“There are a few ways to practice humility: To speak as little as possible of one’s self. To mind one’s own business. Not to want to manage other people’s business. Not to want to manage other people’s affairs. To avoid curiosity. To accept contradictions and corrections cheerfully. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten, and disliked. To be kind and gentle even under provocation.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Lewis Lyles who transitioned March 7th at his home. Memorial services are incomplete and Evans Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Dr. John Garner, former Tougaloo College physics professor and civil and human rights activist. He and his wife Margrit remained active advocates for the marginalized since the 1960’s. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Dr. Elaine Anthony, former interim president at Jackson State University. She was a Jackson educator for more than 35 years. Please keep her family in your prayers!
Family, friends, classmates, colleagues, parents, students and others paid their final tributes to Dr. Rhonda Denise Kelley at the Forest Elementary School Auditorium on March 7th. It was a beautiful Celebration of her Life and Legacy, and the venue was most appropriate since Dr. Kelley dedicated her life and services to the Forest elementary students.
Agape Faith Gospel Church Pastor Jerome Odom officiated and delivered her eulogy. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd, a close friend of Dr. Kelley, was the Mistress of Ceremony. Program participants were Pastor Walter Patrick, Pastor Sheldon Thomas, Evangelist Somer Moore, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Esq. (Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc), James ‘Tre’ Burwell, III who read the Legacy Board Resolution, Superintendent Dr. Melanie Nelson (Forest Municipal School District), Mrs. Mavis Harris Dixon (NAACP and FMSD), and Ms. Victoria Hodge (Miss Ebony Scott Beauty Pageant). Expressions of love tributes were shared by others in attendance, namely, Joe Tucker, Johnny Harper (representing the Forest High School class of 1971), Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Carter High classmates (1971) who were represented by Ms. Elaine Kelley, Evangelist Ernestine Reed, Mae Butler Williams, Dr. Kelley’s 85-year-old aunt, Halle Pace ( a Legacy Scholar who expressed her love for Dr. Kelley with her handwritten letter) and other relatives and friends.
Dr. Kelley’s Celebration of Life reflected her contributions to this community, especially her 28 years as an educator at the Forest Elementary School. These contributions were shared with friends and family during her retirement ceremony in June 2025, and in her obituary. She was a member of MSU and JSU Alumni Associations, Community Group 15, NEA, and NAACP. Dr. Kelley was the founder of the Miss Ebony Scott Beauty Pageant, Legacy Star Teacher for 3 years and 2025 Legacy Volunteer, and she recently received the Scott County NAACP Image Award for Excellence in Education.
Our prayers are with her family, especially her sons, Jimmy L. Brown, III and John Wesley Kelley Brown, stepsister Vernetta Barton, niece Yonkardia Lewing, great-nieces Janiyah Mattox-Davis and Brooklyn Thomas, great-great-nephew/niece Kaiden Mattox and Kalia Davis, and her aunt Lula Kelley. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Ronnie Willliams, Rev. John Perkins, Clarice Slaughter Bell, Ester Perry, Jo Taylor, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, R.C. Williams, 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, 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.
Congratulations to the Morton Panthers who secured the MHSAA 4A Boys Basketball State Championship on March 6th after defeating Leake Central Gators 67-55 to win their first state title since 1998!!!!! Coach Maurice Bowie, a former Panther, was elated as the Panthers finished their championship run with a 22-8 record and a six-game winning streak. We’re proud of the Panthers and Coach Bowie and his coaching staff! Way to go!!!
Congratulations to Nyah Davis who was recently inducted into the I.D.E.A.L. Women Organization at Tougaloo College as a member of the organization’s Alpha Class, the inaugural group of women selected for membership. This honor recognizes women who demonstrate leadership, strong character, and a commitment to excellence on campus and within their communities. Nyah is a 2025 Honor Graduate of Forest High School, and is the daughter of Derek, Jr. and Tonya Harper Davis. Way to go Nyah!!
The Scott County JSU Alumni Association members met on March 5th at the Forest Services Center. Projects discussed were the Little Miss and Master Jackson State (Baby Contest) to be held March 22nd at the Forest Services Center. On that same day, a fundraiser raffle will be held on a 55’ TV, $50 gift card, and a $25 card. Members attending were Albert Gray, Janet Williams, Bonnie Stower, Rosie Anderson, Jalissa Rodriquez Caroly Macon, and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. Please contact any member for raffle or Baby Contest information.
We enjoyed celebrating International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8th where we commemorated women’s fight for equality and liberation along with the women’s rights movement. Celebration of this Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. International Women’s Day is a public holiday in several countries. The United Nations observes the holding in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights. Last year’s theme was “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality; and this year’s theme is “Rights. Justice. Action.”
Thanks to the members of the Morton United Methodist Church for a standing invitation to join in the observance of the Lenten season during their Wednesday Noon Luncheons. The Morton United Methodist Church Pastor, Rev. Dwayne Scoggins, shared the Lenten message and challenged us to ask ourselves, “Who is my Neighbor and How Can I Help?”
The March 1st Lynch Chapel U. M. (Lynch) Church services began with a song of Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lillian Gray who celebrated her special day with church family. Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton honored March babies (Lillian Gray and Arlette Gray) with Joy Snack Bags in memory of her mother, Mrs. Olivia Kelley Slaughter, former Lynch Sunday School Superintendent.
Happy Birthday greetings to March Babies born during the third week, namely, Ruby Robinson, Miriam Mejia and John Burks (13), Stevie Williams (14), Brittany Jones and Fredna Glover Warnsley (17) and Peggie Hughes (18).
Answer to 2026 Women’s History Month # 874: The late Dr. Barbara Charline Jordan, lawyer, elected official, and educator, was the first southern African American woman elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. She was known for her oratorical abilities, and she achieved national fame for her televised opening statement at the House Judiciary Committee hearings during the impeachment process against Richard Nixon. In 1976, she became the first women and first African American to deliver a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention.
2026 Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 875: Who was the first woman to hold the office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi and in the Southern United States?
