Special to the WJH DOUGLAS — Sixteen area students received scholarships during the 21st annual W.A. and Earnestine Myles Scholarship Fund and Memorial Day held recently here at the Empowerment Center International Ministry.
Recipients included Josiah Brown of Bacon County, Dylan Clark and Kristen Gray of Pierce County, Cole Ellis Contoria McNeair and Carter Pace of Coffee County, Faith Mitchell and Hope Mitchell of Long County, Koenna Sease of Wayne County, Savannah Williams of Atkinson County, Iksel Martinez, Sydney Roppe and Tyra Fedrick of Appling County, Kamiyah Green of Ware County and Myles family members Brian V. Burroughs and Terrill Johnson.
Each recipient received a certificate and a $300 grant.
The program began with the singing of “Come Along My Friends, Come Along” by the congregation, led by the founder, Masterbuilder Ardrelle Myles Sutton. The opening prayer and grace was given by the Myles’ grandson, Elder Kelton Smith Sr. of Jacksonville, Fla.
The floor was opened for the welcome address to the congregation. Sutton gave the address on behalf of the Myles family, Lee Mobley gave remarks from the Coffee County Board of Education and Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole.
Mobley also presented a plaque in honor of Professor W.A. Myles, Sr. and Earnestine Myles for their service. The occasion was read by Elder Smith.
The dedication prayer for the W.A. and Earnestine Myles Souvenir Booklet was given by the Myles’ daughter, Elder Jacqueline Wallace of Blackshear. The lighting of the torch was by the Myles’ granddaughter, Christina Myles of Jacksonville, Fla.
Dedication ceremony honorees were Yvonne Fletcher Palmer, Joan Hicks, Debra Woods, Vivian Jackson, Marie Hicks, Leola Johnson, Pastor Jo Eva Wilson, Betty Thompson, Irene Murray and Joyce Sheppard. Each were presented with a certificate of honor and a medallion for their work in the Coffee County School System.
A selection “He’s An On Time God, Yes He Is”, led by Elder Smith, was then rendered by the Myles family.
Two Myles family members, Dr. Yolanda Daniels of Douglas and Kevin Joron Davis of Jacksonville, Fla., also were recognized.
Dr. Daniels recently received her doctorate. She is a former assistant principal at Mary Hayes Elementary School in Broxton, and Davis recently received his Master’s Degree in the medical field from Vanderbilt.
An opportunity was then given for remarks by those who taught with the W.A. and Earnestine Myles during their education careers.
A word to the students was delivered by Co-Pastor Isaiah Staten of Alma. Staten is a former recipient of the scholarship. An offering was rendered by Davis.
Yvonne Fletcher Palmer was recognized as the oldest educator present. She was presented with a trophy. All Coffee County School System employees were recognized with thanks and were presented with certificates.
The appreciation was given by Missionary Sutton. She gave thanks to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. She also thanked the pastor, Bishop Frank Bussey Jr. and church members of the Empowerment Center International Ministry for hosting the event.
Musicians also were recognized including Her-Ronn Sutton, bass guitar, Dennison Styles, drummer and Daniel Scott, keyboard. A special thank you also was given to the parents, educators, family, friends and special guests. The Myles family sang the traditional tribute song “Praise the Lord,” led by Missionary Sutton. The song is performed at every observance.
SPECIAL PHOTO Scholarship recipients were(not in order) Josiah Brown, Dylan Clark, Kristen Gray, Cole Ellis, Contoria McNeair, Carter Pace, Faith Mitchell, Hope Mitchell, Koenna Sease, Savannah Williams, Iksel Martinez, Sydney Roppe, Tyra Fedrick, Kamiyah Green, Brian V. Burroughs and Terrill Johnson.
