In the final episode of our Power of Home 3-part podcast series, we explore the untold stories of school integration in Caruthersville, Missouri. Trailblazer Brenda Cooke Hundley, who integrated Caruthersville High School in 1964, is joined by Willie “Will” Campbell Jr., a 2025 graduate of the same school, for a powerful cross-generational conversation. Guiding the dialogue is Dr. Gerceida Jones, one of threeBlack children chosen to integrate the white elementary school at the time Brenda was breaking barriers at the high school.

This episode blends personal history, civil rights reflection, and modern perspective, offering listeners an eye-opening discussion on how education, resilience, and community shape lives across generations.

👩🏾 About Brenda Cooke Hundley

Integrated Caruthersville High School in 1964

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• Earned a bachelor’s in European History from Wichita State University

• 30+ year career as a property manager in New York City

• Longtime docent and interpreter of slavery in Northern colonies at Philipsburg Manor, Philipse Manor Hall, and the American Museum of Natural History

• Retired in 2024; continues museum interpretation work in New York

👩🏾‍🔬 About Dr. GerceidaJones

• Born and raised in Caruthersville, MO

• Selected as one of three Black children to integrate the white elementary school

• Graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1973

• Earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan, becoming the first African American to concentrate in Physical Oceanography

• Holds both a Master’s and Doctorate in Fluid Dynamics from New York University

• Currently teaches Astronomy at NYU and resides in Queens, NY

🎓 About Willie “Will”Campbell Jr.

• 2025 graduate of Caruthersville High School

• Passionate about podcasting and film

• Plans to attend Jackson State University (Mississippi) to pursue a bachelor’s in Journalism and Film Studies

📢 Join theConversation

Do you have a similar story of school integration, resilience, or community history? Share it with us on our website: Women of the Word.
💌 Or email us at wordconsultingllc@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Emunah Podcast to keep receiving inspiring stories that explore the many ways to live God-honoring lives.

📺 Catch Up on theSeries

• Episode 1 – Growing Up Bootheel: Eight Stories of Strength
  Watch here

• Episode 2 – Faith in the Bootheel: Segregation, Survival, and Strength
  Watch here

The “Power of Home” live podcast taping in Caruthersville, Missouri, now moves to Episode 2 – Faith in the Bootheel: Segregation, Survival and Strength. Seven different individuals remember what it was like growing up Black in Southeast Missouri. Besides the Host Tamara Henry, other hometown heroes are:

Brian Sidney Presberry attended Washington Elementary School until integration took place during his fourth-grade year. His family then moved to Jefferson City, and he graduated from Jefferson City High School in May 1978. Brian attended Lincoln University on an athletic scholarship, excelling in both basketball and track and field. He became a two-time All-American in track and earned all-state first-team honors in basketball. He graduated from Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration.

Terrance D. Hubbard graduated in 1970 from Caruthersville High School. He worked for 36 years in the areas ofMortuary Science, Forensic Medicine, and autopsy pathology in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, until his retirement. He received formal training at the Warsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago and worked as an independent forensic autopsy assistant for the Waukesha County Medical Examiner's in Waukesha, WI. He is an Army veteran and a deacon at Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee.

Margaret “Peaches” Fields is a long-time resident of Caruthersville, although she was born in the Mississippi Delta. She earned her GED in 1978 and an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the Mississippi County Community College (now known as Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville, AR). In May 2016, she earned a bachelor’s at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. She worked for more than 44 years in various capacities for the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Cooperation, retiring as the Caruthersville Head Start Center supervisor in 2009. She lives in Caruthersville.

Larry Jones, a talented visual artist, graduated from Caruthersville HS in 1969. He earned a Bachelor’s from Lincoln University in 1973. Larry spent 14 years working as a freelance artist in the Chicago area and served as a graphic designer, compositor, and illustrator for the PioneerPress from 1979 to 1987. From 1998 to 2003, he worked as a Youth Development Professional at the Boys and Girls Club of the Bootheel. He then taught art in the Hayti, Missouri Public Schools from 2004 until his retirement in 2016.

