Some may still remember the TV series Touched by an Angel that aired many years ago and featured Della Reese along with a male angel whose name escapes me at the time. I seldom had time then to watch much television but I have since become a firm believer in earth angels among us.
Those of us who were among the near 400 in attendance at the Roanoke Branch NAACP’s 18th Annual Citizen of the Year Awards banquet last Friday may well be among those who have seen a few of them, as earth angels don’t have wings as fictional angels are portrayed. Nevertheless, I believe that all in attendance will agree that this banquet must surely have been the crowning touch of any prior to it.
Unique to this year’s event were unscheduled opening recognitions welcoming in newly elected Mayor Sherman Lea and heart-felt loving expressions of farewell to and from 2-term, twice Mayor David Bowers, who was always at the right place at the right time to say just the right thing for each unique occasion. Special recognition was also extended to first ever (female) Vice Mayor Anita Price!
Expressions of congratulation and praise were also extended to recently retired Police Chief Chris Perkins who made historic strides in cleaning up crime and removing repeat offenders throughout the city while offering admirable alternative programs for first offenders during his brief 3-year term. All of this was unplanned preliminary. Are you beginning to get the picture of what led to the 4-hour event? But no one was counting as it was all impromptu history in the making–and all literally occurring around and through (earth angel) Brenda Hale.
Perfectly emceeing the entire evening of events was the beautiful and talented Kianna Price Wade who, along with Crystal Ramsey, rendered the most beautiful rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” that I’ve ever heard, prior to entering the evening’s dinner portion. Adding to her many pluses is the fact that Kianna is the daughter of Charles and Vice Mayor Anita Price.
I’m not too sure that there may even have been in the house other earth angels among the honorees or otherwise, as they come in different stages and rank-–all unsuspected and undetected. Of this year’s honorees two in particular stand paramount. Neither time nor space would allow for more.
I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Atty. Ed Walker over the years through his pro-bono legal work for others and his insatiable desire to unite people across all divides. The latter has manifested itself in the annual City Works (X)-Po that has done just that throughout the city and nation!
The second honoree, Rev. Alonzo Smith, is a newcomer to the area who hit the dirt running upon being assigned to pastor Price Memorial AMEZ Church in Roanoke in the summer of 2012. He immediately aligned himself with the NAACP, currently serves on its executive Board and has since been visibly part of its stances and priorities. He also serves as chaplain at Lewis-Gale Hospital and as an African-American Studies teacher at William Fleming HS.
Had there been an award for best acceptance speech it would surely have been awarded to Fletcher Nichols who, along with his wife, Synthia, received dual awards for their lifetime work in music, motivational speaking and her work as Psychologist with Roanoke City Public Schools.
This Valley has truly been touched by more than its fare share of Earth Angels–of which the queen must unquestionably be universal Goodwill Ambassador Pearl FU!
