• Communicate with your guidance counselors regularly. Tell them your goals and long-term objectives so they can help you make decisions that are in your best interest.

• Participate in extra-curricular activities at your school.

• Do volunteer work. Many high schools require this!

• Most importantly PRAY. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Prov. 3: 5-6)

    Cora Belle Myers, wife of Henderson Myers and daughter-in-law of Arcola "Teck" Myers died on August 25, 2001. Cora Belle was born on February 26, 1953 to Mrs. Ozzie Lee Jackson and the late Benny Jackson in Bronwood, GA. She attended the public schools of Terrell County GA and graduated from Terrell County Middle School in 1971.

Share news about you and your family with our extended family by sending it to 49 Calvert Blvd., Tonawanda, NY 14150, or to fordham@adelphia.net

L’OVERTURE CARTER CONTRIBUTES TO OXFORD SCHOLARSHIP

The Oxford Family Newsletter

www.oxford9.com

"LOOK HOW FAR THE LORD HAS BROUGHT US"

July, 2001 Number 50

    One of the unstated objectives of the Oxford Scholarship competition is to get our young people attuned to following written instructions and submitting written applications that are complete and competitive. During their lifetimes, they will be submitting written applications for most of the things that they go after—employment, educational opportunities, housing, loans, credit cards, etc. Almost every opportunity that our society offers requires a written application. Moreover, almost every opportunity we apply for, someone else also applies. Which means that most applications are competitive. A written application is the first level of contact that we have with most things that we pursue. If that application is poorly written and/or incomplete, it may also be the last contact that we get. We should act on the premise that anything that’s worth applying for is worthy of our best effort, and the application should be taken seriously. And that includes the application for the Oxford Scholarship.

    There are several basic rules that should always be followed in submitting applications: (1) Read the application instructions carefully and follow them; (2) Submit all of the information that is asked for, and put it in the format that the application suggests; and (3) Adhere to all filing deadlines. Submitting properly completed applications seems like a little thing, and such a common sense thing. But, its often the little and common sense things that make the difference between success and failure.

In our household, when we were growing up, our parents taught us a simple rule that has served me well during my lifetime. "In anything that we do, we should try to do it well." We should teach our young people to always be on the look-out for opportunities; and once they identify opportunities that they want to pursue, they should pursue them with their best effort.

M.F.

    This year there were two scholarship awardees. The two awardees for 2001 were Nivea Aisha Fordham and Kelvin D. Hall.

    Nivea Fordham is the daughter of Mancefield Fordham and Elaine Hemmingway-Fordham, and the granddaughter of the late Arie D. Fordham-Jackson. Nivea is a 2001 graduate of Jones High School, Orlando, Florida. She was a member of the renown Jones High School Marching Band, and earned a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 during her high school years. Nivea has played the clarinet since 6^th grade. In the Fall, Nivea will attend Bethune-Cookman College. She plans to play in the college marching band. She says that her goal in life "is to become a pediatric nurse or an OB/GYN and be the best I can be. I am choosing this profession because I feel that I can make a difference in someone’s life."

    Kelvin D. Hall is the son of Gloria Jean Oxford-Hall and the late Johnny Albert Hall. He is the grandson of Ethel Mae and the late John L. "Jaybird" Oxford. Kelvin is a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Parrott, GA, where he served on the Jr. Ushers Board. He is a 2001 graduate of Terrell Middle-High School in Dawson, GA. During his high school years Kelvin was a member of the varsity basketball and football teams. He was nominated "Most Athletic" for the 2000-01 school term. Other honors include, the "Golden Helmet Football Senior Award," "Boys Basketball Best Defensive Senior Player," and the "Defensive Back Football Award." On June 6 Kelvin left to begin training with the U.S. Navy. In the short term he will be stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois.

    Both Nivea and Kelvin will receives a certificate and a $500.00 stipend. We ask the family to remember Nivea and Kelvin in their prayers.

    This is the 12^th year for the Mance & Sarah Oxford Memorial Scholarship Award. We gave our first $500 award in 1990 to Tanya Perry (daughter of Mrs. Vera Fordham Thomas, and granddaughter of the late Arie D. Fordham Jackson). Tanya is currently an elementary school teacher in the Atlanta (GA) Public Schools. Over the years we have given over $15,000 in scholarships. We invite our past recipients to send us information on what they are doing today.

