“Try not to judge people. If you judge others, then you are not loving them. You cannot judge and love at the same time. Instead, try to help them by seeing their needs and acting to meet them. It isn’t what anyone may or may not have done, but what you have done that matters in God’s eyes.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
A beautiful grave side service was held for Ms. Ashley Dawn Rhodes at the Farris Hill Cemetery on February 20th in Pelahatchie. Christian Banner U. M. Church Pastor Vincent Hopkins officiated. Our prayers continue to be with her parents, Dock Rhodes and Dr. Stephanie York Rhodes, and her best friend and sister Amy Rhodes. Please continue to remember her family in your prayers. Wolf Funeral Home in Morton was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of the late Rev. Jessie Louis Jackson who died February 17th at the age of 84 in his hometown of Chicago. Rev. Jackson, civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister, was a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and became one of the most prominent civil rights spokespersons of the late 20th century.
From 1991 until 1997, he served as a shadow delegate and shadow senator for the District of Columbia. He formed the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Rev. Jackson was a candidate for President of the United States in 1984 and 1988. Our prayers are with his family especially his wife, Jacqueline Brown Jackson, and children.
Please continue to be with our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice Slaughter Bell, R. C. Williams, Jo Taylor, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Connie Sorey, LaToya, Que, and LaTasha McClendon, Bobby Carter, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Eleanor Longmire, Cathia Coleman, Connie Parker, Jordan Crump, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Virginia Hannah, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Rev. Henry Patrick, Lucy V. Moore, Sidney Ellis, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Lillian Gray, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, John Norman, Juanita Jones, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Wells Gray, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Ester Perry, Annie Curry, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie, Elijah, and Symone Ickom, Charity Robinson, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Bobby Hodges, Wayne Lindsey, Patsy Bradford, Marie Graham, Rita Wash, Willie Wash, Margaret Bates, Lillie Mae Rodriguez Stewart, Cordell Hughes, Clyde Curry, Bobby Joe Spivey, Al and Lesa Bergin, Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr. and Rita Moody.
Kudos to the Bettye Mae Jack (BMJ) Middle School family of students, staff, alumni, and community members who gathered on February 19th in a spirit of gratitude to honor Miss Jack’s lasting impact on education and the community.
The theme for this annual celebration was “Dream Forward: Be the Change that Turns Present Aspirations into Future Legacies.” The Morton High School Jazz Band (MHS), BMJ Jazz Band and BMJ Dance Team, and Morton Elementary School’s Voices of Legacy added to the enjoyment of the program.
The Murrah High School Choir from Jackson, under of the direction of Jeremy Jernigan, served as special guests, moving the audience with powerful a cappella renditions of the Negro spirituals “Wade in the Water,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Rocka My Soul.”
Morton Elementary School students delivered an original poem titled “Voices of Legacy,” written by Black History Month Chairperson and Cyber Foundations teacher Angel Myers. The poem told the story of the educational experiences lived by BMJ alumni.
The highlight of the BMJ Black History Program was the presentation of the Ms. Bettye Mae Jack Living Legacy Award Recipients, namely Mrs. Lloyce Gary Walker Collier (99-year-old church and community icon and school cafeteria chef), Mrs. Shirley Stingley Norris (elementary teacher and educator), and Mrs. Sarah Burgess Williams (high school teacher and educator) who was unable to attend. The Plaques and Legacy Candles/Flames were presented by Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey who introduced each honoree by sharing their many contributions to the educational system, especially during the days of separate schools. The Candle Flames delineated the strength of each honoree. Each honoree was recognized for her strength, perseverance, lifelong faith, and commitment to excellence.
Program participants included Coach Eric Jones, Kaleb Motiean, Deontae Moppins, Ja’Koby Reese, Joseph Sontay, Rudy Martinez, D. J. Deering, Dakota Coward, Xaviar Jennings, Mayor Steadman and Ms. Angel Myers. In addition to Chairperson Myers, other members of the Black History Committee are Mrs. Victoria Hodge, Mrs. Jasmine McDonald-Murray, Ms. Stephanie Hord, Ms. Darshae Sanders, and Mr. John Quinn.
