Seated, l-r: Bearneas Lanier, Grady McCray, Thelma Byrd. Standing: Juneteenth Committee member Rashida Taylor; JA McPherson, Melvin Johnson, Almeeter Peoples, Raymond Gibson, CW Mainer and Juneteenth Committee member Chyrileen Kilcrease.

Seated, l-r: Bearneas Lanier, Grady McCray, Thelma Byrd. Standing: Juneteenth Committee member Rashida Taylor; JA McPherson, Melvin Johnson, Almeeter Peoples, Raymond Gibson, CW Mainer and Juneteenth Committee member Chyrileen Kilcrease.

The 2025 Juneteenth Day Parade Grand Marshal — Rosa Deloach — was formally recognized during a Juneteenth Honors luncheon held at the Georgia Grown Innovation Center on Thursday, May 1st.

The event was standing room only as friends, family and members of the community came to honor the grand marshal, the 12 honorees for 2025 celebration and the retired educators who were recognized.

Juneteenth Committee members Rashida Taylor and Chyrileen Kilcrease presented the program, which included a greeting by Mayor Ed Boyd and Superintendent Dr. Bubba Longgrear.

Metter High/Metter College & Career Academy Principal Ellis Strobridge was recognized and thanked for his service to the Candler County School System. Strobridge, who will serve as principal of Vidalia High School next fall, expressed that he will also be a Tiger and will always support the Tigers — except when they are playing against Vidalia.

The retired educators who were present were then recognized with rounds of applause and presented certificates of appreciation before Shanta Ellis entertained the audience with her rendition of “Lift Every Voice.”

Rosa Deloach Juneteenth Day Parade Grand Marshal

Rosa Deloach Juneteenth Day Parade Grand Marshal

Ralph Carlyle, retired Candler County educator and current pastor of Mizpah Baptist Church, spoke on Matthew 16, when Jesus asked Peter who He was.

Speaking of Christ as the foundation of the church, Carlyle said, “Today, we are honoring folks who are the foundation of this community. We honor you for your faith, your fight and your fortitude.”

Following Carlyle’s keynote speech, the 2025 parade grand marshal was named: Rosa Deloach. Deloach, who retired from teaching after 35 years, is married and has four sons and six grandchildren.

Following lunch, courtesy of Food Lion of Metter and A Touch of Class Catering, the Juneteenth Honorees were recognized, beginning with Thelma Byrd, the oldest attendee present, who received a hand-crocheted afghan, crafted by 14-year-old Jaxson Douglas. The afghan was presented by Jaxson’s father, Jason Douglas, on his behalf.

Plaques were presented to the following honorees:

•Beatrice Byrd, a retired domestic engineer;

•Elizabeth Robinson Davis, who retired as a cook from Candler County Hospital and is a member of Thankful Missionary Baptist Church and Queen of the Queen of Victory Association;

•Carey Edwards; Edward Ellis who retired from Metter Nursing Home and is a member of Steep Hill Missionary Baptist Church;

•Raymond Gibson, who is a member and deacon of Sams Creek Missionary Baptist Church and has 14 siblings, two daughters and six granddaughters;

•Mattie Lou Harper a retired domestic engineer and member of Mercer

Grove Missionary Baptist Church;

•Melvin Johnson, an Army veteran with 20 years of service, one in combat, a licensed mortician and a member of St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church;

•Bearneas Lanier, a retired domestic engineer and member of Thankful Missionary Baptist Church;

•CW Mainer who worked at Excelsior EMC before moving to New Jersey and then retired from Ford Motor in Atlanta;

•Grady McCray, a master mason who taught brick masonry and is now chariman of the deacon board of Mt. Pisgah and serves on the board of directors of Excelsior EMC;

•JA McPherson, an Army veteran who lived and worked in New Jersey and later returned to Metter;

• Almeeter Peoples, a retired domestic engineer and member of Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church.

The Juneteenth Parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, and will be followed by an evening of festivities in the downtown park.