The first elected woman mayor of Graceville, Patricia “Patty” Segrest, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7. The community leader made a name for herself a steward of all of the Graceville community not only leading the City of Graceville in a commissioner and mayor role but also both local schools (Graceville and Poplar Springs) as administrator.

A graduate of Holmes County High School, Segrest began her career in education teaching at various schools including Graceville High School, Cottondale High School, and Houston Academy. During that prestigious career, Segrest would become administrator leading local faculty and staff members at Graceville High School, Graceville Elementary School, and Poplar Springs High School (she was also administrator at Cottondale High School).

Segrest paved the way for many young ladies in not only the Graceville community but Jackson and Holmes County. She was the first female secondary administrator in Jackson County. A trend she continued becoming the first elected female mayor in Graceville as well. She also received numerous awards and accolades in her lifetime including Jackson County Teacher of the Year and Graceville’s Woman of the Year.

A leader in the community to all, Segrest left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Friend and co-worker, Shirley Owens, wrote, “Mrs. Segrest was my principal at GES for around 12 years. I was privileged to have her as my principal again when I went back to teach at my Alma Mater, Poplar Springs. She taught me so much and many life lessons. She was the absolute best. Her integrity was impeccable. She was very selfless and a wonderful leader. I loved her as a principal and more importantly as a friend.”

A professional and friend to all that knew her. Poplar Springs principal Laura Watford perfectly described the woman, Graceville has been lucky to have, writing, “Mrs. Patty Segrest was an outstanding principal. She treated us as professionals and supported us in all endeavors. She had high expectations and expected us to meet them. She accepted no excuses but was fair and compassionate. You always knew where you stood with her. She addressed issues when she needed to, but she always encouraged and supported us. When she became principal at PS, she brought me as well. She trained me to be an administrator. Most everything I learned about leadership was taught to me by her example. She was my mentor but also a dear friend. She will be remembered by those of us who had the privilege to work with her as the ultimate professional.”

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