Our hearts are deeply saddened by the death of Mrs. Shirley Ann Harris McGowan, the wife of former Newton principal Edward McGowan, who passed away on Christmas Day at her home in Lawrence. Mrs. McGowan, a 1963 Hawkins High School graduate and a 1967 graduate of JSU, was an educator who invested in Newton County Schools’ students for more than 45 years. Her Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 6th at Jerusalem M. B. Church in Lawrence at 12:00 noon. Our prayers are with her family, especially her husband, their sons Edward, Jr. and Rico, and her siblings Paul Harris and Bobby Jean Harris Greer. Mapp Funeral Home has been entrusted with her final arrangements.
Our prayers are with the family of the late Mr. Willie B. Slocum, husband of Mrs. Clois Denson Slocum, who passed away on New Year’s Eve, January 31st. Mr. Slocum, educator, was a graduate of Bettye Mae Jack High and Jackson State University. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Please keep the family of Mr. Billy L. Crowther in your prayers. This Newton County educator, community activist and humanitarian died December 30th. Memorial arrangements are incomplete at press time.
Family and friends of Mrs. Shonnette Kelley gathered at the Forest Elementary School Auditorium Friday, December 28th to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Kelley. It was a most impressive ceremony which emphasized her many contributions and investments during her life. Pastor Robert Johnson officiated and delivered a moving salute to Mrs. Kelley during his eulogy. Mrs. Susie Jackson Boyd was the Mistress of Order. Other program participants were Dr. Montrell Moore, Charles Longmire, Mesdames Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Nettie Stowers, Dr. Furlinda Laster, James Burkes, Rosie Kersh, Martha Reed, and other friends. Her Alcorn classmates paid tribute to her along with her high school classmates and House of Prayer members. Her entombment was held at the Natchez Trace Cemetery in Madison. Sandra Clark Funeral Home of Dallas, TX was entrusted with her final arrangements.
Dr. Sylvester Parker, MCSOL Dean Emeritus Patricia Watkins Bennett, Johnny Harper, Dr. Clintonette Robinson Garrison, Nettie Stowers, and other former Forest residents were among those attending the Homegoing Celebration of the Life of Mrs. Shonnette Kelley to show their love and respect for her life and legacy. Let’s continue to keep her daughter Yonkardia Lewing, and sister, Dr. Rhonda Kelley in our prayers.
The Life of Mr. Jerry Hughes, widower of Mrs. Bertha Arlene Parker, was Celebrated December 30th at Reach One on One Community Center with Brother Jesse Palmer officiating. Mr. Hughes was a 1966 North Scott High School graduate and one of the greatest football players in the school’s history. The school’s team was so good that they won 17 straight games in two years and in one of those games, he ran for five straight touchdowns. He was offered multiple scholarships which he turned down to take care of his family. Other program participants were Brothers Darryl Reeves and Herbert Robinson.
Please continue to remember our readers who are experiencing health challenges, namely, Melvin and Bonnie Russell Hodge, C. J. Polk, LaToya McClendon, Don Bell, Gail Lee, 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., Bobbie Carter, Connie Lewis Williams, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., 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, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, Ruby Rhodes, Nicholas Jones, John Norman, Renea Taylor, James Earl Nickson, James O. Ford, Juanita Jones, Margaret Johnson Gammage, and other readers who are facing health challenges.
Congratulations to Ms. Shyann Hodge, daughter of Davares Hodge and Mary Wilborn, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin (Bonnie Russell) Hodge. We are so proud of Shyanne who made all A’s at Alcorn State University where she is an advanced freshman. We join her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin (Bonnie Russell), in applauding her efforts and achievements. Way to go Shyann!
December 30th was a busy day at Back Forty, especially with the celebration of the birth of December babies. Mrs. Susie M. Jackson Boyd was the featured birthday baby whose birthday was December 30th. We enjoyed the hospitality, fun, fellowship, and food. Mrs. Boyd was honored to have so many family members and friends to attend and to celebrate her special day. The birthday celebration was combined with the reunion of the class of 1970. Happy birthday Mrs. Boyd! Mrs. Oreadus “Rita” Wash’s birthday was also on December 30th, and we understand she enjoyed her birthday dinner with her family. Dr. Stephanie York Rhodes celebrated her special day December 28th by visiting and sharing love with her husband and two daughters in Texas. Happy belated birthday ladies!!
A Kwanzaa Celebration at Legacy Reading Center/Slaughter Library was held December 28th which highlighted and celebrated Ujima — (Collective Work and Responsibility). Legacy’s partner Innovative Behavioral Services, Inc. employees Gwen Harmon and Joshua Burns joined Legacy Change Agents in celebrating Kwanzaa. Among the Change Agents joining in the Celebration were James Burwell, III, Susie Boyd, Verna Myers, Constance Burwell, Rakethia Coleman, Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Zaniyah Brazzle, Eloise Reed. As part of the Libation ceremony, prayers were offered for Julian Parker, Sharonda Hudson James, Carolyn Knowles, Shonnette Kelley, Shirley McGowan, Etoile Pace, Edgar and Aurdie Mae Pace, Helen Lofton Reed, Mattie Lue Pace, Annie Sterling, Katie Jackson Epting, Edison Harrison, Jr., Lawrence Smith, Emma Rush, William Edwards, Jr., Hazel and Alphonso Parker, W. L. and Olivia Slaughter, Ethel Coleman, Ollie Brazzle, Evelyn Brazzle, Jim Harvey, James Burwell, Sr., Akida Emir, Marjorie Mason, Priscilla Butler, Ester Denson Watkins, and others.
Special thanks to Mrs. Calandra Taylor who shares Christmas spirit 365 days a year especially when it comes to helping children and teenagers. She has a special heart for senior citizens as well. Legacy salutes her for her heart of love. She is a special jewel and can be found assisting those who need help navigating at Walmart.
Special thanks to Dr. Montrell Moore for his contribution of books and containers for the Legacy Reading Center/Slaughter Library. Thanks to Pax Christi Franciscans LaVerna House and Sister Kathleen Feyen for their contributions to Legacy for the benefit to support the Holden family who lost their home during a fire. Thanks also to St. Michael Catholic Church Adult Study members for their contributions and prayers. Blessings abound and for this, we are thankful.
Please mark your calendars to attend the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walk to begin at the Slaughter Library/Legacy Reading Center on January 15th at 9:00 a.m. Additional details will follow in next week’s column.
Happy Birthday greetings to January babies born during the second week, namely, Patsy Bland and Lisa Darby (9), Sariah Ringo (11), Chris Evans (12), and Michael Holifield and Maurice Harkless (14).
Answer to Quiz Teaser # 753: TaSondra McDonald is the district’s only Bill and Melinda Gates Scholar. She is a 2003 graduate of Morton High School where she was salutatorian. She received the scholarship twice and was nominated by her instructor, Dr. Stephanie York Rhodes. Ms. McDonald received her Bachelor’s degree from USM and her Master of Science in Social Work from JSU. She is the daughter of Mrs. Thomasine Griffin and the late Roy McDonald.
Quiz Teaser # 754: Who was the first African American dentist in Scott County?
