A River Retreat on the Mighty Mississippi

By ALLYSON DUCKWORTH  •  Photography by ABE DRAPER

The Suares family’s Huntington Point haven, where Delta traditions and family memories flow together

     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. Her beauty surpasses all and is undeniable.

     In Bolivar County, nestled on the banks of the river at Huntington Point, Paige and Neal 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 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, Paige and Neal 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,” says Paige. “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 to enjoy 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, Paige and Neal 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 Urbane Bronze and is 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.

     Paige has impeccable taste and a clear vision for what she likes. I was fortunate to play a small role in sourcing some of the cabin’s unique finds. At Pearly Peacock Design (based in Oxford), I focus on eclectic pieces that make a statement, often inspired by my own love of animals, nature, travel, and the outdoors. This shared appreciation made it easy to find accessories and accents that aligned perfectly with Paige’s aesthetic for the Huntington Point cabin.

     I was honored to be invited to see the space during mid-construction, helping to solidify a few key decisions needed to keep the project moving forward. Working with someone who knows exactly what they want is a joy—sometimes all they need is a quick “Yes, absolutely, it will work,” and the vision comes to life. That blend of Paige’s style and my curated selections helped create a space that feels both deeply personal and perfectly in tune with the natural beauty surrounding the cabin.

     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 is devoted Ole Miss fans. Paige and Neal earned degrees from both Delta State and the University of Mississippi, and their two sons have followed in their footsteps as Ole Miss alumni. Both sons are continuing their education, with Rob pursuing a career in dentistry, while John Bentley is 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.

Allyson Duckworth of Pearly Peacock Designs