Ruth Bailey Earl graduated as salutatorian of Eureka High School in 1936. After high school, she attended nursing school in Dothan, AL. Earl joined the United States Army in 1942 as second lieutenant and served as a WWII nurse. An image of her in uniform circulated worldwide for many years symbolizing the unbreakable spirit of the African American female soldier. Her likeness is prominent at the African American Military History Museum. Before joining the Army, Earl was very involved in numerous community health affairs in Hattiesburg.
Clinton “Doug” Smith was a community leader and civil rights activist. Though a teenager, he was actively involved in Freedom Summer of 1964. He was co-coordinator and District Director, (covering 16 counties) for the Council of Federated Organization (COFO). He also served as the Field Secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and served 22 years in the United States Army.
Walter Crosby was one of the first African American Highway Patrolmen in the State of Mississippi and the first from Hattiesburg. He is a 1968 graduate of Rowan High.
