Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Donald Oakes smiles with family members, from left, Bettye Oakes and Natalie Pittman during his retirement ceremony Sunday.(C. Todd Sherman The Vicksburg Post)

[06/23/03] Retiring Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Donald Oakes was honored Sunday as a man practicing “a labor of love” as an educator for 40 years.

About 50 family members, friends and co-workers gathered in the Warren Central High School auditorium to bid farewell to Oakes, 63, whose retirement is effective at the end of this month. Dr. James Price, another long-time local educator, was selected by the school board to move into the spot.

School board President Kay Assand said Oakes always carried out his duties as superintendent with faith and gratitude.

“He has given his all for the children of Warren County,” Assand said. “It has been a labor of love because of his actions. It’s people like him that our community and country need.”

Assand also admired the fact that Oakes came from humble beginnings with parents who supported higher education and finished with a distinguished career.

Oakes also served on the Hinds Community College Board of Trustees for 27 years. After announcing his retirement, Oakes established a baseball scholarship to honor his mother and father, Fred and Margie Oakes, for a student to attend Hinds Community College.

“That scholarship is another indication of his services to others,” said Dr. Clyde Muse, president of Hinds Community College. “We recognize, commend and thank Donald for his services to Hinds as well as the community.”

Warren County Board of Supervisors President Richard George of District 5 said Oakes could have left Warren County at any time, but was dedicated enough to the community to stay here.

“He had many offers elsewhere,” George said. “He chose to dedicate his life career to our community and our children. He was there even during the ugly times.”

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman said Oakes taught him many lessons that he continues to live by.

“In life, you don’t have to prove yourself on an individual occasion,” Beauman said. “Mr. Oakes, however, realized people should be seen not as numbers but as people.”

Oakes offfered his continuing support for the district of more than 9,000 students.

“It was the best job I ever had,” he said. “I will stay involved and am looking forward to what’s happening in the future for the school district. It’s going to be bigger and better.”

Oakes has been the fourth superintendent of the district, created by the consolidation of formerly separate Vicksburg and Warren County public school systems in 1985.