Simpson County Technical Center Health Informatics and Career Pathways Experience students toured the Blue Cross/Blue Shield office in Flowood, on Friday, February 24.  Pictured (front row left to right) are students Christian Minor, Tony Riley, Brendalyn Walker, Jayla Byrd, Mikayla Granderson, Jashia Turner, Pamela Woodard – Instructor, Natalie Walters, Faith Drummond
(Back row left to right) India Jenkins, Jamirrial Blackwell, Diamond Ducksworth, Courtney Stewart, Brittany Sullivan, Ronald Magee

The enemy is constantly trying to keep us distracted and anxious over things at work, at home, with our relationships….We have to keep our focus on God and what is important….following Jesus, living the way He wants us to live and turning away from the enemy! We have to pray and have faith that God will be with us and get us through whatever the enemy throws our way!

Sharon Womack

LIVING IN ETERNITY

We all will face a new life in a place called Heaven or a place called Hell.  Listen today as Jesus speaks to you.  Our reading today comes from Genesis 2:7.  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

When God formed us He gave us life until He is ready for us to come home.  After we pass from the earthly life we then face eternal life.  This life is then a place called Heaven or a place called Hell.  In heaven all pain, sorrow, sickness and death have passed away.  Heaven is a place of perfectness.  In heaven we will praise Jesus forever.

Our hearts must not be troubled over where we will spend eternity.  If we know Christ, death will not be a big deal.  Our love, life and legacy will live on through people we have met in this life.

Our life must be a shining light to a lost and dying world.  In hell our soul will burn forever and never die.  In hell we will be able to look up into heaven and see what we missed.

In our world today people call upon the name of Jesus to help them; but,  I have never heard anyone call upon another name to help them.  We must keep our brain open to absorb, our eyes open that we may see, ears open that we may hear, mouth open that we may tell others about Jesus, heart open that we may love and our feet are used to walk in the way, truth, and light of Jesus Christ.

Our prayer today is Father help us to keep the cross upon our shoulders where our feet will not go astray.  See you at the house some day soon.  Have a blessed and victorious week

Rev. Richard Kight

Magee, MS

James L. Smith , Sr., 73, of Mendenhall, passed from this life Friday, February 24, 2017 at Simpson General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall. Bro. Earl Clark will officiate. Burial will be in Merit Cemetery . Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements, (601)847-4401.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall.
Mr. James (Jimmy) L. Smith, Sr. is survived by his Wife – JoAnn Smith of Mendenhall; Sons – James Larry Smith , Jr. (Linda) of Petal and Ricky Rayborn of White Oak: Sister – Sue Garner Ellzy of Mendenhall; Brother – Carol Smith (Marysol) of Florence; 8 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.
Mr. James (Jimmy) L. Smith is preceded in death by his : Parents- Dewey and Lena Mae Smith; Son – Jeffery Thomas Smith and James Preston Rayborn; Brother – Dewey Smith , Jr; Grandson – James Larry Smith, III.
Pallbearers will be: Matthew Thompson, Ken Thompson, Richard Rayburn, Lee Smith, Leslie Smith, and Mat Turner.

Saturday, February 25, 2017—Natchez Convention Center, 211 Main Street
8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks: Dr. Ronnie Nettles, President, Copiah Lincoln Community
College 9:00-
10:20 a.m.
10:30- 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
1:00- 2:15 p.m.:
2:15- 3:15 p.m.
3:15- 4:15 p.m.
5:30-7:45
A Conversation with Richard Grant, featuring Richard Grant, author, Dispatches From Pluto. This interview format presentation will center on themes found in Mr. Grant’s bestselling book on the Mississippi Delta.
Richard Wright Awards for Literary Excellence: with educational presentations by the award winners, Stanley Nelson, Journalist, Concordia Sentinel and author of the Devils Walking: Klan Murders along the Mississippi in the 1960s (basis for Greg Isles’ Natchez Burning trilogy), and Peggy Prenshaw, Eudora Welty Scholar, retired, Millsaps College
Ticketed Event: Luncheon at the Carriage House. Tickets $30.
This interview format presentation will center around Ms. Jenkin’s popular book on Newt Knight and
the open defiance of Jones County Mississippi to Mississippi’s secession and the Civil War.
“The Power of Storytelling: Delta Women and their Wisdom”; Alysia Burton Steele, Assistant Professor of Journalism, Meek School of Journalism, University of Mississippi and author of Delta Jewels. This presentation is similar to the Thursday presentation to area high school students but geared to a more general, adult audience.
“Katrina and its Impact on Modern Mississippi”; NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, author of Katrina Mississippi: Voices from Ground Zero.
Benefit Cocktail Reception, Glen Auburn, home of Dr. and Mrs. Randy Tillman, historic downtown Natchez MS. This is a Ticketed Event. Tickets $60.

