Beaumont Enterprise | beaumontenterprise.com | Sunday, December 13,2020 | A15 NOTABLE DEATHS Pride, country music’s first Black star, dies

By Mark Kennedy AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

NEW YORK — Charley Pride, country music’s first Black superstar whose rich baritone on such hits as “Kiss an Angel Good Morn- ing” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86. Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from COVID-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media. “I’m so heartbroken that Associated Press file photo one of my dearest and old- Charley Pride, right, receives his Country Music Hall est friends, Charley Pride, of Fame plaque from Merle Haggard at the Country has passed away. It’s even Music Association Awards show at the Grand Ole worse to know that he Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 4, 2000. passed away from CO- VID-19. What a horrible, Associated Press file photo cords, heard two of his not be taken as a protest,” horrible virus. Charley, we Charley Pride, one of country music’s biggest stars and the first Black member demo tapes and signed he told The Associated will always love you,” Dolly of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died Saturday in Dallas of complications him. Press in 1985. “You can go Parton tweeted. from COVID-19. He was 86. To ensure that Pride was too far in anything — sing- Pride released dozens of judged on his music and not ing, acting, whatever — and albums and sold more than gone to Nashville. “To hear Pride was raised in years, he ended up in Hele- his race, his first few singles become politicized to the 25 million records during a this news tears out a piece Sledge, Mississippi, the son na, Montana, where he were sent to radio stations point you cease to be an en- career that began in the of my heart,” he said in a of a sharecropper. He had worked in a zinc smelting without a publicity photo. tertainer.” mid-1960s. Hits besides statement. seven brothers and three plant by day and played After his identity became In 1994, he wrote his au- “Kiss an Angel Good Morn- Other Black country sisters. country music in night- known, a few country radio tobiography, “Pride: The ing” in 1971 included “Is stars came before Pride, In 2008 while accepting clubs at night. stations refused to play his Charley Pride Story,” in Anybody Goin’ to San An- namely DeFord Bailey, who aLifetime Achievement Pride was part of the Tex- music. which he disclosed he was tone,” “Burgers and Fries,” was an Grand Ole Opry Award as part of the Missis- as Rangers’ ownership For the most part, mildly manic depressive. “Mountain of Love,” and member between 1927 and sippi Governor’s Awards for group for the last 10 years though, Pride said he was He had surgery in 1997 to “Someone Loves You Hon- 1941. But until the early Excellence in the Arts, and the team will fly the well received. Early in his remove a tumor from his ey.” 1990s, when Cleve Francis Pride said he never focused flags at half-staff at Globe career, he would put white right vocal cord. He had three Grammy came along, Pride was the on race. Life Field and Globe Life audiences at ease when he He received the Living Awards, more than 30 No. 1 only Black country singer “My older sister one time Park on Sunday and Mon- joked about his “perma- Legend award from The hits between 1969 and 1984, signed to a major label. In said, ‘Why are you singing day in his memory. nent tan.” Nashville Network/Music won the Country Music As- 1993, he joined the Opry THEIR music?’” Pride said. “The Texas Rangers join “Music is the greatest City News, recognizing 30 sociation’s Top Male Vocal- cast in Nashville. “But we all understand the country music world in communicator on the plan- years of achievement, in ist and Entertainer of the “They used to ask me what the y’all-and-us-syn- mourning the loss of Char- et Earth,” he said in 1992. 