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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Friday, December 25, 2015

And dwelt among us


When at night the Christmas trees are lighted
and presents are exchanged,
the unfulfilled longing strives further outward,
toward a different shining - until
the miracle of the Holy Night renews itself:
 "And the word was made flesh..."


(from The Mystery of Christmas by Edith Stein
aka St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
 (painting The Nativity, Gari Melchers, 
garimelchers.umw.edu)

Glad Tidings of Great Joy


May the blessings of Christmas be yours.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukah!

May your days be merry and bright,
filled with God's blessings on you and your family.
A Menorah in front of Christmas tree
at Brandenberg Gate, Berlin, Germany.

 Two Symbols Forming One Image

My prayer is that as these December days come again, year after year,
may our class continue to be one in our affection & care for one another.

Peace and All Good, Ouida

Planning the Next Reunion

Beth, James, Jinny and Will planning the 2016 MHS CLASS REUNION
12-2015 in Meridian

Sunday, December 6, 2015

SOUNDS JEWISH: HANUKKAH OLD AND NEW



With Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication, upon us, this week's “Sounds Jewish” spins classic and brand-new holiday recordings. Hear the latest from Adam Sandler, plus music by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Debbie Friedman, Cantor Pierre Pinchik, the Frank London Big Band, Flory Jagoda, Moishe Oysher, Peter Himmelman and David Broza, Malvina Reynolds, Barenaked Ladies, Michelle Citrin and the LeeVees.

Click the link below - Mississippi Public Radio broadcast.

http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/sounds-jewish/sounds-jewish-hanukkah-old-and-new/

Friday, June 19, 2015

Barbara C. Dennis 'Carole' (Carole Winslett)

Memorial services for Barbara Carole Dennis will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church with Dr. Cameron Douglas officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Mrs. Dennis, age 75, of Meridian, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Rush Specialty Hospital.

She was a member of First Christian Church and was retired from GMAC in Meridian.

Survivors include her husband of fifty-five years, James H. Dennis; son, Steve Dennis and wife, Dee; and three grandchildren, Hannah, David, and Holly.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Rawls and father, Clarke Winslett.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to First Christian Church 1301 23rd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

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O God our Father, Creator of all the living,
we entrust to Your gentle care
all those we love who have gone before us;
and have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again. . . .

Eternal rest, grant unto Carole Winslett Dennis,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Ginger Willis, Sister of Briggs Smith

Funeral services for Ginger Willis will be held Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Meridian, Mississippi. Doctor Rhett Payne will officiate. Burial will be at Magnolia Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Flora Virginia (Ginger) Smith Willis of Meridian, Mississippi passed away on June 1, 2015. She was born to the late Daniel Briggs Smith, Sr. and Florence Imojean Murphy Smith.

Ginger was a graduate of Meridian High School before following her father’s footsteps to become a pharmacist. Ginger was one of the early pioneering women who attended the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy to receive a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. While there, she was also a member of the Ole Miss Chorus.

Ginger returned home to Meridian to be one of the first female registered pharmacists and worked as a pharmacist and owner of her father’s store, Point Drug and Gifts. As a pharmacist, she was the first woman in Mississippi to receive the Bowl of Hygeia Award, presented by the American Pharmaceutical Association to recognize outstanding community service in the pharmaceutical field. This honor was featured in Time magazine. Ginger was a member of the Mississippi Pharmacy Association her entire professional career.

Ginger was an active member of our community serving as president of the Pilot Club, an association of professional women, and on the Meridian Little Theatre Board of Directors. As a member of the theatre, she served as President of the Meridian Little Theatre Guild and was recognized as an active member for more than 25 years. Ginger possessed a special love for children and served as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Her devotion to both young children and her faith, flourished within First Presbyterian Church of Meridian, where she was a life-long, active member and taught the 4 and 5 year old Sunday school class for 37 years.

Family was the center of Ginger’s life and she believed that heritage was an important component of family. Study of her heritage led Ginger to become a Magna Charta Dames, and she followed her mother as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She would witness history as a young girl, traveling to Great Britain to witness the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ginger enjoyed dancing, cooking, and traveling with friends and family. She was a member of Northwood Country Club, the Utopian Club and Reveler’s Dance Club.

Ginger was a caregiver by nature and lived that calling through her profession, where she filled that role daily for her patients, through her community leadership, and through her family, for which she was always a stabilizing presence. She was at her best when she was caring for others and it is Ginger’s nurturing spirit that will be most missed.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents Daniel Briggs Smith and Imojean Murphy Smith and her beloved grandmother and namesake, Flora Virginia Randolph Murphy.

