On April 4, Mrs. Charlene Rone and Mr. Thomas Craft will pass their crowns to Mr. and Mrs. Hollis Cheek during Kosciusko Junior Auxiliary’s Blues and Barbecue to be held at the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club.

A native of Jackson, Mrs. Sarah Lee Cheek attended Mendenhall Attendance Center and graduated from Forest High School. She attended Mississippi College where she was a member of the Lockheart Social Club and modeling squad. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Mississippi.

Upon receiving her degree, Mrs. Cheek worked for Van Handeling Advertising Agency, EDI Public Relations Firm, and was a professional model with Rosemary Bischoff Modeling Agency in Milwaukee, Wis. She was employed by RSG Marketing Research in Dusseldorf, Germany.

While residing in Houston, Texas, Mrs. Cheek was employed with Goldus Drilling Company and International Property Management Company.

Mrs. Cheek’s community involvement has included: Boy Scout troop leader, participation in Educational Foundation for Foreign Exchange Student Program, participation in Rotary International Summer Holiday Exchange Program, chairman of the Natchez Trace Festival 1983, Mid Mississippi Arts Council Board member, Mid Mississippi Arts Council Orientation Workshops for coordinators, Mid Mississippi Arts Council Community Coordinator for artist in residence program 1987-1988, Mid Mississippi Arts Council Publicity Chairman for “Welcome Home Oprah” celebration, Attala Historical Society Board of Directors, chairman for Tour of Homes, membership committee, Candle Light Walking Tour, charter member of Friends of the Library, Friends of the Library publicity chairman, membership selection committee, oral history project and tasters luncheon chairman.

Currently, Mrs. Cheek is a Junior Auxiliary life member, member of Redbud Springs Garden Club, Twenty-First Century Club, New Century Club, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Attala Historical Society, and volunteers in many other community activities including working at election polls.

Mrs. Cheek’s recognitions include: Mendenhall’s 1966 Miss Hospitality, Southeast Livestock Queen 1965, and the Golden Shovel Award 1983.

Mrs. Cheek enjoys reading, handwork, and traveling during her leisure time.

A native of Marshall, Texas, Mr. Hollis Clifton Cheek is a graduate of Kosciusko High School. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University.

Mr. Cheek is the owner of J.C. Cheek Contractors, Inc. This second generation company was started in 1948 and currently has offices in Mississippi and Alabama. It performs contracts for state and federal agencies and general contractors throughout the south.

He is also the owner of Techno-Catch LLC. Techno Catch LLC developed and continues to market the “Chickat,” the world’s number one commercial chicken catching machine, and the “KoolChick” fan trailer. It also developed the “V-Stun” stunning system, and markets the TL 1000 Turkey Loader.

Mr. Cheek’s community involvement has included: Small Business Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Energy, chairman of the Kosciusko-Attala Industrial Development Corp., president of Kosciusko-Attala Development Corp., Board of Directors of the Mississippi Roadbuilders Association, president of the Mississippi Roadbuilders Association, member of the Governing Council for the Texas Cherokee Tribe, Chairman for the Kosciusko Attala Airport Commission, City Alderman of Kosciusko, State Senator, and member of the Mississippi National Guard.

Currently, Mr. Cheek serves on the Board of Directors of First M&F; Corp., and on the director’s loan committee, audit committee and problem loan committee, Board of Directors of the MSU Foundation, Board of Directors of Momentum Mississippi, Board of Directors and Executive Committee for GetSmart, member of Mississippi Roadbuilders Association, member of Mississippi Asphalt Association, member of the Alabama Roadbuilders Association, member of Mississippi Sod Producers Association, and charter member and president of the Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Mr. Cheek’s recognitions include: Eagle Scout, Award of Merit from Boy Scouts of America, 2001 innovation Award Attala Industrial Development Corp., 2006 Alumni Achievement Award Mississippi State University, 2007 Alumni Fellow Mississippi State University, and 2008 Alumni Benefactor Award Mississippi State University.

Mr. Cheek is also a former plane and helicopter pilot and is author of “Sunsets Don’t Wait.”

His hobbies are gardening, reading, writing, antique cars, and his western art collection.

Mr. and Mrs. Cheek attend Kosciusko First United Methodist Church where Mrs. Cheek is a nursery worker, and he serves on the Church Council, is chairman of the Pastor Parish Committee, and has played the part of Pilate for 23 years in the annual Passion Play.

Mr. and Mrs. Cheek have three children, Chase, Randolph, and Hollee.