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,