MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation held a wreath-laying ceremony Tuesday at Oak Grove Cemetery in Meridian to honor the legacy of country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers.
The ceremony, held at noon, featured musical performances by Britt Gully and Meridian musician Scott McQuaig as supporters, family members and community leaders gathered to celebrate Rodgers’ lasting impact on music and Meridian history.
Alana Broughton, executive director of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, said the wreath-laying tradition dates back to the early years of the Jimmie Rodgers Festival.
“In 1953, Hand Snow and Ernest Tubb started the Jimmie Rodgers Festival with a wreath laying,” Broughton said. “That kind of went by the wayside. It’s not that it wasn’t important, but it’s a manpower thing.”
Broughton said the foundation has received strong support from the community in continuing efforts to honor Rodgers’ memory, including assistance from Buzz and Bloom, which created the wreath used during the ceremony.
“We’re grateful for all the support we’ve been getting so we can keep doing things like this and keep Jimmie’s memory alive,” Broughton said.
The event also recognized several descendants connected to Rodgers’ family and musical legacy. Among those attending was Rick McWilliams, grandson of Elsie McWilliams, Rodgers’ sister-in-law and songwriting collaborator.
“Mr. Rick McWilliams is Elsie McWilliams’ grandson,” Broughton said. “He used to go around with her and he was the apple of her eye.”
Broughton also recognized Rick McWilliams’ wife, Terri McWilliams, as well as Ed Snodgrass, a member of the foundation’s board and Elsie McWilliams’ great-grandson. Snodgrass’ son, Will, also attended the ceremony.
Broughton highlighted the foundation’s plans to increase programming and visibility throughout the year while drawing more attention to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum.
“You’re going to see us more,” Broughton said. “We want to be more visible throughout the year. We want to bring more attention to the museum.”
Among the upcoming events is a June 6 book talk hosted by the Mississippi June Bugs at the museum. Broughton said the foundation is also working to collaborate more closely with nearby Meridian museums, including the Meridian Railroad Museum and Soulé.
“There’s actually a group called the Mississippi June Bugs coming on June 6th, and they’re going to do a book talk,” Broughton said. “We just want to do more like that. More collaborations with the museums that are really close to us.”
The ceremony concluded with a quote from Rodgers shared by Broughton.
“I believe in God,” Broughton said, quoting Rodgers, “and I hope he believes in me.”
