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The GRO-FAITH Ministries Magazine
Publishing the Positive
October 2013
2
Publishing The Positive for 33 Years!!
GRO-FAITH Ministries
P.O. Box 1431 Chesapeake, VA 23327
PHONE: (757) 420-3089
FAX: (757) 420-4897
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3
From The Editor
And we
GRO-FAITH Ministries
know that all things work together...
When challenging situations come into my life
I try earnestly
To anticipate how, according to Romans 8:28,
Things will work out “good” for me.
But try as I may, try as I might,
“The good” is often unclear
Such that I begin to wish and hope
That the challenges would simply disappear…
In the midst of it all, though, I encourage myself
To believe what Proverbs 3 (5-6) says—
If I trust in the Lord with all my heart...
And acknowledge Him in all my ways...
He will direct my path, which means
That if I follow Him, I will know
Exactly what to say, exactly what to do
Exactly the right way to go…
And so, my friends, when we become overwhelmed
With challenges, great and small,
for our good
God will work them all!!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
& STAFF
President/Editor
Alberta W. Curtis Minters
Vice-President
Atty. Cheryl Footman-Banks
Secretary
Ledell Alexander
Treasurer
Sonora “Sonni” Benn
Director of Public Relations
Brenda Simpson
Assistant Editors
Alma Anderson
Elnora Hayslett
Josephine Linyear
Rev. Marie McCoy
Production Assistants
Linda Nicholes
Annie Smith
James Smith
Contributing Writers
Let us be assured that
Blessings to you,
Alberta W. Curtis Minters
On The Cover: “Autumn Landscape”
Ledell Alexander
Sheila Alexander
Yvonne Davis
Elmo Lawrence
Attorney Eric Moody
Viola Myrick
Brenda Simpson
Elder Sarah E. Williams
Minister Edward Wilson
Photo by Linda Hansen
GRAMS of FAITH—Published monthly by Alberta W. Curtis Minters since 1980; designed to share the good news of our
Savior, His concern for us, and the miracles that He performs in our lives. Church and community news, testimonies,
letters to the editor—welcome. Contributions are greatly appreciated. PLEASE submit information for publication (via
email if possible) by the 15th of the month. Mail checks/money orders/correspondence to:
GRO-FAITH Ministries
P.O. Box 1431
Chesapeake, VA 23327
Phone: (757) 420-3089
FAX: (757) 420-4897
Website: www.grofaithministries.org
Email: grofaith@grofaithministries.org
4
GRAMS of FAITH
- Publishing The Positive -
Volume 34, Issue 10
From The Editor
Chesapeake Christian Center
Edward Wilson Singers in Concert
New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church
Divine Baptist Church
New Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church
First Baptist Church, Berkley
NAACP—Norfolk Branch
Providence United Church of Christ
The Church of the Living God CFC
Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Women Empowered in the Millennium
St. Luke’s A.M.E. Church
“It’s The Law”
Let’s Learn More About Black History
Reflections of a Celebration
Words of Thanks
Seasons of Change
Taking Charge of Your Health
New Baby: Little Lylah Simpson
Graduates: Simmons and Taylor
50-Year Reunion For CHS Class of ‘63
“Routes Are Going, Roots Are Growing!”
“Japanese Garden in Kaiserslautern, Germany”
Photo by Alberta W.C. Minters
5
Recipe: Banana Bread
Birthdays and Anniversaries
4
6
7
8
9
10
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
19
20
Have You Heard??
Chesapeake Christian Center
is celebrating
Our “21st” Church’s & Pastor’s Anniversary!
Featuring Gospel
Recording Artist
“Vicki Yohe”
Friday, October 11th,
7:30pm
FREE ADMISSION
300 Liberty Street
Chesapeake, VA 23324
757.494.1000
Kick-off Date:
Friday, Oct. 4th, 7:30pm
and the entire month of October!
6
Edward Wilson Ensemble In Concert
DIVINE BAPTIST CHURCH
2917 Old Galberry Road
Chesapeake VA 23323
www.divinebc.org
On Saturday October 19th at 6
p.m., the Edward J. Wilson
Ensemble will be featured
during a concert at Celestial
Baptist Church (1439 Mt.
Vernon Ave.) in Portsmouth,
VA. This program is in
celebration of the Senior
Choir's anniversary.
1765 South Military Highway
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
The Senior Missionary Ministry of Divine Baptist
Church will celebrate its
149th Anniversary on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at
10:45 a.m.
Rev. Debra
Gholston from Christian
Home Baptist Church in
Windsor, VA (Rev. W.M.
Waller, pastor) will be the
guest speaker.
