Jeremiah 33: 2-3 and Proverbs 4: 11-12 speaks to the people about God’s guidance for your life’s sake. This is what the Lord says: “He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it, the Lord is his name. Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” “I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, when you run, you will not stumble.”

A special happy anniversary is extended to Stacy and Dorrene Fells of the Siloam community, who will celebrate their 32nd-year anniversary on Feb. 25. Stacy has some special things planned for his wife with one being going out to dinner. Stacy and Dorrene are the proud parents of two children and the proud grandparents of four grandchildren. Their four grandsons, a 9-year-old, a 5-year-old and twin 1-year-olds are very special to them. Their children, grandchildren, other family members and friends will celebrate with them one way or another. Stacy and Dorrene, we pray that you will have a wonderful and a blessed 32nd-year anniversary.

Brookhaven Colored School and Alexander High School Reunion is coming up July 21-24 in Brookhaven. This year’s theme is “Christmas In July, Black And Gold Stands Forever.” This year’s honorees will be the classes of the 6s and the class of 1966 and the class of 1965 will be recognized for their 50th golden year anniversary. The classes who are celebrating their 40th year anniversary in 2015 and 2016 will also be recognized during this reunion. The grand marshalls for the 2016 reunion will be the class of 1966 who will be celebrating their 50th-year anniversary during this reunion. The fees for the reunion are the same this year — $75 per person. You can pay monthly or bi-monthly if you would like to. The committee is also collecting pictures from Fannie L. Mullins and Alexander, ads and ideas that can be submitted to the committee as soon as possible. Don’t forget the Reunion’s king and queen!

The reunion itinerary is as follows: Thursday will be early registration starting at 2 p.m. The registration will continue on Friday at 9 a.m. at Alexander School. There will be a program at 6 p.m. at Alexander School on Friday evening followed by class gatherings at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Civic Center. On Saturday morning, the parade will start in downtown Brookhaven at the old post office with the destination being Alexander Junior High School. After the parade on Saturday morning, there will be an assembly program followed by a block party on the campus of Alexander Junior High School. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a Black and Gold Ball with semi-formal attire at the Lincoln Civic Center located on Belt Line Road East of Brookhaven. On Sunday morning, worship service will be held at Alexander Junior High School at 9 a.m., and the guest speaker will be announced at a later date. The reunion will end with a Sunday dinner and farewell at the Civic Center at 12 p.m. During the block party there will be food and crafts tents set-up for convenience. If you are a vendor or if you would like to set-up for this event please contact the committee. There will be a fee of $100 per vendor. Some committee members that you can contact are: Phyllis S. Watkins, chairperson, Alvin Hawkins, Sherry D. Merchant and Melba Fairman. The committee is also asking for more alumni volunteers to help to plan and work with the upcoming reunion/homecoming. This committee meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Jimmy Furlow Senior Citizen Center.

The Alexander High School Legacy Committee is also  asking for your support to prepare for the upcoming school reunion July 21-24. They are working to have the Legacy Hall of Honor celebration during the reunion. This committee is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Legacy Hall of Honors. For more information about this program and how to submit your application as an honoree, please contact Dexter Holloway by email at hollowway4@cableone.net or you can mail him at 829 South Washington Street, Brookhaven, Mississippi 39601.

Special happy birthday wishes are extended to the following who are celebrating in February and March: my daughter, Trelva Harvey, and classmate, Sylvester Henderson — Feb. 12; granddaughter, Myla Harvey — Feb. 18; niece, LaShawnda Benjamin, and nephew, Marquis Hayes — Feb. 26; brother, Lawrence L. Beard, and cousin, Victor B. Peyton — March 1; son-in-law Rev. Michael Harvey — March 5; Stacy Fells — March 9; my god-daughter Minister Ruby Adams — March 23. May God continue to be with each of you and your families daily.

