Cassie Edwards Scholarship Program

Marian Edwards Ellis is the daughter of the late Billy and Cassie Edwards and the granddaughter of the late Elgie and Cassie Clayton and the late Willie B. and Ora Lee Edwards of Sulphur Springs, TX. She is married to James D. Ellis of Paris, TX and they have three adult children: Ashley, Marissa, and Shedrell Ellis. She has been an educator for 25 years and worked for various school districts as a teacher and/or administrator: Sulphur Springs ISD, Paris ISD, Clarksville ISD, Windham Schools through TDCJ, Paris Junior College, and North Hopkins ISD. In March 2023, she was announced as the Lone Finalist for Superintendent of Schools for Clarksville ISD. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education, and Doctor of Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Billy W. Edwards, Jr. is the son of the late Billy and Cassie Edwards and the grandson of the late Elgie and Cassie Clayton and the late Willie B. and Ora Lee Edwards of Sulphur Springs, TX. He is the father of two adult children: Lakesha (Demetrius) Verrette and Jasmine Hall Edwards and the grandfather of Demetrius Verrette, Jr. He has been in Information Technology for over 20 years. He has worked for Boeing, various government contracts and presently, Toshiba GCS. He has been a minister of the Gospel for over 15 years and resides in Dallas, Texas.

Donna E. Washington is the daughter of the late Elgie and Cassie Clayton and the granddaughter of the late Sidney and Fannie Clayton and the late Chester and Josie Lewis of Sulphur Springs, TX. She has two adult children and seven grandchildren. She worked over 23 years and retired from the Texas Department of Human Services and worked various occupations within Hopkins County. She loves to travel all over the world to places like Italy, London, Greece, Turkey, and Paris, France.

Ashanta L. Alexander is the daughter of Silvesta Clayton Alexander and the late Clyde Ray Alexander, and the grand-daughter of the late Dexter Clayton and Emma Jewel Vaden-Clayton and the late Rev. Cleveland Alexander Sr. and Rosa Lee Harrison-Alexander. Ms. Alexander received her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Early Childhood Endorsement from Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  She has been in education for 25 years, all serving with the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, where she graduated from High School. As an educator, she has served as a teacher for 15 years, Academic Specialist for 2 years, and is currently the Principal of Barbara Bush Primary School.

Wanda Reeves Allen is a native of Clarksville, TX, in Red River County. She has resided in Sulphur Springs, TX, for over 25 years. Her parents were the late Joe and Nellie Reeves, and her grandparents were the late Elbert and Ola Reeves and Will and Arlene Ingram. She is married to Charles Allen Sr. They have three children: Charles Jr, Yolanda, and Jerrell. Wanda is a US Army Veteran and earned the Rank of Staff Sergeant. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Counseling and Guidance. Her military background gave her the foundation for her careers success, working in corrections 25 years for Texas Department of Criminal Justice TDCJ- and Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division. She is retired as a district Parole Officer and currently employed
with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department. Mrs. Allen enjoys traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Hillary Byrd Young is the daughter of Valestine Mays Simpson and the late John Truman Jones. She is the granddaughter of the late Clyde O. Mays, Sr. and Ernestine Grayson Mays, and the late J.C. and Crealure Wilcox Jones, of Dallas, Texas. She is married to Rev. Troy L. Young and they have three adult children and three grandsons. She worked for Sulphur Springs ISD Head Start for 26 years and a coordinator and program director, retiring from the district in 2018. She worked for Community Development Institute Head Start in the capacity of consultant and as an employee in the Transition Works division. In June 2022, she began a new career journey and works for a local bank in Sulphur Springs, Texas. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, cooking, and traveling.