Barrett Station “Rich In Heritage, Education and Community Pride” -- A Community Started By 7 Families in 1875
Barrett Station Civic League History....
The Barrett/Crosby Civic League is a very old organization that was founded in 1949. The late Mildred Singleton was vice present and Robert Elijah Barrett was chaplain. Usually, the same folks who ran the civic league were the same people who r
an the PTA. Other early organizers of the civic league that have passed on, were Geet Alfred, B. In the 70's key workers in the civic league were Wanita Bush, Gladys Alexander, Willie Barrett Goodlow, the late Ann Simien, Evelyn Lewis Jacobs, Robert Williams (a former president), and Mary Lou Thomas. The Junior Civic League was headed by Fred and Sheryl Barrett in the late 70's. The youth were kept busy assisting the more senior civic leaders with voter registration campaigns. Some key supporters in the 80's were the late Mr. Tanner and Mr. Taylor, John E. David; Rev. Tommy Jenkins (former president), John Victor, Tex Mitchell (former president), Joe Lewis (former president), Emmanuel Jackson (former president-1986) and Jim Mills (a former president-1986-92). Now that many of these pioneers have gone on and/or simply retired, their work continues through some of their descendants. Under Jim Mills’ presidency in 1987, the Barrett Station Annual Community Homecoming celebrations were born. This tradition has continued every year since that time. Jerry Bluitt lead the civic league from 1993 to 1998. Willie Barrett Goodlow was the longest serving president, from 1998 to 2007, and was very effective at improving community relations. Not only in the community of Barrett, but with neighboring towns, as well. Additionally, Willie ensured that the local government officials and politicians were kept informed about the community of Barrett. In addition to coining the phrase and organizations mission, "Not to make a new Community but to make a good community better", Willie worked diligently to keep the annual projects on course (i.e., the annual homecomings, memorial services and scholarship awards for students). During her tenure, the organization’s scholarship awards and community cleanup were implemented. And, because of her wonderful way with people and the public, Willie has been most influential in establishing and maintaining rapport with other local organizations on behalf of the League. Melody Fontenot took over the president’s role following a brief term of service by Jim Mills (in 2007); and, she was instrumental in obtaining IRS approval designations for not only the Barrett Station Civic League – as a 501(c)4 non-profit – but other key organizations in the community as well (i.e., the historical Barrett Station Evergreen Cemetery – which received its 501(c)13 approval on October 4, 2010 and the Barrett Station Community Development Organization, Inc. d/b/a Barrett Station CDC – which received its 501c3 approval on February 21, 2011). She also brought the League, as well as all of the above-named organizations, into the 21st century by creating websites and putting each organization online. Jerry Bluitt was elected president, once again, in January 2013.
