The Fayette Juneteenth Committee has announced five Grand Marshals for the milestone 25th annual celebration next week. Troy and Sheila Chapman, Carolyn Cravens, Rev. Fatima Garikayi, and Don Jackman will be honored in the parade and opening ceremonies on Saturday, June 21. The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. around the square, with most of the day’s activities around the courthouse lawn.

Troy and Shelia

Chapman

Troy and Shelia Chapman are longtime residents of Fayette and longtime faithful members of St. Paul United Methodist Church. They have been united in a loving marriage for 36 years and have two children, Monique and Keenon Chapman. Monique and Keenon would say together they were perfect parents, but their favorite titles are Grandma and Paw-Paw. They have two grandchildren, Glenn Ganaway III and Jadaya Poindexter.

Shelia has been a childcare provider for many years and has run Chapman’s Childcare Center for 31 years here in Fayette. Troy is a Licensed Electrician and works for the University of Missouri. Shelia has recently retired but still watches children for families in need of care over the summer months.

During the spring, summer, and fall months, Troy and Shelia have a food truck called Swanny’s Kitchen. They travel all over the Mid-Missouri area, selling hot fish plates and giant pork tenderloin sandwiches at festivals, community events, and gatherings. The truck was named to honor the legacy of Shelia’s late mother, Gussie Bush, whose nickname was Swanny.

Troy is well-known in his neighborhood. He is always willing to help a neighbor or anyone in need. Troy takes pride in his neighborhood and will mow grass just because it needs to be done. He’s always a big help if anyone needs electrical work done, and he even fixes bikes for kids in the neighborhood. Troy enjoys listening to old-school music, watching his grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews play outside, and, most recently, showing Glenn how to mow the grass and fish.

Shelia also enjoys watching her grandchildren play. She enjoyed watching Glenn play baseball this spring. She loves to go shopping, find a “deal,” and loves to host her family and friends for family celebrations. Shelia also loves spending Friday Nights with her best friend, Octavia McQuitty, trying new restaurants, and grocery shopping.

Troy and Shelia are honored to be recognized as Grand Marshals for the 25th Anniversary of Celebrating Juneteenth in Fayette. With God leading their lives every day, they continue to serve their community through acts of love and service.

Carolyn Cravens

Carolyn Cravens was born on March 2, 1953, to Marion and Anna Sue Paige–Cravens, the fifth child and first girl out of 10 children. Her parents raised their children to love God. Their life was centered around the word of God. The Bible was the most important book in their home. It was read to them, and they knew this was the truth. Psalms were prayers, and books of Proverbs were quoted in their home, but Carolyn did not realize fully until she read for herself. Books were important in their home. According to Carolyn, they had to read books of all kinds and write book reports during their summer vacation. She asked her dad why. He said you can go anywhere in the world, and no one can take that knowledge from you. Words were important – God, prayer, Thanksgiving, honor, respect, praise, and diversity.

Carolyn attended Lincoln Public School at the age of six and then Fayette High School, from which she graduated in 1971. Carolyn won an award to attend an LPN program in Columbia and graduated from that program in 1972. She went on to attend Lincoln University in Jefferson City from 1974 to 1977, attaining an associate degree and later a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She also furthered her education by attending Columbia College as well as seminars and workshops in biblical studies. She became a licensed evangelist in 2003.

Evangelist Cravens currently serves two churches. It was through a prophecy that God called her to take on this additional responsibility. Currently, her assignment includes not only Holy Ground Church of God Christ but also Second Baptist, both in Fayette.
Her work and employment career spans multiple healthcare providers. From 1972 to 1974, Carolyn was on staff in the neonatal, obstetric, and pediatric ward at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. She also worked at the Lincoln University infirmary as an LPN and student from 1974 to 1976. Then, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, she worked as an LPN/RN from 1976 to 1979, during which time she graduated with her nursing degree. Carolyn became head nurse at Harry S Truman Veterans Hospital from 1979 to 1989. There, she worked in various units within that institution. She was the second Black head nurse at Truman. She remembers being a part of the healthcare team that treated the first heart transplant patient. As head nurse, Caroline won the Management Award in 1986. This was the first time the nursing department received this honor, which included other incentives she was able to enjoy. Carolyn then worked at Boone Hospital from 1989 to 2006, where she was part of the neurology step unit, orthopedic, and oncology departments.

