Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 July 2008 — Page 1

Free Physicals @ The Muncie Black Expo Health Fair August 7 Horizon Convention Center

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MUNCIE, IN PERMIT NO. 304

Vol. 17, No. 14 Also Serving Anderson, Marion, Richmond And New Castle Communities July 17,. 2008 Ella June Smith Robertson writes uplifting book on sons’ tragic death

By Kendra M. Wright Two tragedies struck between August 1994 and October 1994- a mother’s heartbreak. In 1994 Ella Robertson was the proud mother of two girls and two boys, all in their twenties. She was also raising her three grandchildren. Late one night in August 1994, Robertson’s son, Joey Smith, was driving home from Kentucky to Shawnee University with his roommate. That evening the state police

responded to another vehicle of young people. Robertson said they “made them pour out their liquor.” At 4 a.m. the other car, driven by an impaired driver, collided with Joey‘s car, killing both the driver and Joey. Robertson said, “The police officer said if he had lived he would have been charged with vehicular homicide.” Joe was a college senior majoring in business. He worked as a lifeguard and was the

Min. Vernon and Ella June Smith Robertson

manager of the men’s basketball team. He was active as a young republican and also volunteered for a little league team. During the funeral, Joe’s coach introduced Robertson to a lawyer who had met Joe and said he had been very impressed with him. “Joe was very popular at school,” she said. “He was very likeable. I got hundreds of letters from people who had met him and who hadn’t met continued on page 3

Woman of Significance

Bertha N. Mason

Bertha N. Mason is the daughter of Clara & Henry Frazier and one of nine children. She moved to Muncie, Indiana with her parents at the age of five from Liberty, Indiana. Mrs. Bertha N. Mason is married to Charles A. Mason and the parents of Julie Maser, Carita C. Hall, Thomas Wesley Hall IH, and Larry P. Hall. She had a good family life, “they did things together,” as a family and would emphasize today to all young families that we need to do more of that. She has 11 continued on page 10

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Muncie Black Expo annual Health Fair in August

The 13th Annual Muncie Black Expo Health, Information and Employment Fair will be Thursday, August 7,2008 at the Horizon Convention Center from 10am-5:30pm. ‘We are expecting a great turn out for this years’ event”, says Denise Hurt, Chairperson for this years’ fair. This is Denise’s 4th year working as chairperson. ‘T love helping others. The fair has been so successful because I work with a great a committee of about 6 very knowledgeable people that

Denise Hurt

have the same passion as I do for helping others”. Lots will be offered at this years’ fair such as Clinical Breast Exams, Dental Soeenings, Glucose screensee HURT page 7