Dale County AlArchives News.....Pioneer Old Settlers Day Lucheon Draws Former Residents Back To Ozark September 15 1970
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Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 6, 2004, 10:22 pm

Southern Star
Pioneer Old Settlers Day Luncheon Draws Former Residents Back To Ozark

  The highlight of Tuesday's Pioneer and Old Settler's Day was a luncheon 
honoring the oldest residents, and former residents coming the longest distance 
in each direction.
  The oldest lady registered at the hospitality center wes Mrs. Laura Balkcomb. 
Now a resident of Ozark Nursing Home, Mrs. Balkcomb celebrated her 92nd 
birthday Jan. of this year.
  Mr. W. T. Baker, 96 .entertained those present with his memories of Ozark and 
Dale County since 1883 when he came here with his parents at the age of 9 from 
Barbour County.
  Making the trip south to enjoy the festivities of her home town was Mrs. 
Terry Godwin Mizell.
 Mr. Daniel Homer Howell of Orlando, Fla., was the person traveling the longest 
distance north.
  Introducing the special guests, Art Bond, chairman of Pioneer and Old 
Settler's Day, gave a brief history of each person. Then Fred Barkett, mayor 
protem presented each one with a bronze Centennial coin and a certificate of 
appreciation.
  Mrs. Balkcomb, wife of the late Mr. U. W. Balkcomb, came to Ozark in the 
early 1900s from Echo to start the "Balkcomb Grocery."   
  They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 1969. Nine children blessed 
this happy marriage, six of which are still living. She has seven great, great 
grandchildren.
  Mr. W. T. (Will) Baker was a farmer all his life. He lived near Ariton until 
he moved to Ozark to live with his son Charles Baker. He is a spry and alert 96 
who enjoys people and loves Ozark and Dale County.
  After receiving the letter of invitation sent to all former residents, Mrs. 
Mizell decided to spend this week visiting with her mother, Mrs. Willie Martin 
Godwin. A recently retired school teacher, she was born here in 1910, graduated 
from high school in 1927, and attended Troy State. In 1931-32 she came back to 
Ozark and taught school until she moved to Montgomery in 1933. Mrs. Mizell said,
"This has been a great thrill and one of the finest events I have ever 
observed. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make it a 
success,"
  Mr. Howell, a retired postal worker left Ozark in 1917 to go to Florida. He 
was born on the old "Walden Place" near Marley Mill in 1884. "Coming back to 
Ozark, seeing old friends and being a part of this celebration has made the 
trip worthwhile."


 Page 1, Southern Star, Oct. 15, 1970.

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