Please click here to view a student eulogy for Breazeale at Mississippi State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Newton, Mississippi, in 2025: https://youtu.be/qVO-1H9F3vo. 

Biography
Early Life
Orville Clyde "Pete" Breazeale was born on December 16, 1930, in Neshoba County, Mississippi, to James and Dovie Breazeale. Growing up in a lively household with seven sisters and one brother, Pete was part of a close-knit family. 

Neshoba County, a rural area with a population of 26,691 at the time of his birth, provided a quiet backdrop to his early years. As a young man, Pete helped out on the family farm, working the land until the onset of the war, which marked a pivotal moment in his life.

Homefront
Neshoba County, Mississippi, has long been rooted in farming and agriculture, with the majority of its residents working in agriculture, sharecropping, or tenant farming. Alongside farming, industrial work was also prevalent, particularly in the production of clothing and furniture, which provided significant employment opportunities.

Farming was the primary occupation, with corn, cotton, and soybeans being the most common products, and farmers made up around 26 percent of the workforce. The population of Neshoba County declined from 26,691 in 1930 to 20,927 by 1960, with White residents comprising 72 percent of the population, African Americans 22 percent, and the Choctaw making up six percent. 

Despite the ongoing war in Korea, life in Neshoba County continued as usual for its residents. The county is known for its annual events, including the Neshoba County Fair, a tradition since 1891 that has become a central hub for political visits and campaign speeches. The fair is particularly renowned for its unique cabins, which have welcomed generations of families and friends over the years. In addition, each July, the Choctaw Indian Fair celebrates nearly 75 years of honoring the culture and heritage of the Choctaw people on their homeland.

Military Experience
Pete Breazeale served during the Korean War, rising to the rank of private first class. Although the specifics of his unit, training, and assignments remain unknown, his discharge papers confirm that he served in the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, the majority of his files were lost in the 1973 fire at the National Military Personnel Records Center.

Breazeale was released from the military on April 21, 1955, and his last station was Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Veteran Experience
After returning home from the war, Pete Breazeale married the love of his life, Frances. Together, they had three sons—Mark, Mitchell (Mitch), and Mike. Pete and Frances remained devoted to each other throughout their lives, staying married until Pete’s passing in 2020. Following their marriage, they moved to Meridian, Mississippi, where they lived until 1959. Afterwards, they settled in Collinsville, Mississippi, where they resided until his death. Pete had a successful career as a truck driver after the war and was also a devoted member of Crossview Church in Collinsville, where he served in several leadership roles.

Commemoration
Pete Breazeale passed away on June 21, 2020, surrounded by his family at home. He is buried at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.

From his obituary and the heartfelt tributes shared by those who knew him, it is clear that he left behind an extraordinary legacy. He cherished his family and loved spending time with them, and his deep faith was evident in his love for his church family. Known for his joyful spirit, he was always seen with a bright smile and shared the Lord’s love wherever he went. A video from his funeral, available through his obituary, offers a touching glimpse into his life, capturing the stories his loved ones shared about the impact he had on them. It is clear from these tributes that Pete Breazeale’s life was defined by his unwavering love for his family and his devotion to Jesus.

Bibliography
Primary Sources

Highsmith, Carol. Colorful homes at the site of the annual Neshoba County Fair. Photograph. November 14, 2016. Library of Congress (2017879605). https://www.loc.gov/item/2017879605. 

Mississippi. Neshoba County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital images. http://ancestryclasroom.com.

Mississippi. Neshoba County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital images. http://ancestryclasroom.com. 

“Neshoba County.” Mississippi Encyclopedia. Last modified April 14, 2018. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/neshoba-county/.

Orville C. Breazeale. U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com.

Orville Clyde Breazeale, Discharge Special Order, Department of the Army. National Archives and Records Administration-St. Louis.

Secondary Sources

 “Fallen Warriors Memorial Monuments.” Picture on this Granite. Accessed November 19, 2024. https://picturethisongranite.com/projects/fallen-warriors-memorial-monuments/. 

“Home.” The Choctaw Indian Fair. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://www.choctawindianfair.com/index.html. 

“Luther Jackson.” Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice. Accessed November 19, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/crt/case/luther-jackson.

“Luther Jackson.” Public Broadcasting Service. Accessed November 19, 2024. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interactive/unresolved/cases/luther-jackson 

“Neshoba County.” Neshoba County Mississippi. Accessed November 11, 2024. https://www.neshobacounty.net/.

“Neshoba County Fair.” The Historical Marker Database. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=140932. 

“The Neshoba County Fair: A History.” The Neshoba County Fair. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://neshobacountyfair.org/history/. 

“Orville Clyde Breazeale.” National Cemetery Administration. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/ngl/result#results-content. 

“Orville Clyde Breazeale.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ORVILLECLYDEBREAZEALE/9a12b5. 

“Orville Clyde ‘Pete’ Breazeale.” Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, Updated June 22, 2020. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.robertbarhamffh.com/obituary/oc-pete-breazeale.    

“Orville Clyde ‘Pete’ Breazeale.” Find a Grave. Updated June 22, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211711789/orville_clyde-breazeale. 

“This Day in History.” Zinn Education Project. Accessed November 11, 2024. https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/luther-jackson-murdered.

This profile was researched by Taylor Shannon and Harper Simmons, mentored by Southeast Lauderdale High School teacher Mrs. Catherine McGowin, as part of a Veterans Legacy Grant Program led by National History Day in the 2024/2025 academic year.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.


Orville "Pete" Breazeale in his Army dress uniform.

A young man in a Army dress uniform looking at the camera.

The Breazeale family lived in rural Neshoba County, Mississippi, where farming was the primary occupation, 1940. National Archives and Records Administration.

The Breazeale family in the 1940 U.S. manuscript census.

Pete Breazeale's discharge order from the U.S. Army, April 20, 1955. National Archives and Records Administration - St. Louis.

Breazeale's Discharge Special Order (partially redacted).

Pete Breazeale later in life. Find a Grave.

Pete Breazeale's grave at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi, March 7, 2025.

ORVILLE CLYDE BREAZEALE

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