Vernell Hannah Strong, 81, of Amarillo died Friday, Dec. 28, 2007.

Services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday January 8, 2008 in Emmanuel Church of God in Christ with Superintendent Elisha Demerson, pastor, officiating. Burial in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St.

Vernell H. Strong was born Aug. 9, 1927, in Crockett to the late P.H. Strong and Finney Franklin. She was a beautician for many years. She was an Eastern Star and a member of the Emmanuel COGIC. She was a loving and caring person.

Survivors include a grandson, Anthony Bo Hannah of Los Angeles; a granddaughter, Kim Hannah of Amarillo; a great-grandson; three great-great nieces; four great-great nephews; a host of other nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

This is a great video.

Corine Jones, 72, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 31, 2007.

Services were at 10 a.m. Saturday January 5, 2008  in Greater Love Temple, 811 S. Tennessee St., with J.G. Riles, pastor, officiating. Burial in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St.

Mrs. Corine Jones was born in Aliceville, Ala., to Fayette and Mamie Edwards. She married Webster Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 1948. The family moved to Amarillo in the 1950s, stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base. Corine was an exceptional homemaker, meticulous in all that she did. She was sophisticated, graceful and set a classic example of what a true lady should be. It was with that same sophisticated grace that she raised her five daughters.

Although she worked outside the home from time to time, she relished the time she spent with her family. She took great pride in her home and garden. She loved to travel and she loved to shop. Often she could be spotted out walking at Medical Center Park, a place where she found great comfort and solace.

Corine was a member of Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church, however, she attended both North Amarillo Church of Christ and Greater Love Temple with her daughters.

The family would like to give their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Greater Love Temple, their many friends and co-workers for the unending love and support shown to each of them throughout this time.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993.

Survivors include five adoring daughters, Mary Crawford and husband Eddie of Tuscaloosa, Freda Powell and husband Dennis, Sandra Centell and husband William and Patricia Jones, all of Amarillo, and Janet Johnson and husband Erric of Plano; two sisters, Katie Martin of Tuscaloosa and Mary Alice Prim of Brewton, Ala.; seven grandchildren, Eddie, Patrice, Ta Naesha, Jay, Errica, Brandy and Sean; and three great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to Olivia’s Angels, BSA Hospice, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.

LaMarcus Frazier-Harper, 12, of Amarillo died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007.

Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday January 5, 2008 in Greater Love Temple, 811 S. Tennessee St., with Jackie Riles, pastor, and Superintendent Elisha Demerson officiating, and Elder John Bowser assisting. Burial in Llano Cemetery by Warford-Walker Mortuary, 509 N. Hughes St.

LaMarcus was born Oct. 13, 1995, to LaRita Frazier and DeWayne Harper in Amarillo. He attended Hamlet Elementary and Johnny Allen Middle School. He enjoyed writing poems, drawing and, most of all, being a big brother to his siblings. He also enjoyed spending “quality time” with his Grandma and Papa. He was a young man with many friends of all ages. His role model was his cousin, “BoBo,” Tieren.

His favorite scripture was Psalms 91.

Survivors he leaves to cherish his memory include his mother, LaRita Frazier; his father, DeWayne Harper; his stepfather, David Forkpa; a sister, LaMeika Frazier; his maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Rita Frazier of Amarillo; his paternal grandparents, Cynthia Harper of Amarillo and Jewel Harper of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; a sister, Tieria Harper of Amarillo; and four brothers, Zebronte, Marquon, Maysa and Taylor Harper, all of Amarillo; and many other relatives and friends.

Electability
by L. Arthalia Cravin

I am very familiar with the word, “electabilty.” I heard it repeatedly when I ran for mayor of a small East Texas town several years ago. Oddly, the word “electabilty” was tossed at me by both white—and black citizens. “Electability” will be heard a lot between now and November regardless of who is nominated for president—from either major party.

On the Democratic side, the two candidates who will hear the term “electability” the most will be Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The reason is obvious—gender and race. On the Republican side Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney will have to face the “electability” music over religion and personal “baggage” issues. Between and among these divergent concerns over “electability” are two crucial words—“mainstream Americans.”

Who are these “mainstream American” folks and how will their concerns for “electability” dictate who gets elected?

