March 2022
Remembrance of Friends and Family, Vol. 2
- Adelaide Ramsey Riley Fisher
by John Christopher Riley
- Pam Aldridge Williams
by Drue Johnson

Dear Friends of LOFC,

As reported in our last newsletter, the LOFC Board held its annual general meeting on Monday, February 14, in addition to its monthly meeting. The Board unanimously re-elected Julian Watson to serve as Chairman of the Board. The four-year terms of two of our charter Board members, Ed Thurmond and Phil Cohen, expired, but after gentle prodding by the Board, both have agreed to remain on the Board for another four-year term, with Ed continuing to serve as President.

Regrettably, Betsy Kimbrough Padgett has resigned from the Board due to health issues. Betsy has been a valuable and vital member of the Board, serving as Secretary since its inception. In her professional career, she served as County Director of the Holmes County Extension Service, only recently retiring after a twenty-two-year tenure. Please join the Board in holding Betsy in your hearts and prayers as she faces this challenge, no doubt with the same courage that she has shown throughout her life.

We are pleased to announce that Leath Johnson has agreed to fill Betsy’s unexpired term. Leath is a Certified Public Accountant, so she brings enormous skill and talents to the Board. We are delighted to welcome Leath to the Board.

Continuing with remembrances of family or friends buried in LOFC as collected and provided by Vivian McDonagh, we are pleased to feature the following contributions:

John with Grandmother, Adelaide

Hello, my name is John Riley. I am sixteen years old, and I live in Lexington, Mississippi. The relative that I will be speaking of is my grandmother, Adelaide Ramsey Riley Fisher. She was born on February 11, 1934, in Lexington. She had three sons Mark, Chris and my father Matt. She raised her family in Lexington before moving to Greenwood and then Oxford. She and I were very close, and we spent a lot of time together in her later years and my childhood years. Some of my fondest memories of her are our trips to the farmers’ market. She let me pick out whatever fruits or vegetables I wanted. Afterwards, we would go back to her house and make various kinds of dishes out of them. Another great memory I have of her is all the blueberry muffins and sugar cookies we made together. Being a curious little boy, I wanted to do everything which included cooking. Seeing my enthusiasm, she would just watch carefully over my shoulder to make sure I did not hurt myself. My most favorite memory of her is when she would come back to Lexington, and we would visit her old house. She had some beautiful blueberry bushes in the backyard. We would pick until our baskets were full and then leave with tons of delicious berries. These are just some of my fond memories with her, and they will stick with me as long as I live.

John Christopher Riley is the son of Katherine and Matt Riley and the grandson of Nancy and Don Barrett and the late Adelaide Riley Fisher and Tom Riley. John is a Junior at Central Holmes Christian School where he is a member of the Honor Society and has received numerous academic awards. John is a member of the Trojan football team like many of his family members before him: his father, uncles Chris Riley, Richard Barrett and Charles Barrett, and cousins Jonathan Barrett and Patrick Barrett. John won Most Handsome at Central Holmes his freshman year. Like his father and grandfather, Don Barrett, John loves hunting, history, and Ole Miss football. Hotty Toddy!

Drue with her Nana

My “Nana,” Pam Aldridge Williams, died October 2020 due to cancer. She is buried at Lexington Odd Fellows Cemetery. One thing I loved and miss the most doing with her is going to the Mississippi State Women’s basketball games.

My Nana was a big MSU advocate. She was the person that tailgated every Saturday at the football games, and when the women’s basketball team made it to the Final Four back in 2017, we got season tickets. We would go to every other home game and would have the best time. A funny thing is we would either go to Newk’s or Mugshots -- never anything else!

When COVID hit, we decided to move our tickets to the next season to be safe, but then she passed away a few months later. My mom and I will keep going because basketball is one of my favorite sports. My Nana was one of my favorite people, and I miss her more every day. I know that she is celebrating with Jesus and watching over me every day.

Drue Johnson, is the 15-year-old daughter of Karey and Jarett Johnson of Lexington and a sophomore at Central Holmes Christian School where she has been a student since K-4. She was a class favorite and a beauty in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Elected Junior High Miss CHCS this year, Drue also represented her class on the homecoming court in 7th and 9th grades. Drue is a member of the Honor Society, Student Council, Young Life, Junior High Cheer Squad, basketball, and track (district champions in 7th and 9th grade) teams. She won the award for best defensive player in basketball in 8th grade. In her spare time, she enjoys taking dance, and showing pigs in the Holmes County 4-H club. Drue is a member of First Baptist Church in Lexington.

If you would like to submit a remembrance of a friend or family member buried in LOFC for inclusion in an upcoming newsletter, please send it along with a photo or photos to atailyour@bellsouth.net. It is a lovely way to honor someone special in your life.

Amanda Povall Tailyour, Editor

We appreciate your support and could not operate without your generous gifts.

To Donate Online:

To Donate by check:
Mail your tax-deductible check to
Lexington Odd Fellows Cemetery, Inc.
PO Box 1213
Lexington, MS 39095-1213