This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bush, Jr. to honor the memory of Matilda Catherine Byrne and Jennings Pemble Field, parents of Katie Ruth Field Bush. This award is made annually to a graduating senior in Lee County. It is designed to reward the efforts of a senior student who has overcome various obstacles in life in order to graduate from high school, which may include disadvantages such as education, poverty, or physical handicaps.

Established by his sisters in memory of Russell and in honor of his parents, Jimmy and Pat Dorman, this fund helps graduating seniors who possess Russell’s unforgettable character and desire to succeed. This scholarship is open to graduating Tupelo High School seniors.

This scholarship was established in memory of John Paul Frerer by his family. Scholarships will be given annually to graduating seniors at Tupelo High School. The student must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, a minimum ACT of 20, and must attend a four-year college. 

Visit www.jpfscholarship.com to view the application.

This scholarship was established for students at Saltillo High School. There is a preference for those students who plan to go into the field of education. Applicants must attend college in Mississippi, have a minimum 2.75 GPA and have a minimum of 18 on their ACT.

Numerous Scholarships are given to graduating seniors in Lee County by the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo’s Margaret Gardner Memorial Scholarship. After completion of the application, please return through your high school counselor. For more information, please contact the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo.

Established in memory of Jordan and his love of life, friends, the medical profession and most importantly, Jesus Christ. Jordan had many friends and touched many people during his lifetime. He graduated from Nettleton High School with special honors. He lettered in tennis, football, and baseball and received numerous academic awards and honors in high school including 2004 Nettleton High School Hall of Fame.

He was an active member of Nettleton First Baptist Church. His witty personality, contagious smile and great passion to follow Christ left incredible impressions in the hearts of those that were blessed to have known him. This scholarship will be awarded to students from Lee or Monroe County who are pursuing a degree in the medical field and who plan to attend college in the state of Mississippi.

This scholarship is open to any Lee or Monroe County graduating senior. To be eligible, the student must attend college or university in the state of Mississippi, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and major in a medical field. The award is a one-time payment of $1,000.

Established by Merchants & Farmers Bank, this fund honors the memory of Mr. Ingram and his years of service. This scholarship is open to graduating seniors at Tupelo High School who are planning to attend the University of Mississippi. The scholarship is a one-time award of $250.

John Marchbanks and his wife Frances desired to help people overcome their problems, misfortunes, and handicaps, and to assist them in helping themselves to achieve better lives and become productive citizens. The Marchbanks left an $8.5 million gift to benefit Lee County. The fund makes grants every year, including scholarship grants to Shannon High School seniors

Established by student leaders at Tupelo High School when Marilyn Monroe passed away, the endowment provides scholarships to students from Tupelo High School who enter the field of education.

J.T. Neely, known as Pop to most, was a longtime supporter of softball and baseball. A familiar sight to all at the ballparks, committee meetings, and umpire training, Pop worked very hard to make sure people in the community had the very best. If anyone stepped out of line or a parent got rowdy, he was quick to utter his famous words “tighten up”. The J.T. Neely Softball Scholarship was started in 2002. It is a one-time $1,000.00 scholarship offered annually to a High School Senior girl who has played ball with Tupelo Parks and Recreation. Pop passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on.

Ryan Pettit

July 7, 1987 – November 19, 2010

Ryan enjoyed people and had a contagious smile. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed playing sports, and in high school he competed in both baseball and football. Ryan attended Tupelo High School and Mooreville High School. He then attended Meridian Community College and the Nossi College of Art in Tennessee.

Ryan also loved the outdoors, whether he was on the water, at the beach, in the mountains, or just in his own back yard. He taught private swim lessons during high school. He lived in Colorado for a year and worked at a ski resort.

He was a hero in the eyes of his family and friends. He did not judge people – he saw them as individuals and as creations of God.

Ryan died at the young age of 23. During his short time on earth, he accomplished a lot and made a huge impact on many people.

This scholarship is for seniors at Tupelo High School or other area seniors who apply through Marty Pettit Photography.

Established by their children as a Christmas gift, the Mr. & Mrs. B.L. Rieves Scholarship Fund was permanently endowed in 2005. The fund provides scholarships to Tupelo High School seniors who may not be eligible for other scholarship funding.

Tyler was born December 4, 1989 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Tommy and Kristi Sloan and brother to Bailey and Madeline.

Tyler was a 2008 graduate of Saltillo High School. There he was an avid athlete, participating as a member of the baseball, football, and golf teams. Playing golf was his favorite pastime and he spent many hours on the course or the driving range at The Trace. In anything Tyler chose to do, academically or athletically, he always strove for excellence.

Tyler had a magnetic personality, such warm compassion for others and a smile that would light up any room. He had an obvious love for his family, his friends, and all who knew him, and this showed in everything he did. He touched many lives, of all ages, in his 20 years on earth and left an inspiring legacy to us all. He had a special magnetism to children, and he was drawn to them as well.

Paramount to the love he had for others was the love he had for his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was so deeply proud of his faith and never missed an opportunity to witness to his peers. To know Tyler was to know his love for and devotion to Christ. His favorite scripture verse is found in Psalms 27:1. It reads, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger – so why should I tremble?”

Tyler lived knowing that he could do or face anything with Jesus beside him. Now his new home is in Heaven, and he is smiling that smile he was so famous for, adding to the beauty and splendor that awaits us there.

This scholarship is for a graduating senior and athlete at Saltillo High School.

The Gale Stauffer Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to preserve the memory of Gale Stauffer, a Tupelo police officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving and protecting the citizens of Tupelo and Lee County. The fund also seeks to pay tribute to the men and women who serve Tupelo and Lee County as full-time state certified first responders in law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency services. Children of these first responders who are graduating from high school in Lee County are eligible to apply for scholarships from this fund. Up to $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded each year, with individual scholarships expected to range from $1,000 – $2,500 depending on the number of applications received.

Established by the estate of Frank B. Stubbs, a native of Baldwyn, this scholarship is awarded to graduates of Baldwyn High School. The award is a one-time $500 award paid directly to the selected winner’s college or university.

Established in 2003, this endowment provides scholarships to students from Tupelo and Lee County. For more information, please contact the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club.

The Karol Jean Voge Memorial Scholarship was established by friends and colleagues of Karol’s. It is a $500 scholarship given annually to a Tupelo High School senior who is attending Ole Miss. Education majors are given preference in the scholarship selection.

Presly Thornton Wallace, Jr.

September 28, 1989 – January 6, 2008

Presly Wallace attended Tupelo Public Schools in Tupelo, MS. He was an avid soccer player and a member of the Tupelo High School championship soccer team. Presly played soccer for the Tupelo Futbol Club, MS United and MS Fire Select teams, where he helped his teammates to capture state and international tournament championships. Presly was assistant coach for the TFC U-11 boy’s team, where his legacy continues to have a positive influence. He was chosen Volunteer of the Year by the Tupelo Sports Council for his volunteer work with TOPS soccer for handicapped citizens.

Presly was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo. In the words of a Tupelo parent, “He loved God and it was shown in his life to those around him.” Presly’s life of 18 years touched many people. He always had a ready smile, an encouraging word and a huge caring heart.

Presly loved everyone and everyone loved Presly! The world is a better place because Presly Wallace has been here … and his love and work continues … he’s busy helping God take care of all of us now.

This scholarship is given to a senior soccer player at Tupelo High School.

Established by Lewis Whitfield in memory of his mother who devoted her life to helping others, this scholarship is awarded to a Tupelo High School graduating senior planning to attend Emory University, Mississippi State University, Texas A & M, Vanderbilt, or Yale University.