A Black History Month Special Feature
By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK —Each February, Americans across the nation celebrate Black History Month as a time to learn about the past and reflect on the achievements and contributions black individuals have made to the world; Black History Month is a time not only to reflect on national figures, but also to honor the leaders, educators, public servants, and trailblazers who shaped our own communities. Across generations, Black men and women in Dale County have broken barriers, built institutions, led with integrity, and left legacies that continue to influence our cities today. From public safety and education to government, business, and ministry, their contributions tell a story of perseverance, faith, and service. As this year’s Black History Month draws to a close, the Dale County Chronicle has decided to highlight some such leaders who have made lasting contributions in a variety of areas within Dale County.
Mayor Charles Ward: A Lifetime of Service
When Charles Ward was elected mayor of Ozark, winning by a landslide, it marked more than a political victory; it was a historic milestone, as he became the first Black mayor in the city’s more than 155-year history. His election reflects decades of public service rooted in commitment to his hometown.
Ward began his career in 1981 as a firefighter, fire medic, and shift supervisor in Ozark before joining the Alabama State Troopers in 1985. Over a distinguished 31-year career with the state, he served in numerous leadership and specialized roles, including traffic homicide investigator, field training officer, tactical operations commander, and Special Operations team member. His nearly 45 years in public safety earned statewide recognition, including Alabama Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2005.
Ward later served as Director of the Department of Public Safety under the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency from 2016 to 2021, becoming one of the first Black men to serve in that role and the first Black director of the consolidated ALEA Department of Public Safety bureau. He returned home in 2021 as chief of the Ozark Police Department — the second Black chief in the city’s history — and in 2023 assumed the role of Director of Public Safety, overseeing both police and fire services. In July 2025, Governor Ivey appointed Ward to the Alabama Department of Mental Health Advisory Board of Trustees to represent the 1st Congressional District. Ivey also appointed Ward to the Court of the Judiciary, a body that hears complaints lodged against judges in Alabama.
As mayor of Ozark, Ward has emphasized economic growth, job creation, expanded housing, healthcare partnerships, transparency and accountability, and cooperation. His story stands as an example to young people that dedication and perseverance can open doors once thought closed.
Dove Alfred “D.A.” Smith: The Educator Who Built a Legacy and Inspired Generations of Educators
Long before integration, Dove Alfred “D.A.” Smith was shaping minds and building institutions. Born in 1902 in Newville, Smith devoted more than four decades to educating Black students in Ozark and Dale County during segregation and through the early years of integration.
After studying at Tuskegee Institute in 1923 and later earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from what is now Alabama State University, Smith began teaching in 1925. By 1926, he was the principal of Ozark’s school for Black students, a time when facilities and resources were scarce, and segregation was the law of the land in Alabama.
Through determined fundraising efforts and community collaboration, a new school building was constructed in 1939 with support from the City of Ozark and President FDR’s federal New Deal programs. The campus grew from a modest four-room structure into a larger brick facility that later bore his name. Today, D.A. Smith Middle School stands as a lasting testament to his leadership. Smith retired in 1967 after 41 years in education and passed away in 1979, but his influence continues through generations of students he inspired.
James H. Jarmon, Jr.: A Beloved Educator, Compassionate Man, and Historic Public Servant
James Henry Jarmon, Jr., though born in Sheffield, became an adopted son of Ozark. After graduating from Alabama State University, he moved to the city to teach at D.A. Smith High School and would go on to serve in multiple teaching and administrative roles. He would eventually serve as principal of D.A. Smith Middle School, touching the lives of many students and teachers in the process.
In 1980, Jarmon made history as the first Black individual elected to a citywide office in Ozark. Jarmon was elected to four consecutive terms, serving on the Ozark City Council until 1996. At the same time, he served as principal of Flowers Elementary and later D.A. Smith Middle School, impacting countless students and families.
Jarmon’s legacy extends beyond titles. Known for his kindness, sincerity, and warm personality, he never met a stranger, according to those who knew him best. Indeed, Mr. Jarmon made a particularly strong impact on the author of this article. Even though journalistic ethics discourage interjecting one’s own experiences into an article, I must point out that Mr. Jarmon helped me at a time during which I was struggling with a crisis of identity and other issues angsty teens struggle with, especially during the seventh and eighth-grade years. Jarmon was deeply involved in civic organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, education associations, and local voter initiatives. When he passed away in 2006, the community mourned not only a leader but a friend to nearly everyone who crossed paths with him.
Luther Boykin: Building Ozark’s Foundation
In the early twentieth century, business opportunities were few and far between for Black residents of Dale County. Luther Boykin and his brother, Arthur, however, had a dream and worked tirelessly to see that dream come to fruition. The dream was to be their own bosses, so Luther established what is believed to have been Ozark’s first Black-owned contracting and construction firm — Boykin and Boykin, Contractors. Regarded as master craftsmen, their work helped physically shape the community.
