MAEBELLE SCOTT CRYDER Midway United Methodist Church celebrated its one hundred third year with a homecoming, October 11, 2009. The little white church was filled with the descendants of the original church families, as well as members, former members and friends.

Brenda T. McGahee, greeted guests on the front porch as they registered and filled out name tags. Large ferns graced each side of the double doors, and ferns in stands stood at each end of the porch. Beautiful, potted, yellow mums flanked the steps. Flowers and ferns, courtesy of Kay Remsen and Anna Harrison. Inside the sanctuary, a beautiful, large arrangement of colorful mixed blooms was arranged and placed on the alter table by Brenda Turner Mc Gahee. The table was surrounded by pots of yellow mums, provided by Lee and Jennifer Henderson and Brian & Paula Henderson.

The service was conducted by Rev. Jim Leonard, Pastor of Midway. Jennifer Henderson, Music Director, led the singing, consisting of hymns sung in the early Midway days. Jennifer also presented a beautiful solo, " The Love of God," accompanied by Charlotte W. Poss, pianist.

Linda W. Anthony gave a brief history of the church, then MaeBelle Scott Cryder, Marcy Remsen, Lisa Poss Fort, Charlotte W. Poss and Thornton Norman shared memories from their days at Midway.

MaeBelle will celebrate her 100th birthday on December 4th, and enthralled the congregation as she described the early days of the church and the little one-room Midway School that she attended. Even at 100 years of age, MaeBelle cannot claim the prestige, of being the oldest, former member of Midway. That honor, goes to Gladys Sprouse Horney, who will celebrate her 110th birthday on November 7th 2009. She and MaeBelle are first cousins.

The fellowship hall was festive with yellow table covers and a beautiful flower arrangement crafted by Brenda T. McGahee, graced the serving table . Another serving table held a large cornucopia provided by Kay Remsen. The tables were laden with a vast array of food and everyone managed to find several favorite dishes.

After their plates were served, the group moved outside under the old oak trees where many chose to stand around the L shaped granite table that had served so many former Homecomings and Quarterly Meetings , while others sat at tables. The tables were covered in yellow, and each held colorful fall flowers arranged by Phyllis Norman.

Special guests included former Pastor, Rev. & Mrs. David Jenkins. Among those enjoying this beautiful Autumn day, were: Rev. Jim, Olivia, James & Olivia Lee Leonard, Gene and Linda W. Anthony, Nelson Walker Charlotte W. Poss, Lisa P. Fort, Candace P. Hodnett & John, Beverly and Wade Johnson, Olin and Beth D. Reed, Thomas Reed, Hawes, Becky & Kimberly Reed, Anne D. Remsen Marcy & Gail Remsen, Kay Remsen, Anna Beth Remsen, George Remsen, Anna Harrison, Lee and Jennifer Henderson, A. J. and Gracie, Brian and Paula Henderson, Darrell & Tommie Henderson, Matt Henderson, Lawrence and Michelle Henderson, Gabbie Maddux, David and Dee Sims, Sara Frances Henderson, Frances H. Johnson, Wilma Bunch, Margaret Parks, Joyce Bentley, Kathy and Bailey Bentley, Claude and Jac Butler, Stanley and Katherine Wheatley, Herman and Amelia B. Wheatley, Addie Sue Talbert, Fred and Jane T. McWhorter, MaeBelle S. Cryder, Haines and Barbara Cryder, Jean Cryder, Alvis Florence, Juanita F. Norman, Thornton Norman, W. F. Norman, Chuck and Linda Norman, Willie Frank & Joyce Blackburn, Don Blackburn, Jimmie Blackburn, Shaun, Lynn, Katie, Cody and Chancey Carter, Brenda T. McGahee, Lamar and Connie Turner; Douglas Turner, Larry Turner, Josh Smith, Thomas and Janice B. Turner, W. C. and Nancy Turner, Donald and Laverne T. Wilson, Tony and Myrna T. Maddox, Randy and JoAnn T. Padgett, Frances P. Hauck, Bernice P Heath, Brandt and Angie Vickery, Katie Vickery, Brandtley Vickery, James and Wanda Britt, Leah Byrne, Kylie and Colby Byrne,.Haley Cooper, Jerry and Donna Kendrick, Brooks Brown, Beverly Ruark, Charles Ware, Billy and Frances Mims, Tommie and Phyllis Norman, Greg and Tammi Norman, Casey Norman, Kaytelyn Dawkins, Dudley and Susan Bryant, Daryl Bentley, Gerald and Holly Lawson, and Chase; Myrtle Belangia, Dianne Poteet, Rev. David and Pat Jenkins and Jack Smalley.