Oral History

Oral history.; Burris Leon Dunn was born in the Oak Ridge Community of Warren County, Mississippi on June 30, 1908, the son of Dr. Robert Burris Dunn and Ruby Richardson-Dunn. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jackson, Mississippi. Dunn began a career in newspapers and printing as a boy, eventually opening his own printing house in Jackson in 1932-33. He also farmed and operated as a real estate broker. Dunn was married to the late Marvis Franklin Dunn and has three sons--Burris L. Jr., Allan C., and Ronald K.

Oral history.; Interview with Estell Harvey conducted on March 4, 2000. Sally Louie (Estell) Harvey was born in 1946 in Howell, Mississippi near Lexington. She grew up working on the family farm with her parents and siblings. Her parents participated in mass meetings to organize voter registration. She spent 33 years in Chicago before returning to Mississippi..

Oral history.; Dr. Leo Orris was born in 1916 in Arlington, Massachussetts. He studied public health and medicine, and after serving in the United States Army during and after World War II, he and his wife Trudy were active in advocating for civil rights. They worked in New York to support civil rights advocacy in Mississippi, and they also spent time in Mississippi, treating patients and educating the black population on infectious diseases.

Oral history.; An interview conducted on July 7, 2006 with George Dale (born 1940). Former Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Mississippi, Mr. Dale now serves as Public Policy Advisor for the law offices of Baker, Donelson. Dale discusses issues related to the insurance industry and Hurricane Katrina.

Oral history.; Discusses the prominence of the United Daughters of the Confederacy among Southern white women prior to World War II and the annual observances of Confederate holidays. Mentions other influential women's organizations in Mississippi.

Oral history.; Alexander Conner Jr. was born April 10, 1928. He received his education in Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and Texas and then worked as a medical technician and an assistant dentist. He also worked in the fields of chemical and biological warfare in France. Now retired, he is a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge.

Oral history.; Eugene Lawrence Christy was born in 1930, in Gulfport, Mississippi. Christy graduated from Thirty-third Avenue High School. In 1951 he was drafted into the military during the Korean War. Upon returning home he began working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in dietetics. In 1961, he was called up from reserve status at the time of the Berlin crisis. In 1983, after serving thirty-two years, he retired from the military as a first sergeant. After thirty-six years at his second career as a nurse's aide at both the Biloxi and the Gulfport VA Hospitals, Mr. Christy retired.

Oral history.; Mr. Palmer E. Foster was born in Jackson, Tennessee, and moved with his family to Ripley, Mississippi. After his high school graduation, he spent four years in the Army during World War II. Then he entered Rust College and in 1949 began teaching biology and chemistry, as well as coaching football in the Columbus City School System. In 1951 he became a full-time Boy Scout Executive, covering several counties where he has been working for thirty-six years until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Palmer has been active in the NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma, and the American Legion. He was Citizen of the Year, City of Tupelo in 1995, a deacon of Springhill M.B.C., and Trustee of the Springhill District Association.

Oral history.; Mr. Tyrone Burton was born in Franklinton, Louisiana, on April 5, 1941. The family owned an eighty-eight acre farm. In 1961, Mr. Burton graduated from Franklinton High School. After high school, Burton attended Katy's Barber College in New Orleans, as well as working as an elevator operator and cutting hair in his hometown. In this way, he was able to support himself and help his family financially. After graduating from barber school, Mr. Burton married Vera L. Burton, and they moved to Biloxi, Mississippi. Mr. Burton has been very successful as a barber practicing in Biloxi for many years, and currently owns his own business.

Oral history.; James Madison Johnson was born on March 17, 1955, in Laurel, Mississippi. He earned a B.S. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and served in the Navy both full-time and in the reserves. In Biloxi, he acquired real estate and built his own business, Johnson Properties, as well as working as a teacher and coach.

From the Oral History Collection. A photograph of five women on stage at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater for the Roots Reunion.

Oral history.; Interview conducted on November 20, 1994 with Iva E. Sandifer (born 1918). Ms. Sandifer taught in the Hattiesburg public school system for thirty-one years. She served as secretary for her local NAACP chapter and as president of the Mississippi State Federation for Colored Women's Clubs.

Oral history.; Clyde Cade was born in 1897 to Charlie and Laura Cade in Possumneck, Mississippi. He recalls experiences from his early life that include receiving electricity for the first time at the age of 9, raising food on his family's farm, and catching a 92 pound catfish with his father. Cade went on to work as a rural mail carrier for 40 years before retiring in 1962. Cade also served as Mayor of West, Mississippi. Beginning in 1988 and ending at the age of 94, he held the title as one of the oldest mayors in America.

From the Oral History Collection. A digital photograph from the Mississippi Oral History Project 10th Anniversary. Photo shows a speaker addressing attendees. Photo is blurred.

Oral history.; Interview conducted April 24, 2002 in Claiborne County. Brandon describes conditions of sharecropping, including the relationships that developed with local stores. He discusses foodways and describes the process of making syrup. An avid hunter, Brandon also talks about hunting practices he developed growing up. Brandon has worked in a variety of industries, and has held positions as a logger, welder, packer and general factory worker, as well as trailer park manager. In addition, he also served briefly in the US Army.