Brookhaven Academy officials say the success of the school’sSpring Extravaganza was in a large part due to a celebrity guestwho is beloved by old and young alike: Elly May Clampett.

Actress Donna Douglas, who played the blonde bombshellgranddaughter of Jed Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” visitedBrookhaven specifically for BA’s extravaganza Saturday.

Douglas spoke to the packed gymnasium briefly after apresentation by elementary school singers that ended with a roundof “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” also known as the theme song tothe Beverly Hilbillies.

“I guess y’all already took your shoes off and you’re sittin’ aspell,” Douglas said to the crowd, telling them that she andJethro, played by Max Baer, were the only members of the Clampettfamily that were still living.

Douglas said she was raised very much like her character, as shewas a tomboy from a young age. Also like her character, she said,she has always loved animals.

“You have to love animals to work with them,” she said. “I’veworked with over 600 different kinds of animals. I always said Ellydidn’t kiss a lot of fellers, but she sure did kiss a lot ofcritters.”

Douglas said she was born to a poor family, and had dreams ofbeing perhaps a softball player or a housewife, but never meant tobe an actress.

“I always say I’m a good example of what God can do with aperson’s life,” she said. “I learned how to throw a football andplay with the boys, and that got me ready to deal with Jethro. Godcan handle your past and suit it to get you where He needs you togo.”

Another thing that was important to Douglas during her career,she said, was making sure she had a backup plan.

“I went to night school and got my real estate license so Iwouldn’t have to compromise my values,” she said. “You hear allthose stories from Hollywood. But I learned I’m not a sales person,I’m a service person.”

She urged the group never to give up what they believe in, andthat God would handle the details.

“If you care about yourself, set your standards high,” she said.”God will meet you there. All you need is a willing heart and Godwill use you.”

Douglas also had instruction for the older generations in thecrowd.

“Older people, you are more valuable now than you have everbeen,” she said. “You can tell these younger people the thingsyou’ve learned from the school of hard knocks – all the heartachesand heartbreaks, all the times you were down on your kneespraying.”

And to the younger people, Douglas directed the other side ofthat wisdom.

“Gather wisdom from older people,” she said. “If you open yourheart and listen, it can save you from all sorts of heartaches andpitfalls.”

Brookhaven Academy Foundation President Chris Thurman saidorganizers are excited about the success of the event.

“It’s been a great turnout and we’re exited to have Elly Mayhere because that gave us a boost,” he said. “We’ve had goodweather, and great auction items that have also helped with theturnout.”

BA teacher Jennifer Whittier, whose daughter Carly and Douglas’granddaughter Darla Bourgeois are roommates in Starkville, saidbeing able to host Douglas was a great pleasure for her.

“It was not only an honor but a blessing to spend the morningwith her,” Whittier said. “This extravaganza will be one we willnever forget.”