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Jayess, Mississippi
Jayess, Mississippi is located in Mississippi
Jayess, Mississippi
Jayess, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Jayess, Mississippi is located in the United States
Jayess, Mississippi
Jayess, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Mississippi
County Lawrence
Elevation
446 ft (136 m)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
39641
Area code(s) 601 & 769
GNIS feature ID 671818

Jayess is a small, unincorporated community located in Lawrence County, Mississippi, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.

The Story of Jayess: A Community's Past

Jayess got its name from a man named J.S. Butterfield. He owned the Butterfield Lumber Company. In 1912, his company built a railroad through this area. The railroad helped move timber (wood) from the forests to the company's sawmill. The sawmill was about 15 miles (24 km) west, in a place called Norfield.

How Jayess Got Its Unique Name

J.S. Butterfield's initials were "J.S." When the post office opened in 1912, the Postal Department changed these initials into the name "Jayess." There is still a post office in the community today.

Early Industries in Jayess

In the past, Jayess was a busy place with two important businesses. There was a sawmill, which cut logs into lumber. There was also a cotton gin, which separated cotton fibers from their seeds. These businesses helped the community grow.

Important Places in Jayess

The Jayess Baptist Church is an important part of the community. It is a place where people gather. West of Jayess, you can find the Boyd-Cothern House. This historic house was built way back in 1837. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, which means it's a special building worth protecting.

Famous People from Jayess

Jayess has been home to some interesting people who achieved success in different fields.

  • Jimmy Boyd: He was a singer, musician, and actor. He is best known for his popular holiday song from the 1950s, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."
  • Clem Nettles: He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. This means he was a lawmaker who helped make decisions for the state of Mississippi.
  • Ineva May-Pittman: She was a civil rights activist. This means she worked to make sure all people had equal rights and fair treatment. In 2015, she received the "Woman of the Year" award from the Jackson, Mississippi City Council.
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