Reprinted from Buy & Sell Magazine

Larry Bright grew up in Tylertown and got his start in the real estate business in Jackson right after graduating college.

He started out managing a business office complex and his own realty office and opened the first Larry Bright Realty offices on Jan. 3, 1966, in Jackson after graduation.

“I ran Larry Bright Realty in Jackson for 25 years before moving back home,” Bright said.

Marking a half  century in real estate, Bright  has been back in Tylertown for the past 25

years. His office at 1211 Magnolia Ave. is just a few doors down from the Walthall County Courthouse.

Bright said he had five realtors and he was successful in Jackson, but in 1977 he decided to make a change when his wife was diagnosed with bone cancer and her care became his focus.

Bright downscaled his operations and started running his business on his own. That was a move that seemed to be a better fit for him professionally.

“I needed to be able to take care of her,” he said. “But even after she got better I stuck with the one-man concept and have loved it ever since.

“I don’t want to get bigger than a one-man office. What I like about staying small is that I can give personal service.”

Bright has sold to generations of families who always come back to him when they are in the market for property. “I’ve sold to three generations of families and I love that repeat business,” he said.

Bright also has an interesting advocation. He is a nationally known organ player and plays mostly for horse shows, such as the annual walking and racking horse show put on by the McComb Lions Club at the Heart O’Dixie arena.

But he has done other events, too, including on some of the world’s biggest stages. “I’ve played Madison Square Gardens several times,” he said. “I’ve also played in the World Olympics in Los Angeles.”

Bright said his work as an organist has always been good for his realty business, too. “Horse shows have

brought me business from all over the country. It’s been wonderful and a real benefit to my business,” he said. He recently has had buyers from California, Wyoming, North Carolina and other places from across the country.

Bright prides himself on having a high sales. "I have always been very honest with my clients and I think that’s why people come back to me,” he said.

Bright has solid experience in the realty business. He also has a solid educational background. He graduated from William Carey College in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Bright is also a member of the National Board of Realtors, the Southwest Mississippi Board of Realtors and the Pike County Brokers Association.

He is a member of Tylertown Baptist Church and the Walthall County Chamber of Commerce.

He has also served on the board of directors of the Walthall County Historical Society.