Oral history with Honorable George M. Yarbrough

              Oral history with Honorable George W. Yarbrough
This oral history is provided through a cooperative project of University of Southern Mississippi Libraries and USM's Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage.
Funding provided by a National Leadership Grant for Libraries from the Institute for Museum and Library Services
The transcript is presented here for reference purposes only. Interviews in this collection are protected by copyright. PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
George M. Yarbrough was born on August 15, 1916, at Red Banks, Mississippi. He grew up in Red Banks and completed high school there. He served in the Army during World War II, separating in 1946 with the rank of master sergeant. Throughout his adult life he and his twin brother operated the family farm, raising cotton, soybeans, and cattle.
In 1958 Senator Yarbrough purchased a controlling interest in a local paper, The South Reporter, eventually assuming full control as editor and publisher. He retained this business, in addition to the farm, until 1979.
Senator Yarbrough was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1952 and in 1956 was elected to the Mississippi Senate, where he served until 1968. He gave up his seat in 1968 but was returned to the Senate in 1972 and served until 1980, when he lost his bid for re- election. During his legislative tenure, Senator Yarbrough was active on the Agricultural and Industrial Board, the Budget Commission, the Research and Development Council, the Building Commission and was chairman of the General Legislative Investigating Committee. Senator Yarbrough was President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 1960- 1968, and was active Lieutenant Governor from 1966 to 1968. He retired from politics in 1979.
Senator Yarbrough was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning from 1964 to 1968. He was a Methodist, a Mason, and a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Farm Bureau. He was married to the former Carolyn " Peg" White of Holly Springs, Mississippi, and they have two sons, George and Benjamin. Senator Yarbrough died on November 27, 1988.
Table of Contents
I. Family Background and Childhood Reminiscences
II. Service in World War II
III. Publisher and Editor of The South Reporter
IV. Political Career in the Mississippi Legislature
mus- coh. yarbroughg. doc Page 1 of 49