- Telephone (757) 938-9620
New Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church
1953 Campostella Road
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Phone: (757) 545-5993
(757) 545-6566
Rev. Ira K. McMillan, Jr., Pastor
Rev. Anderson O. Foreman, Jr., Pastor
Pre-Dedication Worship Services
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 @ 7 pm
Rev. Dr. George Davis
Macedonia Baptist Church
*HOMECOMING REVIVAL SERVICES
*Sunday, October 13th at 2 p.m.
Pastor Abraham Mackey/Campbell’s Chapel A.M.E. Church
Virginia Beach, VA
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 @ 7pm
Rev. Alphonso Griffin
Gabriel Chapel A.M.E. Zion, Chesapeake, VA
*Tuesday, Oct. 15th at 7 p.m.
Pastor Timothy Smith/Greater St. Andrews A.M.E. Church
Virginia Beach, VA, Pastor
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 @ 7pm
Rev. Walter Mitchell
New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA
*Wednesday, October 16th at 7 p.m.
Pastor Donald White/St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Newport News, VA
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 @ 7pm
Rev. William Chatman
Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA
*Thursday, October 17th at 7 p.m.
Pastor Derrell Wade/Macedonia A.M.E. Church
Suffolk, VA
Sunday, November 3, 2013 @ 2:00 pm
Rev. Rodney Mills
Solid Rock Worldwide Outreach Ministry
*Friday, October 18th at 7 p.m.
Pastor Vanessa Copeland/Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
Virginia Beach, VA
Sunday, October 20th at 11 a.m.
Lay Witness Day
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 @ 7 pm
Elder L. McCoy
Jesus Church of Deliverance Inc., Chesapeake, VA
*Sunday, October 20th at 3 p.m.
Pastor Kenneth Ruff & Holly Grove A.M.E. Church
Windsor, VA
Dedication Worship Services
Saturday, November 16, 2013 @ 4:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Rev. Dr. Olleo L. Cromwell, II
Trinity Faith Diamond Baptist Church
Thursday, October 24th at 7 p.m.
Service at First Trinity A.M.E. Church
Rev. Willie White, Host Pastor
Saturday, October 26th at 9 a.m.
Sons of Allen Breakfast
Sunday, November 17, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
Rev. Tyrone Johnson
New Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church
Saturday, October 26th at 12 Noon
Fun Harvest Day
Sunday, November 24, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
Rev. Michael Toliver
First Baptist South Hill, Chesapeake, VA
Sunday, October 27th at 11 a.m.
Steward Board Anniversary
7
First Baptist Church, Berkley
706 E. Berkley Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23523
Phone: (757) 543-4296
Web Site: www.fbcberkley.org
Providence United Church of Christ
2200 Vicker Avenue
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Phone: (757) 545-8347
Dr. W.D. Tyree, III, Pastor
Rev. Dr. Isaac L. McDonald, Pastor
Sunday: Early Morning Worship - 8 a.m.
Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Mid-Morning Worship - 11 a.m.
Children’s Worship - 11 a.m.
Each Third Sunday - 6 p.m. “Strength For Living”
Monday: Christian Fitness - 12 Noon
Celebrate Recovery - 7 p.m.
Tuesday: Brown Bag Bible Study (BBBS) - 12 Noon
Bible Study - 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Christian Fitness - 7 p.m.
PLEASE JOIN US WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 8:45 A.M.
MORNING WORSHIP AT 10 A.M.
BIBLE STUDY AFTER WORSHIP
"PRECEPTS FOR LIVING"
(2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays)
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
(3rd and 4th Sundays)
Monday: Food Bank Ministry 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Also Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
OCTOBER—FAMILY & FRIENDS MONTH
Join us for an atmosphere filled with
dynamic praise and worship, fellowship,
and the Powerful Word of God!
October 27th—One Service: 10 a.m.
Men's Fellowship - 7:30 p.m.
Third Tuesday: Women’s Fellowship - 6:30 P.M.
Wednesday: Prayer/Meditations - 12 Noon
Family Hour of Power Bible Study - 7 P.M.
Casual Wear 
Come CONNECT with us...
Hour of Power
Bible Study Topic for October:
" WORSHIP AND PRAISE"
Sunday, October 6th at 10 a.m.
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 13th at 10 a.m.
Access Sunday and Disabilities Awareness
Week
Sunday, October 20th at 10 a.m.
Laity Sunday and Children's Sabbath
Friday, October 25th from 7 p.m. to 9.p.m.
SISTA TO SISTER MINISTRY
“Letting Go of Pains and Things” — Part II
Rev. Dr. Luci Fleming Coordinator
Thursday, October 31st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Halloween Alternative Activities for the Youth
Trunk or Treat
8
The Church of the Living God
Center for Change-South
Women Empowered in the Millennium, Inc.
