Packers Bend Times 2023

Residentsremainoptimisticaboutferry

By Gerald Huff

Billy Ghee is Monroe County’s commissioner for District 3, which includes Packers Bend. The Davis Ferry is located on the Alabama River at Haines Island Park in Monroe County.

The river separates and isolates Packer’s Bend from Monroeville, the county’s seat, and other Monroe County cities and towns. When in operation, the ferry offers the citizens a shorter route to Monroe Coun-ty’s municipal district, businesses, and residential areas.

A functional ferry would greatly benefit the citizens of Packer’s Bend. Several teachers for Packer’s Bend’s school, Monroe Intermediate, lives in Monroeville, and if the ferry was operational, they would be able to travel 23 miles instead of 60 miles one way per day.

The ferry has been out of operation for several years now. For a few years, the main issue was centered around repairing the ferry boat itself. Another serious issue has occurred since then. For the past three years, there has been an issue with repairing the ferry landing. The river bank is giving away (caving inward).

According to an article by Mike Qualls, managing editor of the Monroe Journal, the county spent around $50,000 over a year ago to have the engineering study completed. Currently, the county is waiting for Thompson Engineering to provide a cost estimate to repair the landings on both sides of the river.

Mr. Qualls also stated that Governor Kay Ivey has stated that the state’s General Fund has a $1-billion surplus from leftover funds for fiscal year 2022 that ended Sept. 30, 2022.

Mr. Ghee hopes some of that money can be directed to repairing the ferry landings.

I reminded them that the road to the ferry has been washed out for over a year, and they’ve had lots of infrastructure money, and if that’s not infrastructure, then I don’t know what is.

When the river rises at a certain point, it washes the road away. Their attempts to patch up the road have prov-

en to be totally useless.

County engineer Jeff Griffin has promised to put a more permanent structure, a bridge-type crossover, at that problem area.

My request is simple, just do it. It’s not even feasible to have a ferry if we can’t get to it.

The residents of Packer’s Bend deserve so much better, and that’s what Mr. Ghee and we are trying to get.

CONTINUE READING ON PAGE 3

Gerald Huff and Monroe County Commissioner Billy Ghee

The life of a retired master sergeant

By Diann Harris

WHY HE CHOSE THE MILITARY

I asked retired Chief MSgt Sergeant Bumpers why he joined the military? He responded, “Joining the military was not something that I had considered while growing up and going through high school. Now, looking back, I view it as one the best decisions I have made. After graduating from Monroe Senior High School in 1980, I went off to college just as my four older siblings had done before me. By the time I was midway through my second year I had pretty much lost interest and focus. I withdrew from college during the spring of 1982 and enlisted in United States Air Force later that summer. Serving in the military was a rewarding experience both on a personal and professional level. I had the opportunity to travel and live abroad and visit many countries throughout Asia and Europe. I enjoyed meeting many people from different backgrounds, sightseeing, experiencing different cultures and eating a verity of foods. I was also able to learn a marketable job skill by becoming an Air Traffic Controller. The job was challenging and even stressful at times but also fulfilling and something I enjoyed doing. Little did I know I would go on to serve in the military for 29 years. Since my retirement in 2011, I have continued to work for the U.S. Air Force in a civilian capacity as an Air Traffic Control, Airspace and Airfield Operations subject matter expert. I still enjoy the travel and living abroad but look forward to returning to the United Sates soon.

ABOUT HIS CAREER

Chief MSgt Sergeant (retired) Bumpers has an indepth background in Air Traffic Control and has served at Wing, Numbered Air Force and Major Command level. In his active-duty career, he served as Chief of Air Traffic Control Training, Superintendent Combat Plans, Tower and Radar Approach Control Chief Controller and Headquarter U.S. Air Forces in Europe

Chief, Air Traffic Control Manpower and Resources. He has served abroad in Japan, Korea,

Germany, and Iraq.

After his retirement from active duty in 2011 he continued his career with the Air Force as a civil servant. In this capacity he has held positions as Program Manager for Air Traffic Control Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Landing Systems, Ramstein Air Base, Germany and Command Airspace Manager, Langley Air Force Base Virginia. He currently serves as the Chief, Airspace and Airfield Operations, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo Japan.

