PIPESTEM, W.Va. -A McDowell County-born singer is having his legacy preserved, thanks to a state park and local historian.
Pipestem Resort State Park started their West Virginia Hall of Fame around a decade ago to honor Mountain State natives who have made their mark on the nation. The wall showcases more than three dozen famous faces, all born in the state, teaching the history and heritage of the area to the park’s out-of-state visitors and locals who may not realize what can be achieved by someone from West Virginia.
“This is such a cool thing we could bring students in from all over the area and tell them about the history of West Virginia and tell them that, ‘hey, you can make it to whatever you want to do. Look, here’s some examples.’ They’re, again, role models, for West Virginia, about West Virginia,” says Scott Hill, activities coordinator for the Pipestem Resort State Park.
Hill says their newest entry to the wall (number 37) fits the criteria. Garnet Mimms was born in Ashland, West Virginia, before finding singing success nationwide, eventually leaving the music business and beginning a prison ministry.
However, he is best known as the original lead voice in the hit soul song “Cry Baby,” which would eventually be covered by Janis Joplin. It was that song that caught the interest of a local historian and fellow McDowell County native, Ed Rotenberry.
“…When I heard ‘Cry Baby,’ I loved the rhythm and blues and Motown sound and then when I heard he was from the same county I’m from and actually didn’t live that far apart, I thought, ‘This guy deserves some recognition.‘”
A frequent visitor to the Pipestem Resort State Park, Rotenberry was familiar with the their West Virginia Hall of Fame and thought Mimms deserved to be included. The park agreed and held a ceremony that placed Mimms’ picture between Rocket Boy, Homer Hickam, and one of the founders of West Virginia, Waitman T. Willey.
While the ninety-one-year-old Philadelphia resident couldn’t attend the ceremony, he shared his thoughts over the phone.
“Well, I’m excited about it. I’m glad I could leave a legacy to remember who I am, what I was, and what I did, you know? So, I thank God for that,” says Mimms.
Rotenberry hopes the West Virginia Hall of Fame and its latest addition will help teach parkgoers about the state’s history and keep the stories of its important figures from being forgotten.
You can see Garnet Mimms’ picture and read more of his life story by visiting the McKeever Lodge at Pipestem Resort State Park.
If you would like to suggest a famous West Virginian for the West Virginia Hall of Fame, Hill says you can contact the park’s headquarters office (304-466-1800), but keep in mind that is about long process before a new name is added.
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