Biography/History:

Reece Orville Bickerstaff was born March 23, 1896, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, to Mary Jerusha Blunt Bickerstaff (1872-1945) and John Ramsey Bickerstaff (1868-1929), who was a farmer and member of the board of supervisors. Reece Bickerstaff was the second of nine children that included: Gurstell Guy (b. November 6, 1894 – d. October 25, 1961), Audrey Leah (b. September 2, 1898 – d. November 13, 1944), Mamie Olivia (b. January 7, 1900 – d. August, 1900), Ollie Edith (b. June 30, 1901 – d. August 10, 1987), Thomas Alton (b. September 5, 1904 – d. October 9, 1976), Lillian Adair (b. May 23, 1906 – d. July 26, 1965), Wilbur Delane (b. October 18, 1908 – d. July 26, 1968), and Mildred (b. January 4, 1912 – d. January 9, 1912).

During World War I, Reece Bickerstaff enlisted as a private in the United States Army on July 18, 1918 in Iuka, Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He was assigned to Company L 149 Infantry. Bickerstaff saw active duty overseas in France and England. After the war ended, Bickerstaff was re-assigned to Company A 102 Engineers on December 7, 1918. He was discharged on April 17, 1919.

Upon his return to Mississippi, Bickerstaff attended the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, from 1920-1925. As a student, Bickerstaff served as an officer and member of the: American Expeditionary Force Club, American Legion, Y.M.C.A, Masonic Club, Ole Miss Musical Club, Glee Club and Quartette. Reece Bickerstaff graduated from the University of Mississippi with B.A. and L.L.B. (Bachelor of Laws) degrees in 1925.

Reece Bickerstaff married Emily Augusta Cook on August 28, 1923, in Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi. Emily Cook Bickerstaff was the daughter of Joseph Anderson Cook, the first president of Mississippi Normal College, now the University of Southern Mississippi. Reece and Emily Bickerstaff moved to Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, and had two daughters: Emily Ann (b. ca. 1927) and Mary Elizabeth (b. ca. 1932).

Reece Bickerstaff was an assistant state attorney, served as attorney for the town of Long Beach, Harrison County, Mississippi, from 1929-1934, and as assistant state manager for the Home Owners Loan Corporation from 1933-1935. Bickerstaff was also an organizer of the Coast Federal Savings and Loan Association and later became its director and vice president.

Bickerstaff served five terms in the Mississippi State Legislature from 1936-1955. He was chairman of the House Committee on Highways and Highway Financing, and served on the Rules, Ways, and Means, Judiciary, Fisheries, Commerce, and Shipping committees. Bickerstaff sponsored measures that developed Highway 90 into a four lane highway, and created the Gulfport inner harbor and pier facilities. He was also a leader in the creation of Mississippi’s hospital program. In addition, Bickerstaff served as counsel for the Mississippi Seafood Commission for twelve years and for eight years as associate attorney for the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Reece O. Bickerstaff died on June 3, 1956 at Foundation Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, after undergoing brain surgery. Bickerstaff was buried at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi.

Scope and Content:

This accretion consists of photographs, newspaper and news clippings, personal and World War I memorabilia, and certificates relating to Reece O. Bickerstaff’s fraternal and military organizational memberships. Of note are Bickerstaff’s World War I era Bible, a handwritten dictionary of English words and their French translation, and address book. Of particular interest are photographs depicting him as a member of the University of Mississippi’s Glee Club and Quartet. This accretion serves as a compliment to the Bickerstaff (Reece Orville) Legal Papers (Z/2281.000/S).

Series Identification:

Series 1: Photographs. ca. 1918-1940

This series consists of images related to Reece O. Bickerstaff’s life in the U.S. Army during World War I, as a student at the University of Mississippi, and as a practicing lawyer.

Box 1, folder 1

Series 2: Newspaper and News clippings. ca. 1920-1960

This series includes a photocopy of a graduation announcement for the Tishomingo Agricultural High School class of 1920. An additional item of note is the news clipping ca. 1925 of the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, Glee Club. An additional item of interest concerns the coverage in the July 26, 1935 Mississippi Guide, Gulfport, Mississippi, which provides Bickerstaff’s campaign announcement for the Mississippi state legislature. Additional contents consist of an obituary announcing the death of Reece O. Bickerstaff, and a 1960 article on the Bickerstaff family reunion.

Box 1, folder 2; and Box 2, folders 1-2

Series 3: Memorabilia. 1920; 1935; 1956; 1960

3.1: Personal Memorabilia. ca. 1920-1948

This sub-series contains Reece Bickerstaff’s high school diploma from Tishomingo Agricultural High School, a photocopy of an envelope, Y.M.C.A membership, insurance, and campaign cards. Of additional note is a poem by Emily to Reece O. Bickerstaff. Also found among this series is a leather envelope.

Box 1, folders 3-4; Box 2, folder 5

3.2: Fraternal and Military Organizations Memorabilia. 1914-1919; 1925; 1944

This sub-series includes Reece O. Bickerstaff’s Y.M.C.A. Bible, calendar for first year members of the Enlisted Men’s Bible & Prayer League, and Bickerstaff’s own World War I dictionary of English words with French translations that also documents the personal addresses of acquaintances. Of additional interest is Bickerstaff’s teacher certificate of graduation for a veteran and his certificate of recognition as a 32nd degree Master of the Scottish Rite.

Box 1, folder 5; Box 2, folders 3-4