Awards honor Lemmie Battles, Ella Irby
An award winning Gospel singer and recognized hearing impaired mentor from Wabbaseka are among the four Arkansas natives being honored with the 2026 Legend Among Us award.
Wabbaseka native and author Jason Irby will present the 11th annual Arkansas Heritage Celebration of Black History Month Legend Among Us Recognition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) in Little Rock. The event is free and open to the general public, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
Honorees are Lemmie Battles, Ella Irby, both from Wabbaseka, along with Roy Harper and Bill Boyd.
LEMMIE BATTLES
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Battles is a Gospel recording artist and evangelist. Known as “The Gospel Songbird,” she has received multiple music and achievement awards.
“Growing up in Wabbaseka, I knew Lemmie’s family (the Barnes family),” Jason Irby said. “They were all wonderful singers and musicians. We knew she was talented and Lemmie became nationally recognized after sharing the stage as a co-host on the televised, ‘Bobby Jones Gospel.’ We are proud to recognize Lemmie as a Legend Among Us. Her music and words have inspired many people across the globe.”
For more than 40 years, her testimony of being healed from cancer three times has shaped the legendary, spirit-filled sound of this Grammy and Dove nominated, Stellar Award-winning artist, according to the release.
Battles blossomed in music ministry as a lead vocalist for the Stellar Award-winning, national Gospel recording artists, Chicago Mass Choir. After nearly 25 years of service, she embarked upon a solo career. She now enjoys the success of her latest single, “Never Stop Trusting God,” according to the release.
ELLA “DOLL” IRBY
Irby is a mentor and instructor to the hearing-impaired community, American Sign Language students and interrupter trainees. She is also the president and a founding member of Little Rock Black Deaf Advocates, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
During the early 1950s, she attended the Arkansas School for the Colored, Deaf and Blind in Little Rock. Upon completion of her formal education in 1961, Irby received a certificate of attendance. In pursuit of quality employment opportunities, she obtained her GED (general educational development) and bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Irby is the first Black deaf individual to receive a degree from UA Little Rock, according to the news release.
Her professional career began at Deaf ACCESS, an independent living, residential, and community service program of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. After 15 years, Irby transitioned to work as an American Sign Language (ASL) mentor for the Interpreter Education Program at UALR. She mentored students in language development of ASL.
“Ella B. Irby, or my Aunt Doll as I know her, is one of the most joyful individuals I’ve ever met,” Jason Irby said. “I’ve witnessed her as a mentor, mother, and friend to many, including myself. I witnessed her transition into a leader and overcoming the challenges in her own life to assist others overcome challenges in their lives. She wasn’t always the most visible but her impact was the most felt. Unmeasurable is how I describe my Aunt Doll.”
Other honorees will include:
Roy Harper, a native of Lewisville, who is known as a “King of 1A Texas Football.” He is the first Black coach at Burkeville (Texas) Independent School District, according to the release. William “Bill” Boyd, a native of Forrest City, is an Air Force veteran who received a Vietnam Era Bronze Star, according to the release.
Arsenal issues noise alert
Residents living close to the Pine Bluff Arsenal should not be alarmed if they hear loud noises in the morning and afternoon coming from the installation Saturday. The noise is from cannon fire being conducted during opening ceremonies and conclusion of events for the White Hall High School JROTC Raider Competition being held on at the Arsenal throughout the day, according to a news release.
THV11 honors Pine Bluff’s Reed
Cali Reed of Pine Bluff has been honored as Summit STEAM Student of the Month and was featured earlier this month on CBS affiliate THV11 (KTHV, channel 11).
Cali is a seventh-grader at the Explorer Academy in Pine Bluff. She said during a promo that she loves acting, music and drawing. She has won numerous awards for her artwork and drawings and she says she wants to be an actress when she grows up. Summit Utilities sponsors the award. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Dog obedience class set
The Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club is sponsoring a seven-week dog obedience class starting March 10. The class will meet from 7-8 p.m. at Hestand Stadium. The cost is $65 for the seven weeks, and registration is due at the door. Details: (870) 879-3384 or (870) 209-3384.
