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Chattanooga Mourns Community Leader and Elder Mr. Jerome Martin

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January 23, 2025

Chattanooga Mourns Community Leader and Elder Mr. Jerome Martin

The Chattanooga community mourns the loss of Mr. Jerome Martin, a dedicated public servant who spent over three decades enriching the lives of residents through his work with the Community Development Department. He passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 12, in a local hospital.

Mr. Martin, 63, who most recently served as manager at Eastgate Senior Center, was a dedicated advocate for both youth and senior programs during his career with the city.

A Memphis native, Mr. Martin found his calling in community engagement after serving in the military. Upon moving to Chattanooga in 1972, he embarked on a mission to positively impact young lives. His journey with the city began at Shepherd Community Center, where he spent 19 years developing youth programs. He then continued his dedication to youth services for six years at North Chattanooga Community Center before transitioning to senior services.

“His impact on our community and the many lives he influenced will never be forgotten,” representatives from Chattanooga’s Community Development Department said in a statement.

Beyond his professional contributions, Mr. Martin served as an elder at the Holy Temple Church of God In Christ, where he held several leadership positions on various church boards.

Mr. Martin will lie in state on Sunday, Jan. 26, beginning at 9 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home, located at 3417 Wilcox Blvd. The funeral service will be held the same day at 2 p.m. at Holy Temple Church of God In Christ, 2311 Bliss Ave. in Chattanooga.

A burial service with military honors will take place on Monday, Jan. 27, at 12:30 p.m. in Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.

City of Chattanooga and UTC receive$2 million federal grant for CURV initiative

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January 23, 2025

City of Chattanooga and UTC receive$2 million federal grant for CURV initiative

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Criminal Justice is partnering with the City of Chattanooga on the Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence (CURV) initiative, funded by a $1,999,187 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The CURV initiative, led by the city’s Office of Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention, aims to reduce gun violence in high-crime, high-risk neighborhoods through evidence-based, community-focused strategies.

Christopher Sands, executive director of the Office of Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention, and Deborah Maddox, community outreach coordinator for the Mayor’s Office, worked closely with UC Foundation Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Rick Dierenfeldt in securing the grant funding.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but our violence prevention work is showing promising early results, with crime down significantly across Chattanooga and in our key areas of focus,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “UTC’s data-driven research tackling pressing public safety challenges will be invaluable as we implement strategies to continue to reduce violence and improve lives across Chattanooga.”

As the city’s research partner on the initiative, the UTC criminal justice program will be responsible for assessing CURV’s “utility and effectiveness across multiple metrics,” Dierenfeldt explained.

“The research will be conducted through our in-house research center, the Violence Reduction Initiative, and will involve multiple faculty, graduate students and a post-doctoral scholar hired specifically for this project,” Dierenfeldt said. “It is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate our capacity for quality research, inform policy and practice, and stand united with the city of Chattanooga to reduce violence in our community.

“CURV is about creating opportunities and solutions that reduce violence and improve lives.”

Dierenfeldt said the three-year grant will allow UTC researchers to assess the impact of CURV’s strategies and provide data-driven insights to inform future violence prevention efforts.

The CURV initiative will expand structured after-school activities for youth, provide trauma-informed mental health services and offer wraparound support for families in resource-starved neighborhoods. Another essential feature is the use of violence interrupters–community members trained to identify and de-escalate potentially violent situations.

“Violence is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods and among young people who lack access to structured, supervised activities,” Dierenfeldt said. “By addressing these root causes and providing meaningful support, CURV aims to reduce opportunities for victimization and offending.”

JIMI HENDRIX’S NASHVILLE CONNECTION

African American History

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January 23, 2025

Nashville,TN — “Well Jimi always said Nashville’s where he really learned to play guitar,” said Jay McDowell who showed us around a new exhibit at the Musician’s Hall of Fame, dedicated to telling the little-known story of the time Hendrix spent in Music City. “Jimi lived here before the world knew who he was,” said McDowell.

Discharged from the 101st Airborne Division at nearby Fort Campbell, Hendrix and his bass playing army buddy Billy Cox formed the King Kasuals in 1963.

They played the Chitlin Circuit and backed up singers when they came to town. “Whether it was Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, or Sam and Dave, they were the band that knew the hits and could back ‘em up,” said McDowell.

Nashville is where Hendrix first appeared on TV. He can be seen behind Buddy and Stacey on a show called Night Train.

