“Love is not about patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about pouring ourselves out for others. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand also.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
A beautiful Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Verneda “Ollie” McClendon, who attended North Scott and Scott Central High School, was held Saturday, May 31st at Midway M. B. Church with Pastor Rev. Wesley Griffin officiating and delivering her eulogy. Dr. Lorraine Dozier was the Mistress of Ceremony and other program participants were Rev. Tevin Nichols, Mesdames Crystal McClendon, Josalind Moore and Beverly Goodlow. Our prayers are with her family especially her siblings Lonnie (Sandra) McClendon, Archie (Debra) McClendon, W. C. (Constance) McClendon, Jr., Bobby (Teresa) McClendon, Linda (Robert) Loper, Lee Charles (Donna) McClendon, and Elbert (Shelia) McClendon; and aunts Henrietta Handford, Sollie (Walter) Smith, and Eliza Janie McClendon. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangement.
Ms. Tisha Beamon, Forest High School Class of 1994 graduate, received a beautiful Homegoing Saturday, May 31st at the Concord M. B. Church with Elder Paul Hughes officiating and delivering her eulogy. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd was the Mistress of Ceremony, and other program participants included Evangelist Crystal Davis, DeWaun Walker, Rev. Henry Patrick, Ms. Melody Collier, Mesdames Cheryl Robinson and Darlene Moore, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, and her brother, Wayne Beamon. Her beautiful smile was her special greeting and was shared with all she met. Our prayers are with her family especially her mother, Bobbie Holifield Beamon, her children Travious Beamon, and Tashera Beamon, and her siblings Elaine (Andrew) Thomas, Lisa Darby, Wilbert Wayne Beamon, and Marco (Erica) Beamon. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Please continue to remember those who are facing health challenges, and we are heartened by the news of some who have shown improvement, namely Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice and Don Bell, R. C. Williams, Glenda Graham, Robert Jennings, Rita Wash, Gail Lee, Wells Gray, McArthur Cotton, Margaret Wodetzki, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Martha Reed, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha Benton, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Travis Ward, Eleanor Longmire, Rubin and Belsy Ruiz, Jordan Crump, Albert Lee Payton, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Kristie Ware, Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, 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, Ruby Rhodes, John Norman, Renea Taylor, Juanita Jones, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Annie Curry, Miriam Mejia, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen White, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie and Symone Ickom, Bishop Odee Akines, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Leon Hudson, Bobby Hodges, and Raphael Kalume.
We enjoyed visiting with former Legacy Intern Corporal Kentavias Marbuary who was home visiting his twin sisters, Seirra and Teirra for their FHS graduation. They are the children of Louise Washington, and all are Legacy Change Agents who have invested more than 10 years in Legacy programs.
The Union Grove U. M. Church family and community sponsored a Retirement Appreciation Banquet for retiring educator Mr. Manorris Odom on May 25th, and member Ms. Brenda Bobbit was the Mistress of Ceremony. Mr. Odom, who retired after 24 years as a certified teacher, acknowledged those in attendance, including his sister Mrs. Paulette (Jimmy) Lyles, and brother Rev. Larry (Gladys) Odom. Mrs. Beverly Patrick coordinated the event and added special touches to the delicious meal. According to Mr. Odom, this was a very special occasion, and he appreciated those who sponsored this “purple and gold” (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity) event. Odom is the church pianist for Union Grove, Sylvester U. M., and St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Carthage. We join others in saluting Mr. Odom for his dedication to our youth and students!
Rev. Larry Reed, Sr. and members of the Bartholomew M. B. Church family celebrated Women’s Day on Sunday May 25th with Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey delivering the Women’s Day message. The theme was “Christian Women Committed to Christ” and she dedicated her remarks to her mother, Olivia Kelley Slaughter and her daughter Constance Olivia Slaughter Harvey Burwell. Other local women who were recognized as Christian women committed to Christ were Henrietta Horton, Lloyce Collier, Rose J. Mabry, and Roseann Lynn. Attorney/Judge Slaughter-Harvey was introduced by First Lady Abagail Reed. In addition to her family (Constance, James II and James III Burwell) being her guests, Mesdames Susie Jackson Boyd, Ester Johnson, and Jean Reed, mother of Pastor Reed were acknowledged for their presence and support.
We enjoyed the Mental Health Awareness Brunch and Mental Health Resource Fair held Friday at the Catholic Charities, Inc. of Jackson Auditorium. The event was presented by Hope Haven Home-Based in conjunction with Kinship Navigator and Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program. Dr. Clyde Glenn, Medical Director of Behavioral Health for TrueCare, was the guest speaker. He referred to time wealth, which describes the allocation of one’s time and how it impacts self-worth. According to Dr. Glenn, we are our biggest problem when it comes to mental health.
It was great seeing local citizens supporting the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Observance on Memorial Day which was held at the Scott County Courthouse. Special thanks to Veterans Bill Lovett, Bruce Warren, Tom Wilson and Terry McMillian for their coordination and assistance. Special thanks to Rev. Sheldon Thomas, Pastor of Little Rock M. B. Church, for an inspiring and uplifting sermon which was, as usual, well received by all in attendance. The event was a time of reflections of sacrifices and love. A very special thanks to all Veterans!!
Special thanks to Tamantha Qualls Harris and the Serenity and Grace Home Care family for the informative and much needed Community Health Fair held May 31st at Kats Kave! More than 50 people participated in the services provided and many were made aware of potential health issues that needed to be addressed. We’re hopeful that the Serenity and Grace Home Care family will continue to provide these Health Fairs so that our community can take charge of its health. For additional information, call 601-697-0194.
Local HBCU Alumni Chapter Presidents Longmire and Gray invite our readers to join them in celebrating HBCU Family and Friends Day which will be held on June 14th at 10:00 at Gaddis Park. Additional details will be shared in next week’s column.
Pastor Rev. Vincent D. Hopkins and members of the New Bethel M. B. Church invite our readers to join them for their Father’s Day observance on June 15th at 10 a.m. Rev. James A. Burwell, II, will be the guest speaker.
Our readers are invited to celebrate the Juneteenth Community BBQ with an emphasis on freedom, culture and community. The event is sponsored by Faith Heart Homecare LLC and will be held on Thursday, June 19th at Gaddis Park and begins at 1:00 p.m. See you there!!
Happy Birthday greetings to June babies born during the second week in June, namely Ike Crudup, Laderrick Scott, Jadarius Vivians, and April Robinson (9), Benita Pugh (10), Dorothy Odom Pinkston and Janet Nicks Williams (11), Rashad Odom (12), Antarral Pinkston (13), and Ruth Weems, Latoya Gray, and Ja’Mya Henry (14).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 835: Elvin Crisp, son of the late Douglas Ann Crisp, was the first Scott Countian to work as a camera man and operations manager for Channel 3 – WLBT in Jackson.
Quiz Teaser # 836: Which African American entrepreneur joined the military in 1943, left America by the Statue of Liberty, returned under the Golden Gate Bridge, and remained active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Forest until his death?
