Community News

TwiliteZone.com—When I read that the Texas’ House Ways and Means Committee voted 6-2 in favor of raising sales taxes, e.g., bottled water and car repairs, I had cause to pause and ponder if former Rep. Ron Wilson, who chaired that powerful committee, would’ve done it differently. We could always count on Ron to do what was best his Sunnyside District. For sure,, since Rep. Al Edwards, D- Houston, only voted present (abstained), along with a “no” vote by Rep. Vilma Luna, D-Corpus Christi and Allan Ritter, D-Nederland, I suspect that buyers in the ‘hood should beware. Although it will be a moot point, by the time this edition hits the streets, I’m wondering if Rep. Alma Allen, the lady who ambushed Ron will be as committed to her constituents as he was, when ambiguous bills become before a full House. For sure, African-American News & Issues, as your editorial watcher on the wall, would be remiss not to keep close tabs on her.

LostInSpace—Although it was briefly Lost In Space, a funeral program brought back memories of a Wheatley running back named Clyde Canada, as we prepared our complimentary memoriam for the love ones of Meredith Q. Canada III, whose relative brief life was celebrated at Ross Mortuary Chapel, 3618 Lyons Ave., on Dec. 18, 2004, with Rev. Hiawatha Johnson, Pastor of Mt. Tabor BC and Elder Victor Sweet, of Mt. Rose Church of God and Christ officiating. Lela Mitchell, Carlos Jackson and Carzetta Hooey participated in the order of service. Honorary pallbearers were: Leon Price, Quinllion Canada, DraShawn Singletary, Ricky Price, Quinton Can-ada, Stephon Jackson, Larry Huery, Sr. and Joseph John-son. Kevin Chevalier, Henry Johnson, LaVera, Andre & Larry Huery; LaKeith, Shon, El-wood Hooey were active pallbearers for Meredith, aka “Cue,” who was born January 17, 1952 to the loving parents of Francis Canada and Sam Price in Houston, Texas.
Cue graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. He joined the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam. While in the Air Force he attended Merced College in California. Cue also attended the Houston Police Academy and obtained employment at Walgreen’s and Domino's as QTR. Cue, who was preceded in death by his parents, was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife, Vanessa Canada. To this union of 22 years was born Quinton X. Canada. Cue is also survived by his daughter, LaQuisha Canada; brothers, Leon Price and Eugene Guinn; sisters, Benita Canada and Janice Canada, and De-Andrea Canada; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. You will be greatly missed Meredith “Que” Canada.

Hoodwatch—The good Lord moves in a mysterious way, indeed, and nobody knows this better than Rev. Eric Anderson, who arrived in Houston with his Dallas, Texas based Grace Tabernacle (Baptist) church family, to fellowship with Pleasant Hill BC, 1510 Pannell, a few hours after his mother (Mrs. Carolyn Dixon) suffered a heart attack, therefore was able to rush to her bedside. Rev. Anderson is a well known Houstonian, who played sports at E.O. Smith and Phillis Wheatley before being called from the Fifth Ward streets into the ministry…. Dr. James D. Watson, who received a Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1963, will lecture on “My Life with D.N.A.,” at the University of Houston’s Cullen Performance Hall, on April 7, 2005. The lecture will begin promptly at 7 p.m. For RSVP and directions, call (713) 743-2255.
Please support the Erma D. Le-roy Members’ that’s helping to keep the Blue Triangle YWCA building, 3005 McGowen, in Third Ward. The group’s annual “Trip Around the World” will “set sail” at 5 p.m. on April 16, 2005. Among the guest artist will be musician Robbie Cowling Thomas. For info. call Hattie Rice Montgomery @ (713) 433-6977…. Mt. Pleasant BC, 4819 Hershe @ Solo, will sponsor its Reginald Keith Guillory Scholarship Academic Achievement Luncheon at Brady’s Landing, 8505 Cy-press, at 11 a.m. on April 9, 2005. For info., call (713) 633-1026…. High school students and their parents are invited to attend the Myrtle Allen Rowe Scholarship Brunch on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at Missouri City Baptist Church. The church is located at 16816 Quail Park @ FM 22-34 in Missouri City. The brunch begins at 10:00 a.m. and will feature a performance by the College for Texans Theatre Group. For info., call (281) 835-6310.

