Business

Mayo and Nick Boddie

Brothers created one of the country's largest privately owned franchises. Their company, Boddie-Noell Enterprises, also revolutionized the fastfood industry with promotion of the breakfast biscuit.

Bill Harrison

Rocky Mount native, UNC graduate. Following college graduation in mid-60s, went to New York, where he joined Chemical Bank. After merger with Chase Manhattan Bank, he became bank's President and CEO and later Chairman of corporation. Now serves as President and CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase & Company, nation's third largest ban.

Jerry Richardson

Spring Hope native. Football star for Wofford College and Baltimore Colts. Founded Spartan Foods, at one time nation's largest Hardee's Foods licensee. Founder and majority owner of NFL's Carolina Panthers.

Ken Thompson

Grew up in Rocky Mount and was Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. Served as President and CEO of First Union Corp., nation's sixth largest bank.

Government

Mike Easley

Born in Rocky Mount and attended Rocky Mount Senior High, UNC-Chapel Hill and NC Central School of Law. Served with distinction as District Attorney for 13th Judicial District from 1982-1990. Elected NC Attorney General in 1992 and served two terms. Gained national reputation as consumer protection specialist. Elected the 32nd Governor of the State of North Carolina on November 7, 2000.

Jim Gardner

Rocky Mount native served as member of U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969. Elected Lt. Governor of State of North Carolina, serving from 1989-1992. Credited with helping reshape N.C. Republican Party.

Harold Cooley

Nashville native. Served in US Congress from 1934-1966. Served as Chairman of House Committee on Agriculture and was instrumental in development of Farmers Home Administration (FHA). Authored Food for Freedom Act (1966)

Roy Cooper

Born in Nash County and attended Northern Nash Senior High School. Morehead Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill. Won seat to N.C. House in 1986 and was appointed to Senate in 1991. Served as Chairman of Judiciary Committee and Ethics Committee. Unanimously elected Senate Majority Leader in 1997. Elected N.C. Attorney General on November 7, 2000.

Athletics

Phil Ford

All-American basketball player at Rocky Mount Senior High. Unanimous All-American and record holder for UNC Tar Heels under legendary coach Dean Smith. Named Rookie-of-the-Year with NBA's Kansas City Kings.

Buck Williams

Following graduation from Rocky Mount Senior High, went on to University of Maryland, where he achieved All-American honors and was nation's leading rebounder. Williams was NBA Rookie-of-the-Year with New Jersey Nets and received numerous awards for his stellar defensive play and his sportsmanship during his long distinguished pro career.

Chuck Hinton

Growing up in the Crosstown area of Rocky Mount, Chuck Hinton played with the Senators and the Cleveland Indians from 1961 to 1971. He batted .310 in 1962, 4th overall just behind Mickey Mantle, the only player to bat over .300 for the expansion Senators.

Danny Talbott

Led Rocky Mount Senior High to record shattering three state championships (football, basketball and baseball) in one scholastic year. All-American at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was one of the nation’s top football and baseball players. Named ACC Athlete of the Year. Arguably the state of North Carolina's finest athlete - ever.

Jim Clack

A mainstay on the offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers with two Super Bowl rings to prove it.

Buck Leonard

Born in Rocky Mount. Played with Homestead Grays of Negro Baseball League, where he earned a reputation as "Black Lou Gehrig." Recognized as one of the greatest players of all time and was inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, NY in 1972.

Mike Tyson

Native of Nash County. Graduate of Northern Nash Senior High School. Enjoyed stellar professional baseball career as an outstanding infielder. Played with St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs from 1972 to 1981.

Herman Boone

A native of Rocky Mount, he coached football for 40 years and motivated a previously segregated Williams High, VA, team to a 13-0 record and a state championship in 1971. This feat inspired the movie Remember the Titans.

The Arts

Kaye Gibbons

Nationally acclaimed novelist from Rocky Mount, her first work, "Ellen Foster," was widely translated and made into a Hallmark TV movie. Her "Charms for an Easy Life" was a New York Times best-seller.

Allan Gurganus

Rocky Mount native and award-winning novelist and short story writer. Called "the worthy heir to Faulkner and Welty," his "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All" won Sue Kaufman prize from American Academy of Arts and Letters and was a national best-seller. The CBS version won four Emmys. Photo: Becket Logan, New York.

Kay Kyser

Renowned big band leader, born in Rocky Mount. His college dance band at UNC toured the country in 1930's and 40's. He acted in several Hollywood films and recorded for Columbia Records. He and his band were stars of weekly NBC Radio show, "The College of Musical Knowledge."

Thelonius Monk

Legendary jazz pianist and composer, born in Rocky Mount and moved to New York at an early age. In 2000, a park was dedicated in his honor at 920 S. Washington Street in Rocky Mount. His son, T.S. Monk, is a prominent jazz musician in his own right. Photo: William Gottlieb.