Her volunteer contributions included various opportunities in the Jefferson City area, such as mentoring new students at Lincoln University and tutoring in mathematics. She also volunteered in the Columbia public schools and assisted teachers in the classroom. In addition, she has been involved in several women’s groups and organizations in the city.
Her hobbies include cooking, preparing meals for the sick and shut-ins, gardening, sewing, and fashion, and she is an avid reader, especially of the Bible, medical, and historical books.
Philanthropy includes donations to the Navigators, Paralyzed Veterans of America, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, TBN, Shoes for Children, DARE program and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, Food For the Poor, St. Jude Children’s, Doctors Without Borders, and Jewish Voice Ministries International.

Carolyn is truly a child of God. Her ministries and the life she lives demonstrate her discipleship.

Rev. Fatima Garikayi

Rev. Fatima Garikayi is a dedicated servant of God and an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, with 19 years of experience in ministry. As a loving mother to her three children, she skillfully balances her spiritual vocation with family responsibilities.

Rev. Garikayi’s academic background includes qualifications in Records and Information Technology, Administration, and Accounting, complemented by theological studies in Zimbabwe and further advanced studies at the University of Zimbabwe. She expanded her knowledge in religious studies and church leadership at Central Methodist University in Fayette, where she is currently advancing her business acumen through an MBA program.

Rev. Garikayi was appointed pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Community United Methodist Church in Columbia on July 1, 2024. She was recently reappointed back to St. Paul and the Sturgeon United Methodist Church, effective this upcoming July 1. She has been an inspiration to the church and community. Under her leadership, St. Paul is launching a lunch ministry in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club and a local jail ministry program to reach women incarcerated who need Jesus in their lives.

Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, Rev. Garikayi finds joy in various activities such as cleaning, reading, conducting research, fishing, and exploring new places through travel. Her adventurous spirit and openness to new experiences enrich both her personal and professional life.

Don Jackman

Donald Jackman was born on April 30, 1960, to Willis and Helen Jackman in Fayette. He has lived his 65 years in Fayette.

Don attended school in the Fayette. He was part of the graduating class of 1978. During his junior high school years, he participated in basketball.

Don, like his brothers, was baptized at an early age at St. Paul United Methodist Church. His mother, Helen, required each of her sons to regularly attend Sunday school. To this day, Don continues to support the church’s necessary work and remains a constant presence behind the scenes on Juneteenth. 

Don followed in the footsteps of his father, Willis “PeeWee,” taking an interest in auto mechanics at an early age. It was at this young age that he was given the nickname “WeePee,” after his father. Helping his father out at the mechanic shop was Don’s way of avoiding work around the house. When he entered high school, he began taking a mechanic’s course during his junior and senior years at the Boonslick Vocational School in Boonville.

Don started his career as an auto mechanic at Kempf Motor Company and then worked at H&J with Fuzzy and Buck. Don took over ownership of Jackman’s Auto Repair from his dad in 1980 before he began working for UPS in 1995. Don and his wife, Carlis Jackman, were married in 2007 in his hometown. Don retired from his 25-year career at United Parcel Service in 2020, though he’s still working for Jackman’s Auto Repair. 

Don is the father to seven kids: Travis, Lance, Chad, Mary, Maria, Nia, and Niesha. He is also the Grandfather to 13 grandchildren and the brother to nine other siblings. 

His hobbies now include spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs football games.
Don has a very generous heart. Much like his dad, he’s always willing to help those in need any time, day or night, with any of their automobile mechanical issues. You will often see him hauling a vehicle from Columbia or as far away as Kansas City. “No” is a word that just does not seem to be in this vocabulary. 

Don is honored to be recognized as a Juneteenth grand marshal this year.