“Lord, open our eyes that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, and the oppressed. Lord, open our hearts that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your Spirit. Lord, free us and make us one.” St. Teresa of Calcutta
Our prayers are with Mr. and Mrs. Felipe (Rosa) Orellana during this time following the death of her sister, Mrs. Cristina Hermon. Please keep her family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mrs. Emma Earbee Tate, daughter of the late George and Rellie Mae Earbee. She was remembered during her Memorial Service on January 23rd at Pearl Street AME Church in Jackson. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Eddie McGee, Jr. whose Life was Celebrated January 24th at the Mapp Funeral Home Chapel. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Eddie Hunt who was remembered during his Memorial Service held January 24th at the W. F. Mapp Funeral Home Chapel. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Please continue to be with our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice Slaughter Bell, R.C. Williams, Jo Taylor, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Connie Sorey, LaToya, Q 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, Ester Perry, Annie Curry, Ruby Helen Moore, 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 Rodguiez Stewart, Cordell Hughes, Clyde Curry, Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr., Bobby Joe Spivey, and Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr.
Family, Friends and Welcome Home Banners, Signs, and Balloons greeted the Mosley Quadruplets (Mike Allen, Jr., MJ Allen, Selena Faith and Serena Hope) who were released from River Oaks (Merit Health) Hospital on January 21st. They joined their parents, Mike and Tiffany Mosley, and their big sisters, Malena Miracle and Jada Blessing Mosley. Please keep the family in your prayers.
The Scott County MHV Awards Luncheon was held at the MSU Scott County Extension Office on January 14th. Awards Luncheon Program “Lucky to Serve” participants were Scott County Agent Rayne Arnold who welcomed attendees and recognized winners. Forestry Associate Butch Bailey presented information on “Firewise.” Bingo was one of the popular games and forms of entertainment. Awards were presented to Cluster Club (1st) and Morton Club (2nd) for Secretary Book Recognition; Scrapbook Awards to Morton (1st) and Cluster (2nd); Homemaker Hall of Fame to Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Frisky Roland, and Betty Moore; Homemaker of the Year Frisky Roland; and Homemaker Club of the Year Morton Club. Reading Certificates were presented to Cluster Club Dessaree Bradford, Dorothy Bradford, Carolyn Macon, Louella McConnell, Cynthia Melton, Dorothy Strong and Connie Wash; Morton Club Sarah Huff, Diana Kirk, Florence Measells, Jerry Miles, Sig Miles, Frisky Roland, Sharon Smith, Judy Stegall, Kathy Warren, and Helen Watkins; and Ringgold Club Sandra Jones.
The Scott County JSU Alumni Association met on January 15th at the Forest Services Center. The group planned the spring 2026 events and fundraiser. The JSU Baby Contest, Spring Banquet and a raffle were discussed. President Albert Gray thanked members for their attendance, namely Rosie Anderson, Lisa Darby, Dr. Lorraine Dozier, Martha and Robert Kincaid, and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. You may contact any member for information about fundraisers.
The Westin, Jackson, MS was the site of both MBC-LEO and MML Mid-Winter Conferences during January 11-15th. Forest and Morton municipal officials networked with other city leaders and gained valuable knowledge to take back to their cities. City officials attending were Forest Mayor Nancy Chambers and Morton Mayor Jimmy Steadman, Morton Alderwoman Oneida Laster, and Forest Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton and Forest Alderman Teddy Bloodsaw.
Special thanks to those who participated in the 28th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk/Parade on the national Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, January 19th. Walk/Parade judges met following the Walk/Parade and announced the following winners:
Youngest — One-year-old Nathaniel Blanco; Best Decorated Vehicle — Former Parade Marshals Legacy Board of Director Lt. Col. Robert and Martha Kincaid; Farthest Traveled — Legacy Board Emeriti Rev. James Burwell, II (Jackson); Eldest — Former Parade Marshal Ester Patrick Perry; First Ever Big Yellow School Bus Full of Students — Board of Director/Legacy Star Teacher/Slaughter Library Volunteer and 2026 Parade Marshall Frances Richmond; Earliest Arrival — Rufus Ringo on his trusty bike; Longest Participant in the History of the Walk/Parade — Constance Slaughter-Harvey; Largest Youth Group — Legacy Scholars (K-Graduate Students); Largest Organization — Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated; and Most Police Officers Participating Ever — Forest Police Department.
Happy Birthday Greetings to January Babies born during the last week, namely Mae Ruth Robinson (27), Miracle Battle (29), Norma Ruth Lee (30), Bettye Ann Lovelady and Mary Edith Ware (31), and the first week in February, namely Sheilia Brown and Tracy Patrick (1), Clara Harper Jaynes and Vernal Williams Breashears (2), Joseph Sanders and Brianudria Ruffin (3), Shelia Williams and Javontae Spivey (5), Howard Burks and Sophia Clark (6), and Jasmine Gray, James Nicks, Tokasha Nicks, and Kali Pinkston (7).
Happy belated birthday to Dr. Rhonda Kelley who celebrated her birthday on January 9th with a Paint Party. Among those enjoying the Paint Party were friends and community ladies. Dr. Kelley looks forward to many more Paint Parties throughout 2026. Way to go Dr. Kelley and best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing retirement!
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 868: The late Rev. Clint Collier, husband of Mrs. Lloyce Gary Collier, was a United Methodist Minister who attended Tougaloo College and received an honorary degree shortly before his death. While marching with Dr. King in Philadelphia, Neshoba County to protest the inaction of law enforcement officials surrounding the murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, Rev. Collier was arrested on bogus charges on June 21, 1966. Dr. King assisted in raising Rev. Collier’s bail and securing his release.
Quiz Teaser # 869: Who was the first African American Principal of Morton Elementary School after desegregation?
