Charles M. Deaton (January 19, 1931 - June 6, 2007) was an American politician from Leflore County, Mississippi. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 to 1980, and a gubernatorial candidate in 1980.

Charles M. Deaton
c. 1960
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
from the multiple district
17th (1972-1980)
15th (1968-1972)
Leflore County (1960-1968)
In office
January 1960 – January 1980
Preceded byC. L. Partridge
Succeeded byThomas L. Brooks (redistricting)
Personal details
Born(1931-01-19)January 19, 1931
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
DiedJune 6, 2007(2007-06-06) (aged 76)
Greenwood, Mississippi
Political partyDemocratic

Biography

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Charles M. Deaton was born on January 19, 1931, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[1] He was the son of Ivanes Dean Deaton and Martha Fortenberry Deaton.[2] Deaton graduated from Greenwood High School, Millsaps College (from which he received a B. A.), George Washington University, and finally the University of Mississippi School of Law, from which he received a J. D.[3] Deaton served for four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War.[2] He began practicing law, in Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1958.[4][5]

Political career

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1960-1980

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After being elected in 1959, Deaton represented Leflore County in the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 1960-1964 term.[6] He was re-elected in 1963 and served in the 1964-1968 term.[7] In 1967, Deaton was re-elected and represented the 15th District (composed of Leflore and Sunflower Counties) in the House from 1968 to 1972.[4] In 1970, he became the city attorney of Greenwood, Mississippi; he would hold this position until 1984.[5] Deaton was re-elected to the House in 1971 and represented the 17th District (Carroll and Leflore Counties) in the House from 1972 to 1976.[3] He was re-elected for the same district for the 1976-1980 term.[1] During this term, Deaton was the chairman of the House's Appropriation Committee.[1]

1980-2007

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In 1980, Deaton ran for the office of governor of Mississippi. However, he did not win the Democratic primary.[5] Deaton then served on the staff as a member of the Mississippi Board of Economic Development and a senior aide of Mississippi Governors William Winter (1980-1984) and William Allain (1984-1988).[5][2] In this office in 1982, he helped formulate and pass the Mississippi Education Reform Act.[8] From 1985 to 1987, Deaton was the President of the Leflore County Bar Association.[2] He was the chairman of the Mississippi State Board of Education from 1987 to 2004.[2]

Personal life and death

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Deaton was married to the former Mary Dent Dickerson.[1] They had two daughters and a son.[2] Deaton died on June 6, 2007, in the Greenwood Leflore Hospital.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Mississippi. Legislature (1976-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1976]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 30.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Charles M. Deaton Obituary (2007) Clarion Ledger". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  3. ^ a b Mississippi. Legislature (1972-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1972]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 28.
  4. ^ a b Mississippi. Legislature (1968-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1968]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 27.
  5. ^ a b c d "Charles Deaton". The Greenwood Commonwealth. 1988-01-10. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  6. ^ Mississippi. Legislature (1960-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1960]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 27.
  7. ^ Mississippi. Legislature (1964-01-01). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1964]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books: 23.
  8. ^ "Charlie Deaton was a remarkable man". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Retrieved 2022-05-01.