Recently, December 2024, in going through an old trunk, I discovered the scrapbook that my mother, Margie Hartley Oakes, made for me. It includes material from Redwood High School senior year (1954) and two years at Hinds Junior College (1954-1956). There are a couple of items from Louisiana State University in 1956-1958. I have added a caption if I remember any details. This is a very eclectic collection, unlikely to interest anyone, except and ardent enemy. Your forebearance is requested.
Mel Oakes Scrapbook Entries
At Hinds Junior College, after a couple of weeks of class, my first math teacher, Miss Lurline Stewart, called me aside and said, "Oakes, what are you going to study?" My response was "I want to be a high school coach." Her response surprised me "Oh no, you are not going to be a coach, you will do something that involved mathematics. When the time comes, let's talk about LSU, my alma mater." She was right and when I was making the decision, she contacted LSU and secured the scholarship shown above. I kept in touch with her until her death, visiting when we were in Mississippi.
My mother played the piano quite well, not sure whether she was self-taught. She read music and often play sheet music in our home. She wanted me to learn to play, so she signed me up with Mrs. Shelby Booth, the county music teacher. I was nine at the time. This is a program from one of my recitals. Sadly, sports interferred and she agreed to let me quit after a diasterous rehearsal for a recital. I showed up and could not remember my piece. The recital was that night. Mom said, "You learn that piece today, perform it tonight and you can stop lessons." Sadly I accomplished that goal.
I note that only four of the players were male. Many of the names I recall.
Shelby Booth Recital Program.
There were four county schools at the time Culkin, Jett, Oak Ridge and Redwood. (No high school students went Oak Ridge, they went to Redwood)
Mel Oakes attempt at calligraphy.
Junior High County Basketball Tournament, March 1950. Redwood girls players mentioned: Peggy Sue Allison and Betty Jean Alderman.
Note that Earl Martin scored 18 point, Johnny Griffin 6, Ted Porter 4 and Floyd Oakes 0, Melvin Oakes 0. Not a great game for the Oakes family.
Junior High County Basketball Tournament, March 1950. The Hearn player was Hermanell Hearn. Willie Maddox was Redwood boys player.
Jane Keen (Griffin) and I were selected by our teachers. May 23, 1950, Vicksburg Evening Post
Eighth Grade Who's Who Contest, Redwood High School. The school had all 12 grades. 1949
American Legion Award
I attended a conservation camp. I think it was at LeRoy Percy State Park near Hollendale. Didn't know who Leroy Percy was until many, many years later, when I read the excellent book "Rising Tide." I am third from right on front row. Lamar Thomas is at my right. Did not remember there being black students there, but I see several in the photo. Since this was1950, it is a surprise to me.
I don't remember giving this talk.
Redwood Eighth Grade Play,1950. In order of listing above: Eugenia Sumrall and Fay Hicks, Claudius "Bobo" Burgoyne, Bob Hollowell, Lavern Oakes (my cousin), Jane Keen, Frances Lovett, Todd Huskey, Johnny Griffin, Melvin Oakes, ?(Bonnie Marshall or Angeline Champion or Darrell Fuller or Mae Livingston), Ann Huskey, Georgia Burton, Mable Bliss and Dorothy Sadler.
Mel Oakes Eighth Grade Graduation, 1950
Party for Redwood Teams April 15, 1950 give by Mom and Dad.
Each year a Miss-Lou Exposition was held in Vicksburg. Students and citizens competed for prizes with agricultural product and animal, canned goods, pies, etc. Students from school also competed in judging animals and farm products. Mr R. L. "Buddy" Smith, center of picture, was the county agent. Some of those in the picture are: Across back L to R: Billy Wayne Bishop, ?, Raymond Hunt, Walter "Blue" Mallett, Maybe Raymond Baker with chin obscured, Billy Harrison, two just to left of Smith are Johnny Griffin, Todd Huskey, to Smith's right: E. K. Walley, James Hicks and Melvin Oakes. The four in back at right are: Wilson Brent, ?, maybe Earl Martin, Richard "Dickie" Crosby. Front two with backs to camera: maybe Earl Martin, ?. At extreme left with arms crossed: ?. Vicksburg Evening Post October 06, 1950.
Oakes Auto Parts Baseball Team Outing
YMCA Football Teams banquet. Todd Huskey and I coached a team.
Redwood vs Cary, Football
Basketball game with Utica. I was in 9th grade.
