By Staff
JOHN SMITH WEEMS
Retired school teacher
JACKSON Services for John Smith Weems were to be held today at 11 a.m. at Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson. Graveside services are today at 3:45 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Weems, 78, a resident of Jackson for more than 57 years, died Monday, Jan, 28, 2002, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
A native of Meridian, he graduated for Mississippi State University and began his career as a teacher and counselor at Jackson's Central High School in 1944. He was executive secretary of the Mississippi State Student Council Organization for 25 years and worked with three national associations, Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, the National Association for Secondary School Principals and the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
Mr. Weems received a master of arts degree for the University of Alabama in 1977. He then taught at Jackson Prep for seven years, retiring in May of 1986.
Mr. Weems was a deacon of Northminster Baptist Church and a member of the MSU Alumni Association, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, DeMolay, and the William Moore Dalehite Coffee Club. In his later years, Mr. Weems was instrumental in the Central High School Alumni Association's restoration of the Central High School a building that now houses the Mississippi Department of Education. The building's "Hall of Memories" exhibit features Central High memorabilia and tributes attesting Mr. Weem's dedication to maintaining Central High's spirit for years to come.
Mr. Weems is survived by his sister, Margaret Weems Armstrong of Meridian; sister-in-law, Betsy Barrell Weems of Meridian; nephew, Richard Armstrong of Starkville; two nieces, Anne Langford Frame of Brentwood, Tenn., and Margaret Betsy Weems of Charlottesville, Va.; several cousins and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorials may be made to Northminster Baptist Church, 3955 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, MS 39211; the MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762 designated for the John S. Weems Memorial Scholarship Fund; the Jesse L. Howell Jr. Library at Jackson Preparatory School, 3100 Lakeland Dr., Flowood, MS 39208; or the Gerald Van Pool Scholarship Fund at Presidential Classroom, 441 North Lee St., Alexandria, Va. 22314.
WILLIAM O. WILLIAMS
Retired railroad engineer
Services for William O. Williams will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Elvin Sunds officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
Mr. Williams, 78, of Meridian, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002, in his home. He was a retired railroad engineer with the Illinois Central Railroad.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Williams of Meridian; seven sons, Tony, Paul, Sean, Timothy, Richard, George and Dominic Williams; nine daughters, Phylis Grammer, Suzanne Veich, Maria Hayes, Angela Odom, Annette Sneed, Gwyneth Burnham, Heather Daniels, Davita Simpson and Danielle Williams; a brother, Johnny Williams; and sisters, Audrey Renfrow, Florine Oldham and Gracie Adams.
He was preceded in death by sons, Phillip and Shane Williams.
Visitation will be today 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
JAMES C. DOWNING
Graveside services for James C. Downing will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery with Barham Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Downing, 87, of Meridian, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at Rush Foundation Hospital.
Visitation will be Friday 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
AUGUSTA MAE GUNN
Retired from Burnley Shirt Company
Services for Augusta May Gunn will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Williams officiating. Burial will be in Gumlog Cemetery. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Gunn, 91, of Meridian, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at The Specialty Hospital of Meridian. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and the Eastern Star.
Survivors include a sister, Marjorie Collum of Meridian; nephews, Billy Brown, Jimmie Gunn and Bill Gunn, all of Meridian, Michael Faulkner of Georgia; nieces, Marilyn Faulkner and Kathy Lamoreaux, both of Meridian, Christy Vaughn of Texas, Willois Stryuf of Meridian, Lilybell Bounds and Carolyn Shelton, of Alabama, and Thelma Thompson of Meridian.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Augusta Gunn; a sister, Catherine Brown; and brothers, R.H. Gunn and Martin Gunn.
The family request memorials be made to Fellowship Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Michael Faulkner, Michael Lamoreaux, David Vaughn, Jimmie Gunn, Randy Wilkerson and Billy Cook.
Visitation will be Friday 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
CARRIE MOFFETT DEARMAN
Homemaker, retired "Avon Lady"
QUITMAN Services for Carrie Moffett Dearman will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Energy Church with the Revs. Jim Adams and Ronnie Boles officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Wright's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Carrie, 86, of Meridian, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002, in her home. She was a past volunteer for the Cancer Society chairperson for Clarke County, a member of the Homemakers of America, and lifelong member of Energy Church.
Mrs. Carrie was active and well known throughout her community for her hospitality and faithfulness to her church, as well as her service to others.
One of her many honors, as being one of the top "Avon Ladies" during her 20 years, besides being awarded a three carrot diamond ring, was a memorable trip for two to Monte Carlo, where she had the pleasure of sitting at the same table and dining with the late Princess Grace of Monaco.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas Harvey Dearman, daughters, Doree Irby and her husband, Billy, Nora Lee Irby, Hilda Davidson and her husband, Robert, all of Energy; seven grandchildren, Bruce, Tommy, Jerry and Craig Irby, Audrey Clearman, Suzanne Raley, Rodney Davidson; 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Daisy Fisher, Flora Dearman, Clarice Davidson, three brothers, Willis, Wilburn and Roy Lee Moffett, all of Meridian.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Moffett; two brothers, Richard and Freeman Moffett; and two sisters, Annie Weeks and Lorene Lee.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Bruce, Tommy, Craig and Jerry Irby, Rodney Davidson, and grandsons-in-law, Billy Clearman and Scott Raley.
Visitation will be today 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home and 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.
JOSEPH MARION TISDALE
Retired from T.M. Burgin Demolition Company
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Services for Joseph Marion Tisdale will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Hero. Burial will in the adjoining cemetery. Johns-Ridout's Southside Chapel and James F. Webb Funeral Home of Newton are in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Tisdale, 84, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002. He was retired from T.M. Burgin Demolition Company where he was the local manager. He and his wife are members of the Hayden Baptist Church.