Sportswatch—Although the Baylor Lady Bears’ Chelsea Whitaker is a product of Dallas Skyline High School, she also has roots deeply planted in Houston, Texas’ Fifth Ward soil. Chelsea, the grand daughter of the Fifth Ward Whitakers, recently made headlines when she helped Baylor’s women clinch a NCAA berth, by winning the Big 12 Tournament. Chelsea has been a sensation athlete since Middle school and was a four-year starter for Cassandra McCurdy at Dallas Skyline HS, although she played only half of her senior season due to a torn ACL. In high school Chelsea averaged 18 points, 8 assists and four steals per game before injury sidelined her for the rest of the season ... During her prep career, Skyline's record was 117-33 and the team won four District championships, two Area Championships and was state runner-up one year ... Three-time All-Region selection ... All-State twice ... Tabbed an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior ... Letter-ed one year in track ... Named to the All-City Academic-Athletic Team four times.
She first accepted a full ride at Virginia University, but transferred to Baylor, after her freshman year. She was reshirted, during which time she allowed her ACL to completely heal. Now, a fully healthy, 5’9” Chelsea has proven to be unstoppable when she lets it all hang out of the court. However, she has the genes to be a champion, insofar as Chelsea, who is affectionately called “C-Dub,” is the 23-year-old daughter of Arlinda and former North Texas great Crest Whitaker, who was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and was invited to become a Harlem Globetrotter. He also played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. Chelsea got her toughness by playing against her big brother, Creston, Jr., who played baseball at the University of Illinois and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. A birthday shout out to my brother, Sandy James Tatum, Jr., who celebrates 71st on March 25, and thankfully the old soldier (Retired as the highest rated non-com in the United States Air Force), is still healthy enough to enjoy his golden years by touring American in his SUV Navigator with his soulmate, Delores Thomas Tatum, that he hooked up with at Phillis Wheatley (Class of 1952), and is still holding on to her. Sandy, a very active deacon at Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas (resides in his palatial “dream home” in Grand Prairie), says that he has a lot to thank the Lord for, insofar as he got the scare of his life when his wife of 48-years, suffered a stroke a couple of years ago. However, “Dee,” has re-covered sufficiently to enjoy life and visit friends that they made during their 20 plus years in the military. When in Houston, the Tatums usually stays with former Wheatley basketball great, Gaylord Davis, who was an All-American guard on TSU’s National Championship team. Gaylord is married to Delore’s baby sister, Rachel, who was a Wheatley and TSU cheerlead-er. Congrats, you Tatums. May the Lord keep on blessing you…. Traveling grace for Felicia and Corey Sterling, who are in New York as we speak. The newly wed couple, that married in the Botanical Gardens in New Orleans, in August 2004, definitely isn’t still on their honeymoon, but, instead, they traveled to the “Big Apple” to put the finishing touches on Felicia’s quest for her Master’s Degree. Oh yeah, the relatives and friends who watched Carol Norris raised her only child into a beautiful and talented young woman (that graduated from PVAMU Cum Laude in 2003), aren’t a bit surprised that she suddenly decided to take a few days leave from Ma Bell. You get three guesses where a mom experiencing the “empty nest” syndrome plans to spend her vacation. Speaking of love, marriage, and the empty nest syndromes, Sandra Young, the long time employee of SBC, will be holding back tears when her manchild, Harvey Clemons, III, walks down the aisle with LaTosah Leanette Washingon, on April 2, 2005.
Harvey and LaTosah, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Willis T. Washington will unite in Holy Matrimony at Pleasant Hill BC, 1510 Pannell, at 2 p.m with Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr. officiating the vows. A reception will be held at The Victuals Restaurant, 3815 Lyons following the wedding. Congrats “Three.” … . The Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) are gearing up for their favorite event that will make seven high school grads very happy. The ladies, will hold their Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet on April 23, 2005. For further info. e-mail SSLW 2005 Scholarship Chair person Terri Jones @ Terri&smarketingtx.com… Golfers are urged to register by March 25, 2005 3rd Charles H. Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament, at Hermann Park on April 11, For info call Betty @ (713) 734-1946.

Memories—It’s a privilege to extend a complimentary memoriam in honor of Lizzie A. Galloway Davis whose very productive life was celebrated at New Bethel BC, 3535 Brewster, on Dec. 11, 2004, with Pastor Caleb Anderson officiating. Wilbert Davis, Jr., Cedric Davis, Charles Vaughn, Paul Youngblood and DeQuentin Youngblood were pallbearers for Sis. Galloway, who was born on July 5, 1940, to the late Will and Caroline Galloway, in Mangham, Louisiana. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Mangham, under the leadership of the late Rev. Watkins, where she accepted Christianity at an early age. Lizzie attended Mangham Elementary School and continued on to Alto High School. Lizzie came to Houston, Texas in 1957. In the early 70’s, she became a member of New Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Grayson.
Lizzie met and married Wilbert Davis, Sr. Lizzie had seven brothers, three sisters, and one girl who preceded her in death. She remained a member of New Bethel Baptist Church until the Lord called her home. Lizzie departed this life on December 2, 2004. Lizzie leaves to mourn: a husband; one son, Earl J. Galloway; two stepsons, Wilbert Davis, Jr. and Cedric Davis. She also leaves: two grandchildren, DeQuentin and Zenetta Youngblood; one son-in-law, Paul Youngblood; two sister-in-laws, Rosie L. Galloway, and Lovie Dee Galloway of Mangham, Louisiana; niece, Leanna Aguillard; and friend, Ira Mae Francis; a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives. Well-done Lizzie Ann Galloway Davis.