From Mel Oakes Scrapbook
I think this is the year that Jane Keen and I were selected to perform either the rhumba or tango as entertainment during the prom.We wore costumes and we entered the flow by me lifting her over a small fence. The class sponsor, Joy Banks, arranged for me to go to the prom with a niece of hers who was visiting.
1951 Redwood High School Football team. I was a sophomore, number 23 in picture.
1951, Redwood High School Football Team
Senior report card. Pretty poor selection of courses. The school had no physics, chemistry, languages, music, or math above algebra. I never had a science couse in high school. Biology was taught usually opposite math class. Mrs. Franklin's english class was excellent.
Redwood Football game program. 1953
1953 Redwood Football Program
Mel Oakes 1954 telegram.
I was treasurer of FFA Club and we sold fertilizer to farms for fund raising.
Mel Oakes 1953 football clipping.
Brother Floyd scored the tieing touchdown.
Headline
Redwood vs Port Gibson, football.
My first car, a 1951 Nash Statesman. A terrible car, always had problems. The price was right however.
Raincheck ticket from our trip to St. Louis to see Cardinals however they were out of town and had to settle for Brown. Saw Satchel Paige.
Undefeated season, 28 games.
From The Vicksburg Sunday Post-Herald December 18, 1955 page 1.
Hinds Junior College Basketball
Luther Warnock's semipro team.
Donald Oakes, no. 43 on Hinds Junior College football team. 1957.
Mel Oakes FSU ID Card.
Donald Oakes Valdictorian
Recognition for brother, Charles Oakes by Air Force.
MelOakes Birthday card from sister, Eleanor
MelOakes, induction in Phi Kappa Theta
MelOakes154Scrapbook58
Phi Theta Kappa Photo, Hinds Junior College, Mel Oakes right end of back row. Hearmanell Hearn, Redwood classmate 3rd from right on first row.
Music Department Program. Glenda Rush and Charles Malone, Charles was my roommate at LSU for first semester. He and Glenda, a music major were married. Both went to LSU.
MelOakes154Scrapbook48
Hinds Junior Music Program
County Tournament Win
Martha Gillespi, friend from Hinds, she was a music major and went to LSU.
Hinds Homecoming Court
Floyd Oakes and Barbara Ann Kirkland wedding in family home. May 30, 1957
Floyd Oakes and Barbara Ann Kirkland wedding in family home. May 30, 1957
Letter from Ole Miss
Competed in LSU math competition and won. 1958
Donald Oakes, Hinds Junior College Eagles.
1962 Program from "My Fair Lady" in New York at Broadway Theater.
1962 Program from "My Fair Lady" in New York at Broadway Theater.
Christmas Card from great friends at FSU, Dick and Sue Berkley.
Christmas Card from Peter and Eva Riley, this is Joan and Kenny. Peter and I were roommates summer of 1959.
Back of Peter and Eva's card.
Mel Oakes, Redwood High School Memories Book
Mel's Redwood High School memories booklet.
RHS Memories Booklet
RHS Memories Booklet
RHS Memories Booklet
RHS Memories Booklet
RHS Memories Booklet
Congregational Church Student Group where I first met Pat.
Hindsonian 1955, freshman year.
Hindsonian 1955, freshman year.
Hindsonian 1955, freshman year.
Hindsonian 1955, freshman year.
Hindsonian 1955, freshman year.
Luther Warnock's Semi-Pro Team. Mel Oakes, left end of back row.
Luther Warnock's Semi-Pro Team. Mel Oakes, continued.
The Hindsonian 1955
The Hindsonian 1955-56
Gpod friend from Hinds, Dickie Crosby, he went to LSU after Hinds and studied physics.
April Fools Edition of Hindsonian.
Donald Oakes, assistant coach at Warren Central High School.
Visit to Rex Brown Steam Electrical Generation Plant, Jackson, MS, 1955
Identifications are based on my memory and comparing yearbook photos. Question marks following a name indicate uncertainty. Any identifications and correction appreciated. Email oakes@physics.utexas.edu
L to R: George Cagle, Ms Lurline Stewart, Emma Beeman?, Don Ainsworth, Howard Clardy or Billy Rawls, Noel Covington, James Bishop, Raymond Huff, Larkin Tucker, Richard Haynes?, Hugh Long, Melvin Oakes, Tom Hudson, Clifford Gookin?, Clifford Charlesworth, Robert Hughes?, Thomas McTaggart, John Wood, Vernon Bishop, Pat McCormack, Jim Corbett, George Gross, Ernest Different, Sam Scott, Douglas Love?
