Griffin Speaks
A TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANNA MAE NIX
On
Saturday, November 27th, 2004 I had the honor of bringing
greetings at a dinner in honor of Mrs. Annie Mae Nix. I told the 75 guests
how I met the honoree’s son Echol 16 years ago. I also shared with the
guests my sincere opinion that Echol Nix Jr. is probably the next Martin
Luther King Jr. I will have to write about Echol in a future article. Among
the guest that night were Dr. Johnnie Carr; Dr. and Mrs. C.C. Baker; Dr.
John H. Winston; Dr. Dorothy James; the Moore Family (Montevallo, Alabama)
etc. The beautiful event was held at the Capital City Club in
Montgomery, Alabama. Debra and I enjoyed the celebration.
In
1994, Mrs. Nix was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma
cells. Today she is alive and well. She is a ten-year cancer survivor.
Multiple myeloma affects more African-Americans than any other ethnic
groups.
Governor
Bob Riley, Mayor Bobby Bright, Julian & Leslie McPhillips, Dr. David G.
Morrison and Cindy McKenzie sent letters of recognition. Ms. Patricia
Williams delivered the “Thought for
the Day”.
Dr.
Harold H. Oliver, Professor Emeritus Boston University delivered a reading
from the Hebrew Bible. Ms. Quesha Starks, Principal Booker T. Washington
Magnet High School sang “Amazing
Grace”. Rev. Willie R. Rogers, Chaplain, Morehouse College delivered
the invocation.
Guests
were served a wonderful dinner. The Rev. Johnny Carter, Pastor Saint Paul
Baptist Church delivered a reading from the New Testament. Two of the
honoree’s children, Earnest Nix and Keturah Nix read the “Mrs. Annie
Nix’s Story”. Several distinguished guests who included Dr. John H.
Winston delivered expressions. Mrs. Annie Mae Nix and The Rev. Dr. Echol
Nix, Sr. gave remarks. The Rev. Dr. Frank R. Johnson, Pastor Hall Street
Baptist Church, delivered a prayer for continued health and Blessings. Guest
were asked to walk outside to the terrace where a Balloon Salute was given
in honor of cancer survivors. The Rev. Ben Matthews, Jr. Beulah Baptist
Church read a passage from (The Psalms).
It was an event to be remembered!
Greg
Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by
visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com
