The Ben Vandagriff family circle was unbroken on Aug. 6 when their only daughter, Jane Vandagriff, answered God’s heavenly call to come to heaven and be united with her parents, see the Lord Jesus Christ, and share their happiness, peace, and joy forevermore.

At the age of 12 years, Jane was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and was bedridden for many years at her home in the Dry Creek valley. Her parents took shots for the disease and on one else could enter or leave the isolation area.

Dr. Phillip Turner of Lebanon and a native of Smithville was Jane’s doctor.

A close friend and neighbor, Louise Frazier took the shot and helped the family whenever she could.

Dr. Turner predicted Jane to live to the age of 25.

From then on the Vandagriff family listened to doctors, did what they said do. Doctor visits averaged two to three times a weekly, and with Jane’s desire to live, she in time got well.

The Ben Vandagriff family, all being Christians, were devoted members of Dry Creek Baptist Church. Mr. Ben was a deacon, Mairene a teacher and devoted to the ladies WMU, and Jane was already taking music lessons and playing the piano.

A large crowd from the valley attended her funeral which showed the love and appreciation that the residents had for this family.

Cleo Myers who lived on the road to Snow Hill to Smithville taught Jane music lessons for years.

Later in life Mairene took Jane to Peabody College of Music to take vocal music as a soloist.

Jane taught music in her home here in the valley and at her home on Pack’s Circle in Smithville, at the home of the late Helen Knowles, at her white house near Smithville Elementary, at Gassaway Elementary School in Cannon County, and began her first Rhythm Band at Dry Creek Elementary in 1949-1950.

Jane Vandagriff was a devoted, well liked, and a good music teacher.

Have you ever heard our county doctor Dr. J.C. Walls play? John Frazier of the valley took music under Jane and she inspired him the love of all music. At his death, he held a year’s subscription to the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra in Huntsville, Alabama.

Many of her former pupils came to Love Cantrell’s Funeral Home to show their respect for this music teacher.

Her contribution, her desire to live and her devotion to a long Christian life will long be remembered in her native Dry Creek valley and in her Smithville community. We extend our deepest sympathy to the living Vandagriff relatives and friends.

Mrs. Lisa Cripps battled floods of water which fell on Monday afternoon to bring food to her mother, Mrs. Louise Frazier. When she went home, the Dry Creek stream was rolling on down to Smith Fork, which had already cut Lisa off from her home. She had to go by Alexandria to reach home. Most streams in DeKalb County reached flood level.

We don’t know how many inches of rain fell Monday, but it caused creeks to reach flood level everywhere.

It has been reported that doctors seeing Bobby Joines feel like they can help him more after his last visit. Keep Bobby and Mary on your prayer list.

Others on the sick list include; Anthony Wright, Jeff James, James Keyt, Carroll Thomas, Harold and Faye Elrod, Sarah Walker, Linda Fuston, Joe and Carolyn Dickey, Becky Hill, Tom Snow, Mary Snow, Jim Kimbrell, Pat Wallace, Delores Jones, Jerri Hillis, Larry Hale, Debbie O’Conner, Audrey Owens, Garry Mullican, Jimmy and Lou Ann Midget, Bob Sandlin, Mae Risner, Louise Frazier, also remember Jennifer Fuson and two sons in the death of her husband and father, Jon Kennedy, Wayne and Deborah Fuson, their son-in-law.

Jerald and Lisa Cripps cooked a good hot supper and visited Matthew and Melody, Owen and the new twins in Murfreesboro Friday. They reported that all are doing well, and Owen loves his new baby brothers.

Dry Creek Baptist Church resumes regular services.

Bro. Donald Owens, pastor, welcomes everyone to attend. Thanks go to our visitors and come again.

The little church in the valley has been sharing the Bible over one hundred years. Bro. Donald Owens has been pastor since 2001.

"Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:1-2).