First Bank

Golden Opportunity

Larry Bright celebrates 55 years in real estate business

Larry Bright grew up in Tylertown and got his start in the real estate business in Jackson right after graduating college.

He started out managing a business office complex and his own realty office and opened the first Larry Bright Realty office on Jan. 3, 1966.

“I ran Larry Bright Realty in Jackson for 25 years before moving back home.” Bright said.

Marking over a half century in real estate, Bright has been back in Tylertown for the past 30 years.

His office at 1211 Magnolia Avenue is just a few doors down from the Walthall County Courthouse.

Bright said he had five realtors and he was successful in Jackson, but in 1977 he decided to make a change when his wife was diagnosed with bone cancer and her care became his focus.

Bright downscaled his operations and started running his business on his own. That was a move that seemed to be a better fit for him professionally.

Bright has sold to generations of families who always come back to him when they are in the market for property.

“I’ve sold to three generations of families and I love that repeat business,” he said.

Bright also has an interesting advocation. He is a nationally known organ player and plays mostly for horse shows, such as the annual walking and racking horse show put on by the McComb Lions Club at the Heart O’Dixie arena.

But he has done other events, too, including on some of the world’s biggest stages. “He has played Madison Square Garden several times,” he said. “He’s also played in the World Olympics in Los Angeles.”

Bright said his work as an or-

ganist has always been good for his realty business, too.

“Horse shows have brought me business from all over the country. It’s been wonderful and a real benefit to my business,” he said.

Bright sees something of a trend with people moving to small towns. “The last seven or eight houses we sold have been to people getting out of the cities,” he said. “We’ve relocated people from Dallas, New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, and Atlanta to Tylertown.”

As real estate offices go, Larry Bright Realty is small, consisting of himself as the agent and broker and Beth Cowart as an agent.

Cowart, who is the administrator at the Walthall Career and Technology Center, works part-

time for Bright. She’s been doing Bright’s website for 22 years and recently obtained her real estate license, helping with the sale of houses and property.

“I have always been very honest with my clients and I think that’s why people come back to me,” he said. “I’ve sold some of all of it.”

“Homebuyers — especially those looking for retirement and value — can buy more house in Tylertown than anywhere else,” Bright said.

Bright has solid experience in the realty business. He also has a solid educational background. He graduated from William Carey College in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Bright is also a member of the

National Board of Realtors and the Southwest Mississippi Board of Realtors, serving as a director three years. He is a member of Tylertown Baptist Church and the Walthall County Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the board of directors of the

Walthall County Historical Society and served as organizer, chairman, and member of the Mississippi ALS Society after his mother died of the disease, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Let Lar r y Bright or Beth Cowart h e l p yo u w i t h yo u r n ex t r e a l e s t at e t ra n s a c tion. Check out the listings on page 5.

Larry Bright, left, and Beth Cowart, right, serve the area from Bright ’s office located on Magnolia Avenue near his residence in Tylertown.

“He has brought many years of experience to the real estate business and Beth brings all the latest technology.” — Larry Bright Realty

n n n Larry Bright Realty is located at 1211 Magnolia Ave., Tylertown. Visit www.larrybrightrealty.com or call (601) 876-3654.