Oral history with Mr. Palmer E. Foster

              Oral history with Mr. Palmer E. Foster
F341.5 . M57 vol. 746, pt. 1
Funding for this project provided by The Mississippi State Legislature, The Mississippi Humanities Council, The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi.
This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Mr. Palmer E. Foster was born in Jackson, Tennessee. As an early teen, he moved with his family of origin to Ripley, Mississippi, to his grandfather's 160- acre farm. With his family, he worked the farm, and he attended the local schools for African- Americans. Working after school to earn the money to buy his uniform, Mr. Palmer joined the Boy Scouts. In order to finish high school, he moved alone to Corinth, Mississippi, worked, paid his own board and rent, and finished high school in Corinth. After his high school graduation, he spent four years in the Army in the southwest Pacific during World War II. In 1946, Mr. Palmer entered Rust College.
In 1949, Mr. Palmer was graduated from Rust College and began teaching biology and chemistry, as well as coaching football in the Columbus City School System. In 1950 he became a Scoutmaster for a troop at the Union Baptist Church. In 1951, he became a full- time Boy Scout Executive, covering several counties in Mississippi, where he has been working for thirty- six years until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Palmer is married to Ethell C. Foster, and they are the parents of five children. Mr. Palmer has been active in the NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma, and the American Legion. He was Citizen of the Year, City of Tupelo in 1995, a deacon of Springhill M. B. C., and Trustee of the Springhill District Association.
Table of Contents
I. Childhood
II. School
III. Initiating Boy Scouts in Ripley, Mississippi
IV. Father's education
V. High school for African- Americans
VI. Living in Corinth, Mississippi
VII. Army service
VIII. Rust College
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