Rash, Sammie, 1942-

Reverend Sammie Rash was born in Sunflower County, Mississippi, on July 31, 1942, the youngest of five boys. His parents were sharecroppers, and in 1949 they moved the family to the McGann plantation in Bolivar County, where Reverend Rash grew up. In 1963 Reverend Rash graduated from Eastside High School in Cleveland, Mississippi, becoming the first member of his family to earn a high school diploma. After graduating from high school, Reverend Rash began his long time service as pastor of the United Baptist Church in Cleveland. In addition to his work as a minister, Reverend Rash has been very active in both civil rights activities and Mississippi politics. At the time of the interview, he lived in Cleveland, Mississippi.