Our prayers are with the family of the late Dr. Howard D. Clark who transitioned Monday, February 10th at the age of 93. He opened his medical office in Morton in 1956 and for 62 years, he continued to provide medical assistance to the community. In addition to his years of service to his church and medical dedication to the community, he also served in the political (County Democratic Committee Chairman and Governor Cliff Finch administration), educational (County School Board), sports (Morton Panthers), and MSU arenas.
We applaud his life and legacy of service to our county, state and nation. His devotion to his family, First Baptist Church of Morton, his patients and community, will cause him to continue to live on in the hearts of many. A beautiful memorial was held Friday (Valentine’s Day) at the First Baptist Church in Morton where hundreds turned out to bid him farewell. Our prayers are with his family especially his wife, Jackie, and children, former Chancellor Howard David, II, Neva, Janie, Patrician and Bettie Ann.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Debbie Ann Evans who transitioned Wednesday, February 12th. A Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 at New Mt. Calvary M. B. Church. Visitation is Friday from 12:00 until 6, and Saturday from 9-10:20 at Evans Memorial Funeral Home. Please keep her family in your prayers.
A beautiful memorial was held for Mr. Junior Mack Burkes Friday, February 14th at First John M. B. Church in Starkville. Rev. Thomas Boyd, Jr. officiated and delivered the eulogy. Mr. Burkes’ life was one of caring and giving to others as evidenced by his 20+ years as an administrator in the Lowndes County and Starkville Municipal School District, City Elections Commissioner, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and First St. John M. B. Church.
Those who knew him described him as an eternal optimist and positive man of God. He was a 1965 E. T. Hawkins High School graduate and later received his degrees from Alcorn State and MS State University. Our prayers are with his family especially his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Ossie Boyd Burkes, their sons Anthony, Kevin, and Jason, and his mother, Mrs. Hattie Hughes. Locals attending the Celebration of Life were Lonnie Broadfoot, Audrey Robinson, Bobbie Jean Hunter, and Carolyn Knowles. A former schoolmate, Dr. Sheldon Graves, was also in attendance. Please remember the rich legacy of Junior Mack Burkes.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Josh (Courtney) Weaver on the birth of their daughter, Autumn Blake, who was born Friday, February 9th. Grandma Kathy Hollingsworth was delighted to announce the new addition.
Congratulations to Coach Todrick Pinkston and the Forest Bearcats on their victory over Morton panthers during the recent basketball tournament. School spirit was most impressive!
The Sherman Hill/East Scott School Reunion Association held its planning meeting Saturday, February 15th at the Slaughter Library. The agenda included preparations for the 2020 Reunion (July 10-12th) to be held at the Forest Services Center. Members present and participating in this planning session were President Charlie Earl Walker, Rita Parker, Mae Williams, Josephine Williams, Steve Denham and Minnie Lyles. For additional information, please contact any member.
The February meeting of the SCTS/ETHHS/FHS Alumni Association was held Sunday, February 9th at the Odessa Graves Educational Center. The group is working on final plans for the reunion on July 10-12th of this year at the Marshall Longmire Gymnasium. Members present were President Susie Boyd, Marquita Patrick, Carolyn Knowles, Patty Odom, Ernest Love, Juanita Jones, Cynthia Melton, Esther Johnson, Carolyn Macon, and Dorothy Pinkston. Contact any member for additional information.
Locals continue to celebrate the rich heritage of accomplishments of Scott County African Americans during Black History Month. Lynch Chapel U. M. Church members have celebrated and paid tribute to the lives of local outstanding African Americans. They previously recognized the lives and contributions of the late Theoplis Hayes (whose accomplishments have been shared in this column), and Mr. James Walter Crudup. Mr. Crudup was recognized as the man (with no medical degree) who trained doctors, residents and lab technicians at the University of Michigan for more than 30 years. He continues to receive recognitions for his work especially the James W. Crudup Award from the University of Michigan Medical Center Department of Surgery which is presented annually to the most impressive chief resident, and an honorary doctorate from Tougaloo College.
On the third Sunday of Black History month, Mrs. Emma Reed, assisted by Patrolman Michael Holified, paid tribute to local educators, namely Mesdames Marquerite David, Pearl Myers Wilson, Viola Morgan, Phyllis Harper, Joyce Rigby, Eloise White, and Ms. Nettie Ware, Barbara Gray, and Bettye Russell and Albert Gray. Memorial recognitions were given to Mesdames Mazola Lamb, Gladys Lovelady, Letha Harper, Pearl Clark, Katie Eubanks, Tommie Clark, Robertha Turner, Odessa Graves, Lizzie Lamb, Lubertha Forte, Claudella Holbert, Ollie B. Smith, Carrie Gaddis, Lela Hawkins, and Harold Lamb, James “Bo” Clark, and Marvin Morgan. Rev. Shirley Wilder is the pastor.
Rev. Lee Crosby and the Galilee M. B. Church family celebrated Black History Sunday, February 16th with special youth talents and a challenging sermon “What Matters.” We enjoyed the program and message.
Forest Head Start family and supporters will celebrate Black History Month Wednesday, February 26th at 9:30 at the Forest Community Center. The photos and decorations on each of the doors are impressive and quite beautiful. Please join us in celebrating their expressions during this Black History Program.
Concord M. B. Church will celebrate Black History month this Sunday following morning services and the Youth Department will be in charge.
Midway M. B. Church will celebrate Black History Sunday, February 23rd following morning services and the guest speaker is Constance Slaughter-Harvey.
Lynch Chapel will continue to celebrate Black History Week Sunday, February 23rd during morning services.
Answer to Black History Quiz Teaser #2020-2: Mound Bayou, located in Bolivar County, MS, is the oldest all Black municipality in the United States. It was founded as an independent Black community in 1887 by former slaves led by Isaiah Montgomery. It is also known as the “Jewel of the Delta.”
Black History Quiz Teaser #2020-3: Who was the first Black female to earn a pilot’s license?
