EMMETT M. and MARY B. McGOVERN Both Emmett McGovern and his wife Mary (Bagwell) were born in Choctaw Co., MS where they always resided. Their many friends and relatives tied them to the community. Neither Emmett nor Mary had birth certificates. Although Emmett was born 22 Nov 1900 near Chester, his birth date was shown in Social Security Administration records as 01 Nov 1901. SSA used the oldest known record if an original birth certificate was unavailable. The oldest record found by Emmett was a school record with the incorrect date. According to Emmett, his mother's given name was Susan Alfreda and was nicknamed Susie. In his Bruce book, J. P. Coleman recorded her given name as Susan Alpharetta. Alpharetta is a town in Georgia near Susie's birthplace. This writer has no documentation to prove that this was Susie's correct name. Mary was born in Township 17 near Ackerman, MS to John Pilot Bagwell and Florence Celia (Wells). Mary attended Ackerman schools, and Emmett attended Cork School. The McGovern family members were Roman Catholics, and the Bagwell family members were either Baptist or Methodist. Although Emmett and Mary married in Philadelphia, Neshoba Co., MS, in the Catholic church, the marriage was recorded in Ackerman, Choctaw Co., MS. For the wedding ceremony, they drove to Philadelphia with Mary's sisters Minerva and Mavis. Everyone stayed overnight with Emmett's uncle, Joe McGovern. Emmett purchased the Bagwell farm east of Ackerman from Mary's widowed mother for $463.20 on 10 Jul 1928. The farm contained about one hundred twenty-seven acres. Mary's mother continued to reside with her and Emmett, as did her younger brother William Henry "Bill." For a time her older sister and brother-in-law Willie and William Nason also resided with them. New information discloses that Mary’s father built the Bagwell home. Her grandfather John Leander Bagwell's home was adjacent and was used to house a tenant farmer and his family. Emmett added to the family income by driving a school bus. Emmett built the bus on the chassis of a flat bed truck. He also hauled logs, household belongings, and other items for people. When Tupelo, MS, was damaged by a tornado, he drove the school bus filled with area people to view the destruction. When the Mississippi River flooded the delta area where his brothers had moved, Emmett hauled their belongings to Choctaw County where the items were stored until the waters receded. This happened several times. In 1937 this farm became part of the Tombigbee National Forest. The McGoverns moved to a previously purchased sixty acre farm three miles north of Ackerman on Highway 15 where they remained all their lives. Emmett had been renting this farm to others before he moved his family there. The house was remodeled, a new barn and a new tenant house was soon built. Because Emmett held a full time job, a tenant family usually helped with the farm work. Crops included cotton, soybeans, corn, hay, peanuts, and a large garden. Domestic animals raised included cattle, hogs, and chickens. Taught by Emmett, Mary learned to operate vehicles and was the only female in the McGovern family with this ability. Her sister-in-law Hazel Bagwell and Mary were the only female drivers in the Bagwell family. For many years the Soil Conservation Service employed Emmett at Choctaw Lake. He operated machinery including bulldozers and road graders. He suffered a painful injury to his leg when another worker accidentally moved one of the machines while Emmett was between the machines. In forest fire season, he often spent many hours fighting forest fires. During that time, men remained on lookout in the fire towers. Presently forest fires are located by satellite. In 1945 Emmett served as general maintenance caretaker for the Choctaw Lake resort's concessionaire. His family resided in a cabin near the entrance to the lake. Next he was employed at Belwood Products, Inc. which had been founded by Sam Moore. The company produced wood molding, trim and kitchen cabinets. Later Emmett began to raise more cattle, and Mary became a successful salesperson. Her products included Stanley Home Products, Tupperware, Fuller Brushes, and Avon products. Sales at home parties were very popular in the area during the time she was selling. Being a very social couple, Mary and Emmett, her helper, thoroughly enjoyed the saleswork. When the natural gas pipeline was installed in Choctaw County, they boarded several of the workers. Because the area lacked apartments, motels and restaurants, many local residents also boarded the workers. When Mary stopped selling, she started a nursing home and cared for up to six patients in her home. After fifteen years her health required her to close the nursing home. Then she clerked in a local drugstore and worked at the local hospital as a practical nurse. Mary became a member of Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church after she and Emmett moved to highway 15. Many years later Emmett also became a member there and was elected to the position of elder. He felt honored to hold that position. Mary taught church school for several years. Emmett was five feet eleven inches tall and had black hair and blue eyes. Usually he was whistling while he worked on the farm. He always had a pocketful of homegrown roasted peanuts. Mary was five feet three with black hair and hazel eyes. Her hobbies were sewing and cooking. Company dinner in their home always included a choice of several meats, many vegetables, salads, home made bread, and multiple desserts. Both Mary and Emmett were buried in Enon Cemetery at Ackerman, MS. Mary died in Oktibbeha County Hospital at Starkville, MS. Emmett died in Choctaw County Hospital at Ackerman, MS. Four of Emmett and Mary's five children died at birth or shortly afterward. The first three children were born in Choctaw County. The last two children were born in Oktibbeha County. In 2001 their descendants include one child, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren who reside in Ohio and Colorado.