Chief Master Sergeant Donald Bumpers served as Chief Controller, Eglin Radar Approach Control, 46th Test Wing, Eglin Air Base, Florida. He provided leadership in Air Force Material Command’s most complex air traffic radar GRA for 80 USAF and DoD personnel. He directed air traffic control services for over 226,000 annual aircraft operations for four

major airfields including 6 USAF Wings from 5 MAJCOMs as well as 7 civil airlines.

Additionally, he advised wing procedures leadership on Air Traffic Control (ATC) and air space matters and developed Letters of Agreement between military and civil agencies on ATC procedures to safely integrate military and civil operations.

Chief Bumpers enlisted in the Air Force on 23 July 1982 and hails from Lower Peach Tree, Alabama.

He has an in-depth background in ATC and has served at base, Numbered Air Force and Major Command level. During his career he has served as Chief of ATC Training, Superintendent Combat Plans, Towers and Radar Approach Control Chief Controller and HQ USAFE Chief, ATC Manpower and Resources.

Residentsremainoptimisticaboutferry

The U. S. Corps of Engineers has promised to do some things along the river bank, but they can’t until the county does something to the road. We’re just asking for help before all the (American Rescue Act Plan) funds are totally depleted.

In his article, Qualls referred to Commissioner Ghee as a one-man crusade to secure funds to repair the ferry landing at Haines Island, but he has been gaining little to no ground. Now, there may be some help for his efforts. Ghee hopes to see if Gov. Kay Ivey can help. During the meeting on February 14, Ghee said a close friend of Gov. Ivey, who lives in the county, has

said he will try to arrange a one-on-one meeting between Ghee and Gov. Ivey to discuss the ferry issue. Ghee said he has attempted to speak with officials of the Corps of Engineers and not had any luck.

He said he even spoke with U. S. Rep. Jerry Carl, and he said the Corps is undergoing a leadership transition in Mobile, and he has had issues trying to reach the Corps, too.

Gerald Huff and Monroe County Commissioner Billy Ghee “The sad part is that I really don’t feel that we’ve put forth enough effort. Our funds were terribly low, as was most counties, before we got these (American Rescue Act Plan) funds.

“The ferry issue has been going on too long and, because of the road being washed out, citizens can’t get to the river.

That river is like a wall to them because it’s keeping them from coming to this side.” In a conversation with Commissioner Ghee on March 18, he informed me that the commissioners will be meeting with our state legislators on April 10 in Montgomery.

He also said that Mrs. Ann Bedsole, former member of the Alabama House of Representative and the Alabama Senate, has called Gov. Ivey and informed her of their intention to meet with her about the ferry and the road to it.

New Pavement in Packer’s Bend INFRASCRUCTURE

By Sara L. Huff

As I was riding on the passenger’s side of my car reading while traveling to Lambert’s Quarter approximately six weeks ago, I suddenly sensed a feeling of smoothness and comfort. I looked up and shouted, “Oh My Gosh!” “Praise God!”

They’re paving the highway!” It was a moment of sheer joy. I knew that the project had been planned, but I was not expecting it at the time. The road had not been resurfaced in almost two decades since it was originally paved under the leadership of then County Commissioner Alex Roberts.

For a number of years, the road had been in great need of repair. The pavement was broken and decayed in many spots, and the potholes were so wide and deep that it made traveling a hazard as

well as a nuisance. The Lambert’s Quarter road is the only paved road in Packer’s Bend, with the exception of the main highway, County Road 49. here are approximately 40 households in Lambert’s Quarter, but the road also services many others who are residents and nonresidents of Packer’s Bend. I spoke with Glorious (Dukes) Kidd, a lifelong resident of Lambert’s Quarter, about how she felt about the newly constructed road. When I asked her how she felt about the road, she immediately replied with jubilance, “I love it, and I wouldn’t take anything for It! Even though it’s not yet completed with the center and edge lines markings, it’s still nice.”

She further stated that she wished everyone would do their best to take care of the road and keep it and its shoulders neater and cleaner by not throwing out so much paper and trash. She

and her family are participants of the Adopt-AMile Program of Alabama, whose objective is to maintain litter free highways and enhance the beauty of the great state of Alabama.

According to County Commissioner Billy Ghee, resurfacing of the road and several others in Monroe County was made possible by the 1% sales tax increase that was passed approximately two years ago.

The Divine Girls Coalition Is On The Move!

By Dorothy Bell Co-founder Divine Girls Coalition

The Divine Girls Coalition was established to help pre-teen/ teen girls work through issues common to girls that age such as identity crisis, peer pressure, and thoughts of suicide just to name a few.

