A beautiful Celebration of Life was held for Mr. Lynn “Catfish” Bland, a King Lumber Company retiree, September 2nd at Sons of God Love, Faith, and Power Ministries in Walnut Grove. Pastor Elwando Brown officiated and gave the eulogy. Other program participants were Mistress of Ceremony Gloria Patrick, Elder Dotson, Bonnie Patrick, Geneva Patrick, Gloria Patrick, Co-Pastor Stephanie Brown, and Charlotte Laster-Lloyd. Our prayers are with his family especially his son Cory (Clarissa) Bland, grandchildren, sister Bobbie Parhm and brother Ricky Sturkin. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangement.
Our prayers are with the family of Deacon Perkins Arrington, a Pilate High School graduate, and General Motors retiree, who was memorialized at his Homecoming Celebration September 2nd at Russell Temple COGIC in Hickory. Elder Timothy McSwain was the Officiant/Pastor. Elder James Monroe was the Master of Order and other program participants were Jalen Evans, Elder Lyon, and Kegan Robinson. Please keep his family in your prayers especially his wife, Alice, and children Helen Gordon, Barbara Brown, Paula Jones, Mary Arrington, Felicia Arrington, Dennis Arrington, and Thomas Arrington. Holifield Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, Lucy V. Moore, LaToya McClendon, Rubin Ruiz, Bonnie Russell Hodge, Don Bell, Gail Lee, Jordan Crump, D’Tahj McClendon Lewis, Timothy Crudup, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Bobbie Carter, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, John “Butch” Wilson, Dianne Cox, Thomas Anderson, Kristie Ware, Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Henry and Marquita Patrick, Sidney Ellis, Sammie Jean Webb, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch and Mary Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Beverly Hollingsworth, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nancy Myers, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, K. C. Patrick, Renea Taylor, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Thanks to A. J. Lewis, father of 6-year-old Debra Lewis Wilson who integrated the Carthage Elementary School in 1964 and was the first African American to graduate, for sharing memories of this historic milestone. Mrs. Wilson passed in 2001 and a monument honoring her memory and legacy is located at the intersection of Lewis Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
Congratulations to former Forest resident, Mrs. Roseann Lynn, who was recognized recently as the Bella Vista Retirement Community Volunteer. She sends her love to all.
Thanks to Mrs. Eloise Reed for the invitation to celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Helen Reed Aikens September 3rd at the Abundant Grace Temple of Deliverance. The guest speaker was Rev. Larry Reed, Sr. who paid tribute to Pastor Aiken and referenced as life as “This Little Light of Mine.” She let her light shine and worked to help others shine their light. Participating in this tribute were family members: husband Bishop O. D. Akines, daughters, Melody Reed, Sophia Micheals, and daughter Rena Pierre’s daughter, Jakenzie. Other participants were Mesdames Hope Lucious, Rosie Kersh, Eloise Reed, Karis Bobbitt, and Shyria Finderson. The Evangelist Temple Choir, under the direction of Lisa Tanksley, electrified those in attendance and brought the crowd to its feet! The reception was great and the homecooked meal was delicious.
At the intersection of Highways 21 and 80, there was love in the air Saturday, September 2nd in the Greater Deliverance COGIC parking lot. Bishop Daniel and Lady Wanda Littleton and church family spread love, care, and concern for our community by sponsoring their Labor Day Community Fest, and it was a great Fest!
There was free food, including ribs, chicken, and much more! Water slides, bouncers, popcorn, ice cones, hot dogs, and other goodies and treats were available for the youth and adults as well. More than 300 people, including residents of Newton, Lake, Morton, Brandon and Byram, attended the event and there was much diversity in the attendance.
The purpose of Community Fest was to bring the community together with the church and fellowship and enjoy neighbors. As an observer who enjoyed the food and hospitality, this event was especially impressive and served its purpose of bringing all diverse communities together to have a good time.
Mayor Nancy Chambers and Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton were in attendance. Special thanks to Bishop Daniel and Lady Wanda Littleton and committee members Roy and Stacie Murray, Thomas Bryant, Frederick and Aurvanette Campbell, Earl Gray, Nykemia Brown, Billy Murray, Jerry Rogers, Phylis Campbell, and Dennis Craft. The Forest Beta Club members helped, and the Life Builders of MS was a wonderful partner. Thanks to the Greater Deliverance COGIC family!
Legacy Connection Scholars celebrated Labor Day with fun, food, reading, and public service projects. They especially enjoyed discussing the meaning of Labor Day, preparing community services projects, discussing current events, dissecting newspapers, and discussing the importance of school grades. Sharing in this session led by Executive Director Constance Burwell were Connection Scholars Aniyah James, Philanciea Stowers, Av’anna James, Autumn Jones, James Burwell, Raigen Walker, Michael Walden, Mahleyla Walden, Nathaniel James and Erin James. They also discussed the importance of attending school and the MS Department of Education’s promotion of September as Attendance Awareness Month. According to MDE, 29% of MS students were absent 18 days or more during the 2021-23 school year.
Congratulations to Forest native Joe Tucker who was honored recently at The Business Council 25th Anniversary Awards Luncheon. The annual event held in Milwaukee recognizes one local Major Corporation and one local Minority owned Business each year. The Business Council honored Joe Tucker’s 27 years of service to the Milwaukee Business Community by changing the name of the Minority Business of the Year to the Joe Tucker Legacy Business Partner of the Year Award. The Business Council President stated that the decision was made in recognition of Mr. Tucker’s significant contributions to the Milwaukee community in business leadership and social responsibility as founder of Victory Personnel Services, Inc. The guest speaker for the event was author and television personality Roland Martin. The 2023 Joe Tucker Legacy Business Partner of the Year Award was presented personally by Mr. Tucker to Mr. Bill Beckett, President of Chryspac. Way to go Mr. Tucker!!!!!
Happy Birthday greetings to babies born between September 7th and 14th, namely, Delois Darby, Bonnie Stowers, and Ridavious Graffenread (8), Justin McLemore (9),Cameron Ealy, and Jayla Lopez (10), Tydarius Reed (11), Marzavious Bradford (12), Minnie Holifield, Annie Ickom, Rhonda Carter, Terrell Pierce, and Brandon Harris (13), and Ugie Crudup (14).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 736: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta are African American sororities with the focus and mission of service and sisterhood.
Quiz Teaser # 737: Who was the first African American female to work in the Forest High School Food Services Department?
