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This week’s Passing Parade picture is about “the three stoooges”, Mrs. Oma Gray, Mrs. Bertha Haney, and Mrs. Bess Ventress. Sitting at the end of the table is Mrs. R.A. Ables, the fourth stooge. The three stooges were celebrating their birthdays as all had a birthday the same week. The party was held at the home of Mrs. Bertha Haney. The three stooges had a get-together each March to celebrate their birthdays.

Did you know all four ladies attended the Rowland Hill School under Prof. Oliver Largen? Mrs. Oma Gray and Mrs. Bess Ventress were members of the Liberty Church of Christ. Mrs. Bertha Haney was a member of the Washington Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville. Mrs. R.A. Ables was a member of the Harms Church of Christ.

Gifford McGee of Mississippi toured the farms in Tennessee and stated the R.A. Ables farm was the prettiest farm he saw. Mrs. Bertha Haney taught school at Rowland Hill and Mrs. Bess Ventress taught school at the Stewart Creek Academy in 1914 which was held in the Old Methodist Church.

Mrs. Bess Ventress was president of Liberty Mother’s Club. Nell Gray Hereford was elected vice president. Mrs. Oma Gray was elected treasurer.

In the club were Susie Taylor, Mrs. Jim Smith, Nannie Cook, RN, Ora Brock, Madeline Cannon, Mary Sue Pitts, Bessie Thompson, Mrs. Roy Jones, Beulah Ventress, Bernice Wilson, Carlee Metcalf, Lizzie Mae Gray, Edith Jones, Octa Reed, and Mrs. Margaret Owens. Mr. Odell Noblett had his 95th birthday. He used to attend parties at Liberty and came to church, too. Fred Jennings married Pearl Locker, the widow of Luther Locker. They owned the Elk River side of the Amanda Wells farm. Now Donnie Wilson owns the south side of the Amanda Wells farm. Luther Locker bought it at a sale. Trigger Locker lost the bid to Luther Locker who died in 1921. Howard Gray owned the South side.