“I think the difference between me and some people is that I’m content to do my little bit. Sometimes 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.” Sister Thea Bowman
A beautiful Memorial Service in memory of Mrs. Shirley Earnestine Turner was held at the Forest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on June 27th. The Speaker was Brother Darryl Reeves. Brothers Flodie Gregory and Bill Brewer shared their respect and tributes during the Service. Our prayers continue to be with Mrs. Turner’s family, especially her husband Mr. Raymond Turner, and her children, Danny (Louise) Battle, Shirley (Adolph) Lewis, and Christie Bennett. 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 Howard Burkes, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice and Don Bell, Charlotte Moman, R. C. Williams, Glenda Graham, Robert Jennings, Rita Wash, 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 Wayne Lindsey.
Legacy CARE Camp ended last Friday, and ten Legacy Connection Scholars graduated. June 30th is the beginning of the Scholars Understanding Math (SUM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) Camp which runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for three weeks, ending July 18th. Legacy Executive Director Constance Burwell is the Camp Director. Special thanks to volunteers who assisted during the CARE Camp.
Congratulations to Tristen Steven Philip Rudolph, son of Damienne Denham, grandson of Steve Denham, and great-grandson of the late Otha and Ethel Denham, who is a senior and Drum Major at Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, GA. He recently returned from an unforgettable 8-day European Tour as a Bass Clarinetist with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. These young musicians performed in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues, including St. Peterskirche in Prague, Czech Republic, The Rudolfinum in Vienna, Austria, and a special appearance in Salzburg, Austria. Congratulations Tristen!
Congratulations to locals who attended the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated 119 the Congress of Christian Education/CCE in Montgomery, AL during June 16-20, 2025! Attending from Scott County were New Bethel Pastor and Mrs. Vincent (Sabrita) Hopkins, Shelby Hopkins, Susie Jackson Boyd, Charlean Youngblood, Kalyndezia Gray, Sheila Y. Brown, and Kevin and Angelia Cross. Dennis Hayes and Jomiski Nelson, members of Concord M. B. Church, were also in attendance. Morton residents who attended and graduated were Rev. and Mrs. Willie Jones, Rev. Eric Jones, Rev. Reginald McCoy, Lakin Jones, and Betty Earby. It was an educational and challenging experience. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Legacy Change Agent Taylor Lee Longmire from Clinton, MS who recently attended the High School Agricultural Camp at the historical Tuskegee University (AL). The Camp consisted of three sections/programs, Agriculture Trek, Forestry and Natural Resources Trek, and the Mini-Meat Camp. Taylor enjoyed the experience especially the trips to the University farms and research lab where they made pork jerky. He also enjoyed interactive experiences of participating in field trips to places like Golden State Food Meat House in Opelika, AL where they learned about meat processing. Taylor is the son of Tammy Longmire and the grandson of Barbara Horton Longmire and the late Dr. Marshal Lee Longmire.
Congratulations to James Burwell, III “Tre” who participated in two summer academic weeklong residential camps in Starkville and Columbus. He participated for a second summer at the MS School for Mathematics and Science and graduated a second time from An Opportunity for Excellence 2025 Summer Enrichment Camp on the campus of MS University for Women in Columbus. He enjoyed the Going Global Statistics class where his project was to report on the intensities of Texas tornadoes and he enjoyed reuniting with friends he met last summer and making new friends.
Tre’ also participated in and graduated from the 2025 Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute (MSTI) during the weeklong residential camp with the MS State University Bagley College of Engineering in Starkville. He and his partner Anna won first place in bridge engineering.
The nine students selected from MS visited the Columbus Air Force Base, PACCAR Diesel Engine Company, and MSU’s Engineering Lab. He enjoyed visiting the biggest High Voltage Lab in North and South America. The camp was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, MS Dept. of Transportation, and Civil and Environmental Engineering at MS State University. James is the son of Rev. James and Dr. Constance Burwell of Hinds County and the grandson of Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Esq.
Congratulations to Scholar Courtney E. Funches who participated and graduated from the Jackson Heart Study SLAM Month-Long Program hosted at the historic campus of Tougaloo College. Courtney won several outstanding awards in Science, Math, and Language. She also experienced dissecting a pig. Courtney attends St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Madison and is an outstanding basketball player. She is the daughter of Atty. Teselyn and Reginald Funches of Yazoo County and the granddaughter of Alderwoman Cynthia S. Melton.
Thanks to Change Agent Mrs. Martha Reed for her contribution to Legacy’s Emergency Assistance Program. Mrs. Reed is the oldest participant in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Walk sponsored by Legacy/ Slaughter Memorial entities. She served as the Dr. Rev. MLK, Jr. Walk Marshall in 2004.
Scott County JSU Alumni Association members met on Thursday, June 26th. They discussed projects for 2025-26 and for HBCU Family/Friends Day on July 19th at Gaddis Park. Members in attendance were Albert Gray, Barbara Gray, Carolyn Macon, Janet Williams, Bonnie Stowers, Jalissa Rodriques, Martha and Robert Kincaid, Lisa Darby and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. They look forward to seeing you there.
Happy Birthday greetings to July babies who were born during the second week, namely Clay Martio, Cedric Patrick, L. J. Young and Lucile McGowan (4), Jamie Nguten (5) Jefri Aguilar (8), and Jaylen Burks, James Nelson, Carl Lamb, Cheryl Slaughter Ellis, and Rashaan Butler (9).
Happy 99th Birthday to Legacy Change Agent Mrs. Lloyce Gary Collier, who celebrated her June 21st birthday with family and friends. It was a very special occasion. Mrs. Collier’s memory is most impressive and accurate – she is a walking encyclopedia and history book!!!
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 839: Eta Sigma Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest Fraternity Chapter in Scott County. The late W. L. Slaughter, a member of the Meridian Chapter, was one of the incorporators. Additional details will be provided next week.
Quiz Teaser # 840: Which Scott County musician recorded and sold records on the “Fat Possum” label and released “Taledragger” (2000), She Ain’t None of Your’n” (2009) and “Ladies Man” (2010?
