In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958

In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958

A Tribute and Celebration

We were the class of 1958, members of the Greatest Generation as well as children of the Greatest Generation. Born in 1940, we are also called members of the Traditional Generation.

Our childhood, post World War II, "was the best of times . . . it was the age of wisdom . . . it was the epoch of belief . . .it was the season of Light . . . it was the spring of hope . . . we had everything before us . . .we were all going direct to Heaven . . . ." (A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens.) At least, that's the way I felt about it. We were truly blessed.

- Ouida Tomlinson -

This blog is a place for 1958 graduates of Meridian, Mississippi, High School to stay in touch, post their news, items of interest and photographs.

CLASS OF 1958 MEMORIES (Click to read all posts relating to sports, honors, graduation and other memories of our class in 1957-58.)

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR CLASS OF 1958
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MHS58/

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Amazing Grace

Dear Class, thank you so much for your many kind e-mails. I have appreciated hearing from you so much during these past days.

Tom's funeral was yesterday, and my stamina was stretched to the limit, but I was blessed all day with my faith, love of friends, family and my church. I just wrote someone a few minutes ago : "What a blessing to be Catholic - there is so much grace in the funeral Mass - so much healing - so much love." For some reason, as time has passed and I've lost 4 grandparents, parents, other family members, my best friend and now my husband, the tears have slowed down, and I've gone from being inconsolable to being at peace when loved ones pass away. The only time I cried yesterday was when the honor guard placed the flag in my arms and said "On behalf of the President of United States . . . ." This Memorial Day I will be visiting Biloxi National Cemetery for a very special reason - to visit my World War II hero.

I have posted Tom's prayer card here. I especially thank Ivan Burnett who sent me the prayer on the back of the card. Ivan said that it was written by a minister friend of his and is so comforting. It expresses so much of what I wanted to say to Tom's son who lost his young wife (41 years old) in February and now his father.

Love & Prayers,
Ouida

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."


Friday, May 20, 2011

Roy Elbert "Tom" Tomlinson

We send our sympathy to Ouida in her time of sorrow.


Roy Elbert "Tom" Tomlinson

Roy Elbert "Tom" Tomlinson, age 87, of Diamondhead, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at his home.

Tom was born in Newark, Arkansas but grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed in Italy during World War II. During this period of service, he was a B-24 pilot, 757th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group. He also flew in Korea.

He retired from Houston Engineers in 1991.

Tom was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church and the Secular Franciscan Order with Our Lady of the Pearl fraternity.

He was an avid bridge player and sports fan. He and his wife, Ouida, shared a great love for dogs, especially Maltese. They were foster parents for rescued dogs.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Edna Tomlinson; his daughter-in-law, Laura R. Tomlinson; and his beloved Maltese, Poppy.
Survivors include his wife Ouida L. Tomlinson; children, Stuart R. Tomlinson, Laura Tomlinson, Jeff Tomlinson and Susan Tomlinson; grandchildren, Owen R. Tomlinson and Brooke L. Tomlinson; and numerous other loved ones, friends and pets.

Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church (new church building). Burial with military honors will follow at the National Cemetery in Biloxi.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Annunciation Church Building Fund or to Northcentral Maltese Rescue (malteserescue.homestead.com) Arrangements by Riemann Family Funeral Home and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Call to Prayer for Victims of Flooding and Tornadoes

It is requested that we join together to pray for the victims of the flooding which is happening along the Mississippi and other rivers, as the waters move along destructive paths, taking lives, homes, property, businesses, towns, crops, wildlife and cause so much suffering and loss. Prayers are also requested for victims of recent tornadoes which swept across many states, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, where the same suffering and losses occurred. Let us join together to ask for God’s mercy and protection, for his comfort and assistance for all victims of these disasters. God of love and mercy – God of wind and water – hear the cry of the poor.

Love & Prayers,
Ouida Tomlinson, SFO

Sunday, May 15, 2011

"Marge" (Barham) Sims and Capt. Thomas "Tom" M. Sims

Memorial services for Mayotha M. "Marge" (Barham) Sims were held April 23 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Annandale, Va., followed by a Celebration of Life reception. Burial was held on April 25 at the U.S. Naval Academy columbarium in Annapolis, Md.

Marge died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of Meridian High School, Meridian Community College and Mississippi Southern University.

Her husband, Capt. Thomas Malone Sims Jr., died March 14, 2011, at home in Annandale.

Tom and Marge lived in the Washington D.C. area for the last 28 years. The couple were volunteers for the National Military Family Association during much of that time. Tom was awarded the Presidential Medals of Service by George W. Bush and later by Barack Obama for his guidance and support of the association.

The couple’s volunteerism in the greater National Capital region extended over decades, guiding high school youth through their transition into adulthood at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Youth Fellowship in Annandale. Marge made detailed, artistic items for the church and served as a trustee. Tom served as church treasurer. Together, they delivered Meals on Wheels throughout Northern Virginia. At their favorite Meals on Wheels stop, instead of a "thank you" they received a “yeah, such as it is,” providing a story they relished greatly.

A 30-year U.S. Navy career kept the couple traveling from their original homes in Memphis, Tenn., for Tom and Meridian for Marge. They enjoyed tours of duty in Sasebo, Japan, where Tom earned a commendation for providing humanitarian aide to refugees of Vietnam on the USS Hector and in Atsugi, Japan where Tom earned the rank of Captain, Legion of Merit for his diplomatic work, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Displaying amazing simultaneous events throughout their lives, while Tom was a member of the 9th Company Class of 1957 at Annapolis, he introduced Elvis to audiences of the Naval Academy’s WRNV radio station which was more accustomed to classical music. Marge was selected by the legendary Elvis to be the lone gal in a Meridian audience to be kissed by the burgeoning star in a pink silk suit. This concurrency continued even to their recent illnesses and their passing just 29 days apart.

During his 30 years of military service in the Navy’s Supply Corps, Tom survived direct fire while participating in the invasion of Lebanon, provided tactical support to the recovery ships used in the first NASA launches, and coordinated the building, opening and all supply logistics for a “Senator Stennis” project, the Naval Air Station in Meridian. It was during this tour of duty where Tom’s Austin Healey 3000 slowed long enough to "pick up" the former Mayotha Marjorie Barham.

The newly married couple was sent directly to Guantanamo Bay Cuba the week after U.S. President John F. Kennedy promised Fidel Castro U.S. military intervention. Despite those dicey assignments, the couple enjoyed 48 years together and has one daughter who survives them, Kathleen Diane Sims.

Memorials may be made to the National Military Family Assn. , 2500 North Van Dorn St., Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302-1601 or a preferred charity or church program.

Source: The Meridian Star Sun May 15, 2011, 06:30 AM CDT

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

American Success Story - Part 1

American Success Story - Part 2

Friday, May 6, 2011

Ultimate Dog Tease