gayparkerfamilyreunion

Sometimes you learn more about a person when that person tells her story in her own words.  Her words transmit her beliefs, her vision, and most importantly, share genuine insight about her life.  In this question-answer spotlight, meet Mrs. Yolanda N. Worsley Anderson.

  Yolanda “Nikki” Worsley Anderson

Question: Where do you work?  What is your job?

Answer:    I joined Walter M. Williams High School[in Burlington, NC] in the capacity of an Assistant Principal.  I am formerly an Eastern North Carolinian, who resided in the city of Greenville, NC, home of the East Carolina University Pirates.

Question: Where did you attend undergraduate school? Where did you attend graduate school?

Answer:    My undergraduate and graduate education was completed at the prestigious North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina.  My academic accomplishments encompass a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Teaching, and Post-Master’s Certification in School Administration.

Question:  How long have been in school system? What did you do earlier?

Answer:   I worked with the Guilford County Schools district since 2004 at Eastern Guilford Middle School as an Exceptional Children’s Teacher, English/Language Arts Teacher, and Induction/Success Coordinator.  Additionally, while at Eastern I also had the opportunity to serve as a member of the school based leadership team and the literacy team.

Question:  What are your basic beliefs about education?

Answer:     I strongly believe that all students should be provided with a learning environment that is conducive to advancing one’s success wherein students are provided with rigorous instruction, equity of pedagogy[equal use of teaching strategies for all], as well as engaging lessons and an infusion of technology. Furthermore, I believe that it is essential to consistently set expectations to encourage and challenge students to master their highest potential.

Question:   What are the best approaches for helping Black students?

Answer:      The best approach in helping Black students is primarily building a relationship to assist them in recognizing their own gifts, talents, and uniqueness.  Oftentimes, minorities are tracked into the lower spectrum of the educational system; and therefore, it is important to advocate for them on the administrative level while simultaneously inspiring them to achieve.

Question:      Tell us about your immediate family.

I am married to JeVonte and we have one daughter, Amari and we reside in Guilford County, Greensboro, NC.  I have a strong, close knit family which has played a very intrinsic role in my success over the years as an educator.

Question:  What are the greatest benefits you have received from your grandparents and your parents?

Answer:    My grandparents, David and [the late] Mary Gay, and Doris Worsley, instilled faith and perseverance in my life as a very young child.  My parents, Charles and Mary Worsley, whom I esteem highly in love, have been amazing Christian role models who encourage me to walk in integrity, serve with excellence, and Godly character.

Question:   What are your honors and accomplishments so far as an educator?

Answer:      Some of the honors and accomplishments spanning over my years as an educator include:

*    Mission Possible Teacher Leader, Eastern Guilford Middle School

*    Teacher of the Year, Eastern Guilford Middle School.

*    Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for Educators

*    Cambridge Who’s Who Among Educators Nominee

*    Closing the Achievement Gap Conference Presenter

*    Rookie Teacher of the Year Nominee, Eastern Guilford Middle

*   Teacher of the Year

*   Assistant Principal of the Year Finalist

Question:   What are your goals for the future?

Answer:      I  am tirelessly pursuing expansion of the established framework of excellence known within the Walter M. Williams High School.  One of my future aspirations is to attain a position firstly as a Principal and then as Superintendent of a school district to tenaciously promote, empower, and impact the lives of all stakeholders and influence a generation.

  Dr. William A. Gay

Last week William Gay, son of the late Alice Hemby and the late George Gay, received his doctorate with a specialization in educational leadership and management from Capella University. Dr. Gay wrote his doctoral dissertation on “The Effects of a Token Economy on Alternative High School Students in a Mentoring Program: An Action Research Study.”

  Mr. William and Mrs. Candi Gay

Earlier, Dr. Gay received his Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Shorter University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Thomas A. Edison University.

  Dr. William Gay and oldest daughter Tracey

Dr. Gay is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society in Business Management and Administration and received the Arnold Fletcher Award for Exceptional Achievement in Independent Learning.

  Daughters Tracey, Terra, and Allison

William and his wife Candi live in Conley, Georgia with his wife Candi. They have three daughters.

Congratulations Dr. William A. Gay

Everybody has heard a lot of the stereotypes about professional football players.  Pro ballplayers are too aggressive and abusive, always chasing parties, women, drugs, and alcohol. That might be true for some pro ball players, but not all of them.  And it’s definitely not true for  CJ “Clifford James” Wilson, our March Spotlight.

For starters, just read this 2015 article on the WNCT site.

We celebrate NFL football player CJ Wilson, son of Elder Amos and Elder Doris Phillips Wilson, grandson of Bishop Willie and Gennie Gay Phillips.

After playing high school basketball, football, and track at Northside High School in Belhaven, NC, CJ played football at East Carolina University.

In his first year in the NFL in 2010-2011, CJ played for the Green Bay Packers, winner of Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his seven years of professional football, CJ has played for the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions, the New Orleans Saints, the Oakland Raiders, and the Chicago Bears.  Currently, he is a member of the Chicago Bears team.

