Prior to federally mandated integration in 1969, Stone County maintained separate schools for white students and black students.

Locker High School in 1959, served the African-American students.

Jones sued and won, but retired rather than take the position of principal at Stone High.

Local law enforcement discouraged the student's family from filing a report.

[6] The student was disciplined by the school and removed from the football team by coach John Feaster, the school's first African-American coach in any sport.