We have monthly summits where those issues are addressed, and girls learn how to cope with them. We also provide Biblical references so that when our girls find themselves at crossroads, they will know what God’s word says. We also partner with other nonprofit organizations who have common missions and values as our organization.

These partnerships have really help to expand our programs and provide many opportunities for the pre-teen/teen girls.

He summits give the girls an opportunity to connect with other girls and allow us to be-

come a community within the organization. The lessons for each summit are created by the founders of the Divine Girls Coalition.

Each summit begins with prayer, followed by an ice breaker activity to help the girls get to know each other better. Then we transition into the theme of the summit, which includes Bible scriptures and activities. Lunch and door prizes are provided at each summit.

Our January Summit was themed: “Words Can Hurt”. This was a very touching summit because each girl and adult have experienced where someone has said mean and hurtful things to them. A huge takeaway was that even after one apologizes for a hurtful thing said to another person, the recipient of those hurtful words will never be the same again.

The founders of the Divine Girls Coalition are on a mission to change the lives of each girl we encounter. During our short existence, none of our girls

have dropped out of school and most of them are on the honor roll. The vast majority of our girls go on to college or the world of work. We have also been able to develop teen leaders and peer counselors.

If you know of any girls ages

11-19 who can benefit from our program or if you are interested in establishing a Divine Girls Coalition in your area, please contact us at divinegirlscoalition@gmail.com. Please visit our website: divinegirlscoaltion.com for additional information.

Group Activity with "Divine Girls"

Camp Counselor with "Divine Girls": Breanna Reynolds, Joanna Chaney, Alisha Caves; kneeling, Alexia Tomas

Founders and Adult Sponsors with "Divine Girls": Surbrina Mitchell, Dramond McClain, Latosha Caves-Jones, Dorothy Caves-Bell, Annette Caves- Reynolds

‘

Students who read succeed’

By Coquesa Dotson

Joseph Trimble is generous with his time, and he enjoys traveling to do storytelling. On March 1, 2023, the students and the community of Packard’s Bend, Alabama, had the honor to host him for an hour of storytelling featuring Black History at Monroe Intermediate School (MIS).

Trimble captured and maintained the students’ attention with the stories of The Pullman Porters and Rosa Parks. He also told a fable about a wolf and an owl to teach the theme of not being gullible to peer pressure. The students were inspired to read more because as he shared “students who read, succeed”.

Trimble explained that to him, R.E.A.D signifies “Right to Read, Earn your place through reading, Advocate for yourself, and Dream, Decide, and Do”.

Trimble is a native of Chicago, Illinois, who has been living and serving in the Montgomery, Alabama, area since 1981. He is married to Dr. Jacqueline Trimble, and they have three children, Joshua, Joseph David II, and Jasmine Trimble Pugh (Elijah). Motivated by the work that he has done with the Department of Youth Services, teaching history at the college and K-12 levels, and serving in the community, he pursued his talent in writing and storytelling.

Trimble is as a published author of children's books, including The Fisherman, The Farmboy and the Watermelon Patch, Marty Makes a Difference and Marty and the Million Man March. He is also a professional storyteller, who has performed at schools and other venues in and outside Alabama. He enjoys telling fables, fairy tales, and folk tales, but his favorites are original stories, which are drawn from his own experiences and his imagination.

Monroe Intermediate School’s administration would like to express gratitude to Dr. Mark Wilson, the director of Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities College of Liberal Arts, at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, for making this experience possible.

If it were not for stakeholders in education, such as Dr. Wilson, reaching out to schools, this experience would not have been possible for MIS students. Being a small rural school, with little funding, many times additional learning opportunities are not possible for our students.

Therefore, whenever instances present themselves for MIS students, the administration takes advantage of them. MIS looks forward to partnering with Auburn University (War Eagle!) again in the future.

SEE PAGE 6 FOR MORE PHOTOS

Mr. Trimble traced the origins of AfricanAmerican stories to places such as the Gullah Islands and South Africa.

Childrens author Joseph Trimble visiting MIS students on March 1, 2023

MIS announces spelling bee winner

By Diann Harris

Four students from grade levels 5th -8th participated in the school’s spelling bee competition at Monroe Intermediate School.

They were from left to right, Jailus Frye, Zamarion Taylor, Cedric Oliver and Erykah Anderson. Jailus , an eighth grader, was the runner up for MIS, and sixth grader Zamarion Taylor won first place.

