HOLT — Thanksgiving décor graced the tables and walls, and words of thanksgiving filled Holt Assembly of God's fellowship hall.
Participants at Thursday's Senior Fellowship Luncheon spoke lovingly of members no longer in their midst. They offered prayers in memory of Mary Brown, Eugene “Wimpy” Burton, Bob Carr, Vernon Jeffries, Donald Russell, Elsie Ward, Hazel Williamson and M.C. Wilson.
See 20 photos from the luncheon>>
Participants come from far and wide for the luncheons, Senior Fellowship Ministry member Brenda Russell said. As snowbirds begin trickling back to the area, some guests come from Illinois and Indiana.
“I see some have brought some Yankee friends,” member Allen Houx said. “That’s all right, we love 'em anyway,” he joked, adding, “In the body of Christ, it doesn’t matter if you’re from the north, south, east or west.”
A long buffet table was packed with holiday food and Southern “church supper” cuisine. Russell said her contribution is by popular demand.
“They get their nose out of shape if I don’t do my barbecue,” she said. “Folks say I should enter the barbecue cook-off, but that’s not what I do it for. If people want it, they have to come to the fellowship lunch.”
Before feasting began, fellowship members passed through the buffet line and loaded plastic foam containers that Holt Volunteer Fire Department members would deliver to shut-ins.
“We’re glad to do it,” fireman Mike Peterson said.
Music before the meal featured The McKissicks gospel trio, including Bob McKissick, his sister, Jane McKissick Fowler, and sister-in-law Nell Wiggins on the piano.
“They came all the way from L.A. to be with us…,” Houx said, explaining that “L.A.” is “lower Alabama."
Participants joined in gospel favorites such as “Somebody Loves Me” and “Child of the King,” before the Rev. Jay Tyler blessed the meal and folks dug in.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Monthly Senior Fellowship Luncheon
WHEN: 11 a.m. every third Thursday except December
WHERE: Fellowship Hall, Holt Assembly of God, 540 Third Ave.
COST: Free
NOTES: Luncheons include food, prepared by members of the Senior Fellowship Ministry, and a guest speaker or program
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holt seniors give thanks, reflect on the past (PHOTOS, VIDEO)