By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
You can bring in only so many chairs from the fellowship hall. You can have only so much space for folks to sit and stand. When you’re full to capacity and then some, you know it’s a special occasion. That was the case Sunday afternoon, April 24, as folks gathered at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Monroe Tucker Jr. and Sister Nora Tucker, who have served Mt. Olive for 38 years.
The program read like a Who’s Who of fellow pastors, associations, and honored guests who honored the Tuckers as mentors, friends, and servants of Christ.
Among the speakers and program participants were Pastor Wayne Ellis, presiding pastor; Sis. JoAnn Jefferson, who presented the Welcome and Occasion on behalf of the church; Pastor Donzell Young, New Generation Missionary Baptist Church; Pastor Malachi Jones, Eastern Shore Progressive District Association; Pastor Robert Alexander, National Baptist Convention of America; The Reverend E. O. Jackson, New Era Progressive Missionary Baptist Evangelical Youth; Sis. Rosalind Hinds, the Tuckers’ daughter; Sis. Angelica Hines, the Tuckers’ granddaughter; the Mt. Olive Choir; and guest choirs.
The Rev. Sam Tolbert, President of the National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc., surprised everyone with a visit and well wishes for the Tuckers.
The guest speaker for the service was the Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Woods Sr., Pastor, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Birmingham.
Following the service, dinner was served in the fellowship hall.
Among Rev. Tucker’s many achievements and accolades, it should be noted he ordained the following ministers: Rev. Charles Johnson, Rev. Allen Johnson, Rev. Brian Johnson, the late Rev. Nick Hazley, Rev. Michael Jackson. Rev. Donzell Young, Rev. Jacob Archie, and Rev. Gordon Brooks Sr.