Hendrix often slept with his guitar in Nashville and learned to play behind his back and with his teeth. “There’s a lot of stories about Jimi doing recording sessions here and the producer would just say that’s too far out and would wipe his guitar off the recordings,” said McDowell.

By coloring outside the lines, Hendrix would become the world’s highest paid rock musician by 1969. To this day he is considered the greatest rock guitarist who ever lived. “When you listen to his music, you’re hearing him more so than just a guy playing a guitar,” said McDowell.

Deadline for REAL ID is May 7, 2025

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January 2, 2025

Q: What is REAL ID?

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. These purposes are:

• Accessing certain federal facilities

• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft

• Entering nuclear power plants

Q: When will REAL ID be enforced?

The enforcement date is May 7, 2025.

Know why it’s important to get your REAL ID

Starting in May 2025, all individuals 18 years and older will need a REAL ID to:

Board domestic flights

Access certain federal facilities like military bases and courthouses

Enter nuclear power plants

A REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license that meets specific security standards. Compared to a standard driver’s license, a REAL ID provides enhanced security protections, including more thorough verification of identity documents when applying.

At a minimum, you must provide the following information when applying for a REAL ID:

1. Full legal name

2. Date of birth

3. Social Security number

4. Documents showing two proofs of address at your main residence

5. Lawful status

Make sure you are REAL ID ready by May 2025.

3D-printed guns, like the one allegedly used to kill a health care CEO, are a growing threat in the US and around the world

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December 30, 2024

3D-printed guns, like the one allegedly used to kill a health care CEO, are a growing threat in the US and around the world

by Nir Kshetri, Professor of Management, University of North Carolina – Greensboro

Police investigating the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, have announced that the suspected assailant had used a 3D-printed gun. Several high-profile crimes in recent years have involved this kind of homemade, or partially homemade, weapon.

Often called “ghost guns” because they can be hard to trace, these firearms can be either partially or completely made with components that have been produced in metal or plastic on commercially available 3D printers. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the legality of current federal restrictions on these firearms.

The first known criminal case involving a 3D-printed gun resulted in the arrest of a U.K. man in 2013. But since then, police worldwide have reported finding increasing numbers of these weapons.

My research focuses on the economic and social effects of advanced digital technologies, including 3D printing. I see that the use of 3D-printed guns in criminal and violent activities is likely to continue to increase. And it will likely prove ever harder for governments and police to regulate these firearms.

Surge in arrests and seizures

Arrests and seizures connected to 3D-printed guns are escalating quickly. Between 2017 and 2021, U.S. law enforcement agencies seized and reported nearly 38,000 suspected ghost guns, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In 2021 alone, 19,273 suspected ghost guns were traced, a significant increase from 8,504 in 2020. The number of seized 3D-printed guns in New York state alone surged dramatically, from 100 in 2019 to 637 in 2022.

Arrests linked to 3D-printed guns are also rising. The world recorded 108 arrests in the first half of 2023, compared to 66 arrests in all 2022.

North America leads in 3D-printed gun-related arrests, with 166 cases from 2013 to June 2023. Europe followed with 48 arrests, while Oceania ranked third with 24 arrests.

The U.S. is a particular hot spot, with 36% of total global arrests related to 3D-printed firearms in 2023. But Canada is close behind, with 34%. The U.K. had 10%, and Australia had 8%.

Growing global security threat

Police and media reports indicate that many efforts to acquire or manufacture 3D-printed firearms were connected to plans for violent actions.

These guns have been used by diverse groups including far-right extremists, ethno-separatists, jihadists, left-wing anarchists, organized crime groups in Europe and pro-democracy rebels in Myanmar.

From 2019 to mid-2022, there were at least nine documented cases in Europe and Australia of extremists, terrorists or paramilitary groups either producing or attempting to produce firearms using 3D-printing technology. An analysis of 165 cases of 3D-printed firearms from 2013 to mid-2024 reveals that 15% were linked to terrorism. Far-right groups appear to be the most frequent users among terrorism-related cases.

A widely varied legal landscape

Often, 3D-printed guns are homemade firearms without serial numbers. This lack of identification makes them attractive to criminals because it is harder for law enforcement to link specific guns to particular crimes or suspects. Different countries take very different approaches to regulating these weapons.

Japan enforces stringent laws governing the manufacture, possession and sales of firearms. Its legal system strictly prohibits unauthorized firearm production, including 3D-printed guns. In 2014, a 28-year-old Japanese man was sentenced to two years in prison for producing plastic 3D-printed firearms.

