THE REUNION EDITION SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023 6:00 PM The Commemorative Service | Bethel Baptist Church | 702 Johnstonville Road | Barnesville, Georgia
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service- The Reunion Edition “IT STARTS WITH ME: CREATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS.”
The Litany of Commemoration
Leader: Our Lord God has wisely chosen men and women to serve Him in each era. Such a servant of our Lord God was Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we now commemorate. We are thankful for the life of this 20th Century prophet of freedom, who joined the prophets of history in the cry:
Congregation: In the Name of Freedom, Let My People Go.
Leader: Martin Luther King, Jr., envisioned the ultimate freedom; the freedom achieved in struggle; the freedom reached in brotherhood; the freedom fired by the dream of a man; the freedom inspired by the lot of a people; the freedom free of hate; the freedom free of love.
Congregation: In the Name of Freedom, Let My People Go.
Leader: He came into our lives when the yearning of people to be free had turned their attention to justice. He reminded us that the human spirit soars from the depths of despair with the strength and belief in the promise of the Creator of the universe. We know and testify. The Lord loves justice; He will not forsake his people.
Congregation: In the Name of Freedom, Let My People Go.
Leader: The leader sang with the people, “Ain’t gonna study war no more.” When violence was met, he spurned it and said: “Hate is too great a burden to bear.” When death was confronted, he could say in final triumph that in life he had found something worth dying for, something worth life itself, the Promised Land, a land of freedom and justice.
Congregation: In the Name of Freedom, Let My People Go.
Leader: So, we are thankful that the Spirit of the Lord anointed a man who preached good news to the poor, who rejected segregation and embraced liberation, who prophesied the greatness of his people in struggle for the deliverance of all people.
Congregation: In the Name of Freedom, Let My People Go.
Leader: We praise the Lord God for sending us a man of peace who resisted tyranny, a man of nonviolence who fought for liberty, a man of God who worked for people. Thank You Lord, for Martin Luther King, Jr., who inspired us with his dream, who walked into our lives and our hearts with his marches of justice, who demanded freedom with great courage in the face of grave danger, who has now passed on into Your Promised Land.
All: In the Name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Let My People God.
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service- The Reunion Edition
“IT STARTS WITH ME: CREATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS.”
My Beloved Community, Welcome to Barnesville, Georgia, the World’s Greatest City. Here in our city on this momentous occasion or wherever I am for any reason, I refer to Barnesville as the “World’s Greatest City.” My declaration is usually followed by the question, “What makes it the World’s Greatest City?” My initial response is “Because of me, that’s my home, that’s where I am from.” Today, as we commemorate the life and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., my simple answer challenges me, as well as each of you. If we are to be the World’s Greatest City, cultivating a beloved community, then it must start with me, and it must start with you. Each of us must take pride in our community to use our gifts and talents to foster an environment that transforms unjust systems.
My ultimate response to the question, “What Makes it the World’s Greatest City?” is the people. Though different, the people of Barnesville-Lamar County share a commonality that binds us together. Even today, we are reminded of the words of Dr. King, “we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society.” Each person is valued and contributes to our beloved community. Our familiar phrase, “We are Lamar,” popularized by our winning football team in 2013 truly embodies the unity and strength of our community. As we gather to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the reunion of some of our greatest citizens is a great tribute to Dr. King. Dr. King dreamed of a nation where his four little children would be judged by the content of their character. We honor our former youth participants and ambassadors of the local King Celebration as our Dream Keepers. The character of these Dream Keepers have cultivated a beloved community in Barnesville and beyond. To recognize the success and the work of our Dream Keepers is a profound way to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King. From a small rural community, our Dream Keepers represent us as professionals in all fields throughout this nation. I am proud. Barnesville-Lamar County is proud.
Despite our success, we are still confronted with unjust systems in 2023. The Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change defines the Beloved Community as an inclusive, achievable society, in which problems and conflict can exist, but are resolved peaceably. Mrs. Coretta Scott King said, “The Beloved Community can be achieved through courage, determination, education, and training if enough people are willing.” Our local celebration is our effort to join the nation to respond to the King Center’s clarion call -“It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems.” Here in Barnesville Lamar County, we, just as the world, must shift to an intentional mindset that will require us to employ a strategic, creative, and love-centered approach to current issues of inequities and injustices. Each of us must take the initial step to transform the cycles of violence, hate, and inhumanity. Let us work together to build cycles of love and create environments that are just, peaceful, inclusive and equitable.
