Easter Morning Brunch
Last Sunday the Mission Auxiliary presented, Hats to The Tea (God’s Tea). The Speakers were Minister Cynthia D. H. James who is the wife of True Vine Church Pastor, Rev. James and Salonist Jessica Trotter who is a graduate of Scott Central Attendance Center and the great granddaughter of Booker T. Stowers, the granddaughter of Curt Stowers. Her parents are Tony and Claristeen Burns. During Booker T. Stowers lifetime he descended as a Deacon of Midway M. B. Church. The program was entitled, “Taste and see that the Lord is Good. Oh, the joys of those who take Refuge in Him!” Psalms 34:8 NLT. Special gifts were given to Mandy McBeath, Delie Shepard, Janie White McClendon and Violet Peavy. The Mission ladies at Midway are: Dr. Lorraine Dozier, Constance McClendon, Tamara Banks, Pam Banks, Mandy McBeath, Brenda Nickols, Sandra Faye McClendon, Annie Stowers, Alice McCarter, Chelsey McClendon, Cadessica McClendon, Violet Peavy, Laquisha Boone and Sylvia Kenned
Midway M. B. Church will host a First Easter Morning Brunch on April 5, 2026 starting at 8:00 am and ending at 8:45 am. This will not be the original breakfast menu. Totally different. Sunday School will start at 9:00 am. Following you will begin Easter Morning service at 10:30 am. The Easter Program will be held during morning service. The Easter Program chairperson is Chelsea McClendon. Easter Program practice will be Wednesday night after Bible Class.
If you want to participate in the First Easter Morning Brunch on April 5th, 2026 please let Delie Shepard, Annie Stowers or Alice McCarter know by Friday, April 3rd to reserve your plate. Delie Shepard’s number is at the end of this column. If your name and number is not in my contact list text me with your name and number and whether or not you want one plate or two. An individual is entitled to two plates. The plates are free of charge. You can eat in the Fellowship Hall or sign up for Take-Out. We would love if you would fellowship. The bible says “We fellowship one with another” 1 John 1:7. Without advance registration a plate will NOT be prepared. All of us today know the cost of groceries, so we are trying to avoid waste, but we want to have enough for all who want to participate. It does not matter what church or denomination you attend, what race you belong to, come and enjoy “One with another.”
Sympathy to the Hicks Family in the passing of Tommie Terrell Hicks 1979 - 2026 (age 47). His service was last Saturday March 28, 2026 at Evangelist Temple C.O.G.I.C, Interment was at New Chapel Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home.
Sympathy to the Patrick family in the passing of Jimmy Orlando Patrick (1986-2026). His service was last Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Christian Triumph M.B. Church in Morton. His arrangements were entrusted to Evans Memorial Funeral Home.
Tyler Wade Nichols, a lifelong resident of Morton, Mississippi, passed away tragically and unexpectedly on March 20, 2026. Born on December 18, 1996, in Hinds County, Mississippi, Tyler lived his life deeply rooted in the community that shaped him. All arrangements were entrusted to Wolfe Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Tyler’s surviving family includes a special devotion to his beloved son, Zayden Wade Nichols, his mother, Ladonna (Cissy) Upton; his father, Terrance Nichols, and Beverly; his brother, Jonathan Nichols, and Megan. The family is also eagerly anticipating the arrival of a baby girl, a new light and hope. Tyler’s girlfriend, Shemyia Lyles, remains close to the family during this difficult time. He also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends who were dear to his heart and who cherished him deeply.
Stephen E. Wicker, a resilient and compassionate soul, passed away on March 21, 2026, at UMMC Jackson, Mississippi. Born on September 21, 1990, in Hinds County, Mississippi, Stephen was a beloved son to Melanie Wicker, his sister Alanna Myers and her partner Mark Emmons, his nephews and nieces, including Jayden Myers and Emma McCrocklin, aunts and uncles Jeffrey and Peggy Gentry, Marie and Bill Elmore, Cindy and Ty, and Lisa and Clay Dennis.
Miss Greyson McCoy Westberry, a beloved young soul, passed away on March 21, 2026, at the tender age of six. Born on August 12, 2019, in Rankin County, Mississippi.
