39042-24web

2024

2 • Our Town 39042

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39042 Our Town • 3


39042 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin Dobbs 

CONSULTING 

EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

ACCOUNT 

EXECUTIVE 

Barbie Bassett 

ACCOUNT 

EXECUTIVE 

Amy Forsyth 

ADVERTISING 

ASSISTANT 

Melissa Kennon 

ON THE COVER: 

39042 Blues 

by Cliff Speaks 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

CONTENT 

MANAGER 

Susan Wolgamott 

STAFF 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

STAFF ASSISTANT 

Debby Francis 

COPY EDITOR 

Jodi Jackson 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

Daniel Thomas 

3dt 

Cliff Speaks is a native 

of Brandon and continues 

to call it home. His art is 

reflective of growing up 

in Mississippi and has rich 

integrations of Abstract 

Expressionism, Fauvism, 

Cubism, Mexican Muralists, 

and Pop Art. His work draws on the approach 

of a variety of artists such as Jackson Pollack 

and Vincent van Gogh. 

Copyright HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 

200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be 

reproduced without written permission from the publisher. 

The management of Hometown Publications is not responsible 

for opinions expressed by its writers or editors. 

Whether you’re brand new to our community or have 

been here for years, Our Town–39042 will help you 

find answers to questions about how the city works 

and how to get things done. This is a reference book– 

and you’ll find plenty of information about our local 

businesses as well as opportunities to engage with 

the city and other residents. We’re so glad you call 

Brandon home. 

INSIDE 

• Letter from the Mayor 9 

• Board of Alderman 11 

• Police Department 12 

• Fire Department 13 

• Events 14 

• City Services 15 

• Senior Services 17 

• Parks & Recreation 18 

• County Contacts 20 

• Library 23 

• Childcare 25 

• Churches 27 

• Medical Facilities 29 

• Meet Amy Lee 32 

• Make-A-Wish 36 

• The SPOT 52 

• Hometown Festival Fun 70 

• Crossgates Swin & Recreational Club 80 

• Crossgates: A Chronicle of Community & Commerce 84 

• Clubs 88 

• Schools 94 





From Mayor Butch Lee 

As we approach our 200-year anniversary as a community in central 

Mississippi, we should pause and give a little time for reflection and 

thought on how we got to this point, where we came from as a 

community, and where we are going. It’s not an easy task in this 

fast-paced, social-media driven world of today. 

Arising from the wilderness hundreds of years ago, this area was a 

hilltop crossroads surrounded by hardwood bottomlands. Many of us, 

today, grew up in locations like this across the southeast. These natural 

environments were woven into the fabric of our lives. Anyone born 

and raised here understands what it means to be “from Mississippi.” 

Brandon’s geography, lying on the eastern rim of a long extinct 

volcano, helps to explain the sulfur smell we sometimes experience in 

our water. The millions of years’ worth of limestone deposits, which 

arose from shallow sea floor at the time, create a unique topography, 

along with the ridge between the Pearl River swamplands to the west 

and the Pelahatchie Creek hardwood bottoms to the east. All of it has 

made for fertile soil, ideal for cotton, soybean, and corn row-crop 

production, along with rich lands for dairy farms. 

Founded in 1830, Brandon is the county seat of Rankin County. 

The entire area, including areas surrounding our city, is experiencing 

explosive growth despite population declines in many areas within our 

state and region. People are discovering what most of us have known 

for a long time—Brandon is a good place to live. Great churches and 

schools, responsive local government, quality of life in parks and 

recreation, and a strong, conservative work ethic, has fostered an 

expansion that many recognize. 

Brandon (despite being noted in history as a wilderness crossroads 

for traders and Indians as part of the first east and west railroad in 

Mississippi, or as the location of the last shot made in the falling of 

Vicksburg, along with harboring a multitude of infamous people) exists 

today as the place in which people want to invest their lives by working, 

living, and raising a family. And gauging community quality is simple. 

Just look at the number of houses being built and bought along with 

the population shift. These benchmarks tell the story. 

Ten years ago, Brandon was the 23rd largest city in the state. Today, 

we are the 15th largest. Where is everyone coming from? They’re 

coming from everywhere—from New York, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, 

Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri and other parts of Mississippi. 

I have met a lot of good people that simply want to live around other 

good people, all of whom are improving the fabric of our community. 

Housing starts, new neighborhoods, new businesses, and an 

emerging downtown all speak to a growing community. In 2023, 

housing permits totaled 613 with a construction value of $26,721,319. 

Complimenting the residential growth, 39 commercial permits were 

issued with a total valuation of $18,134,098. And with accelerating 

growth comes more people, more traffic, and thus the need for more 

public safety, more utilities, better streets, and safer and better transportation. 

It is a never-ending financial and personnel challenge to meet 

our current needs and those on the horizon before us. 

Thankfully, we have leadership within our city government poised 

to move toward challenges rather than shying away from them. 

The City of Brandon is good and getting better. It has taken dedication, 

sweat equity, and intentionality of purpose to arrive in history where 

we are today. Thank you for choosing to live in Brandon, Mississippi. 

We’re “Good and Getting Better” because of all of you. 



The Brandon Board of Aldermen meets twice a month, on the first and third Monday 

of each month, starting at 6pm. If a holiday falls on that Monday, the board meets 

the following day. All board meeting agendas and minutes can be found at 

www.brandonms.org 

Board of Aldermen 

Sharon Womack 

Alderman at Large 

swomack@brandonms.org 

601-624-3603 

Jarrad Craine 

Ward 1 

jcraine@brandonms.org 

601-454-2506 

Cris Vinson 

Ward 2 

cvinson@brandonms.org 

601-953-8127 

Harry Williams 

Ward 3 

hwilliams@brandonms.org 

601-672-9806 

Lu Coker 

Ward 4 

lcoker@brandonms.org 

601-573-0281 

Dwight Middleton 

Ward 5 

dmiddleton@brandonms.org 

601-278-9637 

David Farriss 

Ward 6 

dfarris@brandonms.org 

601-540-1711 


Police Department 

The mission of the Brandon Police Department is to maintain social order and provide 

professional law enforcement services to citizens in the community, within prescribed 

ethical, budgetary, and constitutional constraints. This department strives to enforce 

the law and maintain order in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing the need for 

justice, and the consistent appearance of justice. The chief of police recognizes that 

no law enforcement agency can operate at its maximum potential without supportive 

input from the citizens it serves. This department actively solicits and encourages the 

cooperation of all citizens to reduce and limit the opportunities for crime, and to assist 

in bringing to justice those break the law. 