818 Waters Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 287-8805
Elder Dr. Angela L. Corprew-Boyd Founder
P.O. Box 15142
(757) 237-6961
Chesapeake, VA 23328
www.angieboydministries.org
Elder Sarah Eason Williams, Pastor - “First Man” Melvin Williams
Saturday, October 5th at 8 a.m.
Women Empowered
Prophetic Prayer Breakfast
SprigHill Suites Marriott-Greenbrier
Chesapeake, VA
October 13th at 9 a.m.
Women's Day
Guest Preacher: Rev. Judy Sizemore, Partner of the
Mount Chesapeake
Saturday, October 25th – 26th
Eliam Baptist Church Women's Conference
Williamsburg, VA
Rev. Dr. Ervin Scott, Sr., Pastor
October 26th at 1 p.m.
Annual Tea Party
Zuleka Lodge #55
641 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA
Adults - $12.50 Children under 12 - $5
Ladies, wear your hat and gloves!
Sunday, October 27th at 11 a.m.
Fellowship United Church of Christ
Chesapeake, VA
Rev. Dr. Lilton Marks, Sr. Pastor
October 31st 6-8 p.m.
Harvest Fest at CLG North
1105 Portlock Rd., Chesapeake, VA
A WORD OF EMPOWERMENT
Now Heard On
WTSON Internet Radio
Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. William Chatman, Pastor
141 Kempsville Road
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 547-7393
Sunday Through Friday
from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Monday, October 7th at 7 p.m.
Little Zion will worship with St. Luke A.M.E. Church
Host Pastor: Rev. Harrilene S. Powell
Saturday, October 12th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pastor's Aid Ministry Salad Luncheon
- Donations Adults: $10.00 Children under 10: $5.00
Sunday, October 13th at 2 p.m.
Pastor's Aid Anniversary
Guest: Rev. C. Keith McPherson and
New Willow Grove Baptist Church
Sunday, October 20th at 3 p.m.
Pre-Women's Day Celebration
Rev. Dr. Veronica Coleman and New Jerusalem Ministries
Virginia Beach, VA
at
Sunday, October 27th at 11 a.m.
Annual Women's Day Celebration
Guest preacher: Minister Reva Holt,
Associate Minster, Noble Street Baptist Church
Portsmouth, VA
St. Luke’s A.M.E. Church
241 Saint Lukes Church Rd.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 547-1404
Wednesday, October 30th at 7 p.m.
Little Zion will worship with New Galilee
Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Anderson O. Foreman, Jr., Host Pastor
Saturday, October 5, 2013
10 a.m. ‘til 5 p.m.
9
In a very dramatic
way, the month of
October brings with it
the
miracle
of
change. The blistering
temperatures of summer are a thing of the
past. It becomes hard
to remember what it
really feels like on a
hot, hazy, humid
day. And the spectacular show that the colorful
falling leaves put on is nothing short of breath taking. There's so much transformation all around us
during this time of year. But isn't that what life is
all about...change. Someone once said that if
change isn't occurring in a thing, then the
thing must be dead. I'm fond of hearing a great
preacher proclaim that our omnipotent "God takes
seed and sunlight and creates green grass, and a
brown cow, and then He turns it into white
milk!" That's a lot of change.
Yet as magnificent and awe inspiring all of this
change is, an even greater phenomenon is the absence of change. The constancy of the ebb and
flow of the tides, the rising and setting of the sun,
the seasons as they come and go with their unerring
regularity are a beauty to behold. Great is the faithfulness of our God and all that He is. It is what sets
him apart and declares who He is. The prophet
Isaiah in 40:8 put it this way, "the grass withers, the
flower fades, but the word of our God will stand
forever." Jeremiah observed that there is "no turning" with Him. No change is profoundly better than
constant change. That's truly "Good News!"
Speaking of good news, you can get some of the
latest developments in the law by tuning in
for "Hampton Roads Weekly" on the third Saturday
morning of the month when Attorney Eric Moody
and his law partner, Attorney Lori Butts will give
legal advice on air. Their next appearance will be
on October 19 at 7 am on WKUS, 92.1 FM, and
replayed on 102.9 FM, 105.3 FM, and 107.7 FM on
Sunday September 22 at 7:00 am. He has over
thirty seven years of experience as a lawyer and he
has even served as a judge. The law firm's web site
is at http://www.eomoodylaw.com/Welcome-toEric-O-Moody-and-Associates-PC
Also, Hampton University features Mr.
Moody in a program on their campus radio station, WHOV 88.1 FM, on the first Thursday of the
month (this month on October 3 at Noon), during a
live legal question and answer program with Cheryl
Wilkerson called "It's The Law." For those out of
town, the programs can be heard streaming live at
the following web sites:
http://www.kissfmvirginia.com/pages/
hamptonroadsweekly.html
http://www.103jamz.com/pages/
hamptonroadsweekly.html
www.1053hitmusic.com/main.html
WMOV-FM - Movin' 107-7 107.7 FM Norfolk,
VA - Listen Online
WHOV 88.1 FM - The Essence of Hampton University
Let’s Learn More About Black History
By Sheila Alexander
“Let the words of my mouth, and
the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.”
