As requested at my dad's passing, the Jim R. "POP" Reese family returned him to Rolling Creek Baptist Church in Clarke County for internment.

Although his visitation & services were held at Chancellors Funeral Home in Byram, Ms. the task of a funeral procession for the  WWII veteran to travel the many miles back were arranged in precise detail including a leading Patriot Guard escort.

 The weight of the loss of a loved one is bad enough on the heart, soul & emotions, but to add having a very large family, & many friends

to co-ordinate & complete such an important event is more than nerve racking.

 When the time came to put the funeral procession in motion the Hinds County Sheriffs Dept. escorted us through Hinds County. Once we crossed into Rankin County on I-20 it was there that the entire family became disgusted, angry, & very ashamed of the actions of other motorist. Drivers would go as far as crossing from the left lane in front or behind the hearse carrying my dad to jump off an exit ramp. People in the bigger cities in America have become in such a rush on our roads & lost so much respect for others. At one point this was so bad & angered one of dad's grandsons that he made a cardboard sign & displayed it to the rude motorist stating: "IT"S CALLED RESPECT!"

 Earlier in the week I notified Sheriff Todd Kemp & Deputy J.G. Kufel of our procession arrangements & I was assured the Clarke County escort plans would be well taken care of. Living in Clarke County I knew those words were very true & the least of my worries would be traveling from I-59 at Enterprise to Rolling Creek Baptist Church. I can't express how huge a burden was lifted as soon as the North Enterprise exit was in view & J.G. was in place with blue lights flashing.

 At this point of the long trek I can only say "It was a whole new ballgame for us folks!" As we came through Enterprise & Stonewall people working in their yard, people fishing, people doing construction, & even one man stopped his riding lawn mower, if they had hats on their head it was off & over their heart,every citizen we passed in this county placed their hand over their heart, every vehicle pulled to the side & allowed the procession to pass with honor.

RESPECT... No one hand to hold  a sign up to the citizens of Clarke County! As family, & friends & members of the procession arrived & exited their vehicle everyone commented & agreed: "We understand fully why POP chose to come to Clarke County  to be laid to rest."

I hold no words equal enough to express to everyone of Clarke County how proud I, [Peanut Smith] am to be a member of this community!

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Thank you:

Clarke County Sheriffs Dept.

Enterprise Police Dept.

Stonewall Police Dept.

Pastor Ronnie Copper

Rolling Creek Baptist Church & all it's members.

The many friends that have have prayed & been a great support team for our family during this time.

The citizens of Clarke County, Ms.