Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Intonio Holifield who passed on Christmas Eve. His life will be honored on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Sylvester U. M. Church. Visitation will be Friday, January 3rd from 12-6 at Evans Memorial Funeral Home. Please keep his family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Willie Frank Moore who passed on December 29th. Memorial arrangements are incomplete and Evans Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his final arrangements.
We join others across the world and nation in celebrating the life and legacy of Nobel Peace Prize 2002 Winner, former Georgia Governor, Plains, GA Sunday School Teacher, Camp David Peace Accord Architect and 39th U. S. President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter. We remember President Carter as one of the best presidents and note that he maintained a strong moral compass, integrity, faith, strength, courage, and respect for human life and rights of all persons during and after his administration. He shone a light on human rights at home and abroad. Please keep his family in your prayers especially his children, Amy, Jack, and James, III (Chip). Constance Slaughter-Harvey worked with President Carter by serving on his campaign team, on his transition team and as one of his Presidential Scholars Commissioners. She often worked with Habitat for Humanity and visited the Carter Center, accompanied by Slaughter Library youth, on several occasions. We are blessed that he lived among us, and that he cared for and loved our country.
Please continue to remember the family of the late Representative Charles L. Young, Jr. and offer prayers for his family during his December 31st Memorial.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Greg Gumbel, CBS sports anchor and commentator, who spent more than 50 years in the sports broadcasting industry. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Despite the health challenges faced by some of our readers, the community has shown remarkable resilience and unity. We continue to remember those who are facing health challenges, and we are heartened by the news of some who have shown improvement. We stand in solidarity with Glenda Graham, Gloria Crump, Robert Jennings, Rita Wash, Dorothy Pinkston, Wells Gray, Gail Lee, McArthur Cotton, Don Bell, Margaret Wodetzki, Connie Sorey, LaToya and Q. McClendon, Bobby Carter, Martha Reed, Jo Taylor, Melvin Hodge, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Gray 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, Curtis Derrick, 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, 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, Lillian Gray, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nicholas Jones, 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, Tony Chance, Annie Curry, Miriam Mejia, Margaret Davis, Ruby Helen White, Ken Ormond, Eileen Ickom, Annie Ickom, and Symone Ickom. Your strength and courage inspire us all.
Happy Anniversary to the Morton Community and Learning Center (MCLC), f/k/a Excel Community and Learning Center family as they celebrate 25 years of service to the Morton community. Their mission is to further education, promote community building, encourage community services and foster healthy lives. Happy 25th Anniversary and special thanks to Director Sister Eileen Hauswald for continuing the MCLC mission.
Congratulations to Champions Morton Panthers and Morton Lady Panthers on their victory during the Scott County Tournament. The Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Bearcats by 43-32 and the Morton Panthers defeated the Scott Central Rebels by 64-37. We salute the coaches, their staff, and more especially the Panthers and Lady Panthers. Way to go!!!!
Hats off to the Scott County District Missionary Baptist Association Women’s Auxiliary, Director Jacqueline McDougle, and District Churches for providing funds and partnering with MS Care Center (Morton) and Bedford Care Center (Newton) on December 7th and December 22nd. District church members gathered at the centers and spread love and cheer to the Care Center residents. Their mission was to give back to pioneers who nurtured and helped members. It was a manifestation of love and respect.
At the Morton Center, Rev. Willie Jones shared an inspirational message, and other program participants were Mistress of Ceremony Sheila Brown, Rev. Allen Cooks, Ashden McDougle, Eunice Burgess, Yvonne Shepherd, Chris Jones, and Brannon McDougle. Christmas carols were shared with residents. At the Bedford Center, member Mother Lucille Patrick was the Christmas gift to the members and at 95 years old, she still looked young and beautiful. Program participants were Shannin Jones, Thomas Smith, Jacqueline McDougle, Chris Jones, Brannon McDougle, Eunice Burgess Ann Laster, Arianna Varra, J. J. Moore, and Ester Perry. Director McDougle presented a check to the Center and the District members presented tokens of love to each resident. Resident Lucille Patrick provided the closing prayer.
Special thanks to Legacy Angels Barbara Robinson and her New Outlooks Adult Day Care Center family and staff, and to Tiffany and Mike Mosley and their Heavenly Pearl Home Care family of angels including Lateisha Cox Amos, Walla Mae Cox, Wilma Odom, Ashely Gilbert, Tywon Freeman, Gwendoly Harper, Arstelia Skinner, Nicole Mosley and Mary Jones. We appreciate their visit to the Legacy Reading Center and enjoyed their greetings and special Christmas love to Legacy Change Agent Elves and Change Agents.
Special thanks to members of the New Friendship Church family, its Pastor Calvin and Mrs. Beverly Smith, Deacon Edward and Mrs. Barbara Patrick, and members Mrs. Bernice Smith and Ms. Risa Towner for reaching out and providing Christmas boxes and bags of clothes, toys, and other goodies to the MS Department of Child Protection Services. Accepting the gifts for the children were Regional Director for Service Area 6A Lozena King and Social Service Team Leader Stephanie Johnson. The church and CPS are stakeholders in Save Our Youth Through Community Action and are working to partner to save our children. Legacy salutes these partners and stakeholders for moving ahead and helping to save our youth.
Legacy Change Agents enjoyed spreading Christmas cheer and goodies to our public servants with the Forest Police Department, Forest Sanitation Department, and to those entities that provide medical services and assistance, namely Bedford Convalescent Center in Newton, MS Care Center in Morton, Fresenius Kidney Care Forest, and Community Health Clinic. We enjoyed visiting Legacy Change Agents Mrs. Lloyce Collier, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jennings, Mrs. Lucy Moore, Mrs. Bobby Carter, Mrs. Gail Lee, Mr. Booker T. Mithcell, Mrs. Rita Wash, Mrs. Lillian Gray, and Mrs. Gloria Crump. Please continue to keep these Change Agents in your prayers.
Legacy Change Agent, including Connections Scholars, Board and Advisory Board members, Staff, Volunteers, and Guest celebrated Kwanzaa on the fifth day of Kwanzaa, Nia, which is Swahili for purpose. It means to make collective vocation to build and develop community and to restore traditional greatness. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of life and African culture. December 26th is the first day of Kwanzaa and January 1st is the last day. The name comes from the Swahili phrase, which means “first fruits.” Unlike many other winter holidays, Kwanzaa isn’t tied to any single religion. The holiday is shaped by traditions and values from the African continent.
Please join the Legacy Change Agents for the 27th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk to be held Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8:30 at the Slaughter Library/Legacy Reading Center located at 518 Jones Street. The Parade Marshall will be named in next week’s column.
Happy birthday greetings to babies born during the first week of January 2025, namely, Willie Nelson, Delois Burks, Sandra Robinson, and John Hughes, Jr. (January 1), Wanda Pinkston, R. C. Williams, and Joseph Horton (2), Lesa Davis, Katie Patrick, Kim Patrick, Bianca Thomas, and Kobelyn Clark (4), and Mary Ann Brown, Vanessa Norman, and Jeremy Bogan (7), Natasha Battle and Jesean Battle (8), and Patsy Bland and Lisa Darby (9). Happy belated birthday to Rita Wash who celebrated her birthday on December 30th and to Bobbie Ringo who celebrated her special day on December 31st.
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 803: Mr. James W. Harper graduated from E. T. Hawkins High School in May, 1963, and became Principal of the E. T. Hawkins High School in 1988. The correct response was provided by Mrs. Susie Jackson (Boyd).
Quiz Teaser # 804: Name the principals of the four Black schools in Scott County prior to integration who served for more than three years at their respective school.
