Downtown Dougherty County voting precinct holds historic place in civil rights movement

ALBANY – For Robert Sibley, voting is a very important duty at any time. But when he cast his vote at the Shiloh Baptist Church precinct on Tuesday, it was even more special.

Sibley’s uncle, the Rev. Horace C. Boyd, was minister at the downtown church for nearly 60 years and was an influential member of the Albany Civil Rights movement.

At a time when some ministers shied away from backing the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts to mobilize freedom fighters at their churches, Boyd welcomed the young minister to Albany.

The church, Doughery County’s Precinct 12,  is located across the street from the Albany Civil Rights Institute and has images of footprints embedded in the sidewalk symbolizing the marches that originated at the location on Whitney Avenue.

“He allowed Martin Luther King to come speak,” said Sibley, an Albany State University graduate who is pursuing a diploma in auto collision repair at Albany Technical College. “It’s surreal that my precinct is right here.”

The 36-year-old said he votes in every election, and part of the reason is honoring the memories of those like his uncle who helped overcome barriers to voting for black people.

“Your vote matters,” he said. “People definitely suffered a lot. That definitely is one of my motivations for coming to vote every time. If I can do my part, that’s my cause.”

One of the candidates he voted for will make history as Dougherty County’s first black sheriff. Chief Deputy Terron Hayes, a Democrat, will take office in January. He was the only candidate for that office on the ballot as he faced no Republican opponent on Tuesday.

Sibley also was hoping to help make history with his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. His vote was based on his belief that Harris would be better on the economy and other issues.

“Every election matters, but this one definitely matters,” he said. “With the big problems we’re going through, it’s important. I’d say I’m looking out for the generations after me. We need better resources (and) health care.

“I would hope for Kamala to win. Our society has shown us they have and will support her.”

On Tuesday night, Sibley was hoping that results would be available fairly early in the night and said he would stay up for a while to see how things shook out.

Boyd and the Rev. E.J. Grant, who preached at the former home of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, located next to the Civil Rights Institute at the corner of Whitney Avenue and Jefferson Street, were important in the civil rights movement that began in the early 1960s, Frank Wilson, the former executive director at the institute, said during a telephone interview on Tuesday.

“They were heroes,” he said. “They showed courage when some other ministers did not.”

During his tenure at the institute, Wilson initiated a Boyd/Grant dinner, a black-tie affair that was held each year to recognize individuals in the community who continued the ministers’ legacy.

“I thought it was important that we would recognize folks who had been significant not only in civil rights but black history,” Wilson said.

Hayes will be the county’s 19th sheriff, Sheriff Kevin Sproul said. The current sheriff endorsed his chief deputy for the position when he announced last year that he is not seeking another term in the office.

“I totally support him,” Sproul said. “I’ve watched him grow as a father, a man, a leader. I am proud of the direction he will take the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office. I’m just excited for what he’s going to do.”

Staff Photo: Alan Mauldin