Student artwork and Black history projects decorated the main hallway as tributes, symbolizing gratitude for the paths the alumni helped clear.
The program served as a reminder that Black history is not only about the past but also about living examples of resilience and hope. The Program Celebration proved that legacy is not just remembered, it is celebrated, enhanced, and carried forward.
Additional details will be shared in next week’s column. Thanks to all who assisted in making this Black History Program meaningful, enjoyable, memorable, and challenging.
Congratulations to Florida attorney Harold T. (H.T.) Smith who was honored last week with the Inaugural H. T. Smith Symposium at the University of Miami School of Law. Both Attorney Smith and his wife Mrs. Veronika Garmon Smith are original Legacy Donors.
Congratulations to little Miss Wave Ringo, daughter of Cara and Shinod Ringo. As the 2025-26 Miss Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center, she represented Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center at the Formal Sneaker Ball. The event was held on February 20th at the JSU Student Center Ballroom. We’re proud of Miss Wave who has participated in the Legacy/Slaughter Library Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk/Parade since her introduction as an infant in her stroller.
Special thanks to Mrs. Cassandra Burkes of the Morton Post Office for her many courtesies and professionalism.
Alderman Cynthia Slaughter Melton was invited to speak to the 9th graders of Ms. Brianna White’s class in recognition of Black History Month to Black History Firsts. Alderwoman Melton became Forest’s first African American Female Elected Official when she was elected Alderwoman in 1997. Her father, the late W. L. Slaughter, was the first Forest African American Elected Official when he was elected Alderman in 1977 and re-elected in 1981. Melton discussed her journey and duties as alderwoman and the structure of city government as well as other family firsts. The students were gifted with her “Bags of Joy Snacks.” She thanked Ms. White, Mrs. Tonya Harper Davis, and Ms. Mitchell for the invitation and assistance.
The SCTS/ETHHS Reunion Planning Committee President Susie Jackson Boyd announced the 2026 Reunion will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 (one day only) at the Hawkins Middle School in the Marshal Longmire Gymnasium. Additional details will be shared in this column including the date of the meeting of the Planning Committee.
The Scott County JSU Alumni Association will meet on Thursday, February 26th at 5:30 at the Forest Services Center.
Happy Belated Birthday to Ms. Lillie Pearl Battle who celebrated her birthday on February 19th with family and friends and enjoyed three birthday dinner celebrations starting the week before her birthday. She shares her birthday (same day, month, and year) with her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Eloise Ealy Jones. Happy Belated Birthday Mrs. Jones and Ms. Battle.
Happy Birthday greetings to March babies born during the first week, namely Lillian Gray and Kendrick Haralson (1), Bobby Harris Greer, Undrae Evans, Mary Patrick, Shonda Sanders, Laila Brantley, Joseph Greenhouse, and Julianna Rowell (3), Sherrita McBride (4), and Ramona Strong, Letitia Ringo and Dezavian Evans (5).
Answer to 2026 Black History Quiz Teaser #872: Which native Mississippian recently had documents sent to Rome concerning her sainthood? On February 9th, the Mass of Thanksgiving and Closing Session of the Diocesan Phase of Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA was held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Jackson. The cause for sainthood for Sister Thea Bowman, a pioneering Black Catholic Franciscan sister and educator, advanced to the Vatican as of February 9th. After closing the diocesan phase in Mississippi, she holds the title “Servant of God” and is recognized for her “heroic virtue” and dedication to intercultural awareness. Sr. Thea was born in Canton, MS and was the only African American member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA). She was a prominent educator, advocate for Black Catholic spirituality, and the first African American woman to address the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2026 Black History Quiz Teaser #873: Who was the first African American United States Attorney General?
