Thursday was, as Emil Lovely described it, time to say goodbye to Beattie Street.
Soon it will be time to say hello to Roosevelt Taylor Sr. Drive.
Family, friends, neighbors and city officials gathered on Beattie Street in the morning at the home of 93-year-old Roosevelt Taylor Sr. to celebrate the street being renamed in his honor. Taylor, a longtime Starkville resident, businessman and World War II veteran, has lived on Beattie Street for more than 70 years.
The street renaming comes through a process initiated by the West Main Community Association, of which Lovley is the president. The association started the process to rename the street in February, after learning that Taylor was named an honorary Tuskegee Airman in the Claude R. Platte DFW Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
“All of the neighbors have been instrumental in getting this done,” Lovely said. “They went forward with diligence and perseverance to make sure we had all the stones unturned that needed to be unturned.”
The Starkville Board of Aldermen approved the name change last month, after Beattie Street homeowners signed petitions in support of the change. Lovely said a sign with the new name should go up in September.
Ron Taylor, Roosevelt’s son, said he was thankful for the community’s efforts in getting the street renamed in his father’s honor. In that regard, he said, the renaming is as much about the community on and around Beattie Street as his father.
“This naming of the street not only represents Mr. Roosevelt Taylor Sr, but it represents all of the residents of Beattie Street here,” Ron said. “It represents all of the residents of this community because all of us have joined in somehow or another to make this happen today.
“This award represents the essence of this community — neighborly love, accountability to one another and care that goes beyond chatter,” he added.
Lovely’s house is across the street and up a hill from Roosevelt and said he’s known Roosevelt all his life.
“This man served in the Second World War,” Lovely said. “He came back and he lived an exemplary life as a citizen, modeling for everybody to follow his steps. I thank you for that service, sir.”
Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn, who represents Beattie Street, said he was thrilled to see the celebration. He thanked the Oktibbeha County 911 service and Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, which said played a role in helping finalize the renaming.
“It’s a great day in Starkville,” Vaughn said. “It’s a great day for the West Main Association. Most of all, it’s a great day for Mr. Taylor, that he’s lived so long. I always say give a man a flower while he’s alive. I think it’s great that we’re giving him a flower while he’s alive to see them.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill, speaking during the ceremony, said Thursday’s crowd was as large a one as she’d seen for such an event, and thanked the community. She also said it was important to honor people like Taylor, who have made contributions to the community.
“This gentleman, his service has been incredible to our community and our country, and being able to say thank you for that is extremely important,” she said.
Ron, speaking after the ceremony, said he was thankful for everyone’s efforts.
“My dad was a quiet strength in this community, and we were all reared on this street here,” he said. “We grew up playing on this street, and now for it today to be named to Roosevelt Taylor Sr. Drive is so appropriate.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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