“We are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally. To be alone with Him — not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything — to dwell lovingly in His presence. Silent, empty, expectant, and motionless. We cannot find God in noise or agitation.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Winnie Anderson Bobbitt, Calvin Bobbitt and Terry Bobbitt who died following the fire destruction of their home on January 31st. Please keep their family in your prayers. Evans Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with their final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Gregory Jerome Ragsdale, son of Mrs. Bettie Ragsdale Robinson, who died January 27th. Family Hour is Friday, February 6th at Church of Jesus of the Apostolic Faith and the Celebration of Life is Saturday, February 7th at the Church. Evans Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his final arrangements. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the January 24th death of musician Mrs. Irene Burnham Martin, age 89, who was born in the Steele Community. She began her professional music career in New Orleans, and it was there she met her husband, Joe Martin. She travelled the country and other countries playing and she also served as a piano and vocal teacher in central Mississippi. Our prayers are with her family including her son Steve Martin. Memorial services were held January 30th at Harperville Baptist Church and final arrangements were entrusted to Ott & Lee of Forest.
Our prayers are with the family of Little Jimarion Orlando Patrick, son of Jimmy and Janitra Patrick, who returned to Heaven on January 17 following a short journey beginning July 9, 2025. He was Celebrated January 31st at Christian Triumph M. B. Church with Pastor Willie Robinson officiating and delivering his eulogy. Mrs. Ruby Robinson was the Mistress of Order and other program participants were Elder Edward Hubbard, Pastor Paul Hughes and Pastor Sheldon Thomas. Music was provided by Bernice Smith and the Christian Triumph M. B. Church Choir. Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his parents, and siblings, Jimiria, Jadaysha, Tristun and Breylan Patrick. Evans Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
We are sorry to learn of the transition of Soror Kisiah Waller Nolan, a trailblazer educator whose lifelong service helped shaped generations of scholars, educators, and school communities. She dedicated more than four decades of service to Jackson Public Schools as teacher, principal, assistant coordinator, assistant superintendent, and a member of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees. Visitation is February 6th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Lakeover Memorial Funeral Home and her Celebration of Life is Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Koinonia Baptist Church on Clinton Blvd. Please remember her family in your prayers.
We join others across the nation in remembering and honoring the late Grady Demond Wilson, the actor who starred as Lamont in Sanford and Son, the popular 1970s television series. He died January 30 at the age of 79 in Palm Springs, CA.
Our prayers are with those affected by the recent storms. We pray that God will protect all who are in any form of danger; provide practical help to those in need, strengthen the weary, console the grieving and heal the suffering. Special prayers for our readers in Ashville, NC, Oxford/University, MS, and Chicago, IL.
Please continue to be with our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice Slaughter Bell, R. C. Williams, Jo Taylor, 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, Ester Perry, Annie Curry, Ruby Helen Moore, 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 Rodguiez Stewart, Cordell Hughes, Clyde Curry, Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr., Bobby Joe Spivey, and Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr.
January “Baby” Dorothy Strong hosted the MHV Cluster Club Meeting on January 22 at the MSU Extension Office. Homemade soup, firecrackers, and delicious desserts were served by hostess Strong. The ladies enjoyed the meal which was blessed by Louella McConnell. Carolyn Macon and Connie Wash conducted the business meeting. Members discussed spring and fall projects for 2026. Dorothy Strong thanked Dessiree Bradford and Cynthia Slaughter Melton for their assistance. Each member received a gift from Strong.
Black History Month, originally started as Black History Week in 1926, is in February because historian Carter G. Woodson chose the month to coincide with the birthdays of two pivotal figures in Black American history. President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” wanted to build on existing traditions within Black communities who already celebrated these figures. In 1975, President Ford signed a resolution recognizing Black Awareness Week, urging all Americans to “recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by Black citizens.” The observance grew, and in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month, urging the public to celebrate the “too-often neglected accomplishments” of Black Americans.
Naomi Dean Williams, RN Memorial January Babies were celebrated at Lackey Convalescent Home on January 30th. These babies were Bobbie Beamon, Lisa Darby, Dorothy Strong, Doris Townsend and Angela Stroud. Residents and staff enjoyed cake, ice cream and chips. They received a Bag of Joy/Snacks donated by Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton who discussed Scott County Times articles. Kim Holifield was the winner of the January Quiz Question. Staff and residents thanked Melton for her gifts.
Happy February Greetings to babies born during the second week, namely Tyailieka Lay, Abdu Clark, Inetta Nichols and Ka’Vontae Phillips (9), Antonia Pinkston, Patricia Massey, and Michael Melvin (10), Teselyn Melton Funches and Rick Mitchell (12), and Mercedes Bloodsaw (13).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 869: Mr. McKinley Kincaid was the first African American Principal of the Morton Elementary School following integration. This Bettye Mae Jack and Jackson State University (JSU) graduate became a coach, and teacher immediately following graduation from JSU. Following his retirement, he became Principal of Alpha & Omega School, which he and his wife, Mrs. Loretha Kincaid, operated for more than 15 years. We salute this Legacy Change Agent during Black History Month!
2026 Black History Month Quiz Teaser #870: Which African American female was referred to as a “computer”? Hints: She started high school when she was 10 years old and graduated from college when she was 18 years old. At the time of her death in 2020, she was 101 years old.
