Meritorious
Award Winners

CLYDE BERRY graduated from Stuttgart High School where he was Senior Class President and lettered in 6 sports.  He attended Arkansas College (now Lyon College) for 2 years and was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame.  The next 2 years he played football, baseball, track, and golf at Henderson State University where he was also inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from HSU, Clyde played one year in Minor League with the White Sox organization. After being drafted into the Army Artillery, where he served 18 months, he had the opportunity to go back to baseball but chose to accept a job coaching and teaching at Jonesboro-Hodge High School. He served as Assistant Football and Head Baseball coach for 4 years. He was also the boxing coach at JHHS and coached Floyd Miles who won the North Louisiana Golden Gloves Championship. He also worked at T.L. James in Ruston, LA and coached the American Legion baseball team for 3 years. He returned to Stuttgart High School for 1 year where he coached and taught Math. He received his Doctoral Degree in Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. Clyde went back to Henderson State University for 25 years where he was both Head Football and Baseball Coach winning championships in both sports. He was inducted into HSU Sports Hall of Fame. In 1990, he realized a lifelong dream when he opened the Jay Berry Baseball Camp in Queen City, Texas and operated the camp for 8 years before retiring.

Slim has been a sports official for Jackson Parish and the surrounding area for many years.  He has given freely of this time in preseason scrimmages in all sports.  He has officiated high school basketball, baseball & softball, youth baseball and softball, and even flag football.  High School athletics has benefitted from the dedication and impartiality of Slim Brown as an umpire or a referee with a whistle in hand.

Neil McBride Caldwell was born on 10/30/1905 to Thomas & Ruby Caldwell. He was the oldest of five children. He grew up in Ans1ey, La. and graduated from Ansley High School. He then attended La. State Normal College (Northwestern State University) in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He played football while he was there and was a three-year letterman in football. He also played baseball and basketball while attending college. He graduated from Normal and in 1927 he became a member of Jonesboro High School faculty . He taught science as well as being the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. He remained at Jonesboro High School through 1932. He then joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed at Brooks Field in San Antonio, Texas. He married Iva Dowling in April 1934.0n September 3, 1934 he flew into Ruston to visit his family. He took his younger brother for a ride in the plane and after letting his brother back off he began to make his way back to Kelly Airfield in San Antonio. However, the plane developed trouble and crashed near the Danville CCC Camp and tragically Neil perished in the crash. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston, Louisiana. He was so esteemed by the people of Jonesboro that when the football stadium was constructed his name became part of the stadium name Caldwell-Peacock Stadium.

BOBBY CULPEPPER has given freely of his time and resources in furthering athletic endeavors here in Jackson Parish.  He has sponsored many youth sports teams each year as well as provided assistance and support to our local high school teams in special events and play-off activities.

JIMMIE DAVIS served as assistant and head coach of football and track.  Davis is recognized for his nearly two decades of devoted service to the school and athletic program. He is remembered as being instrumental in the development of countless students through his compassionate mentoring capabilities and exemplary lifestyle. He was assistant coach at JHHS for many years where he coached the Offensive and Defensive line. During these years the Tigers won three state championships. Later he served as Head Football Coach for two years. He was also Head Track Coach where he was very successful.

After he graduated from Homer High School he traveled to Louisiana Tech on a full football Scholarship. From 1950 to 1956, at JHHS , he coached basketball, football and track. In 1952-1953, Carrell was called into the armed services. After returning to JHHS in 1953 from the armed service, Carrell initiated an Eighth Grade Basketball program. He was a firm believer in teaching the game of basketball to younger boys to prepare them for their high school days. He was a very successful and knowledgeable coach and was well liked by all. Carrell was very proud of the fact that he was part of the coaching staff for both basketball and track State Championship teams at JHHS. He was only a head coach for two years but spent many as assistant in virtually every sport offered. He is recognized as having tremendous influence on the players he coached and incredible passion toward the school and his profession.  

From 1968-1973 Carrell worked at Louisiana Tech. Carrell was the recipient of numerous awards over the years.  A veteran of the Army he served as president of both the Homer Lions Club and the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Claiborne Parish Jubilee. Carrell also served on the Administrative Board of the First Methodist Church as well as serving on the board of the Presbyterian Village of Homer and Homer Industrial Foundation. Carrell served on the education committee of the LA Bankers Associated and as a member of the Board of directors of Northwest LA Bankers Association.  

