Arlene Louis Davidson Merson, Obituary, July 16, 1940 - October 16th, 2021

 

Arlene Louis Merson passed away on October 16th, 2021 in Boca Raton, FL with her family by her side.

Arlene was born on July 16th, 1940 in Meridian, MS. She and her three siblings, Lisa, Marilyn and Michael were raised by their loving parents, Sammy and Ruth Davidson. Arlene was very close with her parents and held their same values of the importance of family, helping those less fortunate and being true to yourself. Additionally, with inspiration from her Orthodox father, Arlene always loved following the Jewish faith Growing up, Arlene was a member of several groups and organizations. She was a majorette, Junior Auxiliary, Dusty (a local high school sorority) and active volunteer in her community. Arlene attended the University of Oklahoma where she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Merson.

Their instant appreciation for each other was truly special and one of a kind. For 61 years, they shared the greatest love story of all time. In 1961, Arlene and Bob graduated from the University of Oklahoma married and expecting their first child. They moved back to Arlene's hometown of Meridian, MS to start their adult lives. Arlene enjoyed working at her travel agency, leading fundraisers, participating in the Meridian Lively Arts Festival, traveling, hosting holiday parties, playing doubles tennis with Bob, skiing, and, most of all, spending time with her family. Arlene always cherished her family time. She was a wonderful Mother to her children, Michelle Merson and Howard and Caren Merson, and a "DD" and "AD" to her four grandchildren, Sammi, Hannah, Rebecca, and Josh.

Arlene's family described her as strong, loving, silly, and the matriarch of their family. Everyone who knew Arlene adored her smile, humor, kindness, and adorable Southern accent. She lit up every room she entered and always made the people around her feel happy. She was a truly sensational person and will be missed dearly.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Arlene, please make it to the Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian. Donations can be made through the organization's website, mcmmeridian.org, or by writing a check payable to "Mississippi Children's Museum- Meridian" and mailing it to PO Box 1007, Meridian, MS 39302. Their phone number is 601-512-0278.

KRONISH FUNERAL SERVICES - Boca Raton, Fla

Published by Sun-Sentinel on Oct. 24, 2021.

God full of mercy who dwells on high

Grant perfect rest on the wings of Your Divine Presence

among the holy and the pure

who shine in the brightness of the firmament

to the soul of Arlene

who has gone to her eternal rest

as all her family and friends

pray for the elevation of her soul.

Her resting place shall be in the Garden of Eden.

Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for her

under the protection of His wings for all time

And bind her soul in the bond of everlasting life.

God is her inheritance and she will rest in peace

and let us say Amen.

Anne Heard Stallworth McKeown, April 23, 1940 - October 15, 2021

 

Anne Heard Stallworth McKeown, 81, formerly of Jackson and Ridgeland, Mississippi, died Friday, October 15, 2021, in Brandon, Mississippi after a lengthy illness handled with grace, dignity, and humor.

  A native of Meridian, Anne graduated from Meridian High School, attended Mississippi State College for Women, and was a graduate of the University of Mississippi and Millsaps College. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Ole Miss, Anne taught English at Central High School in Jackson and was actively engaged in Jackson Junior League and other Jackson area civic and social activities. Passionate about all things involving faith, family, friends, and food, Anne’s network of friends expanded over the years, touching many lives and hearts. Anne was pre-deceased by her parents, Robert McClelland Stallworth and Virginia Townsend Stallworth of Meridian, Mississippi and Turnbull, Alabama. Survivors include two children, James Montrose McKeown II (Christina Ramirez McKeown) of Cypress, Texas and Rebekah McKeown Sanders (Richard Devon Sanders) of Atlanta, Georgia; six grandchildren, James Devon Sanders, William McKeown Sanders, and Caroline Ruth Sanders, all of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kathryn McKeown, William McKeown, and Evalyn McKeown, all of Cypress and Houston, Texas; two brothers, Robert McClelland Stallworth, Jr. of Midlothian, Virginia and Hugh Townsend Stallworth of Valrico, Florida; and numerous much beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. A Celebration of Anne’s life and the Holy Eucharist will be held Monday, October 25, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, 305 East Capital Street, Jackson, Mississippi with interment immediately following in St. Andrew’s All Soul’s Walk. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. in St. Andrew’s Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral (http://standrews.ms/giving/ or the Scleroderma Research Foundation (http://srfcure.org).

