“No matter how tired you are, no matter how physically exhausting your life may be, make it a priority to care for someone in need. What greater joy can there be?” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
We are sorry to learn of the death of Ms. Wanda Kay Smith, who passed away on March 14th. No further details were available at press time.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Aretha Riley Gray, Forest 99-year-old matriarch, who joined her heavenly family on Monday, March 9th. Her Celebration of Life is set for Saturday, March 21st, at Lynch Chapel United Methodist Church. Repast will take place at Reach One On One. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially her children, Kathy Stowers, Deborah Fountain, and Douglas Gray. Holifield Funeral Home has been entrusted with her final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Jimmy Rasco, Hawkins High and Alcorn State graduate, who died on March 9th. Memorial services include his funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21st, and visitation on Friday, March 20th, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 at Holifield Funeral Home. Repast follows the service at Sylvester United Methodist Church, 2085 South Little River Road, Forest. Please remember his family in your prayers, especially his wife, Dr. Mattie Ragsdale Rasco, and children, Leonard and Victor. Holifield Funeral Home has been entrusted with his final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Scott County Training School graduate, Mr. Lewis Lyles, who passed on March 7th. His Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at 1:00 at Union Grove Baptist Church, 341 Ephesus Road, Forest. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20th, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Evans Memorial Funeral Home. Mr. Lyles’ final arrangements have been entrusted to Evans Memorial Funeral. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We join others across the nation and state in celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. John Perkins, who died at 95 at his home on March 13th. Rev. Perkins was a minister, civil rights activist, religious advisor to President Jimmy Carter and others who followed, author of more than a dozen books, and founder of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and the Voice of Calvary Bible Institute. He espoused social justice, and he helped create a national network of community-development ministries “styled on the life of Jesus, who had the greatest concern for the weakest of people.”
Rev. Perkins was the first client of local attorney Contance Slaughter (Harvey), a week after she graduated in 1970, when he was arrested and beaten on several occasions in Mendenhall and Brandon. An appeal to the MS Supreme Court resulted in the dismissal of charges in the Mendenhall action. Ironically, Rev. Perkins, a proponent of forgiveness and reconciliation, forgave those officials who beat and abused him. He wrote, “The gospel is the only force powerful enough to bring about true reconciliation.”
He became a friend of Klansman-turned-minister Tommy Tarrants, and the narrative “The Preacher and the Klan” detailed their lives and friendship. Copies of his books, including the first, “Let Justice Roll Down,” are on reserve at the Legacy/Slaughter Library. Please keep his wife, Vera, and children in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the passing of the 13th Superior General, Very Reverend William Norvel, SSJ. Josephite priest, pastor, teacher, author, and liturgical leader, who went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 8th. He was a native of Pascagoula and was ordained into priesthood in 1965. He dedicated his life to serving Black Catholic communities throughout the United States with deep pastoral love and missionary zeal. In 2011, Fr. Norvel made history when he was elected 13th Superior General of the Josephites, becoming the first African American to lead the Josephite community and the first African American to head a Catholic religious community of priests in the United States.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Ronnie Willliams, Amos Holifield, Dr. Clarice Slaughter Bell, Ester Perry, Jo Taylor, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, R. C. Williams, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Connie Sorey, LaToya, Que, and LaTasha McClendon, Bobby Carter, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Eleanor Longmire, Cathia Coleman, Connie Parker, Jordan Crump, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Virginia Hannah, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Rev. 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, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Wells Gray, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Annie Curry, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie, Elijah, and Symone Ickom, Charity Robinson, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Bobby Hodges, Wayne Lindsey, Patsy Bradford, Marie Graham, Rita Wash, Willie Wash, Margaret Bates, Lillie Mae Rodriguez Stewart, Cordell Hughes, Clyde Curry, Bobby Joe Spivey, Al and Lesa Bergin, Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr. and Rita Moody.
We continue to enjoy the Lenten Luncheons sponsored by the Morton United Methodist Church family held on Wednesdays at noon during the Lenten Season. Law Enforcement Officer Clint Hatch, with over two decades of service, was the guest speaker. He is the author of “Keeping the Peace Within,” which follows Jesus as a First Responder and is dedicated to his fellow first responders. His presentation was most impressive and interesting. A copy of his book is on reserve at the Legacy/Slaughter Library.
Congratulations to Mrs. Lloyce Collier, Mrs. Roseann Lynn, and Mrs. Lucille Patrick, who are honored as Legacy’s 2026 Women’s History Month Honorees. These senior icons represent concrete and genuine history especially through their leadership roles in organizing church and community events, mentoring younger generations in their churches and communities, and guiding their families with wisdom and strength. These ladies exemplify remarkable strength, unwavering courage, and steadfast convictions. Their presence and dedication serve as the foundation that keeps our respective communities stable, strong, and dependable.
Through their actions and commitments, they inspire those around them and ensure their communities remain reliable and resilient for generations to come. They represent God’s children in all walks of their lives, and we are blessed to have these Legacy 2026 Women History Month Honorees among us. Their contributions reflect the diversity and strength within our community, and they have demonstrated dedication, leadership, and compassion, serving as role models and sources of inspiration.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we recognize and appreciate the impact they have made in various fields and aspects of life, reminding us of the importance of uplifting and acknowledging those who enrich our lives with their presence and service. Congratulations Mesdames Collier, Lynn and Patrick.
Our readers are invited to attend the reception in honor of Sister Eileen Hausewald, who is leaving the Morton Community Learning/Activity Center, f/k/a Excel Learning Center, after more than 15 years of dedicated service to the Morton community. The event will be held Thursday, March 19th at the Morton Community Learning Center in Morton, 383 South Fourth Street, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Please join the Legacy family in expressing appreciation to Sister Eileen. See you there!
Happy Birthday greetings to March babies born during the fourth week, namely Kelvin Cager, Greg Carter and Burke Hayes (19), Jacqueline McBride (20), Phameca Morgan and Brandy Rush (21), Myra Murrell Davis and Destiny Phillips (23), Rosa Orellana (24), Catina Derricks, Lawaneca Pinkston and Robert Buchanan (25), and Byron Johnson (28).
Answer to 2026 Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 875: The late Honorable Evelyn Gandy was the first woman to hold the office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi and in the Southern United States. She was the only woman in her 1943 class at the University of MS School of Law, the first woman elected to a statewide constitutional office (state treasurer), and she also served as Assistant Attorney General, Welfare Commissioner, and State Legislator from Forrest County. “Miss Gandy” remained active in Democratic Party politics until her death in 2007. Congratulations to Granville Freeman who provided the correct response.
2026 Women’s History Month Quiz Teaser # 876: Which Mississippi woman said, “If I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom.”
