By JOEL McNEECE
Six Calhoun Countians were honored at the annual MLK Banquet Saturday in Pittsboro hosted by the Loggins Scholarship Committee.

"Tonight, we honor six people who have inspired us and who offer help to all," said Kegan Coleman during his welcoming address. "They live the principle – 'The value of a servant cannot be measured, only treasured.'"

Helen Stovall Spencer, of Bentley, was educated in Calhoun County and attended Wood Junior College. She completed the School of Pharmacy Technology Program at Ashworth University in Norcross, Georgia.
She has worked at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Houston for 19 years.
Spencer has been married to Jessie Spencer of Woodland for 38 years. They have four children – Kerry (Cynthia) of Houston, Corey of Calhoun City, Brandon of San Antonio, and the late Jessie Lacey. They have two grandchildren – Jasmine and La'Darrius Spencer.
Spencer has always been active with helping the less fortunate in her community. She has been a driving force behind many programs that assist those in need. Her actions have directly aided people involved in accidents, cancer patients, people who have lost their home to fire, and many others in need of assistance.
She is an active member of the NAACP and Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Calhoun City.

Delores Kay Hardiman Williams has been a singer and musician since the age of three.
On Aug. 18, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Bell Flower M.B. Church in Grenada to deliver a civil rights address. Dr. King asked the congregation if there was anyone who could sing "Precious Lord" before he began his remarks.
Williams was called on to sing which she describes as a "great honor and blessing."
Williams is the widow of the late Harl L. Williams. She has seven children, of which one is deceased.
She currently attends Greater Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Grenada. She has served numerous other churches during her life including Greater Powell Chapel AME, Greater Pleasant Grove MB, Little Rock MB, Second New Hope MB, Hurley Chapel MB, and Mount Vernon MB.

Dudley R. Davis, Jr. attended Reid and Bruce elementary schools before graduating from Bruce High School in 1956.
After earning his Bachelor's at Ole Miss, Davis taught school in Georgia for eight years before returning to Oxford to earn his Masters in speech and drama.
He later taught at Northwest Community College and was appointed to its Board of Trustees, where he served as director for 21 years.
Davis has served on numerous boards and committees including BancorpSouth for 25 years, Soil and Water Conservation Commission for 30 years, Mental Health Advisory Committee, President of Poplar Springs Cemetery Association, and the Child Development Council.
His love for nature led him to work and study natural art. He has traveled extensively through North and Central America studying art.

The late "Little" James Edward Gates, Jr. was the third of nine children born to James Gates, Sr. and Fannie Stephen Gates of Bruce.
Except for the time of his military service, Gates was a lifelong residence of Calhoun County from his birth in 1922 to his death in 2004.
Upon graduation from Mays Chapel Church School, James entered the U.S. Army. He worked as a telephone/telegraph lineman and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He returned to Calhoun County to work on his farm and drive a school bus for the Calhoun County School District for more than 20 years.
His working career concluded as a flagman with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
James was known as a political activist and "staunch supporter" of the Democratic Party. He was a friend and advisor to numerous local and state politicians, including Gov. Ray Mabus.
James political philosophy was, "you vote Democrat, or you don't vote."
His niece Debra Petty, of Bruce, accepted his honor on his behalf.

The late Julius Frank Goodman was born Sept. 9, 1916 in Macon. She attended grammar school in Itta Bena and graduated from Greenwood (Stone Street) High School. She earned her Bachelor's from Jackson State University.
Her first teaching job was in Leflore County, but came to Calhoun in 1946 where she taught in Bruce and Calhoun City until her retirement.
Goodman believed "education never ends" and continued her education at both Ole Miss and Mississippi State University throughout her career.
She was a member of the Mississippi Association of Educators and the NAACP.
She and her husband, the late Archie Goodman, of Carrollton, had five children – Artrie L. Caston, Albert Goodman, Eddie Goodman, Cathy Goodman, and the late Paul Goodman.
She served her church, Bruce Chapel CME, diligently as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Stewardess, Church Secretary, president and vice president of the Missionary Society, and vice president of the East Mississippi Missionary Annual Conference.
Her daughter Cathy accepted her honor on her behalf.

The late Archie Douglas “A.D.” Goodman was the youngest of five children of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes Goodman, Sr. He was born July 17, 1916 in Carroll County. He confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined the church at Webb.
After moving to Bruce in 1946, he joined Jackson Chapel MB and was chosen Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and served on Trustee Board.
In 1970, the church became without a building and he negotiated a plan with Security Saving Loan Association for building a church that was accepted by the board in 1971. He served as Building Treasurer. Through his interest in the Mount Moriah Association, he was chosen executive secretary and worked diligently with the association.
He began his education at Moss Springs in Carroll County. He later graduated high school in Greenwood.
He earned his Bachelor's from Jackson State University and did graduate work at Ole Miss.
From 1939-46 he taught and coached basketball at Money Vocational School in Money, Miss.
He was named principal of Bruce Colored School in 1946 where he also taught and coached basketball. He was instrumental in establishing a county high school for blacks. In 1952, he succeeded holding the first high school graduating exercises. He completed his teaching career at Calhoun City High School.
Goodman organized the first Little League baseball club and Boy Scout troop for blacks in Calhoun County.
He also served on the Three Rivers Planning and Development Council, Health and Planning Council of Mississippi, Mississippi State Library Association, Bruce Library Association, Association of Retired Teachers, and St. Luke Lodge (32 Degree Mason).
His son Eddie accepted his honor on his behalf.