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/22701553/anne-stallworth-mckeown/ridgeland/mississippi/sebrell-funeral-home?fbclid=IwAR3VeB81rIa6V8T-FyCCKYq4FZKQbZify4dtfASQdDwlFOb4XRIL-TWxBIs

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, Anne, 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.

Hot Air Ballooning

 Our Jinny crossing another one off her bucket list.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - OCTOBER

 

Rogers, Joyce Thompson (MHS) (dec'd)	Oct. 30
Russell, Ray (MHS)	Oct. 29
Strickland, Maxine Reeder (MHS)	Oct. 25
Edwards, Ella Kappes (MHS)	Oct. 24
Davidson, Marty (MHS)	Oct. 11
Garrett, Dorothy Pigott (MHS)	Oct. 6

Happy Birthday - September 2021

 

Willis, Kathleen Bustin (MHS)	Sept. 28
Elliott, Gay Love Rawlings (deceased)	Sept. 26
Grimes, Lynne Johnson (MHS)	Sept. 25
Nichols, James Nic (MHS)	Sept. 20
Smith, Briggs (MHS)	Sept. 20
Rayzor, Peggie Sellers (deceased)	Sept. 20
Skelton, Jere (MHS)	Sept. 19
Rucker, William J. (Bill)	Sept. 16
Butler, Linda Thompson (MHS)	Sept. 13
Chatham, Bob (MHS)	Sept. 8
Moore, Mary Petty (MHS) (deceased)	Sept. 7
Massey, Don (MHS)	Sept. 6

Fifties Reunion Cancelled Because of Covid Spike

 

 August 11, 2021

 

Classmates, after much consideration the committee has decided to cancel our October 8 and 9, 2021 “Fifties Reunion” due to the spike in the COVID virus cases.  We are sorry to do this, but hope to have another one soon, maybe this spring.

 For those that have sent in their reservation for the reunion, we will be sending you a refund check.  Hope to get it back to you soon.  If you have made a reservations at the Hilton Garden Inn in Meridian, We advise you to cancel your reservation.

  Fifties Reunion Committee

Linda R. Burks, Obituary

 

Linda Reidenbaugh Burks

MARCH 8, 1940 – NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Linda S. Burks, 80 passed away on Friday, November 13, 2020 at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be held Monday, November 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Lakewood Memorial Parks Funeral Home in Jackson, MS. Funeral services will be in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday at 1:00 PM, with a committal service to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Burks was born on March 8, 1940 in West Helena, Arkansas. She lived most of her life in Meridian and Jackson Mississippi where she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother; and friend to many. She held a number of jobs, most often in office work doing bookkeeping, payroll and other office tasks. Mrs. Burks was a long time member of the Jackson Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In recent years she was bookkeeper, receptionist and co-owner of Salon LeFluer beauty salon in Jackson.

Mrs. Burks is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Orville Reidenbaugh and Gwendolyn Fergeson Reidenbaugh; daughter, Jena Ann Berrong; and sister, Shirley Ann Slaughter.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Clinton Odell Burks; sons, Michael Odell Burks; James Clinton Burks (Kathy); brother, Robert Reidenbaugh (LaRee); six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Her incredible love for family along with an exceptional gift of hospitality and extraordinary cooking skills deeply endeared “Mama Linda” to countless numbers of people.

Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for the online guestbook.

