Greeting Readers, the Book of Psalms 111:1-2 and 118:1 speaks to the hearts of mankind about giving gratitude in all things. “Praise the Lord, I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord: they are pondered by all who delight in them. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Eva Hall Harris, Progress, Friendship and Lincoln County Training School; alumni, teachers and other staff members are thankful and highly grateful for the success of their 10th School Reunion. This was another wonderful and a blessed reunion that was held July 10 – 12 in Brookhaven. It started on Friday, morning, with “The Legacy Hall of Honor Program: followed by the Opening Gala with a Talent show, a Fish fry and a Dance on Friday night at Lincoln Civic Center. A program was planned for everyone’s enjoyment with Myra Black class of 1968 and Min. Johnnie Upkins 1970 both served as Mistresses of Service. Bessie Redd Hackett, 1966, rendered songs followed by a welcome by the vice president Mozel Jackson, 1963, and scripture by Jackie Freeman Abrams, 1967, followed by prayer and grace by Matthew Smith of Progress School. A nice poem was done by Brenda Adams Perkins, 1973. Then a delicious fish dinner was served that was prepared by Donald Tobias, 1975 who catered the fish and its trimmings. The alumni food chair-person, Katherine Wilson, 1965, and her assistant chair-person Diane Townsend, 1971, along with many alumni members and some family members prepared the side dishes for the evening that were very delicious.

After the meal a talent show was presented that included the following: Linda Kelly Matthews, 1963, and some of her family members rendered some enjoyable special acts. Mrs. Ann Brumfield of Brookhaven was presented as Zola-Bee. She was dressed as a bee, and as she strutted she acted as a “Bee” who knew what she wanted, and she told the audience, so! The local Camellia Line Dancers are directed by Sharon Langley of Wesson and co-director Ann Brice of Brookhaven; this group of dancers were delighted to render their dance talent to the awaiting audience. These dancers included two of Eva Harris alumni members: Jackie Freeman Abrams, 1967, and Carolyn Beard Humphries, 1971, along with Ann Brice, Ruby Lee Newsome, Carolyn Reed, Carolyn Sanders, Eloise Dixon, Gerald, Virginia Harris, Jean Ball, Melvina Hawkins and Kathleen Crump, who rendered the following dances to the music: “God Is Good that was done as the ice-breaker,” Chocolate City Hustle was dedicated to the Honorees; the Eva Harris Classes of 1974 and 1975 for their forty-year anniversary in 2014 and 2015. They also did their signature dance to the song of “Elvira” followed by the Tosh-Push to the music of  Artist Jackie Wilson. This dance and the music was dedicated to the Eva Hall Harris Honored Classes of 1964 and 1965 who celebrated their 50th Golden Year Anniversary in 2014 and 2015. The closing act was presented by an alumni member Pecola Ferdinand Crump from the Eva H. Harris class of 1972. These dances, the music and the acts were enjoyed.  After the talent show was over the dancing and reminiscing begin with former alumni and guests. We were happy to have some of our teachers present at this Event: Mr. James Belton, Mrs. Augustine Tillman Buie, Mrs. Alice L. Black, Mrs. Alberta C. Humphrey, Mrs. Celess Barnes McEwen and Mrs. Mary P. Smith.

The music was jamming with DJ -Fuzzy of Hazlehurst. The evening ended with lots of fun, fun and more fun. The alumni, the faculty and staff members were geared-up as they were headed home so that they could prepare for the up-coming parade that would be held on Saturday morning. Read the Brookhaven Daily Leader Newspaper for the parade and other events as they unfold in Carolyn Beard Humphries articles.

Damascus Church family was saddened again this year with the death of one of their own Mrs. Ruby Lee Roberson. She was born in the fall of 1924 in the hot Delta of Sunflower County to John Roberson Sr. and Mary Laura Short Roberson being Sept. 27. She was the second child and the oldest girl born to this great legacy. She was the last of the generation 90 later from that hot day in the flat lands of the Delta to die. She was raised as a Christian with love and devotion. She confessed a hope in Christ and united with Damascus M. B. Church. She moved to Chicago, Illinois during her early years in life and lived there some 40 years and upon her return to Brookhaven she re-united with Damascus Church. She was a devoted choir member, on the Mother’s Board and an active and devoted mission member. Mrs. Ruby is already sadly missed and her memories will linger on in the hearts and the minds of her only child, her son Amos Roberson, her grandchildren, sister in-law Maude Roberson, nieces, nephews, other family members, pastor Robert Daniels, sister Norma Daniels, a dear friend Pecola Crump, her loving church family and the many friends who loved her dearly.

If you have any Loyd Star Area News to Report, please call Carolyn B. Humphries at 601-833-5753.