Chief Joseph French 

Assistant Chief Beau Edgington 

Brandon Police Department 

1455 West Government Street 

Brandon, MS 39042 

601.825.7225 


Since 1998, Brandon has maintained a full-time career fire department. Today, we 

protect over 26 square miles from six fire stations with trained fire fighters, each with 

specialized training in emergency medical care and hazardous materials incident 

management. 

Chief Brian Roberts 

Deputy Chief Patrick Wofford 

Fire Department 

Brandon 

Fire Department 

601.824.4636 

Station 1 

629 Marquette Road 


Station 3 

147 Kennedy Farm Parkway 


Station 5 

16 Woodgate Drive 


Station 2 

6577 Grants Ferry Road 


Station 4 

1058 Star Road 


Station 6 

213 Poindexter Street 



Events 

Brian Barlow 

Heather Burris 

Events Coordinators 

Brandon Municipal Complex 

1000 Municipal Drive 


601-825-5021 

Spaces for rent for private parties 

and or meetings available at City 

Hall or the Public Library 

Located at City Hall 

Two meeting spaces with 660 square 

feet per room. Both rooms come with 

a drop-down screen, ceiling projector, 

and counter for refreshments. Rental 

rates begin at $200 plus a $100 

refundable deposit. 

For a larger room we offer our 

Senior Center with 132 capacity and 

2,646 sq. ft. room. The center features 

a drop-down screen, ceiling projector, 

sound system, microphone, and full 

kitchen. Rental rates begin at $400 

plus a $200 refundable deposit. 

This rental includes sixteen tables 

and 128 chairs. Additional tables and 

chairs are available for an additional 

rental charge. 

The largest room we offer is our 

Civic Center with 3,771 square-feet. 

The center offers two drop-down 

screens, two ceiling projectors, 

sound system, microphones, and 

prep kitchen. Rental rates begin at 

$1,750 plus a $500 refundable 

deposit. This rental includes twenty 

tables and 160 chairs. 

Located at the Public Library 

At the city’s public library we offer a 

larger room with 1,748 square feet. 

The room offers a number of tables 

and chairs, drop-down screen and a 

full kitchen. The rental fee if $400 plus 

a $200 refundable deposit. 

A smaller conference room is available 

at the library during library hours only. 

The room includes a projector, dropdown 

screen and a large conference 

table which can hold 20 people 

comfortably. Rental fee for this 

conference room is $125 plus a 

refundable deposit of $75. 

*all fees and deposits are subject 

to change 

Amphitheater 

8190 Rock Way Drive 


Grace Young 

Box Office Manager 

601-724-2726 

601-278-3876 

Facebook: BrandonAmpMs 

The Brandon Amphitheater, opened in 

2018, has become a premier music 

venue for artists and guests. From 

Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, and 

Imagine Dragons, guests can enjoy 

chart-topping artists at this beautifullyset 

venue. 

*Tickets available through 

Ticketmaster or the box office 

City Hall Live 

The City of Brandon also holds 

concerts and events at Brandon 

Municipal Complex. There are 6-8 

events held at “City Hall” annually, and 

they average 600-1200 visitors per 

event. These events bring an average 

of 6,600 visitors. Located at the 

Brandon Municipal Center, the City 

Hall Live is the sister venue to BAMP. 

From children’s entertainment to 

music legends, this venue offers an 

intimate atmosphere where every 

seat is the best seat in the house. 

*Tickets available through Ticketmaster 

Events 

Dog Days of Summer 

June 22, 2024 

Freedom Fest 

July 3, 2024 

Hometown Bridal Expo 

July 21, 2024 

Summer Movie Night 

July 20, 2024 

Brandonplatz 

October 5, 2024 

Veterans Breakfast 

November 11, 2024 

Hometown Holiday Market 

November 20-22, 2024 

Small Business Saturday 


Christmas Parade 

December 6, 2024 

Princess Ball 

February 7-8, 2025 

Treat Trek 

February 8, 2025 

Mardi Gras Parade 

& Krewe de Roux 

February 28-March 1, 2025 

Garden Club Tablescapes 

Februsry 28, 2025 

St. Paddy’s Day Parade 

March 22, 2025 

Hometown Spring Market 

April 11-12, 2025 

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast 

May 1, 2025 

042 Nights- Downtown Brandon 

June 20, 2024 

July 25, 2024 

August 15, 2024 

Farmers Market 

June 13, 2024 

June 27, 2024 

July 11, 2024 

July 25, 2024 

August 8, 2024 

August 22, 2024 

Wine Down Downtown 

September 19, 2024 

October 17, 2024 


March 20, 2025 

April 17, 2025 

May 22, 2025 


Sam Hawkins 

Director 

601-298-3584 

www.brandonms.org/departments/ 

community-development 

A building permit is required for shops and other 

accessory buildings, roofs, pools, additions and 

structure remodels. 

A building permit is not required for fences, painting, 

replacing rotten wood and small cosmetic remodels. 

For electrical, plumbing and sewer repair projects, 

please contact the office for permit requirements. 

A rental inspection is required for all rental homes 

before tenants are allowed to move in and establish 

water and power accounts. 

All new Entergy and Southern Pine accounts must be 

accompanied by a permit issued by Community 

Development. Please contact the office for further 

information regarding power connections. 

For all permitting questions, 

email permitting@brandonms.org 

For all code enforcement questions, 

email code@brandonms.org 

Affilliate Organizations 

Public Works 

601-824-4579 

water@brandonms.org 

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 

The Public Works Department consists of five divisions: 

water, sewer, streets, sanitation, and water administration. 

Together these divisions provide many of the basic 

services that are required for those that work and live 

in the City of Brandon. 

Some of the services provided by Public Works 

• Pothole and asphalt repairs 

• Water and sewer infrastructure maintenance 

and operations 

• Maintenance of city right-of-way’s and storm water 

drainage systems 

• Major and minor infrastructure projects 

• Operations and maintenance of traffic signals 

• Street signage maintenance 

• Garbage pick-up 

• Mosquito abatement 

• Review of subdivision construction plans 

• Residential leaf pickup 

• Emergency response during inclement weather 

events and other situations 

• Utility billing services 

City Services 

Brandon Main Street 

601-803-2425 

Brandon Chamber of Commerce 

190 Gateway Drive, Suite D, Brandon, MS 39042 

601-724-9951 


Move Better 

LIVE BETTER 

No referral needed. Walk-ins welcome. 

