Gregory Lee Hunter, Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, Mindy Malaika Hunter and Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, as Administratrix of the Estate of Minnie Pearl Hicks Hunter v. Donald Wayne McCoy, Sr.

── Gregory Lee Hunter, Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, Mindy Malaika Hunter and Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, as Administratrix of the Estate of Minnie Pearl Hicks Hunter v. Donald Wayne McCoy, Sr. ── Court: Court of Appeals of Mississippi Date: May 12, 2026 Category: General IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI NO. 2024-CA-00312-COA GREGORY LEE HUNTER, JACQUELYN APPELLANTS MARIE HUNTER, MINDY MALAIKA HUNTER AND JACQUELYN MARIE HUNTER, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE PEARL HICKS HUNTER v. DONALD WAYNE McCOY, SR. APPELLEE DATE OF JUDGMENT: 02/14/2024 TRIAL JUDGE: HON. CHARLES E. SMITH COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: LAUDERDALE COUNTY CHANCERY COURT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANTS: JAMES A. WILLIAMS ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE: ROBERT M. DREYFUS JR. NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - REAL PROPERTY DISPOSITION: REVERSED AND REMANDED - 05/12/2026 MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED: EN BANC. WESTBROOKS, J., FOR THE COURT: ¶1. This is an appeal from an order granting summary judgment in favor of the Appellee, Donald Wayne McCoy Sr., in an action to confirm and quiet title to three parcels of land he purchased at a tax sale. Upon conducting a de novo review of the record, we hold that the statutory notice requirements for redemption were not met. Therefore, we reverse the judgment and remand. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY ¶2. On August 31, 2020, Donald Wayne McCoy Sr. purchased three parcels of land under the ad valorem 2019 tax year, giving him a statutory lien over three parcels of land. The sale was recorded in the Chancery Court of Lauderdale County and had a redemption period of two years. On November 3, 2022, McCoy requested tax deeds for each parcel of land, and three deeds were subsequently issued and recorded. On April 5, 2023, McCoy filed a complaint to confirm the tax sale and quiet title against all persons or entities claiming an interest in and to the property, including the children of Minnie Hunter, the last known record owner: Gregory Lee Hunter, Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, Eugene Hunter Jr., and Mindy Malaika Hunter. The children answered the complaint on August 10, 2023. On November 15, 2023, McCoy filed a motion for summary judgment. On February 8, 2024, the chancery court held a hearing. A. The Estate of Minnie Hunter ¶3. Minnie Hunter, the record owner of the land parcels at the time of the sale, died intestate on February 1, 2022. Her three children survived her: Gregory Lee Hunter, Jacquelyn Marie Hunter, and Mindy Malaika Hunter. Eugene Hunter Jr. had passed away prior to the tax sale of the land. All three living children worked at the family-owned dental office, Hunter Dental Clinic, an after-hours clinic in Meridian. Following Minnie’s death, the chancery court clerk attempted to notify all known heirs of their right to redeem the land. The heirs were required to pay a total of $2,592.82, plus court costs, bringing the total payment to around $3,000 to redeem the property. However, the Estate of Minnie Pearl Hicks Hunter did not officially open until March 3, 2023.1 Further, the chancery court did not 1 The Estate was opened in case number 1:23-cv-00183 in the Lauderdale County Chancery Court. 2 officially recognize Minnie’s living children as her heirs at law until August 29, 2023, one year after the redemption period ended. B. The Notices ¶4. During the hearing, McCoy presented evidence showing that a deputy clerk had sent a notice of redemption by certified mail, published notice in The Meridian Star newspaper, and had the sheriff post notices to all heirs at their residences. In her initial affidavit to the court, the clerk stated that she mailed the required notice of forfeiture to Minnie Pearl Hunter and Eugene Hunter Sr. on April 4, 2022, by certified mail from the United States Postal Service.2