A Conversation with Sally Jenkins, featuring Sally Jenkins (Journalist, The

Washington Post) co-author of The State of Jones.

I was invited to come and speak to a group of 8^th graders at Magee Middle School concerning “being the best you can be!”  I had a great time and met wonderful students and teachers.

The class was very attentive as we discussed making goals in our lives…kindness…manners…Personally, I imagine they were quite boarded…but I will say, the students didn’t act boarded.

At the end of the talk, I made pictures of the students.  I hope you find your child, grandchild, or friend!  I never got names, but several left lasting impressions.

I hope I will see some of these students again!  The group was well mannered and lots of fun!

Thank you to Magee Middle School and Mrs. Cole for the invitation!                                                                                        Coach Jackson

Magee Sweeps Simpson County Classic

The Trojans might be young, but were impressive in opening weekend of play.

Friday night the Trojans defeated Mendenhall 8-6. Magee JV also chalked up a win against the Tigers Friday night with a score of 11-2.

Saturday morning action Simpson would capture a victory against Mendenhall 8-2 leaving the tigers winless in the weekend festivities.

Magee and Simpson and would face off Saturday afternoon where the Trojans would win 7-5.

It was a great weekend for baseball and a there was a large attendance at the park.

Simpson has been playing their first few games without all of their players due to some athletes still playing in basketball championship games. After this week Simpson should have a full roster playing.

One change in MHSAA this year is that the teams are required to keep up with pitch count instead of innings.

Fairytale Dreams was the title of 2017 Magee High School Beauty & Beau Pageant.

The pageant was presented by the Visual Arts Department at Magee High School.

Dr. Tom Duncan served as Master of Ceremonies.

Jenny Deal and Kyle Thompson were crowned Most Beautiful and Most Handsome for Magee High School Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Magee High School Auditorium.

First Alternate chosen was Chandler Berry and Keton Cockrell, Second Alternate was Ashleigh Russell and Dylan Rankin, Third Alternate was Madison May and Peyton Barnard, and Fourth Alternate was Chloe White.

Top eight beauties chosen were Josie Russell, Nyla Sims, Jenny Deal, Ashleigh Russell, Ashanti Brown, Chandler Berry, and Chloe White.

All ladies were beautiful in their evening gowns.

Dianna Holland and Colby Cockrell last years Most Beautiful and Most Handsome were present for this years crowning.

A special thanks is given to Kathy Gibson and Ruth Allan, for all of their hard work to prepare a beautiful setting and organizing pageant. Also thanks to Heather Blackwell and Kelly Nelson for volunteering their time to help for the nights festivities.

Juanita (Nita) Sullivan , 75, of Collins, passed from this life at Arrington Living Center.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 9:00PM on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee,   Funeral services will held at 2:00pm on Tuesday February 28, 2017 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Magee. Bro. Resse Douglas will officiate.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements, (601)849-5031.
Mrs. Sullivan is survived by her : Daughter – Anita Ishee of Collins and Becky Louis of Michigan; Sons – Terry Lott (Kimberly) of Magee, Michael Crews (Mica) of Mize;  Sisters – Dianne Keyes of Magee, Martha Rutland (Richard) of Mount Olive and Julie Cruise of Mount Olive;  Brothers – Tim Cruise , Mount Olive and  Charles Cruise of  Magee; a number of grandchildren and great- grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Sullivan is preceded in death by her  Husband – Wilton Sullivan; Parents B.T  and Quillie Cruise; Son – Robert Carrol Lott; Great Grand Child – Wilton Russel Biehle and Sister – Kathy Hancock.
Pallbearers will be Bradley Lott, Zachary Byrd, Nate Byrd, Kevin Clark, and Matt Runnels.

sign online guestbook at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

Where is our God?

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

Psalm 16:8

Do you ever feel alone? Do you go through seasons of life where you feel like your best friends and family are distant! Do you ever feel like even God has left you high and dry? Most of the time it has to do with our circumstances, things we are going through, sadness or grieve or uncertain events have occurred that we didn’t see coming!

If we are honest we all have these experiences and even as christians we sometimes wonder where is our God! The scripture from Psalm 16:8 reminds me that our Lord is always with us, right beside us! We do not have to be shaken by our problems or circumstances! God never leaves us alone!

