FLORA ALICE "MAXINE' REEDER STRICKLAND OBITUARY

Our sweet Flora Alice “Maxine” Reeder Strickland, lovingly known as Nany, passed peacefully on January 29, 2026, at the age of 85. She was born October 25, 1940, in Meridian, Mississippi. After attending Meridian High School in Meridian, she went on to enjoy raising her children as one of her favorite things.

In 1980, Maxine and her husband Bill, began what is now a third-generation legacy. Maxine played an integral part in bringing Sunbelt Fasteners, now known as Sunbelt Supply LLC. to the forefront of the supply industry that has served them well over the years.

Nany and her husband, Bill Strickland, moved to LaGrange in 1999. They enjoyed fishing in their lakes. She loved all animals and rescued anything from donkeys to raccoons, dogs to a family of squirrels who still reside in her backyard trees. Her favorite pet was a rooster who loved her. She would take rides around the property in the Kubota and sitting next to her was that rooster who thought he was her protector.

Maxine was an excellent cook and always had food cooking in case anyone dropped by. Her peach cobbler and her cornbread were the best in the land. She named her property the “Garden of Eatin’’. Nany always had a story to tell. Many of her stories were repeated more than once and were enjoyed each time they were heard.

She was an attentive mother who cherished moments spent playing with her children. Her love for her family shone brightly, and she took great pride in her children and grandchildren, which were among her proudest accomplishments. Maxine is survived by her loving children, Marc (Deb) Strickland of Ledbetter, Debbie (Lester) Harlow of Altair, Scarlet (Julius) Castillo of La Grange, Dennis Faulkner of La Grange, Rita Faulkner of Georgetown, Stephanie Baker of Millbury, Massachusetts, Peter (Linda) Strickland of Franklin, Tennessee, and Shane (Karen) Strickland of Round Rock.

She also leaves behind her sister, Cathy Philbin of Houston, twelve cherished grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who will forever hold her memory in their hearts. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Bill Strickland, her parents, Arnold Lee Reeder and Flora Ethel (Ivey) Reeder, brothers Arnold Ozell Reeder and Jerry Arnold Reeder, and sister Gayle (Reeder) Hayes.

Maxine Strickland's life was a beautiful blend of family, friendship, and culinary artistry, impacting the lives of many with her warmth and creativity. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

A private memorial service for Maxine Strickland will be held at a later date.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter in La Grange, Texas.

Obituary for Tommy Coates

 MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Funeral services for Mr. Graham C. “Tom” Coats, III will begin at 12:30 PM Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home chapel. Interment will follow graveside rites at Graham Cemetery, on Valley Road. The Coats Family will receive guests from 10:30 AM until 12:15 PM prior to funeral rites. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Coats, 85, of Meridian, went to be face to face with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, December 4, 2025, at his daughter’s home.

Tom was involved in many ventures throughout the years, including managing The Threefoot Building, founding the Threefoot Deli, and The Meridian Brakeman Baseball Team, always expressing his entrepreneurial spirit. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University class of 1962 where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He spent many years in the Aerospace Industry working in Thermo-Dynamics, with companies such as Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and eventually retiring with McDonald-Douglas. His family often teased him of being a rocket scientist. After his retirement in Aerospace, he took over management of the family business, Coats & Coats Personnel Consultants. Tom was a Real Estate Broker in Meridian for 20 years at Century 21 Howell Realty. Tom was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, horses, and tinkering on his tractor. He was a music lover and enjoyed pickin’ and grinnin’ with friends. He was Christian by faith and was a member of Berachah Church Houston, TX. Tom never met a stranger and was fiercely competitive; he loved to “Close the deal.”

Tom is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Erma “Genie” Coats; children, Liz Bosarge (Stu), Graham C. Coats, IV (Kelli), Ninette C. Garland, and Lela Linnenkohl (Jerry); Twelve Grandchildren, Twelve Great-Grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

 lizabeth “Beth” Hobgood Clark, age 85, of Meridian, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025.

Born on February 26, 1940, in Meridian, Mississippi, Beth spent her life devoted to her family, her faith, and her community. She worked faithfully as the secretary to the Meridian Chief of Police for 30 years and later served as the secretary for the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department for over a decade. After her retirement from public service, she continued to greet others with her warm smile as a receptionist at Norman Roofing.

Beth was a member of Central United Methodist Church, where she treasured her church family and joyfully served as treasurer of her Sunday school class for many years. Her faith guided her life and shone through in the kindness, humor, and generosity she shared with everyone around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis & Cecilia Hobgood, her sisters Amy Lampton and Felicia Sessums, her husband, Harold Clark, and her daughter, Cheryl Culberson. She is survived by her children Wayne Dowdle (Debbie Batia) and Amy Norman (Chuck); her stepchildren Debbie Barnes (Harry), Steve Clark, and Leslie Clark; her grandchildren Ashley Slaton (Rush), Justin Dowdle (Brenna), Amanda Culberson, Tyler Norman (Julia), and Amber Brune (Jeffrey); several great-grandchildren and many friends and extended family who loved her dearly.

