Witherspoon's 100th Anniversary Open House in 1988

Peggy Edwards asked me to post this.  She and her sister Shirley went to Witherspoon's 1988 100th Anniversary Open House.  L to R:  Neva Griffin, who I think was a teacher, then Principal, Shirley Edwards Palmes, and Austin Johnston, who taught 5th Grade (I remember her teaching Geography), and Peggy.

Thanks for sending this, Peggy!

Coach Allgood and Wife, Irene

Jim Farmer asked me to let everyone know that Coach Billy Allgood and his wife, Irene, will attend the Oliver Buntin Night of Remembrance.  This will make the night so special.  Make your reservation ASAP.  See previous post for more information.

Invitation to "Night to Remember" for Oliver Buntin

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS CORRECTION

jfarmer4462@yahoo.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OUIDA!!!!!

      (Hope you like chocolate)

CLASS REUNION INFORMATION

Date:  Friday, October 18^th and Saturday, October 19^th, 2013
 

Location: The new Holiday Inn on North Frontage Road by the Interstate in Meridian, Ms

Cost:  $65 per person

A block of 75 rooms @ $89 per night has been reserved at Holiday Inn, 100 North Frontage Rd. Their phone number is 601-693-0160.  Also a block of 25 rooms @ $75 per night has been reserved at Comfort Inn, 701 Bonita Lakes Dr.  Their phone number is 601-693-1200.   The deadline for making reservations at these rates is September 18th, 2013, which is 4 weeks before the reunion. Be sure to tell them you're attending the Meridian High School Class of '58 Reunion to be held October 18th & 19th, 2013 to get these rates.

SEND REGISTRATION FORM AND $65 TO BETH
CONTACT BETH FOR MORE INFORMATION

MHS CLASS OF 1958 REUNION

OCTOBER 18-19, 2013

 

REGISTRATION 

Name  

Address

 
City/State/Zip Code
 
Email Address

Phone No(s)

(Circle or check above information you want printed out on list for classmates)

I will be attending the reunion in October                                      Yes                  No

I will bring a guest with me                                                              Yes                  No

            Name of guest___________________________________

Enclosed is $65 per person                               Total amount enclosed:  $____________

(Check or money order made out to MHS Class of ‘58 Reunion)

Mail to:  MHS Class of ‘58 Reunion

                c/o Beth Clark

                3205 Grandview Ave

                Meridian MS  39305

Merre’dithe Williamson Welch

Merre’dithe Williamson Welch passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in Gulfport, MS at the age of 72. She was born to Donald and Beatrice Williamson December 13, 1940 in Meridian, MS.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Jessie Floyd Welch and one son, Bobby Joe Koonce, Jr.

Merre’dithe is survived by her loving children: Teresa Magee, Donald Koonce, and Shannon Favre; five grandchildren: Jason Armstrong, Jaimie Armstrong, Spencer Armstrong, Brittney Koonce, and Lacey Lawson; three great grandchildren: Isaac Reese, Chloe Koonce, and Hannah Lawson; and her two loving dogs: Jo Jo and Shiloh.

She was a member of the Elks Lodge of Gulfport # 978, and served as past Loyal Knight. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 119 in Gulfport and a member of the 8/40 Salon 218 of Gulfport where she served as past Chaplain and Department President. She was a member of the Woolmarket Baptist Church.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1907 Dunbarton Dr., Suite C, Jackson, MS 39216.

----------------------------------------------------

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 Merre'dithe, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Flynt Lamar Smith, Brother of Minor Smith

Lamar Smith passed away on July 5, 2013, and services were held on July 9th at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with burial in Meridian Memorial Park. Lamar was 85 years old.

Lamar was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the 186th ARW Mississippi Air National Guard. He was also a retired city and rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He was a Merit Life Deacon at Highland Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for over 60 years.

