Our prayers are with the family of the late Mr. Wardell Hughes from the Midway Community. His funeral arrangements are Saturday, December 7th at 1:00 at Murray Temple Rebirth Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Evans Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his final arrangements.
A beautiful Life and Legacy Celebration for Mrs. Jewel Purnell Williams was held Saturday, November 30th at the Mt. Zion M. B. Church in Canton. She was remembered as an elected official who heralded the causes of the poor, children and the vulnerable. In 1979, she was elected the first African American Councilwoman in Canton. She was involved with the first Head Start Program (CDGM), health disparities and she worked with WMGO Radio Station for years. Her friend Constance Slaughter-Harvey was one of her program participants and she delivered Mrs. Williams’ Closing Argument. Please remember her children, Frank, Jr., Kerry, Darcy, and Constance Tamu in your prayers.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, some of whom have improved, namely, Robert Jennings, Rita Wash, Dorothy Pinkston, Wells Gray, Gail Lee, McArthur Cotton, Don Bell, Margaret Wodetzki, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Martha Reed, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Gray Warnsley, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha 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, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Tony Chance, Annie Curry, Miriam Mejia, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen White, Ken Ormond, Eileen Ickom, Annie Ickom, and Symone Ickom and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Congratulations to the Forest Bearcats on their season record of 12-2 and district play of 3-2 this year. While they lost the championship to Poplarville by three points (24-21), their performance was most impressive. Our team’s performance and record surprised the pundits who underestimated their determination to win. During our interview with Coach Tobias Lofton, 2012 Forest High School graduate, he credited the team’s success to God and he thanked his team for their belief in the Lord. He was elated when he mentioned that several of his players were baptized during the football season! “The team grew closer to God during the season, and I am proud of them and their hard work and team spirit, and I continue to thank God for our blessings.” Congratulations to Coach Lofton and the 2024 Forest High Bearcats.
Congratulations to Forest Police Officers Peyton Warren and Daniel Blanco who received Letters of Commendation and Life Saving Medals for taking actions to save the life of a young child. Thanks to Police Chief Will Jones for recognizing and honoring these Police Officers. We applaud all law enforcement officers who serve the citizens of our community.
Congratulations to George and Jo Taylor and Rubin and Belsy Ruiz for continuing their Christmas traditions of sharing Advent and Christmas cheer in their yard decorations. Their yards reflect the spirit of Christmas including musical greetings and beautiful decorations.
The Legacy Connections Youth Leadership Thanksgiving Camp was held Monday through Wednesday Thanksgiving Eve at the Legacy Reading Center/ Slaughter Library. Among those attending with perfect attendance were James Burwell, III, Halle Pace, Nate James, Erin James, and Ja’Zieon Shepard. Other scholars attending were Leah Bella, Av’Anna James, Jayla James, Autumn Jones, Breyial Joseph, Ocean Joseph, Addison Lyles, Azaeliyah Lyles, Konner Towner, Raigen Walker and Khali West. Change Agent Volunteers were Mesdames Susie Jackson Boyd, Kathern Crudup Qualls, and Bobbie Carter, Joshua Burns and De’Angelo Shepard.
On Monday, they performed individualized study sessions for upcoming end-of-the-year tests, performed presentations, built pretend houses out of large mats, played basketball, colored and drew, performed learning styles and learned ways to study according to specific learning styles. Susie Jackson Boyd and De’Angelo Shepard were Change Agent Volunteers.
On Tuesday, Scholars performed individualized study sessions for upcoming end-of-the-year tests, studied Biology, performed arts and crafts, played basketball, and read to each other. Joshua Burns, Director of MS Tobacco Free Coalition for Scott, Rankin, and Simpson Counties, facilitated an interactive presentation on the dangers of smoking and presented them with Survival Kits for people attempting to stop smoking. The Kits contained chewing gum, a penny, a mint, a candle, a nail file, Starburst candy, a rubber band, a lollipop, and a tea bag.
On the last day, they performed individualized study sessions for upcoming end-of-the-year tests, studied grade-level vocabulary words, practiced fractions, painted art, watched movies, and practiced mindfulness stretches, breathing, journaling, and affirmations to keep stress at bay in their lives. All scholars and staff meditated on the daily affirmation suggestions, which transform self-criticism into hearing internal and positive words that attract happiness, health, love, and beauty. Their favorite affirmations were: I love and accept myself; I deserve to love; I deserved to be loved; I am worthy just the way that I am; I am doing my best and am proud of myself; I am a magnet for good works and positive energy; I believe in my dreams and in myself; and I am a creative force.
Longtime Change Agents brought holiday fun. Tenth grade Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Breyial Joseph brought her sister, Ocean, and encouraged the Youth to develop and practice time management skills. Mrs. Kathern Crudup spoke to the Youth about good habits to possess in life and gifted them with ear muffs. Mrs. Bobbie Carter gifted the Youth and staff with homemade chocolate almond candy. Corshaela Slack, Mrs. Reena Battle, President Slaughter-Harvey, and Executive Director Burwell mentored the scholars. They enjoyed delicious and healthy meals and snacks each day.
We enjoyed the Community Thanksgiving Service held November 24th at the Forest United Methodist Church. Service participants included Forest UMC Pastor Chance May, Embrace Church Pastor Andy Boles, Hillcreast Church Rev. Reggie Tatum, Forest Baptist Church Choir Director Rick Seller, Pianist Dawn Sanders, Organist Lesa Davis, Forest Presbyterian Church Pastor Mark Smith, and Lynch Chapel UMC Pastor Walter Roberts.
Please mark your calendars to attend the 27th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk sponsored by Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc and the W. L. and Olivia K. Slaughter Memorial Foundation, Inc. which will start at 516 and 518 Jones Street at 8:30 on the third Monday in 2025 — January 20th and we hope you will join in the Walk.
Happy December birthday to babies born during the 2nd week, namely, Dr. Jeanne Middleton Hairston (8), Laura Thevenet, Randy Burks, Bobby Butler, and Brayden Ross (10), Chiquita McClendon (11), Robert Nelson (12), Amos Holifield (13), Phyllis Stephens, Jacquelyn Staffney, and Barbara L. Gray (14), Eric Parker, Jr. and Tyler Hollingsworth (15), and Chris Curry, Dr. Clarice Slaughter Bell and Nancy Faulkner (16).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 799: Among the local African American Veteran Entrepreneurs were Albert Moore (Moore’s Cleaners), W. L. Slaughter (Six Cees Superette and Six Cees General Store), and Petro Burge (Burge Barber and Painting Service). If our readers are aware of other veteran entrepreneurs, please contact us at leacef@aol.com.
Quiz Teaser #800: Who is the first African American Head Football Coach at Forest High School?
