I am celebrating my thirty-first anniversary this month of writing the Coal City community news for the St. Clair News-Aegis. I greatly appreciate all of those who have contributed their news items to this column over the years. and I greatly appreciate the editors for their help and encouragement. and last, but certainly not least, I greatly appreciate my family members, Jay Scott and Andrew Scott, who have made sure my column got to the local office in Pell City each week.

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Pell City will have the annual homecoming and ninety-seventh anniversary celebration Sunday, May 15 at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This is always an all-day event. Debra Perry and “Jaiydn’s Call” group from Dahlonega, Georgia will be the guest singers for both the morning and afternoon services.

Dinner will be served at noon. The church will provide the meat, coffee and tableware. Attendees are asked to bring side dishes, desserts and drinks. Attendees will reconvene at 1 p.m. for singing in the afternoon. Mrs. Redena King and Landon King will chair this event. Rev. Dwayne Banks is the church pastor. Everyone is invited.

Our prayers and condolences are with the family of Jacob Dryden, 20, who passed away recently. Jacob was the son of Dawn and Jimbo Williams of Pell City. He was injured in a diving accident almost one year ago. Jacob was a 2020 graduate of Pell City High School.

Congratulations to Krista Lily of Kentucky, who recently was a recipient of her master’s degree in medical mapping from a university in Kentucky. Krista is married to Ray Lily and they have a two-year-old son named Levi. She is the daughter of Cindy Crump Allen and Ken Allen. She is the granddaughter of Ima Jean Crump. Those of us who know Krista are very proud of her.

Readers, when you have news items to share please call me at 205-884-0040. Thank you.