Who is Dr. George Franklin
Grant?
Psalm 19:14
The answer can be found elsewhere in this issue.
10
11
Around 3 o'clock
On Saturday afternoon
The church was on fire
And the Holy Ghost was in
the room!
And Rev. Wilson was so
elated
He couldn't contain his
shout
His feet started moving
And his hand went up and
out!
The songs of Zion
Were melodiously being sung
And the whole church was
rocking
Clapping, singing and
having fun!
We were there to celebrate
One who stands on the wall
Who not only preaches the
Gospel
But a musician too, I tell
you he does it all!
He does the work of the
kingdom
With excellence in mind
He will help anyone who
needs it
By using his gifts and time.
Shekinah Glory
Filled the place
And before we knew it
There was dancing in every
space!
Amidst thunderous applause, the honoree
entered the sanctuary. He was escorted by
three of his wonderful grandchildren—Aayla,
Alaynah, and Ryan Fuller
Jokes were told in good fun
And Rev. Wilson took it all
in stride
But when Dominic sung
"Sovereign"
Tears came to all of our
eyes!
The night ended with a feast
And there were gifts and
well wishes
People congratulated Rev. Wilson
With lots of hugs and kisses.
Rev. Edward James "Peterman" Wilson
Is who I'm talking about
The epitome of God's true servant
And of that there is no doubt!
To God be the glory
For Rev. Wilson's celebration day
The Lord showed up and showed out
Truly the Holy Ghost had his way.
So to honor him royally
For his unwavering dedication
His wife Teresa arranged
A spirit-filled celebration!
Thank you again, Rev. Wilson
There is no one like you
And may God send his anointing
And continue to bless all you do!
His grandchildren escorted him
Down the church aisle
And the words that followed
Brought tears and smiles.
Happy Birthday and Congratulations
on 50 Years of Service to the Kingdom.
Written With Love,
Relatives gave tributes
And friends expressed gratitude
The whole building was on one accord
With a praise and worship attitude!
Your Pastor and Your Cousin
"Rev. Pastor Cousin Sarah"
This grand event was held at New Light Baptist
Church (Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Pastors are Darryl
and Jessica McClary). Rev. Sarah Eason Wilson, Pastor of The Church of The Living God Center For
Change was the illustrious Mistress of Ceremonies.
Our Mayor sent congratulations
In a letter with many accolades
And Richard Smallwood sent a video
With words filled with praise!
12
Pastor Sarah Eason
Williams, Mistress of
Ceremonies, blessed
the Lord and ushered
the congregation into
His Divine Presence.
Words
of
Thanks
Greetings To All In The Name of
Him Who Is, and Was, and Is To
Come.
The City of Praise
(New Light Praise
Team) featured Terry
Harper, Paula Davis,
Host Pastor Darryl
McClary, and Sierra
Jones.
I'm Minister Edward J. Wilson
(aka Peterman) and I just want to
thank all who participated and attended my 58th birthday celebration/
appreciation service. Oh what a
blessing it was to see so many
there. I will never forget that day as
long as I live. Thank you for your
prayers, support, and great show of
love. How can I say thanks for the
things God has done for me? To
God be the glory for all the things
He has done. Again, thank you to
all participants and attendees. What
a wonderful show of love and it truly blessed me and my family.
Pastor Darryl McClary, New
Light Church family, and former as
well as present choir members and
musicians, you are second to
none. To my Pastor, Pastor Sarah E.
Williams, the celebration committee,
The Edward Wilson ensemble, thank
you. To the love of my life Teresa,
who spear-headed this celebration,
I'll love you forever.
Words cannot express the depth
of love and gratitude that I feel because of your very presence on September, 14, 2013.
I love you all and may God continue to bless and keep you in His
tender care. PRECIOUS MEMORIES, HOW THEY LINGER.
Cousins Velda Bell
and daughter Angel
shared their gifts of
singing and praise
dancing.
Cousin (and musician
in his own right) Rev.
Andre Turner offered
reflections.
Joseph “Joey” Harris,
III was a member of
the anointed music
team.
Among the many
church officials present were Pastor and
Mrs. H.B. Cross from
Lee’s Chapel A.M.E.
Church.
Teresa Wilson, wife of the honoree, was
filled with joy throughout the service.
