Located in northeastern North Carolina, Rocky Mountain has been called the “Significant Rocky Mountain.” It is an apt description of this city. It has certainly been proven above any trouble that has come. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd swept through, leaving nearly a third of Rocky Mount flooded by the Tar River. But the nearly 60,000 people who call the Rocky Mountains home are tough, and they’re fighting to make the Rocky Mountains one of the most pleasant places to live in the city The following are vignettes of 10 famous people who are native to the Rocky Mountains.
Thelonious Monk, Jazz Pianist and Composer
Monk, born in Rocky Mountain on October 10, 1827, was born as a prodigy. In the morning his family moved to New York, where the young Monk won contest after contest in the famous theater of Apollo. . Monk went on to become a major composer and noted artist who was known around the world. He played with the likes of John Coltrane and Milos Davis. Monk died in 1982.
Cay Kyser, Chief Band Leader
Born James Kern Kyser in Rocky Mountain on June 18, 1905, Kyser used his unique talent to become the world’s most famous big band leader in his lifetime. Kyser and his band starred in films with Lucille Ball, John Barrymore, and many other well-known actors. He had a popular radio show for ten years in the last thirty and forty years called “Kay Kyser’s Kollege de Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Actress
Ms. Winstead was born in Rocky Mount in November, 1984. He began acting in television in the late nineties before rising to movie stardom. Along with other performances, many remember her for the lead role in the final film “Destination 3”, and a supporting role in “Live Free or Die”.
Michael F. Easley, Governor of North Carolina
Born March 23, 1950 in Rocky Mountain, Governor Easley is serving his second term. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Kaye Gibbons, Novelist
Award-winning novelist Kaye Gibbons was born in Rocky Mountain on May 5, 1960. Her first novel Ellen Foster (1987) won the first Sue Kaufman Award for american Academy of Arts and Letters. According to his website, books are taught in schools and colleges. Ms. Gibbons’ subsequent books further demonstrated that immense power of the author.
Count Hyman, Actor
Earl Hyman was born on October 11, 1926 in Rocky Mountain. It is not widely known that he is a classical actor, having played the role of Othello hundreds of times. It is also not so widely known that he speaks fluent Norwegian. Fans of “The Cosby Show” will remember the actor who played Russell Huxtable, Heathcliff Huxtable’s father.
Herman Boone, vehicles except, Master
Herman Boone was born in Rocky Mountain on October 28, 1935. A teacher and football coach with outstanding skills as a motivator, Boone ran the coaching staff of the newly integrated T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia at a time with high racial tensions. Boone is portrayed in the movie “Remember the Titans” and stars Denzel Washington.
Allan Gurganus, Writer, Painter
Gurgan was born in 1947 in Rocky Mountain. Originally trained as a painter, he began writing after serving 3 years on the USS Yorktown in Vietnam. Among his many works is the 1989 novel Old Confederate Living Widow Tells All.
Jim Clack, NFL Player
Clack, a guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was born in Rocky Mountain on October 26, 1947. He helped the Steelers win two championships in 1974 and 1975. He also played for the New York Giants. Clack died in April, 2006.
Walter “Buck” Leonard, Baseball Player
Buck Leonard, born in Rocky Mountain in 1907, played first baseman for the visiting Grays in the Negro Leagues from 1933 to 1950. According to the National Negro League Baseball Association’s website, Roy Campanella is quoted as saying, “He (Leonard) had a quick bat and you couldn’t fast away from him. Leonard died on November 27, 1997 in Rocky Mountain.