Since the publication of the last newsletter, Charles and Josie Johnson made a contribution of $500 to the Mance and Sarah Oxford Scholarship.

    Our website has been updated and improved. We have made the newsletter easier to read (bigger type and a friendlier format). Check it out (www.oxford9.com). Now you can read, print, or download family newsletters that go back 13 years (all of the issues are there). If you have suggestions for other improvements, contact Pam Fordham, (click on the e-mail button in the WEB site). We are planning to put an obituary folder, and also a folder that highlights personal and family histories that our readers send in—(send yours today) on our WEB site.

    Allen Iverson was voted the Most Valuable Player in the National Basketball Association for 2000-2001. Iverson was also voted the MVP in the 2001 NBA All-star game. Allen is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. He is the son of Ethel Ann Iverson and the grandson of the late Willie Lee Iverson II ("Coot Jr.").

Editor’s Note: Recently we received the following letter and a business flyer regarding the Oxford Group Family Day Care.

    "My name is Shirley L. Oxford-Monrose. I am the daughter of Johnny "Duke" Oxford. Enclosed is a flyer for a business I started in New York, in honor of the "Oxford" family, "The Oxford Group Family Day Care." After more than 14 years as computer programmer in private industry, mainly working in the financial industry, I have finally summoned up the courage to follow a passion and dream of owning my own business. The day care is for a small group of 12–14 children between the ages of 2-6. I also have an after-school program for children ages 6-12.

    I have used this opportunity to help close the "Digital Divide" by exposing these young children to computers. Computer activities are used to reinforce learning experiences and for fun and games. I majored in Early Childhood Education at Queens College in New York, and then attended Bank Street College [graduate school] where I majored in Educational Supervision and Administration and completed 42 credits. In September I will return to Bank Street College to get my degree. Since things have changed, my degree will be an M.S. in Educational Leadership.

Sincerely,

Shirley L. Monrose, President

The Oxford Group Family Day Care"

    This is the 13^th year of publication for The Oxford Family Newsletter. Our first issue was published in the spring of 1988. Since that date we have published from 2 to 5 issues each year. This is issue no. 50, and all of the back issues are on our WEB site (www.oxford9.com). The next generation (and future generations) will be able to read about our reunions, and our stories about our lives and our various achievements, and our editorials on various topics. Send us news about your family so that it will be included in future issues of the newsletter.

    In addition, if you move, or have births or deaths in your family, let us know so that we can update our data base. If you want a copy of the descendants report (family tree) for Mance and Sarah Oxford, let us know and we will send the report to you (no cost). Show your children that they are part of a spiritual and family tradition that is much bigger than themselves. (That conceptual insight may be very helpful to them as they grapple with the difficulties of growing up).

    In an effort to "jumpstart" the family history section of our WEB site, we are asking every family member who is 50 years old or older to write a biographical sketch of themselves and send it to us. Whether you do a one-page bio or a bio of 50 pages, you owe it to your children, grandchildren, and even your ancestors to send in something. You should at least want to tell others how good God has been to you. Your bio can be your personal testimony. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation and stuff like that. Just Do It!! We will type every bio that we receive and place it in the "family histories" section of our WEB site. We will also send each author a copy of their bio so that they can give copies to their family. In addition, we will publish excerpts from bios from time to time in our newsletter. Give me a call if you need help or encouragement (716-691-4257). Call me collect. (Send your biographical sketch to Monroe Fordham, 49 Calvert Blvd., Buffalo NY 14150).

    "Arvelta Leigh Washington and William Wayne Rice, Jr. request the honour of your presence at their marriage on Saturday, the 18th of August 2001 at four o'clock in the afternoon at Countyline Baptist Church , Sasser, Georgia.

    Arvelta is the daughter of Brenda Darnes Washington and the late Rayfield Washington; The granddaughter of Arthur Lee and Mary Ann Oxford Clay; and the great-granddaughter of Jethro "Jess" Oxford.  No formal invitations will be sent out, so all family members are invited to attend.   William is the son of Melinda Bishop and  William Rice, Sr.  The couple will reside in Albany, Georgia.  For further information you can e-mail Arvelta at leigh@nightmail.com or call 229-639-4908.  The couple is registered at JC Penny."

