The Story

The dream for the Marsha Barbour Community Center was that of visionary leader, teacher, and Pastor, Reverend Rosemary Hayes Williams.  As destiny would have it, during the months following Hurricane Katrina, the ingenuity of Shantrell Nicks would link the dreams of the Mississippi preacher with caring and generous Katrina volunteers, celebrity syndicated talk show host, Ellen Ratner, and former U-2 Pilot, Cholene Espinoza.  With the help of Ratner and Espinoza, as well as the support of the Mississippi State Legislature and Governor Haley Barbour, Reverend Williams’ dream became a reality, and the Community Center was born.  Groundbreaking commenced in May 2007, and the Center celebrated its grand opening in March 2010.  The Center was named as a tribute to the wife (Marsha) of Governor Haley Barbour, who was recognized for his swift efforts to assist the Gulf Coast Community after Hurricane Katrina.  Reverend Williams envisioned a place for the families and children of the Pass Christian Community to grow, to learn, and to celebrate. The Center created immense hope after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.  With its Olympic-sized pool, NBA Cares basketball court, and Kaboom playground, the Center flourished, providing youth educational and sports programs, as well as after-school programs managed by the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club.  The Center was also home to a youth swim team.  

In May of 2011, the visionary, Reverend Rosemary Williams, passed, and for various reasons, primarily lack of funding, the programs were not sustainable.  Seeing the need for the Community Center and its impact on the Community, in 2014, a Board of Community Citizens led by Mrs. Mary Bowser, a fellow teacher and friend of Reverend Williams’, and her daughter, Sonya Bowser Ashley, picked up the torch to resume activities at the Center.  

Efforts to maintain and operate the Center have not been without challenges.  However, with the support of community partners, corporate donors, the unwavering financial support and commitment of Shantrell Nicks, Mrs. Mary Bowser’s diligent efforts, and the Community Board’s help, the doors have remained open and enrichment programs have continued at the Center.  

Mrs. Bowser was also a visionary, and she envisioned the Center as a catalyst for helping and supporting the Community, especially youth, by providing programs that built up their self-esteem and character, and which in turn would allow them to be successful.  One of the activities offered at the center is the Exploring the B.E.S.T. You Girls Summer STEM Camp, started in 2016 by Mrs. Bowser and her daughter, Sonya Bowser Ashley, with the help and support of former MS State Representative Sonya Williams Barnes (Reverend Williams’ daughter).  The Camp presents hands-on instruction and mentoring opportunities for young girls ages 10-14 to learn and to be exposed to some of the non-traditional career fields for women in the areas of science, engineering, and math.  Other activities that have been or are currently offered include Boys to Men Conference, Community Swim Team, Karate Camp, Summer Swim Lessons, and weekly Karate Training.  

In 2022, Building the B.E.S.T. Community, Inc. (B.E.S.T.), an extension of services and programs offered at the Pass Christian DeLisle / Marsha Barbour Community Center, was formed.  B.E.S.T. was established to foster the various programming at the Center.  The goal was to expand the programs offered to include Senior Services, After-School Care and Tutoring, Music Lessons, Art and Pottery Classes, additional Sport and Recreation Camps, Exercise Activities, Financial Workshops, as well as Motivational Training for Youth.  

Mrs. Bowser worked tirelessly, volunteering her time as Center Manager and Coordinator for almost 10 years, until her passing in November 2023.  Similarly to Reverend Williams, Mrs. Bowser did not live to see the full fruition of the dream that she had and that she helped to build.  With the realization that community work continues, and the heartstrings that are held dear, Sonya and the Board of Community members and volunteers are committed to continuing the mission that her mother, Mrs. Mary Bowser, and her mentor, Reverend Rosemary Williams, started.  Your support will help the Center to remain operational and for the various programs to continue to build and to uplift the community.