The Center Informer: Official Newsletter Of The A. M. Hunter Titus Charitable Cultural Center, Inc. Wilbur Thirkield (Bill) Titus, Editor 946 South Bateman Fairfield, Texas 75840-2902 Phone: 903-389-3482 Fax: 903-389-3552 E-mail: bill1919@valornet.com March 2009 Edition Dear Readers, Because I have much to be thankful for, gratitude is the theme of this letter. I am so glad that I don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to express my gratitude for personal blessings, the progress of the Center, and the positive relationship with my relatives and friends. You are the ones who help me live the best quality of life designed to improve the life and welfare of the global community. First, it is good to be recovering, at home, from gall stone removal surgery, which I underwent on March 2, 2009 in East Texas Medical Center, Athens, in Athens, Texas. Special thanks go to Pina Bonner, my niece for spending the night in the hospital with me and protecting interests. Secondly, joined by the members of the Governor and A. M. Titus Family, I thank the numerous persons and groups for the support that they gave to us following the passing of our family member, Cornelius Titus. Knowing that you were there for us helped to lighten the load. THANKS! The Center is engaged in vigorous activity. It has launched its annual sustenance drive, has planned a week of celebration of the 19th of June, 2009 and has the community garden planted. It also plans to involve the youth of the community in its activities. The Center is a nonprofit organization that is funded by dues and donations from members and supporters. The dues for individuals are $25.00 each and $50.00 a year for organizations. If you have not renewed your membership and have not made a donation this year, please do so now. Make your check or money order payable to The Center and send it to Miss Glenda F. Coleman, Treasurer, at the above listed address. The Center is sponsoring a week long celebration of the emancipation of American slaves for the week of June 14 - 20, 2009. Events being prepared include the Center's formal opening banquet, a fish fry, quilt auction, youth fair, and other events. Spotlight Upon Personalities Described below are some of the family members who have made significant achievements and are "giving back" to the life of the global community: * The late Cornelius Titus gave the Center the mineral rights to his part of the Willie Titus Estate, which is located in the Bethel Community of East Freestone County, Texas. (The Center is most appreciative and urges others to remember it in their wills!) * Alexis M. Scott, daughter of Alton and Arletta (Sugar) Phillips Scott, grand daughter of Louie and Loreta Titus Phillips, great grand daughter of Governor and A. M. Hunter Titus, and the initial inductee into The Who Is Who In Hunter And Titus Families serves as Information Assurance Engineer for Sikorsky Aircraft of Ft. Worth, Texas. *Nerissa Lonnetta Williams, daghter of Guessippina Bonner, and grand daughter of Clifton Napoleon and Emma V. Williams Bonner is seeking a masters degree in Television Production. (See Attachment) * Micaela Nicole Titus graduated from University Of North Texas on August 9, 2008 with a degree in Political Science. She now is attending University Of Texas in Arlington in pursuit of her masters degree. * Jason Shane Titus graduated from Platt College on February 7, 2009 with honors upon completing The Pharmacy Technician Training Program. He plans on taking the state exam on March 26, 2009 and upon becoming a certified technician, furthering his education in the near future. * Christina Lynne Titus, daughter of Joe Pierce Titus, Jr., grand daughter of Joe and Betty Avery Titus, and great grand daughter of Governor and A. M. Hunter Titus, wrote the following: "I am thrilled to announce my graduation from Howard University School of Social Work (can you believe it's been 2 years!). There is no better time to be a Social Worker. Individuals, families and children are suffering, I pray I can be an agent of change and effectively help those in most need, those who have been passed over and forgotten.". * Cois Edward Cox, son of J. C. and the late Catherine Titus Cox will be ordained as a deacon on Sunday, March 29th. at 11 a.m., athe Triumph Missionary Baptist , 403 East Wheatland Road, Dallas, TX 75241. March Wedding Anniversaries Cedric and Jean Titus, 22nd.; Lee Elvin, Sr. and Cornelia Keeton, 31st. March Birthdays Barbara Titus, 3rd., Morrell Titus, Sr., 6th., Ashton Keri, 9th., Alonzo Durham, 6th., Walter McDonald, 7th., Nerissa Williams, 9th., Dorothy Willis, 10th., Dorothy Lee Titus, 11th., Jimmy Dean Rischer, 12th., Leslie Kelley, 13th., J. C. Cox, 14th., Linda M. Cooper, 14th., Jordan McDonald,Jordan McDonald, 14th., Virgie Lee Tucker Titus, 17th., Jimmy Dale Rischer, 20th., Jason Titus, 21st., Corey Gibbs, 22, Sabrina Newell, 22nd., Eva Rischer 23 rd., Kayode Titus, 27th., Esther Titus Deal, 29th., Jenneice Christopher, 29th., Cleo (Red) Titus Warren, 31st., Wilson Gafney, 31st. April Birthdays Joy Dyges, 1st., Tiffani Brooks, 1st., Verna Titus, 3rd., Glenda F. Coleman, 5th.,Christopher Rischer, 10th., Merie Gordon, 11th., Matthews D. Rischer, 15th., George Rischer, 19th., Carlus Buchanan, 19th., Mark McQuinn, Sr., 4/20, DeTerrickia Green, 26th., Aisha Bonner, 4/24, Jack Stanley, 26th., Minnie Mae Titus Fitzgerald & William Henry Titus, 24th.; Raye Titus Titus, 24th., Morrell Titus, Jr. 