Legacy Luncheon Awards honor memory of Elmore Bolling
Published 3:23 pm Monday, June 20, 2016
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The third annual Legacy Luncheon by The Elmore Bolling Foundation was held Saturday, June 18 at the White Hall Municipal Complex. From far left are Josephine Bolling McCall, president of the Elmore Bolling Foundation, Gospel Legend Award winner Herbert Hales, who sang for the luncheon, Legacy Luncheon Award winners, Education, Ledra Carter-Henderson, Scholarship, Shelisa Seawright of The Calhoun School, Entrepreneurship Randy and Lillie Rudolph of Captain Dollar in Fort Deposit, Citizenship, Collirene Fire Chief Willie Arnold and at far right Vice President of the Elmore Bolling Foundaiton Constance Quinn. McCall is author of the book “The Penalty for Success: My Father Was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama. Fred Guarino/Lowndes Signal.
By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
Some 69 years after the death of Elmore Bolling, his achievements and philanthropic acts are still being acclaimed in the Lowndes County Community. And Saturday, June 18, the Elmore Bolling Foundation honored his spirit with the third annual Legacy Luncheon Awards.
Elmore Bolling was a black entrepreneur and philanthropist whose successful business interests led to him being killed at the age of 39 on Dec. 4, 1947, according to his daughter Josephine Bolling McCall, president of the Elmore Bolling Foundation. She is the author of the book “The penalty for Success: My Father Was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama.
Elmore Bolling is listed among the Alabama martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement.
Legacy Luncheon Award winners for 2016 are Education, Ledra Carter-Henderson, Scholarship, Shelisa Seawright of The Calhoun School, Entrepreneurship Randy and Lillie Rudolph of Captain Dollar in Fort Deposit and Citizenship, Collirene Fire Chief Willie Arnold.
According to McCall, Henderson is a football mom sponsor, senior parent sponsor and contributor to the scholarship fund and youth department of her church.
Randy and Lillie Rudolph are owners of Captain Dollar in Fort Deposit. “This store is part of a legacy that they have to assist in building up their community.” Randy Rudolph credits his grandfather as the force behind his passion to serve others while reaching his full potential. The couple provides assistance as needed by hosting several free events.
Arnold has sponsored the Lula B. Arnold Foundation Scholarship through Wil-Low Dollars for Scholars for 22 years, is a founder of the Collirene Volunteer Fire Department and has served as chief for 23 years. He is a member of the DNC of Lowndes County and the Lowndes Emergency Preparedness Council.
Seawright graduated the Calhoun School with a 3.8 grade point average and plans to attend Auburn University in Montgomery to pursue a degree in political science. Her ambition is to become a lawyer. She has volunteered with the Salvation Army for a number of years.
McCall said this year was the third Legacy Luncheon and that she was “delighted” because more people in the community are participating. She also said the scholarship amount has been raised to $500.
Contributors the Legacy Luncheon include: Friends, Dr. Harry M. Barnes III, the Rev. Elmore and Aldenia Bolling, Geraldine Howard, Lois Fine, James V. Pierce, Victoria Rothbaum, Esq. and Jenny Weiz, Esq.; Patrons, Judge Reginald and Jerilyn MCCall Corlew, First Missionary Baptist Church – Hayneville, First Missionary Baptist Church – White Hall, Fort Deposit Holiness Church, Lily Missionary Baptist Church – Letohatchee, Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church – Gordonville, Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church – Gordonville and Dr. Forest Waters; Associates, Cassandra E. Brown, Elite Social and Civic Club and Charlie and Josephine B. McCall.
