Members of the Laurel-Jones County community gathered at the steps of the Jones County Courthouse on Friday, January 17 to recognize January as the Sanctity of Human Life Month. The crowd heard a memorable story from Mayor Johnny Magee and learned about adoption from Brett Bouchillon. Sheriff Joe Berlin led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Choices Clinic Board Chairman Macon Phillips gave the invocation.
“Laurel and Jones County have some very important groups and individuals, Choices Clinic being one of those, and we thank them for all that they do,” stated Magee.
The mayor told a story of a young lady who lived in Laurel that was in her thirties. She was married to a man that didn’t treat her very well. She had one child and did not want to bring another child into that situation. However, she became pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy.
“This young lady was a believer. She was a praying woman, and she wrestled with her decision,” explained Magee. “One day, in her struggle and fight with herself and her decision, she heard the voice of God. She determined that no matter what her husband did, no matter what he said, she was going to have that baby.”
“This was before the time when they had gender reveals,” continued Magee. He said she went to a hospital, located at the end of 1st Avenue, that was named the South Mississippi State Hospital.
“A lot of people call it the Charity Hospital.”
There she had her baby, and it was a little boy.
When it came time to name the baby, she wanted to name him after her father, Johnny Thomas.
Struggling to contain his emotions, Magee continued. “She named her baby Johnny Magee.”
“Even though she thought she had made up her mind. Even though she thought she knew what she was going to do. She heard the voice of God, and he had some other plans. He had to tell the rest of the story. And, I thank God that she, a few years ago, listened to the voice of God and gave birth to this soul.”
Wiping tears from her eyes, Choices Clinic Executive Director Brittany Sherman stepped to the podium and responded to Magee’s story. “It takes a lot of courage to tell your story.”
She thanked all for coming and said, “In 1984 President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation declaring January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. This came as a pro-life response to the legalization of abortion-on-demand nationwide on January 22, 1973. Since then, over 61 million unborn babies’ lives have been taken legally in our country, and millions of mothers, fathers and family members have grieved those children.”
She added that 80 percent of women who choose to have an abortion say they felt like they didn’t have any other choice. Choices Clinic, formerly CPC, has been providing support services to women facing unplanned pregnancies for over 23 years.
“In 2019 at least 86 percent of abortion-minded women who came to Choices changed their minds and chose life,” said Sherman. “We also saw 250 new clients, 330 baby items given, and four decisions to follow Christ.”
She introduced the next speaker, Brett Bouchillon. He and his wife, Ellie, settled in Laurel after graduating from Mississippi State and recently moved to Ellisville.
“Mayor, that is a hard act to follow,” said Bouchillon as he took the microphone to speak. “I’m thankful just like you that your mother chose life because you have impacted so many lives in Jones County in a positive way and will continue to do so. I thank you for your leadership in Jones County and Laurel.”
Quoting statistics from the American Family Action Network, Bouchillon stated, “Around the world every minute, thirty-nine babies are lost to abortion. I think we can all agree, one’s too many. Just that we have the option of the Choices Clinic in our community is huge. They provide medical tests, education and supplies. All these things are a huge win for our community.”
“I’m thankful that my daughter’s mother chose life,” exclaimed Bouchillon. He and his wife have two