Survivors include his daughters, Sandra Kay Eubanks and husband, Jim, of Collinsville, MS; Deborah Ann Braswell and husband, Graham, of Jackson, AL; his son, Gary Lamar Smith of Ridgeland, MS; grandchildren, Aaron Shaun Eubanks and wife, Kim; Shannon Leigh Bedsole and husband, Shane; Ashley Randolph and husband, Jason; Wesley Braswell and wife, Nicole; Braeden Smith, and Carruth Smith; great grandchildren, Erin, Ethan, Sydney, Caleb, Kaylee, Delaney, Jacob, and Olivia; brother, James Minor Smith; sister-in-law, Ruth Easter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Frances Tims Smith; parents, Flynt and Ethel Smith; brother, Lester Smith, and sister, Claire Powers.

Memorials may be made to the Highland Baptist Church Building Fund, Music Ministry, or Child Development Center.

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 Lamar, 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.

Edna Ruth Fisher Blythe, Mother of Patsy Fisher McDonald

Many of us have fond memories of Patsy's mom from high school when we were in her home.  I still see her as a vivacious and fun person, with eyes that twinkled and a caring heart.  With great sorrow, I am writing to let you know that she died at Popular Springs Nursing Center on Saturday, July 6th.  She is survived by one daughter Patsy Fisher McDonald (Louis), and one son Sonny Fisher (Harriett), grandchildren, great children and great-great grandchildren. Services were held on Tuesday, July 9th, at Pine Crest Funeral Home, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile AL, with burial in Pine Crest Cemetery.

Please pray for Patsy and all the family during this time of sadness.
 

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 Edna Ruth, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Hemingway's Connection with Piggott, Arkansas

Harry's hometown Piggott, Arkansas, is where Hemingway's in-laws, the Pfeiffers, lived. He wrote "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in the carriage house. Paula, a Vogue editor, was instrumental in getting his work published, and probably responsible for his fame. After their divorce, his career dwindled. Harry's father Marcus was a favorite hunting buddy of Hemingway, and he was invited to go on a 1932 African Safari with him, but Nellie, Marcus' wife, told him, "If you go, don't bother to come back." It seems that Hemingway was a big drinker and risk taker.

I Wish I Was In Dixie

This is what America is all about - people helping people.

55th Class Reunion

He was a widower and she a widow. They had known each other for a number of years being high school classmates and having attended class reunions over the last 50+ years without fail.

This anniversary of their class the widower and the widow made a foursome with two other singles.

They had a wonderful evening, their spirits high, the widower throwing admiring glances across the table. The widow smiling coyly back at him.

Finally, he picked up courage to ask her, "Will you marry me?"

After about six seconds of careful consideration, she answered, "Yes, yes I will!"

The evening ended on a happy note for the widower. But the next morning he was troubled. Did she say "Yes" or did she say "No?" He couldn't remember. Try as he would, he just could not recall. He went over the conversation of the previous evening, but his mind was blank. He remembered asking the question, but for the life of him could not recall her response. With fear and trepidation he picked up the phone and called her.

First, he explained that he couldn't remember as well as he used to. Then he reviewed the past evening. As he gained a little more courage, he then inquired of her. "When I asked if you would marry me, did you say 'Yes' or did you say 'No?'"

"Why you silly man, I said, 'Yes. Yes I will.' And I meant it with all my heart."

The widower was delighted. He felt his heart skip a beat.

Then she continued. "And I am so glad you called because I couldn't remember who asked me!"

The Price the Founders Paid

On July 4, 1776, fifty-six delegates to the Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to approve the wording of the Declaration of Independence, which boldly stated,
　　
"…these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown…"
　　
The fifty-six men who signed the Declaration knew that they would be considered traitors to the crown and would likely become targets of the British army. They also knew they could become targets of their own neighbors, as not everyone in the colonies agreed there should be separation from the Empire.　　
Here are a few details, based on historical evidence, about some of those brave men…

• Richard Stockton is believed to have been the only signer imprisoned by the British specifically for signing the Declaration of Independence.　
• Four others were captured during the Revolutionary War while engaged in warfare against the crown and were held as prisoners.
• Seventeen held commissions in the army or did medical duty during the war. Many saw their properties and livelihoods destroyed while serving.
• Two would become President of the United States: 　John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

These were committed patriots who firmly believed that their cause was just and right. They unequivocally said as much in the Declaration’s opening statements…

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

SOURCE

　
Classmates, today we celebrate our nation’s birthday. I hope you will remember the bravery and sacrifices of the Founders. We should also pay tribute to all Americans who have paid, or are paying, a price for our freedom.