Each county school’s top winners are allowed to participate in the district county’s meet.

Zamarion and Jailus both competed at the county level. Zamarion placed six out of the twelve for the

county, and Jailus placed eight in the competition that was held in Monroeville, Alabama, at Coastal Community College.

Zamarion is the son of Mr. Robert

and Mrs. Veronica Taylor. Jailus is the son of Ms. Monica Frye. We are very proud of these students’ participation, hard work, and accomplishments.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

JOSEPH TRIMBLE IS WELCOMED BY MONROE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Joseph Trimble and staff with his children’s books

Joseph Trimble during his visit to MIS

day of school

Torian Wilson for his brutal honesty.

MIS celebrates Black History month

By Kimberly McCaskill

On February 28, 2023, the Monroe Intermediate School celebrated their Black History Program. In the decorations, there was a timeline that showcased the works and inventions as well as movements of remarkable African Americans who paved the way for our brighter future.

The students did skits about Rosa Park’s bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. They also performed skits about Harriet Tubman, as she freed many slaves, Ruby Bridges and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The skits were very touching.

The Freedom March that took place in Selma in 1965 was pre-

sented by Ms. Kelnesha Stabler’s class. It was also very touching. Just watching those students act out their roles had me in goosebumps and tears.

The 7th and 8th grades skit focused on Dr. King’s Dream. Afterwards, each student told the audience about their dreams and hopes for the future.

The finale of the program ended with a shocking performance by the teachers, counselor, secretary, and principal, yes Mrs. Dotson!!

They did a jaw dropping tribute to Motown. They lip synced three songs.

The audience and students were amazed at their performances. It was a great Black History Program and certainly a great moment in history.

Students at MIS held an event in February that included a skit and other performances

SHARING THE STORIES OF OUR COMMUNITY– YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

MIS hosts school literacy events

Literacy Evening was held at MIS on Tuesday, March 14th at 4:00 p.m. The school’s reading coach, Mrs. Krystal Miller, spearheaded the evening’s activities. Teachers and teacher assistants of the early childhood grades worked in conjunction with her to plan and implement a successful program for the parents of the targeted grades (kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and

3rd). Of course, all parents were invited. The Alabama Literacy Act was passed in 2019 to help improve reading in Alabama public schools to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. Reading is the gateway to lifelong achievement and the students of Alabama

MIS PreK Registration is Open!

PreK is an important part of early education.

Allowing your child to attend

PreK at MIS gets children ready to learn, teaches important social and emotional skills, and helps children develop verbal skills and self-control.

Students that attend a PreK program get a jump start on reading and are usually ahead of their peers who wait until Kindergar-

ten to start school.

Due to a lack of students, the PreK funding was drastically cut at MIS

this year.

We have to have a minimum of 10 children to receive funding next year, so let’s work together to make it happen!

Your child must be four by September 1 in order to register. You can register at the school with Mrs. Walker or register online here:

https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/

Thank you so much for your help in keeping this program funded!

Students and parents at MIS literacy evening with Miss Kelnesha Stabler, 5-8 grade teacher

Krystal Miller, MIS reading coach working with parent

By Mrs. Debra McCaskill

OPINION

Words of Wisdom

sleep. The lawyer must sleep. The psychiatrist must sleep. The farmer must sleep. The preacher must sleep. The professor must sleep. Your closest confidant must sleep. EVERY SINGLE BODY must sleep!

The question then becomes this: If you have placed your absolute trust in a body; what do you do when that body goes to sleep? Psalm 121:4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel NEVER slumbers or sleeps. I would strongly suggest that you trust Jesus because He NEVER sleeps and is on call 24-7!! Oh, how that prompts PRAISE!!!

Man can do quite an array of wonderful things! He is constantly coming up with witty inventions, ideas, solutions, and such. But there is not a human alive who doesn't sleep, if only for a little while. The doctor must

HALLELUJAH!!! GLORY to GOD

There is nothing like seeing an “out of order” sign on anything that you are expecting to use. Such a sign lets

CHURCH NEWS AND BRIEFS

The seven churches of Packers Bend are always up to something good. Most of the pastors, their program committees, and their congregations all sponsor similar programs each month. For example, most of the churches celebrate Family and Friends Day programs in March.

Mt. Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. W. W. Nixon, Pastor

Annual Easter Program will be held on Sunday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m. An Ester egg hunt will follow at the end of the services.