    Several years ago we sent everyone a family tree report of the descendants of Mance and Sarah Oxford. We also created a family tree report of the Bryant Family (the ancestors of James Lloyd, Razzie Smith, and Annie Lee Oxford); and the Moon Family. We would like to update those reports by adding the names of children who have been born during the past five years. If the parents or grandparents of such children would send us the names of the children and their parent’s names, we will update the reports and send out new copies of the reports to everyone. Send the information to: Monroe Fordham, 49 Calvert Blvd., Tonawanda NY 14150.

The Oxford Family Newsletter

www.oxford9.com

"LOOK HOW FAR THE LORD HAS BROUGHT US"

March 2001 Number 49

ANNIE LEE OXFORD

May 20, 1920 – February 20, 2001

    Annie Lee Gammage Oxford was born on May 20, 1920 to James Gammage, Sr., and Everline Smith-Gammage. She received her education in the public schools of Terrell County, Georgia.

Mrs. Oxford joined the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Parrott, Georgia at the early age of nine years old. She served as an usher, secretary and president of the mission until her health began to fail. She was always a loving and faithful worker in the church. Anything she could do to help was done willingly and without any confusion in the Lords house. She loved her pastors and her church family. She loved Sunday School and singing in the choir. She was a devoted member of the mission board. She was also the mother of the church (Macedonia Baptist Church), where most of the members she addressed as her children.

    Annie Lee Gammage and Adolphus Oxford, Sr., were united in holy matrimony on December 26, 1935. To this union eleven children were born. One child, Annie Bell Oxford, preceded her in death (June 16, 1937).

    Mrs. Oxford departed this life on February 20, 2001 at HCA Palmyra Park Medical Centers in Albany, Georgia. She leaves many friends and relatives to mourn her passing. Children; Cessie Reed, Annette Threat, Deacon Otis Oxford, Deacon Adolphus Oxford, Jr.,.Willie Oxford, (all of Dawson, Georgia), Evelyn Anderson (Brockton, Mass.), Josie Bakon (Stoughton, Mass.), Delois Ogbonna (Lanham, Maryland.), Marilyn Elliott (Dorchester, Mass.), and Martha Harden (Newark, N.J.); one brother James Gammage, Jr. (Dawson), one brother-in-law, Johnny L. Oxford (Lexington, NY); one sister-in-law, Essie Bell Leary (Lexington, NY); three very special cousins, Mrs. Dorothy Murrary, Bertha J. Richardson, and Janie Dozier all (Jacksonville, Fla.); twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and nineteen great-great grandchildren.

A Tribute to Mother

Cessie Oxford Reed

Mother taught us many things…

She taught us about respect,

Because she respected herself.

And about support, by the way she’s been there for us.

Through the good times and the bad.

Mother taught us

We gotta be strong when we feel weak

(But that its okay to be tired sometimes)

And she taught us

To always treat other people

The way we want to be treated

Through her teaching, her supporting,

And her comforting,

Our mother made a safety net

Of love for us and we knew that

If ever life knocked us down

We would be caught and protected and

Secured by the strongest of things

Our Mothers Love.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFIGANCE

Monroe Fordham

    In the years following the emancipation of slavery in America, Jubilee type celebrations became annual events in the African American church. In those programs congregations would engage in praise services-- thanking God in songs, prayers, testimonies, and sermons, for bringing the race through the harsh years of slavery to the dawn of freedom. In a sense, Jubilee celebrations provided an opportunity for the black Christian Church to thank God for his goodness and mercies to the race.

Why were our forefathers able to withstand the impact of slavery and segregation? Why were they able to prosper in spite of the fact that they were exploited and denied access to so many opportunities of America? The answers are simple. They had a strong and abiding faith in a principle that is stated in so many places in the Scriptures; "hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts; do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations." (Isaiah 51:7-8)

    The history of Africans in America has been a turbulent and troubled story. It is also a story of struggle and triumph. The African American story is a vindication of the belief that "All things are possible for those who love the Lord." There is a subtle, but powerful, spiritual quality to the study of African American History. The songwriter must have felt that quality as he composed the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee,

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,

True to our God, true to our native land.

