By Autumn McMillan
PHILADELPHIA, MS (Take 30 News)—The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians honors the first chief. Calvin J. Isaac passed away at the age of 86 due to battling a lengthy illness.
Isaac served one term as the Tribal Chief in 1975-1979. Before his time as Chief, he graduated from Meridian High School then went to serve in the U.S Army for four years. Isaac then received his bachelor’s degree from Delta State University. Isaac received his master’s degree from Mississippi State University. Isaac was the first tribal member to earn both degrees.
A memorial was held on the reservation at the Pearl River Community Center. Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben honored Isaac by bringing the flags to midpoint of the flagpole. Ben had a chance to speak at the memorial.
“May the light of Chief Isaac continue to shine upon us, and his wisdom shine through us for many generations,” Ben said.
Tribal Council member Wilma Simpson-McMillan had a few remarks.
“Chief Isaac was a very ambitious individual, he never had time for himself, he was always giving,” Simpson-McMillan said.