Colorado · A legacy of service
State leadership
President - Anthony Dabney (cuuoc@hotmail.com)
1st Vice President - Priscilla Brown (priscillabrown@gmail.com)
2nd Vice President - Barbara Reynolds (reynoldsbb11@aol.com)
3rd Vice President - Malcolm Groves (grovesmalcolm51@gmail.com)
4th Vice President - Jan Holloway (jhollaway77@yahoo.com)
Board Chairman - Brenda Melons (melonsbrenda@gmail.com)
Board Vice- Chair - Edith Jackson-Norris (jacksonnorris315@gmail.com)
Financial Sec'y - Terral Moore (terralm@msn.com)
Treasurer - Vanessa Evans (vanessadale5@q.com)
Our story, since 1939
From a Denver beginning to decades of national leadership, Colorado’s story is one of faithful service carried forward by generations of ushers.
Our roots: Denver, 1939
Our story began in 1939 as the Denver City Ushers Union and expanded from Denver to Colorado Springs. On June 18, 1946, the late Rev. M. K. Curry, pastor of Central Baptist Church, organized the Churches Ushers Union of Colorado, Inc. at the church.
Seven officers helped establish that foundation: Osbie Herold, President; Velma Moore Flintroy, Secretary; D. F. Mallard, Treasurer; Essie J. Hester, Financial Secretary; Mildred Gray, Chaplain; Blossom Lee Ashworth, Music Director; and Robert Lee Christopher, Publicity Chairman.
Taking our place on the national stage
In 1949, President Herold attended the National Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Colorado joined the national organization. Elected Sergeant-at-Arms, he served for one year. The following year in Boston, Massachusetts, he was elected to the National Board of Directors—beginning 21 years of faithful service on the board.
Colorado’s national leadership continued to grow. Usher James E. Anderson was elected National 4th Vice President in 1964. In 1972, Usher Ethel White became Colorado’s first recipient of the William H. Davis Honor Club Award.
A legacy of leadership and service
In 1980, James E. Anderson was elected National President in Memphis, Tennessee, and served for four years. From 1980 to 1984, Honorary Usher Dr. Joyce Marie Davis served as National Chairman of the Music Department, while Usher Ruth Anderson served as National Corresponding Secretary.
Usher Willa Van Austin served as Chairman of the Alumni Department from 1985 to 1989. In 1989, Willa Taylor served as Co-Counselor of the National Young Adult Department.
In 1996, Usher Darnell Ward was elected President of the National Junior and Young Peoples Department, and Usher Ruth I. Jones served as Chairman of the National Board of Directors. Usher Helene Ward was elected to the National Board of Directors in 2006 and, through re-election, served from 2006 to 2012.
New chapters in Colorado’s story
In 2012, Usher LaTasha Pettis was elected the 22nd National Young Adult President, and Usher Chanel Patrick was elected President of the Junior & Young Peoples Department. In 2018, Usher Ruth I. Jones was installed as President at the National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Colorado has also welcomed the National Convention to our state four times: 1951, 1961, 1978 and 2007.
Since the union’s organization in 1946, nineteen presidents have served the Churches Ushers Union of Colorado, Inc. Today, Bro. Anthony Dabney serves as our State President, continuing this legacy of faithful service.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV