Emma Lou Roberts Papers

Harris Cleveland Jones, Jr. and his wife, Emma Liddel Jones, and their children, Harris Cleveland III and Emma Louise, lived at 111 Capitol Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Mr. Harris C. Jones was the supervisor of McGough Cake Shop on the corner of River and Buschman in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The McGough Bakeries was originally Mattingly’s Bakery; however, it was sold to McGough Bakeries of Birmingham, Alabama in 1939. Mr. Harris Cleveland Jones, Jr. lived from December 11, 1909 to January 23, 1946. Mrs. Emma Liddel Finney Jones lived from November 25, 1906 to September 10, 1993.

Emma Lou Roberts, the wife of Jim Roberts and Hattiesburg native, not only attended The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) for two years but also worked in the College of Liberal Arts as an administrative secretary for twenty-four years. She worked in a candy room in downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi as her first job. She worked at Exxon before applying to USM. While at USM, she stated that the most unforgettable moment was to know four out of the six presidents and had the opportunity to work for three different deans. Mrs. Roberts said that “USM has expanded my mind and given me the confidence to trust myself.”