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Madelyn Waller of Spartanburg, S.C., granddaughter of local resident Edith Lloyd, was the special speaker. -
Photos by David Brown/dbrown@cherokeescout.com This moving tribute recognizes U.S. military veterans who hail from Texana. -
Farrah Eller of Mount Zion Baptist Church sang two powerful songs that roused the crowd -
Murphy businesswoman Anne Rose presents a check for $500 to Texana Community Club President Eurial Turner on Monday morning.
Texana – After taking two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast returned to a full house Monday morning.
This was the 29th edition of the Prayer Breakfast – which included uplifting songs, speeches and prayers, along with a big country meal – at the Texana Community Center. The family of the late Ellen Jackson, who was called
“a pillar of Texana,” was also recognized by club President Eurial Turner for founding the breakfast, which is one of the most diverse events held in Cherokee County.
Turner also recognized Murphy businesswoman Anne Rose, who donated $500 to the Texana Community Club and challenged others to do the same. Before the meeting ended, another local businesswoman, Katherine Taft, accepted Rose’s challenge and wrote a check on the spot. Dr. Brian Mitchell couldn’t be there, but he sent a check in his place, so it was a good morning for projects the club is working on.
Veleda Jackson was the mistress of ceremonies for the program, which had the theme, “How are the children … now?” Farrah Eller of Mount Zion Baptist Church sang two powerful songs that roused the crowd before hearing from a young special speaker, Madelyn Waller of Spartanburg, S.C., granddaughter of local resident Edith Lloyd.
Waller emphasized King’s three important life lessons for children:
1. “Have a plan.” Create a blueprint for your life that imbeds your own dignity, and believe in your own purpose and integrity.
2. “Commit to that plan.” Once you find your purpose, go after it. Commit to the eternal principles of beauty, love and justice.
3. “Execute the plan to the best of your ability.” Be determined to strive forth and achieve excellent in your life’s plan. Burn the midnight oil and study hard.
“I am that young person who Dr. King was talking to,” Waller added. “But have we taken what he said to heart? Dr. King had a plan for his life. He led a life of significance and wanted that for us.
“In his words, if you can’t be a highway, be a trail. If you can’t be the sun, be a star. Be the best at whatever you are.”
Waller is backing up those lessons through her own education and experience. After being forced to quit her job and move during the pandemic, she is finishing her two-year degree at Guilford Technical Community College, and she also is close to being certified in computer software engineering and java script through Kenzie Academy.
The audience joined hands and together sang “Reach Out and Touch,” an appropriate conclusion to the ceremony.