Leola Lasley Agnew is the wife of John Agnew, Jr., who served as president of the Washington School Reunion several years. She lives in Caruthersville.

Deloise “Presberry/Brown” Williams is a retired Registered Nurse who was born in Eudora, Mississippi, and raised in Caruthersville. After high school, she married Richard "Rickey" Williams, and they traveled during his military service. She spent 20 years gaining Civil Service experience in diverse fields. She attended Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri, and Lincoln U to become a Registered Nurse. Additionally, she was hired as Assistant Nurse Manager at St. Mary's Hospital and then director of Medical Services at Lincoln University. Later, she worked as Assistant Division Director of Medical and Mental Health Services for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Emunah Podcast opens its 5th season (August 15, 2025) with a special live-taped series, The Power of Home. Episode One, “Growing Up Bootheel – Seven Stories of Strength,” was recorded in Caruthersville, MO, the heart of Missouri’s Bootheel.

This episode explores how home—the place where we grew up—teaches lessons that prepare us for life’s trials, triumphs, and future opportunities. Through seven inspiring stories, listeners will hear how resilience, faith, and community shaped the lives of hometown heroes from the Bootheel.

The Bootheel of Missouri has a rich history shaped by resilience, community, and faith. This episode highlights the voices of African American leaders, educators, pastors, and professionals who grew up in Caruthersville and nearby towns, many of them navigating segregation, integration, and generational change.

Their stories reflect not only personal strength but also the enduring power of home.

Mamie Walton was a 10th-grade student at Washington High School (during segregation) before moving to St. Louis in 1968. She graduated from Soldan High School and the Homer G. Phillips Hospital School of Nursing. After earning her BA from the College of St. Francis, Mamie served as a Registered Nurse for 50 years before retiring in O’Fallon, MO.

Granddaughter of James Ross Sr., founder of Rosses Grocery Store, Betheria Charles is a proud Caruthersville High School graduate. With a BS from the University of Phoenix and computer technology training in Kansas City, she went on to work as a legal secretary, launch a Girls’ Group Home, and run a Self-Sufficiency facility. She now lives in Colorado Springs, CO.

Rev. Hood has pastored St. James Word of Faith Church & Outreach Ministries in Hayti, MO since 1985. In addition to his ministry, he has served as a Caruthersville City Councilman (Ward #1) since 2007 and as Mayor Pro Tem since 2021. He holds a Doctor of Divinity and is also a local business owner and former Missouri Youth Services employee.

Ronald Nelson attended Washington School until integration and graduated from Caruthersville High School. He went on to earn degrees from Lincoln University (BA) and the University of Missouri (MA). Ronald worked as a counselor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and retired after decades of service to education. He lives in Jefferson City, MO.

Kenneth Simmons served four years in the U.S. Air Force before working 35 years with the Department of Defense. A certified aircraft sheet metal mechanic, he also worked as an Operations Research Analyst at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Kenneth earned his BA from Park College in Parkville, MO, and traveled the world as a technical expert before retiring.

A graduate of Hayti North High School and Lincoln University, Iva Presberry felt a call to missionary work in 1971. She earned advanced degrees, including a Master’s from SIU–Edwardsville and an Associate’s in Deaf Communications Studies. Together with her husband, she co-founded Hope for Caribbean Kids, Inc., combining faith and education in lifelong service.

Richard Presberry graduated from Caruthersville High School with honors in 1967 and went on to earn a PhD in 1987. His career in education and rehabilitation spanned roles at Lincoln University, the University of Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Alongside his wife Iva, Richard co-founded Hope for Caribbean Kids, Inc. They continue their ministry and missionary work from Jefferson City, MO.

Kenneth Tipler attended Washington schools before graduating from Caruthersville High School in1968. He eventually landed in Seattle, WA and began his career with the Seattle Fire Department as a Firefighter Recruit. He advanced to Lieutenant in 1982, Captain in 1986, Battalion Chief in 1997, Deputy Chief in 2002, and Assistant Chief in 2003, and eventually Fire Marshal. He retired after 33 years.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of The Power of Home series—subscribe to Emunah Podcast.