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John McHann, 92, passed away on May 8, 2023 at Parkway Cove Senior Living in Millington, TN. He was born in Oktibbeha County on February 8, 1931 to the late Y. A. McHann and Eliza Murphy McHann.
He received his B.S. and M.S. from Mississippi State University and holds AAA Certification in School Administration with graduate hours from Mississippi College, Mississippi State, Delta State, University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, Ohio State, and Florida State.
Mr. McHann was principal of Greenwood High School for 15 years. In 1969-70, it was John McHann who led the high school through the first-time experience of integrating classes. It was something the high school had never done before and it required solving problems that at the time seemed unsolvable. Black students had been taken out of their school and moved to a new, strange school where they did not know what to expect. Parents too were uneasy, but the school survived.
A member of the Greenwood Lions Club, Mr. McHann was past-secretary of the Canton Lions Club and was named Canton’s Lion of the Year in 1966. He was a member of the American Legion, veteran of the Korean War, and recipient of three battle stars and the Synghman Rhee citation. He was also a member of Meadowview Baptist Church in Starkville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Davis McHann; and three brothers and two sisters.
John is survived by his son, Steve McHann of Millington, TN; granddaughter, Stephanie Aycock (Billy) of Atoka, TN; grandson, John Carter McHann of Memphis, TN; and great granddaughter, Catherine Aycock of Atoka, TN.
There will be a graveside service held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville, MS. Rev. Jason Greene will conduct the service.
