Jennifer Josey Searan, a photo journalist,circulations manager and secretary for the Cairo Messenger said, “Small newspaper employees wear many hats!”

Such was the case on last Friday as Jennifer left her newspaper job behind and became a doting Auntie and Mommy.

Jennifer and her brother, John Josey, called Climax home for most of their childhood years. Upon growing up and going their separate ways, Jennifer to North Carolina, back to South Georgia and the Messenger, and John eventually to Millersburg, Missouri, where he has a construction crew, some 872.8 miles from home and Climax.

“The old saying there is a special bond between cousins that time and distance can’t break is also true for siblings,” Jennifer said.

Living so far away in Missouri, John and his wife, Stacy, said it makes holidays and special celebrations extremely hard for them and their new little 2-year-old daughter to see everyone. So John and Stacy make a 13-hour road trip one way, every summer to visit family in South Georgia with their little miracle daughter Jordan Grace by their side.

Being the person with many hats, Jennifer got an idea, and with the help of her Mother, Janice May, a surprise birthday party for her little niece she gets to see only a few times a year began to take shape. To make it even better, Jennifer’s sons, Jeffery Weatherford and Jacob Hunter Searan of Foulstown, just recently celebrated their birthdays with Jeffery turning 15 and 6-years-old, respectively. Jennifer said she thought this would be a great opportunity to get all the family together in one location to visit and fellowship.

Grandmother Janice eagerly began the preparations for the celebration. The event would take place in Climax at Parker Park since the weather had been nice and relative cool, and there was plenty of outdoor space for the children to play. Family, extended family members and friends received inviting phone calls, then cake, balloons and food was ordered. The big day was chosen as Friday, June 13, the day before John, Stacy and Jordan would return to Missouri.

Around 35 family members met the surprised visiting couple at Parker Park in Climax. On the Friday at 6:30 p.m., little Jordan and her parents were greeted with a large homemade birthday card and sign in downtown Climax at the corner of Parker Park and Main Street near the railroad track. Everyone enjoyed helping this special 2-year-old little girl have a memorable South Georgia birthday celebration with her special cousins joining her.

John and Jennifer are the son and daughter of Wayne Josey of Bainbridge and Janice May of Climax. Jeffery, Jacob, and Jordan, are also the grandchildren of Wayne and Janice.

Little Jordan, Jeffery, and Jacob are the great grandchilden of Charles and Lanette Kelly and the late J.C. Josey and Rebecca Josey, and the great great grandchildren of the late Edgar and the late Pauline Boyett, and the late Melvin and the late Maggie Kelly all of Climax.