Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Transportation:
On Friday, February 3, Senator Nicole Akins-Boyd, Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill, Oxford Alderwoman Kesha Howell-Atkinson, Chancery Judge Robert Q. Whitwell and members of the Leonard E. Thompson family, dedicated a portion of Mississippi Highway 334 in his honor.
During the 2022 Legislative Session, Senate Bill No. 2481 was signed into law, designating a segment of Mississippi Highway 334 located in the corporate limits of Oxford, Mississippi, beginning at the bridge passing over U.S. Highway 278/Mississippi Highway 6 and extending north to University Avenue is designated and shall be known as the "Leonard E. Thompson Memorial Highway."
Leonard E. Thompson spent more than fifty years of his life serving his birthplace, Oxford, Mississippi. While he was a student at Jackson State University, he knew he wanted to come back to his hometown after his college years.
In the late 1960's, Thompson was a bridge of support between the Oxford educational system and the Black community. He started his career teaching at the Abbeville and Liberty Hill schools, while working on his Master's and Specialist's degrees from the University of Mississippi. After receiving these degrees, he was chosen as a Ford Foundation Fellow and awarded a grant for graduate work at The New York University and The University of Miami.
The program of studies was designed to deal with desegregation issues in the schools, community and especially the classroom. Thompson utilized his training and was instrumental in helping to unify the two segregated school systems into one Oxford School System for all races. He then became the Assistant Principal at Oxford High School.
In 1973, Thompson would be appointed as a United States Probation Officer, and was the first Black Officer in the State of Mississippi. He would receive the prestigious Robert F. Doyle Award for his outstanding service and the Ezra Nash Southeastern Line Officer of the Year Award.
Through Thompson's efforts, the Lafayette County Planning Commission was established, and he served on the commission for many years. He was also a member as well as President of the Oxford School District Board of Education. He worked with the Mayor and Board of Alderman in helping to initiate the 20/20 Vision, which outlined a plan for future growth and delivery in the City of Oxford. He served on the Oxford BancorpSouth Advisory Board and was placed in the BancorpSouth's Hall of Fame.
