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: wilburttitus@windstream.net Eighth Edition April - May, 2009 Message From the Editor: The Center Informer is the organ of The A. M. Hunter Titus Charitable Cultural Center, Inc. Its purpose 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 family relations. The service is free but a donation to help cover the cost of production would be appreciated. Persons who don't have an e-mail address should donate enough postage to cover postal mailing. Please send any information that you want to share to me at the above listed address. Editor Dear Readers, This has been a very busy and rewarding time for me. * Sandy Bell, Curator of the Freestone County Historical Museum invited me to the museum where I was interviewed by two archeologists from the Texas Historical Commission, Austin, Texas: Casey J. Hanson and Sarah Loftus of PRSJ. They had been contracted to document the history of Freestone Count, Texas, especially the Titus Farm/Browns Creek area which Luminant Power now occupies. The session was audio and video taped. It was held in the new building which is quite impressive. I gave the museum copies of histories that I have written and promised copies of my books. Sandy was delighted. Sandy plans to develop an African American section of the museum and invited me to assist her. This could benefit the Center, since she promised to help the Center in any way that she can. * I was contacted by a person who is interested in finding members of the Bailey and Charlotte Hunter Roberts Family. She is also related to the Bonners of Freestone County. We did what we could. The Center News The Center is a beehive of activity these days. Volunteers are preparing for the formal opener of the Center and the Juneteenth celebration. It has invited the public to participate in its week of celebration of the abolition of slavery from the United States of America. The week of celebration will begin on Sunday, June 14, 2009 and will continue through Friday, June 20, 2009. The sites of the celebration will include Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, the Dogan High cafeteria and other selected places that will accommodate the activities, which are being planned. The opening celebration will be held at Jones Chapel United Church at 3 p.m. The history of slavery and its abolition will be reviewed, what Juneteenth means to the nation will be discussed, and there will be entertainment. The climax of the week's activities will be the formal opening of the Center on the evening of June 20, 2009, in the cafeteria of the Dogan High School. An evening of entertainment and feasting is being planned. Tips from the Benefits Research and Referral Program Ramona Tanksley, Program Director 1. There is money for the residents of Freestonte, Texas who wish to repair their homes. Call Bobby Dieke, EDOAC, 254-753-0331. 2. How to stop telemarketing calls. Register. HOW TO REGISTER FOR 'DO NOT CALL' LIST Extracted from the Freestone County Times There is hope for those of you who want to stop receiving telemarketing calls that you do not want. "You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free , 1- 888-382-1222 (TTY1-866-290-4236), from the number that you wish to register. Registration is free. ... placing you number in the registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls. " Spotlight Upon Personalities The persons whom we have highlighted exemplified the true meaning of Juneteenth, which the Center espouses. We compliment them for what they are and for what they have accomplished. * Louie Tyrone Phillips, Father of the Year Award recipient. * Jason Shane Titus completed The Pharmacy Technician Training Program and passed the state exam on March 26, 2009. * Rita Tejada attended the Texas Senior Corp. Conference on Aril 24th. and 25th. * Pastor Elnora M. Nunnally will be ordained on May 26, 2009 * Vanessa Drummond graduated from Louisiana State University in Monroe, LA with a BA Degree in Accounting on May16th. She is the niece of our Advisory Council member, Donnie R. Shaw. * Virginia Johnson, daughter of Randall Johnson and grand daughter of Edward, Sr. (Chief) and Lee Earl Johnson will gradate from Fairfield High School