We are sorry to learn of the death of Mrs. Beulah Thigpen, widow of Rev. Willie Thigpen. Our prayers are with her family, especially her grandson, Bobbie Thigpen.
Pastor Kevin Battle, son of the late Mrs. Marquita Crudup Battle Patrick and Mr. Lonnie Battle, was memorialized Friday at Union Grove M. B. Church and Pastor Timothy Ringo delivered his eulogy. Mrs. Susie Jackson was the Mistress of Ceremony. Other program participants were Pastors Roger Pearson and Christoper Spivey, Minister Alton Smith, Elder Paul Hughes, Bishop Robert Smith, Mothers Lorraine Moncrief and Carolyn Smith, and Evangelist Earnestine Reed. Our prayers are with his father, daughter Chiquita Williams and son Tyrone Battle. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Members of the Mt. Olive MB Church family, friends, and governmental officials paused and gathered Sunday, March 17th to celebrate the legacy of Mrs. Ester Patrick Perry. The theme was “A True Mother in God’s House.”
The city of Forest declared March 17th as Ester Perry Day, and the Proclamation was presented by Mayor Pro-Tempore Cynthia Slaughter Melton. Chancery Clerk Tom Miles read two Proclamations, one from his office and the other from the MS House of Representative Kenji Holloway. Her Pastor Rev. Charles E. Bell, Jr. presided over this Mother’s Recognition Ceremony for Mrs. Perry. Among those making presentations and tributes were her daughter, Chineta Perry (Mt Olive Deaconess) who represented her family (Malcom Marlo and Sabrina Perry, Jordan Stewart, Cara Robinson-Ringo, and Wave Ringo), Maran Towner, Pastor and Mrs. Charles Bell, Jr., Lisa Darby (teacher), Dorothy Strong (MHV and Cluster Club), Charlene Youngblood (New Bethel M. B. Church), the late Hattie Jennings family, John R. Anderson (Green Grove), Cynthia Slaughter Melton (Scott County JSU Alumni Association), Frances Burgess, Delano Barney, Jean McDaniels, and Cindy Williams. The Celebration continued at the Back Forty. Congratulations to Mrs. Perry for her outstanding contributions to our community!
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, Martha Reed, Thelma Keys, Rita Wash, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Diane “Tooty” Herring, Robert Jennings, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Jones Lofton, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, LaToya McClendon, Don Bell, Gail Lee, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha Denise Benton, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Travis Ward, Eleanor Longmire, Rubin Ruiz, Curtis Derrick, Jordan Crump, Albert Lee Payton, Timothy Crudup, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Bobbie Carter, 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, Sammie Jean Webb, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch and Mary Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, Renea Taylor, James Earl Nickson, Juanita Jones, Margaret Johnson Gammage, Charles Laster, Paulette Lyles, Roosevelt “Shane” Smith, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Morton Mayor Gerald Keeton was the speaker for the Wednesday Lenten Luncheon at the Morton UM Church on March 20th. He shared his experiences where God shaped his life and ordered his steps. He has placed God first in his life before and after his mayoral tenure. Mayor Keeton thanked Pastor Cumbest for her dedication, leadership, and love for her members. Special thanks to the ladies who prepared the delicious lunches served during the Wednesday Lenten Luncheons at the Morton UM Church. Among those preparing these meals were Mesdames Patsy Garber (tea cakes), Melanie Garner, Jeannine Robertson, Linda Hatch, Beverly Freeman, Janet Richardson, Frisky Roland, Lynette Harris, Shelia Stokley, Brenda Scank, and Eileen Stevens. Rev. Sheila Cumbest is the pastor.
Legacy Change Agents continued their Connections CARE Reading Saturday Camp and fun activities. Executive Director/ Camp Director Constance Burwell, who facilitated the session, was assisted by Coach Datodrick Pinkston, Myla Sanders, and Mrs. Melissa Barnes who prepared the older students for their journey into high school. Attending the Saturday session were Braylan Scott, Kiere Jones, Ja’Zieon Shepard, Megan Barnes, Laila Harris, Nate James, Aniyah James, James Burwell, III, Autumn Jones, Zaniyah Brazle, and Raigen Walker.
Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton made her monthly visit to Lackey Convalescent Home on March 4th to celebrate the January and February “Babies.” January babies were Doris Townsend and Angela Stroud, and February babies were Andrea Harrison and Leslie Anderson. The ladies received a gift from Melton, as well as a beautiful cake, ice cream and “Bags of Joy Snacks” which were also donated by Melton. Scott County Times articles were discussed. The visits are in memory of cousins Naomi Dean Williams and Olivia Kelley Slaughter.
We enjoyed Ladies' Night at the Forest Public Library on March 19th. It was a combination of eating “new and different styled” food, a unique fashion show for older women, chair yoga, and dancing. Thanks to Librarian Diane McLaurin, and staff for coordinating this event.
MHV Cluster Club met on Thursday, March 21st at the downtown Extension Office. Mary Lofton was the hostess and she provided devotion and refreshments. Connie Wash and Carolyn Macon presided over the meeting. Other members present were Desiree Bradford, Dorothy Strong, and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. Thanks to Desiree Bradford for recruiting the newest member, Dorothy “Dale” Bradford who was welcomed to the Club. The April 4th meeting will be hosted by Ester Perry. Care baskets will be packed for senior citizens during that meeting.
Members and alumni of the Constance Slaughter Harvey Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at the University of MS School of Law celebrated their 51st Anniversary. The Celebration was held March 23rd, and the theme was “A Legacy of Excellence.”
Slaughter-Harvey brought greetings and expressed appreciation for the commitment and hard work of the members and alumni. Attorney Kimberly McCray Hampton was the keynote speaker, and she was introduced by BLSA Vice President Joanne Igbinosun.
Legacy Change Agents salute U. S. District Court Judge Tom Lee for his display of judicial integrity, courage and legal acumen, and the professional way he conducted his courtroom and sentencing hearing regarding the “Goon Squad” and their actions toward Rankin County citizens Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. Judge Lee was faithful to his judicial oath and made us proud!
Our readers are invited to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt at Roosevelt State Park in Morton on Saturday, March 30th with registration at 9:30 and activities from 10:00 until noon.
Happy Birthday greeting to April babies who will celebrate their special days, namely, Ann Williams and Unity Bell (1), Roseann Lynn and Arianna Laster (2), Wealth Hunter and Martha Reed (3), and Alice Gray, Henry Minor, and Jakeshia Moore (7).
Answer to Women’s Quiz Teaser #765: Gloria Steinman is a writer, political activist, and feminist organizer, and is one of the founders of the Women’s Action Alliance, National Women’s Political Caucus, Ms. Magazine, New York Magazine, Free to Be Foundation, Ms. Foundation for Women and Women’s Media Center. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd provided the correct response.
Women’s History Quiz Teaser #766: Who was the first African American female judge in the United States? Who was the first African American federal judge? Who is the first African American U. S. Supreme Court Justice? Who was the first female judge in the United States? Who was the first female federal judge? Who was the first female U. S. Supreme Court Justice?
