GA Historical Society unveils Jody Town

Leaders of Robins Air Force Base, the city of Warner Robins and Jody Town neighborhood came together to unveil a new historic maker on Saturday June, 26 at 10:30 a.m.. The community reunion committee said Jody Town served as a place for African American people to live and work during the time when Warner Robins was segregated. In the research paper presented to the Georgia Historical Society in a more than one-year effort by Jody Town Committee to gain approval for the marker, they explained why Jody Town residents from 1942 through 1973 should receive this honor.

Warner Robins has a rich history that includes many people from diverse backgrounds and part of this diversity derives from the Black families who were present in Wellston, and those who came after hearing the news for the site of the Army Air Depot. One cannot accurately depict the history Warner Robins, the state of Georgia or the country without including the families who contributed to its growth and success.

These families were the residents of Jody Town, a name given to the neighborhood by military members that referenced a popular cadence from an armed forces work chant: “Jody’s got your girl and gone.” The residents of Jody Town and their descendants played an integral role in the development, growth and success of Warner Robins.

When the base was built, the U.S. military was still racially segregated; thus, Jody Town became not only a place to live, but a community for a race of people with common needs, interests and values. Jody Town was a community of residents who supported each other and their nation through World Wars, namely World War II, the Korean War, the tumultuous years of the Vietnam era and the economic ups and downs of the south and throughout the country.

“Jody Town was more than a neighborhood from 1941 to 1973; it was a community of economic success,” said Shirlyn Johnson-Granville who served as Jody Town reunion committee chair. “Jody Town’s location was ideal because the workers could walk across the railroad tracks to the gate entrance of the base.”

Military members who were stationed at Robins, boarded in the homes on the neighborhood and lived in transported “barracks” from the base because of the housing shortage. This was often referred to as “dormitory living” because the men lived in this single dwelling, immediately upon arriving in Jody Town. Black workers lodged in homes and received their meals from these same residents. This created a comfort of belonging.

Boy Scout Troop 163, established in 1951, was present at the unveiling. The Warner Robins Jets, a semiprofessional baseball team that was founded after the Rams baseball team in 1964, built their winning team and Memorial Park from the ground up and can boast as part of their history, players who were recruited by Major League Baseball.

Johnson-Granville said, “This event will help benefit the future generations because this is something that our ancestors built. Also, it was put into place to stress education and make something their own.” She also expressed, “We do need strong more Black communities, and not only that, we need to also come together in all communities, because we only get further together.

Johnson-Granville mentioned that she believes future generations will keep this legacy alive. “This event had several grandchildren and great grandchildren present, asking questions and learning about the past,” she explained. “That included Greg Ellis who partnered with Richardson to open the first Black funeral home and scout troop.” Johnson-Granville said that she wants to continue going forward with this and expand to a museum, cultural center, or even a cultural center youth program.

The fortitude of Jody Town families from 1942 to 1973 serves as a reminder of hope and gives rise to honor and reverence for present and future generations to witness. The federal Urban Renewal Program demolished the original Jody Town community in 1973. But this generation and more to come will do their best to make sure that never happens again.

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