BROOKHAVEN — A room full of educators celebrated the donation of 850 books to the Mamie Martin Elementary School Library in memory of former Brookhaven School District Superintendent Sam Bounds Tuesday. The donations established the Bounds Collection. 

Sam’s wife Lisa Bounds said she searched for projects to honor her husband and have a lasting impact on the community. Last year, she started the first Sam Bounds Memorial Scholarship which was awarded to Hunter Brewer. 

Mamie Martin Principal Nancy Fisher said Sam was instrumental in building a kindergarten wing at Mamie Martin and the library where the collection was established Tuesday. Fisher first met Sam when she worked in Clinton as a young educator.
“When they were searching for a superintendent I was thrilled he was chosen. He was an influential mentor and he was larger than life. He encompassed all,” Fisher said. “His memory will live on forever. I have loved getting to know Lisa. She is a retired educator and is always looking for ways to honor him. She wanted to collect a special collection in his honor.” 

Fisher said many of the people in attendance at the dedication ceremony for the Bounds Collection helped collect the books. Family and friends gathered 300 books together while Scholastic Inc. donated 550 books to the collection. 

Who was Sam?

Sam was a lifelong educator and served as Brookhaven School District’s superintendent from 1994 to 2004. He was the president of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and Mississippi Council of Public Schools. His love for the students was great. 

Sam died in 2022 at the age of 73 and lived in Brookhaven in his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church Brookhaven. Pastor Greg Warnock spoke at the dedication ceremony about how he had the privilege of knowing Sam as his pastor and friend. 

Warnock said one of the first books he recalls was a devotional written by John Calvin Reed titled “Bird Life in Wington.” His mom would read the stories and parables. The weathered book was in his hand as he spoke. 

“It was the first book I wanted to read and it was the first book that inspired me to read like my mother could,” Warnock said. “It would tell my sister and I about the way life is and how life can be. This book inspired me. Today we dedicate this library to the children who are reading, so they can discover what life can be.” 

Lasting legacy

Lisa was next to speak. She said Sam loved being a strong advocate for the children in education. Her mind wondered on occasion about his legacy and whether his life’s work would make a difference. 

“When I look at the faces in this room and standing in a library he helped build for teachers and students that he loved, I know his legacy would make a difference,” she said. 

Lisa added that Sam would be humbled by the collection. She was sincerely appreciative of how receptive Fisher was of the idea to have the Bounds collection at Mamie Martin. 

Sam’s friend Larry Holland with Scholastic Inc. helped secure books to donate to the collection. Lisa said Holland and Sam worked together for many years. She hopes to add more to the collection over the years. Her final words at the dedication was a quote from Sam’s last speech. 

“I would be remiss had I not acknowledged the ultimate voice that continues to shape my life. I’m eternally grateful to my Lord and Savior for the blessings he has bestowed upon me,” Lisa said quoting Sam. “I’m thankful for the guidance of his strong voice and grateful for his abiding love and encouragement.” 

Lisa said if Sam was at the Library Tuesday he would have greeted everyone with a big huge smile, a big huge hug and a challenge to always “listen to the still small voice in your heart.” 

New beginnings

Lakeia Vaughn is the new librarian at Mamie Martin. She has taught for the last 17 years, 15 of those years as a 2nd grade teacher at Mamie Martin. Vaughn took the opportunity to become the librarian this year. 

One of her biggest undertakings this year was getting the 850 books into the library’s system and on the shelf ready to be checked out. Vaughn said students are already checking out books from the collection which features a variety of non-fiction and fiction books. She hopes to make the library more kid friendly. 

“I enjoy seeing the kids and seeing them once a week. It is different from having 20 to 25 kids every day. I get to see a different group of kids,” Vaughn said. “I enjoy reading the books with the kids and they enjoy listening to stories. We go to tables and work on activities. I get to make it fun and exciting for the kids. I want to be a place they enjoy coming to every week.”