Melvin Redmond Sr., the first black official elected in Warren County since Reconstruction, died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005. He was 70.

&#8221He gained a lot of respect in office by what he did. For him, it was not a black and white issue,“ said Demery Grubbs, who was mayor of Vicksburg from 1977 until his resignation in 1988.

&#8221I had the distinct pleasure of serving with him for 11 years,“ he said. &#8221He did not only provide a great service as alderman, but he was also a dear friend – he was one of those kinds of people you could sit down and talk with.“

Grubbs said Redmond laid the groundwork for black city officials who came after him.

Redmond was elected in 1976 as Vicksburg’s North Ward alderman and held the position for 16 years.

Before the 1976 election, Vicksburg had operated on a system with a mayor and two aldermen, all elected at large through citywide voting. In light of the U.S. Justice Department suits in other towns, the city, led by then-Mayor Nat W. Bullard, divided itself into two wards for separate balloting.

Redmond, chosen for his first term from the North Ward that year, had already broken racial barriers. He worked in a retail store as a clerk and cashier, waiting on white customers, which was unusual in the 1960s, and he was later the first or among the first black citizens hired in Warren County government when the late Tax Assessor Vernon &#8221Van“ Downey hired him for a courthouse position.

He was working as a deputy tax assessor when he decided to seek the municipal post.

Betty Bullard, wife of the late Mayor Bullard, remembered Redmond fondly.

&#8221Melvin was a dedicated and conscientious public servant,“ she said.

Sadie Redmond is the oldest of Redmond’s four children.

She said it was a shock to see him win an alderman seat.

&#8221It came through when Vicksburg was still segregated,“ she said. &#8221I was proud – he set the pathway for all of Vicksburg.“

His son, Melvin Redmond Jr., said he can remember when his father first ran for a political position as city clerk, and lost.

&#8221I remember his first defeat – he never lost confidence, he kept on going,“ he said.

Redmond ran against former Mayor Robert Walker in 1988 during a special election to fill Grubbs’ seat and lost. He won his fourth term as North Ward alderman as a Republican, a switch he made based on a change in political beliefs. He made the switch back to Democrat in 1993.

Redmond’s stint as alderman ended in 1993, when Gertrude Young won the election by a slim margin. Young, the first woman elected to the City Board, went on to hold the seat until this year, when she lost to former Warren County District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield.

A staunch supporter of riverboat gambling while in office, Redmond went to work for Isle of Capri Casino after his defeat. He was director of government affairs and community until 2002.

&#8221He always had the desire to make a difference,“ said Redmond’s daughter, Elizabeth Redmond. &#8221If it wasn’t for Dad, others wouldn’t have come so far – he made the pathway.“

Jim Stirgus Sr., who served as the first black superintendent in Warren County and the first black director of the city’s housing authority, which is his current position, said Redmond was a hard-working man who did his job well.

&#8221I can only say – when he was at City Hall, anytime I’d call him, he’d listen and carry out any request I made – or any of those that others in the municipality made,“ he said.

What his children remember most about their father is his dedication, not only to them, but to the community.

&#8221He had a beautiful soul,“ said Cassandra Holmes, his youngest.

Most of the Redmonds’ holidays were spent helping other people because of his dedication.

&#8221He would get a phone call from a constituent who lost power and I would go out with him,“ Melvin Redmond Jr., said. &#8221I learned to respect people in the community that way. We spent many years, nights and holidays helping people.“

But, most of all, he was a loving father.

&#8221He was our dad – not just the alderman,“ Sadie Redmond said.

Melvin Redmond was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Redmond. He is survived by his children and five grandchildren.

Lakeview Funeral Home has charge of all arrangements.