1997. Year awards in1972 and was how it feels to be the ‘first drome has been. See, I nev- ley Pride. “Once people heard the sin- “I’d like to be remem- inducted into the Country colored country singer,“’ he er as an individual accepted “While Mr. Pride was a cerity in my voice and bered as a good person who Music Hall of Fame in 2000. told The Dallas Morning that, and I truly believe legendary performer who heard me project and tried to be a good entertain- The Smithsonian in News in 1992. that’s why I am where I am entertained millions of fans watched my delivery, it just er and made people happy, Washington acquired mem- “Then it was ‘first Negro today.” in the United States and dissipated any apprehen- was a good American who orabilia from Pride, includ- country singer;’ then ‘first As a young man before around the world, we will sion or bad feeling they paid his taxes and made a ing a pair of boots and one black country singer.’ Now launching his singing ca- remember him as a true might have had.” good living,” he said in1985. of his guitars, for the the Na- I’m the ‘first African-Amer- reer, he was a pitcher and friend to this franchise,” Throughout his career, “I tried to do my best and tional Museum of African ican country singer.’ That’s outfielder in the Negro the team said in a state- he sang positive songs in- contribute my part.” American History and Cul- about the only thing that’s American League with the ment. stead of sad ones often as- He is survived by his ture. changed. This country is so Memphis Red Sox and in After a tryout with the sociated with country mu- wife, Rozene, whom he Ronnie Milsap called him race-conscious, so ate-up the Pioneer League in Mon- New York Mets, Pride visit- sic. married in 1956; three chil- a“pioneer” and said that with colors and pigments. I tana. ed Nashville and broke into “Music is a beautiful way dren, Kraig, Dion and Ange- without his encourage- call it ‘skin hangups’ — it’s a After playing minor country music when Chet of expressing oneself and I la; and several grandchild- ment, Milsap might never disease.” league baseball a couple of Atkins, head of RCA Re- truly believe music should ren. New Orleans stage, screen actor Carol Sutton dies at 76 By Mark Kennedy “The world may recog- debut in the late 1960s in remake of the series Big Easy” with Dennis AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER nize her from her perfor- Dashiki Project Theatre “Roots,” “Treme,” “True Quaid and Ellen Barkin. mances in movies and on productions, Sutton ap- Detective” and “Lovecraft Ava DuVernay, creator of NEW YORK — Actor Carol TV — whether it’s ‘Treme’ peared in productions such Country.” the OWN series “Queen Sutton, a fixture on stages or ‘Claws,’ or ‘Runaway Ju- as “The Last Madam,” “Na- Her film work includes Sugar,” tweeted: “It was our in her native New Orleans ry’ or ‘Queen Sugar’— but tive Tongues” and “A Raisin roles in such movies as honor to welcome this vet- who built a steady career we will always remember in the Sun.” “Monster’s Ball,” “Ray” and eran actress of stage and on the big and small her commanding stage She moved to television “The Help.” screen to our show as Aunt screens, including roles in presence, her richly por- in 1974 with “The Autobiog- She played a police- Martha in Episode 409, the 1989 comedy “Steel trayed characters, and the raphy of Miss Jane Pittman” woman in “The Pelican ‘Stare at the Same Fires.’ Magnolias” and the TV se- warm heart she shared with Cicely Tyson and had Brief” with Julia Roberts May she rise and rest in ries “Queen Sugar,” has with her fellow cast and roles in “In the Heat of the and Denzel Washington peace and power.” died from complications crew,” Cantrell said in a Night” and the TV movie and a nurse opposite Sally Survivors include a son, Invision file photo from COVID-19, according statement. Sutton died “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” with Field, Dolly Parton and Archie; a daughter, Aunya; Actor Carol Sutton died to New Orleans Mayor La- Thursday at Touro Infirma- Avery Brooks. Her recent Shirley MacLaine in “Steel abrother, Oris Buckner; a Thursday from Toya Cantrell. Sutton was ry. TV credits included Magnolias.” sister, Adrienne Jopes; and complications from 76. After making her acting “Scream Queens,” the 2016 She was a judge in “The five grandchildren. COVID-19. She was 76. CLASSIFIED