In 2023, Canada effectively banned ghost guns. It is illegal to possess or manufacture them without a license from the government.

In Australia, making a 3D-printed firearm is illegal, and in some states, possessing a digital blueprint to create one is also an offense. In the state of New South Wales, a person convicted of possessing blueprints can face up to 14 years in prison. In Tasmania state, the punishment can be even more severe – up to 21 years in prison.

Across the European Union, making or owning homemade firearms, including 3D-printed ones, is broadly prohibited. However, laws and penalties vary, with some nations criminalizing even the possession of digital files or blueprints related to 3D-printing guns.

In the U.K., where firearms are very restricted, 3D-printed guns have been considered illegal. But in November 2022, the government updated the laws to specifically ban possessing, buying or producing parts for 3D-printed guns. The proposal aims to explicitly ban 3D-printed guns, addressing their unique challenges directly, rather than relying on existing laws designed for traditional firearms. The U.K. National Crime Agency has called for a ban on possessing blueprints as well, and Parliament is currently considering two bills proposing such a ban.

Federal rules in the US

The U.S. Constitution poses some unique challenges to regulating ghost guns, especially for the federal government, but also for states.

For regular firearms – that is, those not produced by 3D printing – U.S. federal law requires that a key component, called the lower receiver, bear a unique serial number. Purchasing a lower receiver requires a federal background check and conducting the transaction through a merchant who holds a Federal Firearms License.

The situation is more complicated when it comes to 3D printing weapons. The First Amendment to the Constitution protects freedom of expression, which includes sharing digital files that could contain firearm designs. And the Second Amendment protects citizens’ right to bear arms.

In the U.S., selling 3D-printed firearms requires a federal license. But producing or owning homemade firearms for personal use is allowed. That includes 3D-printing the lower receiver component, and assembling the rest of the weapon with unregulated parts.

Current federal law, under review by the Supreme Court, also requires 3D-printed guns meet specific guidelines, even if they do not contain any currently regulated firearms components. Under the rule, makers of ghost gun kits must obtain a federal license, conduct background checks, record information about their customers and add serial numbers to their products.

The type of weapon also matters when determining the legality of a 3D-printed firearm. Automatic weapons, or machine guns, can continue to fire ammunition as long as the user holds the trigger down. These weapons have been heavily regulated by federal law for almost 90 years.

Criminals have used 3D printers to produce “Glock switches” or auto-sears, which convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns. That turns those items into machine guns under federal law, making them illegal. Owning this kind of 3D-printed conversion device can lead to a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

In the states

The states can also regulate firearms, and many are trying to get control of 3D-printed guns.

By November 2024, 15 U.S. states had established regulations on ghost guns, though exact requirements vary. The rules typically require a serial number, background checks for firearm component purchases and reporting to authorities that a person is producing 3D-printed guns.

For instance, in New Jersey, a 2019 law mandates that all ghost guns have a serial number and be registered. Under current New York law, possession or distribution of a 3D-printed gun is classified as a misdemeanor. However, a proposed law seeks to elevate the manufacturing of firearms using 3D-printing technology to a felony offense.

As technology advances and rules evolve, criminals who use 3D-printed firearms will continue to pose threats to public safety and security, and governments will continue playing catch-up to effectively regulate these weapons.

GATEWAY TO FREEDOM EXHIBIT

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December 30, 2024

Well, did I answer your question “Deb?”

Commentary

Terry Howard

December 28, 2024

“We write history, not erase history.” President Joe Biden, 12/10/24

“Deb,” the editor of one of several global publications I write for posed the following question to me and her other columnists who write on issues of culture, religion, race and other issues:

What do you consider the most critical issue facing our nation in 2025?

Wow, where do I start?

Well, after mulling through a list of top of mind burning issues for me, I kept circling back to the first on that list that crossed my mind….banning books altogether or, at a minimum, rewriting ugly aspects of African American history — think slavery — in the U.S.

Now in case you didn’t notice — or didn’t care to notice — concerted efforts to ban so-called “controversial” books are spreading like wildfire across the nation. Legislators in several states, among them Florida, Texas, Arkansas and West Virginia, have introduced a flurry of book ban bills in recent years. Plus, PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, documented 5,894 instances of book bans in the U.S. from 2021 -2023 across 41 states. And if Trump’s Project 2025 blueprint has its way, African American and other cultural histories as we’ve come to know them will be wiped out entirely or watered down under the draconian notion of “protecting our kids.” While race remains the primary boogeyman in the book banning feeding frenzy, themes dealing with gender and sexuality are also on the chopping block.