So today, if you are like me and you wonder where God is? Wonder no more! We have the assurance, the written word and His commitment to always be with us! Let go and let God draw near to you! He’s there already!

Vic Prather

PRESS RELEASE
On February 23, 2017 at approximately 5:01 p.m., K9 Officer Landon Ates tried to stop a 2002 Oldsmobile for switched tag at the Walmart red light on 49 Highway. The vehicle then fled north bound at a high rate of speed, even north bound in the south bound lane of 49 Highway. The vehicle fled out Athens Road to Mendenhall, then thru D’Lo on 149 Highway and north of D’Lo the vehicle came to a stop ramming into a police vehicle tearing off the back bumper. The driver (Johnnie Ray Magee) was arrested for Felony Fleeing, reckless driving, DUI other substance, and numerous other traffic violations. Officers found a large amount of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and a grey substance that tested positive for heroin. Johnnie Magee was also charged with Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The passenger, Jeff McGee, was charged with possession of a controlled substance. The 2002 Oldsmobile was seized and approximately $1312.00 cash was seized. Narcotics Investigator Shane Fewell spoke with the driver and passenger, both admitted to carrying the drugs to Jackson, MS to sell them.

The Simpson County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office and the Mendenhall Police Department assisted in the pursuit. These agency’s might have charges on these individuals as well.

Magee Middle School Principal’s Scholars Term 4:

5th Grade:
Zaylen Banks
Antoney Barnes
Jonathan Thomas Barnes
Adayzhai Bateaste
Kassi Beard
Caroline Kentlyn Booth
Tremaiya Bowen
Karlie Burleson
Makaylah Carpenter
Tania Clark
Tianna Maries Clark
Noelani Lehua Collado Collins
Erica Denise Dennis
Trinity Dillon
Kalyn Fletcher
Jakobe Floyd
Dawlson Jayden Garner
Isaiah Aaron Graves
Kinsley Green
Antajia Ariyana Hamilton
Jada Nicole Hampton
William Shane Douglas Hofler
Ashonte Holloway
Dniyah Hubbard
Damarcus Johnson
Nicholas Robert Martin
Kiara McGill
Mariah McGowan
Ken’darius McInnis
Madison Nations
Eli Bradley Peacock
Caden Poinsett
Preston Wayne Powell
Kierah Robinson
James Allen Rose
Hailey Sartain
Kenneth Raul Shell
Dallas Craig Tanner
Ja’miracle Walker
Amilia Washington

6th Grade:
Romanuel Barber
Jaia Ashea Clausell
Zoe Clever
Lexi Cox
Mylah Davis
Malaysia Ducksworth
Kalen Takerria Durr
Matthew Dale Ehrgott
Anthony Marelle Floyd
Aaron Robert Freshour
Tyann Gentry
Demichael Green
J’kwon Montiq Gregory
Jena Alivia Gunter
Peyton Herrington
Gabriel Lee Hooker
Savannah Lee Judd
Jamarion Jaquel Kitchens
Leyah Lofton
Isabell Marie Martell
Kymiah McCann
Jaiden Keishaun McLaurin
Ziya Breanna McNair
Jordyn Tayler Overby
Matthew Logan Phillips
Matthew Russell
Allison Faith Shows
Faith Marie Sullivan
Lynlee Cadance Tullos
Edmya Shalia Turner
Gabriel Walker
Daquon Jamon Weathersby-Levy
Jamar Maliq Winn
Justin Lane Womack

7th Grade:
Andrew Edward Baeuerle
Da’nyla Denee’ Bouldin
Rustlin Shiloh Brown
Isabella Brenee Bryant
Jacee Kadence Collins
Kehonnie Cooper
Sarah Danielle Craft
Makenzie Alexandria Ducksworth
Kari Leigh Dunaway
Brody Carl Easterling
Haylee Ann Marie Ferguson
James Arther Floyd, II
Dayanara Michel Gonzalez
Madison Nicole Granderson
Kaden Walker Harper
Addyson Brooke Hayes
Jaylen Kejuan Hicks
Brandy Michelle Higgins
Elizabeth Nicole Jones
Madyson Jones
Chance Jakolbe Magee
Jazmine Janiece Milloy
Madison Arman’i Norwood
Poojan Patel
Alyssa Latoria Payne
Lashaunte Payne
Aron Dawson Pippen
Ethan Paul Robinson
Jacob Garrett Rose
Astarrie Winters Ross
Willie O’brias Sims
Selena Isabell Vasquez
Ja’myia Nicole Warren
Madison Nikole Worrell

