When he first started shooting weddings, photographer SaDabrie Taylor was surprised by the close relationships between the brides and their fathers. The fathers’ reactions to their daughters is one of the things he enjoys capturing. “I’ve seen it in movies, but to actually see a father cry when he sees his daughter for the first time … that’s something that really surprised … [Read more...] about Atoka photographer SaDabrie Taylor makes connections and captures your best memories
Black History
Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
Frazier High School is no longer standing and few of its artifacts are still around, but Tipton County Museum Archivist Sherri Onorati has a 1957 yearbook from the former all-Black school in Covington's District 1. The Class of 1957 featured some people who would go on to do great things. Minnie Burrell was the class's treasurer who would later marry classmate John Bommer, … [Read more...] about Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
Recognizing the disparity in news coverage for African American and white soldiers in The Leader
During the early years of the Covington Leader, each week one could find a very short paragraph titled “Colored Folks” which would provide a few sentences of news thought to be of interest to the county’s African American community. During the United States’ entrance into World War II, The Leader printed lists of Tipton County soldiers, black and white, called for military … [Read more...] about Recognizing the disparity in news coverage for African American and white soldiers in The Leader
Meet the women who registered African-American women voters in 1920
In the October 14, 1920 issue of The Covington Leader it was announced that Rosa Adams and Evelina Connell had been appointed by Mrs. James Beasley to organize African-American women to vote in the 1920 election. Their efforts, the paper reported, resulted in 121 registrations. The African-American women were registered as Republicans and 558 white women, organized by Beasley, … [Read more...] about Meet the women who registered African-American women voters in 1920
Letters from the Warfront: In 1944, Sgt. Ernest Taylor wrote to The Leader about Negro History Week
On Feb. 24, 1944, The Covington Leader published a letter from Sgt. Ernest Eugene Taylor, of Mason, commemorating what was then known as Negro History Week. In his letter, Taylor spelled out his hopes for progress with race relations in the coming year. The letter, in its entirety, reads: (Editor's note: The following letter was received Friday from Sgt. Ernest Eugene Taylor, … [Read more...] about Letters from the Warfront: In 1944, Sgt. Ernest Taylor wrote to The Leader about Negro History Week
Remembering Uncle Shirley Fisher, the oldest man in Tipton County, who died in 1898
On June 17, 1898, The Covington Leader published a story about the death of Uncle Shirley Fisher, a Black man who they said was already a grown man when arriving in 1823. He was enslaved by the Dunham and Fisher families before being emancipated. Fisher was also acquainted with both Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson. He is buried at Hall Cemetery and his services were … [Read more...] about Remembering Uncle Shirley Fisher, the oldest man in Tipton County, who died in 1898
Collins Chapel cancels 67th annual Black History Month program due to COVID-19
Hattye Yarbrough started the tradition as a new teacher 76 years ago. “When I came to Covington in 1945 I wanted to hold something for my students,” she said. “I asked my principal, Mr. Brown, if I could teach something for my fourth grade class. It was Negro History Week then, but it became Black History Month.” As a teacher at Frazier Elementary School and later a librarian … [Read more...] about Collins Chapel cancels 67th annual Black History Month program due to COVID-19
Journalist Deborah Douglas, formerly of Covington, publishes new book, essay
Two recently published works have ties to Covington that some may not expect. Deborah Douglas, an award-winning journalist who lived in Covington as an adolescent and teen, has written the Moon Travel Guide U.S. Civil Rights Trail: A Traveler’s Guide to the People, Places, and Events that Made the Movement. Published last month, the book focuses on 10 stops along the Civil … [Read more...] about Journalist Deborah Douglas, formerly of Covington, publishes new book, essay
