The 2010 Memphis Living Legend Award honorees. (Photos by New Sardis/Earl Stanback)

The New Sardis Baptist Church family presented its 2010 Memphis Living Legends awards during the annual program at the church at 7739 E. Holmes Rd., last Sunday.

Former Negro League professional baseball player Joseph Burl Scott signals his appreciation after accepting his Memphis Living Legends Award from New Sardis Baptist Church last Sunday.

Bennie Westbrook Wilson, whose musical talent has touched many throughout Memphis, receives her Memphis Living Legend Award from New Sardis Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba Gray.

Each year, New Sardis Pastor Rev. L. LaSimba Gray and the church honor a select group in the course of teaching children about “our struggle, perseverance and accomplishments.”

Throughout the program, the honorees were told individually and as a group that “your many contributions to our community are invaluable to our African American Heritage.”

Here’s a glimpse at the 2010 Memphis Living Legends:

• D’Army Bailey – founder of the National Civil Rights Museum, retired Circuit Court Judge, and civil rights activist.

• Walter Bailey – longtime Shelby County Board of Commissioner, first elected in 1971; re-elected each subsequent term through 2002.  Commissioner Bailey served as Chairman in 1989 and again in 2002.

• Al Bell – past Chairman for STAX Records, and past President of Motown Records.

• LaVaughn Bridges – served 38 years as principal of Melrose High School.

• George H. Brown Jr. – retired Circuit Court and Tennessee Supreme Court judge.

• Robert Denton – first African American in the Mid-South to drive for Greyhound.

• Mamie Ruthe Gammon – first licensed and insured African-American caterer in downtown Memphis.

• Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes – Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Memphis Theological Seminary.

• Claude B. Humphrey – retired professional football player. NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year (1968).

• Coach Jerry C. Johnson – Hall of Fame head basketball coach and athletic director at The LeMoyne-Owen College.

• H.T. Lockard – first African American in Shelby County since Reconstruction, to win a seat on what is now the County Commission; long-serving Criminal Court judge.

• Coach Billy McCou – involved in the fight for civil rights while attending Alabama State College in Montgomery, Ala.; Montgomery Bus Boycott participant, who also worked tirelessly to obtain scholarships for athletes.

• Eldridge “Pete” Mitchell – multiple winner of Memphis City Schools Football Coach of the Year (1964, 1967, 1968); former MCS assistant director of athletics; administrative aide. Memphis State University football.

• Joseph Burl Scott – Negro Leagues professional baseball player (1936-1956); first African American to play at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

• Bobby “Bingo” Smith – Melrose High School basketball star who later starred in the National Basketball Association.

• Brothers Ray, Barry, Marvin, Marcellis Jr. and Terry Sneed – fourth generation famers, owners of the 9,500-acre Sneed Farm, which has grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise.

• Howard B. Terry – professional baseball player, former policeman and police chief for Memphis Housing Authority, where he organized youth baseball leagues.

• Johnnie R. Turner – retired educator and longtime executive director of the Memphis Branch NAACP; District 85 State Representative, completing the term of her late husband, Larry Turner.

• Bennie Westbrook Wilson – an instructor of music at The LeMoyne-Owen College, church pianist, retired MCS music teacher, co-owner the Studio of Performing Arts.