Mrs. Hyde, a graduate of Mississippi University for Women, taught for 37 years in the Tate County and Senatobia City School systems. Her subject areas were home economics and chemistry. She died in May of 2004 at the age of 83.

Mr. Hyde was a farmer in the Thyatira community. Although a childhood accident kept him from completing school, he put a great value on education. He died in October of 2004.

"We chose Northwest for this endowment because my mother devoted her life to education and because my father always felt the lack of it," said Lucier-Cowan.

She and her borther were both Northwest graduates. While at Northwest Rebecca was an education major, and Bob was a science major. The children followed in their parents' footsteps. Rebecca, who graduated from Mississippi College and received her master's degree from the University of California, taught English and Social Studies for 25 years in California before retiring in Florida.

Bob graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in veterinary science and now owns several pet stores in middle Tennessee.

The Carl and Charlene Hyde Endowment will be awarded to Tate County students who are majoring in either Education or Agriculture Technology. The first award will be given in the 2007-08 academic year.