As Black History Month continues we will reflect on the following people who have made contributions. You can make contributions in many, many different ways in our society today as well as years gone by. Today’s focus will be on a grandfather and his grandson who made their contributions to their family, their city, state and their country in their own special ways and both departed this life in 2015. Mr. Billy Troy Brent was born July 17, 1913, in Jayess being the eighth of nine children to William “Bill” Brent and Hattie Haynes Brent. On July 17, 2015, Mr. Troy Brent turned 102-years-old, which made him one century and two. This was a great milestone in his life and one to be recognized. He was married to the late Audrey Garner Brent Oct. 1, 1934, and to this union 12 children were born. He was a faithful and devoted member of Galilee Church of Christ Holiness USA in Jayess, where he served as a trustee and a member of the vocal choir. His singing skills have been transferred to his children, his grandchildren and to his descendants from generation to generation. He was a man that was full of wisdom in which he shared with all that came across his path. He was a living legacy that cared about his family and the people around him and was willing to help them when needed. On the day of his departure from this world, he summoned for his children to come to his house that he had something to say to each of them. He made his farewell talk. He looked around at his family. Then he looked around the room; he laid his head back and looked to the east and slept away.

Mr. Brent was a farmer by trade and a skilled laborer, and he provided for his family with these special skills. At first, he used a mule for many years to attend to his farm. He worked hard each year to make his farming a success, so that his family would be well cared for. He continued to attend this farm with his mules until he could afford to purchase the little red tractor that he had dreamed about having for many years. This tractor would allow him to do his work on the farm faster and more efficiently. He farmed with this tractor for several years before he begin working as a skilled laborer in public facilities. His public working skills included: working at the river front in New Orleans, Louisiana, working at Walthall County USDA, Murrells Air Conditioning and various other jobs to provide a living for his wife and their children. When asked what was his secret to longevity of life? Mr. Troy Brent replied with this scripture, “children obey your parents that your days will be long upon this earth.” He was a very special child to his grandmother, and it was said that “she had him spoiled.” Mr. Troy Brent has left his long life in the many sands of time, and he has left a wise legacy upon this earth to be remembered by his family and by many others to follow throughout their time. Mr. Troy Brent departed this life on Sept. 29. Today we salute Mr. Troy Brent a husband, a father, grandfather, great grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, a friend and a renown vocal singer of his time.

Rev. Thomas Shannon Webb, the grandson of Mr. Troy Brent, was born on Sept. 1, 1978, in Brookhaven to the union of the late Tommie Samuel “T.S.” Webb and Evangelist Willie Faye Brent Webb. He was the baby brother to his siblings who loved him dearly. At an early age Shannon, as he was affectionately known by his family and by his friends, became a member of Della Green M.B. Church. He later became an active,  loyal and a dedicated member of Damascus M. B. Church, where he served as minister of music, a choir leader, deacon and as an associate minister. He was also a member of Glory Hill C.O.G.I.C., where he served as a musician. As a descendant of his grandfather Mr. Troy Brent, these musical skills were passed down to Shannon’s generation.

Shannon was a graduate of Brookhaven High School, and he furthered his education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College at Wesson. His most recent work history included: Region 8 Mental Health Center in Brookhaven. Rev. T. Shannon Webb was a renowned vocalist and musician, and this doesn’t begin to describe the many gifts that God allowed him to have possessed. He shared these gifts with many, many choirs, churches, groups and people in many different places throughout his life upon this earth. He was a member, a musician, a leader and a soloist of the Webb Family Gospel Singers. He was the founder, the musician and a song leader of the Anointed Praise Gospel Choir. He was also a member and a song leader of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Rev. Shannon Webb also served as musician, director and song leader of Damascus M. B. Church as well as a musician of Hope Well M. B. Church and Mt. Wade Church Brotherhood Choir. Shannon was well known for his great ability to lead in any situation, to play music for many different singers, to lead song in the various tunes to mesmerize the listening audience as he would do a vocal or a musical selection on a minute’s notice. Rev. Thomas Shannon Webb departed this life on March 13, 2015, gone but not forgotten.

Today, we salute the musical legend of his time, Rev. Thomas Shannon Webb, who left the legacy of singing, of musical abilities, and the ability of being a director and a leader.

 

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