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Montgomery Drugs
Business of 2017 Story and Photo By Regina Butler
For most people the mention of the word “drug store” conjures up memories of Norman Rockwell paintings or scenes from Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The business is about as Americana as you can get when it comes to hard work, sacrifice and service. Montgomery Drugs was recently voted Pontotoc’s business of the year as folks here have recognized the service given by the locally owned pharmacy since 1976. Begun on Main Street by Billy Montgomery, the pharmacy came under the ownership of James Randle and Ken Clowers in 2004. “I was overwhelmed when we were named not just best pharmacy but business of the year,” said James. “We were excited about it because excellence is what we have striven for through the years.” He is quick to admit that the excellence would not be there if weren’t for the dedication of the employees. “They make our business. They go above and beyond the call of duty sometimes staying late to make sure the customers get what they need.” James said the business already had a well established reputation when he and Ken bought into it. “I knew Mr. Billy and I had worked with Ken at another store Mr. Billy approached us about buying the business. I felt like it was where me and my family needed to be and I’ve never looked back. “Pontotoc is a great place to have a family and to do business. We have really been welcomed.” Ken Clowers said he has been grateful for the wealth of knowledge he has gained from Billy Montgomery. Ken chuckled. “He retired, but he never really quit working.
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EMPLOYEES James Randle Ken Clowers Doris Ross June McKnight Barbara Reeder Christy Mahan Tammy Conlee Allison Tackitt Teresa Conlee Brian Credille Billy Montgomery
Kayla Gray Lisa Holcomb Kayla Crowson Matthew Crowson Lauren Heath Miranda Hoing Molly Lindsay Perry Malone Maggie McKnight Gayle Roberts Lindsey Claire Shirley
“He was a great boss and a great mentor and friend. “He cares for people and I want to emulate that kind caring spirit that he always had for the people here, no matter how he felt or what kind of day he was having.” And in the future he sees a great challenge for the pharmacy industry. “The complexity of the health care issue and trying to balance paper work versus taking care of patients.” But he sees the future challenges as a joy also because of the love he has for people. “I enjoy people and getting to meet a lot of them. “I also appreciate being able to help them with their medicine.” His favorite aspect of the pharmacy business is the fact that “it has a small town atmosphere. Everybody lives here and has family here.” And that “everybody” he is referring to is the people who are there to greet you with a smile and a cheery ‘hello’ when you walk in the doors. “We have a total of 20 part time and full time employees,” Ken said. “We have a good staff.” Ken is grateful for that staff because he has seen an increase in business just since he and James took over.
“The volume has increased because we are living longer. As the baby boomers become older that is going to continue to be a trend. Many of our customers are 60 years and older.”
He also was surprised to learn of the honor of being chosen as business of the year. “I am grateful to the people of Pontotoc County who have not only trusted us with their medicine, but given us this honor.”
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2017 Woman of the Year
Naomi Ward Neff Story By Regina Butler, Photo By Trent’s Portrait Design
When she learned of being named Woman of the year she was grateful. "Thank you! I was so shocked to be nominated but even more shocked to win! What an honor! I love my hometown and I'm proud to be from Pontotoc. " A resident of the Springville community she is married to Chris Neff, and they have four children, Caden, Ridge, Miles and Rowan. She is the daughter of Sandra Ward and the late Bro. Marvin "Tootie" Ward. Her passion in life is taking care of people which shows in her job. She works at OBGYN Associates in Tupelo and is Dr. Rachel Garner's nurse. When she has spare time from her job and her family Naomi enjoys reading, and cooking, "which is fortunate since I have an army to feed at home. I also love music." Naomi is learning what it is like to give and give again through her daughter, little two-yearold Rowan. "Every year we face new chal-
lenges but I'll have to say that my daughter being diagnosed with Leukemia has been my greatest challenge. She was just so tiny and innocent and this cancer just took over and we almost lost her. We are now doing much better while being treated at St Jude! Though we still face many, many challenges every day we are so thankful she is doing better. We hope to use her illness as a way to raise awareness for childhood cancer. " It has been through this time that she has clung to the lessons she has learned from those she looks up to, "My Parents, brother and grandparents. They have all helped mold and shape me into who I am today." But this isn't the first time she has found herself on her knees before God in anguish. Her dad died suddenly several years ago. "He was just such a special person in my life and everybody that knew him felt the same way. He was my rock. I learned a lot of hard lessons
through that and it brought so many changes for our family. God gave tremendous grace to me and has brought me a long way in 5 years." It was her journey on the other side of grief over her dad and dealing with her young daughter's cancer that God gave her some of the most special scriptures in her life. "Through the death of my Dad, God gave me Acts 26:2- "I think myself happy". It was from a special sermon he preached that is very important to me. Also through the illness of my daughterRomans 8:28 became our special verse. 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.'" And she wouldn't trade the whole world for her children. "They are my greatest joy and
accomplishment. Each one of them is so unique and special in their own way and they make me proud to be their Mom every single day. They keep me laughing and they definitely keep me busy! Also, my nephews who are like my own." Today, more than ever, she wants to leave a legacy of determined hope. "Though I have failed in so many ways over the years, it is very important to me that my children and others see me as a strong, Christian woman. I want to do and be better every day. I want others to be able to see my faith and courage to face anything life throws at you. "Never lose hope and never back down- you will be able to do things you never thought you could! God is just so good to me and my family."