I am encouraged by this year’s celebration. The positive responses from former students, past participants, their support, as well as the sponsorships from churches, businesses, and individuals, and the support from family, friends and community members remind me that I am from the World’s Greatest City.
I do not know what 2023 holds, but I do know who holds 2023. Together, we will hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. The best is never behind us; the best is ever before us. The best is yet to come.
Christopher HightowerIf Better is Possible, Good is Not Enough
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service- The Reunion Edition
“IT STARTS WITH ME: CREATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS.”
Order of Service
The Prelude “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
The Invocation Mrs. Angel J. Kelly
The National Black Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing
The Invocation
The Scripture Reading Minister Jeremie Fuller
The Scripture Reading Elder Dratin Castlin
The Scripture Reading Minister Hamilkar Kelly
The Call to Commemoration Councilman Christopher Hightower
The Litany of Commemoration
Mr. Laron Fluellyn Mr. Joseph Vaughn Mr. Terrell Smith, Mr. Rickey Shannon Mr. Darrell Wright Mr. Ernest Respress Mr. Taber Harden
The Song of Commemoration Interim Police Chief Belinda Penamon
The Welcome Dr. Eddrica Buckner
The Beloved Community Reflections Dr. Tanika Mathis Long Mr. Jason Castlin Mrs. Christal Bell Dixon Ms. Gratasha Banks Mrs. Daphne Register
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service- The Reunion Edition
“IT STARTS WITH ME: CREATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS.”
Order of Service
The Beloved Community Songs Bishop LaDamium Raines The Fellowship of Champions Choir
The Beloved Community Tributes Pastor Clayton Andrews Building Relationships Ministries
Dr. Antonio Proctor, Pastor Saint James Baptist Church, Forsyth, Georgia
The Beloved Community Offering & Prayer Minister Marika Hightower
The Introduction of the Speaker Dr. Brian Merritt
Songs of Praise Stone Well Nation
The Message The Reverend Coleman Dumas III, Pastor Stone Well Nation, Thomaston, Georgia
The Invitation to Christian Discipleship
Pastor James C. Marable
The Community Charge Pastor James C. Marable
The Benediction Pastor James C. Marable
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
We are forever grateful for those who joined us as facilitators and speakers at our various youth conferences, as toastmaster and toastmistress for our Black Excellence Awards Banquet, as the keynote speaker for our Black Excellence Awards Banquet, and as the keynote speaker for our Commemorative Service.
For historical purposes, the titles and positions reflect those at the time of service.
1992 Youth Rally
Joi Bostic and Vanessa Williams, University of Georgia
Vic Carter, Morning Anchor WSB TV 2 Recruiters, Historically Black Colleges and Universities
1992 Commemorative Service
Lewis E Logan, Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Athens
1992 Program Participants
Damarcus Blackmon
Laron Fluellyn
Kevin Simmons Brian Lindsey
Dadrick Dumas
Ryran Traylor
Mario Ogletree
Nikki Allen Tanika Mathis Royese Ogletree Frierra Lyons Jamaal Bandele
1993 Talent Show
Jerry Smokin B, Atlanta Radio Personality
1993 First Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Mrs. Dorothy Worthy, Toastmistress
E. Dewey Smith, Beulahland Baptist Church, Macon
1993 Commemorative Service
Jerry F. Hutchins, Timothy Baptist Church, Athens
1993 Program Participants
William Stafford
Jurico Campbell
Cory Jackson
Jamaal Bandele
Laron Fluellyn
Christal Bell
Cameron Davis
Lamont Dixon
Damarcus Blackmon
Kim Shannon Makeba Myles
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
Nikki Allen Jeremie Fuller
1994 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Mrs. Tammie Traylor Merritt, Toastmistress Eugenia Harvey, former CBS and CNN producer, owner/producer Thy Kingdom Come Production Company
