“Love has no other message but its own. Every day we try to live out Jesus’ love in a very tangible way, in every one of our deeds. If we do any preaching, it is done with deeds, not with words. This is our witness to the Gospel.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Our community is saddened by the death of longtime educator Mrs. Phyllis Thomas Harper who passed December 8th at the MS Baptist Medical Center. A private service was held Friday, December 12th at Wolf Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Thomas Harper’s legacy is one of love and investment in our community. She was a 1968 graduate of Hawkins High School and Jackson State University, and a member of Lynch Chapel U. M. Church.
She devoted 36 years to teaching special education at Forest High School and retired in 1995. Her close friend/childhood neighbor Joe Tucker remembered her as “being a beautiful neighbor/sister who enjoyed the benefits of popularity but preferred the simple pleasures of life with friends and family.”
In addition to being a wonderful and dedicated educator/ teacher, she was a master chef, and her food was so good he felt guilty for never paying for it. He is “forever thankful to God, with profound gratitude, for his amazing gift of her in my life.” Please keep her family in your prayers and thoughts, especially her husband Willie, son Willie Sterling, and brother Charles Lester.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Lafayette Ward, Jr., son Mr. Lafayette Ward, Sr. and Mrs. Estella Moore Ward, and brother of Mesdames Laura Claiborne and Patty Ward Odom and Willie Ward. He was a 1959 graduate of E. T. Hawkins High School and a United States Veteran. There will be no funeral and visitation is Wednesday, December 17th from 11:00 – 12 noon at the W. F. Mapp Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow the service at the Veterans Cemetery in Newton. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the transition of 93-year-old Rev. John E. Cameron, Sr., former Pastor of Greater Mount Calvary M. B. Church where he had served since 1970. He passed November 30th and his Life was Celebrated on December 13th at Greater Mount Calvary. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the death of former United States Education Secretary Rod Paige, a native of Monticello, MS, who passed December 9th at his home with his wife, Stephanie, at his side. He was the first African American Secretary of Education and served his alma mater Jackson State University as football coach from 1964-68 and interim president in 2016. Please keep his family, including his wife and children Danielle and Rod, Jr., in your thoughts and prayers
A beautiful Celebration of Life was held for Mrs. Jarutha Futch Wilson on December 13th at Lone Pilgrim M. B. Church with Rev. Timothy Croft officiating and delivering her eulogy. Dr. Rhonda Kelley was the Mistress of Ceremony and other program participants were Ministers Rosa Batiste and Randy Lewis, Rev. James Patrick, Mesdames Dessaree Bradford and Gail Butler, and the Brown Sisters. She attended Midway Vocational High School, worked at local poultry companies and Sunbeam until her retirement and was a member of Eastern Star #418. She was remembered as one who loved children, cooking, gardening and sewing. Please keep her family, especially her children, Charles and Elaine, in your thoughts and prayers. Kelley Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Our prayers continue to be with our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice and Don Bell, R. C. Williams, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Wells Gray, Connie Sorey, LaToya, Q and LaTasha McClendon, Bobby Carter, Jo Taylor, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Eleanor Longmire, Jordan Crump, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Virginia Hannah, 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, John Norman, Juanita Jones, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Annie Curry, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen Moore, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie, Elijah, and Symone Ickom, 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, and Lillie Mae Rodguiez Stewart.
Judge Melba Dixon retired as Workers’ Compensation Judge after 29½ years and her retirement celebration reception was held December 11th at the Mississippi College School of Law. Mark Formby, Chairman of the MS Workers’ Compensation Commission opened the reception with a welcome. Several Administrative Law Judges provided tributes followed by beautiful music, “Order My Steps”, and “I Won’t Complain.” Judge Dixon thanked those in attendance, and paid tribute to her parents for preparing her for this service, and expressed appreciation for support over her tenure. Locals attending and participating were Legacy Change Agent Administrative Law Judge Stewart Lee, former Workers’ Compensation Legal Assistant Shirley Williams, and Constance Slaughter-Harvey who was accompanied by her family, Rev. James, Constance and James “Tre” Burwell. We wish Legacy Change Agent Judge Dixon our very best for a most enjoyable and relaxing retirement.
Forest employees and officials enjoyed the “Feed the City of Forest” event on December 11th at the Forest Pentecostal Church. There was plenty of food and the fellowship was great. Thanks to church members for their gracious hospitality, and employees are looking forward to 2026. Rev. Bill Pittman is the pastor.
The Christmas Residents and Family Party was held Thursday, December 11 at the Lackey Convalescent Home. Leslie Anderson was the coordinator, and the event was a success. All appeared to enjoy themselves and the food was delicious.
December ‘Babies’ were celebrated during the Lynch Chapel UM services on December 7 and those celebrated were Barbara Gray, Amos Holifield, Kevinonna Odom and Alicia Bowie. In memory of Mrs. Olivia Kelley Slaughter, Cynthia Slaughter Melton donated Bags of Joy Snacks for each honoree. The Children’s Church and Jamie Gray lit the Advent candle of Peace representing the family of Mrs. Lillian Gray. The Slaughter family represented Advent season by lighting the candle of Hope. Representing the family were Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Dr. Kelley Ellis, Tanya Bobbitt and Maurice McClendon. Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr, is the Pastor and his sermon was entitled “At Last Hope is Renewed!”
Save Our Youth Through Community Action Stakeholders met on December 11th at the home of Chief Master Sergeants Delano and Melissa Barney. Stakeholders finalized plans to commence programs immediately to work with local citizens and local entities including educational and law enforcement to Save Our Youth. Among those attending were law enforcement officers Rhonda Weathersby, Mahari Kincaid, Jarahvea Washington, Daniel Blanco, Kyla Havard, Joshua Thames, and James Patrick, Superintendent Alan Lumpkin, J. Van Thames, Octavia Kincaid Dixon, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Legacy Laision Chief MSgt Delano Barney, and Chief MSgt. Melissa Barney. Legacy thanks all present for their commitment to honor the SOYTCA mission. Special thanks to Sheriff Lee, FPD Chief Bell, and SCSD Superintendent Lumpkin for their support to Save Our Youth Through Community Action. Merry Christmas from SOYTCA Stakeholders.
Kudos to the Bound to Excel and Stronger Together Men’s Group on their Fourth Annual Shopping Spree held at Forest Walmart on December 13th where they gifted over 50 students with a shopping spree. Members participating were Delano Barney, Andre Hollis, Anton Gammage, Superintendent Alan Lumpkin, Lamar Burkes, Jody Matheny, Rod Hollis, Charles Hughes, Roy Lowery, and Todd Vowell.
Happy Birthday greetings to Babies born during the fourth week in December, namely, Tomeka Smith, James “Tre’” Burwell, III, and Jean Garcis (20), Sheila Burks, Linda Ormond, Nurivit Leal Santiago, and Georgia Hardin (21), Victomasi Robinson (23), and Christopher Ficklin and Verna Myers (24).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 863: Congratulations to Granville Freeman who provided the correct response of Dr. Lorraine Dozier as the first native African American veterinarian in Scott County. She attended North Scott High School and graduated from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL.
Quiz Teaser # 864: Who was the longest serving African American elected official in Scott County?
