12 • JUNE 2020
READERSPOTLIGHTKathy MANGUM ________Why did you decide to make Rankin Countyyour home?My family has lived in Star for many years. Mygrandfather moved here from the Greenfieldcommunity to open Mangum’s Store. Whenmy parents married, they made the decision tobuild their life here running the rural grocerystore. Star is a tight-knit community whereeverybody knows your name and you are alwayssurrounded by people who love and support you.How long have you lived in Rankin County?I have lived here all my life and love it. I attendedkindergarten through twelfth grade in theFlorence school system. It was the only schoolin the area at that time. I attended BelhavenUniversity receiving a bachelor’s degree ineducation and made the easy decision to teach inthe Rankin County School System. After a fewyears, I continued my education at MississippiCollege to become a school counselor. Helpingstudents and watching them succeed made forsuch a rewarding career. I am proud of all RankinCounty schools and proud to have served atboth Northwest Rankin and McLaurin.Tell us about your family.My husband Zac and I have a home on the farmmy parents bought when they first married. Heserved in the U. S. Navy and is a currently a pilotin corporate aviation. I now enjoy working forthe Mississippi Department of Education in thecounseling department. My mom lives just acrossthe road that now divides the farm. She is nowand has always been very involved in our localcommunity and civic organizations, and servedthis community for 40 years as the postmaster.I have one son, Cass Brister, a high schoolbaseball coach, a wonderful daughter-in-lawKatie, an orthodontic tech, and two of the mostamazing grandson’s on the planet, Reece andCason.What is your favorite memory of living inRankin County?My memories all center around growing up inthis small town, riding my bike down the middleof the road, dragging my feet off the back of thepick up truck, swimming in the lake, summertimecommunity softball, watching baseballgames, the Star Country Club, time spent inyouth activities at Wesleyanna United MethodistChurch (where I’m still a member), spendingtime with friends and always finding ways tohave fun. These memories might seem smallbut they are a significant part of who I amtoday.Where are your three favorite places to eatin Rankin County?My family loves to eat at Jerry’s Catfish and myhusband and I enjoy date nights at Table 100.My new favorite is Bangkok Thai!What are some fun things to do in RankinCounty on the weekends?We enjoy time at our cabin on my husband’sfamily farm. Cooking steak in the outdoorfireplace, watching ducks on the lake, nappingin the hammock, and just taking it easy makesfor some pretty special times. And of course,weekends are always fun when we have thegrandsons.Share some things you enjoy doing in yourspare time.In my spare time I love taking walks, workingin the yard, swimming, spending time withfriends, family gatherings, and traveling to justabout anywhere!What are three things on your bucket list?I love the adventure of travel and have beenable check a few bucket list places off. But thoseremaining are New Zealand, Australia, SouthAfrica, Scotland, Greece, and the Scandinaviancountries. It is so exciting to visit new places–but no matter where I go, I’m always glad tocome home. I would love own a vacation homein the mountains and go on an African photosafari!Who is someone you admire and why?I most admire my mama, Dora Jean MangumWhatley. She is strong, sweet, kind, thoughtful,talented, smart, and a truly amazing person.She gives of her time to her church, her familyand her community. I’ve always wanted to bejust like her! She is such a strong woman andthe greatest role model in my life. I can’t sayenough good things about her. She is everythingI aspire to be.Where do you see yourself ten years fromnow?I’ll still live in Star in the same house butoccasionally visiting that vacation home inthe mountains, likely during the hot summermonths. I’ll still be taking a nice trip at leastonce a year. As mentioned above, I have lotsof places to go. I’ll still be enjoying those sweetgrand boys and I’ll still love time spent withmy family and friends.What is your favorite childhood memory?Gathering at my Mamaw’s house here in Starwith all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It wasalways a big event with tables full of goodcountry food followed by watermelon andhomemade ice cream outside under the bigpecan tree.If you could give us one encouraging quote,what would it be?“Home is where love resides, memories arecreated, friends always belong, and laughternever ends.”What is your favorite thing about HometownMagazines?I love Hometown Rankin Magazine! It’s both classyand fun. It keeps me connected with people,businesses and events happening in ourawesome county.Hometown RANKIN • 13