The goal is to become a child psychologist so that she can help kids with mental struggles as she has dealt with anxiety and depression most of her life. Eventually, she hopes to foster children and give them the amazing lives they deserve.