So, c’mon now, what’s really behind this bone-headedly dangerous effort to drop our country closer to the bottom of the most illiterate countries in the world? Well, there’s little doubt that there are people who’re petrified by the “browning,” the “gaying,” the “foreignizing,” and generally the “otherizing” of America, particularly those aspects of history that may cause guilt, shame and hurt.

Now the nutty thing about those behind banning efforts is that in all probability they’ve yet to turn a single page in any of the books they’re itching to ban. They exist in echo chambers and have opted out of any desire to know what they know and suspect they’d be ashamed of. And if we’re honest with ourselves — a tall order for many — and peel back the proverbial onion, we’ll see that the specter of race is primarily behind this trend.

Given our rocky history in this area, race can disembody and make even the most intelligent person ignorant and gullible. One wouldn’t think that we needed a fresh reminder of that truism when a candidate mouths that they (Haitians) “are eating cats and dogs in Springfield,” and folks are conned into believing that lie. So, there you go.

You know, after all these years one would think we’ve progressed, and we have, but today even the most innocuous hint of the word “race” or its scary derivatives “racism” or “racist” can cause people to freeze and retreat to the safety of ignorance, from the opportunity to learn and unlearn.

A confession here. When I gather up my necessities before leaving home, checking off my don’t forget list includes my wallet, car keys, cell phone and, seriously, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Leonard Pitts’ brilliant 2016 book, “Racism in America, Cultural Codes and Color Lines in the 21st Century.” Why? Well, in my opinion, Dr. King’s famous 1963 “I have a dream” speech and Pitts’ 2001 column, “You monster, you beast, you unspeakable bastards,” aimed at those behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks are two of the most powerful pieces in recent history.

In his column, “History Hurts,” written 15 years ago, Pitts started off, “History is not a Hallmark card. Sometimes history breaks your heart. I know that because I have often recounted history in this space, tales of Black men and women bought and sold, cheated and mistreated, maimed and lynched. And whenever I do this, I can be assured of e-mails and calls for chastisement.”

Inarguably, when you write about race in race-obsessed America, backlash, hate and vitriol come with the territory. So, yes, factual history can hurt. And when Mr. Pitts writes that “history is not a Hallmark card,” I’ll amend that by saying that history is not that outworn convenient excuse and escape hatch, “you’re playing the race card.” History is history!

But let’s go deeper. Let’s make it more uncomfortable.

Don’t run, don’t hide, don’t delete.

Silence about a shameful aspect of our history does not make that history go away. It only makes it fester, grow and — quite the opposite — can even stimulate interest by some folks who want to know what’s being hidden from them and why. Folks want to know how banning books makes us smarter. If anyone can produce empirical evidence to support that assertion, I’m willing to rewrite this narrative.

Nikki Giovanni

Okay, attribute it to sheer coincidence, but midway through writing the piece you’re now reading, news broke that renowned African American poet and literary critic Nikki Giovanni, famously known as the “Princess of Black Poetry” and for providing blunt takes on social justice and racism in America, died at age 81. Well before her passing she had a few blunt things to say about book banning.

“I hope that I do write banned books,” wrote Giovanni, “I hope that the people I hate know that I hate them. Because I want the people that I love to know that I love them. Because you can’t have it both ways.” Up until she passed, Giovanni unapologetically wore her “I write banned books” sweatshirt in public.

Now before more Giovanni’s books end up on the banned books list, if they haven’t already, the interested reader may want to purchase copies from her poetry collection, “Black Judgement,” and “Black Feeling Black Talk,” before the Project 2025 psychopaths come gunning for your right to decide what books you and your offspring are permitted to read.

Oh wait, before I go, tell me “Deb,” did I answer your question?

Terry Howard is an award-winning trainer, writer, and storyteller. He is a contributing writer with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, The American Diversity Report, The Douglas County Sentinel, Blackmarket.com, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, and winner of the Georgia Press Award.

Supporting a grieving loved one on holidays and special occasions: Practical tips from a clinical psychologist

Health

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December 28, 2024

Supporting a grieving loved one on holidays and special occasions: Practical tips from a clinical psychologist

by J. Kim Penberthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia

The holiday season, often considered a time of joy and togetherness, can also be one of the most challenging periods for those who are grieving a loss.

Nearly 95% of people who have experienced loss report dealing with at least one symptom of physical or mental distress. Approximately 10% of them develop prolonged grief disorder, a persistent and debilitating form of grief that does not ease with time.

