Author Archives: sec040121

About sec040121

Hello....I'm in possession of a priceless collection of memoirs and memorabilia left by my mother, Sara Evans Criss. She was a native and lifelong (88 years!) devotee of our small town, who covered this peculiar and volatile corner of the world for 30 years as the Memphis Commercial Appeal's Greenwood bureau chief, a job that started out with debutantes and high school football and wound up spang in the midst of one of the twentieth century's most enduring social upheavals. This blog is dedicated to her memory and the legacy she left behind, both for her family and her community.

Are You Ready?

Posted on October 3, 2014 by sec040121

Here’s Brownie Criss, all dressed up and ready for an early 1960s Ole Miss weekend. Like everyone else in our family, her fall Saturdays revolved around that little ear plug in Russell’s left ear, snaking down to a Philco or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Bungalow Dreams

Posted on June 28, 2014 by sec040121

And another happy birthday to my grandfather, Howard Evans, who would be 120 years old today. In that picture above, he’s about 26 and climbing the corporate ladder with Proctor & Gamble’s Buckeye Cottonseed Oil industry. Within 2 years, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Still Fooling Around

Posted on April 1, 2014 by sec040121

Sara on the left with two buddies in Jackson, around 1936 Another April 1st rolls around, and this one would be Sara’s 93rd birthday. Hard to believe it’s been almost a century since the third of Jessie and Howard’s stair-step … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Thunderbird

Posted on February 20, 2014 by sec040121

Happy 97th birthday to my father, Russell Criss. He’s a cocksure 25 years old in that picture above, ready to serve his country as a medic in the 45th Infantry. The next few years would be spent in a hell … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Heart of my Heart

Posted on February 14, 2014 by sec040121

Sara loved holidays. Even those that weren’t really holidays. Valentine’s Day was a perfect excuse to roll out teacake dough, made with just the right amount of red food coloring to turn it a soft pastel pink. She had heart-shaped … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Snow Day

Posted on February 13, 2014 by sec040121

Our recent brush with snow and ice in Greenwood brings back memories of wintry weather on East Adams. It seemed that every year there was at least one truly useful snow event, although I’m sure my recall is faulty. Oh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Greatest Generation

Posted on November 11, 2013 by sec040121

The words written above the pictures say it all. Russell was spending one last day in Greenwood with Sara and the Evans family before he was shipped overseas. 26 years old, scared to death, desperate for a chance to live … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

From Durant to the Delta

Posted on September 16, 2013 by sec040121

On a sunny October Thursday in 1913, it looks like all of Greenwood has gathered on the Courthouse lawn to watch the unveiling of the Confederate Monument. The United Daughters of the Confederacy, spearheaded by the inexhaustible Lizzie George Henderson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Under Siege

Posted on July 1, 2013 by sec040121

As another July 4th rolls around, this seemed like an appropriate photo to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Siege and Battle of Vicksburg. The picture was taken (undoubtedly by Sara) on what looks like a summer’s day, 1960 or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

The Man I Never Knew

Posted on June 28, 2013 by sec040121

Another 28th day of June has rolled around, intensely hot and humid, as I am sure almost all of these days have been since that one in 1894. 119 of them, to be exact. It must have been a scorcher … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments