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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Walker, Fay Shepard Mar. 4

Stephens, Mary Spencer Mar. 7

Tootle, Coty Huggins Mar. 9

JAMES "JIM" T. WATSON,JR., DECEASED

James "Jim" T. Watson, Jr., 65, of Houston, TX passed away Dec. 6, 2005. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 yrs, Patricia; children, James III & wife Elissa, Nelson, Bob, and Beth; grandkids, Stephanie & Kathryne Watson, Tyler, Chandler & Conner Murphy; and brother, Edward. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Diabetes Foundation. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm Thursday at Niday Funeral Home, and the Funeral Mass will be at 12:30pm Friday, December 9th, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Houston National Cemetery.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Dec. 8, 2005. (Only today did I learn that Jim has pased away. So sorry that this is years late. Ouida)

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.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Eternal rest, grant unto Jim, 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 - February

 

Hudson, Will (MHS)	Feb. 27
Clark, Beth Hobgood (MHS)	Feb. 26
Ranager, Nancy Collier (MHS)	Feb. 23
Watson, James T. (deceased)	Feb. 22
Rider, Joyce Bailey (MHS) (deceased)	Feb. 22
Walters, Marianne Stuart (MHS)	Feb. 13
Skelton, Faye Stoudenmire (MHS)	Feb. 10
Stormer, Rosemary Thomas (MHS)	Feb. 10
Edwards, Peggy (MHS)	Feb. 9
Mitchell, Ronnie (MHS)	Feb. 6
Hopkins, Martha (MHS)	Feb. 4
Turnage, Georgia Merle Browning (MHS)	Feb. 4

Joseph Lamar Mabry, Sr., deceased, Husband of Myra Merritt Mabry

JOE'S OBITUARY

U.S. Veteran

Memorial services for Joseph (Joe) Lamar Mabry, Sr. will be held Wednesday, January 27 at 11:00 AM at First Christian Church (DOC) with Dr. Mark Benson officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Joseph (Joe) Lamar Mabry Sr. passed away Sunday morning, January 24, at the age of 82. He was born in Meridian on June 14, 1938 where he lived his entire life. Joe was a 1956 graduate of Meridian High School and a member of First Christian Church (DOC). He served six years in the Marine Corps. Joe loved golf and played for over 60 years. He was well-loved by his family and friends.

Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years Myra Merritt Mabry, son Joey (Melissa) Mabry of Meridian, MS, and daughters Teresa (Randy) Crawford of Charlotte, NC and Leigh (Alan) Hargett of Indianola, MS; his six grandchildren, Taylor (April) Mabry, Olivia (Jay) Case, Nile and Merritt Crawford, Luke Hargett and Maddox (Chris) Hargett. He is also survived by his three brothers Eugene Mabry, Harmon (Buster) Mabry and William (Billy) Mabry.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Osmond (Snook) and Louise Kamper Mabry.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Anderson Hospital for their compassion and support over the last week of his life.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church (DOC), 2310 13th Street, Meridian, MS 39301.

Online condolences may be shared at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

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 , Joe Mabry, 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.

CHARLIE BRAND, HUSBAND OF PAT STEWART BRAND

OBITUARY FOR CHARLES HENRY BRAND JR.

Charles Henry Brand, Jr. died on January 16, 2021, at the age of eighty-three. He was born at home in Decatur, Mississippi, to Charles Henry Brand and Zada Gray Wall Brand, the second of four children. Charlie married his wife Patricia “Pat” Stewart Brand sixty-two years ago on August 14, 1958, and the two of them shared a beautiful and happy life full of traveling, collecting antiques, and sharing a great love of each other, their family, and their many friendships.

A great teacher of the Bible, Charlie taught Sunday School in three churches throughout his life – Whitehaven Presbyterian, Broadway Baptist, and Bellevue Baptist, where he led the Brand Sunday School class faithfully for over thirty-two years. Many of the Brands’ dearest and deepest friendships are a result of the community of that Sunday School class. Charlie led many, many people to a deeper understanding of the Bible and its promises.

Charlie was a successful business man. In 1963, Charlie answered an ad in the newspaper and was hired by U.S. Motors as an outside salesman. Charlie called on every mill, gin, factory, plant, and packing house in the Southeast – every plant manager and maintenance man knew and liked Charlie. In 1973, U.S. Motors began to establish distributors. Charlie set up a distributor and went to work for them, and once again, Charlie was wildly successful. In 1983, Charlie founded Industrial Parts and Electric Motors. With a relatively small investment and an incredible work ethic, Charlie created a business on the pillars of generosity, kindness, good sense, and strong leadership. He built around him a team of smart, loyal people who have become so much more than employees – a team of friends who love and honor him and each other.

