Meet our Board Members

Debbe Amacker Tillman moved to Raymond mid COVID in 2021.  She and her late husband Carl were long time residents of Clinton where Tillman’s advertising agency was located.  In addition to advertising, she had a strong interest in history.  She served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Clinton, as well as the Historic Preservation Commission.  Her advertising agency, Amacker Inc. was instrumental in the initial launch and branding for Main Street Clinton and she served on the Board of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce for several years.

Tillman considers herself to be very lucky to have known Don and Judy Lacy, fellow members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, who owned a house on Main Street that they decided to sell.  Being at the right place at the right time gave her and her menagerie a wonderful opportunity to be in the middle of all things Raymond which has proved to be a huge blessing and chance to become part of an amazing and historic community.

My wife, Laura, and I have lived in Raymond for over thirty years. We have a son, James Dabney Polk, who presently attends Medical School at the University Medical Center in Jackson. I am a member of Raymond Presbyterian Church. I have a B.S. degree in history and political philosophy, as well as a Juris Doctorate degree, from Mississippi College. I enjoy researching and writing as well as studying history.

Isla O. Tullos is a founding member of Friends of Raymond, and is dedicated to the preservation of the amazing history of Raymond.  She is a General and lifetime member of Friends of Raymond in honor of her grandfather Thomas R. McCormick, Co H. 27th MS Infantry

Pattie Adams Snowball was born and raised in Raymond.  She followed in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps with a strong desire to continue the preservation of Raymond’s history.  In 2001 she became a General and lifetime member of Friends of Raymond and currently holds the position of treasurer.

John Culpepper grew up in Raymond.  After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2002 with a degree in History, he served in the navy for 20 years.  He retired in 2022 at which point he returned to Raymond,  and spent the next two years restoring the historic house at 227 West Main street.

John is currently a Deacon at Raymond Presbyterian Chuch.  His wife Mary Margaret of Jackson, Mississippi is a classically trained musician and has recorded three albums of Christmas music.

They have a one year old son, Bill, and are expecting their second son Jack, in February.

John and Mary Margaret are both Generals in Friends of Raymond.

Judd D. Moss was born and raised in Raymond, MS. He graduated from Raymond High School in 1979, Hinds Community College in 1981, Mississippi State in 1983, the US Army Rotery Wing Course in 1983, and the US Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training Course in 1990.

Judd served in the MS Army and Air National Guard from 1981 until his retirement in  2008 obtaining the rank of Lt. Colonel.  He flew in multiple deployments and missions to many worldwide conflicts including Desert Sheild, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch and numerous other missions. He was employed by Fed Ex from 1998 until his retirement in 2024. He flew many different Aircraft while employed by Fed Ex including the Boeing 777.

Judd and wife Barbara live just outside the Raymond City limits.  They have been active members of Friends of Raymond for years.  Judd and his Kubota Tractor are a familiar site working at the walking trail.

Eric Carl Schmegel is the son of Pam Howorth and the late Bill Schmegel.  He is a graduate of Terry High School and the Hinds Automotive Program.  He is as ASE Master Tech,  and is employed by 49 Tire in Richland.  Eric earned his Eagle Scout designation and as a young man spent many days visiting Civil War Battlefields and Museums with his dad. 

Eric enjoys traveling and the outdoors, particularly exploring challenging trails in his Toyota Land Cruiser.  Eric has been involved in helping in clean up efforts at the Raymond Battlefield since his teens, and is looking forward to working on other projects to benefit Raymond.

His parents Pam Howorth and Bill Schmegel are both General in Friends of Raymond.

A native of Columbia, Tennessee, Bridget and her husband Ray reside in Raymond where they raised their four children: Hays, Madison, Jackson, and Audrey Anne. Bridget received her BS in English from Middle Tennessee State University and her Masters in English from Mississippi College. She retired from teaching English after 34 years in the profession and, along with her husband Ray, opened the Natchez Trace Smokehouse in Raymond.  An avid lover of history, Bridget is the author of Where Elephants Fought, a Civil War era novel that details the true circumstances surrounding the murder of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn on May 7, 1863. In her spare time, Bridget enjoys reading about and researching the unique characters that made up the American Civil War in hopes that our history stays alive.