Please keep the family of Ms. Kisa Denise Barber, who transitioned June 17th, in your prayers. She is the mother of Dominiques Barber and the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Levi (Linda Barber) McNair. Our prayers are with her family including her grandchildren. Memorial services are incomplete.
Our prayers are with Scott County Times Columnist Frisky Roland and family in the loss of her husband, Mr. Melvin “Mel” Roland. He passed June 22nd following several months of illness. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We join others across the world and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Willie Mays, the Giants’ electrifying “Say Hey Kid” #24, whose singular combination of talent, drive, grace and exuberance made him of one baseball’s greatest and most beloved players. This great centerfielder began his professional career in the Negro Leagues in 1948 and had been baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer having been voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. Mr. Mays received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2015. He died on June 18th at the age of 93. Our prayers are with his family, especially his son, Michael.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Suzette May, wife of Rev. Joe May, Pastor of Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, Ken Ormond, Ruby Helen White, McArthur Cotton, Don Bell, Margaret Wodetzki, Gwen Gary, Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Gail Lee, Martha Reed, Connie Sorey, Rita Wash, LaToya McClendon, Diane “Tooty” Herring, Robert Jennings, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Deon May, Jr., Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Jamisha Denise Benton, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Travis Ward, Eleanor Longmire, Rubin Ruiz, Curtis Derrick, Jordan Crump, Albert Lee Payton, Timothy Crudup, 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, Sammie Jean Webb, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch and Mary Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, Renea Taylor, James Earl Nickson, Juanita Jones, Roosevelt “Shane” Smith, Elijah Ickom, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Otha Herrington, Douglas Braggs, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Family, friends, classmates, coaches and players joined others and welcomed Antarral “Todd” Pinkston home to Forest as the new Kansas City Chiefs’ Football Coach Saturday afternoon at the Forest Services Center. Todd was in his usual form and style and thanked all in attendance especially his parents, Mrs. Dorothy Pinkston (Forest City Election Commissioner) and Coach Roy Pinkston (former Scott County Election Commissioner). Constance Slaughter-Harvey, his Godmother, was the Mistress of Ceremony. His niece Corshalea Pinkston, who designed the official program, extended the welcome which was followed by prayer by his cousin Rev. Vernada Pinkston. Constance Slaughter-Harvey provided the occasion and referenced the many contributions Todd has made to the community, his church —Concord, the Forest and Scott County schools, Legacy, the Slaughter Foundation, Forest Housing Authority, and other local entities.
In the absence of Mayor Nancy Chambers, Mayor Pro Temp Cynthia Slaughter Melton and Ward I Alderwoman Yolanda White presented a Proclamation Designating June 22, 2024, as Todd Pinkston Day in Forest. Melton, also a family friend, highlighted her pride in Todd and White recalled youthful days. Following the city representatives, former Coach Jack French, accompanied by his wife, Karen, paid tribute to Todd by sharing memorable occasions and moments when Todd was his player for four years, congratulated Todd on “enjoying the game” and, referenced that Todd was likewise an excellent basketball player. French referenced that Todd was one of the best players he coached in his 46 years as a coach. His nephew Forest Coach DaTodrick Pinkston saluted his uncle and recalled the many mentoring experiences and thanked him for his support and encouragement. His fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, brother Coach Maurice Bowie, thanked Todd for being his brother and for being such a good friend over the years. His Zeta Phi Beta sorority sister, Mrs. Jacqueline Patrick, expressed pride in his accomplishments. His mother, Mrs. Dorothy Pinkston said, “she loved her baby” and his father Coach Roy Pinkston said that “he was proud of Todd.” In response, Todd expressed gratitude, as he displayed appreciation emotions, for the wonderful turnout and a great gathering of family and friends.
Evangelist Ernestine Reed celebrated her birthday (last moments in her 70’s) June 22nd at the Reach One on One where Ms. Clintonnette Garrison, from Forest who now resides in South Carolina, served as Program Guide. She was introduced by Dr. Rhoda Kelley. There were beautiful and talented models of local youth and professional seasoned models from Jackson. Mrs. M. Rita Mills, a 74-year-old Breast Cancer Survivor who is CEO of Pretty Girls, Incorporated, was the designer of all clothes, which consisted of more than 20 outfits. Mrs. Bonnie Floyd Stowers recognized members of Mrs. Reed’s family. Following a delicious dinner, Mrs. Reed expressed gratitude to all, especially James Burkes and Vincent Solomon. She was overwhelmed with words of gratitude and honor. Happy belated birthday Evangelist Reed.
Congratulations to Rev. Chris and Rev. Sheila Cumbest on their retirement from the United Methodist Church ministry. Rev. Chris is the Pastor of Wells United Methodist Church in Jackson and Rev. Sheila is the Pastor of the Morton United Methodist Church. A beautiful Retirement Reception was held in their honor Saturday, June 22nd at the Pelahatchie Town Center. It was a beautiful occasion honoring two legendary ministers. Our prayers will continue to be with them. Their legacies will always be cherished.
Congratulations to James “Tre” Burwell, III, on his successful completion of the Mississippi School for Math and Science (MSMS) Summer Boys Camp last week. According to Tre, he enjoyed the Camp and looks forward to returning to MUW and Columbus next year.
We were pleased to receive a visit from LCPL Kentavis Marbuary from Camp Pendleton, CA. while he was home visiting his mother, Ms. Louise Washington, and twin sisters. Kentavis is a FHS graduate, former Slaughter Scholar and Legacy Volunteer. We wish him well and will keep him in our prayers.
Forest Friends of the Library met June 20th at the Forest Public Library and among those in attendance were Vincent Dessbrg, Dr. Melanie Nelson, Margaret Molpus, Mattye Evans, Alderwoman Cynthia Melton and Librarian Dianne McLaurin. The next meeting is July 18th at 3:00 p.m.
Happy Birthday Greetings to July babies born during the first week, namely Mary Nichols (1), DaTodrick Pinkston and Ron Miquel (2), Clay Martio and David Fuqua (4), L. J. Young (8), and Cheryl Slaughter Ellis and Carl Lamb (9). Happy birthday to Mrs. Loyce Gary Collier who will be featured in next week’s column following her special tribute on June 23rd. We love Mrs. Collier and so do many others.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 778: Thanks to Dr. Furlinda Laster Travis for providing the correct responses. The first African American Forest High School cheerleaders were Sheila Sanders and Resa Nell Swan. They became FHS Cheerleaders in 1971.
Quiz Teaser # 779: Who were the second set of African American Cheerleaders at Forest High School?