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
2017 Man of the Year
There was complete silence. When Bro. Kevin Merritt learned that he had been nominated and received the most votes to be Pontotoc County's Man of the Year, the pastor of 25 years could not even say a word. "You've got to be kidding me," he replied when he was told the news. "I don't deserve this." He and his wife, Amanda, have four children, Nikki, Morgan, Matthew and Anna, and presently he pastors at Charity Baptist Church. A lifelong resident of Pontotoc County he lives in the Troy community. He smiled and a faraway gleam came in his eye. "In fact, I live just across from where I did a lot of my growing up years." Because his community is so small, many of the folks know each other and their pets. "We have one little black Pug dog named Tank. He is spoiled." He grinned broadly. "My wife and daughter did that." Bro. Merritt allowed as to how he didn't have any part in the spoiling at first. "Well, maybe just a little bit." He laughed. "Tank visits the community. One of my friends told me
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Kevin Merritt Story and Photo By Regina Butler
recently that Tank comes to Troy First Baptist church on Wednesday night for prayer meeting." Speaking of reactions, Bro. Merritt said when God first called him to be a pastor his first reaction was "fear. The call consumed me, so I knew it was from God. Your spiritual gift is not something you do, it is something you are." As he started walking down this path God sent him on, there were those who took him under their wing, so to speak. "Bro. Doug Jones [retired pastor from Victory Baptist Church] has been a great influence on my life, and Bro. R.J. Wileman was very good to me when I was young to mentor me. Bro. J.W. Owen once said that we preachers should get honest in the pulpit and let folks know that we have struggles too, and that made a great impression upon me." Knowing how he was helped through is first years of ministry, prompted he and another pastor, Bro. Ronnie Barefield, to establish the North Miss. Baptist Bible Institute. "There are a number of bi-vocational pas-
tors in this area. They work 40 hours a week, and this allows them to go through a 12 week study one night a week and get a diploma," Bro. Merritt said. Bro. Merritt said that teaching others is his hobby. "Some fish, some hunt, I like to teach others the word of God." And the Word of God is what has given him the strength to withstand life's troubles. “Psalm 37:5 says Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him. When I read that verse it was like somebody rang a bell in my heart." This verse became special to him several years ago when his family was reeling from crisis. "And it wasn't one after another, it was one on top of another. It started in 2007 when I was diagnosed with cancer and ended in 2008 when my mama died of cancer." He has two great joys in his life. "The greatest friend I have outside of the Lord is my wife. She is very giving and forgiving and compassionate." He also enjoys "watching people get a hold of truth and grow in the Lord in spite of my
inadequacies. That keeps me on my knees." And when the Lord calls him home he said "I hope somebody can say he was a friend to me. People have been so good to me."