8th Grade:
Cayden Damadric Bridges
Mya Ge’liyah Davis
Keyara Christine Durr
Elaine Rose Flagg
Malaysia Demetria Gray
Kadricyetta Quitashia Hooker
Billy Ray Hubbard
Dalton Lee Kline
Vyronyca Janiah Lee
Clara-Grace Love
Jordan L Magee
Bradly Scott Mason
Adam Christopher May
Shaletia Renae McGowan
Kaylee Gabrielle Meacham
Christian Mendez
Abagail Myers
John H Overby
Chandler Jevon Pittman
Selena Rojo
Rondaysha Ross
Austin Ken Russell
Dakota Brooke Shows
Shatyra Meshae Smith
Anna Grace Sobczak
Lauren Sullivan
Lakecia Brooks Turner
Dakiya Janai Walker

Magee Middle School Superintendent’s Scholars Term 4:
5th Grade:
Aniyah Alexander
Jackson Garner Anderson
Shannan Elizabeth Benton
Devin Javeon Brewer
Logan Brian Chapin
A’kyah Drake
Curtland Durr
Ariana Vianey Gaspar
Adrian Gomez
Je’rome Stevonne Harrison
Katilyn Leigh Hayes
Cierra Dawn Judd
Amber Michelle Lindsey
Zaria Bazae Magee
Jaheim McCullum
Shakerria Monique Norwood
Aaliyah Katherine Smith
Keilani Kierra Spann
Callie Lauren Varnes
Candice Williams

6th Grade:
Ta’lyric Bryant
Michala Paisley Harmon
Gerson Martinez
Kaylee Madison McWilliams
Maci Claire Parker
Chandler Wade
Nyla Deshay White
Kameryn Williams
Ma’Nia Courtland Womack

7th Grade:
Madison Denise Baugh
Zy’keria Jamya Cole
Zyrus Zel’tuan Craft
Jordan Gholar
Cynthia Leslie
Lydia Denyce McGee
Dinasia Lashay Smith
Ethan Hunter Steele
Skye Marie Wadford
Chloe Danielle Walker
Linda Watson
Laleonica Maliyah Womack
Precious Diamond Womack
Mackenzye Lee Yates

8th Grade:
Asha Grace Graham
James Eli May
Thomas Zollie McAlpin
Brennon Lee McNair
Jamie Lynn Robertson
Jered Donel Smith
Maci Wadlington

Richard Bruce (Bruce) Blackwell born November 26, 1946 to Theron Gasque (T.G.) Blackwell and Frances Lou Puckett Blackwell, 70, passed away in New Mexico.
The Celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at Wells Methodist Church, Jackson MS on Wednesday, March 1st. Visitation from 12 until 2 with the service beginning at 2. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Our Children’s Trust, an organization working to help better the environment, at https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/donate/.
Survivors include his wife Liu Ying (Angela) Blackwell, children Beam Tao Ming (Beam) Blackwell and Ginger Tao Fang (Ginger) Blackwell of Eugene, Oregon. Brother Dean Allen Blackwell (Ann), niece Laura (Austin) Evans, grandniece Emma Taylor Evans, Jackson. Nephews, Taylor George Blackwell, Nashville, TN, Allen Dean Blackwell, Park City, Utah, Scott Puckett Blackwell, Nashville, TN. Sister Beth Blackwell Townsend (Thomas), niece Leslie Frances Townsend Decker (Cliff), grandnieces Frances Grace Townsend, Mary Thomas Townsend, nephew Clifton Decker, Madison. Chosen brother Jim R. Lowe and very many friends and chosen family who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother T.G. and Frances P. Blackwell and his brother Kent Don Blackwell.
Raised and educated in Magee, MS, Bruce graduated from Mendenhall High. After a brief stint at Ole Miss, he attended USM where he and his brother, Dean, opened the second jean shop in Mississippi, The Open Mind. After three years of success they sold the business. Thereafter, in 1971, he moved to Crested Butte, CO and fell in love with the West. He was rarely in Jackson for long after the discovery of the mountains and low humidity climates.
Always interested in healing and Chinese medicine, he studied acupuncture and Chinese herbalism at Harbin Medical School in northern China. While there he met his future wife Angela. At the death of his father he returned to the US from China. After T.G.’s passing, he came to work alongside his siblings Dean and Beth to carry on the the business their father founded at Blackwell Chevrolet.
In 1964 while walking on the beach at Pensacola, FL, Bruce found an engagement ring in the surf  inscribed April, 1898. Then in 1990, Bruce was in Destin and Angela was in China when he asked for her hand. She accepted and on another beach stroll he discovered a man’s wedding ring. These two rings were used in their wedding ceremony which took place almost one hundred years from the date inscribed in the found engagement ring.
Bruce and Angela’s marriage was blessed at the start with two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. Like all of his family and friends, Bruce loved them dearly with all his heart and was always found to be spending time caring for, and being with them.
Bruce was a pioneer in environmental protection and had a deep heartfelt desire to do his very best to ensure that future generations would be left with a vibrant and beautiful earth. He was also a great advocate for peace and was involved in protesting the Vietnam War. In the 1970s Bruce helped to organize the very first Earth Day in Mississippi. When Beam and Ginger started going to school, Bruce, spurred on by the desire to make sure that children wouldn’t have to breathe in the harmful diesel fumes emitted by school buses, founded Earth Biofuels to produce clean alternative energy for the betterment of everyone. Bruce also felt a great compassion for the Native American community and their mistreatment by our government. He often stood in support with them and did what he could to ameliorate the effects of many years of injustice enacted against them.
Bruce lived his life as a kind, loving, thoughtful and generous man, a truly benevolent soul with a warm sense of humor. He believed in always doing right, being aware of the needs of others and living each moment to its fullest, always with a smile on his face.

