Dear Editor:
After reading Tuesday’s “Sweet Tea” Column about Helena by Jay Grelen in the Democrat Gazette, I started thinking about how this has happened. So many fingers could be pointed in all directions, but they should be pointed back at us, the people of Phillips County.
Anyone that has lived in Phillips County before 1990 knew my brother, Gene Davis, owner of Hart’s Shoe Store for many years. No family ever went in Hart’s needing shoes, but could not pay for them left with no shoes. My brother loved Helena, and worked with the sheriffs, police and firemen in anyway they needed him. When the memorial wall was built on the levee walk, the first name that went on it was Eugene C. Davis, because he was “Mr. Helena.” You could see him smiling and waving at everyone that passed the corner of Cherry and York streets. My sister, Mary Ruth Hollowell, that has worked at Helena National Bank for many years had to change her way of going home, because she missed seeing our brother there.
He was always kind and fair to everyone. When our nephew, Jay Hollowell came home from college, and got involved with the city council, Gene was so proud of him. Jay is very much like his Uncle Gene. He too has always been fair to both black and white people. He had a great teacher in his Uncle Gene, and also his Papaw Davis, who was a deputy sheriff for many years with Mr. Edgar Hickey. Jay grew up listening and learning about laws that everyone should live by.
When Helena-West Helena consolidated, it was not just one man that made it happen. It took many people working, and voting together to make it happen. Now the merchants and property owners need to go to the city council meetings, and back your elected councilmen. So when they say they are speaking for their constituents in their ward, they have your needs in mind. If you don’t back the councilman, yours may become the next closed business, and empty building.
I do not live in the city limits of Helena-West Helena now, but it will always be my home. I have wonderful memories of walking home from Helena Junior High School on Biscoe St. to 1009 Ohio St. with my friends, never afraid. When I got home a sweet, sweet little black lady, named Bessie Cleveland was waiting for me. We always shared a snack together. She loved me and I loved her. We never saw a color difference. I think our town could learn that too. I have a classmate that has moved away telling me that Helena-West Helena is dead; it just had not rolled over yet. I do not believe that. We are so blest with many of our young people coming home as doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, and physical therapists. So there is hope for a better tomorrow. It is going to take everyone working for the best for out towns, and not for just the best for himself.
Thanks
Billie Sue Rohrscheib
