We are saddened to learn of the transition of Mr. Walter “Puddy” Ford, Sr. who transitioned May 19th. Mr. Ford was a graduate of Forest High School and a former Marine and very skilled handyman. Memorial services are scheduled for visitation Friday, May 28th from 5-7, and services the following Saturday at 12:00 at Union Grove M. B. Church. Internment will follow at Lovelady Cemetery. Our prayers are with his family, especially his wife, Mrs. Flossie Hayes Ford, and children, Andrea, Satarie, Tenry, Walter, Jr., Kris and Xavier. Wolf Funeral Home in Morton was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Fredia Rena Ward Patrick who transitioned May 12th. A beautiful memorial service, held May 22nd at Midway M. B. Church Cemetery, celebrated her life. She attended North Scott High School and graduated from Scott Central. Following her attendance at ECCC, she enjoyed her occupation in cosmetology. Rev. Melvin Lyles officiated and delivered her eulogy. Other program participants included Minister Josh Lyles, Ms. Tasha Carr, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, and Mr. Dewaun Walker. Please keep her family, in your prayers, especially her children, Christy and Marilyn Gales, and siblings, Helen (Willie) Clayhiggs, Harold (Drexella), Wesley, Travis, Brenda, Annie, Rhonda and Janell Ward.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Willie Reed whose memorial services were held Saturday, May 22nd at Evans Memorial Funeral Home. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the May 15th transition of retired educator, Mrs. Martha Thompson Reed, wife of retired JSU athletic director, Dr. Walter Reed. Her memorial services were held Saturday at Mount Helm M. B. Church. She and her family lived in Newton when her husband taught at Pilate High School. Please keep her husband and children in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Charlie R. Hunter who transitioned May 10th. Graveside service and internment were held Saturday, May 22nd at Lovelady Cemetery. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We join other music fans and pay tribute to the life and legacy of Pervis Staples of the Staples Singers from Drew, MS. Our prayers are with his family, especially his sister, Mavis Staples, and children.
Our prayers are with Mr. Richard Mosley, husband of Mrs. Bettye Ree Holifield Mosley (’67 ETHHS), and family of Cleveland, MS.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, especially Rudi Burks who is resting at home, John Lee Evans, Helen Harris, Renee Chambers McLemore, Robert and Mae Jane Kimble, Mitch and Mary Nichols, Fannie Bradford, Odena Shepard, Dorothy Hollis, Don Bell, Loyce Collier, Rev. Larry Weathers, Elder Charlie Jones and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Congratulations to Forest native and actor Lawrence Evans who recently appeared in a New York Times article with his church choir at the historic Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in Harlem, NY. Reuniting to sing together, even while socially distanced, allowed choir members to once again feel a sense of community during this ongoing pandemic. Evans grew up in East Hillsboro and attended Forest High School, Jackson State University, and the University of Michigan. We’re proud of Mr. Evans.
Congratulations to the 23 recipients of the Legacy 2021 Educational and Leadership Scholarships. Awardees are listed in another section of this edition of The Scott County Times. Thanks to Legacy volunteers who served as the panel of judges, namely Dr. Stephanie Rhodes, Mrs. Verna Myers, and Mrs. Constance Olivia Burwell, and Mrs. Loyce Collier. Thanks to Mrs. Francis Richmond for presenting checks to Morton students and to James “Tre” Burwell who served as photographer with his grandmother, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, who made presentations to Forest and Newton seniors.
St. Michael Catholic Church parishioners celebrated Pentecost Sunday with Father Nick Adams encouraging those in attendance to remember that God calls all of us to mission and to spread the gospel. Scripture references were 1 Cor. 12:3b-7, 12-13; Acts 2:1-11; and John 20:19-23. He reminded us that, “We want peace but we don’t look to God for it. We are imperfect and only God is perfect. Peace and Hope come from God.” He concluded by asking, “Do we really want God?” Scary question? Following mass, we enjoyed sharing messages from the Spirit with the confirmation class which was conducted by Sister Eileen.
Lynch Chapel U. M. (LCUM) Church family and Pastor Shirley Wilder celebrated Youth Sunday and she offered prayers for all especially the youth. Special recognition was given to LCUM graduates, Mykia Reed and Isaac Smith. Her message theme was “A New Chapter In Life.” Scripture reference was 1 Timothy 4:12. She reminded youth that God is with you now and will continue to be with you on your life’s journey. Keep on trusting God and your blessings, which you should use to bless others, will continue. Your book is not yet finished – turn the page and move into a new chapter. As you graduate and enter the work world, remember to pray and don’t forget your upbringing. Be slow to get angry, stay on track, and make peace an integral mark of your life. She closed with a beautiful rendition of “Jesus, I Love to Call Your Name.”
Following devotion, Little Rock Baptist Church’s Pastor Sheldon Thomas delivered Sunday’s sermon, “Resources for Rough Times.” Scripture references were Isaiah 40:29-31 and 41:10. Sometimes things in life that once worked smooth seem to now be a little tougher. We must look to God as our source and not our resource. God is the giver of resources needed to make it from day to day. He helps us soar above our crisis, run through our many challenges, and walk faithfully and upright in our daily routines. When we’re faced with a problem too big to handle, we can take it to God in prayer instead of trying to juggle it on our own. As we trust God, He leads us into a life of integrity. Always remember, “The Lord knows what we don’t know, but prayer gives us access to His knowledge.” The Bible declares, “Call on the Lord and He will show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3.
Happy birthday greetings to babies born during the last week in May and the first week in June; namely, Johnny Rushing and Donovan Thomas (28), Akil Rankin (29), Lavonshae Spivey, Emily Pace, Rubin Brown, and Demetric Mitchell (30), and Diane Moore and Rita Parker (31); June - Evelyn Lewis, Kevin Reynolds, Felicia Futch, and Timothy Major (1), Donna Reiss (3), Zachery Reed, Sandy Wash, and Bobby Brown (5), and Malek McNair, and Cortay Ragland (6).
Answer to Mother’s Month Quiz Teaser #619: Born in 1595, Pocahontas (one of the Founding Mothers of the United States) is well known for saving Englishman John Smith from execution in the early 17th century. She later became Rebecca, which may be a reference to the biblical Rebecca, who was the “the mother of two nations.”
Mother’s Month Quiz Teaser #620: Who is honored as “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement?”
