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Week of June 12-18, 2002

LostInSpace—A unique funeral program caused the May 3, 2002 celebration of the life of retired U.S. Army First Sgt. Wayne Lewis Reese at Galilee MBC, in Lawton, Oklahoma to be Lost In Space, but his passing must be noted. SFC Reese, aka “Uncle Wayne,” a very special person was born June 29, 1954 to the late John W. & Veola Reese in Houston, Texas and graduated from Reagan H.S. in 1972. Wayne, who honed his computer skills at Cameron U. in Lawton, passed away on April 25, 2002, while on assignment at Fort Rucker, Alabama and was buried will military honors and Masonic rites at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He entered the military in January 1974 and retired in February 1994, after winning many honors and continued serving his nation as a computer support specialist with the Directorate of Contracting at Fort Sill, providing training and support for Army Acquisition software and programs. He married Lurethia (Lou) Womack on August 16, 1985 and became a dedicated husband and father, as well as a faithful servant for God through his technical ministry at Galilee. Wayne also was an active member of several Masonic organizations. He was serving as Worshipful Master of Mistletoe Lodge #31. and was also assistant recording secretary of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and grand recorder of the Herman E. Duncan Grand Council. He was elevated to the 33rd degree, the highest of masonry, in October 2000 in Washington, D.C. after serving in many capacities and orders. He is survived by his wife; two sons: Jaeson Reese (Jessica) and Stephan Reese. He also leaves to mourn his passing three sisters, Hazel McClure (Ernest); Ruth Hung (Morgan) and Freddie Mae Nickerson (James) and a host of other relatives and friends. We salute you SFC Wayne Lewis Reese.

GoodNeighbor—During the May 28, 2002 celebration of the short life of Raymond Edward Gamble, Jr. at McDuffle Chapel, 115 Hamilton, it became obvious he was reared to be a Good Neighbor as eulogized by Rev. M.L. Jefferson, pastor of Calvary MBC. Raymond was born into the well-known Acres Home Gamble clan on Nov. 24. 1978 and attended Inwood Elementary and Eisenhower H.S. Angie Kees and Benjamin Hines rendered solos in tribute to his life. A resolution read by Angela Jefferson expressed his faithfulness and service to his church. Juan Young, Corey Govan, John Light, Alphonso Cruise, Christopher Berry and Tony Taylor were active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were: Jimmy Gamble, Fred Taylor, Malcolm Govan and Tyrone Gamble. He leaves to cherish his memory his father Raymond Gamble, Sr. and mother Barbara Gamble; six sisters: Danette Young, Sharon Petry (Aaron), Tamika Smith (Robert), Lasonia Gamble, Leola Gamble and Christian Jackson; two nieces: Kerstin Smith and Tameria Kees; five nephews: Aaron Petry III, Eric Kees Jr., Marcus Kees, DeAndrea Kess and Reginald Brooks Jr.; grandmother, Leola Gamble; grandfather, Lester Young; great grandfather, Author B. Taylor and a host of relatives and friends. Well-done Good Neighbor Raymond Edward Gamble, Jr.

SmallWorld—Standing tall at North Forest ISD’s 4th Annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet on May 25, 2002,was none other than Cleon W. Smith, who became one of the first M.B. Smiley grads to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1974. Cleon, a member of the Melody Barber & Real Estate Smith clan in the Houston Gardens area, changed directions however and returned to civilian life and obtained a MBA from Amber University in Dallas and is now general manager of Time Warner Cable, Inc. Road Runner High Speed Online, where he is described by co-workers as a “rising star.” Cleon was among five other NFISD grads honored at the event that was held at the Sheraton Hotel JFK. Also honored were:



Phyllis Williams, a 1972 B. C. Elmore grad is an outstanding principal in the district, after starting her career as a part-time cafeteria worker.

Dr. Rosalyn Gayle, who graduated with honors from Forest Brook in 1979, is now a certified doctor in obstetrics and gynecology practicing in Baytown, Texas.

Angela Aaron, a 1985 Forest Brook grad, earned a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at TSU.

Mark A. Crawford, who also graduated from Forest Brook (1987), is a staff attorney with BP America, Inc, but got his law degree from Southern U.

LaShawnda Harris, evidentially loved North Forest to much to leave after graduating from M.B. Smiley High with honors in 1994. LaShawnda moved from the classroom to become the district’s Aspiring Youth senior programs director. Small World indeed

M’StonesInDaHood—Black mayors throughout the Lone Star State will join Mayor Carolyn Jones, of Kendleton, Texas for a three-day Juneteenth celebration. Mayor Jones is the only Black woman mayor in Texas…. Congrats to George McElroy, publisher Emeritus of the Houston Informer Newspaper and legendary educator who recently turned 80….
On May 21, Carter Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts hosted a dedication ceremony for its new marquee. The dedication included sinking a time capsule adjacent to the base of the bi-lingual sign. The fourth-grade “graduating” class took charge of filling the capsule with representative mementos and a projection into their futures with individual essays answering, “What will I be doing in ten years?” The Carter Academy PTO Board and administrators had a hand—literally—in the event, as each left a handprint in the wet cement interring the capsule for the next ten years. Refreshments and entertainment followed. The celebration was hosted by Carter Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts, the PTO and the 21st Century Community Learning Center. Parent and community volunteers were also recognized and celebrated at the dedication. Carter Academy is a magnet school in the Aldine Independent School District. It is located at 3111 Fallbrook Drive.