Flowood • Clinton • Madison 

Brookhaven • Kosciusko • Hazlehurst 


EXPLORE A NEW HORIZON 

Step Into A World Of Recreation 

Brandon Senior Center is a haven for ages 

55 and up! We’re conveniently located 

right inside Brandon’s City Hall. Discover a 

range of exciting programs, special events, 

activities, and classes tailored specifically 

for you. From exhilarating workouts to 

creative workshops, everything offered is 

free or super affordable. Your journey to 

fun begins here. Visit our website or call 

601-824-7095 for more info! 

Senior Services 

Activities 

• Learn to speak 

Spanish 

• Learn to play Bridge 

• Beading Class 

• Men’s Coffee 

• Music Group 

• Bible Study 

• Book Club 

• Dominoes 

• Crochet 

• Art 

Special Events 

• Holiday Events 

• Luncheons 

• Day Trips 

Fitness 

• Line Dancing 

• Cardio Combo 

• Sit & Be Fit 

• Tai Chi 

• Yoga 


Parks & Recreation 

Brandon Parks 

& Recreation 

105 Kennedy Farm Parkway 


601-825-3047 

www.brandonparkandrec.com 

BBrandon Parks & Recreation 

Vbrandonparks_rec 

Jennifer Byrd 

General Manager 

Parks and Recreation facilities continue to 

be a local and regional draw for athletics, 

tournaments, and events. Brandon has 

eight parks spread across 425 acres. 

Brandon City Park 



• 7 Full-Size Tennis Courts 

• 3 Junior Tennis Courts 

• 1 Children’s Playground 

Quarry Park 

222 Boyce Thompson 


• 6 Baseball/Softball Fields 

with artificial turf 

Shiloh Park 

330 Shiloh Road 


• 17 Baseball/Softball Fields 

• 11 Soccer Fields 

• 4 Pickle Ball Courts 

• 3 Playgrounds 

• 1 Splash Pad 


Splash Pad 



601-825-3047 

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm 

Saturday 10am-6pm 

Sunday 1pm-6pm 

Free Admission 

(Ages birth-12 months and over 50) 

$5 Admission 

(Ages 1 - 49) 

Individual Season Pass $50 

Family of 4 Season Pass $150 

$25 per additional person 

Party packages available 


County Contacts 

Animal Shelter 



601-824-2024 

Board of Supervisors 

211 East Government Street 

Suite A 


601-825-1475 

Courthouse 



601-825-2217 

Circuit Clerk 


Suite A 


601-825-1466 

Chancery Clerk 



601-825-1469 

Community Development 

117 N. Timber Street 


601-824-2570 

Coroner 

601-670-0933 

County Administrator 


Suite A 


601-825-1475 

District Attorney 

601-825-1472 

Driver’s License 

601-420-6342 

Emergency Management 

Operations 



601-825-1499 

Health Department 

601-420-4959 

Mississippi Department 

of Wildlife, Fisheries, 

and Parks 

601-432-2400 

Multi-Purpose Pavilion/ 

Storm Shelter 



601-591-0944 

Prosecutor 

601-824-2590 

Rankin County Chamber 

of Commerce 

101 Service Drive 


601-825-2268 

Road Department 



601-824-2424 

Sheriff’s Department 



601-825-1480 

Tax Assessor 



601-825-1470 

Tax Collector 



601-825-1467 

Veteran Affairs 



601-825-2217 ext. 652 

Rankin County 

Voter Registration 

601-825-1466 

Rankin County 

Waste Management 



601-825-9213 

Utilities 

Atmos Energy 

601-961-6900 

CenterPoint Energy 

1-800-371-5417 

Central Electric Power 

601-829-1201 

Comcast 

1-800-266-2278 

Entergy 

1-800-368-3749 

Pearl River Valley 

Water Supply District 

601-856-6574 

Republic Waste Services 

601-939-2221 

Southern Pine Electric 

601-824-7070 

Waste Management 

601-825-9213 

Willmut Gas Company 

601-939-3275 

Hospitals 

Merit Health Rankin 

601-825-2811 

Merit Health River Oaks 

601-932-1030 

Merit Health Woman’s 

601-932-1000 


Wine Down 

Downtown 


Rankin County Farm Bureau 

104 Louis Wilson Dr • Brandon, MS 39042 

601-825-5056 phone • 601-825-5092 fax • www.msfb.org 

MEMBER BENEFITS 

MEMBER BENEFITS 

A Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation membership comes with exclusive 

savings. As a member, you can take advantage of the discounts on 

products and services. For more information and a list of all member 

savings and benefits, visit msfb.org/discounts. 




601.825.2672 / cmrls.lib.ms.us 

Branch Manager 

Amy Lee brbm@cmrls.lib.ms.us 

Hours of Operation 

Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm 

Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm 

Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm 

Services Offered 

• Black and white printing/copying 

• Color printing/copying 

• Scanning • Faxing • Wireless Printing 

Services provided by the 

Friends of the Brandon Library 

• Free shredding services 

• Notary services / Nominal fee of $3. 

Available 10am-7pm Monday-Thursday, and 

10am-4pm on Friday. Additional times available 

by appointment. 

Library 


CONNECTED TO OUR 

COMMUNITY 


For many years, childcare services have been an important and essential part of 

today’s working parents’ needs. Infants to kindergarten-age children are given care, 

training, and environments for learning social interactions. Our community offers 

these exceptional “second homes” for our children. 

Brandon Methodist Kindergarten 

Ages 3-5 years old 

www.brandonfumc.org/kindergarten 

205 Mary Ann Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.5958 

Circle of Friends Learning Center II 

Ages 6 weeks - 4 years old 

2006 Creek Cove / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.2387 

Childcare 

Crossgates Baptist Kindergarten 


crossgates.org/weekday 

8 Crosswoods Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.2734 

Crossgates Methodist Children’s Center 


thechildrenscenterbrandon.com 

21 Crossgates Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.0555 

First Baptist Brandon Children’s Center 


www.fbcbrandon.com/childrens-center 

309 S. College Street / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.8686 

Kids Are Kids Learning Center 


462 Luckney Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.0402 

Little Cam Cam’s Learning Center 


305 W. Jasper Street / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.7951 

Miss Mandy’s Christian Daycare 


783 Marquette Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.6224 

Silver Spoon 


213 Woodgate Drive South / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.824.6093 

Tikes 2 Tots Family Childcare 


213 Commerce Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.3101 



Living in our hometown of Brandon with churches “on every corner” is a blessing and 

freedom we often overlook. Read our list of local churches in a spirit of thanksgiving! 

