Our community is deeply saddened by the transition of Mrs. Sheena Renee Comfort Miles who succumbed to COVID-19 at the University MS Medical Center. Following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Miles left her insurance agency business and returned to the nursing field to provided medical assistance to her community. This retired Registered Nurse worked tirelessly at Scott Regional Hospital Emergency Room in Morton and as a result, she became a victim of this monster. She passed away Friday, May 1st but she fought a good fight and waged a courageous battle. Last year, her commitment to the medical field earned her a 25-year plaque of appreciation for her services at Scott Regional Hospital. She devoted 35 years to the medical profession and served her last working days providing help for others.
A visitation honoring her life was held at the Morton Memorial Gardens pavilion Sunday, May 3rd which was followed by the service. Brother Earl Clark officiated. Ott & Lee Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
We will miss Mrs. Miles and note the love she had for her family. She would smile and boast of her son Tom’s service to our community as a member of the MS House of Representatives. As Tom often said, “Mama is my campaign manager.” We will miss her service to the Scott County Democratic Executive Committee and her assistance at the Tri-County Insurance Agency.
Our prayers are with her family especially her husband, Rev. Tommy Miles, children, Representative Tom Miles and Ms. Stacy Miles. Please keep them in your prayers.
Sorry to learn of the death of former MS Supreme Court Chief Justice Lenore Loving Prather, the first female MS Supreme Court Judge and Chief Justice. Justice Prather transitioned at her Columbus home Saturday, April 11th at the age of 88. Justice Prather earned her law degree from the University of MS School of law in 1955. She was one of three female law students enrolled there. Former MS Court of Appeals, Mary Libby Payne, was her fellow classmate, and she was the first woman judge of the MS Court of Appeals. Our prayers are with her family.
We were sorry to learn that Mrs. Kitty Colbert fell and broke her hip Saturday, May 2nd. She is improving following surgery Sunday, May 3rd at the MS Baptist Medical Center.
The children of the late Mrs. Mattie Helen Watts asked that we share their heartfelt gratitude for the many expressions of support from our community following their mother’s transition. The children are Lamar, Patricia Pace, Rex, Tracy, Kim, Christopher, Anna Lisa Patrick, Lee Gurtis, Mickey, Nickelus, Jason, Sylvia Holifield and Charles Holifield. They inherited a great legacy.
We appreciate hearing from Rev. Rims and Mrs. Judy Barber, Ms. Bettye Anne Lovelady, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin (Bonnie) Hodge, Ms. Sylvia Holifield, and others calling to make certain we are safe. We assured them that we are practicing social distancing and stay at home directives, by spending this time reflecting on the beauty of God’s creations, like watching squirrel and birds, renewing relationships, crossword and word-find, pampering roses, learning Spanish, and sorting photos, letters, documents, and reading.
We enjoyed church services this past Sunday. Catholic Mass celebrating the 4th Sunday of Easter as The Good Shepherd Sunday was enjoyed via YouTube out of Toronto, Canada. During the Mass, Jesus was recognized as the Good Shepherd who loved his sheep, and the analogy conveyed the message that we are the sheep and Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
Lynch Chapel U. M. Church Pastor, Rev. Shirley Wilder, delivered a powerful message, via teleconference and Facebook, during church services. Her topic was, “Devoted to the Lord” and during her sermon, she challenged those in attendance by asking, “What Is Your Level of Devotion?” She further cited that The Lord’s Word is still reaching the people which shows He is still in control. The good news is that Jesus Christ lives. As she concluded her message, she shared her musical solo rendition of “Jesus, You Are the Center of My Joy.” It was a most beautiful salute to Jesus. We are looking forward to next week’s service which we hope will conclude with another beautiful and moving hymn.
Little Rock M. B. Church Pastor, Rev. Sheldon Thomas, challenged his members and audience during his Sunday sermon, “Highly-Recruited and Perfectly-Suited.” During his message, he referenced that it is time for Christians to suit up, boot up, and stand their ground. He reminded us that we must endure the hardship of a good soldier; and the enemy hits us with 3 types of arrows — normal, flammable, and combustible. In closing, he challenged us to listen to the referees of our souls that lead and guide us and give us complete instructions in this game called life. Prior to his message, prayer was provided and the young people provided beautiful music. Special thanks to those young singers, Ja’darion Ware, Tarraji Strong, Ma’laysia Bolton, Nevaeh Jackson, Katlyn Davis and Kayjah Lay. We are looking forward to next week’s sermon and the beautiful music from these young singers,
Happy Birthday greetings to babies born between May 10 and May 20th, namely, Isabel Lucas (11), Carolyn Knowles, Cara Robinson and Lawrence Smith (14), Lakimberly Patrick, Sharon Grant and Louise Kelley (15), Rebecca Bravet (16), Praize Moore and Wyl Strong (17), Malaia Ringo (18), Tillis Kincaid (19), and Willie Benford (20).
Answer to Quiz Teaser #565: Dr. Gloria Ann Robinson-Lewis was one of the first African American professors/administrators to be employed at the University of MS. She and Dr. Jeanette Jennings were employed there in 1981. Dr. Robinson-Lewis was Director of Minority Affairs. She transitioned October 4, 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Quiz Teaser #566: Who was the longest serving African American elected official in Scott County?
