“People think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle, we’d have a tremendous light.” Servant of God Thea Bowman
Our prayers are with the family of Forest/Scott County School and Youth Court Counselor Frederck Payne, who passed at his home last Sunday. Memorial services will be held in Magee on Saturday, November 8th, at 11:00 at Westhaven Funeral Home, and public viewing is on Friday, November 7th, from 9-5 at Westhaven Funeral Home. Please keep his family in your prayers.
A beautiful Homegoing Celebration was held for Mrs. Martha Flowers Reed on Thursday, October 23rd at Mapp Funeral Home Chapel with New Bethel M.B. Church, Pastor Vincent Hopkins officiating and delivering her eulogy. He referenced her life’s journey in his message, “Because of the Cross.” Dr. Rhonda Kelley was the Mistress of Order, and other program participants were Mrs. Louella McConnell, Pastors Johnny Sims and Walter Patrick, Nadine Gilbert, Geraldine Johnson, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Susie Jackson Boyd, Rhonda Weathersby, Elisha Moore, Stephanie Reed Braggs, Melissa Moore, Dorothy Smith, and Rufus Ringo. Mrs. Reed was remembered as a gardener and “Mother of the Community,” Heroine of Jericho, and an active supporter of Legacy Education and Community Empowerment who participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk for more than 20 years and recently received an Award and Medallion for her participation. She will be missed. Our prayers are with her family, especially her daughter, Annettie McGee, her sister, Vera Smith, and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
The Life of Mrs. Mary Spivey Loper was celebrated on October 25th at Greater Deliverance COGIC, where Bishop Daniel Littleton is the Bishop, and Minister Reginald Johnson officiated. Mrs. Arvanet Jones Campbell was the Mistress of Ceremony, and other program participants were Katrina Loper, Ministers Dewayne Gammage and Wesley Bradley, Elder Vernada Pinkston, and Josalind Moore. The Greater Deliverance COGIC provided music. Mrs. Loper attended Hawkins High School and was a faithful member of New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially her children, Shirley Gray, Annie Johnson, Kathy Pinkston, Sheila Patrick, and Cindy Crudup, and her siblings, Betty Penny, Georgia Thompson, Viola Spivey, Dorothy Fountain, Bobby Spivey, Barbara Williams, and Johnny Spivey.
Please continue to remember those who are facing health challenges, namely, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Bobbie Adams, Ada Jones, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice and Don Bell, R. C. Williams, Rubin Ruiz, Eloise Reed, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Wells Gray, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Jo Taylor, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Eleanor Longmire, Jordan Crump, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Virginia Hannah, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Henry Patrick, Lucy V. Moore, Sidney Ellis, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Lillian Gray, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, John Norman, Juanita Jones, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Annie Curry, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen Moore, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie and Symone Ickom, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Bobby Hodges, Wayne Lindsey, Patsy Bradford, Marie Graham, Rita Wash, Willie Wash, and Margaret Bates.
We enjoyed the Mission Ministry of Lone Pilgrim MB Church on October 18th, where the theme was “Wake Up All You Sleepers” from Romans 13:11-12. Program participants were Mesdames Gloria Holifield, Virginia Holifield, Josie Gammage, Dessaree Bradford, Elizabeth Ferrell, and Jesette Rush. Pastor Jarvis Rush shared words of encouragement. We appreciate the invitation from Mrs. Bradford.
Special thanks for the support of volunteers at the Annual Legacy Fall Block Sale held Saturday, October 18th, at Legacy Block Landing. Community camaraderie was great! Thanks to customers, board members Barney Delano, Robert Kincaid, Verna Myers, Francis Richmond, Joni Pace, and Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Executive Director Constance Burwell, and family (James, II and James III), and volunteers Debra Lowery, Susie Boyd, Cindy Williams, Emma Jones, Argelis De Jesus, Andrew Crudup, and D. L. Bennett. All added much to the enjoyment of the experience, which fostered the Legacy spirit of fun and service.
