Orange salutes African American leaders

Dave Rogers

For The Record

Orange Mayor Larry Spears, Jr., recognized Black History Month by calling a roll of past and present African-American leaders in his community.

"We want to recognize African-American history month. To reflect on the past because we did not get here on our own. Somebody blazed the trail for us," Spears said.

At the city’s only meeting during the month of February, on Tuesday, Feb. 26, he saluted:

James Zay, Tessie Smith, Johnny Riggs, Essie Bellfield, Gladys and Johnny Turner, Theresa and Richard Taylor, Herman Lewis, Emma Wallace, Rev. Clarence Breaux, Shirley Jenkins, Roy Jenkins, Sr., Velma Jeter, Elzie Odom, and Daniel Champine.

Also James Curtis, Caldonia McNealy, Amelia Feathers, Beverly Richard Robinson, Willie Lowe, Eric Mitchell, Russell Bottley, Pastor George H. Brown, Freddie Champine, Katie Sparrow, Pastor George H. Brown, Freddie Champine, Katie Sparrow, Pastor Clarence Brow, Dylinda and James Mayfield, Isaac Hunter, Postmaster Roy Jenkins, Rev. Calvin Jones, Postmaster Emanuel Johnson, Alfred Sparrow, Joe Ware, Odessa Jackson, Charlie Brown, Solomon Johnson, Daniel Ware and Franklin Gans.

Also, James Zay Roberts, Bennie Smith, Bonnie Bourgeois, Deborah Mitchell, Ernie Ladd, Horace Broussard, Dexter Gaddis, Doug Briggs, Willie Ray Smith, Curtis Ross, Hughie Allen, Cullen Smith, Larnell “Chop” Thomas, LeRoy Breedlove, Kelly Price, Dorothy Brandon, Whitney Nelson, Andrew Hayes, Marvin J. Hill, Sarah Jefferson, Theresa Taylor, Chris Arnold, Howard DeVault, Elester “Pokie” Williams, Miller Jack, Andre Robertson, Roderick Robertson, Henry Lowe, Earl Thomas, Earl Thomas III, Mr. George Woodrow, Herman Guillory, Bo Robertson, Kevin Smith.