Former Smackover-Norphlet school board member Jerry Hegwood dies at 71

Jerry Hegwood, bottom row, far right, passed away on Dec. 25, 2020. Hegwood served on the Smackover-Norphlet Board of Directors for 26 years. (Contributed)
Jerry Hegwood, bottom row, far right, passed away on Dec. 25, 2020. Hegwood served on the Smackover-Norphlet Board of Directors for 26 years. (Contributed)

Jerry Hegwood, a former Smackover-Norphlet Board of Directors member who served for 26 years, passed away on Dec. 25, 2020.

Several current and former SNSD board members who worked alongside Hegwood spoke with the News-Times on Monday about his dedication to the school district and community.

Joe Bates, the current president of the Smackover-Norphlet board, worked with Hegwood near the end of his long tenure.

“What really stood out to me was his background in construction. He was a real asset to the Board. Whenever we had building projects, we could turn to him and get feedback on the industry. When there were any kind of maintenance or construction jobs going on, it allowed us a chance to get insight on what was going on,” Bates said.

Hegwood, according to his obituary, was a licensed and bonded general contractor and the self-employed owner of Hegwood Construction.

Current SNSD board vice-president Lynn Birchfield remembered Hegwood as a “fair and honest” board member.

“He was always looking for ways to improve education and to improve our campuses. He was not timid in voicing his opinion but was always fair and honest, dedicated and just. He didn’t flip flop on tough decisions. As a board member, you sometimes have to make tough decisions. It’s not always a very popular job, but he always did it with dignity,” Birchfield said.

Birchfield also echoed Bates’ praise of Hegwood’s in-depth knowledge when it came to construction and maintenance.

“His knowledge was very helpful in making decisions we needed to make,” Birchfield said.

Hegwood’s influence stretched beyond the school district, according to Birchfield.

“On a personal note, where I work, we sold him automobiles and worked on his automobiles. He was always a great customer. He also did remodeling work for me and others in this area, and he always gave a fair price and did excellent work. He will be greatly missed in this community, he was really phenomenal,” she said.

Hegwood was instrumental in projects including the construction of the district’s indoor facility and the consolidation of the Smackover and Norphlet school districts, according to his former colleague.

Birchfield said that his wealth of knowledge and experience will be greatly missed.

“He was on the board for 26 years. Think of the changes the man saw, with all the technology coming into education. He was involved in a big part of the advancement of our school district,” Birchfield said.

Current SNSD board member Chris Long worked with Hegwood as both an instructor in the school district and later alongside him on the board.

“I worked at the school for 25 years, so I got to know him that way, in town and as a board member. He was an absolute gentleman, very consistent and very caring… He’s one of the best board members I’ve served with and served under,” Long said.

Long also spoke to Hegwood’s wealth of knowledge and hard-working nature.

“There were countless times he was more than willing to share his expertise and knowledge of construction and remodeling. If there was a harder-working man around, I don’t know who it was,” Long said.

Hegwood’s long tenure on the school board spoke to his love for the community and the school district, Long said.

“He had a deep concern, and just loved Smackover and loved the school,” Long said.

Former SNSD board member Robin Darden served with Hegwood for 10 years and said his accomplishments are “too numerous to list.”

Darden served with Hegwood on the board during the time the Mt. Holly and Norphlet districts were being consolidated with Smackover. According to Darden, Hegwood’s expertise in construction was only surpassed by his willingness to fairly listen and empathize.

“These consolidations were difficult simply because Mt. Holly and Norphlet wanted the districts to continue in their communities. Jerry was respected and well-known all over the county by everyone, and, because of this, he was able to communicate with people of all backgrounds regarding the consolidations,” Darden said.

Hegwood will long be memorialized both figuratively and literally in the Smackover-Norphlet district, according to Darden.

“He paid particular attention to detail and overall workmanship in every project. Jerry’s name is likely on every dedication plaque in every building on both campuses,” Darden said.

On a more personal level, Darden remembered her former colleague as someone who always had a positive attitude.

“During the ten years I served on the board with Jerry we, at times, dealt with some controversial issues. If our positions on the issue were in conflict, he never became angry and was always respectful of the other board members’ opinions. Jerry always came to the boardroom with a smile and jovial attitude, and, regardless of any conflicts, he always left the meeting with the same smile and attitude,” Darden said

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