Pastor Calvin E. Kossie and Sister Mary Strozier Kossie.  The Kossie’s, the recipients of the 2012 “Rev. James E. Dennis and Sister Hester Dennis Honorary Citizens Award”, epitomize the life and service of the late Rev James and Sister Hester Dennis. 

 

Rev Kossie is the pastor of County Line Missionary Baptist Church in Shelby, and Sister Kossie serves as the First Lady.  Both are retired educators who spent a lifetime teaching, counseling, and mentoring children and other educators.  Rev Kossie served for 40 years as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal.  Likewise, Sister Kossie has a long history as an educator to Brenham and Washington County school children.  After retiring from Brenham ISD, she continued to serve children and young adults as a GED teacher.  Rev Kossie has maintained organizational affiliations with Faith Mission, Ministerial Alliance, Mt. Olive Association Board, the Planning and Zoning Committee, and Kingdom Builders Association. 

 

Similarly, Sister Kossie has been involved with Sisters in Ministry, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., and numerous other community organizations.  Rev Kossie has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Blinn College, Texas State College, and Prairie View A&M University, whereas Sister Kossie has similar degrees from Fort Valley State University in Georgia and Prairie View A&M University.  As former members of Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church, the Kossie’s tribute Rev and Sister Dennis with being key role models for ministering to God’s children and families.