Category: Press Release

ELLISVILLE – Employees of Jones College and the City of Ellisville, along with friends and colleagues across the state are mourning the loss of Thomas Mack or “Tim” Waldrup who passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2024. The Louin, Mississippi native was active in athletics at Bay Springs High School before attending Jones County Junior College. He continued his education at Mississippi State University majoring in forestry. While fighting brush fires in California and working on pipelines throughout the United States to earn college funds, he switched careers to education. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Delta State University, where he met his wife, Patricia of 54 years.

Waldrup taught at Bay St. Louis and Ruleville High School before landing a job at Jones College in 1967. Over Waldrup’s 34-year career at JCJC, he served the college as dean of men and vice president of Student Affairs. His wife Patricia also enjoyed a long career at JC as the cheerleading advisor and dean of women as Tim dedicated his life to shaping the lives of students through student government and other leadership opportunities.

“Mr. Waldrup had a profound impact on countless students including my wife, Jennifer, and me,” said Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith. “He was a very wise and frugal leader. His wit and charisma made it easy for him to connect with others. Mr. Waldrup was loyal and kind. The JC community will miss him dearly.”

Waldrup is credited with bringing recruiting efforts to new heights, which also brought record enrollment numbers during his career. He understood education was not confined to the classroom; it extends to the essence of a person.

“Tim came to JC a few years before I came to teach computer technology in 1974,” said Robert Landrum, retired Business Division Chair and Computer Information Systems Technology instructor. “We became good friends because we hunted together at the same deer camp and worked together every day. When he became the dean of students a couple of years after that, his goal was to increase student enrollment in academic as well as all the Vocational and Technical programs. Tim was “blind” as to where students went on campus, he just wanted JC to increase in enrollment. He encouraged the instructors to invite private industry to the campus to visit their programs and he also encouraged faculty to let him know if we had something interesting or new so we could invite the news media to come visit our programs. He was a real marketer of all programs on campus.”

JCJC graduate and retired journalism instructor, Rebecca Patrick assisted Waldrup with recruiting efforts for 10 years as the Director of Public Relations, before becoming the journalism instructor. Working in student affairs was never a dull moment with Waldrup, she explained.

“He was a prankster who loved a good joke, but he was all business at the same time,” said Patrick. “I learned a lot from Waldrup about how to work and have fun at the same time, how students and their growth were our main priority, and how a top-quality educational product will always attract top-quality students. He is an individual who, I believe, was uniquely called to be a servant of the people. Whether it was the thousands of students he assisted at Jones, or the citizens of Ellisville he served as mayor, Waldrup always worked to make lives better than they were. There is no possible way to put a number on how many lives he impacted during his lifetime.”

After retiring from Jones in November 2001, Waldrup was elected mayor of Ellisville, becoming a public servant to his community. In this capacity, he continuously embodied unwavering dedication to the people of Ellisville. Serving 16 years as mayor allowed him to become president of the Mississippi Municipal League, thus improving his relationships and network and improving infrastructure and the quality of life for residents. In 2017, Waldrup retired for the last time, after 50 years of public service. Unfortunately, he was plagued by serious health issues until he succumbed to complications.

“Waldrup’s influence extended beyond his professional accomplishments. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a doting grandfather,” said his wife, Pat Waldrup. “His family was his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment spent with us. Waldrup’s wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love will continue to resonate through the generations, leaving an indelible mark on his family’s lives.”

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Laurel, on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 12:30-2:30 pm. A memorial service will follow in the sanctuary at 2:30 pm. A private family burial service will follow. Pallbearers will be, Kaleb Robert Meeks (Grandson), Dylan Thomas Meeks (Grandson), Robert Landrum (Lifelong Friend), Dr. Ronald Whitehead (Professional/Close Friend), Donald Ray Barefoot (Nephew), and John Gentry (Nephew).

The Waldrup family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Tim Waldrup Leadership Scholarship at Jones College or the building fund at First Baptist Church of Laurel or First Baptist Church of Ellisville.

ELLISVILLE – As the Jones College Livestock Show Team begins the spring semester, they are returning from Oklahoma City after attending the Cattlemen’s Congress. The team is adding 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place ribbons, after showing their Red Angus heifers on a bigger-than-life stage. According to the Cattlemen’s website, “The Cattlemen’s Congress is an opportunity for breeders across North America to showcase their top genetics and connect with fellow beef producers in a central location, in the heart of cattle country.” Livestock Show Team advisor and JC Agriculture Science instructor, Leanne Kilgore, said she was excited to be able to bring the team to network with some of the nation’s best cattlemen.

