Our community is saddened with the death of Mr. Walter Graden Crimm who was memorialized Friday, February 15th at Ephesus Baptist Church. Family and friends paid loving respect and tribute to him during Family Hour on Thursday and during his homegoing celebration Friday. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his wife, Mrs. Estella Crimm, and their children.
Please continue to remember our readers who continue to face health challenges, Mr. William Gray is recuperating at home; Mrs. Flo Chambers continues to improve; Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell (Mary) Nichols are in good spirits; and Mr. Albert Moore continues to make improvements;
Valentine’s Day was a special day for Legacy Volunteers including board members, mentors, and other volunteers. Ms. Sherron Day, Project Director for MS Tobacco Free, was the guest speaker and she shared tips for avoiding second hand smoke. Legacy Advisory Board Member Malcolm Marlo Perry shared in the festivities and brought greetings from his Upward Bound family in Buffalo, NY and he accompanied his mother, Ester Perry, who was one of the honored Valentines. Board Member Verna Myers provided opening prayer and Rev. Charles Watkins and Marlo Perry provided the prayers of departure.
The Valentine’s Luncheon Program was held in conjunction with the February Health Is Wealth and African American Historical Society luncheon meetings. Following the singing of the ‘Senior Version of Jesus Loves Me,’ Love roses and balloons were presented to honorees, namely, Alderwoman Cynthia Melton, Election Commissioners Carolyn Knowles and Roy Pinkston, Rev. Charles and Mrs. Ester Watkins, Mesdames Ester Perry, Rita Parker, Lena Glenn, Linnie Kaye Lofton, Bobbie Ringo, Bobbie Carter, Dorothy Pinkston and Mentors Dorothy Strong, Bonnie Stowers, Barbara Dawson, Elizabeth Ferrell, Shirley Sykes, Shonnette Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Henry Slaughter, Andrew Crudup, D. L. Bennett. James Burwell, III and Constance Burwell (The Olivia Group) assisted in the coordination of this special event. Board Members Shirley Sykes, Henry Slaughter, Shonnette Kelley, Verna Myers, Constance Slaughter-Harvey and Advisory Member Marlo Perry salute all Volunteers who donate time and services to our community’s youth.
Following the luncheon program, Mentors and Legacy Change Agent Tre’ Burwell went to the Forest Fire Department and presented his Valentine drawing of the FPD Engine Truck. In addition to the painting, a delicious meal was catered. We applaud the work of our first responders and thank them for going above and beyond in saving citizens.
Congratulations to Hallie Millsaps who has been named to the Fall, 2018 Dean’s List at Berea College. We are so very proud of Hallie. She is a graduate of Piney Woods Country Life School and is the daughter of Kathy Parker and Willie Millsaps and the granddaughter of James and Connie Parker. Hallie is an excellent ambassador for our community.
We enjoyed the Saturday morning message heard at the MS Care Center. Rev. Allen Cooks delivered the message to residents. His wife, Tammy and son, Stephon, provided beautiful musical selections. Alderwoman Cynthia Melton and Dorothy Pinkston were present; they, too, enjoyed the message, and are looking forward to next Saturday when they enjoy the heartwarming and challenging message.
Please mark your calendar to join members of the Lynch Chapel U.M. Church to celebrate Black History where Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton will be the guest speaker. Our readers are invited to share in this special event which will be held during regular 10:00 services, February 24th. Rev. Shirley Wilder is the pastor.
The Green Grove U.M. Church family invites our readers to attend their Black History program Sunday, February 24th at 1:30 p.m. Attorney Katrina Gibbs, of Rankin County, will be the guest speaker for this event.
Bettye Mae Jack Middle School family invites readers to attend their Black History Celebration Monday, February 25th where Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey will deliver the Black History message at 9:30 a.m.
The Forest Head Start Community family invites our readers to attend their Annual Black History Celebration Tuesday, February 26th at 9:30. The theme is Honoring Local African American Firsts. Please show your support for our future leaders and come out and join them in this celebration.
The Forest Public Library will celebrate Black History Month Tuesday, February 25th from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Our readers and the public are invited to participate in this special program.
Lynch Chapel Pastor Shirley Wilder invites our readers to join the Lynch Chapel U. M. Church family in celebrating their Spring Revival March 4th – 6th with services beginning nightly at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Craig Baxton, Pastor of Trinity U. M. Church in Brandon will deliver Monday’s message; Rev. Sheldon Thomas, Pastor of Little Rock M. B. Church will deliver Tuesday’s message; and Rev. Arthur Maples, Pastor of Sherman Hill U. M. Church will deliver Wednesday’s message.
Answer to Black History #2019-2 Quiz Teaser: John R. Lynch was the first African American member of the MS House of Representative and was the first African American Speaker of the House in 1869. J. R. Lynch Street in Jackson where Jackson State University is located was named in his honor.
Black History Quiz Teaser # 2019-3: Who was the first African American Miss Mississippi? Hint: She was the fourth runner up in 1988’s Miss America pageant.
