In March, our lives suddenly changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Social distancing measures were immediately implemented; many businesses and schools closed, and many events were cancelled. Many graduates looked forward to the momentous occasion of walking across stages around the country to receive their diplomas, certificates, etc. Since many graduates could not experience typical commencements, we are dedicating this web page to spotlight our 2020 graduates.
Our past, present, and future graduates were born from a family legacy of self-growth and excelling through education, evident by the construction of Ealy School in 1928 in Leake County, Mississippi, to provide an education for the African American children of the Lena and Tuscola communities. We congratulate our graduates, and we wish them continued success as they pursue their collective goals.
Korinne Germane Beal graduated from Dakota High School in Macomb, Michigan. She plans to attend Paul Mitchell School of Beauty in the fall. Korinne is the daughter of Erika Ealy Beal, the granddaughter of Robert Louis Ealy, Sr., the great-granddaughter of Littion Pete Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of Joe Howard Ealy. (Augustus “Gus” Ealy Branch)
Quinton Blanks is graduating from Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan in June. He plans to attend Eastern Michigan University in the fall and major in Urban Planning, with an emphasis in transportation. Quinton is the son of Chandra Battle Blanks, the grandson of Helen “Jeannie” Townsend Battle, the great-grandson of Mary Lee Morgan Townsend Thames, and the great-great-grandson of Bobbie Ann Ealy Morgan. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch)
Tashi Bolton is graduating with honors from Leake Central High School in Carthage, Mississippi on June 13. She is also an East Central Community College (ECCC) dual credit student and has completed a year of college courses. She plans to continue attending ECCC for her Associate’s degree in Nursing. Afterwards, she plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, to become a Registered Nurse. Her goal is to further her education and professional experience to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Tashi is the daughter of Tarshi Ealy Bolton, the granddaughter of Houston Ealy, Sr., the great-granddaughter of the late L.V. Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of Mack Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Ashley Grace Browder is graduating from Pace High School in Pace, Florida. She is an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club. She plans to attend Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and major in Medical Sciences, with the desire to pursue medical school. Ashley is the daughter of Anginette Hull Browder, the granddaughter of Andrew Atkins, Sr., the great-granddaughter of the late Roberta Ealy Atkins, and the great-great-granddaughter of App Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Destiny Tyquashia Amiracle Brown graduated from Leake County High School in Walnut Grove, Mississippi. She plans to attend East Central Community College and major in Early Childhood Education. Destiny is the daughter of Daniel and LaShannon Ealy Brown, the granddaughter of Preston Ealy, the great-granddaughter of James “J.D.” Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of Elijah Bung Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Chaise Daryn Campbell graduated from Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, Florida. She received a Collegiate Scholars academic scholarship and a full volleyball scholarship to play Division One volleyball at the University of Alabama. Chaise was a member of the National Honor Society, the President of the Black Student Union, a 2018-19 Volleyball State Champ, and a 2018-19 Shot Put State finalist. Chaise is the daughter of Lynda Rowe Campbell, the granddaughter of Linda Ealy Rowe, the great-granddaughter of the late Nathaniel “Bo” Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of App Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Arnez James Dansby graduated from Alice Drive Middle School in Sumter, South Carolina. He will be attending Sumter High School, and he plans to join the track team. Arnez is the son of April Lawhorn Dansby, the grandson of Sarah McClendon Lawhorn, the great-grandson of the late Mallie Gale McClendon, and the great-great-grandson of Rufus Gale. (Will Ealy Branch)
Rodney Dent, Jr. graduated from Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi on May 26. He plans to attend Jackson State University and major in Computer Science. Rodney is the son of Kenyatta Reid Dent, the grandson of J.C. Reid, Jr., the great-grandson of J.C. Reid, Sr., and the great-great-grandson of Birdie Ealy Reid. (John Ealy Branch)
