Oral history with Mr. Augustus Ashby Sr.

              Oral history with Mr. Augustus Ashby Sr.
F341.5 . M57 vol. 746, pt. 1
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Biography
Mr. Augustus " Gus" Ashby Sr. was born July 18, 1924, in Washington, D. C., to Estell Ashby Level and Nicholas " Nick" Greece. When he and his mother moved back to Tupelo, he became active in the Rising Star M. B. Church Sunday School. As a young adult, he joined Lane Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where he served as a steward and trustee and was an active member of the Adult's Sunday School class.
In 1949 he was graduated from George Washington Carver High School, where he was a member of the Carver Blue Devil's football team, Hi- Y Club, Older Youth Club, and choir. He attended Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Okolona Junior College. He was a member of the Henry Hampton Elks Lodge Number 782 for forty- five years. He served as the Exalted Ruler for fifteen years on the local level.
He was a member of the Tupelo Civil Improvement Club, in which he served as president, Tupelo Biracial Committee. He was awarded the Golden Heritage Award from the NAACP in 1999 and the Special Service Award from the Black Business Association of Mississippi.
He was a veteran of World War II. For his service he received the American Campaign, Good Conduct, and World War II Victory Medals. He was a retired employee of Day- Brite Lighting Company after thirty- five years of service. He and his wife were owners and operators of Ashby's Cash Grocery Store on North Green Street for twenty- three years.
Table of Contents
I. Childhood in Shake Rag and Reed's Alley
II. Jobs for African- Americans during the Depression
III. Rising Star Church School
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