Our prayers are with the family of Ms. Doree “Doll Baby” Flowers who passed last Thursday. Please keep her family, especially her children, and sister Mrs. Martha Reed, in your prayers. Memorial services are incomplete.
We recently learned of the death of Mrs. Alma Bates, widow of Mr. George Bates. Mrs. Bates was no stranger to hard work and worked together with her husband as a team. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. Please keep her children in your prayers, especially her daughters, Arlene Bates Monk, and Cynthia Monk.
A beautiful Celebration of the Life of Mr. Jimmy Carl Butler was held September 9th at the Little Rock M. B. Church with Pastor Sheldon Thomas officiating. The Mistress of Ceremony was Ms. Kim Watts, and other program participants were Rev. Smith Butler, and Mr. R. C. Williams. Other family members and friends shared precious memories of Mr. Butler whose smiling face greeted Head Start students for 32 years as they entered his bus. He will be missed as will his dedication to the Head Start family, especially the children. Our prayers are with his family especially his wife, Peggy Butler, and his children Stratton (Alyssa), Taiwan (Debitria), Tommy Martin, Candi (Kentravious) Lewis, Nashebebo Lewis, and Natishia (Andrew) Brown; grandchildren, and siblings Marvin (Darlene), Marcus, Billy (Carrie), Barbara Sutton, Shelby (Willie) Holifield, and Margie Elaine (John) Hughes. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, LaToya McClendon, Rubin Ruiz, Bonnie Russell Hodge, Don Bell, Gail Lee, Curtis Derrick, Jordan Crump, D’Tahj McClendon Lewis, Timothy Crudup, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Bobbie Carter, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, John “Butch” Wilson, Dianne Cox, Thomas Anderson, Kristie Ware, Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Henry and Marquita 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, Beverly Hollingsworth, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nancy Myers, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, K. C. Patrick, Renea Taylor, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
We enjoyed the Lynch Chapel UMC Fall Revival held September 4th and 5th. Lynch Chapel’s Host was Pastor Shirley who welcomed the nightly evangelists with the Lynch Chapel Revival Message, “Jesus Is The Light In This Dark World (Revive Us, Oh Lord.)” Pastor Craig Baxton, Sr., of Trinity and St. James UMC in Brandon was Monday night’s Evangelist. On Tuesday night, Pastor Vinson Jenkins of Christian Banner UMC in Morton was the Evangelist. On each night, the messages were most inspiring and challenging.
Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation Board of Directors met Sunday at the Legacy Center. Executive Director Constance Burwell introduced Lt. Colonel Robert Kincaid as the new Board Member. He joined Judge Denise Owens, Verna Myers, Stephanie York Rhodes, Ruben Ruiz, Mayor Gerald Keeton, and Constance Slaughter-Harvey. The Board approved the recommendations to continue Teacher Awards Grants (TAG), Change Agents Reading Explosion (CARE), Legacy Emergency Response (LER), Love-4-Books, Save Our Youth Through Community Action (SOYTCA), Scott County African American Historical Society, Health Is Wealth, Connections Youth Leadership Development, Work and Educational Scholarship Tradition (WEST), Legacy Advocacy Workshops Savviness (LAWS), and Preppin’4-School. Special thanks to Executive Director Constance Burwell for coordinating the Connections Youth Leadership Program and to the youth and parents who participate and who exhibit empowerment.
Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attack on America. In recognition of this tragedy and horror, and the many people who lost and sacrificed their lives, especially firefighters, Legacy Change Agents shared gourmet snacks and treats with members of the Forest Fire Department who paused to honor the 9/11 heroes and heroines. Our prayers are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, and United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. Please keep their families in your prayers.
We’re proud of Alena Analeigh McQuarter of Ft. Worth, TX. She landed in the record books this summer as the youngest Black person (and the second person) ever accepted to medical school. At the age of 13 years old, the University of Alabama at Birmingham accepted her for admission to Heersink School of Medicine. At 12 years old, she became the youngest person to ever intern with NASA. She has started her own foundation, Brown STEM Girl which offers mentorship and encouragement to girls to follow their dreams, and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Dr. Melanie Nelson, Superintendent of the Forest Municipal School District, received a warm and cordial welcome to Forest by the business families and the community. The Reception, in her honor, was held on September 7th at Colbert Commons. Among those extending welcoming arms were Mayor Nancy Chambers, Supervisor Jackie Bradford, Bank of Forest President Drew Kenna, Community Bank of Forest President Lee McCarty, Representative Tom Miles, Chamber of Commerce President Lottie Towner, Retired Teachers President Patty Odom, JSU Scott County Alumni Chapter Vice President Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, ASU Scott County Alumni Chapter President Charles Longmire, and Legacy Board President Constance Slaughter-Harvey. Her husband, Leake County Superintendent Dr. Joe Nelson, accompanied her and greeted those in attendance. Greetings were brought from others including FMSD Board Members President Charles Longmire, Vice President Sean Ferrell, Secretary Mattye Evans, Chantelle Herchenhalm, and Louvene Robinson. Dr. Nelson received gifts and other expressions of welcoming spirit. She thanked those in attendance and pledged to serve the FMSD in a first class, professional and effective manner and fashion. Her remarks were very much appreciated and received as evidenced by the responses of attendees. Special thanks to Mattye Evans who coordinated this event. We look forward to working with Dr. Nelson and the FMSD family. Welcome Dr. Nelson!
The Forest Inspirational Singers thank readers for their support and attendance at their Musical Anniversary held August 26th at Union Grove M. B. Church. Their Executive Committee members advise that support is needed for their Forest Inspirational Singers Scholarship. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Walter and Mrs. Faye Patrick, or Mrs. Ira Payton.
Mt. Hebron PB Church’s Pastor Rev. Floyd McConnell and Program Coordinator Jenia Thomas Turner invite our readers to their 135th Church Anniversary. This special occasion will be held on September 17th at 1:00 p.m. They also expressed appreciation for our readers’ assistance in the construction of their new sanctuary. The church is located at 6702 Old Jackson Road in Forest. See you there.
Happy Birthday greetings to September babies born between the 15th and the 21st, namely, Barbara Horton Longmire (15), Marilyn Nicks and Martha Stingley (16), Mandie Reed Hardy (19), Keon Boyd (20), and Jacques Jones (21).
Answer to Quiz Teaser #737: Mrs. Mattie Helen Watts was the first African American female to work in the Forest High School Food Services Department. Thanks to Mrs. Velma Mayers who provided the correct answer.
Quiz Teaser #738: Who was the first African American man to work at Forest Packing (Poultry) Company?