Christian Javon “CJ” Earby graduated with honors from Pelahatchie Attendance Center in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. He plans to attend Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi and major in Electrical Engineering. Afterwards, he plans to transfer to Mississippi State University. He has already completed his academic courses for his major, except for math, and he will be taking his concentration courses in the fall. Christian is the son of Stephanie Grant, the grandson of Daree Youngblood Murrell, the great-grandson of Mattie Ealy Waits, and the great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt Ealy and Willie Mae Ferrell Ealy. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Katera Fisher graduated from Rauner College Prep in Chicago, Illinois. She plans to attend Northern Illinois University (NIU) and major in Orthodontics. Katera is the daughter of James Fisher, the granddaughter of Hazel Ruth Townsend, the great-granddaughter of the late Mary Morgan Townsend Thames, and the great-great-granddaughter of Bobbie Ann Ealy Morgan. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch)
A’Nayiah Harvey graduated from Pisgah Elementary in Pisgah, Mississippi, from kindergarten to first grade. She is the daughter of La Chaz Irvin, the granddaughter of Patricia Youngblood, the great-granddaughter of Charlie Youngblood, and the great-great-granddaughter of Mattie Ealy Waits. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Rashawn Jackson is graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing on August 25. He is from Van Buren Township, Michigan. He will continue his educational journey by pursuing his Master’s degree in Nursing at Emory. Rashawn is the son of Michael & Victoria Jackson, the grandson of Prietha McClendon Jackson, the great-grandson of the late Frank McClendon, and the great-great-grandson of Alice Ealy McClendon. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Victor Jackson is graduating from Belleville High School in Van Buren Township, Michigan. He plans to attend college to pursue his career goals. Victor is the son of Michael & Victoria Jackson, the grandson of Prietha McClendon Jackson, the great-grandson of the late Frank McClendon, and the great-great-grandson of Alice Ealy McClendon. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Derek M. Jeffries II is graduating high school from De La Salle Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He plans to attend Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He is the son of Tanya Smith Jeffries, the grandson of the late Eunice “June Bug” Jones Smith, and the great-grandson of Florence Ealy Jones. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Jacques “Jay” Jones, Jr. received his high school diploma and Associate’s degree from Oakland Early College in Farmington Hills, Michigan. His capstone project can be viewed here. He plans to attend the University of Michigan–Dearborn and major in Urban and Regional Studies. Jay is the son of Robin Moten, the grandson of the late Robert Louis Moten, Sr., the great-grandson of the late Pete Moten & Levon McBounds Moten, and the great-great-grandson of Lovie Ealy Moten Westmoreland and Malissa Ferrell McBounds Combs. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Michael L. Jones received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nursing from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. In achieving this degree, he became the first African American male to graduate from the PhD Nursing program at Hampton. He is only the third male to receive this degree, and he is also the first African American to graduate from any HBCU with this degree. Dr. Jones plans to grow his consulting company, and he seeks positions in academia where he can expand research in poor and under-served communities and tackle health disparities. He will also continue to teach Nursing and Public Health courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Jones is the son of Dianne Ealy Jones, the grandson of the late James “J.D.” Ealy, and the great-grandson of Elijah Bung Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Devon Kennedy graduated from the University of Utah. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Devon is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the grandson of the late Charles Kennedy, Jr., the great-grandson of Charles Kennedy, Sr., and the great-great-grandson of Robert “Rob” Kennedy. (Martha Ealy Kennedy Branch)
Kaiden Lawhorn graduated from Southaven Middle School in Southaven, Mississippi. He will be attending Southaven High School. He plans to continue playing football and join the track team. Kaiden is the son of Jade Lawhorn Agee, the grandson of Sarah McClendon Lawhorn, the great-grandson of the late Mallie Gale McClendon, and the great-great-grandson of Rufus Gale. (Will Ealy Branch)
Kleo Lawhorn graduated from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Finance. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree. Kleo is the daughter of Kimberly Lawhorn, the granddaughter of Sarah McClendon Lawhorn, the great-granddaughter of the late Mallie Gale McClendon, and the great-great-granddaughter of Rufus Gale (Will Ealy Branch)
Kadedria Luckett graduated from Holmes Community College with an Associate’s degree in Nursing (RN). She will be working at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She is the daughter of Christina Jones Luckett, the granddaughter of Dianne Ealy Jones, the great-granddaughter of James “J.D.” Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of Elijah Bung Ealy. (Paul Ealy Branch)
