Local churches honor graduates

Evergreen Baptist Church honored the seven graduates who are members of the church Sunday, May 22, during the morning worship service. The seven graduates are: Philip Charles England, Shelton Gene Johnson, Jared Christian London, Matthew David Parra, Ava Noel Pointer, Taryn Alexandra Savage and Chloe Kyle Vaughn. They all have good plans for their future lives. May God bless them all. They were served a meal following the service and received a gift.

The Sanford family had a reunion at Keith Community Center Saturday, May 21, with approximately 45 family members present. From all accounts they had a wonderful time.

Area residents were sorry to learn about the death of Eugene “Gene” Bushman, age 98, of Anderson, who died May 16. He was born March 14, 1924 to August and Lena Bushman. He was married to Mae Kolbachinski on July 26, 1947. They had three children, Jerry, Nancy and James. They were members of Hillcrest Baptist Church and had five grand children, three great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild and many family and friends. He served six years in the Navy. His funeral was held at Hillcrest Baptist Church Friday, May 20, and he was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery where his parents and other family members are buried. Do remember his wife, children and other family in your prayers.

The Iola Food Pantry was open Saturday, May 21, at the Iola Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Approximately 65 people or family groups received food. The pantry is open the third Saturday each month to anyone in need of a helping hand. Members of Evergreen Baptist Church assisted with the pantry this month.

Baccalaureate services for Iola High School graduates were held at Iola Missionary Baptist Church Wednesday, May 25. Most area churches dismissed their services for the event. A good crowd attended the service. I was told there are 35 students graduating this year from Iola. Following the service, refreshments were served in the fellowship hall. May God bless all the graduates and their plans for the future.

Steve and Jean Biggs made it safely back to Indiana. They were moved by James Ray, Cynthia Trant and Tim and Katherine Carson. It was good they made the trip with them. Returning home, they stopped to visit with Rev. Bill Adkisson, a former minister of Evergreen Church. They found him well.

The monthly meeting of the Iola North Zulch Order of the Eastern Star was held in North Zulch at the Pyramid Masonic Lodge Monday, May 23, with a good number attending. The covered dish meal was enjoyed by all. During the meeting Glenda Klemm brought a special memorial program enjoyed by all.

Three polls were open in Iola Tuesday, May 24, for the 2022 Primary Runoff election. This election combined the Keith and Iola voting locations. There were 302 votes cast. Poll workers included Alec Pointer and Shirley Lambert. Thanks to all that voted and worked.

Happy birthday this week to the following: May 30 – Nash Murray; June 1 – Cameron Eric Mallard; June 2 – William Wyatt Tackett; June 3 – Elizabeth Searcy, Lisa Marie Rios, Cathy Topping; June 4 – Trevor Coy Creamer, Hayes Lawrence Baker, Anthony Buzz Galvan. Do hope your special day was a happy one.

Happy anniversary this week to the following: Mitchell and Elaine Coneley Beene, married May 31, 1969; Stephen Maxwell and Felicia Stephens Rice, married June 2, 2018; William Travis and Cherokee Stewart, married June 3, 2018. Join me in wishing them many more years of happiness together.

If you have any Keith news, call either my cell phone at 936-870-6094 or my house number at 936- 394-8273.