Moved to Coldwater from Webster County in 1918—age 41—where he was the junior member of the mercantile establishment McCollough, Avent & Company and later held extensive farming interests in Tate and Tunica counties.

Was very active in promoting civic and cultural projects in Coldwater and Prichard, Mississippi. He both was a charter member of the Coldwater Lions Club and served as its president. He won the Lion's Club Outstanding Citizen Award in 1949.

At the time of his death he was serving as a Commissioner of the State Penitentiary, Parchman, having been appointed by Governor Wright Fielding.

He served as a deacon in the Baptist Church in Coldwater.