Excerpt from THE OPP WEEKLY NEWS

COVINGTON PROGRESS EDITION

APRIL 25, 1935

THREE LEADERS OF OPP TODAY

Business Leader

Charles W. Mizell

Recognized as one of the most alert business men in Alabama, C. W. Mizell has been the greatest asset of perhaps any person in the advancement of the business and industrial development of Opp.

He was born at Haw Ridge, in Coffee County, Alabama, on October 13, 1886, the son of Hope Hull Mizell and his wife, Josephine Beard Mizell.

He was educated in the school at Elba, graduating at the age of fourteen, after which he took a business course at Massey’s Business College in Montgomery.

He held his first public job at the age of 15 with the First National Bank of Andalusia and at the age of 17 came to Opp as bookkeeper for a firm, Benton & Mizell, merchants. On November 27, 1905, The First National Bank of Opp was organized, and although only 19, Mr. Mizell was elected as Assistant Cashier of this institution.

On June 2, 1908, he was married to Lucille Catherine McDavid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond B. McDavid, and to this union were born two daughters, Catherine Lucille and Louise McDavid Mizell.

Mr. Mizell later became Cashier of The First National Bank of Opp, and after serving in that capacity until 1922, he was elected President, which office he still holds.

Mr. Mizell was instrumental in bringing to Opp two big cotton mills which have added greatly to the progress of the town, both of which he is president. He also has an interest in the Mizell Insurance Agency, real estate and various other enterprises in Covington County.

Mr. Mizell has aided greatly in the civic, cultural and religious life of Opp and his keen business ability with constant hard work earned him the place as business leader of his community