FIFTIES REUNION (for all who graduated in the 50's)

The MHS classes of the Fifties, are having another one of our “Fifties” reunions. It will be a great time to visit with our classmates, some of which we haven’t seen in years. If you haven’t been to one of our reunions lately, we especially want you to come. We will be at the new Hilton Garden Inn in Meridian. It is located where the old Holiday Inn was in the Fifties. The dates are Oct 8th and 9th (Friday and Saturday) of 2021. The reunion cost is $30.00 per person, per night for Fri & Sat night food and banquet rooms. Make check out to MHS Class of 55/56. We have 50 rooms blocked out for the reunion. The hotel has 140 rooms so if we book early, we can get more rooms blocked out for the reunion. Be sure to tell the clerk that you are with the MHS “Fifties” class reunion. We have special rates, $89.00 plus tax for King or Double Queen standard rooms (including ADA accessible), $99.00 plus tax for King Deluxe rooms and $109.00 plus tax for Suites. Breakfast is not included in room rates, however, they do serve an excellent breakfast cooked to order. The rooms are very nice. Call the hotel direct at 601-485-3506 and tell them you are with the MHS “Fifties” reunion. You’ll be asked for a credit card to hold and guarantee the room, but the charge will not be made until you actually check out. Also, you may cancel with no cancellation fees up until 48 hours before the day of your planned arrival, no later than 6:00pm Wednesday October 6. So book early! Hotel check-in time is 3:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM (noon). The hotel will allow earlier check-in depending on availability but plan on a 3:00 PM check-in. The special group pricing will be honored until Friday, October 1, 2021. The committee is busy organizing and planning for a BIG REUNION and we need your help. Send in your reservations early so we can make plans accordingly. .. . . . . . . . . . . . THE REGISTRATION FORM AND MORE INFORMATION IS POSTED ON OUR CLASS FACEBOOK PAGE. ALSO AN EMAIL IS BEING SENT OUT WITH THE COMPLETE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM.

Coty Tootle's sister, Norma Veach

NORMA'S OBITUARY Norma Veach, 85, joined her Savior in heaven on June 18, 2021. Throughout her life in Meridian, she owned Pampered Pets and Little Al’s Ice Cream. She also had a great love for the theater. She volunteered and eventually was employed at Meridian Little Theater for more than 25 years. Her greatest love, however, was her family. Norma was born on February 15, 1936 in Columbia, SC. She graduated from Meridian High School and attended Meridian Community College. She married William Alvis Veach from Selma, AL, and they spent sixty wonderful years together. They had five children, Skye Adel, Chele Ann, Laice Alyss, Shawn Auburn, and Winston Alvis. Her surviving sister is Coty Tootle. Her grandchildren are Michael Payne, Brittany Duckworth, Monroe Thompson, Casey Robinson, and Blake Taylor. Her great-grandchildren are Hayden and Caleb Duckworth, Parker Robinson, and Kensley Taylor. Preceding her in death are her parents, Anna Cora Floyd Underwood and Aulbie Demain Huggins, and her siblings, Kamper, Dee and Neal Huggins. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Episcopal Church on Saturday, June 26, lead by the Reverend Austin McGehee and The Very Reverend M.L. Agnew, Jr. Visitation will be from 10:00 until the celebration of life at 11:00, with graveside rites immediately following at Magnolia Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Pallbearers will be Monroe Thompson, Blake Taylor, Alex Veach, Tom Tootle, Craig Tootle, and Jeffrey Duckworth. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Payne, John Payne, Clay Dobbs Ware, and Paul McCarthy. Online condolences can be made at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

Happy July Birthdays

 

Tyner, Larry (MHS)		July 27th
James, David (MHS) (deceased)		July 24th
Bruister, Gloria Brown (MHS)		July 21th
Johnson, Frances Ousley (MHS)		July 20th
Martin, Leila Keeton (MHS)		July 17th
Brand, Pat Stewart (MHS)		July 13th
Satterfield, Jimmy (MHS)		July 9th
Dollnig, Pat "Trish" Rawson (MHS)		July 8th
Dalton, Carey Ann Sanford (MHS) (dec'd)		July 5th

 

 Nadie R. Ellis, deceased, January 07, 1940 - June 08, 2021

NADIE'S OBITUARY

The graveside service for Ms. Nadie R. Ellis will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Graham Cemetery on Valley Road. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Ms. Nadie R. Ellis, 81, of Meridian passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2021.

