Black Houston’s Perspectives
LostInSpace- In as much as
space is being lost to advertising, no longer will we feature the informative
TwiliteZone.com, but we must not allow the photo that should've accompanied the Acres Home
Library Branch's Black History program remain Lost In Space, thus check it... It was also
called to African-American News&Issues' attention that the Jan. 25, 2002 celebration
of Sis. Beatrice Elva Herndon Raynor's long and productive life at Pleasant Hill BC, 1510
Pannell, obviously had been Lost In Space, thus, as promised we offer this memoriam to her
family and love ones.
Sis. Raynor, who was born on Sept. 20, 1902 to Dock Talbert & Cora Henderson
Herndon in Reagan, Texas-was honored with song and words of praise by Sis. Alberta Martin,
Rev. Lloyd Crosby, pastor of Mt. Corinth MBC (Hempstead, TX); Rev. Jerome Nickerson,
pastor of Salem MBC, Rev. D.Z. Cofield, pastor of Good Hope MBC; Sis. Bertie Lee Crosby,
Sis. Jana Nickerson and Bro. Richard Jackson. Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr. delivered the
eulogy. Charles Cook, Christopher Cook, Kirwin Gerard, Darius Jefferson, Brian Raynor and
Elliot Raynor, II were active pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were Jonathan
Nickerson, Brent Raynor and Marcus Raynor.
Raynor who attended PVAMU when it was Prairie View Normal & Industrial College
met and married Robert W. Raynor on Jan. 23, 1925 and was the mother of a son, Marvin
Othello Raynor and daughter, Joyce Elva Raynor Nickerson, who both preceded her in death,
as well as her husband. A spirit filled Sis. Raynor, however, was a very active member of
the Sunday School Bible Lovers Class, Women Department School Number One Class, Senior
Choir, Mission I and Martha Circle. She also was a member of Debra Circle, under Pres.
Rosie Rand and a member of Shining Beauty Court #319 Heroines of Jericho. Sis. Cynthia
Maureen Raynor Sedberry, Marcus Lydell Raynor, Brent Talbert Raynor, Jonathan Chandler
Nickerson and Jana Georgette Nickerson survive Raynor, a beloved grandmother, who was
instrumental in naming most of her grandchildren. Great-grandchildren are: Brian and
Brenton Raynor (their mother Carolee); Darius Jefferson, Elliot Raynor, II and their
mother, Andrea Lynn; Shemarcus Sedberry, Kirwin Donato, Brian Donato, Joseno Nickerson,
Jared Nick- erson and their mother, Frances; a sister-in-law, Rosalee Raynor and a
daughter-in-law Ora Ellis Raynor. Well-done Beatrice Elva Herndon Raynor.
GoodNeighbor-There's no doubt that a health
professional is a Good Neighbor, but Shirley Jones-Bedford, also helps her community as a
member of Pleasant Hill's SEED program, therefore she was well deserving of being among
"The Unsung Heroes" that was saluted by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.'s Gamma
Sigma Chapter's Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show on Feb. 24, at the Sheraton Brookhollow
Hotel.
Jones-Bedford, who is the school nurse at Houston Gardens Elementary School, was
among 11 HISD school nurses honored. The busy mother of two (Bobby, 20 and Liliane ,14),
says that she knew at age 8 she wanted to become a nurse and that she did by attending
Texas Woman's University and PVAMU.
Bedford, who became a volunteer with project Head Start when she was 12-years-old,
is blessed with outstanding people skills, feels her worst habit is overloading her
schedule. She is affiliated with the Links Incorporated, Port City Chapter; Jack and Jill
of America, Inc. and the Junior League of Houston. Although she is satisfied with her
achievements, Bedford admits that she still has a secret ambition to become a Nurse
Anesthetist and in keeping with her life's motto: "Nothing beats a failure but a
try," that accomplishment is in her future. Congrats Shirley Jones-Bedford.
SmallWorld-A Happy belated birthday to Sandy Tatum,
Jr. (March 25), a native Houstonian who now lives in his palatial home in Grand Prairie,
Texas, with his wife of 44 years Delores Thomas, who graduated with him from Wheatley in
1952. Sandy, at 68 looks a little different from his graduation photo, but we thought it
would be nice touch to remind his classmates that their 50th Class Reunion is being
planned for June 20-23, 2002 at the Radisson Hotel. For info call Johnny or Elnor Boone at
713/733-5635.
Meanwhile Sandy is enjoying a unique Afrocentric, religious themed birthday card
from Shirley Ann Gift Shop & Black Art Kollectibles, 6130 Wheatley, where you're
likely to run into unique art aficionados like Terrie Scott-Dennis, Melanie Williams,
Dianna & Crystal Cox and Lezlie Moore. For info and directions call 713/692-1195.
A Small World shout is also due Alfred Thomas, Jr. owner of
Alfred's Carpet at 607 Bizerte, who joined the Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce's
"Lunch Bunch" on March 7, 2002. You can reach Alfred at 713/686-5951…. A
belated happy birthday to Ida Howard Morgan, who was surprised with a party by her
neighbors at Pleasant Hill Village, 3814 Lyons @ Worms. Those hosting the party included:
Irene Leggett, Verna Simms, Iris Johnson, Blanche Matthews, Lois Stanley, Penny Mansfield,
Wanda Tinsley, Oswald Cockrell, Mary Sonnier, Alma Johnson, V. L. Mitchell Williams,
Deloris Williams, Audrey Simmons, Lula Crawford, Dorothy Walker, Ike Boykin and Robert
Powell. Ida is the sister of 1940's Wheatley football great Henry Howard from Hardy
Street. Small World indeed.
Mrs. Marilyn Petersen was named as an outstanding teacher at Nitsch Elementary. She
has been teaching for 51 years and was introduced at a recent school board meeting by
Principal Dora Williams.
Jamarcus Taylor, a 2001 graduate of Elkins High School, recently attained the elite
status of Eagle Scout. He earned a tota of 26 merit badges in his quest to be among only
4% of the thousand of boys who enter Scouting. He is a member of Troop 1008, chartered by
soutside Church of Christ in the W.L. Davis District of the Sam Houston Area Council of
the boy Scouts of America. He has served his troop in several positions of responsibility
including Senior Patrol Leader, Troop guide and Quartermaster. As his Eagle, project, he
refinised the four front entry doors at Christian Home Baptist Church that showed wear due
to weather and age. In addition to his achievements in Scouting, Taylor was a member of
the Region 12, Junior Olympics National Championship Team, competing in the Young Men's
Division, 4 x 100 Relay. Scoutmaster Dwight Berry presented his badge at the Eagle Scout
"Court of Honor." Taylor is now a freshman at Texas Southern University,
majoring in Psychology. |
