Inaugural art show includes portrait presentation

Thelma Wright Edwards poses with the portrait of her that was painted by Marshall Pettway and presented during the inaugural “Christian Art Show” at Draw All Men Ministries Church in Ocala on Feb. 22. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

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Posted February 24, 2025 | By Andy Fillmore, [email protected]

Thelma Wright Edwards, the eldest living relative of Emmitt Till, the 14-year-old victim of a racially motivated killing in Money, Mississippi, in 1955, was honored with a portrait by a local artist on Feb. 22 at Draw All Men Ministries Church in Ocala. The event included the church’s first ever “Christian Art Show,” with presentations by several local artists.

The portrait was painted 20 years ago by Marshall Pettway, an award-winning artist and Marion County Public Schools art instructor for two decades. It features Edwards wearing a pearl necklace and a spray of red roses.

“For the things you and your family have gone through and suffered for all of us,” Pettway said as he presented the portrait to Edwards.

Pettway, accompanied by his wife, Barbara, became emotional and had to pause for a few minutes.

Pettway had several pieces of his artwork on display in the art show, including “Sacrifice,” a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. He also unveiled two pictures depicting lynchings of Black people.

Edwards, who is 93, and a longtime resident of Ocala, was accompanied by her son, Ozzie Edwards, 67. After a warm welcome, the two watched a clip from the 2022 movie “Till,” about the death of Emmett Till prior to the portrait presentation.

A post on the Library of Congress Civil Rights Project site, called, “The Murder of Emmett Till,” states: “While visiting his relatives in Mississippi, Till went to the Bryant store with his cousins, and may have whistled at Carolyn Bryant. Her husband, Roy Bryant, and brother-in-law, J.W. Milam, kidnapped and brutally murdered Till, dumping his body in the Tallahatchie River.”

Till was visiting from the Chicago, Illinois, area and was staying at the home of Moses Wright, the father of Thelma Wright Edwards and her brother, Simeon Wright. The post indicates that Simeon and Wheeler Parker, a cousin, witnessed the abduction of Till from Wright’s home.

During the trial of Bryant and Milam, Moses Wright bravely pointed them out as the killers, according to historical accounts. Before he died in 2017, Simeon Wright wrote the book “Witness to History” about his experience.

The Library of Congress website also discusses how Till’s case affected Civil Rights icon Rosa Park, who refused to follow segregation-based passenger rules.

“An all-white jury acquitted his killers in September, the verdict aroused international protest. On November 27, 1955, Rosa Parks attended a rally at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to hear Mississippi activist Dr. T. R. M. Howard speak about Till. Years later, Jesse Jackson asked her why she refused to move to the back of the bus. She replied, ‘I thought of Emmett Till, and I couldn’t go back,’” the website states.

Bernard Crocker, one of the event organizers, said he hopes the portrait of Edwards will be placed in a federal building in Washington like those of other historically “important people.”

The church’s art show showcased a number of local artists, including Cynthia Wilson-Graham, a historian, author and owner of Helping Hands Photography. Her books include the biography of businessman and community advocate Austin Long, titled “A “Long” Journey”; a history of segregation at the former Silver Springs attraction, titled “Remembering Paradise Park: Tourism and Segregation at Silver Springs,” co-authored with Lu Vickers; and “Walking by Faith,” about William James whose faith, forbearance and commitment to community served as an inspiration to many, including students during the years of integration.

Jazmine Brown displayed some of her photographs as well as paintings done from them. She was accompanied at her display booth by her sons Justin Butler, 4; Aaron Bracey, 7; and Gavin Bracey, 10.

Artist Traci Grimsley Brown showed examples of her repurposed items, such as a repainted and decorated vase purchased at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Blaze Jensen and her daughter Ella displayed handiwork by residents of Project Hope, a transitional housing program for homeless women with children in Ocala.

P.J. Allan had colorful artwork on display, including pen and acrylic work; Hansel Maxey displayed a number of pieces, including animal paintings in bright hues; and Verlinde Colding showed several works, including one dedicated to her father.

A Marion County Memorial Honor Guard color guard was part of the opening of the event.

Church pastor Eric Lightsey said in a closing benediction that people who do not know the story of Emmett Till should know it is “worth fighting for.” He also spoke of the “perseverance” seen in Edwards’ eyes in the portrait and of her “forgiveness” for others.

Edwards addressed the group as she posed by her portrait.

“God has always been with me,” she said. “Thank you all so much.”

Ozzie Edwards stated in an email after the presentation that he thinks it’s “important for everyone to have historical facts.”

“The Emmett Till lynching had a profound effect on my mother. I remember her saying through the years that she was praying that God would place her in the right setting, with the proper people, at the best time in order to share our family story,” he wrote.

“I believe her prayers were answered as she has had numerous speaking engagements in the past five years as well as an appearance on ABC TVs ‘Let the World See’ docuseries,” he stated.

“Hopefully, there will always be a few brave souls who will speak the truth and stand for justice, even though that may not be popular. This is my prayer for our country at this time,” Edwards offered.