1994 Commemorative Service
E. Dewey Smith, Beulahland Baptist Church, Macon
1994 Program Participants
Hamikar Kelly
Reginald Smith
Dratin Caslin Marvette Williams
Brian Merritt
Kimberly Ogletree Antonio Walker
Corenza Barnes Grashunda Banks Falanda Character
Makeba Myles Nikki Allen Damarcus Blackmon Jamaal Bandele
1995 Youth Leadership Conference
Allen Page, White’s Chapel CME Church, Barnesville
Panelists - Graquetta Banks, Erica Collier, Kelsey Harris, Frerra Lyons, Karen Shropshire, Dontauneia Traylor, and Ryran Traylor
1995 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Johnson, Toastmasters Dr. F. Carl Walton, Associate Professor Morris Brown College, Atlanta
1995 Commemorative Service
James C. Marable, Bethel Baptist Church, Barnesville
1995 Program Participants
Christian Hartsfield
Jonas Bush
Dovie Fuller
Terrell Smith
Dexter White Yarojin Robinson
Brian Merritt
Makeba Myles
Nikki Allen Grashunda Banks Antonio Proctor
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
Joseph Vaughn
1996 Visions of A New Generation Talent Rally Mike Roberts, Radio Personality, Atlanta
1996 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Mr. Mike Weaver, Toastmaster Mrs. Yolanda Taylor Weaver, Toastmistress Byron Pitts, News Reporter WSB TV 2, Atlanta
1996 Commemorative Service
Lewis E. Logan, Saint Philip Monumental AME Church, Savannah
1996 Program Participants
Lei O’Neal
Derrick Smith Hamikar Kelly Grashunda Banks Frerra Lyons Corena Barnes Kim Shannon Contrel Neal Christal Bell
1997 Pre-Weekend Praise Service
Local Youth Choirs
1997 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Reggie Gay, Gospel Radio Personality, Atlanta Wilbur T. Purvis, Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Austell
1997 Commemorative Service Jerry F. Hutchins, Timothy Baptist Church, Athens
1997 Program Participants
Omari Bandele
Jonas Bush
Rickey Shannon
Darrell Wright Latricia Lucas Curtis Johnson Menza Ogletree Tanisha Wallace Kimberly Ogletree Antonio Proctor CT Josey
1998 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Reggie Gay, Gospel Radio Personality, Atlanta Charles E. Nesbit, Jr, Providence Baptist Church, Atlanta
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
1998 Commemorative Service
Craig L. Oliver, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Atlanta
1998 Program Participants
Daphne Burden
Mikyle McGee Necole Walton
Gratasha Banks
Sheryl Smith Yevonia Penn Kasey Blackmon Kela Jones
Jason Castlin Ratasha Collier Melissa Ogletree Andreon Smith Tiffany Fletcher Chanz Lindsey
1999 King Celebration was dedicated to Mr. William E. Fletcher (December 18, 1930-December 25, 1998) First Black Elected Official of Lamar County
1999 “Visions to Victory” Youth Leadership Conference Inspirational Message Antonio Proctor Conference Facilitators Bonita Taylor, Yolanda Taylor Weaver, and Mike Weaver Conference Speaker, Danny Carter, Consultant, National Lewis University
1999 Commemorative Service Terrance R. Gray, Saint Paul AME Church, Macon
1999 Program Participants
Rickey Shannon
Travis Fallings
Jarvis Fallings
Todd Harden Tereico O’Neal
Gerald Smith
Robert Stafford Anwar Vaughn Eddrica Buckner Tiffany Miller Curtis Dumas Jameda Hugh Nina Allen Omari Bandele
2000 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Deacon Bobby Clark, Gospel Radio Personality, Macon Jerry F. Hutchins, Timothy Baptist Church, Athens
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
2000 Commemorative Service
Christopher A. Wimberly, Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, Hartsville, Tennessee
2000 Program Participants
Tambra Crawford
Tamara Warner
Antron Allen
Rickey Shannon
Valerie Stinson
Tameka Brown
Keneisha Andrews Stacey Kemp Darrell Wright Natricia Holts Jonathan Thurman David Stafford
The 2001 King Celebration was dedicated to Grashunda Elise Banks, a former Youth Participant and an aspiring educator.