The African American story should remind us that God’s word is true!! Like the African American Church of old used Jubilee Celebrations, we should use Black History Month to make that point.

MANCE & SARAH ANN OXFORD

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

    This is to announce that the Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship for 2001is now open for applications. The scholarship awards, in the amount of $500 each will be made in June, 2001 The purpose of the award is to encourage and assist high school graduates who are descendants of Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicant must be a descendant of Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford.

2. Applicant must be a high school senior who plans to attend college or a trade school following high school graduation.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING

(!!!! IMPORTANT, PLEASE DO

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING !!!!)

(Letter of application MUST include the following)

1..Applicant’s name, applicant’s address, phone number, etc.

2. Statement explaining applicant’s relationship to the Oxford clan.

3. Statement explaining applicant’s vocational or professional goals in life, and listing the college or trade school that you plan to attend.

4. A copy of applicant’s high school transcript.

The application deadline is May 1, 2001.

APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE ABOVE WILL BE INELIGIBLE

Send all of the above to:

Mance & Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship

49 Calvert Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY 14150

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

Oxford descendants who have been accepted, or are enrolled, in a graduate school are eligible for a one time graduate student award of $500.

Deadlines for applications are the same as the above. Applicants should submit a copy of their letter of acceptance to graduate school, or a copy of their most recent grades for graduate courses. Applicants should also explain their education goals and list their major course of study.

JESSIE "JAM UP" HILL

July 14, 1909 – November 4, 2000

Jessie Hill was the brother of Rosetta Hill Oxford (widow of the late Otis Oxford). Mr. Hill died November 4, 2000. The Home Going services were held on Nov. 11 at the New Bethel A.M.E. Church, Orlando, Florida., Rev. David Connelly officiated. Interment was at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Orlando, Florida.

Mr. Hill was the retired owner of Hill’s Fish and Poultry Market. He was pre-deceased by a daughter, the late Careather Hill Mahoney. He heaves to mourn a loving and faithful wife Matherlen B. Hill; sister, Rosetta Hill Oxford; grandsons, Jessie A. Hill, and Roosevelt Hill; (all of Orlando, Florida); a brother, Clyde P. Hill, Kissimmee, Florida; granddaughter Barbara Hill Turner, Douglasville, GA, fourteen great-grandchildren, twelve great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law Inez Law (Apopka, FL), and Ruth Smith (Stamford CT), and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

CLYDE PERRY HILL

December 8, 1914 –December 9, 2000

Mr. Hill was the sister of Rosetta Hill Oxford (widow of the late Otis Oxford). Mr. Hill’s brother died a month earlier. The Hills were sons of the late Alex G. and Mary Ray Hill. Mr. Clyde Hill was a resident of Kissimmee, FL. The Home Going services were held at St. James A.M.E. Zion Church on December 16, 2000. Rev. Willie McGee officiated. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Kissimmee FL.

Mr. Hill was a retired landscaper and logger. He leaves to mourn a daughter, Tiawana R.; son, Timothy M.; a sister, Rosetta Oxford; grandchildren Gunnard T., Dennis O., Ciera J., and Brittany S., all of Kissimmee; sister-in-law Matherland Hill; nephews, Lester Reed, Ernest Hill, Lorenzo Oxford, Wallace Brown, Roosevelt Hill, Jessie Allen Hill and George E. Robinson; nieces, Rosemary Oxford-Rucker and Barbara Hill Loveless, and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Tribute to Her Brother

Rosetta Hill Oxford

As I spent these last days with you and watched your life slip away, we were ages apart, but I remember how you and my other brothers helped our mother to take care of me when she became a widow. When I was younger, some of our loved ones have passed away, now the time has come once again. Not only do I bury my brother, but also my best friend. Although I’m a strong Christian soldier and I pray every day, I am really hurting since you went away. I know you’re in a better place and until we meet again, my heart will have an empty space.

SCRIPTURES THAT SUSTAINED OUR FOREFATHERS