Redwood Class of 1959

 

 

Class Pages:

In these pages I have collected information, photos and memorabilia from the classes that I have been able to secure from students and social media. If you have materials from your class, please contact me. I will happily add items to the page. My email is oakes@physics.utexas.edu.

 

1988 Reunion
Back: Jerry Marshall, Burl Warnock, Thomas Keene, Betty Whitehead, Bobby Walley, Van Evans

Fr: Jimmy Weaver, Lois Champion, Francis "Fran" Simpson Jeffers, Martha Renfro, Barbara Hearn McKay, Jeanette Stevens Roberts, Molly Burroughs McClusky, Patsy Adams Tompkins, Bobbie Nell Reaves, Paul Fields

1953 Tri-Hi-Y

First row seated- ?, Wilma Allison, Martha Rengrow, Ethel Nevels, Mayly Jue, Lois Champion, Molly Burroughs, Patsy Adams, Jeanette Stevens, Katie Jane Hayes, Yvonne something, Barbara Elizabeth Hearn

Second row: Mrs. Lee V. Russell, Phala Brock, Janie Jeffers, Dean Ruth, Anita Lofton, Peggy Simpson, Carolyn Hearn, Sandra Kerr,?, Sue Cooper, Ella Sue Porter,?, Evon Dennis, Frances Oakes

Top row: ?, Frances Simpson, Betty Jo Ogle, Patricia Sewell, Mary Cunningham, Mary Cogan, Twila Marshall,?, Rachel Roberts, Barbara Nell Hintson,?, Marceline Scarborough
Picture and story from Lois Champion Williamson:

“We six graders were playing behind the old gym on the creek bank where all garbage was dumped. On top of pile were all redwood photos that were not sold. This photo was one of them with Tri-High-Y written on back. “

 

 

 

Class Pictures

Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion
Lois Champion

 

Jerry Marshall, Irvin Marshall and Norman Wayne Fields, Family Reunion 2010
Picture from Lois Champion Williamson

Sadler Family
L to R: Clint, Mildred, Dorothy, Frank, Frank Jr., Della, Erma, Jean

Sadler Siblings
L to R: Clint, Jean, Mildred, Dorothy, Erma, Frank Jr.

 


 

Rockets Obituaries of deceased members of Class of 1959
Gone But Not Forgotten

Jimmy Lee Weaver
1941-April 14, 2016


Jimmy Lee Weaver, 75, of Vicksburg, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016, at home.

He retired from Cooper Industries and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marie Weaver and Lee Weaver; one sister, Barbra Flowers; and one brother, Bill Weaver.

He is survived in death by his wife, Bernadette Weaver; children, Veronica Cannon, Andrea Weaver and James Weaver (Ranee); his siblings, Donny Weaver (Virginia), Carolyn Childs, and Marjorie Hatcher (Hayes); sister-in-law, Jean Weaver; grandchildren, Kayla and Alyssa Ewell, Adalai Weaver, McKynzie and Gavin Nutt; along with nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 18, 2016, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Vicksburg with the Rev. Billy Brumfield officiating.

Visitation will be Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.


Pallbearers will be Mitchell Weaver, Steven Placher, Harvey Lawrence, Wayne Lambert, Blayne Lambert, and Victor Worrell. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Berean Sunday School Class at Immanuel Baptist Church, Mike Weaver and Billy Whitley.

 

Burl Edwin (Pete) Warnock
May 23, 1941-January 20, 2020


Burl Edwin (Pete) Warnock went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 20, 2020. He was 78 years old. 

His greatest loves in life were his wife of 51 years, his children and grandchildren, his church that he served faithfully as a board member and worship team member, and Alabama football. 

He is a veteran of the Air Force having served from 1962 - 1966. His training from the Air Force led him to his career at the US Engineer Research and Development Center where he retired with over thirty-five years of civilian service. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Lee Warnock and Dollie Warnock Redditt, brother Claude Warnock, and sisters Chesley Pitts, Mary Helen Fortenberry, Sarah Grace Sanders, and Edith Atkins. 

He is survived by his wife, Laura Dian Warnock, and children Lori Deanna Germany (Donald), Shera Higbee (Mike), and Krisa Rowland (Taylor), and daughter-in-love Laurie Massie (Marc), siblings Wilma Ahrend and Johnnie Warnock, as well as grandchildren Todd and Tanner Germany, Jonna and Andrew Higbee, and Morgan and Kennedy Rowland. 

