By John Cofield

It was among our finest hours. 

The largest television audience in the history of the Miss America pageant, estimated at 50 million worldwide, watched as Ole Miss’ Mary Ann Mobley, Miss America 1959, crowned Ole Miss’ Lynda Lee Mead, Miss America, 1960. 

Back-to-back Miss Americas spoke volumes to the country. 

When Lynda Lee landed at the Oxford airport the welcoming committee and all there beamed with smiles and pride. Later, Ole Miss had our heroine headed down to Granddad’s studio for publicity shots. 

Several years ago I met Lynda Lee in Memphis and she was as gracious and composed, with a warmth that can’t be learned, rather it follows naturally. 

Mississippi, and yes America, could not wish for a better ambassador than the beautiful Lynda Lee Mead.