A beautiful home going celebration was held for Mrs. Jacqueline Annette Lyles Denham Saturday, May 18th at Wolf Funeral Services in Morton. Family and friends remembered her legacy and paid tribute to her. New Bethel Church Pastor, Rev. Anthony Hopkins officiated and delivered a beautiful eulogy in his tribute to Mrs. Denham’s life and legacy. He referenced her excellent attendance at church even during her trials and tribulations. What a beautiful eulogy. Ms. Laura Nichols was the mistress of ceremony. Pastor Louvene Robinson shared scripture and provided the benediction. Beautiful musical tributes were provided by Mesdames Monya Fletcher and Kimberly Nichols. Other tribute expressions were shared by family and friends. We will miss Mrs. Denham’s smiles and positive attitude. Our prayers continue to be with her family including her children, Justin Lyles, Chavon Lyles, and De’Ariel Brooks, her mother, Mrs. Irene Lyles, and her life partner, Robert Brooks.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mrs. Odessa Robertson who transitioned Wednesday, May 15th of the home of her sister, Mrs. Mollie Qualls, and surrounded by her family. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 25th at New Bethel M. B. Church at 11:00. Evans Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Our prayers are with her family including her sister, Molly, brothers Walter “Duck” Adams and Odell Robinson, and special ‘children’, Nicole, Patricia, Shalene and Ray.
Our prayers are with the family of the late Mr. James Rankin who transitioned in Meridian. Memorial arrangements are incomplete, and Thames & Dunlap of Newton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the transition of Mr. Jimmy Washington, a native of Morton and resident of Forest. He transitioned Monday, May 20th. Memorial arrangements are incomplete.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, some of whom are, Albert Moore, Sister Maria Eugenia, Mrs. Flo Chambers, Sister Obdulia Olivar, Mitchell and Mary Nichols, Angel Martinez, and Dorothy Patrick Tigar.
Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton celebrated her “Seven-Zero” birthday with family and friends Saturday, May 18th at the Forest Center. She recognized honorees, namely, Betty Holifield Mosley, Betty Russell, Bonnie Russell Hodge, Ora Hudson Ford, Delores Harper Sabre, Eddie Rigsby, Roy Pinkston, Steven Denham, Lena Braggs Glenn, Minnie Payton Holified, Alphonso Parrott and Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar who was unable to attend because of health challenges. These honorees, as did other guests, enjoyed this experience. In addition to the delicious home cooked meal, including ‘mouth-watering’ cakes, party goers enjoyed first class hospitality, music, dancing and fellowship. Melton’s daughter, Attorney Tess Funches (Reggie) and grands Caelyn and Courtney, were the hostesses. It was a wonderful occasion and we wish her many more. Stay tuned for other “Seven Zero” celebration news.
Congratulations to Christian Hollis who graduated, with a 4.0 GPA/honors, from Northwest Rankin Wednesday. He has been accepted in the Honors College at the University of MS (Ole MS) and intends to pursue a major in biology with a pre-med emphasis. Christian is the son of Andre and Anitra Hollis, grandson of the late Bobby Ray Hollis and Oneida Hollis Laster, and Melvin Moore and Mary Jean Moore. Congratulations Christian!!!
Congratulations to 2019 seniors who received the Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation and Slaughter Memorial Foundation Scholarships during Senior Honors Day, Friday, May 17th. Morton High School seniors Micah Benford received the Theaodis Gary, Sr. Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 and Ikeon Bowie received the Aura-Neely Gary Memorial Scholarship for $1,000. Benford will attend Southwest Community College and Bowie will attend East Central Community College. Mrs. Loyce Gary Walker Collier, sister of Mr. Theaodis Gary and widow of Rev. Clint Collier, assisted Legacy President Constance Slaughter-Harvey in making the presentations of financial scholarship and Legacy medallion. Also presented and assisting were Legacy Board members Andre Hollis and Mayor Gerald Keeton.
Legacy Board Members Shirley Sykes and Jody Matheny presented the Slaughter-Gary Memorial $1,000 Scholarship to Scott Central Attendance Center Senior Jessica Reiss during Senior Honors Day. On the same day, Constance Slaughter-Harvey presented the 2019 W. L. Slaughter Athletic/Academic Award Scholarship to Forest High School Senior Kelton Jones who will attend East Central Community College.
For the past 25 years, the Foundation sponsored the Olivia Kelley Slaughter Essay Contest, and this year, the achievement/honor was changed from an essay to a $1,000 Scholarship. Beyonce McCoy was the first recipient of this Scholarship. Congratulations to all winners. The Legacy Scholarship Interview Committee was overwhelmingly impressed with the quality of interviews and expressed commendations for the quality of interview answers! Continue, applicants, to put forth your best as you venture into a new world of work and advanced learning!!!
Rev. and Mrs. Henry (Marquita) Patrick enjoyed their private tour of PACCAR Engine in Columbus last month. Their daughter, Miracle, a junior at MSU interned at the PACCAR Engine’s accounting division. She joined them for a special dinner and assisted in the tour. Congratulations Miracle and family for this special experience.
Congratulations to Head Start students who participated in the Completion Program and are heading to Kindergarten! Additional details will follow in next week’s column.
Congratulations to honorees recognized at the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Nu Pi Zeta Chapter’s Scholarship, Youth and Z-Hope Recognition Program held Sunday, May 19th at the Forest Services Center. Next week’s column will provide additional details.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 487: Dr. Sylvester Park, Jr. was the first African American dentist to practice in Forest.
Quiz Teaser # 488: Who were the first two presidents of the Scott County NAACP branch?
