Our community paused to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Catherine Coleman Myers who passed August 6th. Her Celebration of Life occurred on Sunday, August 11th at Concord M. B. Church. Her daughter, Bishop Dr. Carolyn S. Coleman from the Tabernacle of Alpha and Omega Church, delivered her eulogy. Other program participants were Pastors Gerrnero Trussel, Sr. and Iris Trussel, International Bishop Charles Ross, Sr., Rev. Henry Patrick, Mesdames Lisa Darby, Beverly White Robinson, Susie Jackson Boyd, Lacie Davis, Joyce Brown, Erick (Big Country) Parrie, her brothers Albert and Johnny Payton, and grandson Kiese Laymon, MacArthur Fellow, who founded the Catherine Coleman Literary Arts, Food, and Justice Initiative which is coordinated by the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. Our prayers are with her family especially her children, Linda Coleman Pouncy (Ray), Dr. Mary D. Coleman, and Bishop Dr. Carolyn Coleman. Please keep her family in your prayers. W. F. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Arsell Evans, JSU graduate, whose Celebration of Life was held August 11th at Little Rock M. B. Church with Rev. Henry Thomas officiating and delivering the eulogy. Dr. Rhonda Kelley was the Mistress of Order, and other program participants included R. C. Williams, Larry Williams, Tori Williams and Felecia Dotson. Mr. Evans, who died July 27th, enjoyed fishing following his retirements from Granny Goose Foods and school districts in Texas and California.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, some of whom have improved, namely, Iris O’Neal Gray Warnsley, Dorothy Pinkston, Wells Gray, Robert Jennings, Ken Ormond, Timothy Crudup, Ruby Helen White, McArthur Cotton, Don Bell, Margaret Wodetzki, Gwen Gary, Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Gail Lee, Martha Reed, Connie Sorey, Rita Wash, LaToya McClendon, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha Denise Benton, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Travis Ward, Eleanor Longmire, Rubin and Belsy Ruiz, Curtis Derrick, Jordan Crump, Albert Lee Payton, Kenard Bowie, Jr., 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, Lillian Gray, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, Renea Taylor, James Earl Nickson, Juanita Jones, Roosevelt “Shane” Smith, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Douglas Braggs, Robert Loper, Brittany Jones and other readers who are facing health challenges.
The New York Times and other national, regional, state and local news outlets were in Forest on Wednesday, August 7th to commemorate the 5th year Anniversary of the Immigration/ICE Raids in Scott County. This Raid was the largest ever. El Pueblo, the local Immigration Legal Services, coordinated the event which was held at the Forest office. The four-hour commemoration attracted many including victims who were separated from their mothers and families, and representatives of entities that provided supported during that difficult and painful time. Regional, state and national television station anchors were present to record the Commemoration designed to remember and educate the public on the events of August 7, 2019. Some of the entities participating in this Commemoration were McArthur Center, MIRA, Catholic Charities, One Voice and Magnolia Bar.
Members of the SCTS/ETHHS/FHS Reunion Planning Committee met on Saturday, August 3rd at the Walnut Grove Fish House. They enjoyed a delicious meal and discussed business of the 2024 Reunion. During this “Wrap Up Meeting,” President Susie Jackson Boyd welcomed members and prayed for the occasion. Other members present were Patty Odom, Eloise Reed, Esther Johnson, Mattye Evans, Linda and Vincent Soloman, Jimmy Rasco, Fredna Warnsley, and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. Members unable to attend due to illness or other conflicting schedules were Zoetta Lindsey, Carolyn Macon, Susie McDonald, Nettie Ware, Bobbie Hollins, Martha Kincaid, and Mattie Rasco. Future plans and meeting dates will be announced. Members thank participants and all those who made the 2024 Reunion an enjoyable success.
We enjoyed sharing memories with Legacy Change Agents Mrs. Lucy V. Moore, Bettye Anne Lovelady, and Nettie Ware. Mrs. Moore shared words of wisdom and for those words, we are most grateful.
Please mark your calendars to attend: Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc.’s 13th Anniversary Celebration to be held this Saturday, August 17th at the Forest Services Center from 10-12 noon. Our readers are invited to attend and celebrate with us. Stars from Change Agents, Board Members, Board Emeritus, Advisory Board Members, Scholars, Parents, County Liaisons, Staff and Corporate Partners will be recognized.
The MS Diabetes Network staff will conduct a free screening at the Forest Public Library Tuesday, August 20th from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 601-469-1481 and requesting an appointment time or come into the library and sign up for a free appointment time. The screening time is no more than 15 minutes which will includes blood glucose, blood pressure and A1C and these screenings are free of charge. Avoid being one of the Mississippians who doesn’t know they have diabetes and those who have prediabetes. Protect your health by reducing your risk, improving your health and knowing your numbers.
Happy Birthday greetings to August babies born during the 19th through 23rd, namely, Charles Murrell (19), Shanedral Pinkston and Zachary Sanders (20), Pam Robinson, Kathy Parker, Chris Gilmer, and George Taylor (21), Christina Ealy, Angel Laster, and Janya Dillon (22), and Kelly Ellis, Shanod Ringo, Dock Rhodes, III, and Aquarius Lindsey (23).
Answer to Quiz Teaser #784: On May 14, 1968, after hearing from Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) as to the law regarding school desegregation, the Scott County Board of Education decided not to take any steps as to voluntary compliance at this time. A. F. Hollingsworth was the Superintendent and A. Street was the Board President. Scott County School Board Minutes. On August 12, 1970, U. S. District Court Judge Walter Nixon, Jr. enjoined the Scott County School District, the Superintendent and County Board of Education from discriminating against any student and failing to immediately terminate transportation system. That Order enjoined the Board from failing or refusing to take steps as are reasonable and necessary to terminate operation of a dual system of public schools. USA v. State of Mississippi, CA 4706 (August 12, 1970).
On May 11, 1970, Forest Superintendent L.O. Atkins “recommended the re-organization of the school district, in the event it becomes obvious that delay of such re-organization would result in a suit being brought against the Board for non-compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” His recommendation provided that at least four lower grades be assigned to the Forest Elementary School, the upper four to the Forest High School, and the middle grades to the Hawkins School. He recommended that the name of the Hawkins School be changed to “Forest Middle School” and that general renovations be made at this school. On May 13, 1970, the Board drove to Jackson and met with Justice Department representative Frances Pauley who indicated she would study the proposal and advise if it would be acceptable to the Department of Justice. On May 19, 1970, the Board met with Mayor Fred Gaddis and the Board of Aldermen (Beard, Brown, Calhoun, Smith, Eure) and City Manager Crosby and they pledged their support for the plan as outlined by the School Board. The Board instructed Superintendent Atkins to submit the plan to the Justice Department for approval. Forest Municipal Separate School District Board Minutes.
Quiz Teaser #785: What students attended Scott County and Forest public schools under the “freedom of choice” plan?
