| Black History Month: Making our community a better place |
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Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 9:29 pm
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In recognition of Black History Month, The Messenger will be presenting a series of articles focused on people who are making history today in our own community. The emphasis will be on men and women who have been elected to positions of responsibility throughout Obion County and on those whose jobs involve keeping us safe and coming to our assistance when there are problems. Specifically, the latter will include those citizens who are involved in law enforcement, firefighting and rescue efforts.
These are some of the people who make our community a place we are glad to call home.
James L. Skinner of Kenton works hard to keep the community he calls home safe and secure. He is a part-time police officer in Kenton and a retired employee of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, where he attained the rank of detective before he ended his career there in 2001.
Since then, he has put his skills to work in Kenton.
He is a 1954 graduate of the former Rosenwald High School in Trenton and was well trained for his career through the police academy.
He is married to Sarah E. Skinner and is the father of Tanya Finch, Gregery Skinner and Keith Skinner, all of Rutherford, Michael R. Alford of South Fulton, Rodney D. Alford of Kenton, Anthony R. Alford of Murfreesboro and Michelle Skinner of Collierville. He is also the grandfather of Sarah Alford, who makes her home with the Skinners.
He is a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Kenton, where he serves as a deacon and church treasurer.
“Associating with people” is Skinner’s favorite part of his job. He says he would tell young people a career such as his is important and one they should consider because it is important to serve and protect the citizens of a community.
Sarah E. Skinner, who is married to James L. Skinner, also serves the people of Kenton. She was elected an alderman in 1987 and has been making decisions that affect her friends and neighbors for a quarter century.
Mrs. Skinner is a 1954 graduate of the former Rosenwald High School in Kenton and attended Dyersburg State Community College. She was an employee of the former Kellwood Co. in Rutherford for 341⁄2 years, retiring as a supervisor in the finishing department.
A wife, mother and grandmother, she is also a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and is church secretary and a choir member.
She is past matron of Naomi Chapter of Order of Eastern Star No. 265 and is a board member of the Gibson County Office on Aging.
She enjoys “doing the very best I can in making decisions for all the citizens of our town and helping anyone I can, whenever I can.”
Mrs. Skinner believes young people should take an interest in their community and be willing to serve it.
“We need young people to learn what makes a town work and what they can do to make things better — how to be responsible citizens and make wise and sound decisions,” she says. “At my age, I would like to keep doing what I’m doing now to the best of my ability, because I think I have made a difference and I think I have served my town well.”
Harold W. Banks is also a Kenton resident. He serves and protects the people of Tennessee as a patrolman with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a job he has filled for 16 years.
A graduate of the former Kenton High School, he is a member of New Victory Baptist Church in Rutherford and of the Kenton Masonic Lodge. He is also command sergeant major of the Tennessee National Guard unit in Humboldt.
He is married to Josie Banks and is the father of Deamequa Harrell of Kenton and Delisha Banks of Memphis. His parents are Harold and Pearl Banks of Kenton.
Interacting with the public and area citizens is what he enjoys most about his job. His profession is an important one for young people to consider, he says, because it allows them the opportunity to protect and serve the citizens of Tennessee and, especially, those within their own community. Published in The Messenger 2.12.13 |
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