Mayor Dr. Willie W. Herenton reads his retirement letter before turning it over to City Council Chairman Myron Lowery, who will run the city as Mayor Pro Tem for 90 days. (Photos by Wiley Henry)

For a man who once professed not to like politicians, what a difference 18 years can make.

It’s official – Mayor Herenton retires

After 18 years in office, Dr. Willie W. Herenton retired as Mayor of Memphis on Thursday, July 30. He gave his farewell address in the Hall of Mayors at City Hall.

A dozen roses rest in the arms of Ruby Harris, a gift from her son, retiring Mayor Herenton.

Moments after his farewell address, retiring Mayor Herenton awaits the benediction from his pastor, Rev. James Netters. Portraits of two of Memphis’ previous mayors – no African Americans – hang on the wall behind him.

Dr. Willie W. Herenton has closed the book on his tenure as Memphis’ longest serving mayor. He left City Hall Thursday evening as a politician who attracted his own critics.

During his televised retirement reception at City Hall hours earlier, Herenton recalled 1991 and those who wanted him to attend the “People’s Convention” and emerge as the consensus African-American candidate for mayor.

“I don’t like politicians,” Herenton said he told the group that approached him. “I told them that’s not what I wanted to do.”

He changed his mind, became the first elected African-American mayor of Memphis and the rest is history, 18 years of it.

African Americans and about 3,000 whites helped to break the historical barrier in 1991 and changed the course of history, Herenton pointed out.

So what’s good about breaking that barrier, he asked. “Well, you didn’t break that barrier by someone who wasn’t prepared. You sent your very best.”

Racial polarization is still deep in Memphis, said Herenton, rejecting the suggestion that he had been a divisive mayor.

“Memphis was racially-divided before I became mayor and still is.”

Herenton said the community should to be unified on education, cleaning up slums, breaking down barriers to employment, and African Americans making some money.

“While I love the University of Memphis basketball, it’s amazing that people consider basketball as a unifier,” he said. “Every time I hear that, it’s sickening.”     

Before the glare of TV cameras, the five-term mayor noted his intentions to campaign vigorously for the 9th Congressional seat now held by Rep. Steve Cohen.

There is not one African-American representative in the Tennessee Delegation, said Herenton, who vowed to “keep it real” during the campaign and to make known what that means.

City Council Chairman Myron Lowery officially became Mayor Pro Tem Lowery at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Herenton call him to the podium Thursday and read a letter of retirement that he said he could not give earlier when “you all were kind of demanding it.”

Lowery thanked the mayor and accepted his retirement letter.

What the mayor’s supporters had to say

Rev. Frank McRae, a longtime Herenton supporter who stood up for black sanitation workers in 1968, said, “It’s difficult being first, because you don’t always know where the pitfalls are.”

McRae said while the colorful Edward Hull Crump was called “Boss” in his day and that Herenton has been referred to as “King,” some people are happy to see politicians leave.  

“That’s the nature of the passing parade of politicians,” he said.

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr., who has placed his name in contention for the special election to fill the remainder of Herenton’s term, noted a number of accomplishments throughout the city such as the FedExForum, Beale Street and new homes that replaced public housing.

“Dr. Herenton’s name will be ingrained in the brick and mortar in these and many others throughout this great city,” said Wharton, recalling the lyrics to “I Did it My Way,” a Frank Sinatra song that reminded him of Herenton:

“Yes there were times, I'm sure you knew/ When I bit off more than I could chew/ But through it all when there was doubt/ I ate it up and spit it out/ I faced it all and I stood tall/ And did it My Way.”

Charlie Morris, a longtime friend, said there are people who won’t give Herenton credit for doing a good job. “There has been much accomplished since he has been mayor,” said Morris, whose late wife, Alma Morris, was an avid supporter as well.

Morris said Herenton’s critics should think twice about begrudging the man. Paraphrasing a Bible verse, he said, “He who has no sin, cast the first stone.”

Mark Stansbury of The LeMoyne-Owen College said Herenton paved the way for so many people. “He’s done an amazing job the last 18 years. I’m proud to say I’m a Memphian under the leadership of Dr. Herenton.”

Herenton’s legacy will be great even though his critics are trying to make him out to be a villain, said Stansbury, who recalled the motto of Booker T. Washington High School, where he and Herenton graduated.

“We’re tops, we lead and others follow.”