Southaven utilities director Ray Humphrey to retire

Key Points

• Ray Humphrey retires this Friday, Feb. 27, after more than 39 years of service to the City of Southaven.
• Humphrey rose from a utilities serviceman in 1986 to becoming the Utilities Director in 2009.
• Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite lauded Humphrey as the “ultimate teammate” for his 24/7 dedication to city infrastructure.

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — After nearly four decades of ensuring the faucets stayed running and the infrastructure remained sound, Southaven Utilities Director Ray Humphrey will officially retire this Friday, Feb. 27.

Humphrey’s departure marks the end of a career spanning more than 39 years with the city, a journey that began on Sept. 28, 1986, when he was first hired as a serviceman in the Utilities Department.

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite, writing in his Mayor’s Report blog, praised Humphrey’s tireless work ethic and his rise through the municipal ranks.

“Ray has had responsibility for services that many citizens do overlook and take for granted,” Musselwhite said. “When our citizens have been sleeping, Ray has always been awake checking water tower levels from his phone to make sure our entire city has had adequate service.”

A 1979 graduate of Southaven High School, Humphrey worked as a photo lab technician and telecommunications installer before joining the city. Over the years, he transitioned to a water and wastewater operator before being promoted to Assistant Utility Director in March 2001. On June 18, 2009, he was named head of the department.

Under his leadership, the department grew into one of the largest utility operations in the state of Mississippi. Humphrey previously noted that his promotion to director and his certification as a water operator were his most valued professional milestones.

Musselwhite, who has worked alongside Humphrey for 13 years, characterized the outgoing director as a leader who prioritized the needs of his staff and the public above his own.

“He’s one of the most unselfish and hardest-working people I’ve ever known,” Musselwhite said. “When I’ve been asked to summarize him, I’ve always said, ‘Ray Humphrey is the ultimate teammate.’”

For Humphrey, the motivation behind nearly 40 years of service was rooted in community. During a 2020 personnel spotlight, he expressed that his goal was to leave the department better than he found it.

“I do this job because I love serving people,” Humphrey said at the time. “I want to leave a legacy that this department is better than when I was given stewardship of it.”

As Humphrey prepares for his final day, the city reflects on a career defined by “24/7” availability and a commitment to the most fundamental needs of Southaven residents.

“We’re going to miss you, man,” Musselwhite said. “Thank you for all you have done for Southaven.”