Often, this grief is due to the death of a loved one, but it may also be caused by the loss of a friendship, a divorce or even a job loss.

Grief affects not only mental health but also physical well-being, and it can increase the risk of heart disease, immune dysfunction and even death.

Holidays and special occasions, which often include family gatherings, traditions and reminders of what’s missing, can amplify this pain, leaving those grieving feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

As a clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences working with cancer patients and their families, I see the profound toll grief takes on people. I’ve also experienced grief personally, both when my mother died suddenly at the age of 66 and when my father passed after a long illness at the age of 84.

Those experiences, combined with my research, have driven me to dedicate much of my career to understanding grief and its effects, and to finding effective ways to support those who are struggling with it.

Mourning vs. prolonged grief

Grief is a natural response to loss, encompassing emotional, cognitive, physical and social reactions. Common signs include sadness, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep and physical symptoms like fatigue or aches.

Grief is deeply personal, and while there is no “right” way to grieve, most people move through the process over time, finding a new equilibrium in their lives.

However, some people experience prolonged grief disorder, a condition newly recognized in psychiatry’s gold-standard manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, in 2022.

This condition is characterized by intense yearning, sorrow or preoccupation with the deceased that persists for 12 months or more, significantly impairing daily functioning. People experiencing this disorder often feel disconnected from life and unable to find joy or meaning.

Grief can have a profound effect on the brain.

Unlike nonpathological grief, prolonged grief disorder is associated with chronic activation of the brain’s stress response system, particularly in areas like the amygdala. The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped cluster of neurons in the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions, especially fear, stress and threat-related responses. Prolonged grief disorder is also linked to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

As you support a friend or family member in their grief, it’s important to watch for signs of prolonged grief disorder because it requires targeted interventions. Research, including my ongoing studies on the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of grief, highlights the importance of innovative approaches to help those stuck in the cycle of prolonged grief.

If you suspect someone you love is struggling with prolonged grief, encouraging them to seek help and offering to support them in the process can be life-changing. Resources are available, from grief counseling to support groups. Organizations like the American Grief Foundation and local mental health services can provide further guidance for helping a loved one get the treatment they require.

Caring for our own grief on holidays and special occasions

Research supports several strategies for addressing grief, whether typical or prolonged:

• Express emotions: Suppressing grief can exacerbate mental and physical health issues. Talking with trusted friends, journaling and joining support groups can be therapeutic.

• Engage in rituals: Personal or cultural rituals, like lighting a candle, visiting a grave site or creating a memory book help integrate loss into one’s life.

• Create new traditions as a way to honor your loss: If you’re mourning a death, consider integrating your loved one’s memory into the occasion by preparing their favorite dish, playing their favorite music or hanging an ornament in their honor.

• Seek professional support: Cognitive behavioral therapy or complicated grief therapy can be effective treatments for prolonged grief disorder. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is also emerging as a promising option in clinical research.

Supporting someone as they grieve

For those grieving, holidays and special occasions like a birthday or Mother’s Day can be especially difficult. Here are some practical tips for supporting someone who is grieving during these times:

• Remember that grief is not a problem to be solved, but a process to be supported.

• Be present. A common fear is saying the wrong thing to someone who is grieving. Often, it’s not about saying the “perfect” thing, but simply showing up and listening without judgment.

• Acknowledge the loss. Saying “I’ve been thinking about (their loved one) and how much they meant to you” or “I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about you and the significance of what you’re experiencing right now” can be more comforting than avoiding the subject.

• Offer practical help. Grief can be debilitating and exhausting. Assisting with tasks like cooking, shopping or child care can relieve some of the burden.

• If you don’t know what to say, it’s OK to admit it. A simple “I don’t have the right words, but I’m here for you” can mean a great deal.

• Avoid phrases like “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason.” While the intentions behind them are often good, these platitudes can feel dismissive.

• Focus on empathy and validation. Saying “This must be so hard for you” or “Tell me more about what you’re feeling” opens the door to meaningful conversation and helps make space for the complex emotions that grief brings.

• Respect the boundaries of your loved one who’s grieving. Let them honor their emotions by going at their own pace.

Navigating holidays and special occasions with those who have experienced a loss can be complicated. But your presence and compassion in these moments can support their healing.

How does a child with an incarcerated parent celebrate Christmas?

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December 28, 2024

How does a child with an incarcerated parent celebrate Christmas?

