“Just be kind to everyone. We all have good and bad days, and you never really know what a person is going through,” advised Miranda Davidson. “Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Always try to make someone’s day better by being a nice person.”
Miranda knows better than most people how important it is to be kind to others and keep in mind that they may be going through unseen troubles. With her job, she witnesses countless instances where people are dealing internally with things that others do not know about, and she has seen how much just giving a kind word can turn things around. Her job is one of the most important jobs when it comes to getting people the help they need in an emergency, and it is truly a calling: dispatch.
“I’ve had a few jobs throughout the years, but nothing seemed to be more fitting than helping the public through dispatching emergency calls. I found my calling when I went to work for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop H, in Meridian. I worked there for five years before a better opportunity presented itself right here in Clarke County,” expressed Miranda. “I’ve been dispatching overall for eight years and love every minute of it. There are some violent and disturbing calls that we deal with that the everyday public wouldn’t know existed in our very own community; however, we have many more calls where we have a good outcome, whether it’s helping save a life over the phone or getting someone emergency assistance in a time of need. I have the most amazing co-workers, and teamwork gets us through the rough calls. I consider all of the people I work with as part of my family.”
She knows how important education is and has made a point to get as much education as she can over the years. In fact, with her job, she continuously obtains an education so that she can be up to date and help others to the best of her ability when at work.
“I graduated from Quitman High School in May of 2001 and then graduated from East Central Community College in 2006 with an Associate of Arts degree,” stated Miranda. “I have taken several different classes for my job: Active Shooter, Officer Down, Behind the Badge, Suicide Callers, and several others.”
While she loves her job, there is something that Miranda loves even more: her family. In fact, she is very proud of her family and all of their achievements.
“My paternal grandparents are the late Mr. Malcolm Davidson, Sr. and Mary Louise Powell Davidson from the Energy community, and my maternal grandparents are Mr. Robert Earl Ivy (deceased) and Mildred Alice Ivy from the Elwood community. Both of my grandfathers served in World War II,” Miranda proudly stated. “My mama, Violet Lambert, is one of the sweetest, kindest, and most Godly women you could ever meet. She’s a retired nurse (1988-2012) and a retired school teacher (1990-2007), and she still teaches the CNA classes at the VOTEC in the spring and fall. My daddy, Malcolm Davidson, Jr., is well-known and retired from General Supply in Meridian with over 50 years of service helping hundreds of thousands of people during his time there. My daddy was also a two-term elected constable in Clarke County and still loves law enforcement.”
She is not only proud of her parents and grandparents. Miranda is also extremely proud of her daughter, and she has enjoyed spending time with the love of her life every chance she gets. She considers herself blessed for having her family, including her brothers and sisters.
“I am the mother of a beautiful daughter: Brookilin Stafford. She will be 18 in August. She just graduated from Southeast Lauderdale and will attend MCC this fall. She plans to get into the radiology program and then pursue a job as an ultrasonographer,” explained Miranda. “I have been with my soulmate, Chad Allen, for a long time. We were elementary school sweethearts and junior high sweethearts and then parted ways in high school and reconnected in our early twenties. I am definitely blessed beyond measure with my wonderful family.”
Naturally, her family is included in the different things she enjoys doing.
“I really enjoy spending time with my family. Going to the mountains or the beach is always relaxing and tends to destress me,” declared Miranda. “We all need to get away once in a while, and I love to travel and go camping when the opportunity presents itself. I also enjoy helping others whenever possible.”
Her enjoyment of helping others has always existed, and she participated in various organizations in school that are well-known for volunteer or community work. Now, she actively volunteers her time to different events that will benefit the citizens in the area.
“I was in several organizations in high school, such as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA),” said Miranda. “I also enjoy helping with the Clarke County Hot Topics Annual Toy Drive. Seeing less-fortunate children getting to have a nice Christmas is always heartwarming and puts a smile on my face.”
Between work and spending all of her extra time with family, Miranda doesn’t really have much time to do anything else. She wouldn’t have it any other way though. She will continue to go each day offering help to any individuals she sees that needs it. No matter what, she will make sure to be the friendly face and positive attitudes that others in the community may need to see to brighten their day.
