A beautiful memorial was held for Mr. Kenneth Bradford Saturday, July 20th at Little Rock M. B. Church. Pastor Rev. Sheldon Thomas officiated and delivered Mr. Bradford’s eulogy. Mattye Evans was the mistress of order and R. C. Williams delivered a beautiful musical tribute. Our prayers are with his family, especially his children, Kendred Butler, Lorenzo Bradford, Frances Richmond and Kendrah Bradford. Please keep them in your prayers. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Our prayers continue to be with our readers who have recently suffered the loss of a loved one.
We are saddened by the death of Mr. Clarence Hall of Myersville (Issaquena County) who transitioned July 9, 2019. He was a state and national leader in credit union values. In 2015, he received the National Credit Union Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Hall was an unsung hero who led efforts around financial literacy, civil rights and much more to make a positive impact on those in his community. Memorial services were held Sunday, July 21st at the Washington County Convention Center in Greenville. Please remember his family in your prayers.
Congratulations to Mrs. Dorothy (Dot) Ree Odom Pinkston who was honored by her church, Concord M. B. Church, and friends of her community Sunday, July 14th. She is the mother of six children (two deceased), 22 grandchildren, 16 greatgrandchildren, and hundreds of surrogate children. Mrs. Pinkston is a Forest Election Commissioner, original board member of the East MS Legal Services, former director of the YWAIT program, and a retiree from Raytheon. She has served in many positions at her church and continues to provide compassionate leadership. A beautiful corsage was pinned by Angel Laster, Antonia Pinkston and Bobbie Hollins. Mrs. Susie Boyd served as program guide and Constance Slaughter-Harvey was the speaker for the event. She described Mrs. Pinkston as a humble servant who serves, cares for, and loves all. Mrs. Carolyn Knowles represented the E. T. Hawkins High School Class of 1965 and thanked her classmate for continuing to help others. Mrs. Lisa Darby expressed appreciation from the church family. Duwaun Walker brought greetings from the neighborhood; Mrs. Pinkston’s cousin, Mrs. Myrtle Evans, expressed love sentiments from the family; Rev. Reginald Pinkston represented her children; and Coach Datodrick Pinkston brought loving remarks from the grandchildren. Granddaughter Nytezia Pinkston and Coach Pinkston escorted her to the reception. Her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren performed musical tributes for their “Grandmama.” Rev. Henry Patrick is the pastor.
Camp Zoning into Wildlife Education (ZiWE), a partnership between the MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (Legacy), continued Tuesday, July 9th at the Slaughter Library. The Camp exposes youth to wildlife, conservation, hunting, fishing and camping activities. It also allows youth to reflect on their learning through the effective communication of speaking, photography, writing and drawing. Campers were introduced to the local animal environment, the basics of wildlife conservation safety, how youth can save wildlife, and wildlife safety and survival tips. Special thanks to Sabrina Cummings, Outreach Conservation Educator with the MS Museum of Natural Science who introduced campers to alligators and other local wildlife creatures. Some campers enjoyed the opportunity to pet a baby alligator and learned the specifics regarding the habitat of alligators and other reptiles.
On the following Wednesday, ZiWE campers were treated to a tour of the Bienville National Park headquarters on Highway 35. Rangers shared the nature of their operations and explained the habits of the local beetles which are destroying local trees. Special thanks to the rangers for the presentations and the information bags.
MDWFP Master Sgt. Brett Madden and Sgt. Ben McCurdy spoke to the campers Thursday and shared tips on identifying local animals such as otters, beavers, bobcats, alligators, and other local wildlife. Campers were introduced to safety measures and the need to understand animals. Tips on survival and respect for wildlife were shared.
Campers enjoyed videos of wildlife adventures and also played Wildlife Jeopardy and Word Find. They drew sketches of their favorite local wildlife animal or reptile. They enjoyed a camping and a field trip to Roosevelt State Park where they walked three or more miles on several trails. Special thanks to Mentors Andrew Crudup and D. L. Bennett and parent Mrs. Tina Brown. Other adults offering assistance and volunteering with Camp ZiWE activities were Constance Olivia Burwell, Dorothy Pinkston, Constance Slaughter-Harvey and Claudine Bell Hughes.
Campers look forward to visiting and touring the MS Natural Science Museum in Jackson where they will continue to study the habitat of local wildlife. Each day’s experiences are captured in campers’ journals as well as sketches or pictures of the wildlife encountered during that day. Special thanks to MDWFP Director of Parks Operations Andre’ Hollis and MDWLP Lieutenant Jody Matheny for their assistance.
We enjoyed the hospitality at the Mt Moriah M. B. Church Women’s Day, Sunday, July 14th where Mrs. Dorothy Smith was the guest speaker. She delivered an outstanding address and challenged all in attendance to keep the faith. Mrs. Annie Lowery was the mistress of ceremony and Mrs. Annette Mack is the president of the Women’s Home Mission. We appreciate the invitation. Rev. Ralph James is the pastor.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 496: Mr. Randy Patrick, a candidate for Newton County Sheriff, is the son of the late Herman Patrick, the first African American to be elected to a county position. Once again, Mrs. Charity Jones provided the correct response.
Quiz Teaser # 497: Which Morton resident, former University of MS football player, and local mentor, now leads a major state department?
