Hometown Rankin - February & May 2015

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Larry Swales Chancery Clerk • Rankin County Land Records 211 E. Government St. • Brandon, MS • 601.825.1469 RECORD & PRESERVE DOCUMENTS • Deeds • Deeds of Trust • Power of Attorney • • Federal Tax Liens • Military Discharges (DD214) • • Uniform Commercial Codes • • On-Line Records/ E-Recording • CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS • Attend and Assist in all Meetings • • Prepare & Preserve Minutes • PASSPORTS • Proof of Citizenship Required • • Proof of Identity Required • OTHER DUTIES OF THE CLERK • County Treasurer • County Auditor • • Collector of Delinquent Taxes • • County-Wide Notary • Homestead Chargebacks • Court Records 203 Town Square • Brandon, MS • 601.825.1649 COURT APPOINTED FIDUCIARY Serves as Guardian, Conservator, Administrator and Commissioner when Court Appointed. MISSISSIPPI ELECTRONIC COURTS Electronic filing and maintaining of: • Adoptions • Estates • Land Matters • Divorces • • Child Support, Custody & Visitation Matters • • Minors’ Settlements • Guardianships • Conservatorships • Alcohol, Drug & Mental Commitments • • Restraining / Protective Orders • Injunctions • Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 48 • February / March 2015
H o m e t o w n L o v e puckett Robert Crain When travelers enter the town of Puckett, the first thing they see is a sign that reads, “Welcome to Puckett - Home of 300 GOOD Friendly Folks and a FEW OLD SORE HEADS.” People may not know exactly where Puckett is, but most have either seen the sign or heard about it. In 1837 Calvin Boone built a modest watermill on Clear Creek. He later opened a nearby store and soon, another settler, Mr. Burnham, built a post office. When Mr. Burnham built the post office, he needed a town name; since Burnham was already taken, he called the town Puckett, after a nearby family. Of its limited early attractions, Puckett became home to a traveling show that stopped every year for the winter months before heading out for brighter cities and larger crowds in the spring. Years after the mill was erected and more buildings popped up to keep the post office company, I was born and raised in what had become the small town of Puckett, Miss. I attended Puckett Attendance Center for 13 years. My mom and dad, Beulah Crain and James Pete Crain, still reside here today. My wife Dr. Tanya Warren Crain also grew up in Puckett, and we were married in 1989. We have 3 children, Jackson (21), Bennett (16), and Camille (13). Tanya is the Director of Federal Programs for the RCSD. Jackson graduated from Puckett and is attending Mississippi State University; Bennett is in the 10th grade and is a member of the Brandon High School soccer team. Camille is in the 7th grade at Puckett and a member of the Lady Wolves basketball team. Most of my childhood memories about my hometown, and likely my children’s memories, are centered on Puckett High School and Puckett athletics. While attending school, I was blessed to have some really talented and memorable teachers. If you went to Puckett High School from the 1960s to the 2000s, you know or had some of these teachers, too. I particularly remember Lydia Alice Burnham, Rita Calhoun, Bob James, Betty Crawford and Lennis Stevens, and many of my fellow generation will likely cite them as quite noteworthy of such recognition for the town’s education in those years. Beginning in 1980, and for over 23 years, Thad W. Haskins roamed the hallways of Puckett Attendance Center as the head principal. Mr. Haskins was a great principal, boss, mentor, and a personal friend. Mr. Haskins made me the principal that I am today. He loved everything about Puckett: the school, the community, and especially his church, Puckett Methodist Church. Mr. Haskins was married to Marjorie, who still resides in Puckett today. The school has always been known as a great academic institution and has produced doctors, lawyers, dentists, district and state superintendents of education, politicians, teachers, and many more essential posts in our society. Most people who live outside of town have likely heard about the success of our football and basketball teams. Our athletic programs have produced a number of talented and hard-working athletes over the years. Lennis Stevens played at Mississippi State and later won a state championship while coaching at Puckett. Vick Purvis gained Southern Miss fame, Lee Lott and Terrell Jackson both donned Ole Miss jerseys, and Prentiss Calhoun and Christian Holmes both played for Mississippi State. But all of these athletes learned their trades at Puckett High School. In the 2000s Puckett became known as a football dynasty in the Class 1A Division. During this time, the Wolves played in five south state championships, winning four of those matches, and played in four state championships, winning three in 2002, 2006 and 2008. There are only a few schools not named South Panola that can match the success that our students had on the field. This was a truly memorable time for Puckett. Each Friday, the town would shut down, and people would take off from work to get to the game early for tailgating. It was a great time of fellowship and community pride for the people of Puckett, a pride that has remained sacred and unchanging for so many years. Just like my friends and family, I love Puckett. While others are like moths, drawn to the bright lights of nearby cities and towns, there is no place that I would rather be than right here in our small sleepy town. It’s a lot like Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, as time seems to move a bit slower here. When I am tired, stressed out, or just need a break from the hustle and bustle that has become synonymous with bigger towns, I can simply drive back into the city limits, past that all too familiar welcome sign, and feel at peace. Though I have had opportunities to leave Puckett during my coaching and teaching days, I always came back, as this will always be home. In 2003 I was given an opportunity to be an assistant principal at Pisgah High School. I took that job to gain some valuable experience working with Dr. Norman Session, and I did just that, but it was not Puckett, not home. In 2004 I was able to return to Puckett as an assistant principal, and in 2010 I became the head principal of Puckett Attendance Center. In those years I’ve been able to see first hand the work that the school’s staff, students, and administration have put in to achieve an A level ranking in the Rankin County School District. Those years have shown me that Puckett is, without a doubt, the best place to live, work, and play. I could travel the world over and I may find a community that is prettier, wealthier, or more prestigious than Puckett, but I could not find a place that I would rather live than right here. There is not another town, city, or community in the United States that can advertise “a few old sore heads” and proudly vouch for them too! Hometown Rankin • 49
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