Annual Usher Day program will be held on Sunday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m.

Bells Chapel Full Gospel Church

Min. Edna Davis, Pastor

They will be sponsoring their Annual Easter Celebration on Sunday, April 9th at 11:00 a.m. Eggs and refreshments will be issued to the congregation, especially the children, at the end of the program.

Annual Pastor’s Anniversary Program will be held on Sunday, May 7th at 1:00 p.m. Their Deacons’ Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m.

In the Garden A. O. H. Church

Bishop

Jessie Henry, Pastor

you know that something is not working properly because of a malfunction. While it is indeed inconvenient when things are out of order, it is equally troublesome when we are out of order.

It takes but a moment for us to malfunction if we are not mindful. Society tells us to just go ahead and express yourself, why don’t you!

There’s nothing wrong with this if we are in order. But if stepping too far out there leads you to behave in a way that is disorderly; the question becomes: Is it worth it? I Corinthians 14:40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

Miles Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Travis D. Chaney, Pastor

Annual Pre-Easter Program will be held on Sunday, April 2nd at 11:30 a.m. An Easter egg hunt will follow at the end of the services. Dinner will be served.

A special tribute to all women and mothers in honor of Mothers’ Day will be held during regular services on Sunday, May 7th at 11:30 a.m.

Independent Baptist Church

Rev. Raymond E. Harris, Pastor

The Annual Youth Day program will be held on Sunday, April 16th at 12 o’clock noon.

The youth department will take charge of the program and showcase some of their talents and abilities. Their Annual Women Day Program will take place on Sunday, May 21st at noon also.

Glorious Temple Apostolic Church

Bishop Raymond McConnell, Pastor and Founder

Annual Easter Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 9th at 11:30 a.m. An Easter egg hunt will follow at the end of the services.

Their Annual Spring Revival will also take place during the month of April. More details will be provided at a later date.

Annual Church Anniversary Celebration will be convene on Sunday, May 21st at 11:30 a.m. More details for this event will be provided later also.

All Saints Holiness Church

They will be celebrating their Annual Pastor’s Appreciation Program convening on Tuesday night, April 18th and extending through Friday night, April 21st. Services will begin each night at 7:00 p.m., and they will be blessed with a different minister each night.

The celebration will climax on Sunday, April 23rd at 2:30 p.m. The guest minister will be Bishop Elect Carl Darrington, Pastor of Leroy A. O. H. Church in Leroy, Alabama, and Virginia Tucker A. O. H. Church in Monroeville, Alabama.

Rev. Jimmy Kidd, Pastor

Annual Easter Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 9th at 11:30 a.m. The Easter egg hunt will follow the services.

Annual Pastor’s Appreciation Program will be held on Sunday, May 28th. More details will be provided at a later date.

The Importance of Oral health

By William E. Smith DDS, MS Endodontics

cy complications and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers have found that people with gum disease were twice as likely as others to die from a heart attack and three times as likely to have a stroke. The significance of oral health is often overlooked, especially in rural communities and lower income households.

Being proactive and practicing healthy oral hygiene habits includes regularly visiting your dentist for exams and hygiene appointments. In addition to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, these visits allow screening for oral lesions. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of all common diseases have oral symptoms. Lesions in the mouth can provide vital information for early detection of silent medical concerns such as HIV infection and Oral & Pharyngeal Cancers.

It has been shown that African American males have a relatively high incidence of oral cancers and are typically diagnosed at later stages of the disease resulting in a significantly lower survival rate.

Factors that contribute to poor oral health, such as diet and hygiene are controllable with the right habits. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Tooth decay can impact a child's ability to learn and performance in academic settings by causing decreased appetite, depression, and an inability to focus. If unhealthy oral health habits are extended into adulthood, consequences such as painful progression of dental disease, costly hospital visits, and missed days at work have been reported. Therefore, implementing healthy diet and hygiene habits at a young age is recommended.

Research has shown that your oral health has a significant impact on your overall health, healthcare costs, and quality of life.

Gum disease, the most common chronic inflammatory condition to date, has been linked to several illnesses and complications including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, pregnan-

It’s known that lesions in the mouth may be the first indication of an HIV infection and diagnosing this infection in its initial stages will allow the appropriate treatment to be rendered. According to the American Cancer Society, annually there are over 35,000 cases of Oral & Pharyngeal Cancers diagnosed and 8000 of those cases result in death.