 

 

 

Bettye O'Neal (Whitehead) Tucker
January 16, 1941 ~ September 26, 2020


Bettye Whitehead Tucker passed away peacefully September 26, 2020, at the age of 79 with her husband of 61 years at her bedside.

She was born to George Marvin and Doris Irwin Whitehead on January 16, 1941, in Yazoo County, MS. She lived her early life in Vicksburg where she graduated form Redwood High School. She served the Gulfport School System as a teaching assistant for 28 years working at West Elementary and Anniston Avenue Elementary Schools. She was a member of Bayou View Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Martha Whitehead Smith; grandson, James Edward Migues; and great grandson, James Terry Strataatmann.

She is survived by her husband, Jimmie D. Tucker; daughters, Cynthia Tucker Whiten, Lynette Tucker Featherston (Terry), and Melanie Tucker Higgs (Jack); grandchildren, Amanda Desnoyers, Charles Byrd, Victoria Strataatmann (Marty), Michael Featherston, and Emily McKenzie (Daniel); great granddaughters, Alexandria Desnoyers and Emma Kate Desnoyers.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at Bayou View Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Friends may visit one hour prior. Per current pandemic guidelines and by family request, please wear a mask and practice social distancing. RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com .

The family would like to express a special thank you to those at St. Joseph Hospice for their care.

 

Lois Jean Champion Williamson
February 23, 1941 ~ March 20, 2021


Lois Jean Williamson passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Vicksburg Convalescent Home.  She was 80.

Lois was born in Vicksburg, MS on February 23, 1941, the daughter of Owen "Jack" Champion  and Leona Marshall Champion.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Vernon Champion and sisters, Elza Champion Fought and Angie Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Harold L. Williamson; son, Steven Williamson; daughter, Shiela Burgett; brother, Alvin "Rusty" Champion, Jr.; sisters, Marie Sullivan and Jeanette Harris Spikes; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Glenwood Funeral Home.  Rev. Michael Fields will officiate the service.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.


 

 

Frances "Fran" Simpson Graham
December 2, 1941 ~ May 13, 2023


Frances "Fran" Simpson Graham passed away on May 13, 2023, at Merit Health River Region Medical Center.  She was 81.

Fran was born in Vicksburg, MS on December 2, 1941, the daughter of Henry C. Simpson and Irene Carroll Simpson.  She attended Redwood High School. She married Lavon Jeffers. They were later divorced. She was a beautician for 40 years and retired from the Towne House Salon.  She was very involved in going to nursing homes to sing and play music.  She was a devout Christian lady and was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Rogers T. Graham.

She is survived by her son LaVon Jeffers (Denise), daughter Alesia Harmon (Bubba), sister Peggy Crist (Joe), step-son Ken Graham (Sarah) and grandchildren Randall Grey, Aaron Harmon, Alexa Jeffers, Isabella Jeffers, Lucas Jeffers, Taylor Anne Marrazzo, Rhett Hasty, Breanna Hasty, Natlyn Hasty, Josh Graham, Andrew Graham, Libbey Graham and great-grandchildren Madison Grey, Lakken, Raleigh, and Haley Mae.

 A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Glenwood Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Lee Giffing, Johnny Griffin and Jimmy Chester.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Fran's best friend Yvonne Mitchell for all of her loving care.

 

Patricia Ann "Patsy" Adams Tompkins
October 30, 1941 ~ November 26, 2023


Patricia Ann “Patsy” Tompkins, 82, born on October 30, 1941, passed away, in her home November 26, 2023 surrounded by family. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and has been a life long resident since.
 
She is preceded in death by her mother, Polly Adams, husband, Clarence Edward “PeeWee” Tompkins, and her sister, Frances “Sue” Simmons.


She is survived by her children, Paul Tompkins (Tina), Lisa Howe (Jay), and brother, Rayford Adams (Gene); her grandchildren, Cory Howe, Ashton Ratliff (Dylan), Jarad Tompkins (Carley), Nikki Dayne, Taylor Lehon, and Erica Tompkins; and her great grandchildren, Briley, Olivia, Natalie, Dalton, and Corbin.


Patsy loved her family almost as much as she loved her LSU Tigers and her “soul sisters” Mary Benson, Ann Henley, and Jeanette Roberts. A special thank you to Sam Pierce and Morgan Caulfield for caring for her throughout the years.


A memoriam of her life will be held at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue  in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Saturday, December 2. Visitation 9-11 am with memorial service to follow in the chapel. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude’s Hospital.