Interesting info

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

More registrations in the last few days:

Phelan Bright
Bill Elinor
Jim Farmer
Bill Herndon
Charles Smith

Also, Robert Harold Taylor has done some research about the integration of Jackson High School, and wanted me to share it with you.

When we were seniors at JHS in the Fall of 1961 a young girl who transferred to Jackson from California by the name of Nancy White did apply for admission to Jackson High School and after several days was turned down by the Jackson School Board.

Back then the City Commission doubled as the City School Board - namely, Quinton Edmonds, Mayor; R. L. (Buddy) Patey, Commissioner of Education; and Tobe Bailey, Commissioner of Public Utilities. Miss White complied with their decision and enrolled in Merry High School.

In the Spring of 1963 a new city commission was elected - namely, George Smith, Mayor; Ben Langford, Commissioner of Education; and Tobe Bailey, Commissioner of Public Utilities.

In the Summer of 1963 Brenda Kay Monroe applied for enrollment at JHS and the new City School Board turned her application down.

Miss Monroe and her parents were extremely upset with this decision and proceeded to take legal action.

Miss Monroe's father was the pastor of the Berean Baptist Church and a local leader in the Jackson NAACP.

They filed suit in Federal Court against the City of Jackson and the City Commission, City School Board and Madison County.

The case when to trail with Federal Judge Bailey Brown of Memphis presiding.

After a lengthy trial, with many parties involved, Judge Brown ruled that Brenda Kay Monroe could be enrolled in the Fall at Jackson High School.

Participants in this case were as follows:

Judge Bailey Brown - Federal Court Judge from Memphis.

Plaintiffs:

M. K. Monroe & Brenda Kay Monroe - Representated by Avon Williams, NAACP Attorney from Nashville.

Defendants:

Russell Rice Sr. - City of Jackson Attorney

Jack Manhein - Madison County Attorney

Thomas Gerald Clyce - Attorney representing the

White Citizens Council of Jackson.

Robert Harold Taylor

Memphis, TN

1-901-755-3925