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one 

another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:25 

Brandon Assembly of God 

995 South College Street 


601.825.8188 

ag.org 

Brandon Baptist Church 

100 Brandon Baptist Drive 


601.824.1781 

brandonbc.org 

Brandon First United Methodist 

205 Mary Ann Drive 


601.825.5958 

www.brandonfumc.org 

Brandon Presbyterian Church 



601.825.5259 

www.brandonpres.com 

Crossgates Baptist Church 

8 Crosswoods Road 


601.825.2562 

crossgates.org 

Crossgates United 

Methodist Church 

23 Crossgates Drive 


601.825.8677 

www.crossgatesumc.org 

First United Pentecostal 

Church of Brandon 



601.825.7569 

brandonupc.com 

Grace Baptist Church 

1013 MS-471 


601.824.7334 

www.gracebaptistonline.net 

Heart Church 

107 Office Park Drive 

Inside The Club at Crossgates 


601.506.0714 

Hope Fellowship 

500 North College Street 


601.824.9088 

www.hfcbrandon.org 

Meadow Grove Baptist Church 

3221 Louis Wilson Drive 


601.825.5704 

www.meadowgrove.org 

Nativity Lutheran Church 

495 Crossgates Boulevard 


601.825.5125 

www.nativitylc.org 

Rock Star Baptist Church 

303 Tamberline Street 


601.825.2560 

www.facebook.com/ 

RockStarMBChurch 

St Luke’s Episcopal Church 

104 North College Street 


601.825.5839 

stlukes.dioms.org 

The Pointe 

1120 Star Road 


601.591.1154 

www.thepointebrandon.com 

Churches 

Crossview Baptist Church 

687 Burnham Road 


601.825.0412 

crossviewbc@att.net 

First Baptist Church 

of Brandon 

Office 

309 College Street 


Sunday Worship 

175 Boyce Thompson Drive 


601.825.6766 

601.825.3141 

www.fbcbrandon.com 

New Life Assembly of God 



601.824.3030 

ag.org 

New Vision Fellowship 

652 Luckney Road 


601.591.1267 

nvfms.org 

North Brandon 

Church of Christ 

1029 MS-471 


601.825.6497 

northbrandoncc.com 



Healthcare delivery is changing. In addition to great medical care, patients expect easy 

access, affordability and convenience. In Brandon, we have a high standard with a focus 

on quality, convenience and a personalized care experience. We are able to bring acute 

and long-term care services closer to home through the following providers: 

Baptist Medical Clinic 

Family Medicine - Brandon 

1490 West Government Street / Suite 10 

Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.1936 

Family Health Care Clinic 



Greenfield Family Healthcare 

762 Highway 468 

Brandon, MS 39042 / 601-824-0988 

Merit Health Medical Group 

Primary Care 

2841 Highwy 18 


Merit Health Rankin 

350 Crossgates Boulevard 


Merit Health Medical Group 

Orthopedics 



Rankin Children’s Group, PLLC 

1405 Crossgates Drive West 


Rankin Primary Care Clinic 

103 Service Drive 


Region 8 Mental Health Services 



Richard C. Randolph, M.D., P.A. 

348 Crossgates Boulevard / Suite 2200 


St. Dominic’s 

Family Medicine - Brandon 



TrustCare 

1645 West Government Street / Suite F 


Medical Facilities 


LET US TAKE CARE OF 

EVERYTHING! 

FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 9-1-1 

For Non-Emergencies Dial 1-800-435-7663 

Comprehensive Critical Care Transport Services 

Medicare and Medicaid Approved 

Ground and Air Memberships Available 

24/7/365 Flight Communications Specialists 

Special Event Stand-bys 

24/7/365 Medical Dispatchers 

Wheelchair Vans 

Mobile ICU Ambulances 

Air Ambulances Available (Fixed and Rotor Wing) 

proud to serve Brandon 

and the surrounding community 

LOVE ABNER'S? 

DOWNLOAD THE APP... 

- EASY ORDERING 

- EARN POINTS 

- REDEEM FOR FREE STUFF 

PROUDLY SERVING RANKIN COUNTY 

1 4 8 0 W G O V E R N M E N T S T , B R A N D O N , M S 3 9 0 4 2 




Meet Amy Lee 

Brandon Public Library 

Branch Manager 

“Libraries are for everyone. I want every visitor to feel at home here, 

to enjoy community and fellowship”. 

Amy Lee, Brandon Public Library branch 

manager since May of 2022, has an enthusiasm 

that is positively infectious. Within minutes of 

meeting her, it is clear that she loves what she 

does and is passionate about serving the 

community. While her official employment with 

the Brandon library began not even two years 

ago, her journey to this role began long ago. 

Amy Lee’s first visit to the Brandon Public 

Library was, in a word, “magical.” It was the 

summer before she began kindergarten, 

and her family had just moved to Brandon. 

“I remember walking in and thinking it was 

the most amazing place I had ever seen. My 

mom told me I could pick out books and take 

them home with me, and that was so exciting 

to me. My love of the library began then, and 

that summer is still a wonderful memory for me.” 

Amy’s love of libraries continued to grow, 

and she was particularly impacted by a 

special lady she came to know at Brandon 

Elementary. “Vivien Moore was the school 

librarian my second through fifth grade years, 

and she was such a positive influence on me,” 

Amy says. Following her graduation from 

Brandon High School, Amy attended 

Mississippi College, where she earned a 

bachelor’s in elementary education in 2011. 

She taught first grade at McLaurin Elementary 

and went on to earn a master’s in elementary 

education. 

In 2015, Amy made a career change and 

became the reference and circulation 

supervisor at the Pearl Public Library. It was 

in this role that she first came to know Mara 

Polk, director of the Central Mississippi 

Regional Library System. “Mara has been a 

wonderful mentor to me,” Amy says. “She 

nurtured in me the love I had for the library 

as a patron and helped me turn that into a 

career. She believed in me and supported me, 

and now, I strive to model that with my team. 

I want to cheer them on and let them know 

I believe in them.” Amy earned her second 

master’s degree in 2021; this one in library 

science. When the Brandon library had an 

opening for branch manager in 2022, she 

put in her application, and the rest is history. 

Under Amy’s leadership, the library 

continues to expand and build back services 

that were cut during the pandemic. “There 

really is something for everyone at the library,” 

Amy says. “A variety of groups meet here, 

from quilting and crafting, to coin collecting 

and genealogy. Document scanning, wi-fi, 

meeting rooms, study areas, and even notary 

services are available here. Our children’s 

team does a wonderful job planning events 

like story times - both in person and online 

- summer activities, and after-school programs 

among other events.” While the library 

certainly offers many services within the 

walls of the physical location, the benefits 

of being a library patron extend far beyond. 

