Malden Church "Channels" Hee Haw

Nov 08, 2014

PHOTO – County Clerk-elect Kent Hampton emcees the Hee-Haw program at First Southern Baptist Church at Malden.

by Mike Hankins

MALDEN – Hee Haw night at the First Southern Baptist Church here Friday evening was an uproarious success.

The hillbilly-inspired fellowship and fun was the second time church members united to perform the program made popular by the country-themed television series that starred Buck Owens, Minnie Pearl, Archie Campbell and Roy Clark, to name a few.

Dunklin County Clerk-elect Kent Hampton donned Jed Clampett-like jeans and a spiffy country-fried hat to emcee the event.

Rick Allen in his Hee Haw outfit

Rick Allen in his Hee Haw outfit

Hampton was joined in the church’s Family Life Center by about 40 cast members that featured the church choir, which performed songs, skits and stand-up jokes outfitted in hillbilly apparel; the humor of hayseed Gary Cole and barber Rick Allen; Sherry Cole’s impersonation of the effervescent Minnie Pearl; a wonderful solo by youngster Caraline LeBlanc; and the rendering of Bluegrass numbers by an air-jug band led by the Rev. Aulden LeBlanc.

The center was transformed into the Hee-Haw set, complete with hay bales, corn rows and fencing backed by a large red backdrop with the title of the program displayed prominently.

Prior to the entertainment, church members and their guests were treated to a supper of country stew and cornbread, followed by an assortment of delicious desserts.

“I don’t know if you noticed,” Hampton said. “But there’s not much corn in the stew.

Joyce Bruce was recognized for 45 years of service in nursery

Joyce Bruce was recognized for 45 years of service in nursery

“Don’t worry though,” he mused. “You’ll get a full serving of corn right here.”

And those in attendance were not disappointed. Interspersed among the skits and jokes were traditional southern hymns that included “Victory in Jesus,” “In the Garden,” “Lilly of the Valley,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,” “In the Sweet By and By,” and “Amazing Grace.”

Long-time church member and seamstress-extraordinaire Joyce Bruce was recognized by the congregation and thanked for her 45 years of service teaching the nursery class.

The event was organized by members Sherry Cole and Amy Coleman.