RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR MAYOR ROBIN MCCRORY

By Holmes County Herald | July 17, 2025 |

On June 29th at the Lexington Multi-Purpose Complex at 2:00 p.m. over 300 people came to celebrate Mayor Robin McCrory on her retirement. A committee of friends and community leaders planned and hosted the celebration to honor Mayor McCrory’s outstanding service as mayor for 16 years for the City of Lexington. Mayor McCrory served as Mayor from 2005 to 2013 and from 2017-2025. Under her leadership, she and the city received numerous awards and recognition from the Mississippi Municipal League as well as other organizations. These awards and certificates were on display for the attendees to view.
Mayor McCrory was recognized as one of the top 50 Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2007-2008 and was a Top Ten Finalist as a Business Journal Woman of the Year, among countless other honors and awards.
During her tenure, Mayor McCrory has secured over 20 million in grant funding over the past 16 years for improving and beautifying Lexington.
Some of the city’s completed projects under her administration include comprehensive Sewer and Water Improvements; development of the Multi-Purpose Complex; Housing Construction and Rehabilitation; Park Development with asphalt walking track; playground equipment, splash pad, adult outdoor exercise equipment; and an outdoor pavilion with restrooms.
In addition, she has overseen significant improvements, including Ballpark Improvements; establishment of a Certified Farmers Market; establishment of the Lexington Boys and Girls Club; Downtown Court Square development with the repaving of the court square, irrigating and landscaping of the traffic medians; new brick sidewalks around the store fronts; wrought iron benches, waste receptacles, and lamppost lighting. Mayor McCrory has also successfully completed the Highway 12 East and Highway 17 South entrance corridors that led to the historic courthouse square, including Highway 12 East amenities with a new bridge and pedestrian walkway that ties into the new sidewalk project, preserving Lexington’s historic character while promoting modern amenities.
Several individuals at the event spoke about the mayor’s accomplishments, her sincere dedication, her genuine hospitality, her determination, and her love for Lexington. Jackie Brown, Lexington City Clerk and Sammie Brown, lifelong friend, served as the masters of ceremony for the event. Rev. Jack Wooten of the Methodist Church opened the program with prayer and remarks regarding Mayor McCrory’s sincere love for the city as well as her fellowman. He emphasized that she served with a big heart.
Jennifer Hall, MMHA Executive Director, spoke of her friendship and commitment to the manufactured housing industry. She also stated that the mayor did not accept the word NO as she was always asking for funds from Mrs. Hall’s husband, the late MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall. Supervisor James Young spoke of the mayor’s close working relationship with the Board of Supervisors and how they worked together very well. He stated that he was going to miss her regular calls, but expected that if she wanted something, he would hear from her.
Charlie Mae Joiner, retired Holmes County Administrator, spoke of the mayor’s outstanding leadership and vision for the city and the county. Don Barrett, a long-time friend and City Attorney, spoke of the many accomplishments that Mayor McCrory had achieved during her tenure as Mayor. He spoke of her tenacity and determination to make Lexington a prosperous city for the citizens and the whole community. He too emphasized her ability to ignore the word NO and see it as an opportunity to change someone’s answer to YES.
Strider McCrory spoke on behalf of the McCrory family and expressed the sacrifices that his mother endured to be the Mayor of Lexington. He stated that the family did support her efforts and knew how much she loved the city. He commended her on a job well done as Mayor of Lexington. Representative Bryant Clark presented Mayor McCrory with a Resolution from the Mississippi House of Representatives to commend her leadership as Mayor of Lexington. He also recognized House Speaker Jason White who was in attendance as well as State Senator Bradford Blackmon.
Jackie Brown then recognized Mayor McCrory for her outstanding leadership and special friendship for many years. She stated that the mayor and she had been friends way before they worked together and had endured many challenges over their course of public service. “With each challenge, our determination just grew stronger”, she stated.
During the scheduled program, a surprise speaker came to the podium to share his remarks. Bishop William Dean, Jr. who is the Bishop of the Northern Mississippi Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, came to express his gratitude for Mayor McCrory’s outstanding leadership and sincere loving friendship for the past several years.
Mayor McCrory was presented gifts from the City by Alderwoman- at -Large, Clemetene Cooper and Deputy Clerk Brenda Powell. Mayor McCrory shared her deep appreciation for all that had been said and done on her behalf and how she had been blessed beyond words. In fact, there was a moment of silence where the mayor said she did not have the adequate words to express how she truly felt. The attendees were in awe that the mayor had no words and there was a moment of laughter. She expressed how she loved serving the City as Mayor and would continue to work as a volunteer to make sure the city continued to prosper. She thanked all the present and past city and community leaders for their help and support during her tenure as Mayor. She thanked the attendees for taking the time to attend the reception. She recognized some of the mayors from other towns who were in attendance.
Rev. Jack Wooten closed the program with prayer. The attendees then enjoyed a time of fellowship with a wonderful reception hosted by the event committee. It was a great day celebrating Mayor Robin McCrory’s leadership and retirement.