PICAYUNE —
For 33 years, Coach Dewey Partridge has been at the helm of The Cornerstone health and fitness facility, in Picayune. On Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., a retirement reception will be held there, for Partridge, as he retires from his position as executive director.
Partridge has been married 42 years to Lana. He has four children and three grandchildren
Interim Executive Director Jennifer Harrison, says, “His commitment to The Cornerstone began when it was Picayune Athletic Association (PAA) in 1980, it became Cornerstone in 1986. He joined the Kiwanis club in 1986 has been the leader and organizer of the Kiwanis Special Olympics since, raising money for the physically and mentally challenged youth and young adults in this community. He has been a president of the Big 8 Coaches Assoc. in 1972 and has served numerous times on the State Board of Education.
Partridge has always been involved in atheletics or fitness is some way.
Harrison says, “In 1955 he played both football and basketball All Star teams and was one of only two players who have ever played in both games during same year. He has officiated both high school and junior college basketball (boy & girl) games.
He was one of two people to officiate the first intergrated boys basketball games in Miss., as well as South State Boys Basketball in 1969 or 1970.
“Personally, in the ten years I have worked side by side with Coach I have never seen a man so dearly loved by so many people of all ages, from all over the state. This man has more friends and admirers than any man I know. He has been a mentor to many young athletes and continues to be a strong influence to even the youngest, hoping for a spot on a local team no matter what the sport is.
“He has taught me many things in both business and life; but the one thing that sticks out the most and that is most appreciated is to treat people with kindness. He has taught me to learn their names and call them by it each time they come in. If I speak to everyone and get to know them, I can convey to them that they are truly appreciated.
“He is an amazing man and I have truly been honored to know him and call him my boss, my mentor my friend.”
Fellow Kiwanis member and lifetime friend, Steve McDonald says, “Dewey is a founding member of the Picayune Kiwanis Club. Through the years he has been the back bone of the club serving in all areas of the club not to mention making sure that the quality of whatever the Picayune Kiwanis Club took part in was only done in a first class way. Dewey has steadfastly supported or led all our projects to help children.”
Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce Director April Lovelace says of Partridge, "Mr. Dewey has always played a fundamental part in the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce and we appreciate all his years of service to the community. He has also received the honor of serving as our Citizen of the Year in 2008."
"Dewey Partridge loves people and has the keen ability to find the best in people. His focus is on helping others and always puts them ahead of himself," says City Manager Jim Luke.
“I’ve known Dewey since he came back to coach the football team in in the 80’s He is a very nice, gentle man who has a colorful imagination and personality. He’s one of the true characters and surviving Miss. College Football icons who was very active and right in the middle of the glory years of Ole Miss football in 1950s and early 1960s.
“Even though he possesses a coloful personality and in the past has not been reluctant to speak with tongue in cheek, I have always observed that he has gone out of his way to treat people with consideration, friendliness and concern,” says Gerald Cruthird.
“He never meets a stranger. He is a pro at breaking the ice with someone and getting them to warm up. I hate to see him retire but we plan on taking some trips to see some football games. He is quite a guy; I have a lot of good friends because of him.
“Of course he is really involved with Special Olympics Golf events and Kiwanis. He is someone who will always be involved in the community,” says long-time friend Dickie Travis.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Coach Dewey Partridge will be celebrating his retirement from The Cornerstone with family and friends on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at The Cornerstone which is located at 101 Kirkwood Street in Picayune. Submitted photo
Dewey Partridge
Picayune Item's Super Senior
- Lifestyles
-
-
Arboretum Paths
At the recent Master Naturalist training held at the Crosby Arboretum, Master Gardener Susan Swope discussed how using more natives in our landscapes can save us both time and money. She went on to describe some methods well-suited to lazy gardeners. One was to create planting beds in lawn areas. First, mow the grass as short as possible, then add layers of newspaper or cardboard, add a thick organic layer such as leaves, and there you go— less grass to mow.
-
CBAC Did you know? program highlights dangers to senior citizens
Senior citizens face many dangers, said the speakers at the Did You Know? seminar at the Senior Center, and they sought to give the seniors information to help them navigate the risks. The Community Business Advisory Committee (CBAC) hosted the seminar at the Senior Center on Friday, May 17.
- 2013 Partners for Pearl River County By Jodi Marze The 10th class of Partners for Pearl River County celebrated its graduation at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall. The graduating class included: Jason Bounds, Nacole Dillon, Christy Goss, John Huck, Jeff McClain, Teenia Perry, Paul Reese, Brooke Rester, Eric Stafne, Richelle Stafne, Kristin Thibodeaux, Pat Tidmore, and Jim Walker. The staff is comprised of: Jo Woods, Tricia Knight, Shirley Wiltshire, Marilyn Bailey, Rod Lincoln and Scott Langlois (Program Chairman).
-
Tami Harris takes state
Local business owner and community volunteer Tami Harris has won the coveted title of 2012 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) Club Woman of the Year for the state of Mississippi. A member of the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune, Harris is one of only three club members, along with Darlene Adams and Leslie Lincoln, to take the state title.
-
Arboretum Paths
Last week, students participating in the 2013 Mississippi Master Naturalist Program visited the Crosby Arboretum for an all-day training. The session was part of 40 hours of field and classroom instruction they will receive, educating them about natural resource management and environmental stewardship, and is a part of their preparation to become Certified Mississippi Master Naturalists.
- Chamber Ribbon Cutting Children's International Medical Group held a grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their first Mississippi location, located in Picayune.
-
Historic City Hall Dedication Friday
Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. the New City Hall will be dedicated on Goodyear Boulevard. This event will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Old Historic City Hall building.
- PRC Community Band presents: An American Legacy The Pearl River County Community Band, under the direction of Johnny Baker, will present “An American Legacy: An afternoon of American music for concert bands,” on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Picayune Memorial High School Auditorium.
-
Arboretum Paths
On their recent tour, fifth grade students from Lamar Christian School in Purvis encountered a seemingly endless variety of wildlife, ranging from crawfish to inchworms, to writhing masses of spiny, newly-emerged caterpillars. There is no such thing as a “typical” walk around the Arboretum’s Pond Journey and Pitcher Plant Bog. Every venture reveals something new to every group of visitors.
-
Beebe returns to Main Street
“I was excited when the Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors asked me to return as manager to the local Main Street program. Also, extremely grateful to Picayune City Manager Jim Luke, Mayor Ed Pinero and city council for their blessings and approval to relocate our office,” says Beebe. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.’ I have to say, I had a blast working on committees, projects and events with the most dedicated staff and group of volunteers in Pearl River County from March 2005 to May 2010. I look forward to getting new committees in place and working with ‘seasoned’ volunteers as well as new volunteers who share the same passion and desire to keep Picayune moving forward.”
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
