MCCOMB, Miss. ( WJTV) – A stretch of State Route 35, located in Smith County, was designated as the “Senator Billy H. Thames Memorial Highway” in honor of the long-serving Mississippi State Senator Billy H. Thames. He represented parts of Smith, Jasper, Clarke, Jones and Scott counties.

The ceremony was held at the Mize First Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 9.

“It is with great honor and gratitude for a life well lived that we dedicate a portion of Highway 35 to Senator Billy H. Thames today,” said Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District. “He’ll always be remembered for his dedication to serving those in need, advocating for mental healthcare, serving rural churches through music ministry and most of all, for his devotion to family.”

Thames was born on April 2, 1944, in rural Simpson County. He entered the realm of public service in 1980 when he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1980, representing District 43. During his 28 years in the Senate, he championed mental health services, shaped agricultural policy and received numerous awards for his dedicated public service.

Thames was instrumental in passing the Mississippi Mental Health Reform Act of 1997, which enacted sweeping changes including the creation of the Crisis Intervention Center System.

He passed away at age 69 on September 10, 2013.

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