By JOEL McNEECE
Vencie Varnado spoke of opportunity, mentoring and the lessons of his life growing up in Calhoun County during his address at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet last Saturday night in Pittsboro.

Varnado, who was born and raised in Big Creek the son of Katherine Varnado and Vencil McCaster, said he remembers the day Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis.
“I didn’t know the significance of Dr. King’s assassination at the time,” Varnado said. “But I knew from the reaction of my family that it was major. I had never seen my grandfather upset before that day.”
Varnado graduated from Calhoun City High School in 1982 and credited much of his success to people like Aubrey Enochs who helped show him opportunities that existed.
“My success is due to a lot of people sitting in this room tonight,” Varnado said.
He said he was in the first class that participated in Head Start in Calhoun County – a government funded program designed to help bring underprivileged children up to grade level by the start of school.
He recalled the station wagon coming around to pick him and many of his friends like Charles Bobo up to carry them to Head Start.
Varnado entered the Army shortly after graduation from Calhoun City and recently retired after a near 29-year career.
“I took advantage of opportunities the Army provided me to further my education,” Varnado said.
He challenged those in attendance to help young people see the opportunities in front of them.
“Mr. Enochs told me when somebody presents you with an opportunity, you have to grasp it,” Varnado said. “It’s not taking a handout. It’s taking advantage of an opportunity.”
Varnado earned bachelor’s and masters degrees and currently teaches JROTC in the Memphis City Schools.
He encouraged adults and children in the audience to be an example to others in everything you do.
“Be mindful of your actions,” Varnado said. “Someone is always watching you.”
Tony Herrod, pastor at Greater Pleasant Grove MB Church in Gore Springs served as program emcee.
Program highlights included the singing of “Precious Lord” by Delores Williams – one of the honorees. Williams first sang the song when it was requested by Dr. King when he was speaking at an event at Bell Flower MB Church in Grenada in 1966.
Honorees included Helen Stovall Spencer, Delores Kay Hardiman Williams, Dudley R. Davis, Jr., “Little” James Edward Gates, Jr., Julius Frank Goodman, and Archie Douglas Goodman.