There is probably no one in the state of Mississippi who watches local WLBT news and weather that does not know the name of Walt Grayson.

Frequently, perhaps every day for some, he comes into homes via the “tube” and with his unhurried manner and pleasant voice reticent of a close friend sitting on the front porch with a glass of sweet tea he entertains us with interesting tidbits and stories that include humor and fact, reiterating the premise that we all have a story that is worth telling.

Such was the case of his appearance with his wife Jo at the Bethany Baptist Church Christmas Benefit Banquet. After a pleasant dinner and musical entertainment by Dwight Chance and Wesley Lee the large gathering of local patrons were treated to his pleasant style of storytelling to round out the evening.

Grayson began at WLBT in 1984 being groomed to take legendary weatherman Woody Assaf’s place at his retirement, and some 17 years later when Assaf finally retired (at age 84), Grayson did get the job for which he had been hired. After hosting such segments as “The Spirit of Mississippi” in which he interviewed those people viewers felt personified that spirit, “Mississippi Roads,” and “Looking Around Mississippi,” Grayson states he feels more comfortable on the dusty roads of Mississippi chasing a story than behind the weather desk. Thirty-one years later Grayson states he is the oldest person at Channel 3, and he is still telling his

wonderful stories of Mississippi.

Grayson also writes a monthly newspaper article for the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi’s newspaper, TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI. He is the author of four books: Jackson the Good Life, Looking Around Mississippi with Walt Grayson, Looking Around Mississippi Some More! With Walt Grayson, which was awarded the Mississippi Library Associations Non-Fiction Book of the Year award in 2008; and Oh! That Reminds Me, More Homegrown Mississippi Stories with Walt Grayson. He is also the host of PBS “Mississippi Roads” and the weekly “Look Around Mississippi” on WLBT.

He signed copies of his latest book, “Oh! That Reminds Me, More Homegrown Mississippi Stories with Walt Grayson” at the end of the event while he and wife Jo talked with those attending as if they had been old friends for years.

Rory Lee was on hand to thank Bethany for their contribution to the Baptist Children’s Village and explained some elements of the plan of care for children at the facility: spiritual growth, academic achievement, teach family values & obtain emotional stability.