Raymond News

This past weekend while everyone was busy cleaning up Raymond, Robert and I took our first overnight getaway (without children) in seven years to the most wonderful, most spectacular, MOST romantic place you can think of - Camp Shelby. Ha!

Saturday and Sunday was the annual Mississippi Army National Guard JAG (Judge Advocate General) Conference and, all thanks to Robert's mother who took care of our four children, I was able to accompany Robert to the JAG Regimental "Dining Out" dinner. Also in attendance at the conference was Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lampton, brother of HINDS COUNTY GAZETTE owner, Dr. Luke Lampton. Robert and Lieutenant Colonel Lampton attended Army JAG School together in Charlottesville, Virginia many moons ago. It was great to see him at the Dining Out and chat about all things GAZETTE. (He claims to be a regular reader.) I hope you like the picture, Mark!

Speaking of romantic getaways, Kim and Wayne Williams returned from a fabulous trip to Anchorage, Alaska in early March. Kim reported that the -8 degree weather did not stop the fun and they skied to their heart's delight in ice and cold. Kim also said the views were unbeatable and Wayne loved eating all the fresh fish. And while they did not see any Northern Lights, they were able to see the ceremonial start of the 54th Iditarod. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race held in Alaska that travels from Anchorage to Nome.

What a neat thing to witness in person! Kim and Wayne traveled with their close friends and fellow skiers, Kim and Beth Reniska. Kim (Williams) was so taken by the beauty of Alaska in the winter; she hopes to travel there some day in the summer.

Maybe in another 7 years for our next overnight trip, Robert and I can travel to Alaska with you and say hello to our dear friend and Raymondite, Olivia (Nan) Lick Mucha!

The highly anticipated annual Raymond Garden Club Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the Merchants and Planters Bank Drive-thru lot by the mural. There will be over 50 different heirloom plants grown by club members! This amazing selection is too long to list but include aloe, chocolate mint, buckeyes, native clematis, confederate roses, sunflowers, orange daylilies, elderberry, evening primrose, and lemon balm - just to name a few! As always, a fantastic group of expert gardeners are available to answer all your plant questions!

There is nothing I love more than getting a phone call from a GAZETTE reader. It was a pleasure chatting with Nancy Tenhet, of Utica, on Tuesday. Nancy worked for over 30 years as a librarian at Hinds Community College and is now retired. Nancy sweetly shared that she reads my weekly column and asked that I write about her friend and fellow Raymondite, Carney Ray Byrd, who sadly passed away on New Years Eve.

Carney Ray Byrd, known to many as C.R., son of Carroll and Rosemary Byrd, died on December 31th, 2025. C.R.'s parents were long time Raymond residents having previously lived in Bear Creek, a community in Hinds County. C.R. attended school in Utica and later in Jackson. C.R. loved horses and the majority of his life was spent training and working with horses in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Missouri. He moved to Raymond later in his life to be with his father. He was proceeded in death by his mother, father, and only sister, Rose Carolyn Byrd Sherry. C.R.'s ashes are to be buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 3:00pm on April 26, 2026 near his grandparents - Tullos and Rose West.

Thank you for sharing, Nancy! I hope we have many more chats in the future.

The Culpeppers have been non-stop lately as we have enjoyed all this picture-perfect weather. I hope you all get out and live in the beautiful Raymond sunshine this week!

Be kind and suffer well.