Honoree Stories - James Rynold Amos
(December 21, 2024)
In Tibbee's winds, the Honda would roar,
Freedom's song, dreams to explore.
Rick James riffs and Georgio Brutini style,
You walked with grace, your dreams compiled.
Jackson State, the journey began,
A determined young man.
Through screens aglow, you shaped the code,
Carving paths where dreams flowed.
Bicycles with steering wheels unique,
In Tibbee, your genius would speak.
A hustler's grind, a spirit so bright,
Faith and family your guiding light.
First cousins tight, like a groove so smooth,
The beat of our bond made the world move.
Laughter and loyalty, thick as thieves,
Sharing dreams, our spirits weaved.
You fought cancer with courage strong,
A battle fierce, though not for long.
How lucky are we, spared the grief
Of burying friends lost to violence's thief.
You left not by fault, no action of your own,
But through a disease that claimed your home.
Yet your legacy calls for us to aspire,
To lift our hearts and stoke the fire.
With faith and fortitude, we'll carry the flame,
Honoring your life, advancing your name.
Now in heaven, your smile will gleam,
With Martha, Lucinda, and Adam in a heavenly team.
You loved your Aunt Carrie and Aunt Rose to death,
Their love a comfort till your final breath.
The Amos-Wicks AI Research Scholarship Fund lights the way,
Building bridges for minds to sway.
To find answers in the silent hum,
To chase the light where hope comes from.
And with S.H.U.C.K. C.A.N.C.E.R., we'll fight on,
Your strength a rhythm, your light a song.
May healing come for the loves of your life,
Nia, Jamar, and Jakory, bright.
Your children's hearts wrapped in memory,
Guided by your spirit in all they see.
For you were a son of the soil, strong and wise,
A star that rose to claim the skies.
Rest now, dear James, with dreams well done,
Your life's melody, a rising sun.
– Tribute to James Rynold Amos
Honoree Stories - Lucille Kilgore
Lucille Kilgore was born on January 26, 1947, and passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Lucille lived in Leesville, Louisiana, but moved in with her daughter in Texas during her illness. Funeral services were held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, with Reverend Joseph Garner officiating. Services were under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville. Visitation was held Monday, April 11, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville. Visitation was also held from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the Carter's Mortuary in West Point, Mississippi. Graveside services were held at 3:00 p.m. at the Tibbee Community Cemetery in Tibbee, Mississippi. This manuscript is written in honor of her loving memory and her valiant battle against cancer until her untimely battle ended in 2011.
Poem
God saw Lucille getting tired.
When a cure was not to be.
So, HE wrapped HIS arms around her,
And whispered, "Come to me".
You didn't deserve what you went through.
So, HE gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
HE took one of the best.
And when I see her sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.
– Bryanna Lonsdale, edited by Corky Wicks
Tribute
The guardian angel, the Go-Giver (Burg, 2012), and an amazing woman. Aunt Lucille was all those things. As a child, I remember the few weeks in the summer that I could get to Leesville, Louisiana. My aunt would take me and her next-door neighbor's kid to Six Flags and spend several hours playing with us in the yard. Surprisingly, I do not remember a single trip to the mall, although my Aunt Cille was a legendary shopper. Aunt Cille never met a shopping center that she did not like.
If giving is the key to success, then Aunt Cille was one of the most successful people I know. She freely gave of her time and resources, and her infectiously warm smile most certainly brought everyone around her joy through her infectiously warm smile. To say she had a sunny disposition is an understatement.
Teaching was undoubtedly her God-given gift. Her chosen profession provided her with a perfect platform to serve and give of her time and talents. I challenge each of you to live on in her spirit and find a way to give your gifts and talents. Our guardian angel has set the bar high as chief go-giver and an amazing woman.
Thank you so much for taking the time today to say goodbye to Aunt Cille. She was an amazing woman, a real go-getter, and now our guardian angel.
Honoree Story - Lucinda Amos
Tribute to Lucinda Amos
Lucinda Amos, a pillar of education and community leadership, devoted her life to nurturing those around her. Her unwavering dedication to learning and her commitment to uplifting her community left an indelible mark on countless lives.
As an educator, Lucinda instilled a love for knowledge and discovery in her students, empowering them to chase their dreams and embrace their potential. Beyond the classroom, she championed initiatives to strengthen her community, providing mentorship and advocating for opportunities that could pave the way for others to succeed.
Lucinda's resilience, compassion, and vision for a brighter future were matched only by her humility and grace. She believed in the power of giving back and lived by the principle that every individual can create change.
Her legacy continues through the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund, which honors her memory by fostering innovation and ethical leadership in the next generation of STEM scholars. Her values live on by empowering students to pursue groundbreaking research in Artificial Intelligence, cancer diagnosis, and chronic disease management.
Lucinda Amos was more than an educator; she was a beacon of hope, an advocate for justice, and a cherished community member. We celebrate her life and honor her contributions, ensuring her spirit inspires future generations to dream, learn, and achieve.