MOULTRIE — The 48th anniversary of the Vera Hollis Blackshear Educational Fund, Inc. (VHBEF) and the 46th VHB Day Observance celebrations will be virtual at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, through the Mother Easter Baptist Church website (MotherEasterChurch.org) and other online platforms.

The Rev. Freddie L. Castle is the pastor and Rev. Emory H. Hopkins (deceased) was the pastor emeritus. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Jeremy G. Rich, pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Thomasville, Ga.

Vera Hollis Blackshear was an honor graduate of Moultrie High School, a teacher, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and was pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the time of her death. She was the youngest sister of Ozie Belle “Jackie” Jackson Adams and Mary Nell Hollis Glenn.

Adams started the VHBEF, Inc. to honor their sister Vera, and after she began the work, she asked Glenn to assist her.

“Though all three sisters are deceased, by God’s grace and mercy, forty-eight years later, the VHBEF, Inc. continues its mission to provide scholarships to young people to pursue their educational and career goals and more than 120 students have received VHBEF scholarships. Thank you to all for your prayers and contributions,” said Dr. Herschelle Adams Barrios, the only daughter of Herbert Adams Sr. and Ozie Belle “Jackie” Adams.

The 2023 Vera Hollis Blackshear Scholarship recipients are listed below:

John Brown III is a graduate of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Ill., and he was a football player and participated in track and field. John is the son of Mr. John Brown II and Adrian Jelks Brown. He is a member of New Faith Baptist Church and enjoyed helping with chaperoning events for children and assisting with Sunday School camps. John attends Jackson State University, and he wants to be an architect or civil engineer.

Ryan Tuff is a 2023 graduate of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie. Ryan actively sang in choirs at school and participated in theatrical productions. He is a member of Mother Easter Baptist Church where he shares his musical talent singing in choirs and assisted young children with Bible study. Ryan is the son of Glenn Tuff and Rose Tuff. Ryan majors in music at Valdosta State University, and he intends to pursue a musical career as a singer.

Anyone wishing to donate to the scholarship fund can mail donations to: Vera Hollis Blackshear Educational Fund, Inc. or VHBEF, Inc.; P. O. Box 371566; Decatur, Georgia 30037-1566.