“To be a part of this show and place is an incredible accomplishment,” said Kilgore. “These students have been showing animals individually for 10 or 11 years, and to participate and place as a team is an enormous achievement.”

The JC Livestock Show Team also competed at the North American International Livestock Show in Louisville, Kentucky in November. Freshman Sadie Morris of Batesville said even though she’s far from home, Jones College and the team have become like “family” and the experiences her first semester have been very rewarding.

“This semester went great for me! The team works well together, and everyone seems to be enjoying it so far. We have so much fun working the heifers at the barn,” shared Morris. “We had our first show in November in Kentucky. While there, we got to go to Churchill Downs, sightsee, and eat great pizza!”

Returning to campus in December, the eight-member team consisting of Sadie Morris-Batesville; Tucker Woods-Seminary; Graham Gunn-Petal; Grant Goree-Lorena; Chase Boone-Raleigh; Bailey Blakeney-Magee; Collin Culpepper-Ellisville and Mykenna Nettles of Georgia, worked at the Farm Bureau Show in Jackson, for one week before returning to compete.

“The students worked the ring and cleaned pens at the Farm Bureau Show and then went back the next week and showed three heifers. We had the Reserve Champion Red Angus Heifer in the Red Angus breed. It was a really good outing for the students because it takes time to learn to work together as a team,” explained Kilgore. “Being on the Livestock Show Team is different from how they grew up showing animals. As a team, they have to learn how to work with their peers at different levels and they have gelled well.”

In February, the team will venture to Houston for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where they will show three or four of the six heifers the students manage.

“I’m looking forward to going to Houston this semester with the team,” said Morris. “It’s a major show that I haven’t been to, and it will also be a good experience for the team. I’m excited to see what else this semester has to offer!” 

Before they head to Texas, a lot of care and cleaning of the heifers will ensure they are ready for the show. The Team is divided in half with the leader of each team responsible for ensuring the group completes the daily chores. Not only does the team clean, groom, and brush the heifers daily, but they also make sure the pens and barn are clean and maintained, keep a check on the feed inventory, and share pictures and publicity on social media.

“This allows the team leader to develop some leadership skills,” said Kilgore. “I can tell them but at some point, these students have to learn responsibility and build leadership skills. It can be a little frustrating as they work through the process, but If I come and run it for them, they don’t learn any true leadership skills. It’s great seeing them pull together like a family.” 

While freshman Collin Culpepper of Ellisville enjoys being able to be on the Livestock Show Team, he is looking forward to how the experience of working with animals will enhance his career in biology.

“Being able to continue working with show cattle provides me the opportunity to continue the application of theory and principles in daily life throughout the show barn. Although I have shown cattle most of my life, the Jones College Livestock Show Team provides the opportunity to further my show career on a collegiate level,” said Culpepper.

Later this spring, the Livestock Show Team will be moving into their new show barn which should make it easier to tend to the animals. Livestock Team members receive a full tuition scholarship for their service and are required to live in the dorms on campus. For more information about the state’s only Livestock Show Team, click the link for application and information at, JC Livestock Show Team, contact Leanne Kilgore by email at leanne.kilgore@jcjc.edu or by phone at 601-477-4261, and for more information about the Agribusiness, Agriculture, and Poultry Science at the links, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/agricultural/ and https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/poultryscience/

ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s third president, Dr. Terrell Tisdale will be remembered as the “Building President,” with a larger-than-life career that touched thousands of students’ lives. The 86-year-old peacefully passed away at Forrest General Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit in Hattiesburg, on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

“His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to education have left an indelible mark on the college, the broader educational community, and thousands of alumni,” said current Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith. “His dedication to the development of our institution has shaped countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”

Tisdale began his 42-year career in education at Ellisville Elementary School before launching a 37-year career at JCJC in 1960. Serving as dean of men and assistant to the president, before being selected as the third President of JCJC in 1970, Tisdale was the first president to have attended both Jones County Agricultural High School and Jones County Junior College, now called Jones College. While in school, Tisdale played tuba in the band, and he drove the bus for the JCJC transportation department as a student worker. Furthermore, he served his country for eight years, from 1955 through 1963, in the United States Army and the Mississippi National Guard.

He retired as president of JCJC in 1997 yet continued to serve in higher education as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University and as legislative liaison from 2000-2007. The Mississippi Legislature recognized him for his many years of distinguished service in higher education.

