On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District will join with family and friends of the late Jessie V.E. Douglas in a dedication honoring Jessie’s memory and service to the District and its Longleaf Trace.  The 10:15am ceremony will be held at the Epley Station on the Longleaf Trace.  The Epley Station and adjoining trailhead will be named the “Jessie V.E. Douglas Trailhead”   in honor of his founding years of service in the creation of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District and the Phase I (39 miles) development of the Longleaf Trace.  A sign will be unveiled at the site.

 In 1993, Jessie, along with his fellow supervisors in Lamar County, joined an effort by community leaders to preserve the rights-of-way of the old Illinois Central Railroad from Hattiesburg west to Prentiss for future beneficial purpose and with a vision of converting it into a multi-purpose recreational trail.  In 1994, those efforts were successful as the authority for recreational districts was authorized by the Mississippi State Legislature. The rights-of-way of the old rail line were then secured as the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District was created and Jessie was appointed as Lamar County’s first representative on the board.  Jessie and his fellow board members enthusiastically participated in the planning, design, and construction of Phase I (39 miles), and in the naming of the Longleaf Trace, knowing that the project would lead to an improved quality of life for many area citizens and contribute to the economic well-being of the area.

 Jessie’s service to the district ended in the year 2000, at near the time the first phase of the Longleaf Trace was opened to public use and following the planning, the search for funding, and eventual construction of Phase I of the Longleaf Trace.  Prior to Jessie’s death in 2006, he and his founding directors witnessed the Longleaf Trace become the community quality of life project they had envisioned, and enjoyed seeing the Trace gain state recognition as “Mississippi Best”, and national recognition as a “National Recreational Trail” . 

 Lynn Cartlidge, President of the Board of Directors, stated, “ It is a privilege to recognize Jessie for his leadership and service during those founding and early years of operation, when our vision was shaped and constructed as the Longleaf Trace.”

On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District will join with family and friends of Darwin Graham, longtime mayor of Sumrall, in a dedication honoring Mayor Graham’s service to the District and its Longleaf Trace. The 11:15am ceremony will be held at the Sumrall Station on the Longleaf Trace. The Sumrall Station and adjoining trailhead will be named the "Darwin Graham Trailhead" in honor of his founding years of service in the creation of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District and Phases I and II (40.25 miles) development of the Longleaf Trace. A sign will be unveiled at the site.

In 1993, Mayor Graham joined an effort by community leaders to preserve the rights-of-way of the old Illinois Central Railroad from Hattiesburg west to Prentiss for future beneficial purpose and with a vision of converting it into a multi-purpose recreational trail. In 1994, those efforts were successful as the authority for recreational districts was authorized by the Mississippi State Legislature. The rights-of-way of the old rail line were secured as the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails to Trails Recreational District was created, and Mayor Graham was appointed as Sumrall’s first representative on the board. Mayor Graham and his fellow board members enthusiastically participated in planning, design, and construction of Phases I and II (40.25 miles), and in the naming of the Longleaf Trace, knowing that the project would lead to an improved quality of life for many area citizens and contribute to the economic well-being of the area.

Darwin’s service to the district ended in the year 2005, following the planning, the search for funding, and eventual construction of Phases I and II of the Longleaf Trace. Director Graham and his founding directors witnessed the Longleaf Trace become the community quality of life project they had envisioned, and enjoyed seeing the Trace gain state recognition as "Mississippi Best", and national recognition as a "National Recreational Trail".

Lynn Cartlidge, President of the Board of Directors, stated, " It is a privilege to recognize Darwin for his leadership and service during those founding and early years of operation when our vision was shaped and constructed as the Longleaf Trace."