"Small Steps" Chosen for NYC Exhibition Catalog "Stories We Tell"

"Small Steps," a triptych, was chosen for the exhibition catalog of "Stories We Tell," part of the Feminist Art Project. The juror for the NYC show at Phoenix Gallery is Jessica Porter, owner of Porter Contemporary, an art gallery in Chelsea. 

The Women's Caucus for Art announces a national show, Stories We Tell, portraying the rich tradition of visual storytelling through women's voices. What What stories do we tell ourselves, make up about ourselves, tell others, or share with our families, friends and the larger world? What needs to be heard? Whether activist or abstract, we are seeking artwork that addresses your aesthetic, political, or philosophical perspectives. Storytelling is central to human existence, common to every known culture and women are usually the record-keepers and the storytellers of the family. We use spoken and visual narratives to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others. Your story may be activist/political, a contemporary interpretation of an ancient myth, or based on personal or family stories.

A remembrance of Meridian great Oliver ‘Bill’ Buntin

MERIDIAN — It’s hard to explain 69-year-old Meridian native Jim Farmer’s excitement upon hearing a new story about his cousin, Oliver Buntin. Each legend is like a gift that brings back a memory of someone so stoic and untouchable; Farmer himself feels larger than life while listening.

More than 40 years after his cousin’s death, Farmer still makes his way out to North Meridian to visit his cousin, Barbara Bosarge, Oliver’s older sister. Thumbing through old photographs, like a child stirring through a candy jar, he pauses to ask Barbara about a particular picture. "This one, when was it taken? You mind if I take this one, too?"

Barbara nods, it’s the 13th photo Farmer has requested. This one is of a young Oliver – leaning back with his hands in his pockets.

"I like this one because you can see his biceps," Farmer said. "Man, you can tell he was a real tough guy."

To Farmer, Buntin is more than just a local legend –– he’s the epitome of manliness, the perfect combination of brute strength, confidence and compassion.

"You see these great people, the Herschel Walkers, Jackie Robinsons, Mickey Mantles – they all had that special something about them," Farmer explains. "Oliver had that, too. He was just one of those special people that come around once in a generation.

"I’ve always said his life would make a great movie; there are just so many parts to it. If not a movie, it would at least make a good book. People like him deserve to have their name and legacy shared forever. It’d make one heck of a book, and I’d like to be the one to write it."

Farmer has already begun to compile stories into a 51-page laminated spiral-bound notebook, fittingly colored royal blue and white to celebrate the former Meridian High School great.

The stories are typically short and are told in first person. Most are second-hand accounts Farmer received through people who knew Oliver best. Actually, Farmer had only a few encounters with the idol he holds so dear. Aside from the occasional Sunday afternoon spent at his cousin’s house, Farmer and Oliver hardly ever spoke. However, it was one of those magical encounters that has stayed with Farmer his whole life and now serves as the cornerstone of his interest in his cousin.

By far his favorite story of Oliver, Farmer still remembers the way his uncle Ol’s dairy farm looked one summer afternoon as he stood out in the pasture –along with his father, older brother and cousins, Bob and Oliver.

"There was a wild horse out on the horizon," Farmer starts, almost like he can see the action playing out again. "It didn’t have a bridle, halter… nothing. Bob, Oliver’s father, turns to Oliver and says ‘son catch that horse.’"

Farmer explains Oliver’s strained relationship with his father, whose demands were often daunting and punishments almost always severe.

"Oliver went up to the horse and threw his arm around the horse's neck, but it shook him off," Farmer continues. "Bob then looked over at Oliver and said, ‘Son, I said catch that damn horse.’

"With no rope, no bridle, nothing but his bare hands, he wrapped his arm around the horse's neck with one arm and grabbed it by its nostrils with his other. The next thing I knew, the horse was subdued. Oliver had put the horse on the ground."

