Ruth Helen Kesiena Okurume (nee) Jones, a 1966 educational psychology / reading specialist graduate of the Teachers College Columbia University, was inducted into the TCCU Golden Alumni Society May 15 during the school’s convocation activities.

TCCU has many career paths, including major ones such as scholars and teachers, authors and writers, entrepreneurs, musicians and artists and counselors and nurses.

Jones, a retired educator, said she has sought to exemplify TCCU’s mission: awareness and participation in research, preparation of public service professionals, and forming public policy to create a smarter, healthier and more equitable and peaceful world – locally, nationally and globally.

Jones is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society of Education; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Leadership Burbank (CA) Class of 2004;  Burbank Human Relations Council; National Women’s History Project Volunteer Coordinator for Mississippi; East Central Mississippi Retired Teachers Association-Committee Chair, Legislative (Education Policy/Issues); Meridian Restoration Foundation; GFWC/Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs (Round Table); SPLC;  NAACP and EJI.  

Video games for Hope Village

Anderson Regional Medical Center and Best Buy partnered to provide video games and accessories for the children of Hope Village.

Hope Village was founded in June 2000 by actress Sela Ward, a Meridian native, with a vision to “lead each child to a place where hope is born.” Each child who comes has been removed from his or her primary caregiver’s custody by the Mississippi Department of Human Services due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Each child who arrives at Hope Village is given appropriate medical, dental, and psychological care for the duration of his or her stay.

Squadrons at NAS deliver gifts

Members of the Training Squadron Nine and Training Squadron Seven Spouses Club at Naval Air Station Meridian delivered Christmas gifts for 31 children from Lauderdale County Child Protective Services.

This is an annual project for the Spouses Club that they have done for many years.

Suzanne Marshall writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to editor@themeridianstar.