Minister Edward J. (Peterman) Wilson
Photos by Crystal Harris Goodman
13
---Brenda Simpson, MHA, MPH
“Salt of the Earth”
ave you noticed that more snacks are being seasoned
with sea salt, and manufacturers are proudly announcing that information on the front of food packaging? I
have. So why would a food package have information
about salt on the front of the package? The words on the front
are usually there to entice shoppers to pick up the package and
buy it. My guess is that there is some idea in the public’s mind
that sea salt is more healthful than table salt. I believe it is.
Here is why:
Table salt is processed to remove trace elements while sea
salts, in general, leave these in. These minerals are indeed important in our diets; but in sea salt they exist in what the Mayo
Clinic describes as trace amounts. There are more than 64 of
these trace minerals in sea salt, including naturally occurring
Excerpts from the “Health Tips Workshop”
presented by YVONNE DAVIS, Registered
Licensed Nurse, at The Norfolk/Eastern Shore
District Conference, hosted by Bethel A. M. E.
Church, Eastville, VA Friday, September 13Saturday, September 14, 2013.
iodine, compared to only two minerals in table salt (Sodium and Chloride).
Under U.S. law, up to 2% of table
salt can be additives. These are usually anti-clumping agents, bleaching
agents, iodine and other additives. Mostly, these additives are
what is actually responsible for water retention and for elevation of
blood pressure when table salt is
consumed.
In our next edition, we will talk
more about the benefits of using sea
salt over table salt.
Remember, you can send your
health-related information, testimonials, questions, comments, inspirational and motivational information
for posting to me at: seasonsofchange@outlook.com
Also, join me for a weekend of
Health and Wellness, October 4-6 at
6:30 pm each evening at the Cedars
Of Lebanon SDA Church; 1977 Cedar Road; Chesapeake, VA . Donations are welcomed at the door.
Please bring a foot basin and towel
to the seminar the evening of the 6th.
You will receive health information
that will prove to be completely life
changing.
So until the next time..."To your
health!"
REDUCING YOUR RISK FOR HEART
DISEASE
Overall you can reduce your risk for heart
disease if you: maintain a healthy weight, eat
right, stay physically active, control your
blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and if
you are a diabetic, control your disease.
(Photo by Sharon Copeland, New Mt. Olive A.M.E.
Church, Chesapeake, VA)
STAYING HEALTHY
WATCHING YOUR WEIGHT
Every day you have a chance to make good
choices about your health. If you should ask
yourself “How do I begin to improve my
health habits?” a good answer would be to set
small goals instead of large ones that you won’t be able to
meet. You may decide to trade your morning donut for a
bowl of cereal.
Being overweight increases your risk for
heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. To stay at a healthy weight, you need to
balance the number of calories you eat with the number you
burn off by your activities.
14
EATING RIGHT
Eating the right foods and the right amounts can help
you live a longer, healthier life. Many illnesses and
conditions-such as heart disease, obesity, high blood
pressure, and Type 2 diabetes-can be prevented or
controlled by eating right. A healthy diet also provides the vitamins and minerals you need. Eat a variety of foods including vegetables, fruits, lean
meats, poultry, eggs, fish, dried beans, grains and
low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
KEEPING ACTIVE
Physical activity can help prevent: heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and Type 2
diabetes, osteoporosis, mental health problems
such as depressions, it also helps you to stay at a
healthy weight, reduce stress, sleep better, and
feel better overall. All kinds of physical activity,
whether it is moderate or vigorous, will help you stay
healthy. Generally the more active you are, the
healthier you will become.
TAKING MEDICINES CORRECTLY
Always be sure you know everything about a medicine before you take it. This information will help
you get the full benefits from your medicine. It will
Lylah Imani Simpson
Born September 3, 2013
at 8:57 p.m.
Weight: 8 pounds 2 ounces
Length: 18 inches
Proud Parents
Kimberly and Lyle Simpson
Proud Grandparents
Brenda and Fred Simpson
also help you avoid taking too much or too little of a medicine. Taking medicine in the wrong way can make you
worse instead of better.
TESTS TO FIND DISEASES OR CONDITIONS EARLY
Many diseases and conditions can be prevented or controlled
if they are caught early such as high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
ASK
Ask questions. If you don’t understand what your doctors or
nurses say, ask them to explain. Always ask about any medicines or tests they say you need. If you don’t ask, they may
think you have all the information you want.
FOLLOW-UP
Once you leave the doctor’s office, follow up. If you have
questions, call the doctor’s office. If you have problems
with your medicine, call your doctor or your pharmacist. If
you do not hear from your doctor or nurse about test results,
call and ask. If you don’t understand the results, ask what they
mean.
