Reiff Joseph T. - Born of conviction : white Methodists and Mississippis closed society

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Cover photograph Flip Schulke

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Reiff, Joseph T.
Born of conviction : white Methodists and Mississippis closed society / Joseph T. Reiff.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 9780190246815 (cloth : alk. paper)
eISBN 9780190246839
1.Methodist ChurchMississippiHistory.2.Race relationsReligious aspectsMethodist Church.3.MississippiChurch history. 4.Gulfport (Miss.)History.I.Title.
BX8248.M7R45 2016
287'.676209046dc23
2015007682

To my parents,

Lee H. Reiff and Geraldine Long Reiff,

whose words and example taught me to give true respect to all persons,

in Mississippi and throughout the world;

and to my wife,

Betty Clark Reiff,

whose tenacious love and support have sustained me in our partnership in marriage, parenting, ministry, and life in and beyond Mississippi

Then Jesus said to them, Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.

MARK 6:4, NRSV

*Jerry Furr, associate pastor at Galloway Memorial, Jackson; left Mississippi in 1963

*Maxie D. Dunnam, pastor at Trinity, Gulfport; left Mississippi in 1964

*Jim L. Waits, pastor at Epworth, Biloxi; left Mississippi in 1965/1967 M

*O. Gerald Trigg, pastor at Caswell Springs, Jackson County; left Mississippi in 1964 M

James B. Nicholson, pastor at Byram; left Mississippi in 1963

Buford A. Dickinson, pastor at Decatur; left Mississippi in 1964

James S. Conner, pastor at Brandon; stayed M

J. W. Holston, pastor at Carthage; left Mississippi in 1963 M

James P. Rush, pastor at Philadelphia Circuit, Neshoba County; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Edward W. McRae, pastor at Oakland Heights, Meridian; left Mississippi in 1963

**Joseph C. Way, pastor at Soules Chapel, Lauderdale County; left Mississippi in 1964 M

***Wallace E. Roberts, pastor at Vimville, Lauderdale County; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Summer Walters, associate pastor at Jefferson Street, Natchez; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Bill Lampton, pastor at Pisgah, Pike County; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Marvin Moody, pastor at Oak Grove, Lamar County; left Mississippi in 1963/1964

Keith Tonkel, pastor at Guinn Memorial, Gulfport; stayed M

John Ed Thomas, associate pastor at First, Gulfport; stayed M

Inman Moore Jr., pastor at Leggett Memorial, Biloxi; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Denson Napier, pastor at Richton; stayed

Rod Entrekin, pastor at Wesson; stayed M

Harold Ryker, pastor at Beauvoir, Biloxi; stayed

N. A. Dickson, pastor at First, Columbia; stayed M

Ned Kellar, pastor at Sandersville; left Mississippi in 1963

Powell Hall, pastor at Scooba; left Mississippi in 1971

Elton Brown, pastor at Lovely Lane, Natchez; stayed M

****Bufkin Oliver, pastor at Ellisville; left Mississippi in 1963 M

Jack Troutman, pastor at Big Point, Jackson County; left Mississippi in 1964

Wilton Carter, pastor at Lake; left Mississippi in 1963

*Creators of the statement M = Millsaps College graduate

**Never transferred out of Conference; returned to Mississippi in 1987

***Went to seminary in 1963; transferred to North Mississippi Conference upon return to Mississippi in 1966

****Returned to North Mississippi Conference in 1967

Marvin A. Franklin, bishop of white Mississippi and North Mississippi Conferences, 194864

Edward J. Pendergrass Jr., bishop of white Mississippi and North Mississippi Conferences, 196472

J. Willard Leggett Jr., Jackson District Superintendent, 195965; conference political leader and opponent of Born of Conviction M

Sam E. Ashmore, Editor, Mississippi Methodist Advocate, 195566; public supporter of Born of Conviction M

J. P. Stafford, Mississippi Conference Lay Leader, 194764; public supporter of Born of Conviction

W. B. Selah, senior pastor at Galloway Memorial, Jackson, 194563; public supporter of Born of Conviction

Roy C. Clark, senior pastor at Capitol Street, Jackson, 195363; supporter of Born of Conviction M