The Celebration of the Life of Mrs. Barbara “Bobbie” Posey Rossom was held March 2nd at Galilee M. B. Church with Pastor Lee E. Crosby officiating and delivering the eulogy. Mrs. Patricia Sims was mistress of ceremony and other program participants were Woodrow Cox, Sr., Revs. Eric Dickerson, O’Neil Wiley, Andrea Wiley, and Jonathan Parker. Our prayers are with her family especially her children, Linda Craig, Marquetta Rossom, Marquis Rossom, and Dava (Julian) Suter; and brothers, William Howard (Susie) Posey and Leander (Esther) Jones. Please remember her family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the transition of Mr. Walter James Viverette who was remembered Saturday, March 2nd at Union Grove M. B. Church. Rev. Rochelle Wright officiated and delivered his eulogy. Ms. Sharondalynn Tanner was the mistress of ceremony. Other program participants were Revs. J. P. Viverette, Walter Patrick, David Viverette, and Henry Olive, Dariun Ewing, Crandall Lewis, James Hayes, Roosevelt Smith and Charles Crudup. The Union Grove Male Choir provided the music. Our prayers are with his family, especially his wife, Mrs. Nancy Viverette, and daughters, Ashley Smith and Castatina Williams.
The Mt. Moriah M. B. Church family and friends celebrated Black History Month Sunday, February 24th. The young people portrayed famous African Americans and sang spirituals. They enjoyed local Black History jeopardy on locals in Scott County. Following the program, they were treated to a delicious home cooked meal prepared by Ms. Ruthie Harper. Special thanks to Pastor Ralph James and coordinators Sabrina Riley and Debra Lowery.
Kudos to the Bettye Mae Jack Middle School administrators, faculty, staff and student body for such a wonderful Black History Program where the theme was “A Salute to Women in History.” Wesley Patrick provided a beautiful prelude. Representative Tom Miles was the master of ceremony. Co-Principal Avery Nobles welcomed all in attendance. Trevion Thompson presented the “Birth of Black History Month,” and Mayor Gerald Keeton provided prayer and extended a cordial welcome on behalf of the City of Morton.
The Girls Basketball Team members coordinated Black History Messages and maximized audience participation in providing correct responses. Mrs. Eunice Burgess, BMJ alumni, performed, through dance and recitation ,”Phenomenal Woman;” the MHS Jazz Band performed “The Blues is Loose” and “My Girl;” and the BMJ Choir performed “Rise Up.” Mrs. Bettye Earby introduced the guest speaker, Constance Slaughter Harvey, who provided a historical overview of the life and legacy of Miss Bettye Mae Jack as well as a litany of families supporting Miss Jack’s dedication to the students and families of the Bettye Mae Jack community.
Co-Principal Miles Porter recognized special guests including members of the BMJ Alumni, and a special note of thanks to Mrs. Debra Crudup Lowery for her hard work in coordinating the program. Scott Mangum provided the prayer of departure. Hosts and hostesses were Better Together and Bound to Excel Mentoring Groups. The talent exhibited during this program was extraordinary and ranked at the very top of middle school performances. Congratulations to the students participating in this year’s program!
On the following Tuesday, the Forest Community Head Start celebrated Black History through the eyes of Head Start children. This was perhaps one of Head Start’s best Black History Programs and certainly well attended by parents, elected officials and other and community supporters. The focus was on the Scott County’s First (Finest) in African American History. Ruby Wynn was the program guide and other participants were Mariah Ealy, Eliseo Carmelo-Perez, Sharon Grant, Maria Crane, and Center Director Sheila Y. Brown. Youth participating were Jayden Doss, Kassidy Jones, Armani Johnson, Addison Smith, Miya Burkes, Paris Townsend, Trinity Burns, Layla Tumbling, Lamaria Craft, Kenny Jones, Kevin Johnson, Jacob Thames, Raylan Gilbert, Serenity Green, Maximus Keeton, Je’Cayden Hornsby, Brezyla Smith, Steliah Holder, Bryson Nelson, Brayden Loper, Aislynn Hughes, Kennedy Frith, Alayna Denson, Sky’ah Mitchell, Nakeria White, Destiny Bramlett, Bailey Walker, Tyler Patrick, Zyrianna Buckley. Paityn Jones, Mylan Johnson, Trenity Green, Dakota Ellis, Errius Brown, Amonds Johnson, Exzavion Hillie, Cayden Doss and Zion Benton. We applaud these young Head Start students for their excellent presentations and thank their instructors for their assistance.
Local history makers present at this event were Mayor Gerald Keeton, Circuit Clerk Becky Gray, former Election Commissioner Fannie Bradford, Mayor Gerald Keeton, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Alderwoman Annie Owens, Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey and Dr. Brittany McClendon Spivey.
Later Tuesday afternoon, the Forest Public Library and Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation presented a Local Black History Celebration “Black Migrations” featuring the paintings, drawings and artwork of Rev. Allen Cooks. Prior to the actual Black History Jeopardy Game, a delicious meal was enjoyed by those in attendance. Local history makers present were Justice Court Clerk Betty Swan Odom, former School Board Member Shonnette Kelley, Dr. Lorraine Dozier, Alderwoman Cynthia Melton, former Principal Phylis Campbell, and Attorney Constance Slaughter Harvey. Rev. and Mrs. Allen (Tammie) Cooks, and son Stephon Cooks, were also present. Special thanks to Mrs. Dianne McLaurin, Mrs. Brandy Parker and other Forest Library staff members. It was a wonderful celebration!
Happy birthday greetings to babies born during March 10th through March 21st, namely, Linda Harvey and Mattie Johnson (11), Ruby Robinson and Miriam Mejia (13), Beverly Hollingsworth (14), Brittany Jones, Fredna Glover Warnsley (17), Greg Carter (19), and Phameca Morgan and Brandy Rush (21). Next week, we will share the birthdays of Legacy Mentees and Mentors at Hawkins and Scott Central.
Answer to Black History Quiz Teaser # 2019-4: Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback was the first African American to become governor of a United States state. He served as the 24th Governor of Louisiana during the Reconstruction (1872). Lawrence Douglas Wilder served as the 66th Governor of Virginia (1990-1994) and he was the first African American to serve as governor since Reconstruction.
Women’s History Quiz Teaser 2019-1: Who was the first female lawyer in Mississippi? Who was the first female doctor to practice in Mississippi?