Nurse Yvonne Davis is a Clinical Educator & Staff Developer with Bon Secours Health Systems, Maryview Nursing
Care Center, Suffolk, VA. She is a member of St. John
A.M.E. Church, Norfolk, VA
Raena Brown Simmons recently graduated from Loyola
University in New Orleans,
LA, with a Master of Science
in Criminal Justice Administration. A resident of Virginia
Beach, she is married to Steven
Simmons and she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James and
Mary Wilkes Brown of Virginia Beach.
Raena is currently employed
with the Federal Government.
15
Jason Taylor recently completed Security Staff Training
at the Academy for Staff Development in Crozier, Virginia
to become a Corrections Officer. A 2011 graduate of
Hampton University with a
B.S. in Criminal Justice, Jason
is employed at St. Brides Correctional Center in Chesapeake, VA. He is married to
the former Miss Sharee Deaton and he is the son of Mrs.
Regina Taylor of Chesapeake.
Photo by Robert Smith, CHS Class of ‘63
First row, seated: Melvin Albritton, Barbara Jordon, Victor Billups (husband), Gloria Billups, Vivian Gregory Dixon, and Sandra Hinton Pork.
Second row: Horace Roundtree, Arthur Williams Jr., Melvon Clemons, Linda Riddick Woods, Maxine Ricks Poteat. Third row: William Riddick,
Charlie Harper, Collette Green Carr, Geraldine Holmes, Ulus Battle, Bennie Richardson. Fourth row: Geraldine Simmons Cooper, William Davis,
William Simons, Maurice Hilliard, Elmo Lawrence. Fifth row- Robert Smith, Clarence Demory, and Joel Ronald Wagner
Wanting to have their Fiftieth Class Reunion in a
timely fashion, Elmo Lawrence put an ad in the newspaper announcing a meeting to establish a steering committee. Only one person showed up. A second ad was
placed and four classmates came. One of those classmates was Gloria Billups. Gloria got her hands on a
comprehensive list of our classmates and started calling
everybody on the list, both in and out of town. After
that we averaged about twenty people each time we
met. We established our steering committee, as well as
our entertainment, decoration, souvenir, and program
committees.
We wanted to spend an entire weekend with our
classmates. It had after all, been fifty years since we
had seen some of our classmates. Our class was one of
the first segregated classes of the new City of Chesapeake, formed with the merger of South Norfolk and
Norfolk County. Crestwood High School has a very
proud history which includes the pride we have for our
teachers, the students, and the legacy we’ve left. Our
pride in this particular class comes from the fact that
there are members who have risen to great heights in
entertainment, sports, business, education; the accomplishments go on and on. Our past City Manager, Mr.
Clarence Cuffee, was a member of the class of 1963.
This is not bad for people who were products of segregated schools.
The committee’s goal was to have a Meet and Greet
on Friday night, a Banquet and Dance on Saturday night
and Worship together on Sunday. A great deal of work
was involved but this committee was determined to see
it through. Two of our classmates, Bennie Richardson
and R. C. Smith presented brochures from The Hilton
Gardens. The only problem was that we would have to
commit to a substantial monetary contract with the Hilton. Forty-two of our classmates were deceased. Consequently, we had no idea how many of the remaining
one hundred and fifty would come. There were some
days when we wondered if we had taken on more than
we could handle, however we believed in this great
class! Many prayers went up for more participation and
funds.
We are happy to report that we enjoyed fellowship
and fun with classmates from California, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, New York, and the states surrounding Virginia. God blessed us to have a wonderful Meet and
Greet on Friday. It was simply amazing to see the expressions on the faces of the classmates as they came in
to register. So many hugs, kisses, and tears were shared.
The pictures of children and grandchildren were coming
out all over the place. There were lengthy conversations
about those days at Crestwood and life’s experiences as well.
Next came the Big Banquet on Saturday evening.
The ladies were beautifully dressed in their evening
gowns, and the men were very nattily attired in their
suits and ties. We dined, danced, renewed friendships,
and made memories to last another fifty years. Thanks
to our teachers, Mrs. Vivian Duke, Mr. David Sanford,
Mrs. Vivian Boykins, and Mr. Adam Harrell for joining
us in this momentous event. Thanks to our awesome
committee members who helped make this grand occasion successful. On Sunday we worshiped at Saint
Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA.
After church we visited with our treasurer, Gloria
Billups, who has been ill. The class will continue to
keep Gloria lifted in prayer.
Respectfully Submitted By Elmo Lawrence
16
“Roots are Growing, Routes are Going!”


Ledell Alexander was the
speaker
during
the
McDonald/Alexander
Family Reunion Program
that was held on Friday
night, July 12, 2013 at
Lee’s Chapel A.M.E.
Church in Chesapeake.


There is a poem by Rudyard Kipling that describes
the road less traveled:
The is ”Part Two” of
excerpts from his speech
which was entitled, “Roots
are Growing, Routes are
Going!”
