Peggy Buckley

Retired Retail Business Owner, Starkville

Is what you’re doing right now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

My mother was in the retail business. She sold women’s hats when women’s hats were really popular, so as I grew up I said, “I’ll marry anybody but I’m not going to be in the retail business. But when I married, my husband had just gotten back from Guard camp in Oklahoma, and he wanted to open up a business that had first class merchandise. He opened up Mullins Menswear in the late-50s. We started that business, then we bought W.W. Scales & Co., which became Mullins Department Store.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

I grew up in Baton Rogue, Louisiana and it was really large, but at LSU we could not live in the dorm if we lived in Baton Rogue because the dorms were full. So I accepted a scholarship to Ole Miss, and I loved it. I became a member of the debate team and I really liked that. And I was glad I was in a college town. I like being around that kind of atmosphere.

What’s the one thing people tend to misunderstand about you?

They probably think I’m bossy! I’ve always heard all my life that if you have a second toe that’s longer than your big toe that you’re bossy. And I’m pretty organized but I guess that’s one thing they may say. I’m persistent in (The Partnership) Ambassadors, but I like to complete something if I start it.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

Probably clothes. I sold clothes my whole life and I loved them. When I go outside and see the clothing today it’s really strange because during the 60s and 70s and 80s we had beautiful clothes. And they were expensive, much more so than they are today. I don’t think you ever went out in public that you didn’t see a woman in something that you thought, “Oh I would love to have that.” But nowadays the clothing is very different and it’s less expensive and you don’t have to dry clean it.

If you could master one skill, what would it be?

I’ve always loved beauty pageants and I’ve judged beauty pageants. In fact I was co-hostess of Miss Starkville when Cheryl Prewitt won Miss Mississippi and won Miss America. I don’t care whether it’s a beauty pageant or food... I love judging. It’s an art, I guess, that you can pick up through the years. I miss being able to do that now, because they want younger people to do that.

Josiah Andrews

Coffee Roaster, Barista, Pastor, Columbus

Is what you’re doing right now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

No. I had no clue I would be doing coffee. On the side of doing ministry, absolutely. This has always been my dream, and I knew I wanted to do this the rest of my life. But on the coffee side, no clue. I’ve always enjoyed coffee a little bit since I was a kid, but I never thought I’d be this involved in it.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Slow down. I always — I’m only 24 — but I’ve always had this feeling like I should go for it and get it done. I’ve really come to realize the importance of my family and my kids and be able to slow down to become a person rather than simply doing all the things I need to do. It’s important I become the person I need to be so my kids and my wife can have that person in the home that needs to be there instead of this person who just does the things that need to get done.

What’s the one thing people tend to misunderstand about you?

Coffee roasting, being a barista, playing music... anything I do professionally, it flows from a place of loving God and loving people who are made in his image and seeing him in all things. I guess that’s what gets misunderstood the most: The reason behind why I do what I do. I want to roast coffee well because I love God and I love people. I know that sounds crazy, but I guess that’s one thing people don’t understand sometimes.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

My devotion to the Lord. Genuinely it could be considered extravagant. There are things you do that are unreasonable. If a certain set of claims aren’t true, the things you may subject yourself to are sort of ridiculous. Turning the other cheek is an example. If a certain claim that people are made in the image of God isn’t true, then turning the other cheek is ridiculous. But if they are, then it’s a sacred thing to turn the other cheek.

If you could master one skill, what would it be?

Waking up whenever I want to wake up. I’m such a heavy sleeper. My wife is my saving grace. I have to be at work at 5:30 and my wife is the only reason I make it. If I could master one skill it would be the ability to wake up right when I wanted to wake up, not groggy or half asleep. That would last me my whole life.

Charlotte Verdell

Research and Development Chemist, Columbus

Is what you’re doing right now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

Actually, no it’s not. When I was a child I wanted to be a pediatrician. I wanted to take care of children, from the infant stage all the way up through adolescence, just being able to nurture them, care for them, make sure they’re healthy and well. But I went to USM in Hattiesburg, took the MCAT and just never pursued medical school. I came home to Columbus, got a job in Aberdeen at another chemical company then I transitioned to Southern Ionics and just never left.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Don’t over think it, Charlotte. Two quotes come to mind. “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind,” and, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out.” Often times I over-think or over-analyze a situation, but I would say to just relax and to live in the moment.