That question may never cross your mind unless you have a family member paying their debt to society away from their families during Christmas. But for the children of these parents, many who are single parents, the reality means separation and possibly little to no gifts at Christmas.

A local ministry works through the generosity of its supporters to bring the joy of Christmas and gifts to children of incarcerated parents in a special way. Each child receives gifts with the names of their own parent listed as the giver to ensure that they are remembered and not abandoned during this time of absence.

Transform Ministries works through their annual Christmas Angel project to collect donations and gifts that are wrapped and presented to children who come to the Abba’s House campus in Hixson where the nonprofit operates for an afternoon of fun and surprises. A party is hosted for children who have one or both parents incarcerated to assist guardians of the children during this separation.

This year, 181 families were served with gifts assembled and assigned to each child that are made possible by the kindness of others along with the terrific volunteers who assisted with the Saturday afternoon program.

The Christmas Angel party included a live Nativity Scene which taught of Jesus’ birth with live animals that would’ve accompanied the Christ Child at the manager, refreshments, and a celebration of community that demonstrates to the children that they are not alone.

Joe Smith, Executive Director of Transform Ministries, spoke with thanks, “We are grateful to all our donors, shoppers, and volunteers who served almost 200 families and became Christmas Angels for others in need. There’s no greater joy than to see the surprise of these children opening gifts from their own parents.”

Each wrapped gift is tagged with the child’s name with a message from their incarcerated parent. “Helping parents in prison provide gifts for their children is one of the most special things we can do for both them and their children,” noted Chandler Ouzts, Operations Director of Transform Ministries. “Several kids exclaimed, ‘Mom or Dad got this for me?!’ Those moments bring the joy of Christ at Christmas.”

Transform Ministries is a multifaceted nonprofit which serves the incarcerated weekly through Transform Prison, mentorship and life-experience approach in the local schools that reveal the consequences of bad decisions through Transform Prevention, and two student programs. Transform InZone is a daily afterschool and summer camp program requiring parental involvement, tutoring, and mentorships for young boys aged 10-14 at risk for failure and destructive behavior. Transform Jabbin’ for Jesus is the second student program which engages young men in the discipline, training, and coaching of amateur boxing. The program has produced three “Silver Gloves State Champions” this year.

Christmas Angels transformed the lives of children and their parents without regard to their station or location in life. It was truly a Merry Christmas for all. For more information about Transform Ministries, visit TransformMinistries.org.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Marie Readus Maples

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December 27, 2024

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Marie Readus Maples

Marie Readus was the first girl born to the union of Felix and Alcinda Tatum Readus. Her brothers were so happy to have a sister, they called her that. She was born and raised in Huntsville, AL. and educated in the public schools. While attending Council Training High School, she met the love of her life, Albert F. Jordan, Sr. To this union, four children were born. Upon moving to Chattanooga with her husband and oldest child, Sephena, she was a homemaker. She furthered her education at Chattanooga State Technical College, earning a degree in Pharmacy Technology and Phlebotomy. She loved her job and coworkers and excelled to win the Honored First Humanitarian Award.

Marie was affectionately called ‘Ree-Ree’ by her grands and great-grands, whom she adored. She truly enjoyed having her family around and insisted on feeding everyone and always offering a place to stay. Her beauty, kindness, love, generosity, strength, helpfulness, Christianity, love for God, and many more lovely things about her will forever be cherished by her loving children, brothers, grands, and family.

Marie departed this life on Sunday, December 1, 2024, in Chattanooga, TN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Maples, Jr.; father, Felix Readus; mother, Alcinda T. Readus; daughter, Sephena A. Jordan; ten brothers; and sister, Elizabeth R. Finney. Marie leaves behind to cherish her memories: her son, Albert F. Jordan, Jr.; two daughters, Myra Jordan Gordon of Chattanooga and Janice Jordan (Jerome) Parham of Sugar Hill, GA.; seven grandchildren, Travis Jermaine (Keyaschei) Reed, Thomas O. Gordon, III, Ralph Jordan, Sephena Jordan, Alcinda Jordan, Jacob Jordan, and Megan Guns; five great-grandchildren, Kalan (Claudia) Reed, Kolbi Reed, Jace Reed, Thomas O. Gordon IV, and Lauren M. Gordon; one great-great-grandchild, Asher Reed; two brothers, Jesse Readus of Pulaski, TN., and Samuel (Vera) Readus of Sherwood, AR.; devoted niece, Vanessa Bullard; sister-in-Christ, Elnora Kirby; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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