Have you heard the story of Oscar, Greensboro’s Famous Unknown Man?

One hot August day in 1937, a vagrant got off the train in Greensboro and set out on foot to Madison.  He was discovered collapsed on Hwy 12—Madison Road in Greensboro.  A few days later, he died . . . unidentified.  He was taken to The Big Store and embalmed by Mr. W. H. McCommons, Coroner, who named him Oscar.

Scores of people who had missing relatives came and looked at Oscar, but none claimed the body.  Local citizens also began to call him Oscar.  His fingerprints were taken to the FBI and The Red Cross.  Nowhere could the town folk get an identification.  Finally, they put stories into newspapers across the country with headlines that read: Have you seen Oscar?

The story of Oscar spread and he became an outstanding tourist attraction for Greensboro.  At first he lay on a table dressed in a neater suit than he had worn in life, and was covered by a sheet.  Later, he was placed in a box and finally a coffin with a glass top so that people could just walk by and view him.    Some claim that on Halloween he was placed in a standing position.

By this time, Oscar had become a legend.  Local students would occasionally come to the store, ring the door bell and ask for Oscar.  It became a rite of passage for high school seniors to see and touch Oscar’s mummified body before graduation.  He was, indeed, the most famous unknown man around these parts.

Born Saunders Terrell in Greensboro, Georgia, on October 24, 1911, Sonny Terry became one of the most influential Piedmont blues and folk musicians of all time. Known for his energetic harmonica style, he blended his music with vocal whoops, hollers, and sound effects, often mimicking trains and fox hunts. His unique sound made him a staple in the blues and folk scenes, collaborating with artists like Brownie McGhee and performing at major festivals and concerts worldwide. Terry’s impact on blues harmonica remains unmatched, solidifying his legacy as a true pioneer of American roots music.

Herschel Walker, born on March 3, 1962, in Wrightsville, Georgia, is a renowned former professional football player celebrated for his exceptional career as a running back. Raised in Wrightsville, he attended Johnson County High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. During his senior year, he rushed for 3,167 yards, leading the Trojans to their first state championship and earning the inaugural Dial Award as the 1979 national high school scholar-athlete of the year.

After high school, Walker played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs from 1980 to 1982. He was a three-time unanimous All-American and won the 1982 Heisman Trophy. In 1999, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Frankie King is a former professional basketball player from Baxley, Georgia. Born on June 6, 1972, he played as a guard and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft. King had stints with both the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He also had a notable international career, playing in countries such as Spain, Greece, Germany, France, Turkey, and Cyprus. King’s journey from Appling County High School in Baxley to the professional basketball arena highlights his dedication and talent in the sport.

Mel Blount, born in Toombs County, Georgia, is a Hall of Fame cornerback known for his incredible career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. A key member of the Steelers’ dominant defenses during the 1970s, Blount helped lead the team to four Super Bowl championships. He was known for his physical style of play and played a major role in the NFL’s creation of the “Mel Blount Rule,” which limited contact with receivers after five yards. Blount’s legacy extends beyond the football field, as he’s also known for his charitable work and dedication to youth programs.

Hailing from Folkston, Georgia, brothers Boss Bailey and Champ Bailey made a name for themselves in the NFL after graduating from Charlton County High School.

Champ Bailey, the older of the two, became one of the greatest cornerbacks in football history, earning 12 Pro Bowl selections and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a stellar career with the Washington Commanders (former Redskins) and Denver Broncos.

His younger brother, Boss Bailey, was a standout linebacker at the University of Georgia before playing in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos. Known for their athleticism and defensive prowess, the Bailey brothers put Charlton County on the map, inspiring future generations of athletes from their hometown.

Courtney Williams is a professional basketball player from Folkston, Georgia. Born on May 11, 1994, she graduated from Charlton County High School and played college basketball at the University of South Florida, where she became one of the program’s all-time leading scorers. Selected 8th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, Williams has played for several teams, including the Connecticut Sun, Atlanta Dream, and currently the Minnesota Lynx. Known for her scoring ability and dynamic playmaking, she earned a WNBA All-Star selection in 2021.