“Each one of us is merely a small instrument. All of us, after accomplishing our mission, will disappear. The only question is: Will you collaborate with God so He can use you to do His work here on earth?” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
A beautiful Celebration of Life was held for Minister David Wilson on August 16th at Mt. Olive M. B. Church with Rev. Charles Bell officiating and delivering his eulogy. Mrs. Rhonda Carter Windham was the Mistress of Ceremony, and other program participants were Pastor Calvin Smith, his sisters Rev. Pearly Ruth McCarty and Minister Annie Woods, Roxane Hawkins, and his nephew Robert Strong. Let’s keep his family in our prayers, especially his children and siblings here in Forest, Dorothy Strong and Rev. James Wilson. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with his final arrangements.
Please continue to remember those who are facing health challenges, namely, Trudy Reed Otis, Rubin Ruiz, Eloise Reed, Howard Burkes, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice and Don Bell, Charlotte Moman, R. C. Williams, Glenda Graham, Robert Jennings, Wells Gray, McArthur Cotton, Margaret Wodetzki, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Martha Reed, Jo Taylor, 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, 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, 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, Odee Akines, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Leon Hudson, Bobby Hodges, Wayne Lindsey, Patsy Bradford, Marie Graham, Rita Wash, Willie Wash and Margaret Bates.
Lynch Chapel U. M. Church’s Fall Revival was perfect for rejuvenating and reviving the soul. Pastor Walter Roberts introduced the Revival Speaker, Elder Anjohnette Gibbs-Walton who addressed and reflected on the Biblical view of today’s worldly problems. Her family joined Lynch Chapel members and others in praising God for His grace and mercy.
Congratulations to Maliaka Holifield McNair, daughter of Amos and Minnie Holifield, on her promotion to Assistant Principal of Grace Christian Elementary in Hattiesburg. She is married to Tomechia McNair, and they are parents to Malek. We’re proud of Mrs. McNair, a former Slaughter Girl Scout, and wish her well.
Happy belated Anniversary to Legacy Change Agents Mr. and Mrs. Vurtis (Annette) McClendon who celebrated 46 years of marriage on August 11th. Their children, along with other family members, honored the couple with a delicious meal, gifts, hugs and much love. Many more years of marital bliss are wished for them. Way to go!
Legacy stakeholders in Health Is Wealth and Scott County African American Historical Society held their August meeting on the 14th at noon at the Legacy Reading Center/Slaughter Library. The guest presenter was Tamatha Qualls Harris who spoke on “Stress and Mental Health.” As a Registered Nurse, she encouraged stakeholders to seriously address everyday stress and avoid burning out. During her presentation, stakeholders wished her a happy birthday (August 17th). She and her mother, Hattie Thompson, prepared a healthy and delicious lunch for stakeholders! Stakeholders also discussed the art of interviewing in preparation for historical interviews and records. Among the stakeholders in attendance were Rita Parker, Shyria Bobbit, Martha Kincaid, Susie Jackson-Boyd, Bobbie Ringo, Eloise Reed, Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Melissa Barney, Charlean Youngblood, Patty Ward Odom, Rhonda Kelley, and Cindy Williams and her mother Bernice Bell. Legacy Board members Constance Slaughter-Harvey (President) and Verna Myers (Treasurer) from Madison were also in attendance.
It’s official! Legacy Education and Community Empowerment Foundation, Inc. turned 14 on August 11, 2025. Founded on August 11, 2010, and incorporated the next year, Legacy has provided free community services for 14 years, engaging over 200 volunteer Change Agents — 68 of whom have unselfishly and collectively served communities in need of empowerment for more than a decade.
On Sunday, August 16th at the Forest Community Center, Legacy Executive Director and Co-Founder Constance Olivia Harvey-Burwell and Scholar Zaniyah Brazzle welcomed Change Agents and guests to the Legacy 14th Awards Celebration. Assisting her in the Celebration were Scholars who volunteered to honor awardees, namely Mariana Johnson, Zaniyah Brazzle, Braylan Shepherd, Ja’Zieon Shepherd, Halle Pace, and James Burwell III. These youth Scholars welcomed, prayed, shared the Legacy history, and requested traveling grace for Change Agent volunteers and their guests.
In addition to the Change Agents listed above, other Change Agents in attendance were Founder and President Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Esq., Rev. James Burwell II, Joniya Pace, Jasmine Shepherd, Ada Jones, Colette Oldmixon, Esq., Stephanie Rhodes, PhD, Rita Parker, Bettye Anne Lovelady, Cathia Coleman, Rakethia Coleman, Trena Coleman, Carmen Coleman, Francis Richmond, Bobbie Ringo, Lorraine Dozier, DVM, Sister Eileen Hauswald, Susie Jackson-Boyd, Debra Crudup-Lowery, Martha Harper Kincaid, Lt. Col. Robert Kincaid, Nicole Mosely, Cindy Mosley, Tyqueisha Freeman, Tywon Freemon, Audrey Mosley, Walla Freeman, Janet Nicks Williams, Verna Myers, LePoleon Barnes, Terry Rogers II, Tiffany Mosley, Mike Mosley, Melissa Barney, Delano Barney, Mary Jones, Eloise Reed, Lozena King, Wall Mae Cox, Rhonda Kelley PhD., and Wilma J. Odom. Stay tuned for additional coverage and sharing of Legacy Awards Listing in the next several columns. Thank you for your support.
Scott County JSU Alumni Association members met on Thursday, August 14th at the Forest Services Center. The members discussed the fall agenda for the chapter, and they thanked the community for support and participation in the HBCU Family and Friends Day held on July 19th. Members in attendance were Albert Gray, Rosie Anderson, Martha and Robert Kincaid, and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. The September meeting date will be announced later.
Our readers are invited to attend the Concord M. B. Church Annual Revival which begins on Monday, August 25th and will run through Thursday, August 28th. Nightly services begin at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Sheldon Thomas is the speaker for the revival. Rev. Henry Patrick is the Pastor.
The Scott County MHV Leadership Training will be conducted on August 26th at 1:30 at the MSU Extension – Scott County office.
The Cluster Club will meet on Thursday, August 28th at 3:30 at the MSU Extension Scott County Office. The August meeting will be hosted by Bobbie Carter with the assistance of Dorothy Strong.
Happy Birthday greetings to August Babies born from the 21st to the 27th, namely Pam Robinson, Kathy Parker, Chris Gilmer, George Taylor, and McKinley Kincaid (21), Christina Ealy, Janya Dillion and Patty Ward Odom (22), Abraham Perez, Kelly Ellis, Shanod Ringo, Dommick Williams and Steadman Nicks (23), Jomiski Nelson and Patsy Nicholson (24), Hannah Gatlin (25), Shirley Holloway (26), and Jazavah Hunter and Jamari Hughes (27).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 846: Helen Kelley, mother of Dr. Rhonda Kelley and the late Shonette Kelley, was the first Director of the Forest Services Center, which houses the Forest Head Start program, and was instrumental in securing governmental funding for the Center. Mrs. Susie Jackson-Boyd provided the correct answer!
Quiz Teaser # 847: Name at least three medical doctors who graduated from Scott County African American high schools. Bonus points for additional names.
