Our community is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr. Frederick “Fred” Harper, husband of Mrs. Cynthia Sharp Harper, and son of Mrs. Kathern Crudup Qualls and Mr. Ray Neal Qualls. Mr. Harper died October 9th following an accident involving his four-wheeler. His grandson, Frederick Harper, III, was injured, hospitalized and released. Memorial services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church Saturday, October 19th at 11:00; visitation and family hours will be Friday, October 18th from 3-7 p.m. at Wolf Funeral Home Chapel in Morton, and Saturday, October 19th from 10:00 until 10:45 at Union Grove Baptist Church. Wolf Funeral Home in Morton has been entrusted with his final arrangements.
We join others in celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Ethel Skakel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy who died October 10th at the age of 96. Following her husband’s assassination, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and devoted the rest of her life to public service. Our prayers are with her family.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, some of whom have improved, namely, Rita Wash, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Gray Warnsley, Dorothy Pinkston, Wells Gray, Robert Jennings, Ken Ormond, Gail Lee, McArthur Cotton, Don Bell, Margaret Wodetzki, Gwen Gary, Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Ruby Helen White, Martha Reed, Connie Sorey, LaToya McClendon, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, 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, Annie Owens and other readers who are facing health challenges.
We spoke with Mrs. Roseann Lynn, formerly of Forest and now a resident of Asheville, N. C., who sends her best regards to our readers. She is residing with her children in Greensboro, N.C. and in a suburb outside of Atlanta. Our prayers continue to be with her and others affected by the recent weather challenges.
We enjoyed the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Festival Saturday, October 12th at Morton’s Farris Park! El Pueblo coordinated the event, and it was a wonderful expression of the diversity of Hispanic heritage and cultures. We salute El Pueblo’s Director Michael Ann Oropeza and her staff for their success with this Festival!! More than 20 local sponsors supported this annual celebration and contributed to its success. We’re looking forward to the 2025 National Hispanic Festival Celebration.
The Christian Banner Church family celebrated their Pastor’s service and leadership during the past 4 years on Sunday, October 13th. Pastor Vincent Jenkins and his wife Mrs. Rena Jenkins were appreciated and honored during their 4th Anniversary Celebration. The guest speaker was Minister Cedric Robinson from Truevine M. B. Church in Brandon. Dr. Emma York was the program guide, and other program participants were Mrs. Loyce Collier, Mayor Gerald Keeton, Donnie Barrett, and Dr. Stephanie Rhodes. Family and friends of Pastor Jenkins were in attendance and participated in the Celebration.
The MHV Cluster Club’s October meeting was held on October 8th at the Scott County MS State Extension Office (Downtown). Cynthia Slaughter Melton was the host for the occasion — “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Prayer and devotion were provided by Melton. Dr. Rhonda Kelley was the guest speaker who shared personal experiences with health challenges. Dr. Kelley inspired the ladies with her faith and strength and encouraged cancer survivors in attendance. She received many accolades for her presentation. Melton provided a delicious boxed “supper snack” which included chicken strips, veggies, fluff fruit salad, spicy crackers and beverages. The meal was enjoyed during their business session which was conducted by Vice President Connie Wash. Other members attending were President Carolyn Macon, Treasurer Desiree Bradford, Secretary Dorothy Strong, Dorothy Bradford, Mary Lofton, Louella McConnell and special and invited guest, Susie Jackson Boyd. Following the business meeting, a birthday cake, in memory of Mrs. Olivia Kelley Slaughter (100th year) and Melton’s mother, was served. Special thanks to Rayne Arnold, Liz Easterling, Jason Hurdle, Dianne McLaurin (Forest Public Library), Brenda Darby, Garden Patch and Lackey Memorial Hospital. Attendees received gift bags provided by Lackey Memorial Hospital.
The Slaughter Enrichment Series, which was initiated 26 years ago, was in full swing during the Legacy Connections Fall Break Camp last week from Wednesday, October 9th (Mrs. Slaughter’s Birthday) through Friday. Connection Scholars celebrated the Series by visiting her alma mater Tougaloo College, the Smith Robinson Museum, the State Fair, Natural Science Museum, viewing Transformer at Tinseltown, Milsaps College, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, MS Supreme Court Building, Governor’s Mansion, State Capitol, Old State Capitol, MS Department of Transportation, Amtrak/Old Greyhound Bus Station, St Dominic Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Medical Center and University Hospital, Montgomery’s Veterans Affairs Hospital, and Batson Children’s Hospital. Connection Scholars enjoyed the field trips and especially enjoyed the State Fair food. Following each day of field trips, Scholars discussed the significance of each visit and quizzed each other on important tidbits. Special thanks to Executive Director Constance Burwell for coordinating this Fall Break Camp and for providing transportation.
During the last week of the Series, Mrs. Pearl Myers Wilson (Olive Branch) and her sister, Mrs. Letha Lyles Williams (Pittsburg, CA) visited the Slaughter Library/Legacy Reading Center while they were home visiting relatives. They shared memories of their time in Forest with Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter. We accompanied them with their visits to relatives. We enjoyed reminiscing with Lewis Lyles, Abraham Buckley and Mrs. Martha Buckley Stingley. Happy belated birthday (October 9th) to Mrs. Myers-Wilson.
Once again, Legacy joined with Scott County citizens who are determined to find a cure for breast cancer during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October. Sunday, October 13th women came together with determination to share facts about breast cancer and a commitment to work until the cure is found. They were welcomed by Legacy’s founder Constance Slaughter-Harvey who stressed the importance of education in the fight to find a cure for cancer. Participants shared their experiences and those of their family and friends. Pink refreshments were served. Eloise Reed was the coordinator, and others attending and participating were Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Joyce Graham, Glenda Graham, Rhonda Kelley, Bonnie Floyd Stowers, Patty Ward Odom, Susie Jackson, Emma Jones, Cindy Williams, Betty Weidman, and Joann Pinkston. Special thanks to Americold for its contributions, and to James A. E. Burwell, III (Tre’) and Corshaela Slack Pinkston for their assistance.
Congratulations to Forest Bearcats who defeated Union Yellowjackets 35-6 last Friday night! Our Bearcats remain undefeated as they head into Friday night to face Northeast Jones. Best wishes Bearcats and let’s make this 8-0 record!!!!
Our readers are invited to the Pleasant Hill MB Church’s Annual Women’s Day on next Sunday, October 20th at 1:00 p.m. where one of their own members, Sister Angel Myers will be the guest speaker. Rev. Marcus McDougle is the pastor and Sister Mary Lofton is the Church Secretary.
Happy Birthday to October Babies born during the 4th week, namely Adrienna Edwards (19), Boris Bradford and Ivory Youngblood (20), Mikella Daniels, Kalyndezeyia Gray, Willie Perkins and Brittany Myers (21), James Perkins and Earl Fortune (22), Labriska Rayford (23), and Wykersha Parrott (24).
Answer to Quiz Teaser #793: Marshall Bell was the first Driver’s Education instructor at E. T. Hawkins High School. He resides in Hattiesburg.
Quiz Teaser #794: Who was the first African American Principal at Morton Elementary School?
