This week’s Passing Parade is a precious picture of the old Liberty Methodist Church. The church was built in 1844 and it is believed the Methodists gave the name of Liberty to the new community in 1844. This is the first mention of Liberty in our community.

Pictured is a music class in 1914. Reeves Steelman was the music director.

Those in the picture are Bill Fanning Wilson, Clifford Fanning, Bess Ventress, Picola Gray, Susie Street.

About that year Bess Ventress, was teaching school in that building. It was called Stewart Creek Academy. Some of her students were Clarence Reed, Floyd Koonce, and Rachel Land. Mrs. Jessie Ventress Futch took a part in the song service. Each year she had May Day at the church. It was stated Jessie Futch did a great job training the children. Mrs. O.P. Gray, Roscoe Smith and Mrs. Anna McClain were members of the Methodist Church.

Susie Street invited me to Massachusetts to visit her. Before I got to go, she died of a heart attack. She attended Liberty School under Virgil Haney.

I am much better, but can't get up and down the front steps. When I get to the car, I have a hard time getting seated. I've had cancer for 16 years.

I hope Sandra Pack is enjoying taking the SHOPPER. She was five years old when she lived at Liberty. Her people attended Liberty Church of Christ.