Ginger is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-two years, James Kenneth Willis, Sr., her daughter Jeanna Willis White and her husband David Wilson White, Jr. (Bo), her son James Kenneth Willis, Jr. (Jay), her granddaughters, Virginia Sherrod White, Mary Grace Willis, and Sarah Madison Willis, her two brothers Daniel Briggs Smith, Jr. and his wife, Dot Fancher Smith , and John Robert Smith and her cousins Cathy McCullers Scarbrough, Cliff Smith and Candace Smith Beutell, nieces and nephews Randolph, Kennedy, Dan, Carter, Fancher, Ethan, Hayden, Hunter, Emma, , Sadie, Sophia, Havens, Caroline, Tate, and Harrison.

Pallbearers will be Randolph Smith, Dan Smith, Carter Smith, Fancher Smith, Pearce Dickson, William Hughes, Tyler Akers and Tim Grice. Honorary pallbearers will Jim Bass, Sam Forbert and Jim Luke.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will take place from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on June 3, 2015 at the Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.

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O God our Father, Creator of all the living,
we entrust to Your gentle care
all those we love who have gone before us;
and have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again. . . .

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Louis Ray “Lou Lou” Thompson, Jr.

Memorial services for Lou Lou Thompson will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 12:00 pm, at Church of the Way, with Reverend Jack Giles officiating and Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Thompson, 75, of Meridian, passed away April 26, at Regency Hospital.

Mr. Thompson spent more than 45 years coaching various sports in the community. He touched the lives of many young men, and even coached the children of former players. He deeply loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was also a very active member of Church of the Way.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Thompson; children, Barry (Laura) Thompson, Cindy (Johnny) Perez, and Bobby (Sharon) Thompson; step-children, Tony (Joyce) Sylvester and Diana Keith; brothers, Billy Thompson and Lloyd Thompson. He’s also survived by fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Ray and Willie Mae Thompson.  Honorary pallbearers will be Calvary Christian School coaches, football, and baseball players.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be from 10 am until 12 pm prior to service.

* * *

O God our Father, Creator of all the living,
we entrust to Your gentle care
all those we love who have gone before us;
and have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again. . . .

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


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Dotty Pigott Garrett

Dotty Pigott Garrett
Dotty has been married to Houston Garrett for 57 years.

Justin Michael Bynum
Great Grandson

Branson and Garrett Reynolds
Great Grandsons 

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Forever or Always?


Ouida Landreth Tomlinson and Ben Pettis


Ben Pettis is named after my Oxford childhood friend Ben Pettis
who lived next door to my family on University Avenue.
I told Ben that I was naming my dog after him
and that he is the sweetest dog ever with sugar dripping from every hair on his body.
Ben said that he had never had a dog named after him
but if that made me happy, then it was ok with him.

Michael Davis


Michael's Yorkie - adorable!!

Ivan and Joanne Burnett & Family in Ireland


Frank & Leila Keeton Martin


Mildred Majors Jones




Patsy Craven Carlisle

Patsy Craven Carlisle with her husband
at wedding of grandson Talbert Goldman and wife Jessica

James A. (Nic) Nickols and wife Pat


Madeline Ray Croxdale and her son


Cal and Frances Ousley Johnson


Ron and Mary Jane Kelly Heisterkamp



Jimmy & Natasha Satterfield


Joe & Rose Cornett Morgan


Nancy Young Morgan


Jerry and Nancy Young Morgan and Grandchildren

Jerry and Joyce Bailey Rider




Denny Powers and his best friend Connie Powers







Pansy McCarra Mosby



Pansy and grandchild in Paris, 2014



Pansy with grandchildren at zoo in New Orleans

Coach Billy Lamb


Coach Billy Lamb
Sports Hall of Fame

Ella Kappes Edwards with Oldest Granddaughter Caroline 12-14


Ella Kappes Edwards and Grandson Daniel (2-15)


Saturday, April 18, 2015

Lydia Jane Brand and her Great Grandmother Pat Stewart Brand


Martha Markline Hopkins


Harry & Martha Markline Hopkins


Jere & Faye Skelton


John and Diane Chancellor


Howard DuBose



James Minor Smith

Family picture made in the Philippines in 1969

Lyle Morehouse

Great Auntie Lyle playing
 with Sadie in baby gym.

Anne Stallworth McKeown


Gloria Brown Bruister


The Dude and His Lady

Larry & Charlotte Tyner

Friday, April 17, 2015

Ray & Linda Russell


Lyle Morehouse


Great Aunt Lyle with Sadie Lyle
(My favorite picture of Lyle.)

Pat Stewart Brand & New Granddaughter


Peggy Edwards


Peggy on her birthday in 2014

Tee Mann Long & Grandson Simon

In the French Quarter, New Orleans