The Liberty County Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Association, Inc., 2025 activities will begin January 17 and conclude January 20. The theme is “Engaging our Youth as We Pursue the Dream.”
Liberty County icon the Rev. Henry Frasier Sr. has been selected to serve as the grand marshal for the 2025 celebration of activities. In 2013 the Liberty County community honored him for 40 years of ministry as a retired pastor, retired presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Sixth Episcopal District Pastor of the Year, member of the Board of Examiners and Board of Trustees of the West Savannah District of the 6th Episcopal District of the AME Church and a founding member and former president of the United Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County.
His contributions to his local community are numerous to include former PTA President of Hineshaw Elementary school, former President of the Liberty County Emancipation Proclamation Committee, councilman and former Mayor of the city of Walthourville, former Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Area Agency on Aging, former member of the Liberty Consolidated Planning and Zoning Committee, Associate member of the Eleven Black Men of Liberty County, Inc., member of Pleasant Grove AME Church “Legends of Taylor Creek” and other committees and organizations. In recent years he has been recognized as the surviving founder of the Liberty County MLK Observance Committee. In the 1960s, he purposely attended various community meetings with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 2009 Rev. Henry Frasier Sr., Rev. Jimmie Smiley and Mr. Henry Relaford, the surviving “founding fathers” of the Liberty County MLK Celebration, were honored as parade grand marshals.
At age 92, this native of Taylor Creek (now Fort Stewart) is still active in many community activities and conducts a weekly radio ministry. His ability to deliver oral history on family, church and Liberty County events is cherished by those who sit in his presence. He is known to say, “by coming along so late you missed so much.”
Hinesville Mayor Karl Riles said “Rev. Frasier has always been a pillar of our community. His life of service is one that we should all use as a guide in our efforts to create a better Liberty County,” said Hinesville Mayor Karl Riles.
“Rev. Henry Frasier Sr., has been a valued religious, civic and political leader in Liberty County for many years,” said state Rep. Al Williams. “I am honored to have sat at his feet and to be the beneficiary of his wisdom. He is very deserving of this honor from the community he serves.”
Other award recipients include Liberty County Magistrate Court Judge Michael McGirt. Judge McGirt is the first African American appointed and duly elected to serve in that position. He will receive the Trailblazer Award.
Flanders Pray, a formerly enslaved man was a leader of courage, commitment and vision. He served as Liberty County’s first African American coroner, Reconstruction era teacher and contemporary of William A. Golden, Liberty County Republican Elections Supervisor (1874), delegate to the 1876 Senatorial Convention and founding member of the Baconton Missionary Baptist Church (1869). Flanders Pray will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. Many of his descendants are residents of Allenhurst/ Walthourville.
Stacy Ashmore Cole will receive the Humanitarian award for her contributions to the accessibility of African American genealogy of Liberty County families. Cole has established a free website “They Had Names: African Americans in Early Liberty County, Georgia Records,” providing a dedicated and unparalleled access to researching African American genealogy in Liberty and Bryan County. She is a coveted speaker, presenter and winner of the University of Georgia’s Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia’s History.
Madison Crowell, a 2024 graduate of Liberty County High School, student government team member and class vice president will receive the MLK Youth Award. Crowell was accepted into 231 colleges. In addition, this student scholar was a recipient of $14.8 million in scholarship offers which set state and national records. Her accomplishments won national news attention for Liberty County High School, Fort Stewart and Liberty County.
Schedule of events
Cultural Arts Night on Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m., will feature a Love-It Productions dramatization “Take Off Your Shoes” highlighting local African American history, featuring local talent and the Liberty County Martin Luther King Male Choir. The grand marshal induction of Rev. Henry Frasier Sr. promises to be a program highlight. Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of God In Christ (COGIC), 809 Veterans Parkway, Hinesville is the host site.
The Annual Leadership Breakfast, hosted at the John McIver Auditorium at the Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Highway, Midway on January 18 at 8:30 a.m. will feature Liberty County Board of Commission Chairman Donald Lovette as the keynote speaker. While open to the public, community leaders are especially invited to attend.
The King Musical, a high energy youth gospel music event, is January 18 at 6 p.m., also at Full Gospel Tabernacle COGIC. Area youth choirs and performers will be showcased. Local elementary, middle and high school youth will be awarded prizes for the best coloring contests and essay entries capturing Liberty County’s theme of the King holiday.
The Commemorative Service on January 19 at 5 p.m. at Full Gospel Tabernacle COGIC will feature Bishop Antoine Shaw, pastor of Full Gospel Tabernacle COGIC as keynote speaker. Greetings from local and Fort Stewart dignitaries and service awards will be presented.
The 2025 activities will conclude with the city parade on January 20. Line up is at 7 a.m. at Bradwell Institute. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. through downtown Hinesville. Float awards will be made immediately following the parade. Onsite registration is available.
There is no admission charge for entry into these events. A free will offering will be received. All funds collected during the celebration will benefit deserving graduating seniors from Bradwell Institute and Liberty County High School. Sponsors are welcomed.
Liberty County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and MLK first vice president Donald Lovette said “all events are open to the public. No entry fee is required. We strive to maintain Liberty County’s first-class celebration. We make a special plea to invite an enthusiastic and diverse audience to attend all activities. This year’s celebration specifically targets the youth of the community. We want to make them aware and involved.”