The Bulletin Board: Local educator honored at 90th birthday celebration

By Sheralyn Brinson
Special to the Herald

It was a Happy 90th Birthday Celebration Service for Mrs. Annie Mae Stokes O’Neille at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Sanford, Rev. Octavious Smith, Pastor, on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 6 p.m.  The theme of the celebration service was Mrs. O’Neille’s life story.  
The program began with a congregational song, “Every Praise is to Our God”, led by Minister Vincent Smith; prayer by Pastor Paul P. Wright of Calvary Temple of Praise; Jillian Allen read the Scripture. The occasion and words of welcome were given by the honoree’s daughter, Beverly Washington.
“Annie O’Neille’s Life Story According to the Gospel of Acts”, was told by her daughter, Debra, as follows. Annie was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stokes. At an early age, she became a seamstress making rag dolls and using quilt scraps to make clothes for her dolls. Also at an early age, she developed a great fear of death; she began to pray the Lord’s Prayer on a daily basis.  
There was a night when her mother went to a revival; Annie was unable to attend and she wept bitterly. She began praying that night and the next day she attended noon-day revival at New Mount Calvary M.B. Church. She was touched by the Lord and decided to make Jesus her choice. Since that day, she has been working for the Lord in many ways.
After graduating from Crooms Academy she did not immediately go to college. After a few years and her brother’s military service was over, he offered to help her finish her education. During the interim period of time, Annie worked in the lunchroom at the Little Red School. After the passing of her mother, she began her first year of college.
She graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (now FAMU) in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education.  She began her teaching career in Oviedo.
Continuing her work for the Master, in 1964 she began working with the Senior Missionary Society on the A.M.E. Church Conference level. It was in that same year she began working with the youth at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church where she is a member.  
She answered the call and after days of training, the Senior Missionary Society appointed her Youth Director. The group became known as the YPD’ers; she has worked with them for 41 years. She has worked on the Conference level of the Senior Missionary Society for 52 years; she remains faithful, not wavering in her faith or conviction; she attends all conference-level meetings.
After she retired, she became a substitute teacher as well as a volunteer at Goldsboro Elementary School. She developed a tutorial program for the school which became the model for Seminole County; she also led the tutorial program at her church.
Her service to children, education, her church and the community has won her many awards and she is always careful to give the glory to God.
Songs that were so befitting for her life story were sung at various intervals as the story was told, i.e., “Love Lifted Me”, “Worth”, “Through It All”, “Lord I Thank You”, and “If He Never Does Anything Else for Me, He’s Done Enough”.  She was presented with many expressions of love and a very special greeting card from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She expressed her thanks to God for all that He has done in her life. She thanked everyone for coming and showering her with so much love and encouraged everyone to always keep going and never give up.  
Her children, Tom, Beverly, Debra and Cheryl, and other family members, church members and friends were in attendance. With Mrs. O’Neille, we all know there are more “acts” to follow in her story – acts of love and kindness to all.

• Tour Spain in 2017. International Traveler Gladys Green is coordinating an educational tour of Spain March 18-25, 2017 for adults and high school students. Yes, students are invited to take this trip (accredited for high school students).
The “weShare” online platform, which taps into each student’s interests for a more engaging learning experience, will be available for the students. Tour sites are Madrid, Cordoba and Seville, three distinct cities that reveal the many sides of Spain. Madrid is the country’s regal capital; in Cordoba, history and architecture have been shaped by many influences, Moorish, Roman, Jewish and Christian; and Seville, the cultural center of Spain’s Andalusia region, home to flamenco shows, bullfights and the original Don Juan.  
Trip amenities include a full-time tour director; sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; walking tours; round-trip flights on major carriers; hotel accommodations, European breakfast and dinner daily, and more. For detailed information and costs, call Gladys Green, Travel Coordinator, 407-314-5500.

• Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 1701 S. Bell Ave. in Sanford, will close out their 32nd Church Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, May 15 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.   Everyone is invited to come and share in these services.  Rev. Otis C. Raines, Pastor.

• The Florida State Association of Elks will hold their 91st State Convention at the Lake Mary Marriott, May 13-18, 2016, hosted by Celery City Lodge #542 and Evergreen Temple #321 of Sanford.  
On Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m., there will be a parade in downtown Sanford, starting at the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, 400 E. First St. The public is invited to come out and enjoy the parade. Special guests will be the Bahamas Junkanoo Entertainers. William L. Sands, State President; Lou Alyce Dean, Daughter State President; Roosevelt Cummings, Exalted Ruler, Celery City Lodge #542; Anne L. Newell, Daughter Ruler, Evergreen Temple #321.

• New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 618 E. 10th St., Sanford (in “historic Georgetown") will celebrate their 84th Church Anniversary on Sunday, May 29 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
"Rooted in the Past, Growing Towards Our Future", is the theme to show how far the church has come and where it is headed.  Scripture Reference, Psalm 100:5 "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."  
The New Bethel family is enjoying growth that has led to the expansion of the church including the Education Wing (separate classrooms for Sunday School and youth night), the Pastor’s Office and the Media Center. Victor Dargan, Associate Pastor will deliver the message at 11 a.m. Pastor Victor Blair and Fountainhead M.B. Church of Oviedo, will be the special guests at 4 p.m.  
The New Bethel Church family invites everyone to celebrate this milestone anniversary with them. "Let's Pack the Pews".  Church Anniversary coordination by the New Bethel Mass Choir.  Rev. William F. Lewis, Senior Pastor.

• Crooms Awards Night.  On Thursday, April 28, 2016, Crooms Academy of Information Technology presented awards and scholarships to high school seniors during their Annual Academy Awards Ceremony.  
Ms. Shelia Dixon, Scholarship Award Chairperson for the Northern Region Advisory Council of the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. (ALPI), presented a $500 Scholarship Award to Faith Nathan. This is the first scholarship presented by the Northern Region Advisory Council. Faith met all of the requirements for the scholarship including the writing of an essay, entitled, “I am NOT my Disability”.
Faith has overcome many challenges and struggles but is determined not to let obstacles stop her from achieving her goals. She is very active in mentoring students at the performing arts center and peers in her church; she is very faithful in helping others throughout the Sanford community in spite of her circumstances.
ALPI’s Northern Region Advisory Council offers support services and training to families experiencing barriers in meeting socio-economic needs. They partner and collaborate with the community in helping families and their dependents become self-sufficient. Many applications for this award were received and the committee hopes to be able to award more scholarships to deserving young students next year.
The Council is looking for persons interested in volunteering with their organization in Seminole, Orange, Lake, Volusia and Brevard Counties.  
For more information, call the ALPI Office, 800-330-3491, and ask for Joy.  Delores Johnson, ALPI CEO; William Holt, ALPI Board Chairperson; Elizabeth Young, Council Director; and Donald Tillman, Northern Region Advisory Council Chairperson.

Sheralyn Brinson can be reached at SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com.