The convention focus this year was on Dennis Herron Murphree, Mississippi Governor and Lt Governor in the 1920s and 1940s. Convention events included a tour of Yalobusha and Calhoun County sites of Murphree significance. These included the house that Governor Murphree built in Pittsboro as a get-away from Jackson -- a place where he could return to his beloved Calhoun County and its people -- as well as Governor Murphree's grave site in Pittsboro.

Dennis Herron Murphree in 1927

Registration began at 9 AM on Friday at the Comfort Inn & Suites in the Conference Room. Computers and copies of research material, including a number of books written by the MGA Genealogist/Historian Bruce Jordan were available to consult. The MGA Board of Directors met in the afternoon to develop nominees for Board positions being vacated and for officer positions. The traditional Irish Night was held that evening in the Conference Room with a welcome from the Executive Director of Grenada Tourism, Gary Worsham; MGA Trivia and Information, by President Bobby Murphree; and entertainment by Mid-Life Crisis.

Registration continued on Saturday morning and the General Meeting, led by MGA Chairman of the Board Paul Milstead, convened, presented officer and Board reports, and voted on the nominees. After the General Meeting, an optional tour of Calhoun and Yalobusha County sites of Murphree interest began. For those not participating in the tour, genealogy research material continued to be available in the Conference Room.The tour began with a drive east from Grenada through Calhoun City and then north to the Calhoun County seat of Pittsboro, the home of Dennis Herron Murphree until he was elected Lieutenant Governor. He then moved to Jackson, the state capitol, but later built the small get-away house in Pittsboro that he loved to return to when he could.

The Convention concluded with the traditional MGA Banquet in the Conference Room on Saturday evening. President Bobby Murphree welcomed eveyone and Mike Murphree gave the invocation. Paul Milstead, the Chairman of the Executive Board, announced that Bobby Murphree would continue for two more years as the MGA President and that Bobby and Leo Murphree and other volunteers would organize the 2019 Convention which will be held in Greenwood, Mississippi.

The excellent dinner was catered by the Club House Restaurant. The after-dinner speaker was Robert Smith Murphree, grandson of Governor Dennis Murphree, who talked about his grandfather's life and political career, but also brought him to life through the stories and memories of those who were close to the Governor. Music was provided throughout the evening by Jazz Magic. There were drawings for a number of great gifts and the evening concluded with everyone singing Danny Boy. Photos were made of Murphree family groups, beginning with the David Murphree (youngest son of Daniel and Sarah) descendants since these were the most numerous.

The tour began with a drive east from Grenada through Calhoun City and then north to the Calhoun County seat of Pittsboro, the home of Dennis Herron Murphree until he was elected Lieutenant Governor. He then moved to Jackson, the state capitol, but later built a small get-away house in Pittsboro that he loved to return to when he could.

The house he built (left photo below) was donated to the Calhoun County Historical and Genealogical Society. He and his wife, Clara Martin Murphree, are buried in the Pittsboro Cemetery.