Magnolia Cemetery Beautification and Improvement Advisory Board

Tracey Braddock Jones

Gray Television, retired. VP and General Manager at WHSV in Harrisonburg, VA, and WTOK-TV in Meridian, MS, from 1986 to 2017.

Community service work includes chairing a local hospital foundation board, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Virginia Association of Broadcasters board service, and co-founder and chair of The Valley Responds, a 3-year relief effort directed to Long Beach, MS, for Hurricane Katrina relief. I am from Meridian, and my parents, along with other family and friends are buried at Magnolia Cemetery. I initiated this effort because I realized that this old, historic cemetery is in steady decline and without the community's involvement it will only worsen.

SIDNEY SHAW COVINGTON

President of Covington Development, LLC.

I was raised just 4 blocks north of Magnolia Cemetery and as a lifelong resident of Meridian, I feel a strong connection to this important part of Lauderdale County's history. I cherish so many memories of friends, their families and now my own parents who rest there. This wonderful landmark carries the legacies of countless contributors who helped shape and mold who we are. Having had the privilege of serving on many Boards of Directors through the years such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Care Lodge, The Meridian Little Theatre, Crime Stoppers, Trinity Dyslexia Clinic, to name a few, I recognize and value the need to keep our heritage alive by giving back to those who gave before.

Jay Crane

Owner/Operator Magnolia Cemetery

Native Meridianite has been in the funeral business for over 20 years, including the last six years as owner of Magnolia Cemetery. Married to Holly Hodges Crane for 39 years and has two sons and one granddaughter. Member of a wonderful family of faith at Highland Baptist Church.

GALE PARKER

Retired Speech Pathologist, Meridian Public Schools

I grew up in Florence, MS near Jackson. I often tagged along with my mother and grandmothers researching and documenting their ancestors by visiting courthouses and cemeteries in several states. My husband Bobby's family lived here along with many aunts, uncles and grandparents. Most of them are buried here in Magnolia along with his grandfather, John Woods Parker, three term Mayor of Meridian 1909-1917 and 1921-1923 when he died in office. In 2012, I discovered the free FindaGrave app. I began walking the sections of Magnolia Cemetery, adding photos and gps, creating memorial pages for graves and filling request for photos of specific markers for people looking to find their family and friends. Bobby and I are active members of the Greenwood Cemetery Association in Jackson. Through the years, these volunteers have greatly improved the documentation of burials, restoration projects and the esthetic appeal of this historic resting place. A community effort to repair and restore the roads in Magnolia Cemetery would enhance the beautification of our city and honor the memory of those buried there.

DAN H. SINGLEY, JR.

DMD

Meridian native Dan Singley, Jr. attended the University of Mississippi prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and upon completion was sent to helicopter training. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to the First Calvary Division where he flew Cobra gunships and OH-6A scout aircraft. In November 1969 while piloting his OH-6A on a scouting mission he came under intense enemy ground fire and was injured in the right leg fracturing his femur. He successfully got the aircraft on the ground at a nearby fire support base and was medevacked to the nearest surgical center. After multiple surgeries and 9-10 months of recovery at Camp Zama, Japan, and Keesler AFB, MS, Singley was returned to flight status and served the balance of his time as an instructor pilot at Ft. Rucker, AL. For his service in Vietnam he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Star, and twelve awards of Air Medal. Singley left the Army with the rank of Captain. Afterwards, he resumed his education at the University of Southern Mississippi with honors majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He returned to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, receiving his Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 1981. Dr. Singley established a private practice in Meridian emphasizing adult restorative and cosmetic dentistry. He completed extensive studies at the prestigious L.D. Pankey Institute in Florida and the Center for Professional Development in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to a long history of community involvement, Dr. Singley has served as President of the Mississippi Dental Association, the Third District of MDA, and the Meridian Area Dental Society. He is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists. He also served multiple terms as one of three delegates from Mississippi to the American Dental Association's House of Delegates which is the governing body of The American Dental Association. Dr. Singley retired from the active practice of dentistry in 2017, but maintains contact with several professional organizations. Dr. Singley's wife, Stephanie, teaches STEM classes for Lamar Elementary School and they are long time members of First Presbyterian Church in Meridian.

Rush Mayatt

County Engineer and Road Manager for the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors

I was born and raised in Meridian and I graduated in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2012. Approximately 7 years ago I began as Road Manager for the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.My wife is Wende Mayatt and we have three children, John Miles (11), Layton Brooke (7) and Rowdy (4). I own two other businesses that are located in Meridian: Queen City Warehouse & Transload and M&T Land Company. This is home and I love my hometown. I want to make a positive impact on this community--one that will outlive me.

C.D. Smith

Regional Director, AT&T Mississippi.

In this capacity, he has oversight of AT&T matters for 34 counties spanning Central and Southern Mississippi. Smith recently completed a 10-year term on the Mississippi Public Universities Board of Trustees. He is chairman of the board of directors for The Montgomery Institute and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees for Meridian Community College Foundation. He also serves on the board of Commissioners for Weems Mental Health Center and the Advisory Board for Trustmark Bank. Additionally, he serves on the board of governors for the Mississippi Economic Council. Smith served 39 years in the Mississippi Air National Guard, is a member of the Meridian Rotary Club, and attends North Park Church. My interest in this project stems from the fact that Magnolia Cemetery is the final resting place for Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery. It has been my pleasure to serve as chairman of the board for the Montgomery Institute since its inception 22 years ago, with the purpose of honoring and continuing Sonny's leadership legacy of faith, patriotism, relationships, and perseverance.

Bradley Crawford

President/Executive Director, G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Foundation

As A lifelong resident of this community and a 32-year Meridian Air National Guard member, I have served on many rewarding boards and committees over the years. I currently serve as the President/Executive Director of the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Foundation, where through Sonny's generous financial legacy, we provide funds for many local and statewide leadership, veteran, and military organizations. My interest in this beautification and improvement effort is especially focused on the family grave plot of Congressman Sonny Montgomery, which also includes his mother, Mrs. Emily Timms, and other family members. I am also interested because of the many military veterans and their family members who are buried at Magnolia Cemetery.

Ward Calhoun

Sheriff, Lauderdale County MS

I became Sheriff in January 2024 after serving as chief deputy for over 18 years and in other positions in the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department since 1992. My education includes graduating from Meridian High School, receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from Mississippi College, Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy, Leadership Lauderdale, and the F.B.I. National Academy. My wife Connie and I have three children Drew (wife Abby), Caroline and Cameron and two grandchildren Mac and Hensley. I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Meridian, board member of the CARE Lodge, Law Enforcement Coordinator for East MS Crime Stoppers, member of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Triad-Senior Citizens Crime Prevention Group and former board member of Meridian/Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity, Meridian/Lauderdale County Boys & Girls Club, and the West Lauderdale Touchdown Club. My parents, grandparents and half of my great grandparents are buried at Magnolia Cemetery.