“With apps like cloudLibrary and Hoopla, 

customers can access our digital library and 

check out books electronically. Our many 

online resources make it easy to utilize 

library services and may reach people who 

wouldn’t normally visit a library.” 

Amy is quick to acknowledge that none 

of what she does would be possible without 

the library staff. “We all work together really 

well,” she says. “Everyone has unique gifts 

that they bring to the table.” The family 

atmosphere of not only the staff, but the 

patrons, is one of the things that Amy loves 

most. “The people are the best part of my 

job,” she says. “I am so proud to be a part 

of my hometown library community. I never 

imagined I would be here, and it is truly a 

gift from God.” 





Creating Life-Changing Wishes 

Jacob Garner 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 

non-profit organization that helps children 

with terminal illnesses to fulfill their greatest 

wish. Make-A-Wish grants over 17,000 wishes 

per year. Each year, Brandon High School raises 

money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of 

Mississippi. Students, parents, faculty, teachers, 

and administrators all participate in these 

fundraising events. 

This school year, Brandon High School 

was given the honor of working with the 

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi to 

grant the wish of Shepherd Moore. Shepherd 

is a 14-year-old boy who is fighting acute 

lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma. He was 

diagnosed in August of 2023. He enjoys video 

games and computer science. When it was his 

time to choose, Shepherd made the wish to go 

to the British Isles. 

To help support Make-A-Wish and 

Shepherd, BHS held many fundraisers and 

events including two blood drives at the school 

to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of his blood 

needs. The Brandon High School agriculture 

department donated hamburger plates to be 

sold to teachers and the community. All proceeds 

went to the Make-A-Wish cause. BHS also 

held a teacher raffle where members of the 

BHS Student Council donated goods for gift 

baskets. Another fundraiser was selling $1 stars. 

These were small blue stars that would be 

placed along the halls of BHS. When a student 

purchased a star, they would write their name 

or the name of a loved one battling cancer. 

This gave students a way to remember their 

loved ones and recognize the fight of cancer 

that we still fight today. Finally, BHS held a 

Make-A-Wish pep rally on March 8 to celebrate 

Shepherd and raise more money. In total, BHS 

raised $6,135, which is the most money that 

BHS has ever raised for Make-A-Wish! 

The Make-A-Wish pep rally brought the 

excitement of high school spirit to the genuine 

good nature of Make-A-Wish Mississippi. 

The pep rally included several exciting moments 

from faculty TikTok dance-offs, to a students 

vs. teachers basketball game. There were also 

several “Make-A-Wish” and “We love Shepherd” 

chants done by the student body. At the end 

of the pep rally, a Make-A-Wish Mississippi 

representative said a few words of thanks for 

the great support BHS gave to Shepherd 

Moore. Finally, Brandon High School donated 

a $6,135 check to Make-A-Wish Mississippi, 

helping to grant Shepherd’s wish. 

On behalf of Brandon High School, thank 

you to everyone who supported this cause and 

allowed Shepherd to see his wish come true. 



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In recent years, 

downtown Brandon has 

welcomed many new businesses, 

making the district a popular destination 

for dining and shopping. Just a stone’s throw 

away from historic College Street, in a beautifully 

restored 1930’s home, is The Spot Downtown, a 

coffee and art shop that provides the perfect setting 

to gather with friends or find the perfect gift. Offering 

an assortment of coffee creations and other beverages, as 

well as tasty treats like their homemade pound cakes, there 

is something for everyone to enjoy. While The Spot Downtown 

has all the charm of a cozy coffee shop, the employees are what 

make it truly special. 

The Spot Downtown opened in March of 2022 and is operated by 

the Rankin County School District to house the Aspire program. 

Aspire is a transition program which offers community-based 

instruction and vocational skills training to high school students 

with disabilities. The goal is to support future transition to 

employment and adult living through hands-on activities 

and meaningful, real-life experiences. Summer Lewis is the 

Aspire program teacher and oversees the day-to-day 

operations of the shop. “Through their work here, 

students learn customer service, inventory processes, 

cleaning, working through daily checklists, and 

all the various skills needed to run the shop,” 

Summer says. “Our goal is to see these 

students go on to be competitively 

employed as adults.” 

Students in the 

RCSD Strive program also 

contribute to The Spot Downtown 

as they create the beautiful art available 

for purchase at the shop. Strive is the 

district’s transition program for students with 

disabilities who are ages 18-21. Like the Aspire 

students, students in the Strive program gain functional 

skills which will help them become gainfully 

employed and enjoy independence as adults. Where the 

Aspire students work in the coffee shop, Strive students get 

hands-on work experience in local businesses who have 

partnered with the program. “Community partnerships are 

what make this program the success it is,” says Tricia Bennett, 

Strive program teacher. “The businesses that allow us to bring 

students in to learn real-world skills not only make it possible 

for students to enter the workforce, but often these same 

businesses hire our students.” The beautiful landscaping around 

The Spot Downtown is made possible by the Brandon Garden 

Club, one of the Aspire program’s biggest supporters. Garden 

Club members spend countless hours with students, teaching 

them valuable gardening and plant maintenance skills as 

they work side-by-side. Students even have their own 

greenhouse located just behind the coffee shop. 

“Not only do they learn landscaping skills,” says 

Summer, “but through their work with the 

Brandon Garden Club, students develop an 

understanding of the power of community 

and giving to others.” To show their 

appreciation, students host 

an annual tea for 


Brandon Garden Club 

members at The Spot, and they 

also assist in setting up for the 

Garden Club’s popular Tablescapes event. 

There are many success stories of students who 

have gone through the Aspire and Strive programs 

and are now employed in the community. One student 

has worked at Bob Boyte Honda for nearly fifteen 

years, and others have gone on to work at Goodwill, 

McAlister’s, Hometown Veterinary Hospital, and 

Bouquets of Pearl, just to name a few. For Summer Lewis, 

one of the most special experiences has been seeing one 

of her students go on to work for the school district. 

“Each year, all school district employees meet with a 

benefits representative. As I was leaving the district office 

after my meeting, this student was walking in to have 

his meeting,” she says. “It was just really special to see 

him go from a former student to now a co-worker.” 