Beth will be remembered for her loving heart, her gentle spirit, and her gift of making everyone feel special. She found joy in crocheting, cooking for her loved ones, and spending time surrounded by her family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home (Downtown) in Meridian, Mississippi. The funeral service and graveside will follow at 12:00 p.m.

Beth’s life was one of faith, laughter, and love—an example of grace and goodness that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Obituary of Harry L., Hopkins, husband of Martha Ann Marklkne Hopkins. They were married for 63 years.

 Harry L Hopkins, a cherished man known for his kind, loving, caring, and cantankerous personality, left us on September 24, 2024. Born on August 11, 1935, Harry lived a life filled with tremendous passion, discipline and service towards others.  As a lawyer, he was the champion of the people, even arguing a case in front of the United States Supreme Court.  As a father and friend, he was a steady hand that steered the ship.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha Markline Hopkins, daughter Dr. Caroline Baker, son Peter Hopkins (Monica), grandsons Caleb Baker (Taylor), James and Taylor Hopkins, and sisters Eleanor Scites, Sue Berry, and Kay Iffrig (Larry), whose lives were greatly enriched by Harry’s presence. His departure leaves an unfillable void in their lives, yet they find comfort in the memories they shared.

Harry was born in a barn in Piggott Arkansas, one of 12 children, and according to him, had his own milk cow. He was a graduate of University of Southern Mississippi and Tulane School of Law, and practiced law for sixty years, mostly in Birmingham, Alabama. He also taught for many years at University of Alabama Law School. If asked, Harry would likely say he was a farmer, but he was so much more. He was a shining example of how to think of others, a value that was central to his character.  Over the years, he taught many how to be a lawyer and person of character. 

In the 1970’s Harry became a labor law partner at Lange, Simpson, Robinson, and Somerville (Birmingham) where he would teach and mentor countless young lawyers in labor and employment law.  Harry was especially proud of helping the Birmingham Board of Education achieve desegregation without violence or excessive rancor.  Concurrently, his deep knowledge and passion for the law led the University of Alabama School of Law to draw on his talents.  

In September 1997 Harry founded the Birmingham office of the internationally recognized labor and employment law boutique firm Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, and Stewart.  Harry was thrown an elaborate retirement party when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70, and he was at the office bright and early the following day continuing to practice the profession he loved.

Harry L Hopkins, a gentleman farmer and lawyer, and beacon of empathy and justice, will forever reside in our hearts and will continue to inspire and guide us. As we grapple with the loss of his physical presence, we find solace in knowing that his spirit lives on in the many people he touched.

Harry appreciated the importance of education, and he founded the Hal R. Hopkins Scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi in honor of his brother who died too soon.  If desired, you may donate by calling 601 266 4217, 

 

Donations for Reunion Planners' Gifts

Our 65th Class Reunion was memorable in a myriad of ways! The group was large, classmates/attendees were in good form (thanks to our Lord), the reunion arrangements were stellar and all were determined to gather again - SOON! The gifts we presented to our loyal committee members reaped an overage of donations, allowing the class to present to Meridian Children’s Museum $150.00! The donation has been sent to the museum with acknowledgment of Meridian High School Class of 1958 - 65th Reunion - May 2023. Please inform our class of the donation via the blog, Facebook and other social means used by the class. Thank you for your efforts. Jinny Curran Walz

MHS 65th Reunion Class of '58 - May 2023 - Meet and Greet - Threefoot Boxcar Lounge

 

Max Dinner - 65th MHS Reunion - May 2023

 

 2008 Reunion

Carlee Hamilton, Peggy Edwards, Martha Ann Markline. Peggy Selklers, David James, Bennett Britt

In Memoriam

                                                                     IN MEMORIAM

                                              MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1958  

                                                                    (As of September 2025)                                                            

Sterling Ainsworth

Charlotte Alexander (Horn Hunt)

Joyce Bailey (Rider)

Bradford Baker

Margorie Barham (Sims)

Phyllis Beckman (Ainsworth)

Jackie Bergermeyer (Brooks)

William (Bill) Anderson Betts

Robert Earl Billingsley

David Bonner

Martha Ann Boswell (Burdick)

Leeann Bounds

Patsy Bradley

Joyce Bragg (Giles)

Shirley Broadhead (Turner Hamilton)

Gloria Brown (Bruister)

Richard Brown

Walter “Bobby” Brown

Georgia Merel Browning T(urnage)

Jimmy Bruner

Jeanette Buckley (Ferguson)

Oliver Buntin

Willie Ray Bungard

James Butts

Minnie Helen Calvert

Ryan Camp

Jean Chandler (White)

Rebecca Chism (Berta)

Lotelle Chisholm

Sylvia Ann Clark (White)

Thomas Graham Coates

Gloria Jean Cunningham

Everrett Clayton

Roy Crampton

Cecil Crawford

Thomas Eugene Crawford

Buddy Croxdale

Lance Culpepper

Gail Cunningham (Lang)

Gloria Jean Cunningham

Patrick “Pat” Curry

Sharon Daggett (Butler)

Arlene Davidson (Merson)

