Museum announces speaker

Rodney Atkins will be the guest speaker for the Mineola Historical Museum’s Black History Month program on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Addie McFarland Community Center, 708 S. Stone St.

Atkins is the library director at Jarvis Christian University. He retired from the city of Tyler as a librarian after 25 years.

He has written several black history books, including “African American History in Hawkins and Big Sandy, Texas” and “African American History in Smith County, Texas before 1900.”

His newest book, in 2023 is ”African Americans and Country Living.”

He is founder and pastor of Victory Temple Church of God in Christ in Tyler.

He holds a bachelors, two masters and a DM degree from Northern Illinois University, Atlanta University, Christian Bible College, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and the University of North Texas.

His wife is Yvonne Turner Atkins, a retired Tyler ISD teacher and current member of the TISD board of trustees. They have two children.

The program is free, and refreshments will be served.

Call 903-520-9795 for more information.