Community News

TwiliteZone.com—As Texas’s 79th Legislature Session ended, the Houston Chronicle took a final shot at Rep. Al Ed-wards, with a little snippet (“BOOTY BUSTIN”), in its May 31, 2005 edition. “Ed-wards drew national attention, including considerable ridi-cule, with legislation that came to be known as the ‘booty bill.’ The bill would crack down on booty shaking and other suggestive cheerleading routines. He got the House to go along with the idea, but it died in the Senate, with some members saying openly that they thought they had better things to do. Edwards also is behind an effort to erect a Juneteenth monument on the Capitol's south grounds, which features a ‘lawmaker’ that bears a striking resemblance to Edwards.”
So what? I can’t think of any better person to have a statue commemorating Juneteenth than Rev. Edwards, who worked like a slave to make the historical event a state holiday. However, Edward’s annual Juneteenth U.S.A. event at Jones Hall, starting at 5 p.m. on June 18, 2005, must take a back seat to the 13th Annual Juneteenth Business Expo Zy-deco-Rhythm & Blues Festival 2005, that will be held on June 18 (from 2-8 p.m.), under the big tent on Malonson Com-pany Inc.’s grounds, 6130 Wheatley. The event will feature Ray Parsee & The All-stars Band, with Miss Vanessa in the spotlight; Ray Brown & The Vintage Band and Nooney & The Zydeco Floaters), will be broadcast live. For further information please call Sharon Johnson @ (713) 692-7003

LostInSpace—The Dec. 18, 2004 homegoing services for Johnnie Barnett, Sr., at Ross Mortuary Chapel, 3618 Lyons Ave., was definitely Lost In Space. But, no longer. Thus, please note the celebration of his long and productive life that was eulogized by Rev. Michael Blackshear. Alvin Young, Sophia Lewis and Rev. Stanley Hillard participated in the order of service. Dwight Allen, Johnnie, Ronald, Reginald Barnett; Lionel, Remus, Reynauld Allen and Gordon, Davis & Everett McClain were active pallbearers. Tyrone Dorian, Tony Davis, Peter Brown, Alvin Young, Lonnie Means and Don Taylor were honorary pallbearers for John-nie, who was born April 29, 1925 in Spring, Texas to Ira and Mertha Lindsey Barnett. He was baptized at an early age into the Methodist Faith and attended school in Spring. As an adult, Johnnie, a father of five, worked at Ed's Cab Company, Hughes Tools, Hot Shot Delivery and his own Barnett's Delivery Service. His parents; two brothers, Ira Jr. and Olan T. Barnett and a grandson, Anthony Jerome Barnett preceded him in death. Johnnie was called home by God on Dec. 7, 2004 and is survived by three sons: Johnnie, Jr. (Julia), Ronald Barnett & Reginald Barnett (Natalie); Two Daughters: Ruby Barnett and Brenda Young; 8 grandchildren: Remus & Brenell Young; Reynauld Young (Tiffany): Natille Barnett; Christi Scott, Torrie, Shacola & Sheila; 6 great-great grandchildren: Bicana, Javion, Remus II and Courtney; Aloye & ZaQuavia and a host of other relatives and friends. Well done Johnnie Barnett, Sr.

MeMories—A complimentary memoriam is due the family and love ones of Jerry Wayne Stewart, whose outstanding life was celebrated at Ross Mortuary Chapel, 3618 Lyons, on Dec. 30, 2004, with Rev. Henry Johnson officiating. Samantha Hamlett, Ruben Booker and Vernetta Hamlett also participated in the order of service. Active pallbearers were: James Toussaint, James Ste-wart Jr., Benny Davis, Jr., Donald Ray Bell, Dennis Stewart, Alfred Wilson and Carlos Lewis. Carl Stewart, Darren Helaire, Levi Stew-art, Billy Moses, Ricky Garrett, Cedrick Lewis, Jerald Lewis, Clarence Evans, Kenneth Stewart, and Kevin Johnson were honorary pallbearers for Jerry Wayne, who was born on June 12, 1942 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was the ninth child born to the late Cecelia and Mack Stew-art. The late Rev. John Gaines at Saint Savior Baptist Church in Cane River, Louisiana baptized him at an early age. Jerry graduated from Central High School in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1962. After completing school, he moved and resided in Houston, Texas. Years later he met his soulmate, Lillie Mae County. During their union one child was born, Laconia Renee County Stewart. Bro. Stewart was called home December 21, 2004 to be with his heavenly father. His birth parents; his eight siblings; Levi, Otis, Leo, John Sr., Mack, Alfred, Shirley, Dorothy Stewart and his only son Romane Hamilton preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his soulmate of 31 years; Three daughters: Karla Hamilton, Dr. Wanda Jackson (Robert) and Laconia French; Six grandchildren: Eric Hamilton, Arianna, Tori, Taylor, Sabrina and Amaris; Two God-daughters: Shelia Watson (Alfred) and Maxine Stewart; Two God-granddaughters: Racquel and Kayla Watson; Two sister-in-Iaws: Louwilda Stewart and Linda Davis; a brother-in-law: Melvin County; One special cousin: Donald Ray Bell (Deborah) and a host of other relatives and friends. Rest in peace Jerry Wayne Stewart, you will be greatly missed.

