Shirley Hampton will receive the 2017 Community Service Award on Monday.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt County Branch of the NAACP and the Colquitt County Interdenominational Christian Alliance (CCICA) will kick off the weekend celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at 6 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church. The keynote speaker for the occasion is the Rev. James Eric McBurrows, a native of Moultrie, the son of the late Rev. Sam McBurrows and Carrie Tolbert McBurrows of Doerun.

Rev. McBurrows was an honor graduate of Colquitt County High School where he actively participated in SGA, Debate Team and the basketball team. Since being called to the ministry in 1990 he has served in various capacities in Crisp County and is currently the pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Cordele, Ga.

On Monday, the national holiday, the Women’s Federated Club of Moultrie will honor King’s legacy. The has partnered with Southwest Georgia Bank, who has sponsored this program for the past 29 years. The Women’s Federated Club of Moultrie was organized in 1958 under the leadership of Jestina B. Lewis. The original purpose of the club is to be united in service to lift the standards of the home, family and children in order to make better communities.

The speaker for Monday’s event will be the Rev. Robert L. Lewis, pastor of Williams Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Lewis is new to the Moultrie community. He received his B.A. degree in political science and history from Fort Valley State University, the Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and the Master of Divinity from Interdenominational Theological Seminary. His professional career encompasses work in both the legal field and educational field as an adjunct professor. He has served as pastor of several Christian Methodist Episcopal churches in South Georgia.

Lewis is married to Mary E. Glover Lewis and they are the parents of three adult children.

Each year the clubs present a community service award. The 2017 Community Service Award will go to Shirley Hampton, who the club said is noted for her friendliness, her smile and for going the extra mile to help others.

“She is generous with her time and talent while serving the Moultrie community, her church family at Mother Easter Baptist Church and the Women’s Federated Club of Moultrie,” the club said in a press release. “She has been mentoring, tutoring and advising the Sunset Elementary Growing Girls Club since 2011. In addition to participating in local parades Mrs. Hampton invites speakers to the meetings or special events who have shared information on career goals, understanding personal development and defining character education themes.”

Hampton is married to Roosevelt Hampton. They are the parents of two adult children and grandparents of three. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family while travelling and camping.

To culminate the weekend activities, the NAACP will kick off its annual MLK parade at 2 p.m. Monday; the lineup is at 1:15 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade is “Make A Difference … Leave A Legacy.” Serving as grand marshal will be Minnie Nunn-Mapp, retired teacher, former president of the Colquitt County Branch of the NAACP, life member of the NAACP and an active member of Friendship Baptist Church.

For additional information about the parade please contact Susie Magwood-Thomas at 229-891-3781 or Alma Fleming at 229-890-3803.