Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Pauline Cook who passed July 23rd and whose Life was Celebrated August 19th at the Mapp Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jonnie Jones providing her eulogy. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd was the Program Guide. Other program participants were Rev. Larry Reed, Sr., and Mrs. Regina McDowell-Davenport. She was remembered as a Phenomenal Woman who loved to cook and enjoyed bringing a smile to others. Our prayers are with her family, especially her daughter Stephanie (Jason) Coleman, and sisters Bertha Davis and Mary Harper.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Ms. Deborah Elaine Lyles who passed August 4th and whose Life was Celebrated August 15th at Lynch Chapel U. M. Church. Rev. Sheldon Thomas delivered her eulogy and referred to Psalms 23 as his reference. Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton was the Mistress of Ceremony and Mr. R. C. Williams provided several beautiful musical selections. Tributes were given by Alderwoman Melton who shared childhood precious memories when the Slaughter and Lyles families were neighbors on Highway 80 East. Deborah’s sister Joyce also described childhood and school memories. Memorial Services Coordinator was Ms. Sheryl Lyles. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially her children, Stephine Lyles and Jason Bankston, and siblings Brenda and Betty Joyce Lyles and Tony (Sheryl) Lyles. Final arrangements were entrusted to Evans Memorial Funeral Home.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Ruby Nell “Tina” Lewis who passed August 12th. A beautiful Celebration of Life was held August 19th at Union Grove M. B. Church with Pastor Rochell Wright officiating and delivering her eulogy. Mrs. Kathy Beamon Johnson was the Program Guide, and other program participants were Pastor Chris Thompson, Rev. Randy Lewis, Rev. Kenyaun Corbin, Darius Ewing, Ms. Portia Simon, and Ms. Kierra Brewer. She was remembered as “a divine example of a woman driven by her purpose and faith in God.” Please keep her sons, Larry (Kierra) Brewer and Reginal (Junior) Smith, and siblings Shirley Matheny, Betty Lewis, Adolph (Shirley) Lewis, Randy Lewis, and Wesley (Maeola) Lewis in your prayers. Mapp Funeral Home was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, LaToya McClendon, Rubin Ruiz, Bonnie Russell Hodge, Don Bell, Gail Lee, Jordan Crump, D’Tahj McClendon Lewis, Timothy Crudup, Kenard Bowie, Jr., Bobbie Carter, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, John “Butch” Wilson, Dianne Cox, Thomas Anderson, Kristie Ware, Virginia Hannah, LeReece Crimm, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Henry and Marquita 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, Beverly Hollingsworth, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nancy Myers, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Parishioners at St. Michael Catholic Church celebrated the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time as Deacon John Pham shared the homily concerning Jesus curing the Canaanite (non-Jewish) women’s daughter. He asked our reactions when our prayers are not answered immediately and when we build walls and boundaries. With God, there are no boundaries or walls — God answers prayers from all who seek him. Deacon’s Scripture reference was Matthew 15:21-28.
Lynch Chapter U. M. Church members enjoyed Sunday’s message from Pastor Shirley Wilder entitled, “God Will Make a Way.” Her Scripture reference was 2 Kings 4:1-7. Members invite our readers to join them during their Fall Revival which runs two nights, September 4th and 5th at 7:00 p.m. The Revival theme is “A Light in These Dark Times – Revive Us O Lord.”
Congratulations to Tia Patrick, daughter of Chucky and Barbara Ormond Patrick, who registered at Harvard Law School. We are keeping Tia in our prayers and hope she enjoys the challenge.
Congratulations to Representative Bennie and Dr. London Johnson Thompson who celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary on August 17th. Family and friends gathered on August 20th for a surprise Anniversary Reception.
According to Reuters, COVID infections and hospitalizations are rising in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Health officials are pointing at the EG.5 “Eris” coronavirus, a subvariant of the Omicron lineage that initially emerged in November 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified EG.5, which has been nicknamed by some “Eris,” as a “variant of interest,” indicating that it should be more closely watched than others because of mutations that might make it more contagious or severe. Still, the WHO said it does not seem to threaten public health more than other variants and that there “is no evidence of an increase in disease severity directly associated with EG.5.”
The E. T. Hawkins High School Class of 1970 Reunion was enjoyed by all in attendance. It was ranked as first class and in a class of its own. Jimmy Rasco was the Master of Ceremony for the event held August 5th and Willie George Sanders welcomed classmates and guests. Brother D. J. Purvis blessed the food and Dr. Mattie Rasco issued a charge to the class. Bobbie Bryant Jackson provided the music and Dora H. Franks presented the Golden Memories ’70 Fashion Show. Patty Ward Odom and Fredna Glover Warnsley paid tribute to the deceased classmates. Susie Jackson-Boyd recognized the guests and provided closing remarks after which Walter Jackson, Jr. shared a closing prayer.
Classmates attending, in addition to those mentioned above, were Esther Ragsdale Johnson, Linda Qualls Broadfoot, Dorothy Clark Shepard, Donald E. Miller, Emma Evans Nelson, Clark Jackson, and out-of-town classmates Dora Harvey Franklin and Willie George Sanders, Jr. The 1970 Classmates thank all guests and a special thanks to Mrs. Kathy Smith Sanders for capturing their beautiful memories, and to Mrs. Diane Robinson for decorating and keeping the “Black and Gold” alive and well!
Our readers are invited to join with the Forest Inspirational Singers as they celebrate their 40th Year Reunion Saturday, August 26th at 5:00 p.m. at the Union Grove M. B. Church. Rev. Walter and Mrs. Faye Patrick are the founders, and the Planning Committee members are Jenia Turner, Ira Payton, Pat Evans, Larry Murrell, Amos Holifield and Rev. Walter Patrick. We encourage our readers and the public to attend and support this 45th Anniversary Celebration.
Happy August birthday greeting to babies born during the last days in August, namely, Hannah Gatlin (25), Mateo Gomez and Shirley Holloway (26), Shirley Holloway (27), Willie Ealy (28), (28), Ja’Mira Smith, Marquisius Bland, and Barbara Slaughter Green (29), and Michael N. Robinson (31).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 734: A graduate of Forest High School and USM, Legacy Change Agent Todd Pinkston, former Philadelphia Eagle Wide Receiver, is now Running Back Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the son of Mrs. Dorothy Odom Pinkston and former Coach Roy Pinkston. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd provided the correct response.
Quiz Teaser # 735: Which former gospel singer and educator served as a radio gospel announcer with his own show called the Gospel Train Showcase?
