By Delanda S. Johnson/Special to HCN
On Sunday, July 22; the Antioch/Steen Cemetery Association celebrated its Annual Homecoming service with Rev. Zackary Jackson, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church hosting the event.
Bro. Homer R. Trimble has been on the Board since 1974 and currently services as President. The Association Officers consist of Bro. Robert Reed (Vice President), Sis. Janet Jackson (Finance Secretary), Sis. Edna Tarver (Recording Secretary), Sis. Ollie Smith (Treasurer), Sis. Annette Jackson (Asst. Finance Secretary), Bro. Derryl Jackson (Asst. Treasurer), Sis. Ann Barker (Director), and Bro. Brady Dockery, Jr. (Director).
“Both Antioch (which has a Historical Marker) and Steen Cemeteries are well kept; it is one of the nicest cemeteries in the community. We as Board of Directors do our best to make sure that when you need a place for your loved ones or visit your loved ones; everything is neat and clean. However, we ask your help (the community) to join the Antioch/Steen Cemetery Association, because the one thing we all know is that we did not come to stay on this earth; everyone passes away. This is a burden that your family member doesn’t need when they are grieving. Single membership is $15 per year and you must be in good standings for three consecutive years to be considered a fully vested member with membership privileges. If you are not a member for three years, the amount of a non-member grave space is $600, but will increase to $700.00 effective September 1, 2018 and a current one time payment of $400.00 which will increase to $500 in September 1st; will be full lifetime coverage,” said Bro. Trimble.
The speaker for the evening was Rev. Keith Ray, Pastor of Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church in Malakoff. Rev. Ray who is a native of Ft. Worth, Texas graduated from O. D. Wyatt High School with honors and attended Texas A&M University in Commerce earning a degree in Communications. He is currently a student at BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas.
In May of 1990, Rev. Ray accepted the call to the gospel ministry. In 2002, he was ordained an Elder by Bishop McKinley Young. In 2016, Bishop Vashti McKenzie appointed Rev. Ray as Pastor of Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church in Malakoff and in 2018, he founded Napoleon Ministries, an outreach that encourages Christian discipleship through healing, prayer, and spiritual renewal.
Rev. Ray’s theme for the program “Life From Dead Places” coming from Genesis 49:29-33; John 19:38-42; spoke of how he sees the Antioch/Steen Cemetery Association as a group of people who work hard to bring the community together and to say that our of DEATH has come LIFE. Rev. Ray expressed that he wished that there was an organization like this one in the Metoplex area, an organization where families truly cared about where their loved ones are being buried.
“I know that for this organization it must have been a long hard road; because for most of us; we have family members where we don’t even know where they are buried. This organization has lasted for many, many, many, years on faith and the strength of its forefather; when they were considered as nothing. But today, we have members of this organization who are outstanding leaders in the community who are making sure that loved ones Rest In Peace,” said Rev. Ray.
Rev. Ray spoke on how Jacob who lived to be 147 wanted to be buried in his native land Canaan. He also noted that Jesus; who had no where to lay His head; was buried in a borrow tomb.
“We are all born into this world and we all are going to die, but you must know where you will be spending eternity. Today, we are concerned with the world’s social problems; the Right To Life for some is at the top of the list. We have a Right To Live; We have a Right To Abundant Life; We have a Right To Whole Life, just as much as you have a Right To Die; you have a Right To Live, and what is the best way to live that life than to Live For The LORD. When we spoke of Pro Life, that means to me my right to not drive while black, it means being against police brutality; it means to have self-worth,. I have a right to LIVE and to be loved by God who loves me, who cares for me, who is willing to take care of me. I have a right to have a life that is acceptable and pleasing to GOD. I have a right to turn my life over to God, to be forgiven for my sins, and to have Eternal Life,” said Rev. Ray.
Rev. Ray said, “I want to praise and give thanks to you the Antioch/Steen Cemetery Association for having the foresight, courage, endurance, and faith in God for keeping this organization going. Your faithfulness in making sure that people have somewhere to place their loved ones and for keeping the hopes and ideas of your forefathers. We are only here for a little while; for our earthly bodies to have somewhere to rest; until that joyous day when our souls will rise to see JESUS. We all want to hear Him say, “Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant.”