Bobby Larry
PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Black Horse Ranch Resident Pedals a Neighborly Spirit, One Street at a Time By Patricia Hudson
I
f you live in the north section of Blackhorse Ranch, chances are, you’ve seen an affable burly gentleman pedaling through the neighborhood on a chartreuse three-wheeled tricycle. Curious, I began asking my neighbors if they knew his story. Through some keen sleuthing on my part, and a chance sighting by my better half, I grabbed my car keys and drove off in pursuit. I found him doing what he does so well: connecting with his neighbors. “I’ve met and talked to many, but mostly neighbors recognize the bike which I tend to ride 4-5 times per week,” grins Bobby Larry. Where did you grow up, Bobby? My hometown is West Point, Mississippi, a very small place located in Clay County. Siblings? I have 14 sisters and brothers, of which I am the third oldest son and fifth in the order of the 15. There are 5 sisters and 10 brothers. Favorite family memories? One favorite family memory involves preparing food to feed a family of this size; the boys were required to help in the preparation along with the sisters. Our meals consisted of many veggies which were grown in our garden, canned during the summer months, and stored primarily in mason jars for the winter. Usually, a pig and chickens were raised as a protein source. Working Together Our family raised cotton to supplement our father’s income from his night shift at the livestock place. Our ambition of being cotton farmers was terminated after the fields were planted one spring. It rained daily for several
8 July | August 2022
Bobby with neighbor, Rick Burnett. Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
weeks; the crops were ruined due the lack of weed control. Since there were many boys, our father found daily work from the neighbors, cleaning weeds from the fences, cutting grass and hay baling. I can vividly recall earning $4 per day for this laborious task. Our wages were given to our mother to help supplement the basic needs of life. Mother was very strict with her boys; she was the disciplinarian and had a very quick right hand. We were instilled with the value of hard work and education. The philosophy was if we were kept busy, there was no trouble one could find. Where did you receive your education? I graduated from Mississippi Valley State University (HBCU) with a major in Industrial Education and a minor in psychology. My mother continuously inspected report cards, expecting “As and Bs.” I graduated at the top of my class and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. What career path did you follow? I chose to become an architectural engineer, but was unable to find work in my hometown. I searched the
