Danville news

A historic marker was dedicated at McKendree Cemetery in Massey on Saturday.
A large crowed was present to watch State Senator Arthur Orr unveil the marker in memory of  Christopher Sheats and the Massey community. Mr. Sheats was a political leader who influenced Winston County to oppose secession and  remain a free county during the Civil War. Mrs. Doris Herring, a great-niece of Mr. Sheats, was among those who witnessed the unveiling. At the same time she was celebrating her 92nd birthday. The ceremony began with Senator Orr thanking Jake Thomas for initiating the marker project, with the assistance of his teachers, Margaret Laughmiller and Kim Mooney. Andrew Williamson was thanked for creating the brochures for the dedication and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department was thanked for assisting with parking and traffic control.  Others participating in the dedication were Lee Sentell, Alabama tourism director, Jake Thomas and his mother, Cindy Thomas, who sang “Amazing  Grace.” Also in attendance were Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long and Morgan County Commissioners Don Stisher and Randy Vest.
In a separate but related event, Martine Bates Sharp, author of a book about the life of Chris Sheats, autographed copies of her book at Sweet Annies of Massey Town following the dedication.
The Massey community got its name in 1886 when W.D. Massey petitioned for a post office for the community, and the graves of Mr. Massey and his son are in the McKendree Cemetery. The Massey community was first known as Gibson and was named for John Gibson, Augustine and Emily Hewlett donated the name on which the cemetery is located,
The writer of a play on Mr. Sheats life, Mr. McAllister, was also in attendance at the dedication.
A special thank you goes out to Martha Cantrell who acquired the funding for the historic marker.
Belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Bobbie Smith on May 23.
Happy birthday wishes go out to L.D. Parker on May 27, Chris Long on May 28. Alyson Steele on May 28 and Reagan Bowling on May 29.
Happy wedding anniversary wishes go out to Mike and Kay Hanline and Jason and Paige Boyd, both of whom will celebrate their 16th anniversaries on May 27.
Shady Grove Baptist Church welcomed Justin Turrentine as a new member by baptism May 1.
Massey Volunteer Fire Department was lucky that it had only one storm-related call on April 27; however, it responded to calls for help from other communities affected by the tornadoes.
At 8 a.m. the department responded to a call to Cullman County and helped with cleanup in the Berlin community until the third storm front headed for Morgan County. After Morgan County received the all-clear, the department split into two teams. One team remained in Massey while other one went to Lawrence County to help. Fire fighters drove their own trucks through the rain to Chalybeate, arriving just behind Moulton Fire Department. Soon after their arrival, the fire fighters were alerted that another storm was headed their way and they managed to squeezes in a storm pit. They continued their work after the storm and remained in the area for three days.
Everyone is reminded that the Massey Fire Station on Evergreen Road has a storm pit that is open to the community when severe weather threatens.
Firefighters said they can’t express just how much their hearts hurt for the victims of the storms. They said they learned a lot about storm response and the event has changed how they will respond and deal with conditions in the event a tornado hits in their district.
Special belated happy birthday wishes go out to Letha Anders and Michelle Holmes, both on May 1, Julie Durand on May 5, Beverly Durand and June Persons, both on May 10, Dwayne Roper and Len Williamson, both on May 14, Grayson Lee on May 15, Jaclyn Garrison and Drew Thompson, both on May 16, Carlie Wilkins on May 18 and Kaylee Holmes on May 19.
Happy birthday wishes go out to Lois Penn and Russell Reeder, both on May 26 and Michelle Anders and Megan Anderson, both on May 27.