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LEGAL NOTICE Instant Impact Educational Services Board of Directors will conduct a virtual Application has been made with Texas Alcoholic public meeting on December 19, 2020 at OTHER NEW Singer XL-580 | Computer embroidery quilting machines, numerous accessories, Beverage Commission for a (BG) Wine and Beer 9:00 am via Zoom. This meeting will pro- 100’s of designs. Paid $3K ea. selling for $900 ea. Contact 760-289-0123 by appt. vide information about a proposed open-- Retailer’s Permit by Charles Brewer dba enrollment public charter school, Instant Charlie’s Bar-B-Que & Catering, located at Impact Global Prep. Participants will be Real Estate For Sale | For Rent | Services 3125 College St., Beaumont, Jefferson, Texas. presented an innovative learning model and asked to assist in the school design. Officers of said corporation Charles Brewer as owner. If approved, the school would educate stu- dents in prekindergarten through eighth grade and classes would begin in August 2022. Members of the school board in- clude Valerie Griffin, Brian Bean, Tamia McAfee, Lula Henry, Ronnie Turner, Debra A notice pursuant to Sections 312.2041 REQUEST FOR BIDS Reed and Robert Cheatum. To join the and 312.207, Texas Tax Code, as amend- Notice to bidders meeting please go to ed, regarding a public hearing to be con- City of Jasper, Texas https://zoom.us/join and enter Meeting ducted by the Beaumont City Council for ID# 601-311-1423. a tax abatement agreement with appli- Sealed bids will be received by the City of SOUTHEAST Accepting Applications | SENIOR Citizens 62 & up or handicapped. Now available cant, Suez WTS USA, Inc. was originally Jasper, at the Office of the City Secretary Low income, Efficiency, 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments. Apply at 3030 French Rd. posted at Beaumont City Hall and in the located at 465 South Main, Jasper, Texas Call: (409) 892-0196 Raintree Tower Apts Equal Housing Opportunity Sunday, November 22, 2020 edition of until 2:00 P.M. on January 6, 2021 for the Beaumont Enterprise. The public (five) crew work trucks. hearing and the City Council’s anticipated SOUTHEAST NEAR Lamar | Hacienda Apt. consideration for approval of a resolution Bids will be opened and read aloud on for a tax abatement agreement with Suez January 6, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. 1 bedroom start.... $575. WTS USA, Inc. is currently scheduled for 2 bedroom start.... $700. the City Council meeting to be held on Copies of the specifications and other Call 409-832-0034. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 1:30 proposed documents are on file, open to p.m./ IF for any reason that Tuesday, the public inspection and available for SOUTHEAST PLYMOUTH Village Apartments | 5080 Helbig Rd. 409-892-2532 December 22nd City Council meeting is procurement by potential bidders at the cancelled, THEN: Pursuant to Sections office of the City Secretary, Karen 3 - Bedroom Now Available. Accepting applications for 1, 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom Apts. 312.2041 and 312.207, Texas Tax Code, Pumphrey (409) 384-4651. All Bills Paid. Section 8, Mon.- Fri. 9am- 2:30pm. as amended, the Beaumont City Council The City of Jasper reserved the right to Equal Housing Opportunity Agency will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, reject any or all bids and to waive January 12th, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. for a tax informalities. abatement agreement with applicant, Su- Autos & More Vehicles | Boats | Motorcycles | RVs | Misc. ez WTS USA, Inc. The notice of this meet- Bids must be submitted in a sealed enve- ing is being duly posted as an agenda lope labeled and delivered no later than item for the City Council on that date, and 2:00 P.M. on January 6, 2021. The sealed it is anticipated that the City Council will envelope should state as follows: consider for approval a resolution for a tax abatement agreement with Suez WTS “Vehicle Bid for the City of Jasper” USA, Inc./ Suez WTS USA, Inc., owner, City of Jasper proposes a modernization and expansion 465 South Main WANTED CLEAN RV or Class C Motor Home | Pay Cash. Can be expensive. 409-781-1630 of the Suez WTS CMS Beaumont facility Jasper, Texas 75951 with an estimated cost of $40,000,000. The proposed project is to be located within the boundaries of the Suez WTS To advertise in the USA, Inc. Project Clear Reinvestment Zone, designated by the City Council on | October 20, 2020, and located on approx. BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE PET CLASSIFIEDS 30 acres off U.S. Highway 90 near Main Ln, west of the Beaumont Municipal Air- Call 409-838-2888 for more info. port.