{"id":26251,"date":"2015-08-03T08:02:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-03T13:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=26251"},"modified":"2015-10-20T11:21:36","modified_gmt":"2015-10-20T16:21:36","slug":"black-confederate-anthony-hervey-funeral-procession-draws-hundreds-in-oxford-mississippi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/black-confederate-anthony-hervey-funeral-procession-draws-hundreds-in-oxford-mississippi\/","title":{"rendered":"“Black Confederate” Anthony Hervey Funeral Procession Draws Hundreds in Oxford, Mississippi"},"content":{"rendered":"

The controversial Southern Activist\u00a0was killed in a mysterious car accident July 19th<\/sup>.<\/h2>\n
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At Anthony Hervey’s funeral, First Baptist Church (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The biggest Battle Flag we’ve ever seen. (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oxford, Miss. (TLV)\u2013It was the largest Confederate funeral and procession seen in Oxford, Mississippi<\/strong> in a century.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hundreds of friends, supporters, Civil War reenactors, flaggers, bikers, journalists, and onlookers took over the Oxford Square on Sunday, August 2, 2015 to celebrate, honor, document, and observe the funeral of Anthony Hervey<\/strong>, one of the most controversial black activists Mississippi has ever produced.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Iconic photo of Hervey taken by Gaetano Catelli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some knew him as the \u201cBlack Confederate\u201d or \u201cBlack Rebel,\u201d but Hervey called himself a \u201cBlack Redneck.\u201d<\/a> He was known for his Southern activism in Oxford and Ole Miss over the last couple of decades, which included marching around town in a Confederate soldier uniform<\/a>, waving a Confederate Battle Flag, and demonstrating with controversial signs on the steps of the Square\u2019s Confederate memorial. He got people\u2019s attention simply because he was black.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo taken at the site of the fatal crash (July 19, 2015)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hervey died under mysterious circumstances in a car crash<\/a> on July 19 after speaking at a rally to save a Confederate memorial in Birmingham, Alabama<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The only survivor of the accident, Arlene Barnum<\/strong>, told authorities and the media that the SUV Hervey and Barnum were travelling in was forced off the road by a carload of \u201cangry young black men\u201d<\/a> after Hervey stopped at a convenience store near the Pontotoc-Lafayette County<\/strong> border wearing a Confederate kepi.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just a few of the SCV members in the procession (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Barnum\u2019s comments drew national media interest<\/a> and condemnation from the Southern Heritage movement<\/a> across the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Sons of Confederate Veterans<\/strong> mobilized a full Confederate Honor Funeral and Procession<\/a> to honor Anthony Hervey in Oxford.<\/span><\/p>\n

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At the FBC in Oxford (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hervey\u2019s funeral was held at the First Baptist Church<\/strong> in Oxford on Sunday, August 2 with local physician Dr. Willis N. Dabbs<\/strong> of the Urgent Care Clinic<\/strong> giving the eulogy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had the privilege of being Anthony Hervey\u2019s Sunday School teacher,\u201d said Dr. Dabbs. \u201cAnthony Hervey was unique. He was my friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hervey was born in Water Valley<\/strong>, Mississippi in 1965, but attended Oxford High School<\/strong>. He served in the United States Army <\/strong>and received a Master\u2019s degree from the University of London<\/strong> in London, England<\/strong>. Hervey lived in Oxford and attended the First Baptist Church when he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Standing at Anthony Hervey’s “post” before and during the entire funeral procession. (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to Dr. Dabbs, Hervey emailed him after first visiting First Baptist, wanting to make sure he and his wife attending the church wouldn\u2019t detract from other people learning the church\u2019s message.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said in an email, \u2018Some people find me disruptive,\u2019\u201d explained Dr. Dabbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the people who fuss so much about the man never bothered to talk to him,\u201d Dabbs later remarked, drawing many an \u201cAmen\u201d from those present.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dabbs went on to read directly from Hervey\u2019s book, Why I Wave the Confederate Flag: Written by a Black Man<\/a><\/em>. He didn’t think anyone but Hervey could do a better job of explaining what it was he believed and why.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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H.K. Edgarton welcoming funeral attendees with an open heart. Another black Southern man with a passion for the Confederate flag. (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI think he would want the Confederate flag displayed proudly,\u201d Dr. Dabbs said. \u201cI think he\u2019d want somebody to explain why he felt that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The First Baptist Church did not allow flags of any sort inside the sanctuary at Hervey\u2019s funeral; however the procession immediately following was a much different story. Hervey\u2019s casket was loaded into a white hearse with a large Mississippi flag, while bagpipe music played.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting in the Mid-Town Shopping Center<\/strong> parking lot, dozens upon dozens of people, cars, and motorcycles lined up with Hervey\u2019s hearse leading the way, much like the many Christmas or Independence Day parades Oxford has seen over the years. The procession made its way south on North Lamar Boulevard<\/strong> and around the Square, stopping long enough in front of the Confederate statue to honor Anthony Hervey and his favorite spot for demonstrating.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9391\"<\/a>The procession featured countless flags, including Confederate Battle Flags, official flags of Mississippi and the Confederacy, and even lessor known flags like the Bonnie Blue, Polk\u2019s flag, Van Dorn\u2019s flag, a Louisiana Confederate flag, and the Black Flag. The most eye catching flag of them all, however, was a gigantic Confederate Battle Flag that took up at least two lanes of traffic and took nearly 30 people to display.<\/span><\/p>\n

Civil War reenactors and representatives of the Sons of Confederate Veterans marched alongside Hervey\u2019s hearse, while friends and participants sang \u201cDixie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hervey’s widow, far left (photo: Rebecca Long)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anthony Hervey is survived by his wife Paula Tingle Hervey<\/strong> of Oxford, Mississippi; his daughters Cheyenne Hervey<\/strong> and Jaydee Hervey<\/strong> both of London, England; his sons, Nehemiah Hervey<\/strong> and Austin Hervey<\/strong> both of Oxford; his father, Harry Hervey, Sr.<\/strong> of Oxford; his sisters, Paulie Ann Gilliom (Brian)<\/strong> of Water Valley, Mississippi and Yolinda Cobb (Cedric)<\/strong> of Tupelo, Mississippi; his brothers Samuel Hervey (Trece)<\/strong> of Chicago, Illinois, Barry Hervey<\/strong> of Joliet, Illinois, Jack Hervey<\/strong> and Harry Hervey, Jr.<\/strong>, both of Monroe, Louisiana; and a host of other relatives. Hervey was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Campbell Hervey<\/strong>, his sister Linda Carol Campbell<\/strong>, and his brother Theron Campbell<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anthony Hervey was born on October 27, 1965 and died July 19, 2015. He was 49 years old. \"The<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n