“When God created us, He created us out of love. There is no other explanation because God is love. And He created us to love and be loved. If we could remember that all the time, there would be no wars, no violence, no hatred in the world. So beautiful, So simple.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Tavon Javarius Fountain who was called to Heaven on Saturday, March 1st and will be memorialized March 15th at 11:00 at Lynch Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a 2015 Forest High School graduate, an employee at Fed Ex in Pearl, and an insurance claims manager. Our prayers are with his family, especially his parents Mrs. Deborah Ann Fountain and Mr. Thomas Fountain, his brother Terrence (Courtney) Fountain, and his grandmother, Mrs. Aretha Gray. His final arrangements have been entrusted to Holifield Funeral Home. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We join others across the state and nation in honoring the life and legacy of former MS Speaker Pro Tempore Robert G. Clark, Jr. who died Tuesday, March 4th at his home in Lexington. We recall the friendship he and the late W. L. Slaughter maintained which started during their high school football referee days. Both were educators, coaches, referees, and elected officials.
Speaker Pro Tempore Clark, a native of Holmes County and graduate of Jackson State and Michigan State University, won a highly contested race in 1967. With this victory, he became Mississippi’s first African American Representative of the 20th century. Following his swearing in ceremony in 1968 (where he had to file legal action to be seated), he was forced to sit solo in a two-person seat in the House chambers and was ignored by his colleagues for more than three years.
After having served more than 20 years, he was elected to the second and highest leadership role in the House of Representatives and became Speaker Pro Tempore in January 1992 and served in that position until his retirement in 2003. The 301 Lamar Street Building in Jackson was renamed the Robert G. Clark, Jr. Building in 2004.
Our prayers are with his family, especially his wife, Mrs. Jo Ann Ross Clark and his sons, Representative Robert G. Clark, III, Esq., and Chancery Judge W. Bryant Clark. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We continue to remember those who are facing health challenges, and we are heartened by the news of some who have shown improvement. We stand in solidarity with Pope Francis, R. C. Williams, Don Bell, Glenda Graham, Gloria Crump, Robert Jennings, Rita Wash, Dorothy Pinkston, Gail Lee, Wells Gray, McArthur Cotton, Margaret Wodetzki, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Martha Reed, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha Benton, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Travis Ward, Eleanor Longmire, Rubin and Belsy Ruiz, Curtis Derrick, Jordan Crump, Albert Lee Payton, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Kristie Ware, Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, 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, Ruby Rhodes, John Norman, Renea Taylor, Juanita Jones, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Tony Chance, Annie Curry, Miriam Mejia, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen White, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie and Symone Ickom, Linda Broadfoot, Bishop Odee Akines, and Linda Martin Solomon.
This year’s Lenten Season (Lent) started with Ash Wednesday, March 5th and will end at sundown on Thursday, April 17, which is the day known as Holy Thursday. This day commemorated the Last Supper shared by Jesus and his disciples. The three days from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday are known separately as the Triduum, a three-day long liturgy or official rites. Lent serves as a time for Christians to engage in self-examination, fasting, and contemplation of their spiritual restoration and growth.
Pastor Larry Reed, Sr. delivered a powerful message to his Bartholomew Church family. During his message, “The Priority of Praise,” he referenced Psalm 65:1-4 and reminded us that God is always delivering miracles, and every day is a good day to praise God. Praise should be a full-time activity especially when we count God’s goodness in our lives.
“Bearcat Buddy” Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton spoke to FES second graders during Read Across American Week. She practiced an “Old School” approach and students used pencils and notepads for a quiz following her presentation. The students enjoyed the challenge. Thanks to Community Bank for donation of pencils. Melton looks forward to her April visit to Mrs. Patrick’s class.
We salute the late Mrs. Annie Bell Robinson Devine, whose Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker was unveiled February 25th at the Canton High School Auditorium. The marker is situated on the west side of the Madison County Courthouse grounds. Her daughter, Minister Barbara Devine Reed, was the guest speaker. Mrs. Devine was a graduate of the Lay Advocacy Program sponsored by the Southern Legal Rights Association, which was housed in the W. L. Slaughter Library from 1973-79.
Attorney Erica McKinley, 1998 salutatorian and summa cum laude graduate from the University of MS School of Law, was the speaker for the Constance Slaughter-Harvey Chapter of the Black Law Students Association Annual Scholarship and Award Banquet on March 1st. Attorney McKinley served the University as Chief Legal Officer for four years. She addressed the theme “Honoring Our Past. Celebrating Our Present and Embracing Our Future.” Chapter President Natori Weathersby introduced Attorney McKinley and Vice President Alexis Cobbs introduced Constance Slaughter-Harvey who challenged honorees to continue to reflect echoes of excellence. Dr. Constance Olivia Harvey Burwell and James A. Emmanuel Burwell, III (Tre’) enjoyed the banquet and touring the campus. Kudos to the “E-Committee” members for such a wonderful event.
The Scott County JSU Alumni Association will meet on Thursday, March 13th at 5:30 at the Forest Services Center.
Happy Birthday greetings to March babies born during the third week, namely Janakia Patrick (12), Ruby Robinson, Miriam Mejia and John Burks (13), Stevie Williams (14), and Brittany Jones and Fredna Glover Warnsley (17).
Answer to National Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 813: The late Evelyn Gandy broke several barriers when she became the first woman to be elected to the MS legislature in 1947 (Forrest County), State Insurance Commissioner (1972-76), and Lieutenant Governor (1976-80). She was a role model to many women and will be remembered as a “Trailblazer in Leadership.”
National Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser #814: Which female attorney served as ambassador to Luxembourg, Cabinet Secretary for two Departments, and as Dean of Howard Law School?