Because of the success of the Rankin County 

School District’s Aspire and Strive programs, 

which includes The Spot Downtown and 

on-the-job training for students, school 

districts from around the state are 

coming to Rankin County to 

learn more about implementing 

similar programs. 

“We don’t want to keep these ideas 

to ourselves,” says Summer. “We want to 

share what we’ve learned with districts, and 

hope to see many other success stories across 

Mississippi.” Special Education Coordinator 

Annette Varner agrees and adds, “The RCSD transition 

programs are the premier programs in the state 

for successful transitioning of students. This is due to 

the unwavering support of our superintendent and 

the leadership team in the district, who are staunchly 

committed to fulfilling the mission of the Aspire and 

Strive programs.” 

The Spot Downtown, located at 223 Tamberline Street 

in Brandon, invites you to visit Monday-Friday, 

from 8am-2pm, during the school year. You are also 

invited to their first ever “Pound Cake Day” on 

March 22nd. Stop by to purchase a homemade 

pound cake and cup of coffee. 

Follow The Spot Downtown 

BThe Spot Downtown a Rankin County 

School District Program 

Vthespotdowntown_rcsd 



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Jackson • Madison • Flowood • Ruleville • Yazoo City • Brookhaven 


Hometown 

Festival Fun 

Melanie McMillan 

For many years, Brandon Day brought 

people from all over Rankin County to Shiloh 

Park for a weekend full of fun. With carnival 

rides, live music, a variety of food options, and 

outdoor market, Brandon Day was one of the 

highlights of spring. The event began over 

twenty-five years ago when Roe Grubbs served 

as mayor. “The land where Shiloh Park now sits 

was purchased when W.L. Whittington was 

mayor,” Grubbs says. “After the city built the 

soccer and baseball complex, Brandon began 

hosting weekend tournaments, which brought 

lots of visitors to Brandon. We came up with 

the idea of having a festival to coincide with a 

tournament weekend, and the first Brandon 

Day was born.” 

Brandon Day weekend began on Thursday 

night when the midway opened and went 

through Saturday night at midnight. One of the 

most anticipated events of the weekend was the 

Saturday night concert. “When we first started, 

we knew country artists would be a big draw, 

so we connected with an agent in Nashville to 

bring in the entertainment,” Grubbs says. “The 

artists really seemed to enjoy playing in Brandon. 

I remember Travis Tritt coming off the stage to 

tell me how much fun he was having. He played 

thirty minutes longer than he had planned.” 

One of Grubbs’s favorite memories of 

Brandon Day was when he got a call from one 

of Brandon’s younger citizens with an idea to 

improve the event. “I had visited a fifth-grade 

class at Brandon Elementary to talk with them 

about my job as mayor. I told them to feel free 

to call me if I could ever help them in any way. 

One student did just that. He called me at home 

to tell me he thought people should be able to 

bring their RVs to Brandon Day. When his dad 

realized his son was on the phone with the 

mayor, he quickly grabbed the phone and 

apologized, but I assured him I had encouraged 

the students to call. It was actually a great 

suggestion which we implemented the next 

Brandon Day.” 

Over the years, Brandon Day grew both in 

attendance and scale with top-notch entertainment. 

“Cathy Goolsby spearheaded the event 

every year and did a fantastic job,” says Grubbs. 

“Everyone worked really hard to make Brandon 

Day a fun, safe, family event, from city employees 

to aldermen and the police and fire departments. 

It was truly a team effort.” 

Former mayor Tim Coulter also has fond 

memories of Brandon Day. “It was a busy time 

for all city employees because it was an ‘all 

hands on deck’ type of event. Regardless of 

position, you could be raking wet ball fields, 

cleaning bathrooms, painting a child’s face, or 

any number of tasks. It was our yearly event to 

come together as a Brandon family and 

connect through fun, ball games, and food, 

and we always booked great entertainment 

for Saturday night’s big concert.” 

It was eight years ago when the last Brandon 

Day was held at Shiloh Park. Last April, the 

City of Brandon held the first annual Brandon 

Jubilee Days event, bringing back some of the 

favorite elements of the original Brandon Day 

concept, and building new events and 

activities in an area well-suited for people, 

rides, traffic, music, and families. “Using Shiloh 

Park and Quarry Park for ball tournaments, as 

well as the Brandon Amphitheater and the 

tennis complex in City Park, the five-day 

Brandon Jubilee Days event includes events 

for everyone in multiple venues across the 

city,” says Mayor Butch Lee. “Families enjoyed 

the midway carnival rides in the safety of the 

amphitheater complex and the family movie 

night at Shiloh Park. The athletic tournaments 

are a huge part of the weekend events, with 

softball and baseball tournaments, a 5K cross 

country trail run, a pickleball mixer, and 

wheelchair tennis, too. The Artists and Crafts 

Market at Quarry Park was perfect for those 

who preferred a more leisurely outing, and 

Lynyrd Skynyrd brought their 50th anniversary 

concert tour to the amphitheater on Saturday 

night. That was an exceptional beginning to 

renew the tradition of families gathering 

together for a city-wide, community event.” 

The first annual Brandon Jubilee Days 

brought people from all over the state to 

Brandon for the weekend, and this year’s 

event, which was April 24th - 28th, was bigger 

and better than ever. Travis Tritt, who had so 

much fun performing all those years ago at 

Shiloh Park, took the Brandon Amphitheater 

stage on Saturday night, becoming part of a 

new Brandon festival tradition. 

For information on next year’s Brandon 

Jubilee Days, follow BrandonJubileeDaysMS 

on Facebook. 




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Veterans Day 

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Crossgates Swim 

& Recreation Club 


Fifty Years of 

Fun & Fellowship 


For more than fifty years, the Crossgates Swim and Recreation Club 

has been the summer hangout spot for families in Brandon and beyond. 

Located on Woodgate Drive in Crossgates, the swim club offers its 

members a built-in community and a fun, safe place to spend time with 

friends. More than just a neighborhood pool, it is where many families 

have made happy and lasting memories over the years. 

Allison and Chris Palmer spent countless hours at the pool from the 

time their children were small. “The swim club was a second home for 

us,” Allison says. “Our kids grew up there, swimming with friends in the 

summer, competing on the swim team, and working as lifeguards.” The 

Palmer children are now adults, but the Palmers are still very much 

connected to the Crossgates Swim Club, as they have been managing it 

since 2015. As a non-profit, the pool relies on volunteers, memberships, 

and business sponsors to keep it afloat. Allison oversees every aspect 

and has worked hard to ensure that families will be able to enjoy 

coming to the pool for many years. 

Pool membership is open to anyone, not just residents of Crossgates. 

