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TwiliteZone.com—I was only slightly
surprised when I learned that the great gospel saxophonist John
Murray and his beautiful (inside and out) wife Shurronda, one of my
favored couples had launched a ministry. However, this space has
become so coveted I have yet to note their ministry. But, since
African-American News&Issues is saluting all of the world’s lovers
on Valentine’s Day 2006, it’s a perfect time to pay tribute to
couples whom God, ideed, has put together. If you’re a church going
Hous-tonian, or just happen-ed to be at any of the religious
community’s major events, you no doubt have heard John praise God on
his tenor sax. And, for sure, you have seen his beautiful wife who
is one of her husband’s biggest fans. And if you’ve ever run into
them out of the spotlight, you certainly have noted what a wonderful
couple they are.
They simply look as if they belong together. Surely, God wanted them
to be a team. Hence The Refreshing Church, 5360 W. 34th -PMB 177, is
a team effort. In addition, Team Murray will be a very happy
Valentine’s Day, insofar as they celebrated their installation
dedication on Jan. 29, 2006. For info., call (281) 970-8200, or
check www.therefreshingchurch.org .... Rev. Kraig Pullam, a third
generation preacher from Corpus Christi, who has been preaching the
gospel since he was a teenager, thought that his future was pretty
much decided until D’Ani Thomas (who was part of an entourage of
North Texas University students visiting with a Dallas, TX church)
walked into his life. In less than a year Rev. Pullam, 23 at the
time, found himself married and living in Houston. Later his sister
confessed she made sure he met D’Ani, an accomplished Spirit Dancer,
who grew up at Holman Street MBC, in Houston, TX under Rev. Manson
Johnson who wed the equally yoked couple.
“I knew she was the one for him,” his sister says. “God wanted them
to be together.” For sure, they not only are together, but he is now
Pastor of Cornerstone BC, in Pearland, Texas. Oh yeah, he’s also
father of Kai, a future preacher. For real, D’Ani, swears that his
hands were folded in prayer in the sonograms. If you want to wish
Team Pullam a happy Valentine’s Day visiting their church call (281)
412-5876, or access www.cornerstonefamily.org.... Rev. Gaston Smith
has proclaimed from the pulpit many times that his wife of 17-years,
formerly Kimberly Robbins, “Is the sugar in my Kool Aid.” For sure,
Kimberly is a very special lady, insofar as she is a perfect mate
for a husband who’s not only a preacher, but a history maker in the
hotel industry. But, it was his 17-years in the ministry that he was
feted for on Dec. 7, 2005, at Friendship MBC, the church he pastors
in Miami, Florida. Well wishers from near and far came to pay
tribute to Rev. Smith during a lively service that was presided over
by Dr. Zachary Royal, Pastor of St. Mary MBC in Coral Gables,
Florida. The guest speaker was Dr. J. Weldon Gilbert, Pastor of
Enterprise BC in Bay City, Texas. Others adding to the success of
the uplifting service were: Sis. Lodine Jenkins, Rev. Iver Williams,
Mins. Kenneth Niblack, Marie Wells and Mins. Charles Mitchell. Rev.
Smith is the youngest of six children born to James and Dorothy
Smith in Houston, Texas. He was educated in the North Forest ISD,
where he graduated from M.B. Smiley Senior High School. He furthered
his educational quest as a Political Science major at the University
of Houston, and a student of Evangelism & Pastoral Studies at
Houston Bible Institute & Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. He has
served in many ministerial capacities, i.e. Director of Home
Ministries @ Pleasant Hill MBC of Houston, Interim Pastor @ New
Beginning MBC of Houston, Pastor of Evangelism & Discipleship @
Frazier Berean MBC of Dallas, Assistant Pastor @ Frazier Berean MBC
of Dallas, and currently serves as Bible Expositor for The Seaboard
Baptist Association of Florida, and Second Vice President for The
Baptist Minister's Council of Greater Miami & Vicinity.
He also serves as Director of Economic Development for Caretakers
For Christ, Inc. and was recently appointed Vice President for the
Miami Chapter of the National Collective Banking Group, Inc. Pastor
Smith is also currently serving as President of Friends of MLK, an
Advocacy Group designed to enhance, revitalize, and empower the
community by addressing its urban ills. Rev. Smith also has nearly
20 years experience as an Exe-cutive Professional in the hospitality
industry. He has served faithfully in Ministry and Corporate America
for over a decade. He has served as Chairman of the Board for The
Frazier Berean Community Development Corporation of Dallas, Vice
President of Inner-City Solu-tions, Inc. of Dallas, and is currently
President/CEO of Pro-gressive Vision Community Development
Corporation and the Friendship Community Redevelopment Corporation.
Pastor Smith was also appointed to serve on the City of Miami Equal
Opportunity Advisory Board. Pastor Smith has been honored with
Commendations, Proclamations & Certificates of Appreciation from
various civic organizations, such as: Congress of the United States,
City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Congressional Black Caucus and
Bethune Cookman College. Pastor Smith has appeared on national and
international television broadcasts, such as CNN Headline News and
MSNBC. He also has a weekly television broadcast that reaches Miami-
Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties in Florida, as well as
the Bahamas Island. But, what really makes his life sweet is his
Kool Aid’s sugar Kim and their three children, Antoi-nette Trenquana,
Jasmine Tremaine and Gaston Everett II. We wish one and all a happy
Valentine’s Day.
MeMories—Valentine’s Day holds precious memories for those
who cherished Josefar Neri Beasley, the beautiful baby girl was born
four days before the lover’s holiday. Hence a complimentary me-moriam
is apropos to note the April 16, 2005 celebration of her life at St.
Peter Claver Catholic Church, 6005 North Wayside. Rev. Rawlin B.
Enette, S.S.J. officiated and Miranda Jones, Robert Bag-ley, Cashara
Joseph, Lorenzo Holmes, Mytra Simien and North Shore’s Gospel Choir
participated in the order of service. Active pallbearers were:
Brandon Emerson, Christopher Bogan, Joseph Hill, Bandon Espree,
Jonathan Demoss and Tris-tan Allen. Larry Carrier, Richard John
Mack, Errol Carrier, Sebestian Carrier, Torrale Phillips, Shawn
O’Neal, Richard Foy, Charles Vallery, Anthony Vallier and Joseph
Bellard were honorary pallbearers for Josefar, who was born on Feb.
10, 1961 to Mary Joyce Vallery and Ferdie John Carrier in Houston,
TX. Her father and oldest sister, Elizabeth Ann Walton preceded her
in death. She leaves to mourn, three loving children: Gaylon and
Kendra Beasley, and Jasper Carter; her mother & stepfather Richard
Mack, Jr.; 10 siblings: Marlene Carrier, Larry Carrier (Tracey);
Gwendolyn Carrier, Errol Carrier; Paula Foy (Richard); Jennifer
O'Neal (Shawn); Richard John Mack, Pennie Vincent, Lynette Carrier
and Bernadette Brown;great aunt, Anna Garrick; four aunts, Eliffe
Vallier, Bernadette Stull, Verna Mae Carrier and Glennie Wilson (Mason);uncle,
Joseph Val-lery (Alavera); and a host of nieces, nephews and
friends; one play sister, Sheila Carrier; two God-brothers, Warren
Vaughn and Keith Metoyer. Most of all she leaves a loving fiancé,
Robert Livingston. Well done Jose far Neri Beasley, your love ones
miss you most of all around Valentine’s Day. |