In 1997 Carrell was named "Alumnus of the Year" from LA Tech. In May 2007, he was awarded Louisiana Tech's most prestigious "Tower Medallion Award".  This award honors a LA Tech alumnus who has distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service and humanitarian activities. He was the 65th person inducted into Tech's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

HENRY KIMP has long held the view that some of the best athletes in our state come from right here in Jackson Parish.  Even though they have not received the recognition that he has felt they deserved, he was determined to create a venue where these athletes and coaches could be acknowledged and memorialized.  From his vision has come the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame as he gathered a group of like-minded individuals and they formed this organization.  Henry has spend many days and nights to complete this vision.

"DOC" is undoubtedly noted for his "Docs Diagnosis", which had run in the Jackson Independent for many years.  He notified us of the efforts of our local teams whether in victory or defeat.  Unknown to many, he submitted hundreds of articles to publications around the State of Louisiana, telling of the successes of teams and individual players of our parish that he felt deserved recognition beyond our borders.  In the early years of KTOC radio, "Doc" was also a member of the sports broadcast team.

Ira Reeves was a former teacher, administrator, and public official that worked tirelessly to encourage grow athletic activities and facilities in Jackson Parish.  He spend much time and personal resources to help further all athletic endeavors in our parish.

Although life’s journey led Wilda Smith away from Jackson Parish for a time, her return home in 2001 brought about her renewed appreciation of community.  Her love of and dedication to Jackson Parish is evident in the many hats she dons daily.

She attends First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where she serves on many different committees.  She served as Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Jonesboro Downtown Development but upon its dissolvement in 2005, she immediately stepped into the role of Director of the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce.  As Secretary and Treasurer for the Jackson Parish Museum Board and her positions on the Truancy Board, Jackson Parish Tourism, Jackson Parish Cancer Board, Jonesboro Hodge Lions Club Board, Secretary for Jackson Parish Industrial District Board, and the Treasurer for Jackson Parish Study Guild.  Wilda knows the hard work involved behind the scenes in our community.

Wilda served on the State Commerce and Industry Board for 8 years and was appointed to serve on the State Public Defender committee by the honorable Judge Jennifer Clason.  Her love of promoting Jackson Parish was only enhanced upon being appointed to her position of Secretary for the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame.  She is successfully responsible for the Sports Hall of Fame annual banquet.  Her contributions are exceptional by booking the Annual Sports Banquet, managing ticket sales, and with overseeing the catering and ordering decorations.  Of course, this follows the path she leads for the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce.  She has always said that she could never take credit for the decorations at the sports banquet or chamber banquet.  She is very appreciative for those who always step forward and do the decorating with such wonderful ideas.

As Director for the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce, Wilda is known for her tenacity and relentless promotion of Jackson Parish and all it has to offer.  She calls upon available resources to make sure Jackson Parish is a place anyone would be proud to call home.  It is not unusual to see Wilda soliciting for hanging baskets to decorate Jimmie Davis Boulevard.  She has been known to have paid for mulch and flowers, and even seen picking weeds from the flowerbeds on Saturday morning; all just for that special little touch. 

In 2015, she received the Community Leadership Award from the Woman Life.  She also received in 2022 a Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center’s award.  A $500.00 donation was given to the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce in her honor as part of this award.

In what spare time Wilda can find, she enjoys vacationing, gardening, and golf.  Although she stays active in her community, faith and family are the greatest love of her life.  She is most proud of her beautiful daughter, Michelle, her Son-in-Love, and their precious family.  Wilda thrives on her family and treasures the time she spends with them.

Wilda is known for her loyalty, her commitment and dedication, her passionate personality, her fierce drive to honor the community, and her unyielding zest for life.  Wilda is a true matriarch and is honored to be a part of the great and amazing Jackson Parish. 

BILL STAPLES graduated from Weston High School. He proudly served in the United States Army and has proudly served his community, in many fashions, since his honorable discharge in 1972. He helped bring and found the Jaycees for the Parish in the late 80's, early 90's. Bill was well known for being the radio voice for the Jonesboro-Hodge Tiger Football team on 94.1 KRLQ. He was the Jackson Parish Coroner for approximately four decades and acted as deputy coroner prior to being elected into office. He has been a funeral director/embalmer for nearly 50 years and was the manager at Southern Funeral Home in Jonesboro and has been a blessing throughout the years for countless families. He was awarded a plaque from the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association, North District, and honored as the Funeral Director of the Year. Bill was also an ordained Baptist minister and was the pastor at Union Baptist Church until his health would no longer allow him to. He used his ministry through the church and his work to help countless individuals and families over time. He would give anyone a chance no matter their circumstance or history and could look past the sin and just love the person; absolute love without judgement. He was a simple southern Christian man with a sweet soul and a heart of gold.