2001 Senior Youth Ambassadors Day
Atlanta University Center Dr. F. Carl Walton, Host
2001 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Rick Joyner, Gospel Radio Personality, Atlanta Reverend Jerry D. Black, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur
2001 Commemorative Service Marlin D. Harris, New Life Baptist Church, Lithonia
2001 Program Participants
Kabrina Buckner
Janelle Murphy
Jacqueline Phillips
Victor Hardaway
A’Detrius Harris
Ernest Respress
Marquita Allen
Rodney Allen
La’Tisha Burns
Monique Easton
Adrianne Few
Chad Geiger
Andrea Gray
Victoria Hardaway
Billy Kelly
Edward Mason
Kimberly Merritt Tyrone Walker
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
LaKeitha Watts
Duwane Buckner
Vincent Hughes
Joaquin O’Neal Clarence Respress Kentray Moreland Joshua Sullivan
2002 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Joe Pope, Jr., Video Praise Beacon TV, Barnesville
Reverend Jerry D. Black, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur
2002 Commemorative Service
E. Dewey Smith, Beulahland Bible Church, Macon
2002 Program Participants
Monterell Davis
Curtis Taylor
Audie Murphy
Jenee Walker
Christian Hartsfield
Zannetta Smith
Stephen Hunter
Adrian White Timothy Stafford Kala Brown
Constance Collier
Valerie Fallings
Juanita Goss
Shakira Hicks
Tara Jackson
Amanda Moreland
Calandra Murphy
Latoya Troy
Jamar Byrd
Dedrick Edge
Jenee Walker
Marika Hightower
Tory Williams
2003 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
James C. Marable, Bethel Baptist Church, Barnesville
Dr. George E. Weaver, Past President, Florida State Baptist Convention
2003 Commemorative Service
Eddie F. Collier, Towaliga County Line Baptist Church, Jackson
2003 Program Participants
Sherrica Buckner
Traka Smith
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
Quiwajula Sullivan
Yasheka Buckner
Lacrecia Brown Ebony O’Neal Rayshard Fuse
2004 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Marcus Fuller, Darkness to Light Church, Griffin
Reverend Jerry D. Black, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur
2004 Commemorative Service
I. Edwin Mack, Unionville Baptist Church, Macon
2004 Program Participants
Whitney Smith
Kenny Sullivan Sherrica Buckner
Tristen Buckner
Kevin Canady Princes Eleby Raphael Hicks Charde Minter
Jason Ogletree Shantrel Parson April Phillips Jerel Pate Rushod Smith Quinetta Wellmaker
The 2005 Seasons of Success Youth Leadership Conference
Craig A. Ogletree, R. Lee Snell, Todd Shipp, Brian Gipson, William Silveri
2005 Black Excellence Awards Banquet
Anthony Q. Corbett, Lundy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Macon
Reverend Jerry D. Black, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur
2005 Commemorative Service
Christopher A. Wimberly, Hunter Hill Baptist Church, Atlanta
2005 Program Participants
Daphne Burden
Latecia Brown
Leon Matthews.
Erica Fletcher Andrea Geiger Deidre Taylor Dorothy Virden Jarrod Fletcher Arlon Graves Edward Mack
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
Edward Walton IIIBlack Excellence Award Recipients F.E. Fuller Christian Service 1993
Having pastored and ministered for over sixty years, the Reverend F. E. Fuller, Sr. known as “Daddy Fuller,” was recognized as the spiritual pillar of our community. Subsequent Christian Service Awards would be given in his name and honor. 1994
Reverend Eddie F. Collier 1995
Lamar County Prayer Band Community Prayer Band 1996
Pastor James C. Marable and Bethel Baptist Church Reverend Marion Underwood, Sr. 1997
Pastor Horace Fuller and West Mount Sinai Baptist Church
Pastor Jimmy Lyons and East Mount Sinai Baptist Church 1998
Mrs. Georgia L. Fletcher 1999
Pastor Marvin Lue and Mount Sinai CME Church
Pastor Jada Sims and Bethel AME Church 2000
Reverend William K. Richardson
Pastor E. J. O’Neal and Greater Springhill Baptist Church
Career Award of the Year, Community Service Award, E. P. Roberts Community Service Award 1993
Career Man of the Year Dewaine T. Bell Career Woman of the Year Linda Smith 1994
Career Man of the Year and Career Woman of the Year Awards renamed Community Service Award Tammie Traylor Merritt 1995
Dr. E. P. Roberts - longtime educator Dr. E. P. Roberts was honored for his many years of service. Subsequent Community Service Awards would be given in his name and honor. 1996
Lamar County Coalition of Women
Annie R. Bush 1997
Dr. E. H. Harris Horace A. Hightower 1998
Tyron Bacon 1999
Mayor Pro Tem Allen Easton, Sr.