One of the perks of being a member of the pool is the “day stay” 

program. “Children ages eight and up who pass a swim test can stay at 

the pool without an adult until 6 pm during the summer,” Allison says. 

“The pool is run by local school teachers, and there are two lifeguards 

on duty at all times. The day stay program is great because it gets kids 

outside instead of watching tv or playing on their phones. When parents 

get off work, they will often join their children at the pool and cook out 

together with other families.” For families who are members, there is no 

additional charge for sitters who accompany the children. 

Another perk of club membership is the opportunity to join the 

Crossgates Swim Team, the Tidal Waves. Started in the 1970s, the Tidal 

Waves accept children as young as five. Team members learn swim 

skills and compete in meets throughout the summer. “Several members 

of the Tidal Waves swim team have gone on to earn college scholarships 

for swimming,” Allison says. “Leslie Williamson and Linda Easterling 

manage the swim team, and we couldn’t do it without them. Their 

children are grown, but they continue to volunteer many hours to keep 

the team going. With eighty to ninety participants, it is a big undertaking.” 

The Crossgates Swim Club is also home to the Brandon High School 

swim team. Not all high schools are able to have a swim team, but 

because of the proximity and availability of the Crossgates pool, it is the 

perfect place for the Brandon High team. Besides the Tidal Waves and 

Brandon High teams, local Boy Scouts use the pool to conduct their 

required swim tests, and several fire departments use it as a training 

pool. The pool has also hosted the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson for 

water safety clinics. Swimming lessons are available at the pool for 

members and non-members alike. 

The pool opens annually the day after Rankin County schools dismiss 

for the summer and remains open through Labor Day. Throughout the 

summer, families can enjoy swimming, ping pong, snacks and drinks 

from the concession stand, board games, arts and crafts days, and a 

4th of July celebration complete with a cookout and prizes. “We’re really 

excited about plans to convert the old tennis courts to pickleball courts,” 

says Allison, “and we have a putt putt course that the Boy Scouts put in 

for us.” 

“Families are always willing to help keep up the pool,” Allison says. 

“When we have work days, we always have good participation. The 

Crossgates Swim Club has been an important part of the community for 

many years, and there are many people who are working hard to 

ensure it’s here for a long time to come.” 


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A Chronicle of 

Community & Commerce 


Every city has its landmarks 

and places that everyone 

knows and references when 

giving driving directions. 

For residents of Brandon, and much of Rankin County, one of the most 

recognizable landmarks is the Crossgates development, which encompasses 

over 1,700 acres and is a mix of residential and commercial properties. 

Crossgates is also home to Brandon’s only hospital, Merit Health Rankin, 

which was built in 1969 as Rankin General Hospital, and two churches. 

Restaurants, banks, medical clinics, and many other businesses are located in 

Crossgates making it a very desirable location for families moving to Brandon. 



The site of present-day Crossgates was once a dairy farm 

owned by the Worthington family. With the many homes and 

businesses that now occupy the land, it’s difficult to imagine 

what the area looked like before 1968 when the Worthington 

estate was purchased by J.W. “Bill” Underwood. Bill Underwood, 

originally from Sebastopol, began his career in residential 

development in the late 1940s. “World War II was over, and 

many soldiers had returned home, married, and started 

families,” says Tom Underwood, real estate developer and 

Bill Underwood’s son. “The need for housing was great.” 

Over his career, Bill Underwood developed nearly thirty 

communities across the metro area. “When my dad purchased 

the 1,000-acre Worthington property, it didn’t take long for him 

to decide he wanted to put in a community development,” 

Tom says. “Dad was very active in the National Association of 

Home Builders, and he knew lots of people all over the 

country. He traveled to half a dozen developments all over 

the U.S. to get ideas for the new development. The decision 

was made to build a lake, and the first streets went all the 

way around the lake.” 

Around the time that Underwood first began developing 

Crossgates, several large businesses moved to the Jackson 

area, which brought in a lot of people looking for homes in a 

planned community. Word spread quickly about Crossgates. 

Underwood later purchased 750 additional acres. 

“Crossgates was the largest development in the state 

when it was built,” says Tom. Because there were no utilities, 

Underwood put in the water and sewer systems through his 

business, Horseshoe Utility Company. “This was not unusual 

for us,” says Tom. “Our company had set up and maintained 

utilities in our other local developments.” The City of Brandon 

annexed Crossgates in 1978, nine years after the first homes 

were built in 1969. 

Tom Underwood, a successful real estate developer in 

his own right, began his career in 1973 working with his father 

at Underwood Companies, so he has seen the tremendous 

growth of Crossgates up close. “Some families have lived 

there since the neighborhood was built,” Tom says. “With 

over 3,500 homes in Crossgates, including patio homes and 

townhomes, there are several options for couples who don’t 

want to leave the neighborhood but want to downsize.” 

In fact, many families have owned more than one home in 

Crossgates, moving only because they need a different 

living space. 

While Crossgates has seen many changes over the years, 

the sense of community has remained. “We made the decision 

to develop the Crossgates community because we believed 

Rankin County was a good spot to be, and that’s proven to be 

correct,” says Tom Underwood. “Brandon is a great place to 

live, work, and play.” 


Clubs 

The definition of a club - a group of persons organized for a social, literary, 

athletic, political, or other purpose. Brandon offers a great choice for those inclined 

to organized social gatherings. Our area clubs have united members who have 

invested in the advancement of our hometown. 

Rotary Club 

Founded in 1905, Rotary is the world’s oldest and largest 

international service organization. The 34,000 Rotary clubs 

across the globe are comprised of 1.2 million business leaders, 

friends, and neighbors in over 200 countries and territories. 

They create positive, lasting change in their local areas and 

around the world. Rotary’s universal motto is “Service Above 

Self.” Rotarians in Rankin County participate in service projects 

such as children’s literacy and reading programs, student 

scholarships, helping needy families, hosting blood drives, 

assisting with building community parks, and supporting clean 

water projects abroad. www.rotary.org/join • 601.572.7319 

Kiwanis Club 

Rankin County Kiwanis Club is a club 

of Kiwanis International, and are 

dedicated to providing scholarships 

and serving the children of Brandon 

and Rankin County. 

www.kiwanis.org / rankinkiwanis@aol.com 


Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County 

Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County is a 

non-profit service organization for women 

who desire to serve and improve their 

communities. Through a variety of hands-on 

projects that cover a wide sector of the 

community, JARC members implement the 

ideals of their national motto: “Caring 

Hearts. Helping Hands. Changing Hearts.” 

rankinja.org / publicrelationsjarc@gmail.com 

Crown Club 

Service Project of Junior 

Auxiliary of Rankin County 

Crown Club encourages the young 

women of Rankin County during 

their 8th through 12th grade years 

to build leadership skills, foster 

good character, and understand 

the importance of good citizenship. 

