Our prayers are with the family of the late Lonnie Ray Shepard who will be memorialized with a Graveside Service Saturday, June 27th at 11:00 at Sylvester U. M. Church. Visitation will be Friday, June 26th from noon until 6:00 at Evans Memorial Funeral Home. Please remember his family in your prayers, especially his wife, Mrs. Deloris Shepherd and their children, Courtney (Sonja), Celeste (Orlando) Magee, and Clarissa Shepard. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the transition of Mrs. Lois Chambers who passed Wednesday, June 17th at the MS Care Center in Morton. Graveside Services were held at Eastern Cemetery Sunday, June 21st. Our prayers are with her family especially her son Travis “Butch” and his wife, Mayor Nancy Chambers. Ott and Lee Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Herbert Graffenread who transitioned June 18th and was memorialized Saturday, June 20th. Please remember his family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Simpson County Deputy James Blair who was killed in the line of duty while transferring a prisoner to a mental facility. A beautiful memorial was held in Mendenhall where his pastor, Rev. Roger Lee, eulogized Deputy Blair. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with our readers who are facing health challenges, Deputy Julian Parker has been released and is recuperating at home; Mrs. Rosie Odom Harris, Former Election Commissioner Fannie Bradford remains at Lackey Hospital; Elder Odee Akins continues his therapy; Mr. John Lee Evans has returned to MS Baptist Hospital; and Mr. Robert Kimble who is recuperating at home.
Special thanks to Phalanecia Kincaid and her family for sponsoring the Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 20th at the Downtown Park on Main Street. It was a wonderful celebration that found children, young adults, and seniors celebrating and appreciating the significance of the day. We enjoyed the speeches, delicious food, fellowship, and fun. The children played games and enjoyed the snow cones and fruit cups. Ms. Kincaid, the owner of one of the newest businesses in Forest, New Beginnings Phlebotomy Training Center, thanked city officials for the opportunity to enjoy this event in downtown Forest, which is adjacent to her school. Alderwoman Cynthia Melton attended and encouraged those in attendance to participate in and complete the census.
The Celebration speaker was DeJuan Moore, FHS 2010 graduate, and the son of Angela Moore Cross. He shared his perspective on the significance of Juneteenth. Special thanks to Phalanecia’s mother, Mrs. Felicia Kincaid Moore, DeVarius Thigpen, and LaVar Robinson, director of Children’s Choir. It was good to see representatives from most Scott County communities in attendance and working together to celebrate Juneteenth! Kudos to the Ludlow, Morton, and Forest communities.
We also enjoyed the Juneteenth Celebrations in Jackson and Tougaloo. Historic Farish Street was the site of the Jackson celebration where entertainment and speeches filled the air. Member of the 1967 Tougaloo College class celebrated, in social distancing protocol, on the campus in Donald Park. President Carmen Walters joined the festivities and shared her vision after thanking the alumni.
We enjoyed celebrating the 94th birthday of Mrs. Loyce Collier at her Morton home on Sunday, June 21st where her family joined her in this special celebration. Social distancing protocol was practiced as she shared her delicious home cooked meal and a special birthday cake. Her daughters, Linda Walker, Deborah Walker and Sandra James, were present and served as hostesses. While we enjoyed celebrating Mrs. Collier’s special day, we also celebrated the birthday of her grandson, Jaylen James, who celebrated his 14th birthday. He was Mrs. Loyce’s special birthday gift 80 years ago. Happy birthday Mrs. Collier and she said that she is looking forward to celebrating her 95th in 2021!
Caelyn Funches celebrated her 14th birthday June 16th at her parents’ in Yazoo City with a virtual birthday party which included her grandmother, Cynthia Melton, joining in. Her theme was “I Turned 14 in Quarantine.” Her parents, Reginald and Teselyn (Tess) Funches and sister, Courtney, enjoyed the special Stay at Home Party and enjoyed party foods where the highlight was “Dr. Fauci Cupcakes.” Happy birthday Caelyn!
Happy belated birthday to Mrs. Margaret Ward Bates who celebrated her birthday Thursday, June 18th. We’ll celebrate big time in 2021!
Constance Slaughter-Harvey celebrated her special day Thursday by social distancing via phone, zoom and facetime with her family and friends. On the following Friday, she shared birthday times with her children, Constance, James and Tre’ after celebrating Juneteenth with her Golden Class at Tougaloo College where they enjoyed social distancing partying.
Catholic Mass was celebrated Sunday on the lawn at St. Michael Catholic Church with Pastor Roberto Mena presiding. His message addressed God’s goodness. God is good, gracious and merciful, and generous with His gifts. He paid tribute to all fathers and referred to the example set by Joseph.
Lynch Chapel parishioners enjoyed Pastor Shirley Wilder’s message via teleconference where her theme was “God’s Greatness in You.” During her sermon, she referenced the following as she focused on traits of Fathers of the Bible like Noah: God has planted seeds of greatness in each of us and these seeds are love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control; God promises to bless those who faithfully follow and obey him; Take care of that which God has planted in you, and use your seeds for God’s glory; and God has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others. Her message concluded with a beautiful melody when she praised God with “How Great Thou Art.”
Little Rock M. B. Church Pastor Sheldon Thomas dedicated his Sunday message to Fathers and presented a beautiful video tribute to Fathers with photos of the Church Fathers. Rev. Thomas’ theme was “Be a Rock Chiseling Father.” He challenged fathers to make things come together and to put away childish things. He also encouraged fathers to turn mountains into stepping stones and stairwells that promote and encourage our children to excel. “Get involved in the lives of your children now and make a difference” was his main challenge. Citing Jacob, Pastor Thomas closed by referencing that Fathers should enjoy being a father and role model rather than showing up after the child has developed and is graduating from high school or college.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 573: Mr. Vernard Murrell was appointed April 30, 1992 to the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Board and became the first African American to serve on that Board. He and his wife, Mrs. Laura Murrell, continue to reside in Scott County. Congratulations to Ronny Barrett for providing the correct response.
Quiz Teaser #574: Who was the first African American Election Commissioner in Lake, MS?