“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so
hold on where there is nothing in you except the will
which says, “Hold on.” If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run,
yours is the earth and all that’s in it, and which is
more – you will be a man, my son.”
We are sure that you will find this to be excellent food
for thought!
One must have rugged tenacity and discipline if you
are going to succeed in your endeavors in this life.
I suggest the following areas that everyone needs
practice in the principle of self discipline:

Prayer: Learn to pray when you feel like praying
and when you don’t.

Reading the Bible: The Bible will keep you from
sin, or sin will keep you away from the Bible.
In-Depth Study: “Much study is a weariness of the
flesh”, Ecclesiastes 12:12 Solomon’s words just before “the conclusion of the whole matter...” Mental
work is much more difficult than physical work. It
is much easier to work in a warehouse than to sit
down and write an article or a book.


Exercise: Even though there are people who say
they like to exercise, it still takes discipline to move
the body out of bed and on to the running track or
gym. Discipline! Discipline! Discipline! Make it
your battle cry and you will win every time.

Sex: One of the most difficult areas to exercise discipline is in the area of sexual desires. But as in
anything else, God will help you overcome those
temptations if you only pray and take heed to His
Word.
Take full responsibility.
Take full responsibility for yourself and your life.
Many of us did not acquire a healthy attitude towards
self-responsibility. Many of us are afraid of responsibility. The lack of this one quality can handicap
you throughout your life.
The quality of taking responsibility does not come
naturally. It has to be taught, more by example than
anything else. Also self-responsibility goes against
human nature. It is easier to be irresponsible than
responsible. It is easier, but not better, to have the
attitude that the world owes you something, when it
does not. It is easier, but not better, to let others take
care of you. It is easier, but not better, to be an employee and not the boss. (The boss is responsible for
everything.) It is much easier, but not necessarily
better, to stay single than to get married. Staying
single and having sex and having babies is irresponsible as well as destructive to so many lives including
your own. It is far better to make a commitment to
someone special, be responsible, get married, have
children, and take care of your family. Be the responsible mature person.

Ledell and his wife, the former Sheila Diane Price,
have been married for 39 years and reside in the
Great Bridge section of Chesapeake. They are the
proud parents of three sons and three grandchildren.
A graduate of Virginia State University in Petersburg,
VA, Ledell is an adjunct professor at TCC
(Chesapeake Campus) and a Math and Science Tutor.
Also secretary of the GRO-FAITH Ministries Board
of Directors, Ledell is a member of First Baptist
Church, Berkley, where he serves as Men’s Ministry
Leader.
These are just some of the areas where we need discipline in our lives. These are a few places to start practicing discipline. The following are simple ideas of how
to practice discipline:
When you have a goal that needs to be reached, abandon all else and focus on that one thing that needs to be
done and get it done now.


Work hard and then have big fun. Plan an exciting reward for yourself after the goal is reached.
Remember that good feeling following positive
actions. Positive actions hardly ever follow good
feelings.
Fast. When you really need to get something
done, do what is called fast and focus. In order
to reach you goals, you may need to go without
some things that you enjoy such as food or television for a period of time to focus on accomplishing your goals.
Surround your goal or project in prayer.
Take the TV out of the house.
Do the most difficult or worst task first.
17
Thanks To Magazine
Contributors
Ms. Sheila Bell, Ms. Jane Blowe, Ms. Maggie Blowe,
Mrs. Mary E. Brooks, Ms. Lois Butts, Rev. William
Chatman, Mrs. Millicent Clark, Mrs. Carolyn
Copeland, Mrs. Blanche Duggins, Minister Easter
Edwards, Miss Iris Edwards, Mrs. Althea Gallop,
Mrs. Rosalynd Harris, Mrs. Elnora Hayslett, Mrs.
Tama Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kidd, Mrs. Esther
Land, Mrs. Regina Land, Mrs. Ruth Lewis, Mrs. Josephine Linyear, Mr. Charlie Locker, Mr. David Manuel, Mr. Julius McCullough, Mr. Francis McDonald,
Rev. Walter Mitchell, Mrs. Corine Moore, Mrs. Elizabeth Mullen, Mrs. Amphia Myrick, Ms. Dorothy Paxton, Mrs. Joyce Peeples, Mr. & Mrs. Thurman Perry,
Ms. Marion Shepherd, Mr. Ron Smiley, Little Miss
Katrina Wilson, and Mrs. Margaret Winston
Thank YOU for your support!
Because of Your Contribution, GRAMS of
FAITH can continue coming your way.
