The Order of the Eastern Star's HONOR'S LUNCHEON will be at 11:00 o'clock this coming Saturday (6/23/2018) morning at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 South Academy Street.

Four women will be honored for service to their church, community and family. The 2018 honorees are Gernell Floyd Jenkins, Tonya Scales Haynes, Jocelyn Wright McCoy and Vonchelle Stembridge.

Each year this event is sponsored by the Venus Chapter #61 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation.

The public is encouraged to attend this luncheon and help honor these four ladies.

Tickets are $25 each, and available by phoning Ticket Chairman Florence Smith at 615-589-5034. You can aso contact Secretary Katie Wilson at 615-556-7189 or Cassandra Renaye Wilson at 615-919-1183.

HONOREES

Gernell Floyd Jenkins

Gernell Floyd Jenkins is a compassionate leader and committed public servant. For nearly nine years, Gernell has served with the City of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department as the Facility Coordinator for the Patterson Park Community Center. During her leadership, the Tennessee Parks and Recreation Association recognized her as the 2013 Distinguished Young Professional and she was also awarded the 2010 and 2017 Robert Horsley Award which is an honor that recognizes community center personnel who have planned conducted or was responsible for the most outstanding community center program during the year.

A Murfreesboro native, Gernell feels her service at Patterson Park Community Center is her way of giving back to the community which was so influential in her development and helped mold her to become the woman she is today. Prior to her work with the City of Murfreesboro, Gernell began her career as a public servant with the City of Indianapolis and Metro Nashville where she served in various leadership capacities in Parks and Recreation.

Gernell has volunteered with numerous community organizations including Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon County where she was recognized as a member of the 2017 Catalyst Leadership Academy. She currently serves as President and a chartering member for the Tennessee State University National Alumni Association Murfreesboro Rutherford County Chapter and is a member of the Family Selection Committee with Habitat for Humanity.

Gernell is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Physical Education and has earned her Master of Science Degree with a concentration in Sport Management from Middle Tennessee State University. She is currently working to complete her Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca University. Gernell is the youngest daughter of Harry and Diane Floyd. She and her husband, Jason Jenkins, have the privilege of being parents to their "Little Princess" Gianna Tiane Jenkins.

Tonya Scales-Haynes

Tonya Scales-Haynes is a graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary College in Nashville, Tennessee with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Tonya is a licensed funeral director, licensed embalmer and a licensed insurance agent.

Funeral service has run through her blood line for over 96 years. She is the daughter of Robert "Bob" Scales and the granddaughter of the late Robert "T-90" Scales and Mary Scales of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Tonya is a premier embalmer and is well respected locally and nationally serving in leadership positions in both the local and national funeral director associations and conventions. She is the Former President of the Tennessee State Funeral Directors & Morticians Association.

Tonya has been recognized by several organizations for her extraordinary and outstanding leadership and professionalism. The Leadership conference For Progressive Adults granted her a Certificate of Achievement Award for her career advancements and community involvement.

Tonya has also been nominated for the Business Journal Women of Influence Award that celebrates and highlights exemplary women who are making a difference in their communities.

Tonya is a very compassionate Funeral Director and Embalmer with the heart of a servant. She carefully and attentively guides each family through the funeral and cremation arrangement process. She takes her time with each family and meticulously answers each question with the interest of the family in mind.

Tonya is the co-owner of her family funeral home, Scales & Sons Funeral Home, New Generation Funeral Home, Patton Brothers Funeral Home and Johnson & Coleman Funeral Home.

Tonya is very active in community, civic, and charitable organizations. She seeks to conduct business in a Godly and professional manner. Tonya is married to Deric Haynes and is the proud mother of Jacquita, Akia, and Mya. Her life's mission is to be a "vessel of healing" to those who are hurting and a "source of strength" to those who are struggling.

Jocelyn McCoy

Jocelyn McCoy, the daughter of the late Paul and Kathryn Wright, is a life-long resident of Smyrna, TN. The second of seven siblings, she attended Rutherford County Schools and graduated in 1975 from Smyrna High School. She attended UT Knoxville for two years and later transferred to UT Nashville. She was married to the late Mr. Wallace McCoy, Sr. for 37 years and they are the proud parents of three children and seven grandchildren.

Jocelyn is currently the Senior Outreach Recruiter for Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville TN for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Jocelyn's professional, background includes Business Accounting and Human Resources for Service Merchandise and Nissan. She is a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, TN and serves as the Lead for the Bridge Ministry and a member of the Women's Choir. She is very active in her community with affiliations connecting her to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life State Council and Team Development Executive Committee, Heart Association, and the Smyrna Cemetery Organization.

Jocelyn currently serves on the Board of Directors as Vice-President of Membership for the Middle TN Higher Education Alliance, a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as an educational resource for higher education to the Middle TN area. Her passion for people and purpose drives her personal mission to guide and connect individuals to achieve their visions and goals. She is a graduate of Trevecca (where she returned as an adult student after 30 years) to finish both a Bachelor's degree in Management and Human Relations, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership.

Vonchelle Stembridge

Vonchelle Stembridge dedication and determination allowed her to be the first of her family to complete her studies at Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. degree in Child Development and Family Studies.

Creating a name for herself in the Middle Tennessee area Vonchelle has work for over a decade in the education and community outreach field. Creating and implementing various programs for youth, adults, and senior programs throughout the community sparked Vonchelle to explore an outlet for people to think outside of the box and be creative.

In 2011, she began working on building a brand and rapport with artists, musicians and community leaders. Vonchelle is the Co- Founder of Creative Movements a production company and a Director and Curator of the Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center. Ms. Stembridge is equipped to handle every possible creative outlet as a film-director, artist, musician, and curator Vonchelle enjoys all the different hats she wears daily, and this is just the beginning of her movement!