Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder (1923-2020) was born in 1923 in Tillar (located on the border of Desha and Drew counties), Arkansas, the daughter of Jewell Stephen Tillar and Bertha Terry Tillar. She possessed a strong interest in journalism from an early age, serving as the editor of her high school newspaper. Graduating from Tillar High School at age 16, she attended both Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello) and Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. Majoring in sociology, she supplemented her studies with journalism classes and also worked on both schools’ newspapers.

Melvin Schexnayder (1920-2007) was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, the son of Maurice and Rose Meaux Schexnayder. Graduating from Franklin High School (Louisiana), he attended LSU. A member of ROTC, his studies were interrupted by the Second World War, during which he served as a lieutenant with the 848 Ordinance Company in Africa and Europe. Returning to LSU after the war, he completed a B.S. degree in chemical engineering, and afterwards attended graduate school.

Charlotte and Melvin met while they studied at LSU, marrying in 1946; their union produced three children. Although Melvin originally got a job with the Texas Pacific Railroad, within a year the couple decided to enter the newspaper business. Moving to Dumas in Desha County, Arkansas, Charlotte became editor and Melvin the advertising manager of the McGehee Semi-Weekly Times. In 1954 they purchased the weekly Dumas Clarion, which they owned until selling it in 1998. During that period the Clarion won more than 500 state and national awards for excellence.

Both Schexnayders were active members in professional journalist organizations, with Melvin serving as president of the Arkansas Press Association in 1962. For six years he served on the chairman of the government conference committee of the National Newspaper Association. Charlotte’s resume was even more impressive, as she served as president of every journalism organization to which she ever belonged. In 1955 she served as president of the Arkansas Press Women, and in 1977 the National Federation of Press Women. She broke the gender barrier when in 1973 she became the first female president of the Little Rock chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, continuing this achievement in 1981 she was elected the first female president of the Arkansas Press Association, and then in 1991 with the National Newspaper Association.

Beyond their activities with the Clarion and journalism, they were civic leaders in Dumas. Melvin served as president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce as well as the chairman of the Desha County Hospital Board. He was also a founding member of the Dumas Industrial Foundation. In 1998 the couple created the Dumas Area Community Fund, which later became the Delta Area Community Foundation. To honor the couple, in 1999 the Schexnayders were made the presiding couple at Dumas’s Ding Dong Days, an annual festival highlighting the community.

In 1984 Charlotte was elected to the House of Representatives of the Arkansas General Assembly, a position she occupied until her retirement from politics in 1999. There she promoted the interests and economic development of Dumas and Desha County. She also sponsored legislation on civil rights, rural development, freedom of information, and taxes.

Melvin passed away on September 12, 2007; the Dumas Lion’s Club posthumously awarded him its citizenship award in 2008. In honor of her vast achievements, Charlotte was inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019; she died the following year on December 11.