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And the winners are ... Business of the Year
Montgomery Drugs Best Foods Best Hamburger Austin on Main
Best BBQ Blacksmith BBQ Best Breakfast Butcher Block
Best Sandwiches Subway Best Catfish 41 Fish House
Best Steaks Auction Block
Best Pizza Hometown Pizza Best Milkshakes Sonic
Best Coffee Happy Day Café
Best Sweet Tea Sydnei’s Kitchen Best Deli Wal-Mart
Best Fast Food Spud’s Best Slaw 41 Fish House
Best Bakery Happy Day Café
Best Ribs Blacksmith BBQ
Best Fried Chicken Spud’s Best Seafood Seafood Junction Best Ice Cream Sonic Best Biscuit Hardee’s
Best Chicken Sandwich Spud’s Best Baked Potato Spud’s
Best Hushpuppies 41 Fish House Best Lunch Buffet Sydnei’s
Best Mexican Restaurant Mi Pubelo Best Overall Restaurant 41 Fish House
Best People Best Boss Donna Stewart Best Secretary Cathy McCoy
Best Insurance Agent Michael Jolly
Best Desserts Happy Day Café
Best Photography Trent’s Portrait Design
Best Salad Bar Ecru Fish & Steak
Best Grocery Sacker Peyton Hester
Best Buffet Sydnei’s
Best Grocery Cashier Ashley Yarbrough
Best Law Enforcement Gary Cowsert & Jason Wilson Best Bank Teller Kathy Tutor
Best Real Estate Agent Casey Conti Best Hair Stylist Christy Taylor
Best Nail Technician Mary Anne Brock Best Loan Officer Shane Clayton Best Teacher April Phillips
Best Bus Driver April Phillips Best Coach Bill Russell
Best Fire Fighter Jeremy Maxey & Josh Ray
Best Plumbing & Electrician David White
Best Business Best Antique Store Antiques Downtown
Best Customer Service First Choice Bank Best Consignment/ Thrift Shop CK Walls Best Auto Parts NAPA
Best AC/Heating Kevin Warren Best Catering Sydnei’s
Woman of the Year
Naomi Ward Neff
Best Pet Grooming Pampered Pooch
Best Used Car Dealership Pontotoc Auto Mart
Best Home Decor Wal-Mart
Best Wrecker Service Johnson Wrecker Service
Best Printing Company Image Screen Printing
Best Lumber Store Peeples Building Material
Best Chiropractor Dr. William Anderson Best Landscape Total Lawn Care
Best Screen Printer Image Screen Printing
Best Financial Institution First Choice Bank Best Finance/Loan Company First Choice Bank
Best Rental Company Event Rentals
Best Clothing Alterations Ann Carter
Man of the Year
Kevin Merritt
Best Insurance Agency Shelter Insurance
Best Windshield Repair Pontotoc Auto Glass
Best Real Estate Agency Mossy Oak Properties
Best Tanning Salon Coco Cabana
Best Farm Equipment Moore’s
Best Lawn Mower Dealer NAPA
Best Discount Store Dollar Tree
Best Tax Preparation Mounce & Davis Tax Office
Best Pest Control Picken’s Pest Control
Best Auto Detailing Pinsons Auto Detailing Best Oil Change Shell Rapid Lube Best Arts & Crafts Pure Bliss
Best Florist Flowers by Redele
Best Jewelry Store The Red Door
Best Gym/Fitness Center Pontotoc Wellness Center
Best Pharmacy Montgomery Drugs
Best Nursing Home Sunshine Nursing Home & Pontotoc Health and Rehab
Best Plumbing Store Peeples Building Material Best Bridal Registry The Red Door Best Wall Paper/ Wall Coverings CK Walls
Best Furniture Store Roger’s Furniture
Best Day Care The Learning Tree
Best Medical Clinic Red Med
Best Convenience Store Friendship Travel Center
Best Health Food Store Whole Family Nutrition
Best Birthday Gift Shop Pure Bliss
Best Women’s Clothing True Blue
Best Body Shop Procision Collision
Best Cosmetics Merle Norman
Best Children’s Clothing The Carousel
Best Grocery Piggly Wiggly
Best Transmission Repair David Dillard
Best Bedding Store Wal-Mart
Best Bridal Gift Shop The Red Door Best Baby Gift Shop The Carousel
Best Tire Dealer Young’s Tire
Best Paint Store True Value
Best Fabric Store Needlearts Fabric
Best Building Supply Peeples Building Supply
Best Electronics Wal-Mart
Best Gas Station Texaco
Best Pool Supplies The Pool Specialist Best Shoe Dealer Progressive Shoe
Best Men’s Clothing Moore’s Best Boutique The Rack
Best Pawn Shop Chunn’s Pawn Shop
Best Funeral Home Tutor’s Funeral Home
Best Feed & Farm Supply Moore’s Best Industry Southern Motion Best Furniture Manufacturer Southern Motion
Most Improved Business Market Basket Best Meat Market McCoy’s Meat Market Best Produce Market Basket
Best Hotel America’s Best Value Inn
Best Hair Salon Talk of the Town
Best Auto Mechanic David Dillard
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