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
King Celebration Reflections
County Commissioner Roberta Jones 2000
Janie Sullivan Mangle Haygood
Distinguished Youth Award 1993
Jeremie Fuller 1994
Tanika Mathis, Jamaal Bandele 1995
Makeba Myles Yarojin Robinson 1996 Kim Shannon 1997 Tanisha Wallace C.T. Josey 1998
Gratash Banks Kela Jones 1999
Omari Bandele Jameda Hugh Tiffany Miller 2000
David Stafford
Unfortunately, our records for the last five years of the Black Excellence Awards Banquet were lost. Congratulations to the Recipients of the Black Excellence Awards 2001-2005.
“IT
THE BARNESVILLE LAMAR COUNTY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service- The Reunion Edition
STARTS WITH ME: CREATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS.”
Special Thanks to our Sponsors 2023 Beloved Community Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Bethel Baptist Church, James C. Marable, Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church , Terrence Curtis, Pastor
Grace to Glory Church Ministries, Mia C. McGee, Pastor; Elder Mary S. Neal, Co-Pastor Bishop LaDamium Raines
Greater Springhill Baptist Church Fellowship of Champions
The Honorable Mayor Peter H. Banks
Tiffany Miller, Former Youth Ambassador/Participant
Brian Merritt, Former Youth Ambassador/Participant
Ernest Respress, Former Youth Ambassador/Participant
IDAP Marketing, Daphne Register, Former Youth Ambassador/Participant
Irvin Trice, Trice Funeral Home TT Hauling LLC, Taber Harden, Former Youth Ambassador/Participant S&E Commercial Tire, Charles Eleby & Taber Harden
Joseph Sims, City of Barnesville, Ward 4 Council Member, Sims Real Estate of Georgia LLC Goggans Florist Papered Wonders, Inc.
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Bill Claxton, City of Barnesville, Ward 1 Council Member Building Relationships, Clayton Andrews, Pastor Antioch Baptist Church, Keith Battle, Pastor West Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Waylon T. Knight, Pastor Duran Hightower
Former Youth Ambasador/Participant Natricia Holt
SPONSORS
Former Youth Ambassador/Participant Dr. Makeba Myles Parker Dr. Eldridge H. and Mrs. Evelyn T. Harris Timothy Turner, City of Barnesville, City Manager
Special Thanks to Mr. Horace and Mrs. Gwendolyn Hightower Ms. Mary K. Jackson Mrs. April Smith Scott
THE REUNION EDITION
IT STARTS WITH ME. CULTIVATING A BELOVED COMMUNITY MINDSET TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS
Barnesville Lamar County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023
6:00 PM
The Commemorative Service - The Reunion Edition
Bethel Baptist Church 702 Johnstonville Road
Reverend James C. Marable, Host Pastor
Councilman Christopher Hightower, Event Host
Reverend Coleman Dumas, Pastor, Stone Well Nation, Speaker
Bishop LaDamiun Raines and the Fellowship of Champions, Musical Guest
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023
9:30 AM
The Beloved Community March
Line up begins at E. P. Roberts Center, 188 Mill Street -10:00AM
The Beloved Community Program Lamar County Courthouse 326 Thomaston Street
Lamar County Chairman Ryran Traylor, Speaker
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023
12 NOON
The Beloved Community Food Giveaway
Calvary Baptist Church 968 Veterans Parkway
Reverend Terrence Curtis, Host Pastor
Event Graphics & Program Design