this May. She has been accepted by Rice University, Houston, Texas, where she plans to continue her education. * Joshua Andrew Keeton graduated from Prairie View A & M University on May 16, 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. Joshua is the son of Mr. & Mrs. James A. Keeton, grandson of the late Lee E. Keeton, Sr., and the great grandson of Harrison and Eva Titus Keeton. (See attachment.) Editor's African American Hero Corner. The editor's choice for this period is General Colin Luther Powell, 65th. United States Secretary of States and much more. Check Google. See attachment. Engagements Amber Dawn Phillips, younger daughter of Gary and Cheryl Phillips, plans to marry Adam Otter on October 28, 2009. We wish them good luck! Birthdays Inadvertently, Kichelle Titus' birthday, March 20, was not included in the March newsletter. Happy belated birthday, Kichelle! April Joy Dyges, 1st., Tiffani Brooks, 1st., Verna Titus, 3rd., Glenda F. Coleman, 5th.,Christopher Rischer, 10th., Mervie Gordon, 11th., Michael D. Titus, 12th., Matthew D. Rischer, 15th., George Rischer, 19th., Carlus Buchanan, 19th., Mark McQuinn, Sr., 4/20, Hazel Grace Mayes, 23rd., DeTerrickia Green, 26th., Aisha Bonner, 4/24, Jack Stanley, 26th., Minnie Mae Titus Fitzgerald & William Henry Titus, 24th.; Raye Titus, 24th., Morrell Titus, Jr. 24th., Leon Rischer 24th., Erishi Titus, 28th., Brandon Cooper, 28th., Joe Columbus, Jr. and Sr. Rischer, 25th., May Kendrick Martin, 1st., Lucille Lewis Pryor 6, Gale Durham, 14th., Venicia McCloud, 15th., Willie Mitchell, 17th., Lopez Gibbs 17th., Sandi Mitchell, 18th., Jacquelyn Hunter Stanley, 26, Jocelyn Gunter Jordan, 28th., Persons Experiencing Health Problems 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. Juanita Manning fell and injured her arm. Fynas Titus, Jr. is recovering from surgery. Mary E. Richardson had foot surgery, Laverne Brackens had surgery. Nerissa Lonnetta Williams is experiencing cranial problems. Lee W. Washington came home on April 13th. .following a stay in the hospital. Betty Jean Hunter of Sylmar, Calfornia, Wilbur T. Titus; Ora Mae Wilson; J. C. Cox is in a nursing home in Groesbeck, Texas; James Roberts; 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; Benny J. Fortune, in Nursing Home in Corsicana; 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, 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, Sherita Rischer and Vernice Rischer Foster, Lester Keeton, and Sylvester Rischer, Jr.. Departed Souls Persons who died during he period are: Clarence (Bill) Betts, of Dallas, Texas son of Robert Lee and Josephine Coleman Betts died of cancer related problems on Sunday, March 30, 2009; Curtis Robinson, who lived in the Streetman area; Rosie Pearl Johnson died on April 13, 2009. Richard Townsend, Dallas, TX, husband of Pinkie Richard Townsend, died on April 30, 2009. He was the son-in-law of Andrew (Jack) and Gladys Titus Richard. Olga Mae Vaughn Rabon died on Cynthia Roberts, wife of David Earl Roberts, who is the son of Clyde Roberts and grandson of Bailey and Sarah Roberts, died on May 10, 2009. Allynda Christine Ranson Jones, daughter of Roy and Lula Mae Lee Titus Ransom, also died on May 10th. (SEE ATTACHMENT) Pauline English Huckaby died on May 8, 2009 in Arlington, Texas and was buried in Corsicana on May 13, 2009. Walker Newsom, resident of California and formerly of Fairfield, Texas, died suddenly in his home on May, 13, 2009. Something to Consider Copied from a message sent by James Jordan, Jr. via e-mail. "Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take but by the moments that take our breath away," Announcements The Board of Directors and Members Of The A. M. Hunter Titus Charitable Cultural Center Inc. Cordially invites you and yours to attend its formal opening On June 20, 2009, 7:00 P.M. At the Dogan High School Cafeteria, Fairfield, Texas A Donation of $15 .00 per Adult, ($25.00 per couple) and $7.00 per youths is expected. Make your check or money order payable to Titus Center and send it to 946 South Bateman Road Fairfield, Texas 75840 Please respond by June 12, 2009 The new e-mail address of Wilbur T. (Bill) Titus is wilburttitus@windstream.net. Until nest time! Wilbur Thirkield (Bill) Titus