Of all the days set aside to remember family members, none gets—nor deserves—the attention accorded Mother’s Day, which will occur this year on May 14. Flower shops will do a booming business as will stores that carry a large stock of greeting cards. On Sundays after church restaurants will be more crowded for the noon meal than at any other time during the year. Reservations will be strongly suggested by those establishments that accept reservations. Where they don’t, families seeking to honor mother by saving her from cooking on this her special day will just have to wait for their turn to be served. Some of the following items reflect great love for mothers and mothers-in-law while other show just the opposite.

Feb. 23, 1903–Mrs. Martha Johnston, aged 80 years, mother of Mrs. Puryear, wife of Limestone Sheriff Puryear (his family has strong Hartselle ties) with this county), sustained a very serious accident, resulting in a broken hip while on a loving, ministering visit to a prisoner in the county jail Sunday. She had gone into the jail to visit a young man without friends or family, and not knowing that there was a step off she fell, and the right hip was broken just below the socket. She is in a very serious condition, and at her extreme age it is hardly possible that she will recover. If she passes, one of the most loving mothers in this area will be gone.

April 12, 1907–Mrs. Jack Thompson, mother of W. C. Thompson, died at her home near here. The sad news was conveyed to Mr. Thompson while he was at the cemetery burying his little boy, who died yesterday. Now he is forced to say goodbye to the two who aside from his wife, are most dear to him with Mother’s Day only a short time away.

Jan. 28, 1913–Dr. Gilbert McCarley was sentenced by Judge Thomas W. Wert to three years in the state penitentiary on the charge of having attempted to hire two men to murder his mother-in-law, Mrs. Fennell. An appeal will be taken in the case.

Jan. 3, 1916—D. W. Speake, Jr., son of the late judge, died this morning at 7 o’clock at the home of his beloved mother, after suffering from tuberculosis for four years. Mr. Speake died just one year later than his father, who dropped dead at his home. Father and son passed away at the same hour of the same day. The mother’s heart is broken on account of the loss of her son and husband in such quick succession.

April 24, 1945–Clarence J. Pettey of the U.S.C.B. at Camp Parks, Calif., and Mrs. Pettey of Moulton arrived today for a visit with his widowed mother, Mrs. Myrtle Wiggins on Hartselle Route 2. Since she joined the family, Beulah Pettey, has been like a daughter to Mrs. Wiggins and Mrs. Pettey has looked on Mrs. Wiggins as a second mother.

March 21, 1951–Mrs. William B. Huie flew back to her home in Silver Springs, Md., today. She had spent two weeks visiting her mother, Mrs. Josie Puckett, who has been ill for some time. Mrs. Puckett has made a great adjustment to having a world-famous son-in-law and both he and Mrs. Huie have a close relationship with her. Mr. Huie joins Mrs. Huie on these visits when his schedule permits.

Jan. 7, 1954–Mrs. W. A. Mitchell died. She was the beloved mother of Hubert R. and Billy Don Mitchell, both of whom she greatly encouraged in the development of Mitchell Industries. She was born on April 5, 1878, in Lawrence County. In 1896 she married W. A. Mitchell, a master craftsman in the trade of harness making. Mr. Mitchell had the leading harness shop in Hartselle for many years. Mrs. Mitchell was always ready to assist her husband in any aspect of his business.