CJ is a spiritual, God fearing man. Along with being an active member of church, he began playing piano for his home church when he was 13. In a 2011 interview CJ discussed his connection and love of music even though he was a professional football player.

CJ gives back to his community through the CJ Wilson Helping Hands Foundation and his CJ Wilson Football Camp.

According to ECU Pirates Official site  in 2015, only seven former players were on NFL rosters. CJ Wilson was among that seven. At that time CJ was playing for the Oakland Raiders.

Here’s a variety of sites about CJ Wilson.

When Bishop Willie Phillips answered the call to preach the gospel back in the 1940’s, he began a continuously growing line of preachers in the Gay-Parker family. Later, in the early 1960’s, Bishop Robert Gay, Sr. joined Bishop Phillips in this holy calling, and together they became a guiding light for ministers in the family and throughout the country.

This page recognizes all of them– these men and women of God– for their work in guiding their family, other families, friends, neighbors, and strangers in spiritual growth through that fruit of the spirit that the Apostle Paul eloquently identifies in Galatians 5:22-23.

Bishop Willie Phillips(deceased)

Bishop Robert J. Gay, Sr.

Pastor Robert E. Phillips, (deceased)

Vice Bishop Melvin Phillips

Pastor James Phillips

Pastor Amos Wilson

Evangelist Elder Doris Wilson

Bishop Marion Barnes

Pastor Billy Boyd

Bishop Carlton Gay

Pastor Mary Worsley

Pastor Ronald Gay

Pastor Alice Vines

PastorTheresa Phillips

Pastor Tony Phillips

Pastor Apostle Robert Phillips, Jr.

Elder Gwendolyn Gay

Bishop George Gay, Jr.(deceased)

Elder Eunice Gay

Elder Peggy and Elder Sam Wadsworth

Elder Mary Spain Gay

Elder Iris Harper

Pastor Robert J. Gay, Jr.

Elder Willie Johnson

Elder Tijuana Johnson

Pastor La Tina Williams

Elder Margie Phillips-Young

Elder Angela Harper

Elder Crystal Gay

Elder Michael James

Ministers not pictured

Elder Bessie Dixon(deceased)

Elder Betty Johnson

Elder Kenneth Jones

Elder Sophia Jones

   (Ma) Lillie Parker Gay 1897-1984

This news essay was published in the Cambridge, MD Banner newspaper in the early 1990’s.

As the third oldest child of Freeman Vines and Arie Gay Vines, Freeman, Jr. (Bro) has another elder child status. Bro is the second oldest living grandchild of Bob Gay and Lillie Parker Gay.

Recently, Freeman Jr.(Bro) received recognition and financial support from Music Maker Relief Foundation because of his skill as a luthier or maker of guitars. As a result of Bro’s connection with Music Maker Relief Foundation, he can now resume making guitars.

Watch this video about Freeman Jr.(Bro) produced by Music Maker Relief Foundation. We proudly salute and celebrate Bro, our family’s talented guitar and music maker.

Since World War I, members of our family have served in at least one of the branches of the United States armed services.  We celebrate them: these soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen.

  Robert (Pa Bob) Gay        George L. Gay

 Herman (Bro) Gay    Charles R Gay

  Carlton (CD) Gay       Edwin L. Gay

   Donald(Donnie) Gay               Robert (Bud) Gay

 Ronald(Ron) Gay     Tim Gay

 Kelvin Anderson  David(Little Dave)Gay

                                Jeremy Johnson

  Jimmy Vines, Jr.   George Gay, Jr.

                    Over 20 Years of Military Service

 Melvin Gay      Ronald (Ronnie) Gay

Just a few years ago, the late Bishop George Gay, Jr. spent some time with Rudy Gay, Jr., Mother Ethel Gay, and Bishop Robert James Gay in Connecticut. At the time, Rudy, grandson of Uncle Albert Gay, Bob Gay’s youngest brother, was a college student and a member of the University of Connecticut basketball team.

Here are a few pictures from that day.

From left: the late Bishop George Gay, Jr, Rudy Gay, Jr., Mother Ethel Gay, and Bishop Robert J. Gay

Third cousins: the late George Gay, Jr. and Rudy Gay, Jr.

It’s always good for family to gather together, and that’s what we did on July 2nd and 3rd.  For a second year, Golden Skillet of Plymouth, NC catered the dinner.

The Vines Sisters and Family and the Harper Sisters provided music.  Bishop Robert Gay, Sr. delivered the keynote speech.  Check out the Harper Sisters singing Jesus Will Pick You Up.

We have pictures that tell the whole story.

  Pumpkin(Erma) and Sam

 Doug Anderson and nieces

               Minister Angela Harper

 Uncle Dave and Uncle Rob

For more photographs from the fish fry and the reunion dinner, view this slideshow video with photographs by Marion Barnes.

 Randy Anderson

  Aunt Arie, Doolum, Peggy

 Tim Gay

 Elder Ron Gay