Served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Born 1905 in Booneville, Mississippi. Attended Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi. Prosecuting attorney of Prentiss County, Mississippi from 1932 to 1936. State District attorney for the First Judicial District of Mississippi from 1936 until 1944. Upon the completion of the war, he joined the law firm of Cunningham and Cunningham in Booneville.