Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host Annual Christmas Dinner

Staff Report

Magnolia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host its Annual Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 6 p.m. The theme for the evening is “Community Matters.” The venue has been changed from the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center to the Engineering Building (also known as the New Armory) on the SAU campus in Magnolia.

Arkansas State Representative David Fielding will serve as the keynote speaker. Fielding is currently serving his fourth term as State Representative for District 5, which includes Columbia, Ouachita, Nevada, and Lafayette counties.

Chris Gilliam of Magnolia and Ora Lee Westbrooks of Camden will be honored for their many contributions to their communities during the event.

Gilliam is the Sports Editor for the Magnolia Banner-News. He has served on the Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club, Planning Commission, Lake Columbia’s RDA, Magnolia School Board, Summit Bank, Magnolia Community Fair Housing Resource Board, Magnolia Rotary Club, Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6170, SAYS Mentoring Program, Magnolia Specialized Services, SAU Board of Trustees, SAU Alumni Board, and the Single-Parent Scholarship Committee. Gilliam is currently serving a five-year term on the state-wide Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, appointed by the governor in 2014. He is also a 13-year veteran of the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department.

Gilliam is a member of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon, youth director, Sunday School Superintendent, and usher. He helped initiate the Annual African-American History Celebration of Youth: Remembering Our Heritage event that is held each year at SAU. Mr. Gilliam also helped organize the Angola State Prison Tour, where 50 teenaged boys are transported to the prison for a tour.

Chris and his wife, Shirley, have three sons – L.C., Nathan and Stephen. Chris is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Ora Lee Westbrooks is a retired educator whose career ended in 1996 with 43 years of teaching students in Union and Ouachita counties. She is an active member of the Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church where Rev. J.H. Hayes is her pastor. She serves as a Sunday School teacher, president of the Cassie Bryant Circle, assistant announcing clerk, member of the Annex Building Committee, financial secretary, member of the Missionary Society and a worker in Church Women United.

Westbrooks is a member and actively involved with Outstanding Women of Distinction of Southern Arkansas, the Camden Historical Commission, Ouachita County Retired Teacher Association and a life member of Arkansas Retired Teacher Association, and the National Education Association.

Mrs. Westbrooks was an inductee in the African-American Historical Commission of Camden Hall of Fame for her historical contributions. She also received their Education Award. Westbrooks was honored at the All School Reunion as an Outstanding Alumni of Lincoln High School. In 2011, she was honored as a living legend by the Outstanding Women of Distinction.

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