Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Ethelene Coleman who transitioned Tuesday, March 24th. Memorial services will be held at Lone Pilgrim, Saturday, April 4th at 2:00 p.m. Holifield Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially her children, Rachel Bland, Randy Coleman, and Rebecca Young.
We join others across the country and world in honoring the life and legacy of the Dean of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Joseph Lowery, who joined his brothers and sisters in heaven on Friday, March 20th. Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Congressman John Lewis, and others in leading the Civil Rights Marches in the 60’s and 70’s. He participated in the March on Washington in 1963 and also spoke at the 50th anniversary of the March where, at the age of 91, he led the crowd in the chant “Fired Up? Ready to Go?’ Our prayers are with his family, especially his daughters, and friends.
Our hearts are saddened by the death of former Ward 5 Laurel City Councilman Manuel L. Jones, Sr. who transitioned Thursday, March 19th at Jones County Rest Home in Ellisville. This community activist was one of the founders of MBC/LEO and was instrumental in rebuilding Laurel following Hurricane Katrina. Please keep his family, especially his wife, in your prayers.
Please remember the family of the former mayor of Anguilla, Mrs. Emma Cooper Harris, in your prayers. Mayor Harris transitioned Wednesday, March 25th at her home in Anguilla. She was the first African American mayor of Anquilla. She served as president of the Sharkey County Democratic Party Executive Committee from 1990-2007. Our prayers are with her family, especially her son, Daniel, and her mother, Rose Cooper.
We continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, and add to our previous list, Ora Lee Perkins.
Last week, we inadvertently omitted Mary Beth Thomas while listing the members of Ronnie Thomas’ family. Mary Beth is the oldest daughter and she, along with Tina, were Ronnie’s pride and joy. Our apologies for the omission. Please continue to remember these daughters and his wife, Cecilia, in your prayers.
As we enter the fifth week of the Lenten season and prepare for Easter, most Scott County residents are staying at home to curb the spread of the coronavirus – COVID-19. The new term of “self-distancing” is being embraced as we spend more time with ourselves and our families. Carol Zimmerman points out that the penitential qualities tied to this pandemic health crisis — suffering, giving up and solitude — are symbolic of Lent’s spiritual practice of self-denial. Father Paul Keller calls the current situation “our opportunity to be in the desert like Jesus, with time away in solitary prayer,” which he describes as something that couldn’t be more Lenten. At the very least and during this time, we should spend more time in prayer, prayer that is sorely needed to remember those who are sick, our health care workers who remain on the front lines, our first responders, public officials who continue to provide services, and for one another.
As we practice social/self-distancing, we notice there are citizens who continue to provide much needed services and assistance as they place their personal health in jeopardy. For these services, we are most thankful and appreciative. We salute those who provide medical services, safety and protective services, sanitation services, and other much needed essential services during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time of self-quarantine, we enjoyed the “drive-in” televised Sunday Service at Little Rock M. B. Church where Pastor Rev. Sheldon Thomas delivered an interesting and challenging message. His sermon theme was, “A Test To See If You Really Have It.” Pastor Thomas and his church family extended a continuing invitation for our readers to join them each Sunday. We were reminded that God has dispatched angels to protect his daughters and sons. Special thanks to Rev. Thomas for bringing his inspirational message of hope into our homes.
Continued thanks to the Todd and Erin Vowell for continuing to feed our children during this time of pandemic quarantine and social and self-distancing. We also thank the Scott County and Forest School Districts administrators, teachers, staff and volunteers for continuing to provide educational nourishment and opportunities for our school children.
Happy birthday to babies born during the first week in April, namely Unity Bell Parker and Lynn Kenna (1), Roseann Lynn (2), Wealth Hunter (3), Alice Gray and Jakeshia Moore (7), Judy Thompson (8), and Candace Ford (9).
Answer to Women History Quiz Teaser #2004: The late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination when she announced her candidacy in January, 1972. Four years before, she became the first African American U. S. Congresswoman when she represented her New York district. With her announcement to run in the Democratic primary election, she became the first African American to seek the presidential nomination from one of the two major parties. (Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to seek the Republican nomination in 1964.) Congressman Chisholm’s slogan was “Unbought and Unbossed,” and she later penned a book with that title. She, Marlo Thomas, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Gloria Steinem, and Brenda Feigen Fasteau were 1971 board members of the Women’s Action Alliance.
Women History Quiz Teaser #2005: Who was the first female elected to a statewide office established in the Mississippi constitution?
