Joseph Smitherman

Joe Smitherman
Mayor of Selma
In office
1980–2000
Preceded byCarl Morgan Jr.
Succeeded byJames Perkins Jr.
In office
1964 – July 15, 1979
Preceded byChris Heinz
Succeeded byCarl Morgan Jr.
Personal details
BornDecember 24, 1929
Alberta, Alabama, U.S.
DiedSeptember 11, 2005(2005-09-11) (aged 75)
Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Occupationrailroad brakeman
Military service
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsKorean War

Joseph Thomas Smitherman (December 24, 1929 – September 11, 2005) was an American politician who served more than 35 years as mayor of Selma, Alabama. He was in office during the Selma to Montgomery marches of the Civil Rights Movement.[1] "He can do the reformed redneck better than anyone else," is a famous line about Joe Smitherman.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT-obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).