DeVon Pruitt at The Piedmont Group

08/31/2026

U.S. equities edged higher last week on strong AI-driven tech earnings, though gains were limited by hawkish Fed commentary. Persistent inflation kept investors focused on the outlook for interest rates, leading to mixed Treasury performance. Meanwhile, lower oil prices helped ease some inflation concerns. Check out this week’s market perspective to learn more.

08/29/2026

08/28/2026

Brother William “Jim” Perry…

A stellar gentleman with such reserved strength and a wonderful personality.

And the best breakfast cook ever! I mean, I can smell that church basement now.

Mr. Perry never stood in the spotlight. He never cared for a front-row seat. He sat quietly in the “Amen Corner” at St. John Baptist Church without much fuss. He quietly walked in, and he quietly walked out.

He stood ten toes down behind his wife, Mary, supporting her through her many church, community, and political endeavors—again, never caring much for recognition and certainly never seeking the spotlight.

I think that’s what drew me most to him.

He was a man of few words but significant impact. A man who made no commotion, yet somehow drew countless people to him through his gentle grace, quiet strength, and Christian love.

My mind goes back to our last conversation at a fish fry at my church. He had just gotten out of the hospital, and I admonished him to obey the doctor’s—and his wife’s—orders because I needed him well enough to cook me another one of those breakfasts. He smiled and laughed, but then assured me, sadly, that his health just wouldn’t allow him to do any more cooking.

I thought the world of Mr. Perry and prayed many times for his strength and health. And while I won’t get those grits and bacon anymore—a huge bummer for me—and I won’t see his stately presence sitting in that Amen Corner again, I know his fidelity to his family, his church, and, most importantly, his Lord and Savior will live on.

Rest on, Brother Perry.

You lived a life worth modeling, and I thank you for your godly example.

Well done.

08/27/2026

Turning 18 is a big milestone. It also brings important changes many families don’t realize — like parents losing access to medical and financial information. This article walks through a few important forms to consider and why they matter. And if you’d like help taking the next step, I can connect you with trusted legal professionals in our community.

https://bit.ly/3Ub2dxz

08/27/2026

Does this number surprise you? Drop a 👍 if you’ve started planning or a 💭 if you haven’t yet. Let’s talk about it.

08/26/2026

This lady had a major impact on my life.

Meet Our Woman’s Auxiliary Director

Sister Vivian Dixon Naylor

The Second New Hope District Baptist Association is pleased to introduce Sister Vivian Dixon Naylor, who serves as our Woman’s Auxiliary Director.

Sister Naylor is a devoted Christian educator, ministry leader, educator, mentor, and servant whose life reflects a longstanding commitment to the church, Christian education, young people, and community service.

She is married to Rev. Donald R. Naylor, Sr., Pastor of Greater First Missionary Baptist Church of Lisman, Alabama, where she leads the Mission Ministry. They are the proud parents of Donald R. Naylor, Jr., Esquire, and his wife, Dr. Denise Burton Naylor; Minister Adrian B. Naylor; and Khaleah Naylor Stapleton and her husband, Minister Leroy Stapleton. They are also blessed with six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Sister Naylor is a faithful member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Marvin L. Dixon. There, she serves as Dean of Christian Education, President of the Mission Ministry, and a member of the Finance Team.

Her service extends throughout the district, state, and national levels of Baptist life. She has served as Young People’s Director of the Second New Hope District Baptist Association, Young People’s Director of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the East Mississippi Baptist State Convention, and Youth Director of the East Mississippi Baptist State Congress of Christian Education. She has also served as Christian Education Coordinator for the Southwest Region Youth Conference of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention.

Among her many ministry accomplishments, Sister Naylor was selected in 2012 to write the Children’s Rally Presentation for the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education in St. Louis, Missouri. Her love for young people and Christian education has remained a defining part of her ministry.

Professionally, Sister Naylor is a retired educator from Meridian Community College, where she taught English, linguistics, and speech and served as advisor to the MCC Gospel Choir. Her distinguished career was recognized through numerous honors, including Teacher of the Year, the Lamplighter’s Award, the T.J. Harris Award for Outstanding Service to the Community and MCC, and the Humanities Professor of the Year Award.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Tennessee State University and a Master of Education from Mississippi State University–Meridian and completed additional studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of West Alabama.

Beyond ministry and education, Sister Naylor is an accomplished seamstress whose talents have served individuals and organizations for numerous professional, ceremonial, ministry, and special occasions.

She is also a Zeta Crystal Dove, Diamond Life Member, and Immediate Past President of the Delta Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and continues her commitment to mentoring through service with the Zeta Amicae and Zeta Archonettes.

Her favorite Scripture is Romans 8:31: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

As Woman’s Auxiliary Director, Sister Naylor brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, Christian education, leadership, and a servant’s heart to the Second New Hope District Baptist Association.

Please join us in welcoming Sister Vivian Dixon Naylor as our Woman’s Auxiliary Director!

08/25/2026

My cup is overflowing!

Thank you CHIN - Community Health Improvement Network for having me again to speak at your monthly Lunch & Learn.

The energy, the people, and the food were amazing!

Special shoutout to Pastor Beverly Knox and the entire CHIN team’

08/25/2026

Last week, U.S. markets weakened as higher Treasury yields and borrowing costs weighed on investor sentiment, especially among growth-oriented areas of the market. Inflation concerns linked to energy prices and geopolitical tensions pushed bond yields higher. Economic data was mixed, with softer consumer spending balanced by stronger business activity. Read this week’s market perspective to learn more.