The Tougaloo College Class of 1967 continued their quarterly birthday tradition and met on October 14th in Jackson to enjoy and celebrate with classmates. Among those celebrating and enjoying a home-cooked meal at the home of Charles and Deloise Jones were Forest residents Willie Horton and Constance Slaughter-Harvey. Other classmates were Charles and Deloise Jones, Carolyn Hayes Amerson, Alma M. Fisher, Edward C. Bailey, Yvonne Huddleston, Jayne Burrow Sargent, Greta Peyton Terry, and Joyce Bartley Taylor.
Chief Delano Barney challenged us when he delivered the Men’s Day speech at New Bethel MB Church on October 19th after being introduced by his lovely wife, Melissa Barney. He addressed the theme “The War Within: Becoming the Man God Called Me to Be.” His message resonated with much love, history, and challenges! Others participating in this program were Deacons Douglas Barber, Thomas Smith, Ernest Love, and Larry Brown. Myla Sanders provided a beautiful solo tribute, and Tatyana McNair shared the announcements. Pastor Vincent Hopkins complimented the speaker and said that Barney covered it all for the day, and there was no need for his message. He then offered prayers, including a special prayer for Mrs. Martha Reed. Thanks to Mrs. Kathy Sanders for her assistance.
October babies were honored and recognized during the Naomi Dean Williams, RN Memorial held at Lackey Convalescent Home on October 23rd. Cynthia Slaughter Melton sponsored the event. Mesdames Olivia Kelley Slaughter (9) and Sammie N. Rigsby (7) were honored. Guest Gloria Patrick blessed the occasion and food, and guest Minnie Williams sang a solo. Birthday babies recognized were Dorothy Patrick Tigar (6), Viola Morgan (16), Karanika Patrick (12), Chelsea Campbell Rogers (15), Jade Olivia Morgan (31), Kelis Odom (19), Nova McCoy (1), Diamond McCoy (20), Zion Blount (25) and Teddy Bloodsaw (16). All birthday babies received gifts and enjoyed snack bags of joy. Residents, staff, and guests enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream. Guests were Constance Slaughter-Harvey and 2-year-old Dillion Brock.
We enjoyed our visit from former Slaughter Boy Scout Robert Strong, who was home visiting his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Strong. Best wishes to Robert and his family.
Legacy Change Agent Brian Texaco was home, visiting his parents, and attending church with them. He was one of the original Change Agents who participated in the REAL program, which was recognized as a national model. We’re proud of Marine Brian Texaco!
This weekend, we enjoyed touring the We Care Mission in Morton, including the Mission Thrift Shop and Food Pantry. We salute the board members and volunteers and encourage our readers to help with this Ministry. Additional details will follow in next week’s column.
Popcorn, sausage dogs, cake, chips, and other lunch items were enjoyed by customers and friends of Community Bank on October 24th during Community Bank Customer Appreciation Day!!
Reminder to Save Our Youth Through Community Action stakeholders of the October 30th meeting at the Legacy/Slaughter Library at noon. We look forward to new stakeholders joining us. The late Frederick Payne was scheduled to deliver the challenge. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Happy Birthday greetings to October babies born during the last week and to November babies born during the first week, namely, Whitney Patrick and Marcus Bland (29), Ann Brand Colbert and Nicole Jones (30), and Donisea Phillips and Renna Battle (31), Elizabeth Hampton and Ruby Hill (3), Larry Murrell, Joseph Futch and Vicky Patrick (4), and Makayla Crosby, Mildred Guyse and Adam Rogers (6).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 856: The Mt. Moriah M.B. Church, located in Pulaski, celebrated its 123 years of existence recently, and is recognized for having housed a public school in 1902. Rev. Ralph James is the Pastor. Deacon Andrew Crudup provided the correct answer.
Quiz Teaser # 857: Which Scott County African American was the first and only vice-president of Caesar’s Entertainment headquartered in Las Vegas?
