RYC Pascagoula - Moss Point

Pascagoula leaders rename portion of streets to honor first local black physician

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The Pascagoula City Council passed a resolution tonight to rename a portion of Live Oak Avenue and Victor Street after Jackson County's first black physician, Dr. Reuben P. Morris.
The renamed section includes Victor Street south of U.S. 90 and Live Oak Avenue from its easternmost point to Market Street.
Attending the meeting was David Chapman, a longtime friend of the doctor's family.
"We appreciate the opportunity to honor him in this way," Mayor Jim Blevins told Chapman after the resolution was read aloud.
Dr. Morris, who lived on Live Oak Avenue and maintained a medical practice at the corner of Live Oak and Market Street, was also the first black physician to be given privileges at Singing River Hospital, city leaders said.
The long-time doctor "had a reputation for being an excellent physician," the resolution said. He raised several children in Pascagoula, and two of them went on to become physicians themselves.
Chapman said Morris was well-respected by the community and established good public relations as he provided health care to minorities.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the council:

• Agreed to move the Magnolia Street crosswalk from its current location to the intersection of Magnolia Street and Krebs Avenue. Police Chief Kenny Johnson said the move will make the intersection "a lot safer" and will give advance warning for northbound traffic.

While no major incidents have occurred there, "we've seen some close calls," Johnson said

• Agreed to support the inaugural Faulkner Festival, which is being organized by the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Jackson-George County Regional Library System. The city agreed to give $500 as an advertiser for the Jan 17-18 event.

"This is a fine event, very creative," Blevins said.
The two-day event will feature a traveling William Faulkner exhibit, readings and performances and an essay contest in area high schools.
"I definitely think that it's a worthwhile cause," Councilwoman at large Brenda Simkins said. "This is something that the community is going to embrace."