Drinking water is essential for health

By Baboa Bumpers Nye

Water is one of the most essential inorganic compounds known to man. A person can survive for about three days without water depending on a person’s body requirement. The human adult contains 55-60% water. That is a lot of water, and it can help you understand how easy it is to become dehydrated. Hydration is critical to remain healthy. Every part of your body depends on water to function properly. Water helps to keep everything moist including your mouth, eyes, and other mucus membranes.

How much should you drink? An adult should drink about ½ to 1 ounce per pound of body weight unless otherwise directed by your physician. If you are thirsty, you probably need to hydrate. All fluid intake during the day is included in this amount.

Coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks, etc. is added into your total for the day. If you take medication, you do need to drink a full glass of water un-

less otherwise told not to by your health care provider because of a fluid restriction. Water is needed to circulate these medications all over the body to where they are needed.

I like to start my day with a glass of water in the morning. After fasting all night, it is good to hydrate the first thing in the morning. Adding a wedge of lemon juice can also help alkalize your body. If you have been vomiting or have had diarrhea, you will need to drink more liquids also.

Do you have a doctor’s appointment coming up? The last thing that you want to do is show up dehydrated. They will draw blood work and run the sample as is. If you are dehydrated, your lab result can be skewed and require you to have to take medication. Your blood pressure can also run higher if you are dehydrated.

Your body can release a chemical called vasopressin to help your kidneys retain water and constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Drinking water also helps to re-

move toxins and keep your blood clean.

Water consumption is essential to remain healthy. Drinking water is not very hard to do. Just pour and drink. If you start early in the morning, you can knock out a few glasses before lunch time. “Bottoms up!”

Packer’s Bend Community Chorus left lasting gifts

By Deborah Williams Townsend

Oh, do I remember as a child those long Sundays at church, those long evening programs, and choir anniversaries. . . and all that singing at church. What I wouldn’t give to go back to those days.

Songs that my mother, Sis. Sarah Louise Packer, sang like “Search me Lord” and “I know the Lord will make a way somehow”; songs that Sis. Luella Packer led like “Lord, don’t move my mountain”, and songs Sis. Lorencesteen “Tudda” Gates led like “I want to be at the meeting”.

And let’s not forget one of the most soul-stirring songs led by Sis. Eloise Bumpers “There’s a leak in this old building”. She would always get happy (filled with the holy spirit) every time she sang that song and would set the whole church on fire.

Little did I know as a child and young girl growing up back then how much these songs would mean to me as I grew into an adult. They were songs of the soul.

The Community Chorus was one of those

groups that sang gospel songs like these. Songs that would stir up the church and usher in the holy spirit. They started this group when I was a young girl.

I don’t remember the exact date or year, but it had to have been in the early 1970’s when they formed this group of church ladies who belonged to different churches in the community. They sang all over the community and surrounding areas.

Some of the original members in the group (as shown in the picture) were Sis. Mamie Lee Westry, Sis. Luella Packer, Sis. Georgia Johnson, Sis. Eloise Bumpers, Sis. Susie Mae Kidd, Sis. Sarah Louise Packer, and Sis. Lucy “Love” Maiben.

Other members that joined them later were Sis. Tudda Gates and who can forget my aunt, Elder Sis. Mae Ella Morris, the songbird herself.

Sis. Mae Ella would lead songs like “Trouble in my way”, “Lord, I know you been so good”, and “When you hear of my homegoing, don’t worry ‘bout me”. Lord, have mercy what a time we had!!

There is little to no history or pictures of these lovely ladies who sang their hearts out back then for our community. But just to know them or know of them is a blessing. All have gone on now, but they made a major impact on the community and paved the way for future groups to follow.

Sis. Rosie Nell Stabler later formed “The Sensational Wonders”, and a male group was later formed called “The Gospel Trains”, which

included Bro. George Cheeseboro and others.

So, when you hear songs like “Jesus is on the main line, tell Him what you want” or “This Morning when I rose, I didn’t have no doubt” or “Walk with me Lord, walk with me”, remember that these great women of God were the trail blazers. Remember them and what they gave to our community. . .. the gift of song and praise which will live on forever in our hearts!!

Community Chorus - Back row: Mamie Lee Westry, Luella Packer, Georgia Lee Johnson; front row: Eloise Bumpers, Susie Mae Kidd, Sara Louise Packer, Lucy 'Love" Maiben