But most of all, Charlie was beloved by his family and friends. He was a man generous of both time and spirit. A man who knew how to tell a joke and how to laugh, a man who practiced what he preached and treated everyone with respect, a man slow to anger and quick to listen, give, and love.

In addition to his beloved Pat, Charlie is survived by his sisters, Shirley Cardwell of Sylacauga, AL, and Vicki Bounds (Buster) of Newton, MS, his daughter Shari Ray (Larry) and his son Charles Eric Brand (Penny), five grandchildren – Rainey Ray Segars (Coleton), Charles Joshua Brand (Kerri), William Josiah Brand (Keli), Benjamin Joseph Brand, and Mary Elizabeth Ann Brand, and seven great-grandchildren – Charles Elisha Brand, Lydia Jane Brand, William Jeremiah Brand, Teddy Taylor Segars, Ezra James Brand, Ruth Cecilia Brand, and Micah Oliver Brand.

Charlie is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Thomas Brand.

• The visitation and service was held on Monday, January 25, 2021, at Crossroads Baptist Church, 125 S Houston Levee Rd, Eads, TN 38028.
• In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:
  Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  P.O. Box 5014
  Hagerstown, MD 21741

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 Charlie Brand, 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

 

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

Remembering Jeanette Ferguson Noe Who Passed away on December 14, 2008

 Jeanette Ferguson Noe, 68, died Sunday, December 14, 2008, at Guardian Angel Hospice. She was a former Congressional staff member.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Family visitation will be at the church one hour before the services. Stephens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Noe served as the Meridian district representative for Congressman Sonny Montgomery from 1967 to 1995. Prior to that she was a teacher at Meridian and Oxford High Schools and was a reporter for the Associated Press, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jackson Daily News and the Meridian Star.
She was a graduate of the Mississippi University for Women where she was a member of the Hall of Fame, was editor of The Spectator and a member of the Mortar Board. She later received her master's degree from Mississippi State University in public policy and administration where she was selected as the outstanding in-service graduate student.
Mrs. Noe was a past president of the Meridian Community College board of trustees, served on the executive board of Mississippians for Educational Broadcasting, was a member of the advisory group of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and was a past administrator of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Chamber Music Series.
She was the recipient of numerous honors including the 1982 Mississippi Press Women's "Woman of Achievement" award, the 1968 "Silver Inky" award from the Mississippi University of Women's department of journalism and various writing honors from the Mississippi Press Women.
Mrs. Noe is survived by her husband, Harold; her son, David, of Tampa, FL; and sisters, Nancy F. Malcolm of Greensboro, GA, Emily F. Newell of Hattiesburg and Mae F. Johnson of Ft. Worth, TX; and excellent companions, Mrs. Hattie Terrell, Mrs. Christine Russell, Mrs. Evelyn Edwards and Mrs. Pearl Gordon; and the caregivers of Guardian Angel.
She was preceded in death by her father, Eddy Thompson Ferguson; and her mother, Jeanette East Ferguson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Paul's Episcopal Church (1116 23rd Ave., Meridian 39301) or a favorite charity.

Gingo Tree

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 Jeanette Ferguson Noe, 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.

Mrs. Denise Josephine Curran Reetz Nance, Deceased, Sister of Jinny Curran Walz

Mrs. Denise Josephine Curran Reetz Nance, of Meridian, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020, at her residence. Robert Barham Family Funeral is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Denise attended Poplar Springs Elementary and Meridian High School. She received additional education and training in Visual Arts and Merchandising. Her career in Display Management included positions with Marks Rothenberg, McRae’s Department Stores and Belk. She received many awards for her displays from noted companies as well as her places of employment. Denise’s gifts in Visual Arts were seen at weddings and significant local events.

Survivors include her daughter, Catherine Reetz Nause of Georgia; sisters, Sharon Curran Chatham of Meridian and Jinny Curran Walz of Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Joseph Curran and Harriett Waldron Curran; siblings, John Waldron Curran, Mary Ann Curran West, Timothy Curran, and Norine Curran Norman; her husbands, Steven Wesley Reetz, and Samuel K. Nance.

The family requests memorials be made to Diabetes Association.

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

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 Denise Josephine Curran Reetz Nance, 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.