Mark Ward, his wife Melissa, and his sister, Barbara Ward McCoy recently took a trip down memory lane and visited their old hometown of Jonesboro, Louisiana, as part of Mark’s 70th birthday celebration. Charles and Becky Spier Futrell of
Quitman, Louisiana, formerly of Jonesboro, served as tour guides for the special occasion.
Among the sites included in the tour was the downtown area where the old Palace theater still stands, Jackson Parish Courthouse, Parish Library, First Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church. It was good to see Western Auto was still standing, where Mark bought a basketball on lay-away when he was eleven.
Other sites visited were the old town swimming pool that has since been covered by tennis courts; the fairgrounds; Mrs. Tait’s house (Halloween treats); the Recreation Center, where Mark played alto sax in a band with friends (Mike Holder (drums), H.B. Smith (bass), Larry Allen (guitar), Eddie McFerrin (trumpet), and others); Little League Baseball Field (Mr. Choate was umpire and coach Hale was in charge); and our schools, Southside Elementary (Mrs. Colvin and others) and JHHS.
The high school holds many special memories since Mark and Barbara’s father, F.B.Ward, served as Band Director there from 1960-1969. Old home sites of cherished friends were also driven by that evoked many special memories. The fun trip concluded with a nostalgic wrap-up at the home of the Futrells. A great trip!
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