When I ran for mayor I was repeatedly told that I was indeed the most qualified candidate. Before I was given this “acknowledge of worthiness,” for the first time in the history of the town’s local politics, a public debate was scheduled at a local church. After the public debate was suggested, I recall one phone call in particular from a local black magistrate who told me not to participate in the debate because it was a “set-up.” He went on to explain that even though I had forced the incumbent into a run-off election, that the debate was already rigged because the incumbent had already been given the topics questions in advance so that he could prepare. I thanked the official for his input and agreed to a public debate. Still there were many who surmised that out of fear that I would be a “no show.” I decided to humor these folks by waiting until the very last second to make my entrance into the church and to take my seat on the podium—then I quietly said to myself—“let’s get in on.” Read more »

About the Columnist:

Wilson Kates Jr - Born February 22nd 1959 in Lamesa, Texas.

Attended High school at Palo Duro High School.

Went to College in Houston at Texas Southern University. Proud Member of Alpha Phi Alpha of South Texas. Freelance Journalist for The Houston Post Newspaper from 1989-1994. Stories on great African Americans such as Kwesi Mfume, Louis Farrakahn as well as Nelson Mandella after his release from prison. The late great Phyllis Hyman last seen on stage at Texas Southern U .1979 Texas Junior College Soloist for the University of Texas Systems Choir at Victoria Texas. An avid Opera fan with my favorite being Maria Callus ‘La mamma Morta’ (from Andrea Chenier) Family roots from South Carolina to De Berry Texas. Great Grandson Of Jake Russell who moved from Carolina stopping on the border of Texas and Lousiana, just in time for Juneteenth.

3 Brothers and 4 Sisters throughout the united States. Currently residing in Amarillo, Texas soon to relocate to Miami Florida to pursue a career in writting while we live it.

If you were to die today, what would be your final destination? Heaven or Hell?

Do you know Jesus for yourself?

Amarillo, this is your spot, a place to speak your mind on any subject. Just remember to keep it clean.

G.H.E.T.T.O. - Positive
by Michael Jackson

G.H.E.T.T.O. is an acronym for Get Higher Education To Teach Others – Positive. It is another way for saying, each one teach one, or it takes a village to raise a child. We are better together than we are apart. We need to revisit some of those old morals and values our grandparents of the generation before our parents taught us. We need to grow exponentially to the point that we reach all of our people. We have assets so let’s find out what they are and use them.

What type of parent are you and do you want to be?

This is dedicated solely to the parent. Parents are the stepping stones for laying a good foundation at home for good morals and values. Parents today have a daunting task in managing marriages, careers, and parenthood. Society has taken away that most cherished family time at the evening table as well as in the church. This new age of technology has dealt us an overwhelming blow that we cannot seem to recover from. Our children do not even do homework anymore and parents do not even check to see if they have any. Where do you stand as a parent in relation to these issues? Remember that your parents are smarter today than they were when you were a know it all kid. Remember that your kids think the same of you as you did your parents. They have to realize that you know best just like your parents knew best. The following is a list of actions you must take to ensure that you as parents are being effective parents

1. You must be that rare parent that says values are the only choice in raising your kids.

Ex: Going to church. Setting and eating at the dinner table. Having a list of chores creates a good work ethic. Parents must make sure that homework and leisure time are scheduled into the day because this will help with priorities and choices.

2. Make sure that their culture is a major part of their lives.

Ex: Make sure they know their family tree and know their history. Spend at least 20 minutes a day reading something from their culture.

3. See your child as a warrior in dealing with the ills of society and support them in those struggles.

Ex: Defend or protect them from drugs and gangs

4. You cannot rely on just the school to educate your child. You must believe that your child’s education is the direct responsibility of you the parent and relatives. They must learn about self as well as issues relevant to life so place them in an environment they can learn in.

Ex: Make sure they have homework and e-mail teachers on a regular basis. Make sure they read regularly.

5. Protest when necessary to ensure that your kids receive proper treatment. Educating your children belongs to you not the school. Yet, care about who educates them and where they are educated.

Ex: Remember that there are two sides to a story and that the educator knows what your child needs in order to succeed. Conflicts with a teacher may arise when discipline or grades may not be up to par. As a parent you must be objective because your child is not always right and you have to be able to direct them in the right direction whether if they are in the wrong or the teacher.

