James Richard Huffmaster, deceased

James Richard Huffmaster

November 16, 1940 ~ July 27, 2020

Obituary

James "Richard" Huffmaster, Sr., age 79, of Meridian passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2020 at his home. He was born November 16, 1940 in Meridian to Charles and Beatrice Huffmaster. He was a 1958 graduate of Meridian High School and was a long-time employee of both Fred's, Inc. and Wal-Mart where he worked in management. Richard was an avid Ole Miss fan and never passed up an opportunity to shout "Hotty Toddy". To know him was to love him and he loved life and sought to bring joy to everyone he encountered. His love for God, family, friends and community will be remembered for years to come.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lois; his children Rick (B.K.), Sandra Marie Irby (Jerry), Johnny (Lesa), Ronnie (Sharon), Shelly Messer (Kirk), Melissa Denison (Charlie), and Jenny Gressett (Jerry); his grandchildren Ashley Huffmaster, Jana Flores, Lance Irby, Caleb Irby, Kala Messer, Selena Boykin, Georgia Robinson, Sarah Huffmaster, John Huffmaster, Xan Tucker, Hunter Gressett, Lili Gressett, Melissa Bates, and Marissa Price; numerous great-grandchildren; and his sister Delores Huffmaster Lawrence. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles Oliver and Beatrice Murff Huffmaster; his siblings Charles Oliver Huffmaster, Jr., Charles Everett Huffmaster, and Catherine Huffmaster Pierce; and his great-granddaughter Presleigh Marie Boykin.

Pallbearers include Lance Irby, Caleb Irby, Selena & Wesley Boykin, John Huffmaster, Sarah Huffmaster, Georgia & Ricky Robinson, and Xan Tucker.

A brief visitation will be held from 9am to 10am, Thursday, July 30th at Stephens Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at 10:30am at Long Creek Baptist Church Cemetery officiated by Bro. Dale Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hope Village for Children online at hopevillagems.org/donate or by mail at 2433 23rd Ave., Meridian, MS 39301.

Friends may sign the online register at www.stephensfunerals.com.

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 Richard, 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.

Dr. Walter Robert "Bob" Brown, deceased

Memphis - Walter Robert "Bob" Brown passed away in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday, June 22, 2020. Bob was born on May 22, 1940 in Meridian, Mississippi where he was raised to be a perfect gentleman - ever kind, considerate and thoughtful in all his encounters with others without a trace of hauteur. He earned his bachelor's degree at Millsaps College in 1962 and went on to Emory University to pursue graduate studies in early modern European history. He received a master's degree in 1963. He subsequently completed Emory's doctoral program and was awarded a Ph.D. in 1973.

In 1965, employment as an instructor of history at the University of Memphis brought Bob ((or "Dr. Brown" as he was known to his students) to Memphis where he blossomed as a teacher who made a lasting impression on his students. Inspired by his example, many went on to pursue teaching careers. He was very generous with his time, devoting considerable personal attention to each interested student and each piece of his students' written work. His dedication and excellence as a teacher did not go unnoticed. He won numerous teaching and advising awards, including the prestigious W. Russell Smith Award for Teaching Excellence - the highest honor for teaching distinction in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis. What Dr. Brown's students appear to have valued most were the questions he coaxed them to ask about the forces that bring about political, social and cultural change and how they are interconnected, if at all.

Dr. Brown's contributions to the history department at the University of Memphis include his service as Assistant Chair and Scheduler from 1987 to 2011 and his unofficial role as wise counselor to his colleagues. Valuing his wisdom, reasonableness, common sense and sense of humor, they often turned to him for advice on an array of departmental matters. Upon his retirement from the University in 2015 after 50 years of service, Aram Goudsouzian, then Chair of the History Department, observed:

"He is a brilliant teacher. Most of us have never met anyone as widely read, as intellectually curious, as appreciative of humanity in all its beauty and tragedy. Just as important, he is a man of exceptional grace, a true gentleman who cares for all those around him. For most of his long career, he advised our undergraduate students. He did not just help them choose courses - he was a true mentor, forging personal bonds with the young and old, man and woman, gay and straight, black and white."

Valuing "humanity in all its beauty and tragedy," Bob embraced Memphis theater, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Concerts International, and the Brooks Museum of Art, contributing substantially to each. For over two decades, he served as Adjunct Curator of Decorative Arts at Brooks Museum where he curated numerous exhibitions, advised on countless acquisitions for the permanent collection, and generated outstanding programming that sparked interest in and appreciation of the decorative arts and material culture within in the Memphis community. For Brooks' staff, Board and members of the Decorative Arts Trust, it was Bob's "deep intelligence" and "quiet humor" that set him apart.

Bob is survived by his lifelong partner, Richard Tanner, and countless friends and admirers who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

A Memorial Service celebrating Bob's life will be held on a yet to be determined date. Details regarding time and place will be furnished in a subsequent notice. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Brooks Museum's Decorative Arts Trust, the Department of History at the University or to any charitable organization of the donor's choice.

 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 Bob Brown, 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.

Happy Birthday in July

JULY BIRTHDAYS

Tyner, Larry July 27th

James, David July 24th

Bruister, Gloria Brown July 21th

Johnson, Frances Ousley July 20th

Martin, Leila Keeton July 17th

Brand, Pat Stewart July 13th

Satterfield, Jimmy July 9th

Dollnig, Pat "Trish" Rawson July 8th

Dalton, Carey Ann Sanford (dec'd) July 5th

Quinn, Buddy July 1st