Our prayers continue to be with the family of Mrs. Janie Gomillion who passed January 24. Memorial Visitation was held at Ott & Lee the following Monday. Please remember her husband, Erbert, Jr. and son, Chris (Jaci) in your prayers.
A beautiful Celebration of Life was held for Mrs. Tommie Sue Clark Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Lynch Chapel U. M. Church with Rev. Sheldon Thomas officiating and delivering the eulogy. Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton was the mistress of order. Other program participants included Revs. Willie R. Pinkston and Billy Ray Lyles, Ms. Barbara Pinkston, Mrs. Patricia Sims and Willie Ray Pinkston, Jr., all of whom provided the beautiful music, and Dr. John Clark who offered reflections on Mrs. Clark as a member of the Hawkins High Class of 1967. Mrs. Clark was a devoted educator and invested 37 years in Scott Central and Forest Elementary students. Our prayers are with her family, especially her husband, George “Bobo”, daughter Tawana (Bernard) and grandson, Jaylin Landfair. Please keep her family in your prayers.
The life and legacy of 101-year-old Mr. Berry “Bear” Smith was celebrated Sunday, January 27th at Mapp Funeral Home. Rev. Tracy Glass, Pastor of New Mt. Calvary M. B. Church, officiated and delivered the eulogy. Natasha Smith and Shyria Finderson were the program guides. Additional program participants were Revs. Derrick Moss and Vincent Hopkins, his sister Mrs. Emma Nell Hamilton and grandchild Jason Smith, and Lotoya Winters. The New Bethel Choir provided the beautiful music. Our prayers are with his family especially his children, Audrey Mosley, Barbara (Willie) Patrick, Linda (Lee) Hawkins, Sharon Smith, Melba (Roderick) Gordwin, Thomas (Dorothy) and Billy. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Young Tykey Bland, a graduate of Scott Central with further study at East Central, was remembered as a good young man with musical talent and a bright future. A beautiful Celebration of Life was held for him Saturday at Greater Deliverance COGIC with Bishop Daniel Littleton officiating and delivering the eulogy. Mrs. Stacy Murray was the mistress of ceremony. Other program participants included Elders Varnada Pinkston and Charlie Jones, Jr., Missionary Kim Brown, and Mrs. Louella McConnell and Greater Deliverance COGIC choir provided beautiful music. Tykey, the son of Mrs. Patsy Bland and the late Mr. Dennis Bland, is survived by his sisters Denceonna Bland and Perashala Bland McGee. Special prayers for the family since the grieving remains real with the death of Mr. Dennis Bland in September, 2018.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, including Mrs. Dorothy Jones, Mrs. Flo Chambers, Mr. and Mrs. Mitch (Mary) Nichols, Mr. Albert Moore, Mrs. Susie Lois Gammage, and Elder Charlie Jones, Sr.
Legacy Board Members recently re-affirmed their commitment to the youth of Scott County and voted to continue to provide services to youth, parents and other family members. They were complimentary of the In-School Mentoring programs at Hawkins (boys and girls) and Scott Central (girls). Stakeholders in Save Our Youth through Community Action received high praise for their work and investment in our youth. The membership was impressed with other on-going programs which are listed on the Legacy website. The board voted to provide Spanish classes which will be offered each Thursday morning at 10:00 at the Legacy Administration Office.
The December board meeting was held at the home of Board members Henry Slaughter and Shirley Sykes. Other Board Members attending the meeting were members Denise Owens, Julian Williams, Jody Matheny, Verna Myers, Shonnette Kelley, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, and Stephanie Rhodes. Board members not present at the meeting were Jane Morgan, Gerald Keeton, Rubin Ruiz and Andre' Hollis. In attendance at the Board Meeting/Luncheon were In-School Mentors Sykes, Slaughter, Kelley, Barbara Dawson, Dorothy Strong, Bonnie Floyd, and Marquita Patrick. Elizabeth Ferrell was not in attendance.
Legacy In-School Mentors met Monday at noon at Slaughter Library for their Kick-Off 2019 Luncheon. While they reviewed their 2019 plans and curriculum manuals, they enjoyed a delicious healthy meal catered by Quita’s Catering. Mentors attending included Barbara Dawson, Dorothy Strong, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Elizabeth Ferrell, Shonnette Kelley, Shirley Sykes, Andrew Crudup, Bonnie Stowers, Marquita Patrick, D. L. Bennett, and Henry Slaughter. Constance Burwell of the Olivia Group and Mentor Shirley Sykes were facilitators. Special thanks to Legacy Mentors for being True Volunteers and investing in our youth. They strive to save one youth at a time. Special thanks to the principals and staff at Scott County and Hawkins Middle Schools.
We enjoyed the celebration of the Vietnamese New Year Sunday, February 3rd. The event reflects energy, happiness and good luck. The celebration recognizes Vietnamese roots and ancestors. Former St Michael Pastor, Rev. Joe Dyer, brought the homily during Mass and shared in the New Year festivities.
Members of the Legacy Health Is Wealth Program will enjoy a healthy luncheon on Valentine’s Day (Thursday, February 14th) as they discuss tips for a healthy heart and the dangers of second-hand smoke. Sherron Day will lead the discussion and a healthy quiz will follow.
In observance of February as Black History Month, the Forest Community Head Start family will celebrate and honor local African Americans at the Forest Services Center Monday, February 25th at 9:30 a.m. Our readers are invited to attend.
Birthday greetings to babies born the second week in February, namely, Shirley Harper (8), Tyailieka “Tye” Lay, Abdu Clark and Carolyn Macon (9), Antonia Pinkston and Patrina Massey (10), Daviyah Mayers (11), Teselyn Melton Funches (12), and Keyara Bunkley, Ralph Johnson and Mercedes Bloodsaw (13).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 481: Mrs. Nancy Gray, a member of Green Grove U. M. Church and mother of Mrs. Barbara Carter of Forest, always shared her message of “taking the high road when others go low.” This is the same message that former First Lady Michelle Obama encourages her listeners to observe.
Black History Quiz Teaser 2019-1: Who is the first African American female astronaut/cosmonaut?