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18
Submitted by Viola Myrick, Member
First Baptist Church, Berkley
2
1


1
2
1

1

cups sifted all-purpose flour
teaspoon baking soda
teaspoon salt
cup butter
cup sugar
unbeaten eggs
cup mashed bananas
cup milk
teaspoon lemon juice
cup nuts, chopped
Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside. Cream butter;
gradually add sugar, creaming well. Add eggs and bananas. Blend
thoroughly. Combine milk and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
Blend well after each addition. Stir in nuts. Turn batter into a 9”x5”
pan, well greased. Bake at 350° for 60 to 70 minutes.
Number of servings depends on how it is sliced
Miss Viola Myrick has been a member of FBCB for more than 70
years. She thoroughly enjoys cooking and began her career as a
Food Service instructor at the Janie Porter Barrett Home for
Girls in Hanover, Virginia. She also worked as a Food Service
Manager and a Licensing Specialist Supervisor (Richmond Regional Office) for the State of Virginia. More recently, she was
coordinator of the Food Service Ministry at FBCB.
19
6
1
Delzola Halsey
Cornelius Hardie
Eric Powell
Adam Swift
Ken Wright
Toni Cofield
Deon Harris
Valerie Myers
Jacquetta Reid
2
Minnie Amos Blount
Anne V. Bunch
John Creekmur
Kiara Deseree’ Goodman
Dorothy H. Harrison
Delois Morris
Charles Owens
Chanda Parker
Evan Weaver
Maude Williams
Stanley & Angela Barnett
3 Kori Alexander
Isaiah Boykins
Jack Kidd, Sr.
Delanissa Moody
Yvonne Murphy
Earl McNair
Andrew St. Lawrence
4
Frankie Chesson
Rhea Chesson
Cynthia B. Cooke
Marcus Fuller-Collins
Anthony Simon
Mr. & Mrs. Danny Miller
5
Tammy Boone
Alphonso McDonald
Henry Powell, Jr.
Henry Walker
7 Deborah H. Byrum
Pastor W.D. Tyree, III
8
Lois Butts
Kya Connolly
Tiara Dozier
Jean Minggia
Ethel Powell
Dennis & Cynthia Cooke
9
Alma Anderson
Calvin Glasby
Allen Washington
Carolyn Wilson
Thelma Wilson
Travis Young
10
Elder Ray Jennings
Fannie Smith
Brentney Williams
11
Valerie Gray
Albert Lewis
Bonita Marks
12
Arveta Griffin
Rudolph Jones, Sr.
James & Mary W. Brown
13 Jashayla
Clinkscales
Dr. Angela CorprewBoyd
Sherry Fitch
14 Tiara Bonds
Paige Green
15
Gloria Brown
Anthony Creekmore
Lloyd Mayo
Angela Miller
James Whitfield
16
Nathan Creekmore
Angela Martin
Adam Powell
17
Bishop W. Alexander
Irwin Chesson
Amber Johnson
Mary Lewis (94 )
Iola P. Moore
Kiana Orr
Meta Winston
Loretta Young
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Murphy
18
Edward Butts, Jr.
Joyi Young
Clarence & Deanna Barnard
19
Arlene Davis
Renee Ferebee
Randy Fugate
Kimberly Jacobs
Melissa Wilkes
20
27 Cecelia Holtz Curtis
Elder Sarah Williams
21 Darlene Hargraves
Erica Scott
Elinor Smith
Mike & Renee Ferebee
Christopher Fitch
Saundra Jackson
Vernice Mitchell
Stephen Wilson
Dereck & Paula White
28 Daryl Buley
Sheila Morgan
Kamil Ware
Mildred Williams
29
22
23
Emittee Downing,
Sr.
Carlton Peede
Angela Reynolds
Carolyn Scott
24
30
Dennis Drake
John Smith
Rita Williams
Gloria Basnight
James Smith
Mieka Brooks
Estelle Fuller-Todd
Lamont Heckstall
Lamar Johnson
Tameeka Steel
Beth Tomas
Christin Thomas
Alton Batts, Sr.
Geraline H. Cox
Fred Cuffee
Rev. Marie McCoy
Lisa McDonald
Curtis Mitchell, Jr.
Wilbur Myrick
25
Marion Hardie
Dorothy James
Bill Johnson, Jr.
Kadijah Pernell
Warren Whitehurst
Katie Wilkes
Joseph & Doris Holloman
26
Rev. F.J. West
Jerry & Regina Land
31
Michael Creekmore
Mary Scott Davis
Alfred Gallop
Clara Gallop
Jeffrey Hanna
Jenea Ladeutt
Danielle E. Williams
Andrew & Nellie Suter
Answer to Black History Question on Page 10— Dr. George Franklin Grant was an African-American golf fan who received a patent
for the world's first golf tee in 1899. Grant, however, never marketed his invention, instead giving the tees away to friends and fellow
golfers.
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22
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