RAISING HANDS IN VICTORY

In the sport of boxing two men or two women enter the ring.  They fight whatever amount they are suppose to.  At the end of the fight or before some ones hands are raised as the winner.  There can also be a draw.

In our devotion today we will read about a man whos hands were held up by stones.  Our reading today comes from Exodus 17:12.  But Moses’ hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat there on it.   Aaron and Hur held up his hands one on one side and one on the other side and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Verse11-  Tells us of a war going on between Israel and Amalek.  As long as Moses held up his hands Israel would win the battle but when his hands came down Amalek would win.  God used Moses’ hands in victory anther time.  It was when he was going to lead the children of Israel across the Red Sea; when Moses stretched our his hand the sea departed revealing dry land.  The children of Israel reached the other side.  The Egyptians (Pharaoh’s) army died because the two sides of water fell among them.

We as Christians can help people find victory by lifting our hands toward heaven and praying for them.  We must give time, strength, and commitment for them to win.  We must think of others not just our self.  We need each other to reach our goal which is a home in heaven.

Heaven is going to be a place where we will all join together and worship Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  What a day that will be.  Father we thank you for our victory today.  Help us to continue to life our life up to you today, tomorrow, and always.  Have a blessed and victorious week.

Rev. Richard Kight

Magee, MS

Late one autumn afternoon in 1979, I was driving my old Mercury Montego down Hwy 51 from Wesson to Brookhaven. My Co-Lin roommate Wayne was in the passenger seat.

The song “Mandy” by Barry Manilow came on the radio. Now here’s a little background for you.
“Mandy ” was a # 1 song for weeks in 1974. It was on every soft rock station, it was in the dentist office, the grocery store, the mall ….it was everywhere!

Wayne was a real Rock N Roller, he would never be caught listening to anything by Barry Manilow.

His taste in music was more Eric Clapton , Ted Nugent , Van Halen. He even had an electric guitar back in our dorm room.

As I reached out and was about to change the station, I began singing along.  I looked over at Wayne and said ” You know, I really like this song “.  Wayne just looked at me and grinned as I kept singing along.

I was most impressed with myself that I was able to hit that high note at the end  ” ..and I neeeed Yooouuuu! ”

When the strings had faded and the song was over, Wayne looked at me and said ” Don’t ever play that crap around me again “.  We both burst out laughing!!

I still to this day think that “Mandy ” is a great song.

Mandy — she came and she gave without taking.  Now who wouldn’t respect tha

Don can be reached for comment at ddwalker88@comcast.net

During the February Director’s Meeting, Boswell Regional Center recognized Employees of the Month in the area of support/professional staff: Employees of the Month for January is Juanita Duckworth; Community Services, Tameka Cooper; Pinelake and  Jayci Brown; Medical Services.
Congratulations to you all!

Boswell Regional Center employees receive Governor’s service awards in recognition of a total of 70 years of state service. They were recognized for their dedication to BRC at the February directors meeting pictured are: Janice Cockrell (20yrs), Glenda Gray (20yrs) second picture: Lashina Keyes (10yrs), Joan Johnston (10yrs) and Kathy Dampeer-Pittman (10yrs) Congratulations!