Who could have ever imagined that a boy raised in the heart of New Orleans, and relocated by job profession to the Maryland-Washington, D.C. area would have ended up living in Batesville, MS.

My professional and church-related travels over the last 21 years have been exciting, but to this date the most memorable times I have to share are the three years I have been blessed to live in Batesville, MS.

I came to Batesville in July 2007 and since that time I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with people from all walks of life, from alderman, supervisors, and other elected officials, to children and the tireless workers and volunteers and the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Mississippi.

The citizens of Batesville embraced me and allowed me to share my points-of-view in every arena available to me.

Nearest to my heart are the people of the First United Christian Community Church who have sacrificed so much with me the last three years, and to them I owe a great debt of thanks.

I have accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Muskogee, Okla. and my first intermittent day with them is July 19, after which I will be with them full-time effective August 2.

To all of you in Batesville and Panola County, no matter who you are or where you are today: whatever my interactions may have been with you, be it professional, personal, or spiritual, I am a better person today because of my encounters with you, and the pleasure has truly been mine…THANK YOU!

God bless you and may He forever bless Batesville and Panola County.

Marlon J. Coleman