Charles M. Deaton (January 19, 1931 - June 6, 2007) was an American politician from Leflore County, Mississippi. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 to 1980, and a gubernatorial candidate in 1980.
Charles M. Deaton | |
|---|---|
 c. 1960 | |
| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the multiple district 17th (1972-1980) 15th (1968-1972) Leflore County (1960-1968) | |
| In office January 1960 – January 1980 Serving with 1972-1980: Robert G. Huggins, Clarence A. Pierce Jr. 1968-1972: Estes C. McDaniel, O. B. Bennett, Clyde E. Wood, Hugh M. Arant 1964-1968: Estes C. McDaniel | |
| Preceded by | C. L. Partridge |
| Succeeded by | Thomas L. Brooks (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 19, 1931 Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
| Died | June 6, 2007 (aged 76) Greenwood, Mississippi |
| Political party | Democratic |
Biography
editCharles M. Deaton was born on January 19, 1931, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[1] He was the son of Ivanes Dean Deaton and Martha Fortenberry Deaton.[2] Deaton graduated from Greenwood High School, Millsaps College (from which he received a B. A.), George Washington University, and finally the University of Mississippi School of Law, from which he received a J. D.[3] Deaton served for four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War.[2] He began practicing law, in Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1958.[4][5]
Political career
edit1960-1980
editAfter being elected in 1959, Deaton represented Leflore County in the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 1960-1964 term.[6] He was re-elected in 1963 and served in the 1964-1968 term.[7] In 1967, Deaton was re-elected and represented the 15th District (composed of Leflore and Sunflower Counties) in the House from 1968 to 1972.[4] In 1970, he became the city attorney of Greenwood, Mississippi; he would hold this position until 1984.[5] Deaton was re-elected to the House in 1971 and represented the 17th District (Carroll and Leflore Counties) in the House from 1972 to 1976.[3] He was re-elected for the same district for the 1976-1980 term.[1] During this term, Deaton was the chairman of the House's Appropriation Committee.[1]
1980-2007
editIn 1980, Deaton ran for the office of governor of Mississippi. However, he did not win the Democratic primary.[5] Deaton then served on the staff as a member of the Mississippi Board of Economic Development and a senior aide of Mississippi Governors William Winter (1980-1984) and William Allain (1984-1988).[5][2] In this office in 1982, he helped formulate and pass the Mississippi Education Reform Act.[8] From 1985 to 1987, Deaton was the President of the Leflore County Bar Association.[2] He was the chairman of the Mississippi State Board of Education from 1987 to 2004.[2]
Personal life and death
editDeaton was married to the former Mary Dent Dickerson.[1] They had two daughters and a son.[2] Deaton died on June 6, 2007, in the Greenwood Leflore Hospital.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Mississippi. Legislature (1976-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1976]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 30.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Charles M. Deaton Obituary (2007) Clarion Ledger". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ a b Mississippi. Legislature (1972-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1972]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 28.
- ^ a b Mississippi. Legislature (1968-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1968]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 27.
- ^ a b c d "Charles Deaton". The Greenwood Commonwealth. 1988-01-10. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
- ^ Mississippi. Legislature (1960-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1960]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 27.
- ^ Mississippi. Legislature (1964-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1964]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 23.
- ^ "Charlie Deaton was a remarkable man". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Retrieved 2022-05-01.