WarriorMagazineJanuary2021

The late Judge Marcus (’55) and Polly Gor- don (’54) were hon- ored with a memorial service Friday, Oct. 16, at Union First Baptist Church. Alumni Updates 50 s 70 s • 80 s • Charlotte Madden McMath (’75) retired in May of 2019 after serving 42 years in the classroom. The last 35 years were spent at Mississippi College as Assis- tant Professor of Mathematics. Alben D. Roland (’86), a native of Morton now residing in Providence, R.I., has been named

senior care director at Merit Health Rankin. Crain is a registered nurse with a master of nursing/healthcare administration degree from the Uni- versity of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Crain provides oversight to the geriatric inpatient behavioral health unit. In his role, he manages the day to day activities of the unit, patient care and community outreach. The majority of Crain’s healthcare career has been serving individuals with intellectual and de- velopmental disabilities. He resides in Forest with his wife of 21 years, Julie, and their four children. Darryl Young (’97) was recently se- lected a member of the board of the Philadelphia City School District and will fill the unexpired term of John Wilkerson. A Philadelphia native and graduate of Philadelphia High School, Young serves as a financial consul- tant at Regions Bank in Kosciusko. named to the Top Twenty Under 40 by The Meridian Star in the publica- tion’s 2020 Home & Style special section. Caleb May (’02) was recently elected Circuit Court Judge for the Eight Cir- cuit Judicial District. Lucas Carr (’02) was the subject of a recent feature in the Newton County Appeal for his songwriting. David Burt (’03) recently joined Great Southern Bank as vice president. He has more than 16 years experience in the banking industry. 00 s • Melonie Moore Wash- ington (’02) of Phila- delphia and Nathan Williams of Union were

served as interim principal at CCHS and earlier served as assistant princi- pal at Pearl River Elementary. Lauren Daniels Barnett (’13) was recently featured as the Cook of the Week in the Dec. 16 edition of The Neshoba Democrat. She is a speech- languange pathologist with the Phila- delphia Public Schools. Chandler Smith (’14) was recently selected choir director at Newton County High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Delta State University and his master’s degree at Mississippi College where he also served as a choral graduate assis- tant. Prior to completing his master’s degree, Smith served as assistant band/choral director at Richland High School. Fallon Beckham (’16) was the featured ‘Cook of the Week’ in The Neshoba Democrat’s June 24, 2020, issue. She is a licensed physical therapist as- sistant. Mariah Usry (’18) of Decatur was chosen MSU-Meridian’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Divi- sion of Education. vella titled “A Strand of Hope.” It cov- ers the fictional story of a teen girl who takes her first job as a horseback librarian in Kentucky’s mountains. While she travels the rocky paths delivering books to families secluded in the mountains, she also takes an emotional journey to learn invalu- able lessons of forgiveness. You can find out more information and read the full back cover copy at astrand- ofhope.com or amandatero.com. Riley Oubre (’20) was awarded a Riley Foundation Scholarship to continue her education in elementary educa- tion at MSU-Meridian. 20 s • Amanda Tero (’20) of Decatur recently released a YA Christian Historical Fiction no-

Director of Engineering with Win- chester Enterconnect at the Dayville, Conn., facility. Joey Blount, (’87) a longtime educa- tor, recently retired after 31 years as a math teacher, coach and admin- istrator. He most recently served as principal at Neshoba Central High School for 11 years.

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90 s

Terry “Bo Jack” Thames (’91) and his wife, Jerrica (’03), were the subject of a recent

feature in Agnes Russell’s weekly col- umn in the Newton County Appeal. Bo Jack Thames owns Thames Stucco Company and also works part-time with the Sheriff’s Department. Jerrica Thames is a teacher in the Union City School District. Lela Ladner Hester (’92) of Brandon was named Madison County School District’s Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2019-20 school year. Chief Cyrus Ben (’97) of the Missis- sippi Band of Choctaw Indians was one of eight Mississippians tapped to help design the new flag for the state of Mississippi. He was appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves. Joey Crain (’97) has been named

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10 s

Alaric Keams (’11) was recently named princi- pal of his alma mater, Choctaw Central High

School, where he previously served as a teacher and coach. He most recently

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