Meet Mississippi Memaw, Jenny Smith, from Foxworth, MS.
Smith is the mother of four children and five grandchildren and is a dental assistant by profession, but has risen to fame over the last three years on social media as “Mississippi Memaw.”
Smith never intended to become a social media sensation. She said she named herself on social media based on two things that are important to her: “I’m a Memaw, and I’m from Mississippi, so I decided to be Mississippi Memaw.”
“One day, I was in Purvis and did a video on TikTok of the “Dollar Holler,” there in town. It went viral! I gained 25,000 followers overnight from that one video,” Smith shared.
Although Smith is from Foxworth, she and her family have strong ties to Purvis. Her husband is from there, and three of her children graduated from Purvis High School. Many locals joke about the “Dollar Holler” in the county seat of Lamar County, and Smith brought it to life on TikTok.
Recently, Mississippi Memaw gained national attention from various news outlets, including “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” for a video she made about drinking Dr. Pepper and pickles.
“My daughter used to drink pickle Dr. Peppers ten years ago; I did not invent this; it’s been around for a long time. But, this summer, I went to pick up my lunch from “Mardi Grub” in Columbia, and I thought a pickle Dr. Pepper sounded good–I hadn’t had one in years! I made a video about them on TikTok, which went viral!”
Although Mississippi Memaw did not invent the idea of pickle Dr. Peppers, she certainly brought it back into the spotlight, and it became one of the most ordered drinks at Sonic this past summer. Sonic, Dr. Pepper, and Bob’s Pickle Pops now follow her Mississippi Memaw page and have sent her goodies to collaborate with.
As her social media presence continues to grow, Smith is passionate about educating her followers about the Magnolia State.
“I love Mississippi, and I feel like it gets downplayed a lot. We have so many hidden gems here, beautiful attractions, and the nicest people. We are rich with history and folklore, and I want people to know that,” Smith shared. “You know, it’s easy to find the dirt on anything, anywhere, or anyone; we need to look for the gold.”
Smith also uses her Mississippi Memaw persona to promote local, small businesses throughout the state. Her endorsements have significantly boosted the visibility and sales of these businesses. And, spoiler alert, she will soon be seen in a commercial for a local business.
Jenny Smith, or as her followers know her, Mississippi Memaw, has been a source of entertainment and education for a few years now. She wants her audience to know that her accent is not a put-on; it’s as authentic as it gets.
“I am not faking my accent; I’m just that country!” Smith said, as she laughed, with a thick South Mississippi accent. Her accent is a reflection of her deep roots in the local culture and her commitment to staying true to her origins. “At the end of the day, I try to inspire others, and I’m trying to do that through my Mississippi Memaw page.”
