By Betty Moore

Our sincere sympathy goes to the family of the late Suzie Slaughter Ross. I first saw Suzie as a baby. Through the years I saw her as a young woman. Our family was among those that went to the beginning service of the Trinity Baptist Church, according to reports of it being 34 years ago. When the church was built we were among those buying a pew. All of this time we saw the Slaughter family. Suzie and my daughter Linda were friends, visiting each other many times. We all enjoyed her. I enjoyed visiting Estelle many times.
When Trinity Baptist School was built my daughter Beverly was finishing college at Tennessee Temple University with her degree in education. She became the first teacher-supervisor and was there four years. Suzie was in the first graduating class, along with Janice Busenitz. Susie was extremely smart, very gifted in art and an overall exceptional students. With her intellect and talents she could have chosen any one of many fields in which to study and have a career.
She was struck with cancer at a very young age. She endured for many years. At this time Suzie is being blessed by the wonderful beauty of heaven.
She leaves behind her husband John, a step-daughter and grandchild, her mother, Estelle Slaughter and her six brothers and their families.
The Slaughter family has been a favorite for many years. I’ve asked God’s love and strength for you all. I’m so sorry.
Two-year-old Levi Alliston has been a patient at Newton General Hospital with stomach cramps. I hope that by now he is better and is home.
Huberta Alliston Crisp recently had eye surgery and likes the results.
Don’t forget the fourth Thursday singing at Grace Bible Church on June 26. Fill God’s house with wonderful music.
I will attempt to tell you the events about “Keep Morgan (Buckhead) Beautiful.” The committee has had 11 events to try to encourage people to not litter and to recycle all that is possible as we all strive for beautification of our towns and roadsides. According to monthly reports the amount of waste to be transported and stored at  Barrow County has lessened some. If we all become more conscious that this town, this roadside belongs not only to me but also to others, we should become more careful about littering. If not for people like Pat Pedley and Linda Thoman the county would have more roadside picking up by detainees. That costs someone money. That money could be some of yours and mine in taxes.
Did you realize that the first event on recycling was in our Buckhead when there was the yard sale, etc? These people have a love for the environment and for their adopted home town. Should we not all have the same?
Volunteers will be appreciated. Why could not some clubs have a pickup day on an area of a road while others are in other roads?
Among those going to Alabama to help Ruth Lemons celebrate her 90th birthday were Joe, Jan and David Jordan and Joy and Jo Ann Bryant. Ruth is the god-mother to Joe and Jan’s son, Wayne.
Julie Duff had surgery in an Athens hospital.
Thomas and Leigh Ann Bell had Margaret Bell and Reid Alliston on Friday for Father’s Day. Mrs. Alliston was at work.
Congratulations to Zack and Laura Massey on their anniversary. They went to the beach.
George and Laura Lohr had Pam Hendrix and sons and Miriam and Chuck Foster for Father’s Day.
Linda and Bill Kincaid from Atlanta came on Sunday.
Jackie Wheat went to hear her daddy, Dr. J. K. Segars, speak at a Winder church on Sunday and spent the day with her parents at their home in Athens.
Scott and Jennifer Doran went to Metropolis, Illinois to the Super Man Festival.
Jo Ann Bryant’s sister-in-law Lois Head passed away at Barneville. The service was Wednesday. We send our sincere sympathy to Jo Ann and her family at this sad time.
John Milliken went to Sugar Hill on Saturday for Father’s Day to be with Susan and Marlin Blackburn. The Ken Davis family joined them for the day.
Billy Hinesley’s daughter, Ida and her husband came to cook out on Sunday.
The Swords United Methodist Church pastor was surprised to have his family come for the service on Sunday.
Jean and Buddy Phillips and family camped out for Father’s Day weekend.
I understand that Dave and Betty Andrade went on a motorcycle trip.
Everyone enjoyed breakfast at the Lake Oconee Baptist Chapel on Sunday. The fathers were honored in the morning service in a very moving tribute, written and presented by Gary Snodery who is very gifted.
Rev. Gerald Bishop sang a beautiful song along with an encouraging sermon.
All were glad to see Lamar Hickman who has been ill. His usual smile pleased everyone. He was honored for being the oldest dad with the most children. Mark Doorenbos was the youngest dad.
The ladies will have their monthly meeting on June 19.
The sound room at the church is really taking shape. It is hoped to be ready by July 6.
The Buckhead Fire Department is making plans for the July 4 barbecue. Make your plans to come to the barbecue and the fireworks.
Thirteen members of the late Jimmy Bell’s family came to Buckhead to see their father’s recently finished gravesite after the new marker was placed. Jimmy died in January. They visited Barbara Tyson along with Miriam and Chuck Foster and George and Laura Lohr.
Of some apparent interest to some of you is the reunion of the late Hallie Wood Ray’s children and grandchildren and perhaps great-grandchildren. They are coming this weekend to stay at the Farm House Inn on Hwy. 276 E. About 20 people will come. They will eat at the Red Barn meeting room at 8 a.m. on Saturday. They will go to the Mallory Cemetery in North Madison, the Madison Art Gallery where they will see a painting of their great-grandmother Hallie Ray done in 1888. P. D Carter did the painting. He also did a painting of Robert E. Lee. They will tour Heritage Hall and also to the home of Steven and Cora Turnell who lived in the house from 1891-1944. Steven was a great uncle to Hallie Ray. Hallie Wood Ray had two sons Ben and Billy. Ben T. and Maude Massey Ray were their grandparents. Maude was a hostess when the house was Travelers Inn.
The Ray family plans to go to the Fairview Cemetery where Ben T. and Maude Massey Ray and Warren Taylor Ray are buried. They will have a fast food lunch after which they will visit their cousin Hallie and Lamar Hickman for dessert and enjoy the lake. They will visit the Ollie Wood house and barn and see Hallie Ray’s childhood home. Afterwards they will have dinner at the ChopHouse.
On Sunday they will go to Bethany Baptist Church. Edward Harris Wood Sr. gave the land for Bethany Baptist Church. After the service on Sunday they will go to Macon for more research. They will go to the S&S Cafeteria. James A. Smith started the cafeteria and Maggie Massey Smith. Maggie Masse Smith is the sister of Maude Massey Ray. As far as we know the restaurant is still in the family. James A. Smith III is president and CEO of Smith Foods, Inc., which I presume is the S&S Cafeteria. (I hope that I got this all right.)  At any rate if you have information to help Hallie Wood Ray’s children and grandchildren you can try to get in touch with them.
Sue Doorenbos and children went to the beach last week.
Back to the Ray Family, Edward Harris Wood Sr. was the father of Hallie Wood Ray. He was the one that gave the land for Bethany Baptist Church.