Sampson Funeral Home

Michael Boykin, right, talks about his career in radio with career with Jayandre Simmons. - Barrett Slade, left, talks to students about marketing and finance. Students also learned about mortuary science by Anthony and Carol Worley. - Leonard Henry motivates students during a career fair. - - As a popular radio personality, Michael Boykin enjoyed talking about his career with Jayandre Simmons.Boykin spends a lot of his time on air, but he thought it was important spending his time speaking to future professionals. The Laymen’s League Youth Auxiliary of First Baptist Church of 900 College St. hosted its second annual Career Day Saturday for elementary, middle and high school students. Simmons, a sophomore at Clinton High School, was one of the youths present.“It’s a good opportunity for me to look at all the fields that I want to explore,” Simmons said.The fair’s radio and television opportunities sparked his interest because he likes music.“I think this is a beautiful thing that they put together today for our youth,” Boykin said. “We all need to help prepare our youths for the future.”Many business professionals in the community attended. During different breakout sessions, youths learned about different career paths when adults share their experiences. Some of the fields included law, media, information technology, engineering, social work, mortuary science.Ne’Quoya Smith represented Fayetteville State University’s Educational Opportunity Centers. She believes it’s essential to connect with younger people. During her time at the fair, she spoke with participants about financial aid, the application process for college and other needs.“It’s important to reach out to young people because we don’t want them to fall by the wayside. We want to make sure this service is for them.”Lenzie Grice, an organizer for the event, was pleased with the turnout.“I think it was fantastic,” Grice said. “It was a chance to expose the ...

WWLP) - The Springfield Police Department escorted the body of a Marine Private who was killed in World War II from Bradley International Airport to a Springfield funeral home Thursday afternoon.Police spokesman Ryan Walsh told 22News department motorcycles accompanied the body of Private First Class Francis E. Drake of Springfield, and family to Sampson Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m.Around 8:30 a.m. Friday, Walsh says a Springfield police escort will go from the Springfield funeral home to St. Michael’s Cathedral on State Street, where a wake for Private First Class Drake will take place, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  A full Springfield police escort will then lead the cars from the church after the wake to Agawam Veterans Cemetery for burial at 1 p.m.Drake's nephew, Francis Drake, told 22News, "It's going to close a lot of things for a lot of people in this family. It tore the family up when a lot of things happened."Drake was the first Marine from Springfield to be killed in WWII. His body was found and identified in October 2017.According to the Defense Pentagon of Washington, on October 9, 1942, Drake was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, participating in a main offensive action in the Battle of Guadalcanal.After nearly two months of battle, the regiment completed their action, however, Drake was killed in action. Two other Marines from his battalion were reportedly interred in graves atop Hill 73, alongside him.Scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, and which matched his records; as well as historical and material evidence to identify his remains.