On Monday, February 25 at 12 p.m., the Choctaw County Genealogical and Historical Society held its monthly meeting at the Choctaw County Library. In recognition of Black History Month, Ms. Mattie S. McDaniels, a member of the society, presented to a full house an interesting presentation highlighting “9 African American Trailblazers in or with ties to Choctaw County.”
Her presentation was educational and though provoking, prompting questions from those in attendance. All of the trailblazers highlighted were identified as first or had major impact in their category, as African Americans. This is Ms. McDaniel’s fourth year presenting African American history group.
Mr. Buck Clark was a large tract landowner (400+ acres). He purchased 500 acres in 1878 at and around the 5 mile Springs area on Highway 15 becoming one of the first African American large land tract owners in the county.
Mr. Walter Fancher, Sr. owned a gristmill and sugar cane farm and mill in the 1920s and 1930s. He made and sold molasses. He was also a carpenter and a blacksmith prior to 1940.
Mr. Willie Fancher and brother, Walter Fancher, Jr. were one of the first African American homebuilders in the county from the 1930s to 1960s following in their father’s footsteps. Willie and Walter, Jr. were both master carpenters with the skills to carve almost anything out of wod.
Frederick Clark, Esq. received his law degree from the University of MS in 1978. He was the first lawyer to successfully sue, on behalf of the state of MS, a large tobacco company and win.
Trooper Tommy Morris Coleman was the first African American MS Highway Patrol from Ackerman. He graduated the academy and served MHP for 28 years.
Mr. R.B. Ashford was the first African American to start a large scale pig farm in the county. He had over 8,000 pigs at one time and was recognized as outstanding pig grower and farmer of the year. He now leases this farm to a commercial company. He also owns R. B. Ashford Trucking LLC.
Mr. Nicholas Crutcher is the first African American full time pilot with a commercial airline with ties to Choctaw County. He has been a pilot for Delta for 15 years. His mother, Earlean Daniels is a 1965 graduate of Choctaw County High School.
Mr. Antonia Robins, RN is the first African American male Registered Nurse from Ackerman. He has worked in the nursing field for over 20 years working at large and private hospitals as a wound care specialist throughout the Southeast and Midwest and is currently working at the Choctaw Regional Hospital.
