The people behind The Oxford EAGLE — and why we do what we do
Circulation Director Belinda Jones has been with The EAGLE since 1997 and also serves as the coordinator for Newspapers in Education. She is a graduate of Oxford High School and a member of Taylor Baptist Church, where her father is pastor. She and her husband, Bobby, have three children and three grandchildren.
Belinda’s reason: “It’s the satisfaction of knowing you’ve got a good product you’re putting out, and also that if our customers have a problem, we want to take care of it. That’s what we’re here for.”
Circulation Office Manager Lacey Bishop joined The EAGLE in 2005. Originally from Jackson, she holds an accounting degree from Hinds Community College and previously worked in the banking industry. She enjoys traveling, geocaching and photography. She and her husband, Scott, are both members of Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Department Station 12 at Philadelphia. Their daughter, Katelyn, is a student in Lafayette schools.
Lacey’s reason: “I like the fact I have customers that I help repeatedly and they feel comfortable with me. It’s about getting to meet them when they come in to the counter, having that relationship with them and being on a first-name basis.”
Route Manager Tommy Cox joined The EAGLE in 2005 after a career in sales. A native of Gallatin, Tenn., he graduated from the University of Mississippi. He is an avid fan of Ole Miss athletics, holding season tickets in every major sport. He is married to Melissa Cox.
Tommy’s reason: “I enjoy being part of this community.”
Cathy Herren has manned the front desk in classifieds and reception since 1999. Prior to joining The EAGLE, she worked for many years at Oxford’s Holiday Inn, now the Downtown Oxford Inn & Suites, as a secretary to the manager and later as assistant manager. She enjoys reading, assembling jigsaw puzzles and creating coloring projects. She attends Toccopola Baptist Church and has three children: Gregg Patterson, who works for Kroger in Madison; Betsy Willms, who teaches pre-kindergarten at Lafayette Elementary School; and Peter Patterson, who works with Smith Building Supply. Her grandson, Jordan Willms, attends Lafayette schools.
Cathy’s reason: “This is like a family setting, and it’s a job where I’m able to do my job and not have to take it home with me. It’s a pleasant place to work and I find it extremely interesting.”
Gloria Bishop joined The EAGLE in 1998 in classifieds and legals after retiring from the Mississippi Highway Department. A graduate of Taylor High School, she attends Pine Flat United Methodist Church and enjoys cooking and reading. She and her husband, Larry, have one son, Brent, a pharmacist.
Gloria’s reason: “I enjoy being with people and helping them, and that it seems like it’s something different every day.”
Barbara Hays worked at The EAGLE from 1994-98 and from 2002 to the present. She and her husband, Gene, returned to Oxford after his 21-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps, during which she lived in North Carolina, California and Washington, D.C. A member of Anchor Baptist Church, she enjoys reading, cross-stitching and knitting. She and Gene have three sons — Ron, Eric and Mark — and five grandchildren. Eric is currently serving in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard.
Barbara’s reason: “I love all the people here, and I enjoy all the people who come in. It’s the best place to work.”
Ann Huggins has been with The EAGLE since 1997. A native of Oxford, she is a member of Oxford-University United Methodist Church and the University High School Alumni Association. She spent more than 30 years working in the clinics of local physicians, in tasks from office management to assisting in surgery. She also spent four years working in the University of Mississippi’s public-relations department. She enjoys crocheting, quilting and other handwork. She and her husband, James, have two daughters, Debra and Camilla, and two grandsons, Grant and Chad.
Ann’s reason: “A job like this keep you abreast of what’s going on around you, and I get to keep up with my friends. James and I are both semi-retired, which gives us flexibility and yet keeps us out with people.”