The Legend

To this day, many Meridian natives still refer to Oliver Buntin as the best athlete Meridian High School has ever produced. A larger-than-average child, Buntin excelled in football, baseball, basketball and track while in high school. Those who knew him say if he would have played golf, tennis or any other sport he’d be the best at those as well. When asked later in life what spurred his athletic success, Buntin simply replied, "Shoot, you know I’m a terrible loser."

"He was almost like a celebrity," Bosarge said of her younger brother. "Even people who didn’t know him treated him like he was famous.

"All the girls loved him; he was quite popular with the ladies," she added.

Those who knew him say Buntin was practically unstoppable in his bright-white Corvette, racing through the streets of Meridian fast while going through women even faster.

Though he only lived to be 30 years old, Buntin married three times. However, it was just too hard to hold him down.

"I first met Oliver either in the summer of 1961, ’62 or ’63 and began running around with him," Meridian native Son Bryant told Farmer in the book he's writing. "… He was extremely bold. We would stop at red lights next to some girl on a date, and he would try and talk her into coming into the car with us, completely ignoring her date."

The Corvette was one of two purchases Buntin made after signing a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs for $15,000 directly out of high school. The other purchase was a 14-foot boat equipped with a 50-horsepower motor.

Living life with a reckless abandonment was Buntin’s passion, and nothing brought him closer to that than his times on the water.

Upon first buying the boat, Buntin took a couple of friends down to the lake to show it off. The daredevil then proceeded to floor the engine and head straight towards telephone poles which were poking up from under the water, turning just in time to avoid collision. According to friend Billy Dorman, Buntin was able to pull the maneuver twice before smacking into a pole on his third attempt. With water quickly filling the boat, the fast-thinking Buntin ran the boat hard, forcing the water out the back until he could return the crew back to the banks safely.

Buntin would continue racing boats in tournaments across the nation. When the Cubs ordered him to stop racing as not to jeopardize his playing career, Buntin refused, opting to leave the team to continue racing.

Most of Buntin’s adventures came aboard a hydroplane boat named Miss Peg. Once aboard the Peg, Buntin let loose, often releasing a fearless approach – which earned him the nickname "Wild Bill" by those in the racing community.

During roll call before tournaments, the confident Buntin was known for calling out "Buntin's here and the Peg is honking."

"He was cocky in a good way," race enthusiast Joey Nolan said. "He was very confident in his ability and what he could do."

At no time was that confidence better demonstrated than during the Southland Regatta in St. Petersburg Fla., in February 1968.

Before the race, Buntin stood up in front of his competition, boasting if the other racers raced their hardest and their boats ran at their best, they could compete for second place. Sure enough, Buntin followed up on his proclamation, blowing past the field while setting a world record in the process. Buntin finished the three lap, 5-mile race with an average speed of 92.3 miles per hour, shattering the previous world record held by Skeeter Johnson aboard The WaWa 2 at 89.02 mph in 1966.

Later that night, in typical show-stopping fashion, Buntin drove his motorcycle into the lobby of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club during award ceremonies to claim his prize.

Five months later, Buntin took home the national championship in Tonawanda, N.Y.

The Man

Buntin’s flare for the dramatic triggered resentment by some. However, the people who knew him best remember him as a caring individual who helped those who needed it most.

In 1969, as Hurricane Camille tore up the Gulf Coast, Buntin loaded up his boat for a different cause. Buying as much baby formula and food as he could fit in the boat, he made his way down to Bay St. Louis determined to make a difference.

Upon arriving, he realized debris from the storm had blocked any entrance his boat had to reach the stranded survivors. However, not even that could stop him.

"He couldn’t get in too close to the stranded people, so he just waded in the water to get to them," said Bosarge, who accompanied Buntin on the trip. "Afterwards you should have seen him. He was bruised up and down from everything that crashed into him in the water."

Helping others was nothing new for Buntin. In the last few years of his life, he ran a construction business near New Orleans. A man of equal opportunity, Buntin gathered a group of outcast workers and gave them a fresh start with the job – making sure to teach them life lessons along the way.

