Oakwood Awards Keys to the City to Rev. Ira Bostic

Oakwood Mayor Vicki Stroud presents Rev. Ira Bostic with the keys to the city. Photo by Melissa Missildine Oakwood Mayor Vicki Stroud, along with City Councilwoman, Bobbye Bullock, presented Rev. Ira Bostic of Houston, and formally of Oakwood, the keys to the city. After Rev. Bostic finished his first night of revival at The Miracle Church in Oakwood, he relinquished the pulpit to Pastor Larry Allen. Pastor Allen called for Mayor Stroud and Bullock to come forward for the presentation. Rev. Bostic was beaming with pride as he was presented with a plaque and the "keys to the city" for his dedication to the City of Oakwood. This is the first time Mayor Stroud has made such a presentation and could not recall if it had ever been done before.

Bostic was born and raised right here in Oakwood. He graduated from Dunbar School before going off to study at the Fairfield Barber College. He owned his own business, Bostic Barber Shop, for many many years. He was instrumental in leading his nephew, Pastor Allen, down the same path. Allen followed in his uncle's footsteps to become first a barber, and then later, a minister. After becoming a minister and moving off to Houston, Bostic continued to travel to Oakwood on a regular basis to preach revival. Today, he still pastors the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston with his wife, Jean, by his side.

When Pastor Allen contacted the Mayor about his uncle's many achievements and continued support of the community of Oakwood, she readily agreed to present him with the keys to the city. During the presentation, Rev. Bostic spoke fondly of Vicki Lipsey-Stroud's family and remembered that he had even washed dishes for her grandfather all those years ago. He said he remembered the family well and was proud to receive this award from not only the city but, an old family friend.