Black History Highlight:
We would like to take time out to honor our former pastors. They set the spiritual tone and level of achievement over the years. We are thankful to have had such wonderful leaders...
Rev. William Toler
Rev. Sandy Wade
Rev. R.H. Harris
Rev. J.H. Lyons
Rev. Daniel Smith
Rev. H.D. Eaton
Rev. J.W. Date
Rev. J.E. Thorpe
Rev. S.P. Biggers
Rev. Johnny Leake
Rev. C.H. Cobb
Rev. Jesse Timberlake
Rev. Marvin Jones, Sr. (Current)
“For they came not to be served, but to serve."
Rev. Mildred Chambers
We would like to recognize Rev. Chambers, associate minister at CGMBC. Rev. Chambers was the 1st female moderator of the East Cedar Grove Missionary Association. She was a member of the Pastor’s Program Committee, the Senior Missionary Department and was also active in the Person County Missionary Union where she served as President.
Black History Highlight - Church Involvement:
Black History Highlight - Black Educators:
Sis. Patricia A. Hatchett
We would like to recognize Patricia A. Hatchett. Patricia was the 1st African American Director of Student Success Center at Piedmont Community College and is the 2nd African American to hold the position of Director of Admissions and Retention.
Sis. Judy Bradsher
We would like to recognize Judy Bradsher. Judy was named the 1st African American Dean of Technical and Occupational Programs on the Person County Campus of Piedmont Community College in 2010. She is also the 1st African American Director of Career and Technical Education for Person County Schools.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
We would like to recognize some of the black educators both past and present of CGMBC:
LaVon Clayton
Pastor Marvin Jones, Sr.
Cierra Thorpe
Patricia A Hatchett
Judy Bradsher
LaQuetta Allen
Shanita Graves
Evangelist Wanda Thorpe
Priscilla Ramsey
Rev. Mildred Chambers
Saundra Wilkerson
Linda Wright
Patricia T. Hatchett
Ophelia Walker
Merriell Jay
Minnie Jay
Christie Johnson
Mac Clayton
...and many others
There are numerous areas in the education field. Administrative staff, teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, child nutrition, school maintenance, substitutes, etc. Every person plays a role in shaping the minds of our youth.
Thank you for ALL that you’ve done and continue to do!
🏫👨🏾🏫👩🏾🏫📚
Deaconess Saundra C. Wilkerson
We would like to recognize Saundra C. Wilkerson. Saundra is the 1st female President of the District IV Congress of Christian Education of the ECGMBA.
Sis. Magdalene Ragland
We would like to recognize Magdalene Ragland. She was the 1st visually impaired African American to receive an Associate Degree in Social Services from Piedmont Community College. She also delivered the commencement address at PCC’s 22nd commencement ceremony. 🎓👩🏾🎓
Black History Highlight - Aviation:
Bro. Reginald Thomas
We would like to recognize Reginald Thomas. He is a Certified Flight Instructor at Elizabeth City State University. He became the 1st Flight Instructor that ECSU has produced from their own flight program in which he was a recent graduate of in 2014. As a CFI, his job is to safely train aspiring professional student pilots to achieve their pilot licenses along with additional ratings to those certificates. He also currently holds an Advanced Ground Instructor Certificate and a Commercial Pilot License with an Instrument Rating. Reginald is working to hopefully become an Airline Transport Pilot for the airlines within the next 2 years.
“To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.” ✈️👨🏽✈️
Black History Highlight - Government & Services:
We would like to recognize 3 men:
Deacon Donnell Clayton
Deacon David Ramsey
Trustee Robert Bumpass
The late Donnell Clayton (pictured left) was the 1st African American police officer, Lieutenant and Captain of the Roxboro Police Department. He helped pave the way and open doors for other men such as David Ramsey (pictured top right) and Robert Bumpass (pictured bottom right). Robert was the 1st African American Chief Deputy for the Person County Sheriff Department and was the 2nd African American to run for the office of sheriff.
Thank you for all you’ve done. Thank you for your service to your community. 👮🏾♀️ 🚔🚨
Lieutenant Colonel Demetrius D. Parrott
We would like to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Demetrius Parrott. He was named Commander of the Virginia National Guard’s Petersburg 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional U.S. Virginia Army National Guard Support Group in June 2018.
“Not all hero’s have a name of the back of a jersey. Some have an American flag on the arm of their uniform.”
Thank you for your service to our country. 🇺🇸
Sis. Claudette T. Johnson
We would like to recognize Sis. Claudette Johnson. Claudette is the 1st African American Supervisor of the Roxboro Post Office. Previously, she was the 1st African American Postmaster at the Roxboro Post Office. 🚐 ✉️📬
Black History Highlight - Entertaiment & Sports:
Bro. Jim Thorpe
Bro. George Washington Carver Thorpe
We would like to recognize siblings Jim Thorpe and the late George Washington Carver Thorpe (Chuck).
Jim Thorpe (top left), African American golfer turned pro in 1972. Jim won several tours including a major win over Jack Nicklaus by three strokes at the Greater Milwaukee Open in 1985. According to pgatour.com he has over 100 top 10 finishes.
George Washington Carver Thorpe (top right), African American golfer, played in over 61 events. According to African American Digest, Chuck was known to be a great shot maker and a long hitter.
“Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character” - Arnold Palmer ⛳️
Deacon David Ramsey
Sis Lessie Hughes
We would like to recognize siblings David Ramsey and Lessie Hughes.
Deacon J. David Ramsey (pictured left), was the 1st African American Sunday morning gospel radio host and announcer for WRXO. You can still listen to the morning show every Sunday starting at 6:00am.
Sis. Lessie Hughes (pictured right), owned and operated her own radio station in South Boston, VA.
“Sometimes all you need is a long drive alone and a good radio station.” 📻 🎶🎙