written by Allyson Duckworth (featured in the Delta Magazine September/October 2025 issue)

It has been referred to as “America’s River,” but most of us know it simply as the Mighty Mississippi. Flowing through the nation’s heartland, this legendary waterway supports vital agriculture, industry, and recreation, while also providing drinking water to tens of millions of people. It has long been central to America’s development—but more than that, it shaped the Mississippi Delta itself.

Its untamed nature, its role in sculpting the landscape, and its deep connection to the culture and history of the region are what make it so alluring. Mark Twain wrote of the river’s “lawless stream” and its ability to defy human attempts at control. And yet, from sunrise to sunset, everything about the Mississippi radiates undeniable beauty. She may be dangerous and untamable, but she is majestic and mysterious, and her beauty surpasses all and is undeniable.

In Bolivar County, nestled on the banks of the river at Huntington Point, Neal and Paige Suares have found their own perfect view of the Mighty Mississippi. For several years, the Suares family, including their two grown sons, Rob and John Bentley, spent time with close friends who had cabins in the area. When a lot became available, they knew it was the ideal place to build a home where memories are made, traditions are kept, and life slows down just enough to savor.

“We fell in love with the view, the community, and the rhythm of life out here,” Neal shares. Unsurprisingly, the river takes center stage in this remarkable retreat. It’s the constant presence and the heartbeat of their Delta escape.

Watching the river itself is one of the family’s favorite pastimes at Huntington Point. “We never get tired of watching it,” Paige says. “From towboats and barges to the Viking cruise ship, and even the occasional NASA barge carrying parts of the Artemis rocket—there’s always something fascinating drifting by. It’s just as exciting every time. We’ll stop what we’re doing just to watch.”

Neal and Paige Suares with there Wildrose “Delta” Lady.

[Side Note:] The Artemis rocket, specifically its core stage, is being tested at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. After testing, it will be transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final assembly and launch. The Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the Moon, will utilize the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and Stennis plays a crucial role in testing its core stage and engines. Yet another example of how the river continues to shape history.

Neal adds that his connection to the river goes back to childhood. “I started duck hunting on this river as a kid with my dad in his old duck boat,” he recalls. “We’d be out there before sunrise, gliding through the timber or along the banks. That’s when I fell in love with it. The river got in my blood early, and it never left.”

After sketching the cabin Neal and Paige turned to architect Edye Conkerton of Oxford to help bring their vision to life. They already knew exactly how they wanted the kitchen and living areas to flow, with the river as the star of the show and visible from every angle. Conkerton provided the shell, and from there the Suares family handled every detail of the interior design, adding personal touches to every corner. The custom bar, the warm wooden beams, and the intricately detailed ceilings were all thoughtfully crafted to ensure the space reflected not just their style, but their story.

Entertaining was a key priority. “We all love to cook, every one of us,” Paige says. “There’s always someone marinating, someone grilling, someone slicing... and plenty of opinions being offered from across the island.” The kitchen, with its open layout and clean lines, serves as the true heart of the home which is a gathering place for wild game, homemade pizza, or a glass of wine. It’s where laughter and conversation flow as freely as the river itself.

Even before construction began, Neal and Paige had a clear vision. Over the years, their travels and hunting trips helped inspire a design aesthetic that leaned modern and clean, rather than rustic or expected. Paige says, “We love layered textures, intentional pieces, and a sense of comfort.” Neal adds, “We wanted something timeless and something that felt like us.”

They achieved exactly that. Paige chose Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa for the main interior color, accented by Ethereal Mood cabinetry in the kitchen. For the exterior, she selected Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore, giving the cabin a rich, grounded presence in its natural surroundings. An important part of entertaining, the custom bar is finished in Sherwin-Williams Urban Bronze. Carefully designed to be both functional and inviting. The end result is a calm, elegant space that lets the outdoor scenery and their personal hunting trophies take center stage, creating a setting where sophistication and the outdoors meet seamlessly.

Native Mississippians, Neal (from Greenville) and Paige (from Cleveland) both have deep roots in the Delta. They now reside in Greenville, where their sons were raised. The whole family are devoted Ole Miss fans. Neal and Paige hold degrees from both Delta State and the University of Mississippi, where both of their sons are now alumni. The boys are continuing there education with Rob pursuing dentistry and John Bentley studying medicine.

Though the cabin is immersed in rugged natural surroundings, its interiors reflect comfort and personality. “I’ve always been a girlie girl,” Paige laughs. “But after raising two boys and being married to Neal, I’ve learned to love football and hunting. That doesn’t mean everything has to be camo and bland. I still believe you can wear lipstick in the deer stand. For me a cabin should have warmth, comfort, and just enough sparkle!”

The Suares family has always shared a deep passion for hunting, and Paige was always ready to step in whenever she was needed. Over the years, their adventures have taken them far beyond the Mississippi Delta. From dove and duck to deer, turkey, bear, and even alligator, the Suares men, and one determined lady, have pursued it all. Many of the trophies from these hunts now adorn the interior, each a reminder of time spent in the field. More recently, Paige and Neal have discovered a shared love for exotic game hunting in Texas. Several of the striking mounts displayed throughout the cabin are mementos from those trips “each one has a story,” Neal says. “And this cabin is where we relive them all.”

Of course, no river cabin would be complete without the family’s beloved Labradors. Rivers, their faithful companion of fifteen years, was there for nearly every memory made. Their newest addition, Miss Wildrose Delta Lady, is a spirited little girl—equal parts duck dog and diva. “She’s not spoiled at all,” Paige grins. “Let’s just say she’s made herself at home.”

William Faulkner once wrote, “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.” I would add—so, too, the Delta. Ava Petrash captured it perfectly: “Once you set foot on its soil, the Mississippi Delta seeps into your blood and changes the way in which your eyes look out at the world.”

The Suares’ cabin at Huntington Point is a living example of these words. A retreat built with heart, heritage, and a love for the land—it invites you to understand Mississippi, or at least to start trying. And once you see their view of the Mighty Mississippi, you may never want to leave.

Click here to see full spread The September/October 2025 issue

A River Retreat on the Mighty Mississippi

The Art of Building