Northcentral Electric Cooperative Endows a Scholarship at Northwest

by Sarah Smith

Senatobia, MS (08/19/2024) — Northwest Mississippi Community College announces a new scholarship endowment established by Northcentral Electric Cooperative called the James E. "Jimmy" Woods Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Jimmy Woods of Byhalia who served his community, state, and country.

"Strong communities don't exist by accident," said Bryan Dye, Olive Branch City Attorney. "They are the by-product of people of character serving the public good day in day out, year in, year out, for several decades in a row. In that sense, Jimmy Woods is a generational leader whose legal career has transformed this part of North Mississippi."

Woods was a lawyer, and aside from his private practice, represented three municipalities, two school districts, and Northcentral Electric Cooperative.

His life started with humble roots, born to a farming family in Byhalia where he would graduate from Byhalia High School before going on to attend Mississippi State University, with intentions of becoming a sports coach. During college, Woods' interests shifted; after graduating from MSU, he went on to attend the University of Mississippi Law School and graduated in 1966.

After receiving his education, he practiced at Joe Walker's law firm, who at the time, represented the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Olive Branch. As the years went by and the crisis elevated in the Vietnam War, Woods decided to serve his country by joining the Army Reserve and served in a Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Unit for six years.

"Every so often, a lawyer comes along who truly advances the profession," said Chris Latimer, attorney with Mitchell, McNutt, & Sams, PA. "These individuals take time to mentor young lawyers and teach the practice of law. They represent their clients with the highest degree of expertise and ethics. Judges are delighted to see them enter the courtroom because they know that lawyer is prepared and in control. These lawyers practice a long time and leave a lasting legacy. They are pillars of the profession; they are Lions of the Bar. Jimmy Woods is one of those in every sense."

Woods was a man of honor, serving Northcentral Electric Cooperative for 50 years when he marked the end of his career. Over those 50 years, people knew him for his passion for sports and his dedication to his community.

"I have always recognized and highly respected the service and credibility that Northcentral has had all these years," Woods stated at his retirement reception. "It has been a high privilege; I am blessed with a wife that has helped me through the good and stood by me in the bad. She is a big part of these 50 years."

Jimmy and his wife, Ginga, have been married for 55 years and rooted their family in Olive Branch. They have two children, Jay and Polly, and enjoy keeping up with their two grandsons, Banks and Grady.

"From Jackson to Washington, in courtrooms and in boardrooms, Jimmy has left indelible marks," said Michael Bellipanni, Northcentral's Director of Marketing and Business Development.

The criteria for this scholarship is that the student who receives it must be a family member of a Northcentral Electric Cooperative member.

If you'd like to learn more about Northwest, or contribute to the Foundation, please visit northwestms.edu/foundation

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