Terry Headlight News

I had to travel to Jackson on Wednesday to the University Hospital to have a medical test. Upon arriving back in Terry, I saw that there was a group of mourners assembled at the Cemetery for a service. I learned later in the afternoon that our friend, Juanita Jackson McCleland had passed away and that it was her service that I had seen.

I am publishing her obituary below, but I must say that this obituary does not begin to adequately describe Juanita, who was a graduate of Terry High School. Her commitment to her civic clubs and her love of music are 2 things I think of when I remember Juanita. I was friends with all 3 of her daughters, especially Beverly, and I later taught her son Hiram for 3 years in high school, and I realized how lovely a person she was. I had last seen her at the visitation for her husband, Don McCleland. Juanita Jackson McCleland (1936-2021)

Juanita Jackson McCleland, 85, of Crystal Springs, passed away Dec. 10. A funeral service was held Dec. 15 at Stringer Family Chapel in Crystal Springs, with burial at Terry Cemetery.

Mrs. McCleland was a member of First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs. She worked at Crystal Glass and Deposit Guaranty Bank.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hiram Donald McCleland Sr.; her parents, Mathus and Frances Jackson; brother, Earle Jackson; and grandson, Shaun Knight.

She is survived by her children, Donna McCleland Stoffel, Cindy McCleland Smith, and Hiram McCleland, Jr.; 3 grandchildren, Dane Knight, Jon Stoffel, and Jeremy Smith; brothers, Frank Jackson and Ralph Jackson; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephew.

In last week’s column, the names of Cheri Hedglin and Tori Hedglin Prine were mentioned since this mother and daughter now have COVID-19. Now, Cheri’s husband, mother, and son-in-law have it. I spoke to Cheri a few minutes ago. Today is her first day back at work as the secretary of the First Baptist Church. She said that they all had gotten and recovered from it except the grandchildren. All are back now at work. And she added that all efforts should be made to avoid getting this sickness. We all know that we will defeat COVID with booster shots, vaccinations, and faith, but not fear.

Mr. Howard Buford is a newer member of the Baptist church. He has passed away, and I hope to share his obituary in next week’s column.

Please add Mr. Randy Overstreet of Wy-nndale to the prayer list. He has hurt his back, and he will have hernia surgery on the 21st. And, the names of the Billy Ray Albright family and the Gloria Marble family were omitted.

I have been told (during the 20 years that I was a volunteer reader for the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi) that if something interests me that it will probably interest others. I write this weekly column with that in mind. And, in these Christmas, New Year, and Kwanza seasons, I can think of no better thing that holds my interest than reading seasonal Scriptures:

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ...” (Matthew 2:10-11)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 19:11-13) (This passage contains my favorite Bible verse.)

And in the 37th year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he became king, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. (Jeremiah 52:31) “Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.’ ... (Jeremiah 10:1-25)

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ... (Psalm 23:1-6)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Luke 2:1)

Thus says the Lord: ‘Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. (Jeremiah 10:2-4)

They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.

For the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. (Jeremiah 10:3)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. (Song of Solomon 2:11)

Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. Deuteronomy 12:32

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. ... (Genesis 37:1-36)

There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. ... (Luke 16:19-31)

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ... (Luke 10: 25-37)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ... (Luke 2:1-52)

Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” (Jeremiah 10: 2-5)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

And finally, I share a hymn saluting the new year 2022. I hope that 2022 is a good year in your lives. I know that I have a great-nephew whose wife is expecting next year as well as a niece who is expecting her child on Feb. 2 (Groundhog’s Day). I have numerous reasons (many unnamed) to really look forward to the new year! This text is from 1849, and the author is unknown.

“Joy! joy! a year is born; A year to man is given, For hope, and peace, and love, For faith, and truth, and Heaven.

Though earth be dark with care, With death and sorrow rife, Yet toil, and pain, and prayer,

Lead to our higher life.

“Behold, the fields are white!

No longer idly stand!

Go forth in love and might; Man needs thy helping hand.

Thus may each day and year; To prayer and toil be given; Till man to God draw near, And earth become like Heaven.”

Pray for peace, people everywhere! Gloria in excelsis deo!