"Oliver would hire men with troubled pasts," Bosarge said. "He could play poker like nobody else. On Friday nights, he would win all their money and give it back to them on Monday after the weekend to keep them out of trouble."

A former U.S. Marine, Buntin shared a strong loyalty with the people he held close. Long time friend Ben Matthews said despite his rugged appearance, Buntin had a heart of gold.

"He was larger than life, the size of a lumberjack and nerves of steel," Matthews said. "He was a friend all would like to have. With Bill, there was always a surprise."

The end years

Thirty years of struggle and a high-flying lifestyle seemed to harden Buntin. Despite all his successes, Bosarge said it always appeared her brother was searching in vain for happiness.

"It was like he was always looking for something," she said. "I think he thought all of the winning, the publicity, the center stage might fill that void, but it just didn’t."

It was Bosarge perhaps who knew her brother better than anyone else. However, years of being pitted against each other by their father while children left a lasting stain on their relationship.

Bosarge would often bake her brother pies for their meetings together, hoping only for a thank you that never seemed to come.

"It would drive me crazy," she said with a chuckle. "He would never say thank you for anything. All I wanted him to say was 'thank you,' and no matter what, he just wouldn’t say it."

They continued to remain close, however, as Bosarge would help Buntin take care of his three children, baby sitting his newborn boy, Sean, from time to time.

On Jan. 17 1970, Buntin made his way over to his sister’s house as she promised to take care of Sean while he took his stepson Michael out to see a movie. Buntin dropped off Sean and hurried back to his car just like he had done so many times before –– only, this time was different.

After getting back to the car, Buntin turned back around and headed towards the house. Surprised to hear a knock, Bosarge opened the door and questioned if her brother had left something behind. Buntin looked directly into her eyes, smiled and said "thank you," pausing for just a moment before turning back.

"That was a gift to me," Barbara said. "I was not expecting it at all."

Those two words would be the last he would share with his sister. Buntin died the next day of a conduction defect in his heart, slipping out of the world he lived in just as fast as he lived it.

Buntin is now buried in Gumlog Cemetery in Bailey, next to his mother and father. Above the name William Oliver Buntin on his tombstone reads simply "Bill", a reminder of his racing days and of the man some say few could catch and none could match.

"When I look back at his life, it’s just amazing all he accomplished in that short of time," Farmer said. "He did more in those 30 years than most people could ever do in a whole lifetime."

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

 Special to The Star William Oliver Buntin, foreground, in Miss Peg

passes Frank Kossow in the Miss Ottawa

en route to the 1968 national championship in Tonawanda, N.Y.

 

_______________

June 23, 2013
Tony Tsoukalas
The Meridian Star

Arnold Ozell Reeder, Brother of Maxine Reeder Strickland

Arnold Ozell Reeder, age 78, of LaGrange, Texas passed away while on vacation in Tijuana, Mexico on Thursday April 18, 2013.

Ozell was born on Sunday, April 14, 1935 in Meridian, Mississippi to Arnold Lee and Flora Reeder. After achieving his Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering, Ozell worked as an aeronautical engineer for North American Aviation in Downey, California for about 20 years. He was a country boy to the bone and enjoyed spending his time in the woods, hunting for squirrel and rabbit, fishing for bass and catfish, and just enjoying the beauty of nature. Ozell traveled the world learning all he could about different cultures and traditions.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Daniel Lee Reeder and his sister Gayle Hayes. Ozell is survived by his brother, Jerry (Janie) Reeder of Hemet, California; sister, Maxine (Bill) Strickland of LaGrange. Texas; sister, Cathy Philbin of Houston, Texas; and several loving Aunts and Uncles, Nieces and Nephews and very close friends.

Ozell will be laid to rest during a private family gathering at a later date. Ozell touched many lives and will be truly missed by all those who were honored to know him and who loved him.

SOURCE: Miller-Jones Mortuary & Crematory , Hemet, CA 92543

________________________________________

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 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.

Dog Wants Kitty

Positive Side of Life