6. Carefully guide and counsel them on how to get to and where to go to college.

Ex: Start looking ahead for colleges and examine their graduation plans. Make sure they are prepared for the state assessment. Make sure they take the ACT or SAT to qualify for college. Know what scores they need to have. Know all of the deadlines for registration and for financial aide (FAFSA).

7. Tell them good job and reward them for their hard work, but on the other hand make sure they know the consequences of below average performances.

Ex: Sit down and go over your expectations. Tell them the rewards and punishments. Let them know you will be there for them when they succeed and when they fail.

I believe that parents today are lacking in the area of maturity. This is because our generations as well as our kids’ are teenage parents coming from single parent homes but no excuse. We are basically a soft society. We give lip service and no action to what we say. We do not walk the walk and talk the talk as our parents did. We make excuses when it comes to our mistakes and are quick to blame others when things do not go our way. We need to hold ourselves accountable for what we and our children do. Remember that it all starts with home and that is the first place people will examine is the home. The following is a list of initiatives you as a parent can do daily and monthly to hold your child accountable and to become a better student.

1. Emphasize the importance of education daily.

2. At School

• Never disrespect any adult anywhere at anytime
• Be there on time.
• Do not be tardy to class.
• Turn in all assigned work.
• Study 12 hrs a week.
• Dress appropriately.
• Read 30 minutes a day on your culture or something that will inspire them to think.

3. Go to Church – Increase your faith and your families.

4. Family – Let them know the expectations of your family and make time together.

5. Watch their circle of friends, know who their talking to on the Phone and on the internet for ex. Myspace.com

6. Support them in extracurricular activities and encourage them to join.

7. Know their teachers, be at meetings, check their grades, know the dates of certain events, and get all schedules. Pick them up on time and do not let them just hang around the school. Know their principals and know their counselors. Ask about their day everyday and what they learned.

Yet, aside from these initiatives you must be ready to modify and adjust like a good teacher would. Every situation cannot be handled the same but if you have a foundation to work from then you’ll be better prepared to handle whatever comes your way. Do not try to keep up with the Jones’, your kids must realize that they are different from everybody else. You have to have an agenda and that agenda must be within what you want for your child. This is not a perfect method but it is a working formula for success. I believe it is common sense and not complicated. What are complicated are the games that children will play when they pit you against the system or parent against parent. Be ready.

Copyright © 2008 - by Michael Jackson. All rights reserved. No part of this commentary may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

Why Did I Invite You To My Life Last Night?
by Wilson Kates Jr.

Why did I invite you to my Life last night? Was it just to show you how much I’m suffering in pain and strife? Why did I even open my door? Was it to welcome another day after you used me and showed you would not want me anymore? Why did I allow you to share my bed? Was I beginning to have thoughts on what it feels like to be amongst the dead? Why did I invite you to my Life last night?

The years have gone by and all I have to show for it - is bottles of medication with dreams and thoughts of what could have been my destination. Why was my nature so high until my physical brain digressed and relapsed into stand-by mode?

I had laid there in exchange of deep emotional moments. I had no conscious of tomorrow. Was I insane? I allowed myself to be free while you were touching and caressing me. Loneliness is such a sad and simple thing. Why did I invite you to my Life after having previously divorced my spiritual spouse? You see, if I were guided by the spirit of my faith I could have controlled all those superstitious thoughts that leaves a trace. I left a trace for a useless culprit to take advantage of my body, my loneliness and my awkward feelings of self-denial in which I was experiencing inside. I should have been true to myself, but instead I chose to eliminate myself. I lived from the feet up and not the head down.

Is it your fault? You used me out of my own ignorance. I know why I invited you to my Life last night! I simply failed to see the light! It’s a light that shines only in dark places. It’s not a little light but it’s a brilliantly shining light!

Now, oh Christ of Nazareth, I ask for forgiveness in the most humble way. Please, oh Christ of Nazareth, don’t let this rule against me on Judgment Day. What’s done is done and time will only flow in one direction.

Life is like this - Any moral effort to do well tends to ignite a “Satanic War” in one’s life. Thanks to God who’s the father of the Christ, the Trinity will always be victorious! Nevertheless, I applaud the spirit of lust and sexual fornication you introduced to the game. I was susceptible to your ploy and now my life will never be the same.

To comment on this article visit the blackamarillo.com MySpace blog http://blog.myspace.com/blackamarillo

© Copyright 2007 - Wilson Kates Jr. All rights Reserved.

No part of this commentary may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.