Nadie was a loving mother and grandmother and will be missed.

She is survived by her children, David Moseley (Ann) and Richard Moseley (Cherie); and two sisters, Peggie Herrington and Amanda Ellison.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Myrtis Ellis.

_____________________________________________________________________

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, Nadine R. Ellis, 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.

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, Nadine R. Ellis, 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.

Happy Birthday - June

 

Gay, Michael (MHS) June 28th

Toland, Bob (MHS) June 26th

Dubose, Howard (MHS) June 25th

Wright, Edgar Lee (MHS) June 25th

Abraham, Ralph E., (MHS) June 22nd Heisterkamp, Mary Jane Kelly (deceased) June 11th

Morehouse, Lyle (MHS) June 10th

Brumlow, Becky Nicholson (MHS) June 1st

David Nathaniel James

 

JULY 24, 1940 – MAY 9, 2021

David Nathaniel James, 80, of Dunwoody, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 9, 2021, surrounded by his family. David was born July 24, 1940 in Meridian, MS. He graduated from Meridian High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Ranger. After his service, he attended Vanderbilt University. David graduated with a Bachelors’ degree from Queens College in New York City.

He spent his professional career in management consulting, founding his own firm and traveling extensively on business throughout the U.S. and abroad. In retirement he authored and edited numerous short stories and co-wrote a screen play.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, David was involved in his children’s lives including Little League and Senior baseball with David Jr. He was always an involved father with all of Leah’s and Amy’s activities and continued to attend all of the events that his grandchildren participated in.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William David and Laura James and sister Leah Setzer. David is survived by his sister Mary, wife Kathy; children and spouses Leah and Marty, David and Holly, Amy and Brian; grandchildren, Alex, Sarah, Katie, Lily, Catherine Ann, Mary Elizabeth, and William David.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 2:00pm: H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319. A reception with the family immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation 

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, David James, 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 - May

 

Burnett, Joe (MHS)	May 29th
Mosby, Pansy McCarra (MHS)	May 26th
Lamb, Billy (MHS)	May 18th
Craven, Bobby (MHS)	May 12th
Hamilton, Shirley Broadhead (MHS) (dec'd)	May 11th
Morgan, Joe (MHS)	May 10th
Doty, Blinda Cline (MHS)	May 1st

Deidra C. “Dee-Dee” Wells, daughter of Neil and Ramona Pope, deceased

 Deidra C. “Dee-Dee” Wells, daughter of our classmate Neil Pope, has passed away. See funeral information below.

OBITUARY

Memorial services celebrating the life of Deidra C. “Dee-Dee” Wells will begin at 1:00 pm Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home chapel with Reverend Bickford officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Wells, 50, of Toomsuba, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

Deidra will be remembered as a loving person who deeply cared for others. She had a wonderful personality with a smile that could lighten any situation. She worked at Northeast Middle School and High School for over 16 years. In her spare time she enjoyed using her artistic abilities making things for family and friends. Above all she had a deep and profound love for her family.

Mrs. Wells is survived by her husband of over 31 years Ronnie Wells; children Josh Wells (Andrea) and Cohlby Wells. Grandchildren Ashlyn Dennis, Keaton Wells, and Caroline Wells. Grandmother Daisy Eastman; one brother Todd Pope, as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

Mrs. Deidra is preceded in death by her parents Neill and Ramona Pope.

The Wells family suggests memorials be made as donations to Anderson Regional Cancer Center Patient Benevolence Fund in lieu of flowers.

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

The Wells family will receive guests from 11:00 am until 12:45 pm prior to the memorial service.

PRAYER

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 , Deidra C. “Dee-Dee” Wells, 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.

Happy Birthday April Born

 

Britt, Bennett (MHS)	Apr. 29
Storey, Tony (MHS) (deceased)	Apr. 27
Killam, Mark (MHS)	Apr. 27
McKeown, Anne Stallworth (MHS)	Apr. 23
Jones, Millie Majors (MHS)	Apr. 6