Former principal, community leader dies after wasp sting
Leonard Thompson, 73, died this morning at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi after being stung by a wasp, according to Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy.
Kennedy said Thompson went outside to put away his lawn mower. He came back inside his home on Highway 334 and told his wife he had been stung by a wasp.
“He collapsed moments later,” Kennedy said.
Thompson, who was instrumental in integrating the Oxford School District, was the first minority to graduate from the University of Mississippi graduate program in 1967. He became a principal at Central High the year the schools integrated and was given the vice-principal job at Oxford High School. Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home of Oxford.
Share your memories of Thompson with The EAGLE in our comment section. (June 22, 2010)
Wreck claims life
Scott Franklin, 35, was killed Monday night when he lost control of his pickup while traveling on County Road 143 off Old Sardis Road, according to Lafayette County Sheriff’s Investigator Scott Mills. Friends will remember his smile, good sense of humor and big heart. (April 27, 2010, Page 1)
Wife given bond in husband’s murder
Justice Court Judge Mickey Avent granted Lou Ann White with a $100,000 bond during her first-appearance hearing Thursday afternoon; she had not posted bond as of this morning. (April 9, 2010, Page 2A)
Wife charged in death
Henry White, 60, was found at his Highway 7 South home with multiple and extensive wounds all over his body, according to Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy. He was dead by the time deputies arrived at about 1:30 p.m. His wife, Lou Ann White has been charged with his murder. (April 8, 2010, Page 1)
Man beaten to death
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the murder of a 69-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death in the county at about 9 p.m. Thursday.
Derald “Pete” Connell, 69, died from injuries he received from an assault that took place off Highway 6 East, in the area of the county near the Brittany Woods subdivision, Investigator Scott Mills said. (April 5, 2010, Page 1A)
Remembering Barry: Hannah, 67, dies Monday
To the world he was an author but for many in Oxford he was something more: friend and teacher, a fisherman and a dad. Writer Barry Hannah died on Monday afternoon of natural causes, according to the Lafayette County coroner, at his home in Oxford. It was just weeks shy of his 68th birthday and days before his work and life were to be honored at the 17th annual Oxford Conference on the Book.
Brandon Niemeyer contributed to this report. (March 2, 2010, Page 1)