Mary Evelyn Davidson

Arthur Leonard Davis

Billy Wayne Dean

Alice Faye Dewitte (Ulfers)

Patsy Dorman

Nadoe Rene Ellis

Jackle Eddins (Pickard)

W. F. “Bobby” Enslen

Gerard Donald Ethridge

Marjorie Fant (Sims)

Billy Faulkner

Jeanette Ferguson (Noe)

Carolyn Fisher

Bobby Fleming

Homer Fletcher

Lix Fruge

Sephus Garrett

Carolyn Gipson (Falcon)

Jana Kay Glasser (Dalton)

Margie Fay Godwin (Dalton)

Jimmy Gossett

Richard Hsrrison Gough

Paul Graves

Carlee Hamilton (Whitaker)

Lidia Herrington (Minor)

Sandra Hodge (Jones)

Tony Holt

Amelia Hood (Roach)

Dot Hood (Adams)

James Ray Hopkins

Billy Horn

Richard House

Guy Howard

Michael Howard

Richard Huff-master

James “Jim” Hurley

David James

Robert “Bobby” Johnson

Mary Ruth Jones (Collum)

Lelia Keeton (Martin)

Albert Ray Keller

Mary Jane Kelly (Heisterkamp)

Mary Alice Keyes (Skelton)

Ouida Landreth (Tomlinson)

Delores Lott

Pansy McCarra (Mosby)

Charles “Stuff” McCraney

Judy McKellar (Thomas)

Tommy McMullan

Harold Glenn McQuage

Charles Maggard

Eddie Manney

Ann May (Watts Crowe)

Jimmy Mayatt

Frances Mayerhoff (Askew)

JoAnn Mills (White)

Sandra Mitchell (Huffmaster)

Rita Monette (Tillman)

Jackie Mosley (Massey)

Donald Briggs Murray

William “Dave Owen

Martin Palmer

Nona Parker (Rhodes)

Walter “Mac” Parker

Mary Virginia Petty (Moore)

Thomas Willard Pool, Jr.

Neil Pope

Walter Powell

Sue Powell (Gough)

Denman Powers

Mary Price (Robertson)

Sandra Pulliam

Terry Rainey

Ina Clair Randall (Manney)

Gay Love Rawlings (Elliott)

Fay Reed (Palmer)

Linda Reidenbaugh (Burks)

Arlene Richardson (Miles)

Raymond Roberts

Arlene Richardson (Miles)

Mona Robinson

Sylvia Rucker (Hitt(

Shirley Rush (Guy)

Richard Russell

Carey Ann Sanford (Dalton)

Clyde Searcy

Peggy Sellers (Rayzor)

George Shannon

Sue Shannon (Martin)

Wanda Ruth Sharp (Dixon)

Sarah Shelby

Bobby Shepard

Carolyn Smith (Minor)

James Minor Smith

Grantison “Grant” Smith

Peggy Joyce Smith (King)

Ann Stallworth (McKeown)

Elmer Stodard

Tony Storey

Fred Stroble

Ann Spitzer

Carolyn Tanner Kozman

Tommy Temple

Joyce Thompson (Rogers)

Louis Thompson

Billy Tidwell

Fred Tingle

Al Trussell

Paul Walker

Rita Ward (Alexander)

James “Peewee” Warren

Jimmy Watson

Linda Watts (Taylor)

Danny Wedgeworth

Carl Weldon

Betty Lou White (Ross)

Mack White 

Mary Ann Williams (Wagner)

Meredith Williamson (Welch)

Carole Winslett (Dennis)

Edgar Lee Wright

Martha (Markline) Hopkins riding Wild Blue, the flying horse she painted for the Meridian airport.  It was originally inside, complete with carousel, decorated with her sky paintings.   This was part of the Carousels Abound project, which placed artists' painted horses around town to advertise our famous Dentzel Carousel.

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Bass caught by Will Hudson

 

Will Hudson says:  nice bass I caught right off my boat dock on spinner bait lure.

Happy Birthday - January

 

Ethridge, Gerard D. (MHS) Jan. 27

Lewis, Jimmy (MHS) Jan. 25

Trussell, Al (MHS) (deceased) Jan. 21

Shaw, Charles P. (MHS) Jan. 16

Powers, Denman (MHS) Jan. 12 Brown, Richard Allen, MD (deceased) Jan. 4

Happy Birthday - December

 

Croxdale, Madeline Ray (MHS) Dec. 29

Griffin, Joe (MHS) Dec. 28

Weaver, Mary Anthony McLemore (MHS) Dec. 27

Gibson, Everett "Buddy" (MHS) Dec. .26

Thigpen, Morris (MHS) Dec. 25

Burnett, Ivan (MHS) Dec. 22

McCraney, Charles (MHS) (deceased) Dec. 18

Long, Tee Mann (MHS) Dec. 16

Bailey, Bob (MHS) Dec. 12

Smith, Minor (MHS) (deceased) Dec. 11

McDonald, Patsy (MHS) Dec. 11

White, Jo Ann Mills (MHS) (deceased) Dec. 10