“We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace; we need love and compassion. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish all hatred and love of power in the world and in the hearts of all men.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
The Life of Mr. David Daniel Parrott was celebrated on March 14th at Midway M. B. Church with Pastor Christopher Derricks officiating and delivering Mr. Parrott’s eulogy. The Mistress of Ceremony was Ms. Sylvia Kennedy and program participants included Pastor Jerome Odom, and Brittany Parrott who shared beautiful music and solo tributes. His memory will be cherished by his daughters Belinda (David) Banks and Miranda (Lataurus) Washington. His grandchildren, great grandchildren and siblings Dessie Ree Evans, Ruth Helen Lloyd, Cathy (Jimmy) Coleman and Alphonso (Emma Parrott) will also cherish his memory. Holifield Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
The Life of Mr. Lewis Lyles was celebrated on March 21st at Union Grove M. B. Church (UGMBC) with Pastor Rochelle Wright officiating. Minister Somer Moore was the Mistress of Ceremony, and other program participants were Pastors Chris Thompson, Kenyon Corbin, and Josh Lyles, Ernest Love, Reginald Zachery, and the UGMBC Male Chorus. He was remembered as a helpful neighbor and one who loved to help others, including his coworkers at Sara Lee Bakery and Southeastern Poultry. Please keep his family in your prayers especially his children, Alma Denise (Jamie), Chenita Ann, Aileen, Dorothy Mae, Kenneth, John, and George, and his sister Mary Elizabeth Zachery. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
The Life and Legacy of Mr. Jimmy Marzeal Rasco were celebrated on March 21st at the Sylvester U. M. Church with Pastor E. J. Shepard officiating and delivering his eulogy. The Mistress of Ceremony was Mrs. Susie Jackson-Boyd and other program participants were Pastors Larry Reed, Sr. and Jimmy Darell Rasco, Mattye Evans, Angela Smith, and choirs from Warren Hill Church by Grace, and Sylvester United Methodist Church. Mr. Rasco was remembered as a 1970 graduate of Hawkins High and a 1974 Chemistry graduate of Alcorn State University. After graduation he began his career as a Laboratory Chemist at Hess Oil Refinery and then worked with Ergon Refining. He was also remembered as a visionary in his field who was instrumental in establishing Ergon as a global leader in Base Oil Technology. He retired as Vice President of Global Base Oil Technology after having travelled to 37 countries. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his wife of fifty-three years, Dr. Mattie Ree Ragsdale Rasco, and their sons Victor (Tiscia) and Leonard Rasco, siblings Eva (Jimmie) Johnson, David and Melvin. Holifield Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
A beautiful Homegoing Celebration was held for Mrs. Aretha “Mike” Riley Gray, the heart of her family and a true matriarch, on March 21st at Lynch Chapel U. M. Church where Elder Walter Roberts is the Pastor. Pastor Sheldon Thomas officiated and delivered her eulogy. Program participants were Rev. Walter Roberts, Shirley Horton, Omar Rashad, and others. Mrs. Gray was remembered as a special lady who was always courteous and who earned the title of “Queen of Soul Food.” Please remember her family in your prayers, especially her children, Kathy Stowers, Deborah Fountain, and Douglas (Tanya) Gray. Holifield Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Lucille Patrick, Ronnie Willliams, Amos Holifield, Dr. 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.
Kudos to the Zeta Amicae of Forest (Friends of Zeta in Latin) women who enjoyed their sisterly meeting with a delicious homecooked meal where each lady prepared a special dish to be enjoyed by all during their monthly meeting. Enjoying this sisterly meal held at the Legacy/Slaughter Library on March 15th were Susie Jackson Boyd, Sylvia Kennedy, Tiffany Jackson, Constance McClendon, Yvonne Shepard, Meoshus Johnson, Octavia Johnson and Alicia Kennedy. Zeta Phi Beta Soror Dr. Lorraine Dozier joined the ladies and enjoyed the camaraderie.
Congratulations to Daniel Matheny, a junior (11th grader) at Scott Central, who shines with honor after honor. He completed last nine weeks with all A’s; he placed 2nd in the district in powerlifting; he is the top shooter overall this year in archery; and his group placed 2nd in the district welding competition. He is the son of Change Agents Lt. Jody and Mrs. Shawanda Mathey. Way to go Daniel – we’re proud of you!!!!
Legacy Parents’ Meeting was held March 21st at the Legacy Reading Center/Slaughter Library where parents and volunteers planned for the upcoming months. Among those in attendance were Board Members Verna Myers, Constance Slaughter-Harvey and Lt Colonel Robert and Mrs. Martha Harper Kincaid, Rakethia Coleman, Minnie Hudson, Susie Boyd and Joni Pace. Executive Director Constance Burwell coordinated the session. Special thanks to Change Agents Susie Jackson-Boyd, Martha and Robert Kincaid, Verna Myers, Minnie Hudson, Constance, James, and James (Tre) Burwell for their donations of clothes to the Legacy Clothing Swap/Give Away Program.
As we enter the last week of this Lenten season and prepare for the Holy Week, we encourage our readers to continue to pray, fast and share your blessings. The Morton United Methodist Church continues its Wednesday Lenten Lunch Series at noon this Wednesday. Local churches are preparing for Holy Week and Easter (April 5th) which is the beginning of the Easter Season.
The Morton Community and Learning Center, (f/k/a Excel) family paid tribute to Sister Eileen Hauswald on Thursday, March 19th at the Center with a beautiful Reception in her honor. This special event, where Sister Eileen received beautiful flowers, gifts, cards and other expressions of appreciation and hugs, was coordinated by Office Manager Pamela Holman who was previously employed by Roosevelt State Park as Office Manager. It was good to celebrate Sister Eileen with friends, community members and members of the Board. Sisters from Excel in Okolona attended the event and commended her for her commitment and dedication to the Morton community. Sister Eileen has accepted a new assignment as Vice President of the Leadership Team of Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa.
March “Baby” Mary Lofton hosted the monthly meeting of MHV Cluster Club on March 17th at the Scott County Extension Office. She served pizza, salad, and sweets which were enjoyed by the ladies. They discussed upcoming fundraisers and other projects. Ladies in attendance were Carolyn Macon, Dessaree Bradford, Louella McConnell and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. The ladies thank Rayne Arnold and Tristian Phillipson for their assistance.
Happy birthday greetings to Babies born during the first week of April, namely, Ann Williams and Unity Olivia Bell (1), Roseann Lynn, Arianna Laster and Cole Lawrence (2), Wealth Hunter (3), Grace Nguten (4), Katherine Hollingsworth and Robert Jennings (6), Alice Gray and Jakeshia Moore (7).
2026 Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 876: The late Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, a native of Montgomery, MS and a voting and women’s rights activist, community organizer and leader of the civil rights movement, said, “If I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom;” “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired;” “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free;” and “You don’t run away from problems – you just face them.” As Vice-Chair of the Freedom Democratic Party (FDP) she represented the FDP at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
2026 Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 877: Who was the first woman to hold a cabinet position?