Hailey Sophia McDonald graduated from Leake County High School in Walnut Grove, Mississippi. She plans to attend East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi and major in Business Office Technology. She is the daughter of Syretta Meyon McDonald, the granddaughter of Phyllis McDonald, the great-granddaughter of Vera Moten Mapp, and the great-great-granddaughter of the late Pete Moten and Levon McBounds Moten. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Dylan Phelps graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is from Detroit, Michigan. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Information Management. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Western Michigan’s Gamma Beta Chapter. Dylan is the son of Tim Phelps, the grandson of Terry Phelps, the great-grandson of the late Rosie Mae Kennedy, and the great-great-grandson of Will Kennedy. (Martha Ealy Kennedy Branch)
Kennedy Jae Rushing graduated Salutatorian from Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi. Her accomplishments also include: a National Merit Finalist, a National Merit Corporation Scholarship recipient, a John Phillip Sousa Bank Award recipient, a Regional Scholastic Art Award recipient, and an AP Macroeconomics Subject Area Award recipient. Kennedy was also a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill and major in Journalism. Kennedy is the daughter of Kelsey Rushing, the granddaughter of the late Ruby Morgan Rushing, the great-granddaughter of Bill Morgan, and the great-great-granddaughter of Bobbie Ann Ealy Morgan. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch)
Aaron Moten Solomon will be graduating from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan in December, with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Aaron is the son of Dr. Rose Moten, the grandson of the late Robert Louis Moten, Sr., the great-grandson of Pete Moten & Levon McBounds Moten, and the great-great-grandson of Lovie Ealy Moten Westmoreland and Malissa Ferrell McBounds Combs. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Gabrielle “Gabi” Rose Solomon graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. With over $200,000 and counting in merit scholarship offers from two schools, Gabi plans to attend the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. She will concentrate in Illustration. Her career goal is to be a story boarder with a major animation network. Gabi is the daughter of Dr. Rose Moten, the granddaughter of the late Robert Louis Moten, Sr., the great-granddaughter of Pete Moten & Levon McBounds Moten, and the great-great-granddaughter of Lovie Ealy Moten Westmoreland and Malissa Ferrell McBounds Combs. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Keleriz Stokes graduated from Pelahatchie High School in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. He plans to attend Hinds Community College. Keleriz is the son of Kellderick Youngblood, the grandson of Belvery Youngblood, the great-grandson of Mattie Ealy Waits, and the great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt Ealy & Willie Mae Ferrell Ealy. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
Shamarria Shay Walker is graduating from Langham Creek High School in Cypress, Texas. She earned a 5.5 GPA and scored 29 on the ACT test. She was one of the five female students nominated for Homecoming Queen. She was also a member of the Student Council and the Key Club. Shamarria was awarded scholarships from Louisiana State, Spelman, Tennessee State, Baylor Univ., the Univ. of Texas-Austin, Xavier Univ., and Harvard, but she excitedly chose to attend Louisiana State in Baton Rouge, where she was accepted into the Ogden Honors College. Shamarria is the daughter of Stacey Scott Williams and Tkay Walker, the granddaughter of Mae Butler Williams, the great-granddaughter of the late Willie Butler, and the great-great-granddaughter of Jessie Beamon Butler. (Annie Ealy Beamon Branch)
Pamela Lisa Ne’Cole Whitlock is graduating from the United States Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas on June 19. This was a rigorous 10-month military school. She will earn the rank of Sergeant Major. Pamela is the daughter of Charles & Erma J. Williams Whitlock, the granddaughter of the late John R. Ealy and Clementine Morgan Ealy, and the great-granddaughter of Glover Ealy and Troy Morgan. (John Ealy Branch & Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch)
Genae Raychele Williams graduated from the Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology in Southfield, Michigan. She plans to attend Columbia College in Chicago to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Genae is the daughter of Marla Papillon Williams, the granddaughter of Catherine Ealy Papillon, the great-granddaughter of the late Littion Pete Ealy, and the great-great-granddaughter of Joe Howard Ealy. (Augustus “Gus” Ealy Branch)
Ta’Voris Youngblood graduated from Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi. He plans to attend Hinds Community College and major in welding. He is the son of Patricia Youngblood, the grandson of Charlie Youngblood, the great-grandson of Mattie Ealy Waits, and the great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt Ealy and Willie Mae Ferrell Ealy. (Robert Ealy, Jr. Branch & Adeline Ealy Robertson Branch)
The Robert "Big Bob" Ealy Family 