Former and current residents of Kosciusko gathered at Barrister’s Hall Friday night to celebrate a local version of the state bicentennial.
A number ot notables returned to their home turf for the celebration, which was organized by the Kosciusko Attala Partnership.
Following opening comments from Mayor Jimmy Cockroft and performances by the Kosciusko Public School drama class and the KHS Big Red Band, the event recognized both current and former community members who have made a name for themselves.
Three bicentennial essay writers from the local schools were recognized. They are Dharma Edwards, Emily Lin and Reagan Smith.
Items have been collected for a time capsule which will be placed at Redbud Springs Park. A redbud tree, presented by Donna Yowell, executive director of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, will also be planted in the park to commemorate the celebration.
Musical entertainment was by the Cavaliers Remixed, comprised of Charlie Davis, John Burk and Gary Barnette. The Cavaliers was a popular local band in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Guests enjoyed barbecue provided by Hank Jones, beverages offered by Prairie Farms and a bicentennial cake created by Pam Sills.
G.G. Holmes of the Kosciusko Attala Partnerhsip supplied the following biographical information about the local luminaries recognized and given ceramic plaques commemmorating the bicentennial:
James Meredith
James Howard Meredith is well-known as a civil rights leader. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and enrolling at Jackson State University, Meredith was the first black person to attend the University of Mississippi. He wrote an account of his experience there, “Three Years in Mississippi,” published in 1966. After earning his law degree from Columbia Univeristy in 1968, he turned his interest toward politics. From 1989 to 1991, he served as domestic advisor to Sen. Jesse Helms. In recent years, he has continued his involvement in politics and education through The Meredith Institute.
Topher Payne
Payne was educated in the Kosciusko public schools until he decided to pursue a career and attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. He has premiered 20 plays and is known “for his clever, zingy southern comedies.” He has been honored with the Suzi Bass Award, Outstanding World Premier; the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award and the Metro Atlanta Theater Award.
Jewette Thomas Battles
A transplant from Missouri, Battles is the only recipient of two Kosciusko golden Shovel Awards. In 1986, she reinsated the Historical society, which purchased the Mary Ricks Thornton Culture Centre. She currently serves on the Kosciusko Attala Community Development Board, whcih is spearheading the Mississippi Native American Museum project.
Betty Ferguson
Ferguson, a native of Kosciusko, is a retired teacher and counselor. Working at Sam’s Town Casino in Tunica, she and other employees painted wine bottles to raise moeny for the Employee Relief Fund. Ferguson then began her artistic endeavors, which include painting Kosciusko’s historic buildings and now the Bicentennial flag.
Offie Thomas Oakes
Oakes did not begin paiting seriously until 1983, but has since studied with many notable artists. In 1987, she painted and donated an oil on canvas, “Princess Attala,” for that year’s Natchez Trace Festival. She was won numerous awards and one of her paintings is in possession of country music star Marty Stuart. She has inspired many local artists as an art instructor for both adults and children.
Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Hartness
Dr. Hartness practiced family medicine for more than 40 years in town. He served as president of the Kosciusko/Attala Chamber of commerce and chaired the centennial celebration of the Attala County courthouse. Mrs. Hartness is a charter member of the Junior Auxiliary, a member of the Fun and Flowers Garden Club and Tourism Chairman. The couple were long-time patrons of artist L.V. Hull and have been isntrumental in preserving her unique art form.
John Floyd
For the past 14 years, Floyd has taught Continuing Educaion fiction writing courses at Millsaps College. Since 1994, his work has appeared in more than 250 publications. Specializing in mysteries and crime, his books have been praised by James Patterson, Nevada Barr, Jan Burke and Douglass Preston.
Richard C. Adkerson
Richard C. Adkerson is president, CEO and vice chairman of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, a leading international mining company. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS degree with highest honors and an MBA degree. In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Mississippi State. He serves in leadership roles in a variety of community organizations.
Taft Hawthorne
Hawthorne attended Attala Training School and then Long Creek before leaving for Chicago, where he lived until enlisting in the Army in 1965. He returned to that city and continued his singing career alongside Howlin’ Wolf and Freddy King. He returned to Kosciusko in 1972 and retired from Streets and Sanitation after 15 years. Today, he volunteers with Helping Hands Ministry and enjoys fishing. Taft performed at the celebrations.
Kaye Monroe Johnson
Johnson began writing poetry at an early age and to commemmorate the bicentennial, she penned “Happy birthday, Mississippi,” “Kosciusko,” and the lurics to a jingle, “Mississippi.” She is an annual participant at the Mississippi Book Festival.
Kenneth Townsend
Townsend, KHS Class of 2000 valedictorian, was the inaugural recipient of the Randy Holloway Athlete of the Year award. He graduated from Millsaps College in 2004 and serves there as assistant professor of Political Science. He is executive director of the Institute for Civic & Professional Engagement at the college. A recipent of the Truman Scholarship for Public Service and the Rhodes Scholarship, he also chairs the National Fellowships Committee. He also serves on the boards of numerous local, national and international non-profit organizations.
Clarence Harmon
After playing for Mississippi State, this Kosy native signed with the Washington Redskins and played with them from 1977-82, helping the team win Super Bowl XVII. He is now active in the school system in the Tupelo area.
Wayne Jones
After a stellar football carrer in Kosciusko, he continued his education and play at Mississippi State, receiving many honors, such as MVP, all-SEC running back for two years, and All American Honorable Mentiobn. He is a member of the Mississippi State M-Club and Hall of Fame. He has given back to the sports he loves by coaching football, baseball, track, power lifting, softball, and strength training at the high school and junior college levels, inspiring young adults to reach their goals.
Jeffrey Moore
As the lead running back at Jackson State University in his senior year, he logged 1,094 rushing yards and earned a spot in the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs. Over the next six years, he played for the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Washington Redskins. After his NFL days, he came back to the state to work for the Deaprtment of Education. He was inducted into the Jackson State Hall of Fame in 2005 and to the All-Century team at JSU in 2011.
