Fish Fry Held at Kennedy Chapel Free Will Baptist Church

     A delicious fish fry was held on Saturday at the Kennedy Free Will Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia.  Friends and family enjoyed mullet, tilapia, catfish, coleslaw, baked beans, salad, hush puppies, grits and luscious cakes. I got to try fried mullet roe for the first time and I can't say I'm a fan, but at least I tried!

    Following the dinner, Pastor Jimmy Love, his wife Joanne, her sister Francis McDowell and husband Don McDowell entertained with music. The four of them have been singing together since about 1981 and have a group called Love and McDowells. Jimmy plays acoustic guitar while all of them do the vocals. Their harmonizing was beautiful for the songs "Not Afraid to Die", "Just a Grain of Sand" and "Who Do You Think". Other folks joined in for a sing-along to "Glory Road", "What a Day", "I'll Fly Away" and "Jesus Hold My Hand".  Dwayne McDowell  took over for a solo set of  " '49 Ford", "Christmas All Year Round" and "I'm Not Afraid".  Dwayne, who is the son of Don and Francis McDowell, plays the acoustic and sings. Frank Wiley entertained with a few songs on the harmonica. Many of the singers belong to the church choir and sing with Jimmy Love on guitar and Marie Sherrod on piano for Sunday services.

    The church members really made people feel at home and they welcome new members.  It is an independent, free will church. Pastor Jimmy Love, who has been a pastor there for 15 years, refuses to accept payment for his pastoring. The church  holds Sunday School at 10:00 am and church at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. It is located at 2657 Patten-Coolidge Road, Thomasville, GA 31792. Contact Pastor Jimmy Love at 229-228-9210 for more information about the church or the family singing group.