A native south Alabamian who is an educator and minister will serve as the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, set for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19 at Dunbar Recreation Center in Greenville.

Minister Anita McCreary grew up in Conecuh County in the Johnsonville community and now resides in Brewton. She has long been active in the church, serving in a number of capacities in her home congregation at Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church. There she taught Sunday School, served as Matrons’ president, choir and usher board member, and participated in many ministries and activities. She also served as the Evergreen District Association Matrons’ president and as president of the Aglow Lighthouse in Brewton. McCrary is presently a member of the Second St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton, where the Rev. W.J. Dailey is her pastor. In March 2007, she became an ordained minister and currently assists her pastor as the church family as needed.

McCreary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Computer Science from Troy University. She has been employed at Jefferson Davis Community College since 2001 where she serves as lab coordinator/transfer specialist. She is the mother of one son, Bradley, who is currently a senior at T.R. Miller High School.

The MLK Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by the Butler County Civic League. The BCCL’s George Cook said he expects 500 or more people, including many city and county officials, to be in attendance at Monday’s event.

“This is a very special day for the many people who come and join us,” he said.

The first such event was held on January 21, 1991 at Beeland Park Recreation Center.