The year of 2014 for Bethany was a mixture of joy and sorrow as the year progressed.
Deaths:
Sister Melba Beaman’s husband, Bob, lost his brother by death in Alaska on January 7 but wasn’t able to have funeral and be buried until months later because of the frozen conditions in Alaska.
Bethany lost two church members to death in March, 2014 as Sister Johnnie Mae Conlee died on March 27 and she had been looking forward to her mansion. Sister Carolyn Whitehead died on March 3 after being in a few Nursing Homes due to Alzheimer’s disease. Her husband, Brother Gerald Whitehead, Bethany member, did a wonderful job seeing after her prior to her death.
Sister Sandra Harlow and husband, Terry, were devastated by the sudden death of their son, Stacey Harlow, who died suddenly the later part of May at the young age of 33. Our prayers continue to be with them.
Sister Glynda Coker’s daughter-in-law, Lisa Parrish suddenly died on July 9 of an apparent heart attack leaving behind husband, Donald Parrish, and Anna Lauren Parrish, a member of Bethany. Our prayers continue to be with them.
Surgeries:
Sis Shanna Wise’s father, David Hudson had surgery to replace a shoulder in March and later hospitalized with blood clots in the lungs. He spent 3 consecutive months in the hospital later in the year and was in critical condition some of the time. He is doing better at the moment as the year comes to a close.
Brother James Hall had surgery on his shoulder on January 29 to repair a torn rotator cuff and was in quite a bit of pain for several weeks and then through therapy. He is doing better with that but still much pain in back.
Brother Larry Wise had heart surgery on August 26 to by-pass blocked arteries. He had two successful by-passes with a stent to be done later. He also had to have a pacemaker inserted due to complications after surgery. He is doing better and back in the pulpit.
Brother Lamar Wise’s brother, Billy, had heart surgery, Sept. 12 to repair a leaky heart valve and did great in his recovery.
Meetings:
Elder Mark Quarles was blessed to deliver two messages during our May Communion Meeting on Friday and Saturday night but had to leave after service Saturday night.
Bethany was once again blessed with a good Communion Service following the messages of Brother Quarles on Sunday with the bread and wine and washing of the saints feet.
Elder Michael Gowens  was blessed to deliver all the messages during our September meeting Friday night, Saturday morning and night and Sunday. This was Elder Gowens first time to be at Bethany and the church enjoyed him greatly. Elder Larry Wise had to miss the meeting as he recovered from heart surgery.
50th Wedding Anniversary:
Elder James Hall and Sister Peggy Hall celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception at Bethany Fellowship Hall on June 28, given them by their children and grandchildren and attended by many relatives and friends.
New Member:
The church was blessed to have Joseph Wise come and join the church on Father’s Day, June 16 and was baptized by his father, Elder Larry Wise on July 6. We are thankful for him and all our young members especially.
Births:
Brother Jonathan Wise and Sister Paige Wise learned they were expecting a child on June 26 after a sonogram and a baby boy named Isaac Glenn Wise was subsequently born on November 4 and weighing 6 pounds 12 ounces. He was 3 weeks early. This is their first child. Grandparents are Elder Larry Wise and Sandra Wise from Bethany.
Sister Brittany Houston and husband, Andy, were blessed to have born to them a baby boy, Cayson, who was born February 18 and weighed a good size 9 lbs. and 8 ounces. Maggie now has a baby brother to play with.
Ordination:
Bethany called for the ordination of Brother Jonathan Wise to the full work of the gospel ministry in conference in January and he was ordained on 2nd Sunday in March (March 9) which was attending by a large congregation and presbytery. He was questioned by Elder Josh Winslett and Elder Larry Wise delivered the charge and Elder Grady Camp the ordination prayer. He was then called to Pastor Little Flock Church in Burnsville, MS
Other Events:
Sister Loyce McCarver suffered a heart attack on Februaty 24 and air lifted to Tupelo Hospital where she had at least three stents inserted in partially blocked arteries. She has recovered very well.
Sister Tammy Wise learned she was still cancer free but still has been weak as she hasn’t regained all her strength and gave the church a scare as she passed out in church August 17 and taken by ambulance to the hospital. It was apparently caused by extreme fatigue.
Sister Tammie Warren Wise’s father, Elder Calvin Warren, had successful surgery to remove cancer on his nose and is doing well after that and some cosmetic surgery on his nose.
Brother David Wise filled several pulpit appointments at Bethany in the absence of Brother Larry Wise due to heart surgery.
Sister Hillery Wise’s father, Bill Jackson, had to be placed in Assisted Living facility due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Christmas Singing and Fruit Baskets;
Bethany closed out the year with the annual Christmas Singing on Sunday night, December, 14, which was preceded by noon pizza lunch and assembly and delivery of fruit baskets. The young members and friends were blessed to sing and lead a few songs and then great congregation singing that seemed to be enjoyed by all. Happy New Year to all Bethany members, friends and families and may God bless each and every one.