Among their notable projects was the Holman House on Broad Street, built in 1902. Many homes they constructed still stand in Ozark and throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Florida as lasting evidence of their skill.
Beyond construction, Boykin served faithfully for approximately 50 years at Bethel Baptist Church and worked as a trustee on the segregated school board. He passed away in 1964, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship, faith, and civic commitment.
Chief Marlos Walker: Breaking Barriers in Law Enforcement
Marlos Walker made history as the first Black chief of police in both Ozark and Abbeville. A native of Ozark, he built a distinguished law enforcement career serving with multiple agencies across the region.
His leadership and investigative skills gained statewide and national attention when he had the idea to utilize forensic genealogy, which helped close a 20-year-old cold case involving the murders of teens Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley. The case resulted in the conviction of Coley McCraney and marked a groundbreaking moment in Alabama law enforcement. Attorney General Steve Marshall said after the trial that he believed the case was the first in Alabama in which a murder conviction was secured using forensic genealogy.
Walker’s leadership not only strengthened public safety but also expanded representation in positions of authority throughout the region.
Council President Winston Jackson: Leadership Through Integrity
Council President Winston Jackson has dedicated his life to service, from his military career to nearly four decades at Pea River Electric Cooperative. A graduate of Carroll High School and Tuskegee University, Jackson served in the U.S. Army before committing himself to civic life.
He made history as the third Black individual elected to citywide office in Ozark and was recently reelected to his fifth term. As Council President, he is widely regarded as a steady voice for accountability and frequently serves as a check and balance to ensure transparency and responsible governance.
Mayor JoAnn Bennett-Grimsley: Breaking Barriers in Midland City
In 2016, JoAnn Bennett-Grimsley became the first Black individual and first woman elected mayor of Midland City. Raised by sharecropper parents, she carried values of faith and perseverance into decades of municipal service before her election.
Her leadership has been defined by compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to community growth — paving the way for future generations of leaders.
When asked what advice she would give to the younger generation, Mayor Grimsely said, “Today, Black Lives DO matter while all lives matter. To the young Kings and Queens: believe that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You are not an accident. You are not a statistic. You are not a headline. You are the living continuation of brilliance, resilience, and greatness that has pioneered the way for you to travel…” and achieve great things.
Breaking Barriers in the Sky and at Home: Tuskegee Airmen Make Fort Rucker Their Home After World War II
The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen did not end with the close of World War II. For several original Airmen and Tuskegee-trained instructors, the mission continued — this time on the ground in Alabama. At Fort Rucker, formerly known as Camp Rucker, these trailblazers carried their expertise, discipline, and quiet determination into a new era of military aviation. Their presence at the predominantly white installation represented more than employment; it was another step forward in dismantling racial barriers within America’s armed forces.
Among them was Milton Pitts Crenchaw, a pioneering civilian flight instructor who had helped train pilots during the historic Tuskegee program. From 1954 to 1966, Crenchaw served as a flight instructor at Camp Rucker, shaping the skills of countless aviators and further cementing his place in what historians call the “Tuskegee Experience.” Working alongside him were fellow Tuskegee-trained instructors Sherman T. Rose and James E. “Muscles” Wright, both of whom brought their knowledge and professionalism to the Wiregrass. Together, these men continued breaking barriers — not in combat overseas, but in classrooms and cockpits at home — ensuring that the legacy of excellence forged at Tuskegee would endure for generations to come.
Chief Frankey Peterman: A Career of Firsts
Newton Police Chief Frankey Peterman’s nearly four decades in law enforcement are marked by historic firsts. In 1991, he became the first Black officer hired by the Midland City Police Department. In 1996, he became the first Black D.A.R.E. officer. In 1999, he became Dale County’s first certified School Resource Officer — Black or white. In 2015, he was named the first Black captain in Ozark Police Department history. In 2020, he became the Town of Newton’s second-ever Black police chief.
Reflecting on his journey, Peterman offers this advice to young people:
“Put Jesus First. Get a good education. Listen to the teachers. Don’t give up on your dreams. If you want to be an astronaut, work toward that goal. We can’t all be Michael Jackson or Michael Jordan, but anyone can become a lawyer, a doctor; it just takes putting your face toward what you want to do and never, ever quitting.”
A Legacy That Continues
The stories of these leaders — past and present — remind us that Black history is not distant. It lives in our schools, our city halls, our churches, and our neighborhoods. Their achievements are woven into the fabric of Dale County.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor not only milestones and “firsts,” but also the perseverance, faith, courage, enduring spirit, and service that built the foundation for future generations. And the story is still being written.