HoodWatch—A happy belated birthday (June 2), to my “Sis,” Delores Thomas Tatum, of the well known Fifth Ward Thomas clan who married by “Brother” Sandy James Tatum, Jr., who settled in the Dallas, Texas after a career in the Air Force. “Dee” and Sandy, who graduated from Phillis Wheatley in 1952, started courting in high school and have been married for almost 48-years. The roving couple, who travels all over America on business, lives in a palatial home in Grand Prairie, but still worships at Concord B.C. in Dallas. Congrats Dee, we wish you many, many, many many more…. Sentiment aside, James Bacon had to be pleas-ed when he woke up on June 6, 2005 and found the following love note on his pillow: “When we married, I made God a Holy promise to Love, honor, and cherish you through all our days together. In return, I was given the greatest happiness anyone could ask for. In your love, God has given me a helpmate and friend. Someone to share every burden, God has truly blessed me through you. If I had to do it all over again. I would make the same sacred vows but, this time, I'd include a prayer thanking Him for you. And on our anniversary, I want you to know that I love, honor and cherish you more today than ever. With all my love.” The letter was signed by his soulmate of 15-years, Angela Bacon, who he married and made Mrs. Bacon Bacon, on June 6, 1990. Yeah, they had the same surname. Congrats James and Angela Bacon Bacon…. Belated congrats are also due Rev. Edwin Davis and First Lady Charlotte, who were recently feted by Galilee MBC (the oldest church in Acres Homes), during their 17th Annual Pastor’s Appreciation Day. Dr. Davis, has not only pastored Acres Home’s oldest church for almost two decades, but also served for many years as HPD’s Chaplain.... It seems that the Fifth Ward Coalition of Churches’ Summer Revival gets better and better, but this year will be a, tough act to follow. And those that have heard Rev. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., who was once pastor of the historical Antioch Baptist Church (in near downtown Houston, Texas), know where I’m coming from. However, the man has gotten even better in his old age and the blessed audience at the revival, surely will agree that he is one of the most exciting pulpiteers in America. Even so, Rev. Hicks, pastor of Metropolitan BC in Washington, D. C., gave accolades to Dr. Joel Gregory, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, who was the Expository Speaker. “The man must have forgotten he’s a world-wide acclaimed White speaker. I guess we’ll just have to make him an honorary “Black preacher,” Dr. Hicks espoused, tongue-in-cheek, in reference to Dr. Gregory, the dynamic internationally renowned theologian, who recently has spoke before the Baptist World Alliance in Seoul, Korea. The revival took place at Galilee BC, 1401 Worms, from May 31-June 2, 2005 and was greatly enliven by the participation of Fifth Ward pastors, the Reverends: Robert Staggers, Robert Thomas, Harvey Clemons, Jr., Leonard Barksdale, Alton Mitchell, Byrd Lacey and Byron Wyatt.

SportsWatch—You still have time to enroll your boys (7-15) in Quest Basketball Summer Hoop Camp, that will be held June 20-23, 2005 at South Park BC Family Life Center, 5830 Van Fleet. For info, please call (713) 644-1252…. The Booker T. Washington Class of 1955 lays claim to the title of being the most productive class in Houston, Texas’ oldest Black high school’s long and glorious history. Bobby Hayes, a 1955 grad who starred in baseball, certainly is a poductive member of that class, insofar as he became a legend in the beer industry (Southwest Budweiser Distributors that’s now John Nau’s Silver Eagle), and his community greatly benefited from his success. Bobby, a die hard War Eagle, who says one of his greatest accomplishments was to be in a position to coordinate and help fund a salute to BTW’s legendary football coach, Alvin “The Fox” Sims, during a time in his life when he needed to be reminded how many of the outstanding young athletes he had turned into fine and productive men. “He was definitely the wind beneath the wings of a whole lot of lost fellows, who would’ve fallen by the wayside, if he hadn’t been such a strong presence in their lives when they needed a solid father figure the most,” Bobby says of the late, great coach. Hayes is looking forward to his 50th class reunion in August and also wants his classmates to contact Jacqueline Whiting Bostic@ (832)687-1755 for further info....Did you know that Lawrence Marshall, HISD board member, who also served as president, was once an outstanding basketball player at Jack Yates High School? Well he was and Marshall, who was affectionately called “Dooley” by his coach and teammates, that included former Worthing basketball coach Benny Roy (and I think), Carl Flanagan, George “Lil’ Stalky” Gray Oran “Sockie” Williams and Abe Hicks. If I got my years mixed up, I’m sure my pal George will call and set me straight. He always does. Meanwhile, a major fundraiser will kickoff Marshall’s campaign for another term on the school board. The 2005 I. B. Bryant Leadership Award Celebration that will be held on June 16 at the HAUL building, that’s located at 1301 Texas Avenue. The event will be held from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. For information & RSVP call (713) 771-1377, or (281) 591-8324.
Say What?--Dear Mr. Bud Johnson: Hi, my name is Camille Hickman. I am writing on behalf of your article titled “Prophetic Research.” I must say that I was impressed. You are truly an African Warrior when it comes to being able to give such detailed and pertinent information regarding the welfare and well-being of African Americans. You have a myriad of facts regarding the history of mistreatment, and offenses of minorities all across the country. I could not believe in my wildest imagination how anyone would dare criticize you. You are a very intelligent and articulate elder and if anything they should encourage, with much accolades for your wondrous work I read the African-American News & Issues daily. I must say that you are one of the most influential journalists so far. Along with Roy Douglas Ma-lonson, Dr. Safisha Nzingha Hill Adeleke, Darwin Camp-bell and others. You speak the truth and nothing, but the truth, which is what we as avid readers really need to hear in this day and age of confusion, delusions, and various illusions. I must say Please keep up the good work and may God bless you.- Camille.