She leaves behind her devoted parents, Austin and Mackenzie Westberry; her brother, Layne “Bubby” Westberry; and her maternal grandparents, Stacie Mitchell (Pop). Walter Mitchell (Nell); her maternal great-grandparents, and her paternal grandparents, Chris and Nonnie Westberry, along with Dawn Smith, her paternal grandmother; Helen Gray, a great-great-grandmother; and Judy Conn, a great-grandmother. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends who held her dear.
A visitation was held on March 26, 2026, at Wolf Funeral Services, 3054 Hwy 80 West, Morton, MS 39117. The funeral service followed at Wolf Funeral in Morton. There wias no interment service.
Lana Gail Devoter, November 29, 1948 - March 22, 2026, of Lake, MS — ardent and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many — passed away on March 22, 2026, at her residence.
Gail is survived by her husband, Robert Devoter; her daughter, Stephanie; her grandsons, Landon Devoter (Jennifer), and Cody Devoter; her great-grandchildren, MaKenzi Devoter, Elijah Devoter, and Tristan Devoter; her sister, Rebecca Noel (Charlie); her sister-in-law, Barbara Culpepper; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Lavelle Culpepper Sr. and Florence Pauline Hollingsworth Culpepper; and her brother Lavelle Culpepper Jr. (Pepper).
A graveside service will be held on March 26, 2026 at 12 o’clock in the afternoon at Sharon Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lake, Scott County, MS. Services will be officiated by Brother Danny Todd. Wolfe Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Gail Marveggio, 88, of Forest passed away peacefully at Lackey Memorial Hospital on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Visitation was on Wednesday, March 25 at Forest Global Methodist Church. A graveside service followed at Eastern Cemetery, officiated by Bro. Tim Escue.
Gail was born May 12, 1937 in Neosho, Missouri to James and Thelma Bowman. She married the love of her life, Mr. Robert Marveggio in 1957, and the pair moved from Siloam Springs, AR to Forest in 1958. All arrangements were entrusted to Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Forest.
Mrs. Marveggio leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Robert Marveggio; two daughters, Margo Marveggio and Melissa Marveggio McKee (Mark); and one sister, Dianne Bassett (Lonnie).
Gregory Miller Sanders was born on January 16, 1963, and departed this life on March 24, 2026. Greg was born to Smith and Ruby Worrell Sanders. He was the youngest brother of three siblings, Iris (Jimmy) King, Charles (Sonya) Sanders, and Suzette (David) Benton. Greg married Sheila Strickland Sanders on June 20, 1987. They were married for over 38 years and together were parents to three children, Lindsey (Justin) Jones, Joseph (Chelsea) Sanders, and Victoria (Brooks) Hill. They were blessed with two granddaughters, Emery Rose and Willa Ruby Jones.
His services were held last Friday at Harperville Baptist Church. Ott & Lee Funeral Home of Forest was honored to serve the Sanders family.
Melba Peagler Merchant, November 4, 1929 – March 26, 2026, at the age of 96. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Charlice Merchant Goforth (the late Dale Goforth) and Celia Merchant Sheets (Dutch Sheets), five devoted grandchildren (Leah Barter, Dax Goforth, Matt Goforth, Sarah Weinberg, Hannah Magness), and eight precious great-grandchildren (Olivia, Sydney, Lincoln, Major, Jack, Luke, Mason and Hope). All arrangements were entrusted to Ott and Lee Funeral Home.
The Care Facilities: Milton Jerome Banks – Laurel;
Remember with your prayers, all our sick and shut-ins: Sarah Harper, Walter “Ben” Smith, Sollie White Smith, Janie White McClendon, Glenda Strong McKee, Bill Bradford, Sarah Janitha White Johnson, Willie Letha Stowers Peavy, Victoria Cox, Betty Flowers, Marshall Beamon, Dwight Beamon, Versherica Ficklin, Mattie Bobbitt Holifield, Billy Strong, Wesley Lewis, Chasten Banks, and B. H. Kennedy.
Please call or text me those who are sick, deceased with planned arrangements, and anything remarkable you want publicized about your family. You may reach Delie Shepard by phone/text at 601-507-0992 and email: dshep10399@gmail.com.
