Actor Morgan Freeman told an audience in Greenwood Thursday that people often ask him why he chooses to live in Mississippi, where he grew up.
"And this is people in the state," he added.
But his answer is simple: "I'm a major, internationally famous motion-picture star. I can live where I want to."
Freeman, a former resident of Greenwood who has lived in Charleston since 1992, spoke at the annual meeting of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, where he was awarded a place in the Leflore County Hall of Fame.
Freeman has appeared in more than 50 movies and has been nominated for four Academy Awards.
In introducing him, Floyd Melton III said Freeman definitely met the Hall of Fame standard for being "a role model and ambassador for Greenwood and Leflore County."
Melton cited Freeman's community contributions, including public service announcements for Mississippi Blood Services, Altrusa International's Begin With Reading program and other causes. Freeman also has boosted the business community near his home with the Madidi restaurant and Ground Zero blues club.
Melton ran down a partial list of Freeman's theater and film credits, with "The Shawshank Redemption," "Driving Miss Daisy" and the new film "Million Dollar Baby" getting the most applause from the crowd. Freeman was nominated for Oscars for those three movies, as well as the 1987 film "Street Smart."
Melton also cited the actor's early role as Easy Reader on TV's "The Electric Company."
Freeman attended Avenue F Elementary School and Stone Street Junior High School, and he graduated from Broad Street High School in 1955. He left the area that year, intending to make his mark in the world.
"I had no plans to come back here," he said. "I was just going to keep going."
But he was drawn back by his parents, and when he returned to the area, he remembered why the place felt right.
"All my life, I felt nurtured because I was here," he said.
He had grown up in Baptist Town, where his mother, his grandmother and many others helped raise him.
"I was raised by a whole village, and I feel blessed for that," he said.
Freeman, who accommodated many people in a long line of well-wishers before the meeting began, apologized at the beginning of his remarks to those he didn't get to meet - "particularly to you ladies who want to hug me."
After he spoke, his wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, called the chamber event "a real homecoming treat" and said she was pleased by the enthusiastic response her husband received.
She said they enjoy a peaceful life in Charleston, where they have 126 acres of land. People know them, but for the most part, they don't bother them, she said. In fact, the local people protect them from intruders.
Colley-Lee, a costume designer, also works with a cultural arts group in Charleston.
"We're trying to do what you've done in Greenwood," she said. "You're a model for us."
The following awards also were presented at the chamber meeting:
- Debby Cooper received the Community Pride Award. Marion Howard, the presenter, cited Cooper's supervision of the courthouse landscaping, her leadership in the Girl Scouts, her garden club activities and "a strong, strong sense of service." Cooper said with a smile, "I'm deeply honored to receive this, and I guess I deserve it."
- Anthony Ola, president of Anthony's and Ola's shoe stores, won the Retailer of the Year award. The presenter, Ann Fann, said the businesses met the award's criteria, which include drawing people to Greenwood and exhibiting character and professionalism.
Ola, the chamber's outgoing president, said this explained why he hadn't been invited to the committee meeting at which this award was discussed. He said the businesses have been a big part of his family's life and he was honored to receive the award.
- Freda Maxey was honored as Ambassador of the Year, chosen by a vote of the chamber's Ambassadors. Janice Moor, former executive vice president of the chamber, said Maxey has been a big help particularly with her culinary talents and her willingness to volunteer in the chamber office when needed. Maxey said the recognition was a surprise, and, turning to Freeman, added, "Now I know what it feels like to win an Oscar." She said she had been "trained by the best - seven years of Major Sergeant Janice Moor."