“Dr. Tisdale was honored by the JCJC Foundation with his cohorts, president emeritus, Dr. Ronald Whitehead, and retired V.P. of student affairs, Tim Waldrup as Honor Alumni in 2010 for their service and the indelible impact on the college. The three were leading administrators during the nearly 30 years they worked at JCJC, guiding the thriving college into the 21^st century,” said Smith. “Tisdale was also inducted into the USM Alumni Hall of Fame, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.”

Individually, Tisdale’s legacy is the very foundation of Jones County Junior College because he is responsible for either building or renovating every building on campus during his 27 years as president of the college. The Old President’s House is the only remaining building original to the campus, along with the three wisteria arbors and stone wall. 

“Over 25 years, 26 buildings were constructed on campus under Tisdale’s leadership. New buildings included Covington, Clarke, Greene, Jasper, Smith, and Wayne dormitories, the current President’s House, the Community Services Center, the Hutchison-Hubbard Administration Building, D.O. Thoms Sr. P.E. Building, the C.L. Neill Student Center which includes the cafeteria and Student Center, the Academic Support Center, Bobcat Field House, Visual Arts Center and Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery, King Chemistry Center, Alfred and Adella Foote Chapel, the Welding Building, Sports Complex, Smith Hall, the Student Activities Building, the Stringer-Huff Business Building, the Terrell Tisdale Library, Allied Health Center, the Life Sciences Center, and the Industrial Service Center.

Additionally, renovations were made to the Agricultural, Horticultural, M.P Bush Fine Arts, Home and Health Services, Bush-Young Stadium, Center for the Humanities, the Mathematics Center, the J.B. Young Technical Business Center and the Thomas H. Harris Science buildings.  

Tisdale, with his wife, Martha, and son, J.T., who grew up on the JCJC campus, continued to engage in campus events long after the education giant retired in 1997. J.T. and Heather’s children, Thomas Reese, George Grayson and Margaret Ansley often joined the Tisdale’s for activities on campus.

A native of the Boggy Community, which is located west of Ellisville, Tisdale served on the boards of numerous organizations including the Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America, Phi Theta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mississippi Junior College Association, and Laurel Community Concert Association. While living in Ellisville, the Tisdale’s were members of the First Baptist Church of Ellisville and after retiring and moving to Hattiesburg, they joined Main Street Baptist Church.

ELLISVILLE – Funeral arrangements have been finalized for the former president of Jones College from 1970-1997, Dr. Terrell Tisdale, who passed away peacefully at Forrest General Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit in Hattiesburg at the age of 86, last Saturday.

Visitation will be at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg on Thursday, January 25, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with visitation continuing on Friday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church, in Collins.

Tisdale was raised in the Boggy Community, west of Ellisville, and played tuba in the JCAHS band for the historical, 1955 Jr. Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California. When he was selected as the third college president in 1970, he was the first president to have attended both Jones County Agricultural High School and Jones County Junior College, now called Jones College.

“His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to education have left an indelible mark on the college, the broader educational community, and thousands of alumni,” said current Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith in an email to college faculty and staff. “His dedication to the development of our institution has shaped countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”

Those who cherished Dr. Tisdale as a member of the JCJC family and a remarkable leader, are encouraged by Smith, “to honor his memory through acts of kindness and continued dedication to the values he espoused. His spirit of service, excellence, and community will forever be part of JC.”

Jones Funeral Home in Moselle is coordinating funeral arrangements.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College extends condolences to the family of Dr. Terrell Tisdale, the former President of Jones College from 1970-1997, who passed away peacefully at Forrest General Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit in Hattiesburg at the age of 86. He was raised in the Boggy Community, west of Ellisville, and played tuba in the JCAHS band for the historical, 1955 Jr. Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California. When he was selected as the third college president in 1970, he was the first president to have attended both Jones County Agricultural High School and Jones County Junior College, now called Jones College.

“His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to education have left an indelible mark on the college, the broader educational community, and thousands of alumni,” said current Jones College President, Dr. Jesse Smith in an email to college faculty and staff. “His dedication to the development of our institution has shaped countless lives, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”

Those who cherished Dr. Tisdale as a member of the JCJC family and a remarkable leader, are encouraged by Smith, “to honor his memory through acts of kindness and continued dedication to the values he espoused. His spirit of service, excellence, and community will forever be part of JC.”

Jones Funeral Home in Moselle is coordinating funeral arrangements which are incomplete at this time. More information will be posted to the Jones College website, www.jcjc.edu as soon as it becomes available.