Crown Club members experience 

the act of caring for others through 

community service projects. 


Clubs 

Brandon Mayor’s Youth Council 

The City of Brandon Mayor’s Youth Council is a group of 

approximately 40-50 students from area high schools, 

both public and private. Mayor’s Youth Council mission is 

to serve as role models in the community and among the 

youth of Brandon by serving as an example and by 

taking an active role in community-sponsored activities 

and volunteer work. Members are required to earn 

service hours through sponsored events to raise funds 

for community projects that improve our city and unity all 

age groups in our community. 

Some events and projects they’ve worked on this year 

• Christmas Parade 

• Veterans Breakfast 

• Princess Ball 

• Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast 

• Easter at the Ag Museum 

• Toured the Mississippi State Capitol 



Clubs 

Brandon Garden Club Grows Flowers & Friendships 

For over 70 years, Brandon Garden Club, Inc. has been 

a driving force for beautification and historic preservation in 

Brandon. Its annual Tablescapes Luncheon Fundraiser at 

Brandon Municipal Complex will be held on February 28, 2025. 

It sells out quickly when tickets are released in the fall. Reserve 

your tickets now by emailing thebrandongardenclub@gmail. 

com or contacting any club member. 

The theme for the current year is “Growing Flowers and 

Friendships.” The club’s projects support the goals of our 

federated organizations: The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., 

Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc. 

Brandon Garden Club has three new projects: Landscaping for 

Diamond Street Community Park in Brandon, Rankin County 

Museum behind Brandon Public Library, and Mississippi 

Agricultural & Forestry Museum in Jackson. 

SOME OF THE CLUB’S ONGOING PROJECTS INCLUDE: 


Decorating the lobby for Christmas and decorating for special 

City of Brandon events, including the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, 

Memorial Day Breakfast, Fall Festival, and Veterans Day Breakfast. 

Education 

Providing hands-on gardening at The Spot Downtown for 

Rankin County School District special education students; 

providing displays and programs at Brandon Public Library; 

funding scholarships at Hinds Community College and 

Mississippi State University. 

Cancer awareness 

Planting and maintaining the “Plant It Pink” flower bed in 

downtown Brandon. 

Commercial landscape awards 

Recognizing businesses with outstanding commercial 

landscaping. 

Old Brandon Cemetery and Brandon Memorial Garden 

Planting memorial trees, placing memorial tree markers, 

and coordinating maintenance with the City of Brandon. 

Veterans 

Maintaining flower beds surrounding two Blue Star Memorial 

Markers donated by the club. 

Look for us on Facebook, visit thebrandongardenclub.com, 

or email us at thebrandongardenclub@gmail.com. 

1 

4 

2 

5 

3 


6 10 

7 

8 

9 

1, 2, 3 Brandon Garden Club received 14 top awards in 2024, including 

overall “Garden Club of the Year” from both The Garden Clubs of Mississippi 

and the six-state Deep South Garden Clubs region. 

4 Mayor Butch Lee received the Gold Award at the 95th Annual State 

Convention of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi from GCM President Melinda 

Causey for his contributions toward the advancement of the work of garden 

clubs, especially during the 93rd State GCM Convention hosted by BGC. 

5 BGC officers for 2023-2025. Back L-R: Charla Jordan, Delena Hamel, 

Dixie Vance, Nancy Magee, Glenna Morgan, Marion McKee. Front L-R: Jane 

Huddleston, Ann Wentz, President Debbie Edwards, Sheila Everett, Bobbye 

Strickland. 

6 BGC’s project chairmen and officers gather each summer to plan projects 

for the upcoming year. Back L-R: Kay Davis, Glenda Smith, Dixie Vance, 

Brenda Brooks, Glenna Morgan, Charles Pitcox, Nancy Magee, Georganna 

Keenum, Joan Alliston, Marty Vinson, Lynda Farmer, Georgie Craig. 

Front (L-R): Marion McKee, Delena Hamel, Charla Jordan, Sheila Everett, 

Ann Wentz, Jane Huddleston, Bobbye Strickland. 

7 In 2023, BGC added landscaping at Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry 

Museum in Jackson to its list of projects. BGC created an overall landscape 

plan for the 19 raised beds and later included the Main Street area. The plan 

included over 1,500 plants and a new pergola. BGC also took the lead in 

fundraising for the project. The project was completed in June 2024 with 

the help of many community partners. 

8 In 2023, BGC added Diamond Street Community Park located near 

downtown Brandon as a new and ongoing landscaping project. This is a 

“before” photo. 

9 In 2023, BGC added Rankin County Museum behind Brandon Public 

Library as a new landscaping project. The first phase of the project was 

completed in May 2024. 

10 Members “Deck the Halls” for Christmas at Municipal Complex each year. 

11 National Garden Week and National 

Pollinator Week are celebrated throughout 

June with a display and activities 

at Brandon Public Library. The theme 

for 2024 is “Owls. Whoo Needs Them? 

We Do!” The original watercolor for the 

poster was painted by BGC member 

Marion McKee. 

11 


Schools 

Rouse Elementary 

Rouse Elementary School 

is home to kindergarten and 

1st graders in the Brandon 

Zone of the Rankin County 

School District. 

151 Boyce-Thompson Drive 


rse.rcsd.ms 

601.825.5437 


Brandon High 

Brandon High School is a 

6A high school and is home 

to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th 

graders in the Brandon Zone 

of the Rankin County School 

District. 



bhs.rcsd.ms 

601.825.2261 


Schools 

Brandon Middle 

Brandon Middle School is 

home to 6th, 7th, and 8th 

graders in the Brandon Zone 

of the Rankin County School 

District. 



bms.rcsd.ms 

601.825.5998 


StoneBridge Elementary 

StoneBridge Elementary School 

is home to 2nd and 3rd graders 

in the Brandon Zone of the Rankin 

County School District. 

115 StoneBridge Boulevard 


sbe.rcsd.ms 

601.824.3287 


Schools 

Brandon Elementary 

Brandon Elementary School 

is home to 4th and 5th graders 

in the Brandon Zone of the 

Rankin County School District. 

125 Overby Street 


bes.rcsd.ms 

601.825.4706

39042-24web

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