Greater Faith Community Church is in the process of building up funds for the Josie Leonard Scholarship. They are making a grand effort to invite the GFCC family and former members who have moved away to join in at a fundraising luncheon Saturday, October 15, 2016.
The theme to this year is “The Past, Present, and Future of the Josie Leonard Scholarship.” The luncheon menu is a Mexican enchilada plate. Please contact Carol Nicholas 325-643-1955 for tickets, which are $8 each. For those who cannot attend but would like to support the scholarship, donations are graciously accepted.
Bishop A.C. Blake and wife Mary Blake established this scholarship in the early 90s to honor Josie Mae Leonard. She was a true blessing to Bishop and Mary Blake, the church, and her family. Josie Leonard worked at the South Park Development Center for 21 years and was chosen the employee of the month every month of the 21 years she was there. Josie Leonard had a great sense of humor, loved people, and invited many to eat a great meal at her table. She was raised in a great family and was a burning light in the church, helping everywhere she could.The scholarship is set up for Greater Faith Community Church members only and several young people received the Josie Leonard Scholarship since the time it was established. This scholarship helps graduating high school seniors with expenses such as books, supplies, or tuition in their first semester in college.
One of the past Josie Mae Leonard Scholarship recipients is La Tonia Gray-Dennis (pictured above), who is also the guest speaker for the luncheon.
La Tonia is the daughter of Lisa Gray-Piper and Tyrone Daniels, and was also raised by her step-father the late Randy Berniard. She received her primary and secondary education through the Brownwood Independent School District, graduating in 2004. La Tonia then continued her educational studies at Texas A&M University of Commerce, transferring after the first semester to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in science with an emphasis in mathematics education in December of 2009 from Baylor University. After completing her education, she moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 2010, she began her teaching career with Duncanville Independent School District at J. H. Reed Middle School, where she taught 7th and 8th grade math, as well as algebra. La Tonia has served as the mathematics department chair, data coordinator lead for her school and mentored newer teachers on her campus. In May of 2015, LaTonia earned her master’s degree in Education Administration from Lamar University. For the 2015 – 2016 school year, she was awarded Campus Teacher of the Year. In the summer of 2016, LaTonia began a new position in the educational field as a teacher specialist, where she works with teachers on their instructional practices. LaTonia is married to Colwin Dennis of Houston, Texas and together they have 3 children, Devionte (11), Ania (7), and Braylon (4 months old).
In addition to the speaker, the luncheon will celebrate Greater Faith military veterans and active duty military as well.
Scholarship luncheon organizer Carol Nicholas recently visited the Brownwood City Council meeting and invited city leaders and police officers to come to the luncheon, to meet the GFCC members, children and youth. She stated that the church wished to extend a hand of friendship, inviting them to come and enjoy this pleasant event.
Present Pastor Charles Lowe and wife Aleta, of Greater Faith Community Church, along with present members continue to support this scholarship. It is a legacy that honors Josie Leonard’s spirit of giving, blessing, and loving others.
