Annette Ashford Johnson can remember a story from the Civil Rights era in Starkville where three men who participated in a sit-in protest at a diner in Clayton Village were arrested.
Douglas L. Conner, a local doctor and civil rights leader in Starkville, began looking for someone to help get the men out of jail. The person he found to help was Johnson’s father, Wilson Ashford Sr.
“Nobody stepped up but Dad,” Johnson said. “Those days were dangerous times. They would burn your house, even kill you or rape your children. But Dad stood with Dr. Conner in all the things that he did.”
Johnson told the story Monday at Unity Park, during a ceremony honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and adding Ashford as an honoree at the park. Also added to the park’s honorees was Adelaide Jeanette Elliott.
Unity Park, located behind the former Mugshots building on D.L. Connor Drive, is dedicated toward recognizing individuals and events that advanced civil rights locally and nationally. In 2018, the park began adding plaques annually to recognize local individuals who have contributed to civil rights in Oktibbeha County.
Ashford was a veteran and auto mechanic and Elliott a teacher. Both were also civil rights workers, with Ashford helping African Americans register to vote after he returned from military service and Elliott helping organize the Oktibbeha County chapter of the NAACP.
Jeanne Marszalek, chair of the Unity Park Committee, said both Ashford and Elliott are worthy additions to Unity Park.
“Both of these honorees were outstanding citizens who have given unselfishly of themselves for the civil rights of others and to promote unity for others,” she said.
Honorees
Ashford lived from 1923-2012. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1940s and helped African Americans register to vote after returning home from service. He participated in marches, sit-ins, boycotts, helped organize the Oktibbeha County chapter of the NAACP and was active with Habitat for Humanity.
Ashford also served on the Starkville School District board. He received the Veitch Community Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1993.
Johnson, who nominated her father for addition to Unity Park, said Ashford has left a lasting impact on Oktibbeha County.
“My dad believed in progressive communities and tried to help any- and everyone he could,” she said.
She added her father’s mechanic business often faced boycotts because of his civil rights work.
Elliott lived from 1921-2010. She taught for 40 years and was recognized at the NAACP’s 34th Freedom Awards banquet for her work in organizing the Oktibbeha County chapter and her lifetime of service and work as a youth director and secretary with the organization.
Walter Conley, former superintendent for the Oktibbeha County School District and who nominated Elliott, said she was a tireless worker who he knew for many years.
“She as a pioneer,” he said. “She played leading roles in many things in Oktibbeha County, including the NAACP — she was a charter member. She was an activist. She was active in civil rights marches, she was active in boycotts and protests that eventually led to opportunities for many African Americans in this community. She was instrumental in getting parents to build rooms at the local school.
“She was a leader,” he added. “She would go, if she had to by herself. Instead of working 24/7, she would work 25/8 to demonstrate her leadership skills and determination.”
Elliott traveled to Jackson to attend NAACP meetings before the Oktibbeha County chapter was founded. Being an NAACP member was dangerous at the time, he said, as was traveling on Mississippi’s roads.
“I have and continue to have the utmost respect for Ms. Adelaide because of her dedication as an educator, commitment to many causes, encouragement to me personally, her students and many others to stay the course no matter how difficult it is, not to give up,” Conley said.
Johnson said she knew Elliott through working in the schools with her. She said she couldn’t think of a more deserving pair of people for recognition.
“I’m thankful that those two people are together up there on that plaque,” she said.
The park also features plaques honoring Dr. Douglas L. Connor, Martin Luther King Jr., former state Gov. William Winter, Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers and the Mississippi State University Men’s Basketball “Game of Change” against the University of Loyola-Chicago.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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