Eleven years ago, Minnie Fox fixed a big, wholesome meal for deputies and other employees of the Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Office.
Fox, the Sheriff”s Office dietitian, bought the food with her own money and fixed the meal not only to bring deputies and other employees together, but also to celebrate her birthday, which falls on Jan. 13.
Fast forward to 2011. Fox”s annual birthday feast has outgrown the Sheriff”s Office, and now takes place at the Mississippi State University Extension Service office on Felix Long Drive.
“At first it was small, but then people heard about it and started saying, ”Why didn”t I get invited,”” Fox recalled Thursday. “Then it just kept growing.”
About 100 people typically show up for the event, including judges, deputies, Starkville Police Department officers, Mississippi State University employees, city officials and members of Fox”s church, Blackjack Missionary Baptist, on Blackjack Road.
Fox turned 64 Thursday and her annual luncheon drew yet another crowd. Those in attendance enjoyed roast beef, fried chicken, turkey and dressing, chicken and dumplings, pasta, corn, yams and other items. Fox and a handful of friends spent days fixing the food.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff Dolph Bryan and wife Greta were among the people who attended Thursday”s gathering.
“I”ve been coming to this thing for 11 years, so I know Minnie is a good cook,” the sheriff said when asked what brings him back every year.
Rev. Robert Thomas Branson, of Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church, also was in attendance. Fox”s cooking and the sense of community at the luncheon brings Branson back every year, he said.
“She does a great job,” Branson said.
Branson”s wife, Fannie, has known Fox for more than 40 years and shared similar sentiments. She couldn”t decide which of Fox”s dishes she enjoys most.
“I just enjoy when I come,” Fannie Branson said. “All the food is good.”
For Fox, the biggest reward is watching others enjoy her meal.
“Everybody comes and we fellowship and we eat and we just enjoy ourselves,” Fox said. “That means more to me than anything.”
Vander Smith works at the Extension Service and helped Branson set up for the meal Thursday, but also enjoyed a plate herself.
“I think it”s great what she”s doing,” Smith said of Fox”s annual feast. “It really brings the community together.”
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