What’s the one thing people tend to misunderstand about you?

I am nice, but I have very high expectations. I’m also very cordial, but people who know me well know that I like seeing things done right or done well.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

My family and food go hand-in-hand. It’s a fellowship and enjoyment as well as socializing. I’m an undercover foodie — I like to eat, I like to go places and sit in restaurants — so that’s my extravagance. Food is also a great way to pull the family together.

If you could master one skill, what would it be?

Dancing! I would like to take lessons and maybe get a variety of lessons. It’s fun! People are laughing, they’re happy, they’re enjoying the moment no matter what.

Gail Cooke

Volunteer, Substitute Teacher, Columbus

Is what you’re doing right now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

Teaching is what I wanted to do, but it took me awhile to get there. Instead of getting my BS from school, I thought my “Mrs” was the best way to go. And I got that, but now that I am older and retired, I can be in the classroom when I want to, and I am loving that. It helps me stay active.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Stand firm and follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone influence you with a negative attitude. Fight for it if you have to, but follow your dreams. I regret not getting my college degree. If you have to work two or three jobs to make it happen, make it happen.

What’s the one thing people tend to misunderstand about you?

I don’t really think there is anything, because if you know me, what you see is what you get. I tend to be an open book. Sometimes I may come across as being rude or whatever, but I don’t like to think I’m that way. I do tend to say what’s on my mind.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

I afford myself a monthly pedicure 12 months out of the year. I don’t care if I have sandals on or not, it helps me feel better about myself. Also, I’m a music lover and I spend lots of money on music CDs, and I probably have too many. I’m drawn to oldies because that’s what I am, but I do like my religious instrumentals and soundtracks from movies and soft music.

If you could master one skill, what would it be?

Playing the piano. That’s something else I wanted to do when I was young, and in the last couple of years I’ve started taking piano lessons. I encouraged my granddaughter to take lessons, and, in a turn of events, she and her mother were the ones who got me to start taking lessons a couple of years ago.

William L. “Bill” Henry

Vietnam Veteran, Retired from MSU, Starkville

Is what you’re doing right now what you wanted to do when you grew up?

I joined the Marine Corp in college, and when I did I had no earthly idea what I wanted to do. I spent about 11 months in a hospital on my way home from Vietnam, and that’s how I met my wife. She was the first nurse I met when I came back. My professional life was just something that came along. I interviewed once with a railroad in Missouri. It’s organized very much like the military, very structured. I started with the Extension Service at the county level in Jackson County and real quickly came up here. The Extension Service, regardless of what they say, is quite political. For people who had interest in that kind of stuff - and I did - there was always something to do to help.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

That’s a hard one. I’ve never thought of that. I would say “study more,” but I sure would have missed a lot of fun. I guess I’m pretty happy with it all.

What’s the one thing people tend to misunderstand about you?

I’m pretty direct. I was raised that way and then it was re-enforced with my service. You just didn’t make a mistake, or if you did, it was very costly. So I guess a lot of folks don’t know enough about my background to realize that I’m as direct as I am for a reason.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

My wife would tell you it’s MSU sports. I’m backing off a few now, but I’ve had season tickets for everything for a long time. There’s no question that baseball is my favorite sport to watch. When my son was 8 or 9, (former baseball coach Ron) Polk had a program called the Foster Parent Program, where you would adopt a baseball player. They would come to your home, eat a meal and so-forth. It was perfect. My son got to know all the players, and I’m still in touch with a good number of them. I fish a lot too, bass fish. I’ve about cleaned that (Tombigbee) river out over there. That’s what I like the best.

If you could master one skill, what would it be?

Finance. I’ve always been a frustrated economist. I love to read about it a lot. I guess I can say I never mastered it, but it is fun to follow.

Interviews by Peter Imes

Photos by Jennifer Mosbrucker