The News Reporter

By WALLYCE TODD

I like to know people who walk their talk. In a world full of hypocrisy and facade, I am grateful when I meet people who make an ongoing honest endeavor to do what they say, say what they mean, and mean what they say.

In these last months, I have been researching how Columbus County can be helped economically and spiritually. While I think the latter is the most important, the former is an integral part of the overall health of a community.

In my search, I’ve come in contact with an extended family who are far from perfect (all of us humans are that way), but who -- in my opinion -- walk their talk.

In 1968, When Elroy Bailey married Peggy Gore Wooten, who was George Wooten, Meg W. Hinson and Greer W. Avant’s mom, he likely didn’t know what an impact his stepchildren would make in business, missions and ministry. Yet, as years have passed, his three stepchildren have married, raised children and helped build businesses in Columbus County.

Though I wish I could, I cannot write about every person in our community who makes positive contributions. In fact, I can’t even write about all of Elroy’s family. Space and time just don’t allow for that.

So, today, I’m going to share with you just a bit of what I’ve discovered about the family of George and Alice Wooten, several of whom own and operate Wayne E. Bailey (WEB) Produce.

In a county where some businesses come and then go, and others never even enter into the community, WEB is one family business that is surviving and thriving.

George Wooten Jr. knew how to party as a young man, but he also knew how to work hard. He drove an oil truck for years and squeezed in his first sweet potato sales while his load was being replenished.

Now, the produce company started by a stepgranddaddy who said George would never amount to much has grown into a business that distributes yams over a large portion of the U.S.
Once George came to know Jesus as Savior, his partying ways changed. Oh, he and his family still love to have a good time, but now they do it for the Lord. WEB has sponsored a number of inspirational concerts... not to build their own business, but to grow the kingdom of God.

Here’s a family business that sees good citizenship as more than being a productive member of a county, country or world. The generational blessing of the Baileys via the Wootens is not limited to just the biological and extended members of their family...it’s stretching out into eternity.
That’s a walk I like to see.


		Generational blessings benefits community By WALLYCE TODD I like to know people who walk their talk. In a world full of hypocrisy and facade, I am grateful when I meet people who make an ongoing honest endeavor to do what they say, say what they mean, and mean what they say. In these last months, I have been researching how Columbus County can be helped economically and spiritually. While I think the latter is the most important, the former is an integral part of the overall health of a community. In my search, I’ve come in contact with an extended family who are far from perfect (all of us humans are that way), but who -- in my opinion -- walk their talk. In 1968, When Elroy Bailey married Peggy Gore Wooten, who was George Wooten, Meg W. Hinson and Greer W. Avant’s mom, he likely didn’t know what an impact his stepchildren would make in business, missions and ministry. Yet, as years have passed, his three stepchildren have married, raised children and helped build businesses in Columbus County. Though I wish I could, I cannot write about every person in our community who makes positive contributions. In fact, I can’t even write about all of Elroy’s family. Space and time just don’t allow for that. So, today, I’m going to share with you just a bit of what I’ve discovered about the family of George and Alice Wooten, several of whom own and operate Wayne E. Bailey (WEB) Produce. In a county where some businesses come and then go, and others never even enter into the community, WEB is one family business that is surviving and thriving. George Wooten Jr. knew how to party as a young man, but he also knew how to work hard. He drove an oil truck for years and squeezed in his first sweet potato sales while his load was being replenished. Now, the produce company started by a stepgranddaddy who said George would never amount to much has grown into a business that distributes yams over a large portion of the U.S. Once George came to know Jesus as Savior, his partying ways changed. Oh, he and his family still love to have a good time, but now they do it for the Lord. WEB has sponsored a number of inspirational concerts... not to build their own business, but to grow the kingdom of God. Here’s a family business that sees good citizenship as more than being a productive member of a county, country or world. The generational blessing of the Baileys via the Wootens is not limited to just the biological and extended members of their family...it’s stretching out into eternity. That’s a walk I like to see.


				Wallyce Todd

				MORE SPIRIT SONG