Wesson city official, activist and southern “jewel” Lura McKnight Greer died Saturday at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, she was 86. Greer served as an alderman for the town of Wesson from 1993 to 2009, was active in the Wesson Chamber of Commerce promoting her hometown and was a favorite alumna and supporter of Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

President of the chamber and an employee of Trustmark National Bank Marilyn Britt said Greer was the epitome of what it means to be a southern lady.

“I call her that “Southern Christian lady,”” Britt said. “She stands out in my mind as an image of what you imagine a Southern Christian lady should be. Someone dressed to shine – always dressed to a “T.” And, one of the things I admired her for was her love of Wesson. But, probably more notable, I admired the fact that she ran for office in what was still kind of a man’s world here in local politics. She was the only woman at that time to serve on the city board – I thought that was unique.”

Britt said she also admired Greer’s focus.

“She didn’t spend time as a Friend of the Chamber or a Friend of the Library just to keep herself busy,” she said. “Her heart was really into what she was doing. She was always active in projects that made a positive impact on the town of Wesson.”

Wesson City Clerk Linda Dykes, said she loved working with Greer and worked for her for 16 years at city hall.

“She was a very warm and gracious lady who loved Wesson and its people, Dykes said. “She served the town well as an alderman.”

Dykes described her southern charm and beauty as some of Greer’s gifts.

“To me, Mrs. Lura was a beautiful flower and a sparkling jewel,” she said. “She was my boss, and sometimes my mother, but most of all my very good friend whom I will miss.”

Among Greer’s accolades, she was Wesson’s Outstanding Citizen for 1999, voted on by peers in the chamber of commerce; the 2006 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Alumnae of the Year; the 2007 Co-Lin Community College Foundation Hall of Fame inductee; and the 2010 Grand Marshal for the Wesson Founders Day Parade.

Funeral services were Monday at Memorial Methodist Church in Wesson with burial in the Wesson Cemetery.