(JACKSON, Miss.) – Members of the New Freedom Family Ministries in Oxford, Miss., recently donated $10,250 to the Jackson State University Development Foundation to establish the Charles E. Johnson Memorial Endowed Book Award. The book award honors the late Charles E. Johnson, a longtime educator in north Mississippi. For over 25 years, Johnson taught at Oakland Elementary School and Coffeeville High School, respectively. Johnson also taught General Educational Development (GED) classes until he retired in 1997. It is estimated that the Memphis, Tenn., native touched over 5,000 students’ lives through his gift of teaching.
“Since my husband Charles was an only child, we wanted a large family and were blessed with nine children,” said Regina Trotter Johnson. “He was not only an educator in the classroom, but an educator at home to our children, all of whom attended college and so far five have earned degrees.”
New Freedom Family Ministries member Elder Arthur Benson said the scholarship is being established in Johnson’s name because of his great influence on academia and the world as a whole.
“This scholarship enables Johnson’s legacy to continue through the recipients of this book award,” said Benson, who along with the church family is credited with initiating the scholarship as a tribute to the former deacon.
“We are extremely appreciative of the New Freedom Family Ministries’ support of Jackson State University and the students we serve,” said JSU Development Director Linda J. Daniels. “This book award will enable the university to provide additional financial assistance to students in pursuit of a quality education. Without private support, many students would be denied the Jackson State experience.”
New Freedom Family Ministries began in 2004 with weekly Wednesday night services at the Days Inn in Oxford. The ministry has since relocated to 809 College Hill Road and has about 70 members and many outreach activities.
“We are thankful to all our members who contributed and made pledges to the book award,” said Minister Edwin Smith, pastor of New Freedom Family Ministries. “One hundred percent of the donations will be used to support students attending Jackson State.”
For information about establishing a book award or scholarship in memory of a loved one, please contact Jackson State University Development Director Linda J. Daniels at 601-979-2282 orlinda.j.daniels@jsums.edu.
