The late Rev. Neal Keeton, Sr. was remembered by his family, friends and congregation Saturday, January 19th at Mt. Carmel M. B. Church. Rev. Keeton transitioned at Regents with his wife, Dailene, at his side. Pastor Cartez Keeton officiated and delivered the eulogy. Rev. Perry Fletcher was the master of ceremony and other program participants were Revs. Melvin Moore, Jeffrey Stingley, Curtis Laster, Jr., Eric Jones, and Marcus McDougle, Scott County District Moderator Rev. Charles Bell, East MS Baptist State Convention President Rev. Willie Jones, East MS Baptist State Convention Women’s Auxiliary President Jacqueline McDougle, and State Representative Tom Miles.
Beautiful hymns and music were provided by the Mt. Carmel Church Choir and were most fitting for this musical pastor. Beautiful tributes were provided by Mrs. Davida M. Fletcher and Leviticus Keeton. Our prayers are with his family especially his wife of 20 years, Mrs. Dialene Keeton, children, Neal, Jr., Leviticus Keeton, Quentina White, Makeba White, Jamie White, Reginald White, Malcolm McBride and Kelvin McBride, and siblings Archie, Gerald, Fred, Gloria, Ruby, and Beverly. Please continue to remember his family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Marie Mary Floyd of Morton who transitioned at St. Dominic Hospital. A beautiful memorial was held for her Saturday, January 19th at Union Grove. Rev. Namon Womack officiated and delivered the eulogy. Participating on the programs were Revs. Johnny Qualls, Perry Fletcher and Rochelle Wright. Our prayers are with her family especially her children, Eddie Lee Floyd, Shirley Watson, Bonnie Clark, Desaree Lockett, Mary Alice Floyd and Winnie Floyd. Please remember her family in your prayers.
We recently learned that Mrs. Mary Lou Harris transpired December 23rd and was memorialized at New Hope Baptist Church in Lake. Mrs. Harris was a friendly and helpful clerk at Dollar Tree, Dollar General and other local stores. Our prayers are with her family especially her husband and two sons. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Please remember, in your prayers, our readers who are facing health challenges, namely Mrs. Dorothy Jones who was released from the hospital and is receiving therapy in Pearl; and Mrs. Ruby Helen Moore who remains hospitalized.
We enjoyed visiting with former Slaughter Scout, Jamie White, who was home attending Rev. Keeton’s memorial. We’re proud of Jamie who is a high school principal in Houston, TX.
Walkers participating in the Legacy/Slaughter Foundation 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk braved the chilling cold to trek almost five miles to pay respect and show appreciation for the life of Dr. King and others who devoted time and energy to working to ensure justice and equality to all regardless of race, creed, gender, or nationality.
Walk Marshal Dr. Graves praised walkers for their dedication to “Keeping the Dream Alive.” More than 100 walkers — young and older, Black, White, Bi-racial, and Hispanic, locals and out-of-towners, walked in solidarity through the neighborhoods and City of Forest, and stopped at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, the Scott County Courthouse, and Forest Services Center. At each stop, they invoked God’s presence and blessings.
Walkers completed their 4.5 mile Walk in record time and returned to the Slaughter Library and Legacy Administration Offices before 9:40 a.m. Forest firemen in the firetruck, policemen and sheriff deputies in their vehicles provided security during this special event. Participating in the Walk and Program as speakers were Sisters Eileen, Brenda and Pat from Excel, Legacy Board Member/Mentor Henry Slaughter, Former Walk Marshal Ester Perry, Mentor Andrew Crudup, Alderwoman Cynthia Melton, Legacy Board Member/Mentor Shirley Sykes, School Board Member Charles Longmire, MDOT Officer Amber Dean, Parent Rex Watts, Legacy President Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Volunteer Rufus Ringo, Dr. Loraine Handford, Former Walk Marshal Martha Reed, Walker Bonnie Thames, Walker Van Thames, and others whose names will be shared in next week’s column. Special thanks to the many volunteers and to the mentees (whose names will be shared in next week’s column) and mentors.
Thanks to kudos to Loras College students who travelled from Iowa and shared this special event with us. Thanks to Constance and James “Tre” Burwell of Jackson who travelled to participate and volunteer in this special event. Thanks to Cox Service Station, Evans Memorial Funeral Home and W. F. Mapp Funeral Home for their donations.
We salute our firemen and law enforcement officers for their protective assistance, namely, Forest Firemen Chris Jones and Dustin Dipuma, Scott County Sheriff Deputies Henry Parrott, Jr. and Michael Manning, and Forest Police Officers James Creel, Jr., Jeff McMillian and Robbie Moore.
During the Official Program following the Walk, the late Mrs. Barbara Ormond, 2002 Walk Marshal and Dr. Marshall Lee Longmire were remembered during the ‘candle light ceremony.’ Special thanks to this year’s Walk Marshal Dr. Sheldon Graves who expressed appreciation for being selected to serve as 2019 Walk Marshal. Coordinator and Legacy President Constance Slaughter-Harvey in-voked the names and spirits of those who have assisted in paving the way to make this a better and more inclusive community and society.
Later Monday afternoon, the late Dr. Marshall Lee Longmire was remembered during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream” Program held in the Dr. Marshall Longmire Gym at Hawkins Middle School. Coordinators of this Program were School Board Member Charles Longmire and Dr. Sheldon Graves. Participating in this Program were School Board Member Rev. Louvene Robinson, Mesdames Phylis Campbell and Susie Jackson Boyd, and other members of the community who loved Dr. Longmire. It was a special occasion and a beautiful tribute to Dr. Longmire.
Congratulations to Mrs. Rita Parker (Johnson) who was honored Sunday with a special plaque from her church, Union Grove M. B. Church. Pastor Wright presented her with this recognition for 60-plus years of service on the Usher Board and for providing leadership as president for the past 20 years. Way to go Mrs. Parker-Johnson!
Special thanks to Mrs. Kristie Ware Moore for her presentation to the 5th and 6th grade Legacy Mentees! We also appreciate her presence and participation in the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk.
Please mark your calendars and note that January is Human Trafficking Awareness month.
Conversational Spanish classes will be offered at the Slaughter Library on each Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Please contact the Legacy office at 469-0990 if you are interested.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 479: Mario Brown, husband of Stephanie Gray Brown of Lake, is a medical pilot for Pafford Air One out of Clarksdale. He served as a United States Army helicopter pilot. We salute him and his accomplishments!
Quiz Teaser #480: Other than Dr. Sheldon Graves who served as the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk Marshal, name four former Walk Marshals from 1997 until 2018.
