Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Allen Smith who passed away peacefully on May 1st. A beautiful Celebration of Life was held May 6th at Mapp Funeral Home Chapel where Rev. Larry Reed delivered his eulogy. Program participants were Pastor Louvene Robinson, R. C. Williams, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Shirley Spivey, Brittany Wagner, and other relatives. He was remembered as a loving family man, farmer and hard-working citizen who always displayed courage and grace. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his wife of 67 years Mrs. Vera Flowers Smith, and their children, Linda Wagner, Nadine Gilbert, Allen (Christine) Smith, Jr., Michael (Cassandra) Smith, Yvonne (Charles) Wash, and Vera (Robert) Lewis. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Verdia “Vurdis” Lee Tucker who transitioned from life to death peacefully on April 27th at his home. A beautiful Celebration of Life was held May 4th at Murray Temple COGIC where his son, Rev. Scottie Irvin, delivered his eulogy. Mrs. Katie Frazier was the mistress of ceremony, and other program participants were Willie McCullom, George Tucker, Elder Frazier, James Earl Tucker, and his son, Joseph “Joe” Tucker who rendered a beautiful musical tribute to his father, a master mechanic. Our prayers are with his family, especially his wife of 60 years, Mrs. Dorothy Jean Tucker, and children, Sherry Tucker, Valerie Whitfield, Patricia Tucker, Linda Irvin, Michael Irvin, Joseph Tucker, Shawn (Keio) Irvin, and Tylee Tucker. Dean Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of World War II Veteran Mr. James Barton, Sr. of Leake County who died April 11th. His long life was celebrated April 22nd at Truelight M. B. Church. This 99-year-old farmer and carpenter loved his family (his wife Era Mae preceded him in death) and enjoyed spending time with them. He and several sons enjoyed their carpentry work business. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his 14 children, namely James, Jr., Andrew, Howard, Willie, Jonathan, John Wayne, Mark, Timothy, Jacob, Luke, Doris Henson, Gwendolyn Reid, Diana Harrison, and Renessa Bryant. Myricks Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Jean Lovett, a retired Morton High School Home Economics instructor for 36 years, who passed away May 3rd. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially her son, Sammy Lovett, Jr. who is the resource officer at Scott Central, and her daughter, Jennifer Lovett. Wolf Funeral Home in Morton has been entrusted with her final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Hinds County Court Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes who died May 8th. Our prayers are with her family, especially her husband Kenneth Stokes, and their children. Memorial arrangements are incomplete.
Our community is saddened by the death of young Tori Bowie, American track star and three-time Olympic medalist, who died May 4th at her Winter Garden, FL home. This young track star was 32 years old and was a graduate of Pisgah High School and the University of Southern MS. In addition to being a three-time Olympic medalist, she was the 2017 100m world champion, and a 2016 Olympian. She is remembered as an iconic figure for the track and field program, according to her former USM coach, Jon Stuart. Our prayers are with her family. Memorial arrangements are incomplete. Please keep her family in your prayers.
We continue to remember our readers and supporters who are experiencing health challenges, namely, former President James Earl (Jimmy) Carter, LaToya McClendon, Bonnie Russell Hodge, Don Bell, Gail Lee, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Rhonda Carter, Glenda Viverette, Drexella Ward, Billy Hughes, Bryce Pittman, Bobbie Carter, Rhonda Carter, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, John “Butch” Wilson, Dianne Cox, Thomas Anderson, Kristie Ware, William Edward, Jr., Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, Lavell Stewart, Carolyn Knowles, Ledora Benton, Henry and Marquita Patrick, Lucy V. Moore, Kitty Colbert, 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, Brandi Sharp, Beverly Hollingsworth, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nancy Myers, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Congratulations to our readers who celebrated their 50th Golden Graduation Anniversary. Mesdames Bonnie Floyd Stowers and Rosia Ruth Dean Anderson received Golden Diplomas during the Jackson State University Graduation Ceremony on April 28th. Mrs. Edna White joined other Golden Graduates from Tougaloo College as she received her Golden Diplomas on May 7th. Kudos to these “Golden Graduates.”
The Scott County Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University executive team thanks all in attendance at their April 29th Annual Spring Banquet. This was the first Annual Banquet since 2019, and the first under the presidency of Albert Gray. Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton served as mistress of ceremony, and other program participants were Joseph Tucker, Lisa Darby, Revs. Melvin Moore and Walter Patrick, John R. Anderson, President Albert Gray, Mesdames Janet Williams, Andrea Kersh Williams, and Bonnie Floyd Stowers. The guest speaker for this occasion was Coach “Coach O” Odis Riddley, Assistant Head Coach/Tight End.
A special recognition was given to donors of water volunteerism for the ASU/JSU Water Drive for Windsor Apartments for Seniors on September 5th. This roll call of appreciation was read by members of the Chapter, Barbara Gray, Martha Kincaid, Ann Bryant, Janet Williams, Kim Watts, Bonnie Stowers, Lisa Darby and Faye Patrick. Thanks also to Rose Anderson, Robert Kincaid and Rosie Kersh for registration, and thanks to all alumni for ticket sales. A very special thanks to Alcorn alumnae Patty Odom for pitch hitting and filling shoes of her daughter JSU alumnae Patricia Odom Zari by selling many tickets. Thanks to door prize donors — Community Bank, Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Romanda Patrick, d/b/a Divine Design, Robert and Martha Kincaid, and Albert Gray.
Kudos to the Darby sisters (Barbara and Linda) for their beautiful and colorful decorations and to the Gray sisters for the delicious food. Thanks to the Forest High School students who volunteered and served as servers. Alcorn Alumni Chapter President Charles Longmire graciously assisted by drawing the winning door prize tickets. A special musical thanks to Joe Tucker for his beautiful and elegant entertainment.
Happy birthday greetings to babies born during the third week of May, namely, LaKimberly Patrick, Sharon Grant, and Louise Kelly (15), Rebecca Bravet (16), Praize Moore, Sara Ware, and Wyl Strong (17), Malia Deshay Ringo (18), and Kalvin Burkes and Tillis Kincaid (19).
Answer to Quiz Teaser #719: The late Mrs. Fannie P. Bradford was the longest serving African American Scott County elected official. She was the first African American Election Commissioner in Scott County and served from 1984 until her retirement in 2013.
Quiz Teaser #720: Which African American Scott County resident represented the United States in the 1972 Olympics?
