Saturday, January 10, 2009

Huey Haynes - Tour Guide


Huey Haynes served as a tour guide for several of us one day back in the 1970s. What year did Elvis die? That was the same summer that Huey took us to his native stomping grounds around Splunge in southeastern Itawamba County. Unfortunately, I can't remember whose grave we were standing around or which cemetery. Maybe someone will recognize it. That's my husband Mike squatting down, and I'm standing off to the right in overalls. Huey is in the middle with his hands on his hips, and that's Rosa Lee Harden Jones (former publisher of the Itawamba County Times and now an Episcopal priest in California) next to him. Her husband, Kevin Jones, took the picture. The young man to the left - I can't remember his name but he was one of Kevin and Rosa Lee's friends.

Mike remembers that Huey took us to the former Raper Springs Resort and showed us where the springs were and the foundation of the building that used to surround the springs. That's more than I remember.

6 comments:

Bob Franks said...

I think that is the old Hamptons Graveyard Mona, which is not far southeast of the old Hopewell Methodist Church. The grave you are standing around would be one of the Terrell sandstone monuments I believe. It has been years since I have been in that old cemetery but I definitely remember that monument, and it's not far south from where Huey Haynes grew up.

Mona Robinson Mills said...

I was hoping someone would recognize the location. Do you know if the cemetery is still accessible? I wish I had paid more attention back then!

Anonymous said...

I talked to some folks who went to the old Hamptons Graveyard a few months back. It's quite a walk back into the woods, as I think the old road is overgrown.

Bob

Anonymous said...

Mona, Huey Haynes was a first cousin of mine. I sure enjoyed seeing his picture again and he loved history of the area. I just remember being told about a graveyard my great grandmother was buried in and all I can remember is Gaines/Carpenter. It is down the road from the old Kennedy Chapel Graveyard on the right hand side of the road. The forest has reclaimed that area but some years back after that area had been cut over, we were able to walk down to it and see it clearly. I thought that might be where Huey was at but after reading Mr. Franks comments on recognizing the monument I'm sure he is correct.

I am Delores Parks of the Young, Haynes, Kennedy, Pipes, Aldridge, Bolling/Bolin families.

I just noticed your blog and have enjoyed reading it.

Mona Robinson Mills said...

Hi, Delores. Thanks for visiting and posting. Huey was quite a character and a good friend of my father's. I wish they both were here with us still along with their stories.

Is the cemetery that you referred to still accessible - I'd love to find it.

All of those surnames are familiar. In fact, my GG Grandmother was Rachel Caroline Young. And I believe the Kennedy and Robinson family are connected in several ways.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know how to get to the old Raper Springs Resort area, I am descendant of the Rapers and would love to visit this site.

dewayneraper@yahoo.com