24th., Leon Rischer 24th., Erishi Titus, 28th., Brandon Cooper, 28th., Joe Columbus, Jr. and Sr. Rischer, 29th., Sick and Shut-ins Listed below are persons who are sick and or shut-in. If you would like to add others to the list, please send me their names so that we may add them to the prayer list and do whatever we can do to make their conditions more pleasant. Wilbur T. Titus is recovering from gall stone bladder removal surgery; my niece Ora Mae Wilson is recvering from a heart attack; J. C. Cox is in a nursing home in Groesbeck, Texas; James Roberts of Corsicana who is recovering from surgery; Sarah Lee Roberts Allen of Corsicana; Dr. Patrick A. Titus of Houston, TX., Ken B. Sessions, of Palestine, Joe N. Walker of Ft. Worth, James "Boo" Perkins, Dallas; Lawrence Johnson, heart problems, Marzie Oreatha Johnson Smith of Rollinsford, NH; Rosie Pearl Johnson, in Mexia Nursing Home;Benny J. Fortune, in Nursing Home in Corsicana; Lee W. Washington, LaVerne Brackens, Ceatria "Polly" Bonner Marrion, Brenda Joyce Cox, Vernice Rischer Foster, Elease Hunter Emery, Joe Columbus Rischer, Senior and Junior, K. D. Bass, Annie Mae Gabriel, Allynda Christine Jones, Virgil and Jewel Keeton, King H. Titus, Jr., Lelia Mae Titus, Marvin D. Titus, V. Mary Titus,. Tommie and Roy Canady, Ella Mae Mims Lee, John Richard Smith, Jr., Eula Grace Willis Bullock, Hazel Grace Mayes, Ruthie Mae Jones, Floyd Ray Burns, Gladys Herndon; Jimmy Gus Rischer, Sr, a stroke victim and third son of Sylvester and Lula Mae Rischer who is recovering from the flu. Linda Cox Cooper is recovering from surgery. Sherita Rischer and Vernice Rischer Foster who are experiencing health problems, Lester Keeton, son of Elmus and Irene Titus Keeton, who had knee surgery. Deaths: There have been many deaths during this period. Some are listed below. Nathaniel Joiner, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, the son of Nathaniel, Sr. and Lillian Coleman Joiner, formerly of Fairfield, was killed in a car accident on February 2 or 3, 2009. Cornelius Titus. of Los Angeles, C. A., second son of Governor and A. M. Hunter Titus, died on February 13, 2009 of a heart attack. George Brackens, formerly of Fairfield, Texas and brother of Mary Grace Rischer of Ft. Worth died. (Particlars not available.) Burnis Solomon, son of Wade Solomon and brother of T. J. Solomon passed away. He was 96 years of age. Joan Bonner, wife of Jesse (J.B.) Bonner, died, funeralized on February 28, 2009 and was buried in Ft. Worth, Texas. Sam Brackens of Hubbard died on March 1, 2009. Announcements The public is invited to attend the Rhode Island Cemetery Association's annual memorial celebration which will be held on May 2, 2009, in the Rhode Island Methodist church building, on FM 161, at 12:30 noon. The purpose of the celebration is to honor our departed loved ones and to raise funds that will support the upkeep and improvement of the cemetery. The celebration will include a program, business meeting, and catered refreshment. To meet the needs of the cemetery, each adult is asked to donate at least $35.00 per year. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Rhode Island Cemetery Asso. and should be sent to Miss Glenda Coleman at 418 Troy Lane, Fairfield, Texas 75840. Thanks. Yes You Can! From: On Saturday, March 28, 2009, the PowerGirl Network's 2nd Annual Success Symposium: Yes You Can, will see an expected 100 inner city at-risk teenage girls gathered for a one day conference focused on exposing them to what it really takes to be successful in life.? The is free. Adults, businesses, and churches are asked to sponsor one or more young ladies by donation $20.00 per teen. Checks can be made out to SGP Organization, a 501(c)3 not for profit organization and mailed to 20715 S. Avalon Blvd., Ste. 365, Carson, CA 90746. You can also donate securely online by going to the Events page on our website, www.powergirlministries.org and clicking the PayPal donation button. Thank you in advance for your participation in the enhancement of the lives of our future. Minister Helena Titus Board Meeting of the Titus Center There will be a meeting of the Board of Directors of the A. M. Hunter Titus Charitable Cultural Center, Inc. on March 28, 2009, at 1 p.m. in the Center. Members are urged to attend. See How Far We have Come In the history of our people entitled SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE COME, we are listing the names of family members who have received degrees and/or certification above the high school level. If you know of any persons who should be included, please submit their names, degree or certification, and the names of the institutions that gave the degree, etc. Joke of the Month A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband "You can have her shipped home for $5,000,or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150." The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home. The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would spend only $150?" The man replied, "Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance." Message From the Editor The purpose of The Center Informer is to keep its readers informed about the Center, its status, activities, accomplishments and plans. It is also designed to keep family members informed on all facets of family life and famly relations. Please send any information that you want to share to me at the above listed address. Editor Until later, Bill