Oral history with Reverend James Randolph

              Oral history with Reverend James Randolph
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
Reverend James D. Randolph was born on April 4, 1949, in Rankin County, Mississippi, near Brandon. The oldest of seven children, Reverend Randolph grew up on the farm owned by his parents, Lennis and Burrenice Randolph. He graduated from McCall Attendance Center in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, in 1968. He attended Utica Junior College at Utica, Mississippi, for one year, then enrolled at Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi. He completed his B. A. degree in Religion and Philosophy in 1972.
Having accepted the call to the ministry in the United Methodist Church, he moved to Atlanta to attend Emory University and Gammon Theological Seminary, where he completed his Master of Divinity in 1976. While a student, Reverend Randolph pastored churches in Morton, Mississippi; Bowden, Georgia; and Carrollton, Georgia. After completing his theological studies he pastored St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was later assigned to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, where he remained until his death.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Reverend Randolph was also active in local civic organizations. He was chairman of the Southeast Mississippi Community Action Agency and a member and past president of the Ministerial Association, Hattiesburg District Ministries.
Reverend Randolph married the former Bobbie Jean Anderson of Brandon, Mississippi, and they have three sons: James, Jr., Jonathan and Jason. He died on August 12, 1982.
Table of Contents
I. Family background and childhood reminiscences
II. Educational experiences
A. McCall High School, Pelahatchie, MS
B. Decision to Enter the Ministry
C. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
III. The Civil Rights Movement
A. Activities at Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi
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