Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord

Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger, MSCW class of 1947,  died peacefully at home on Friday, April 29, 2011. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as a supportive and inspiring friend. She touched many lives with her unconditional love, caring attention and zest for life.

Born on April 30, 1926, in Cedar Bluff, Mary was the daughter of the late Charles Thomas Gilliland and Lucille Harkins Gilliland. She graduated in 1947 from Mississippi State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. She began her career in medical technology in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she met and married her husband John Carlton Geiger. They built their lives together as John worked for IBM and Mary raised their four children. They have been in Raleigh for the past 46 years where Mary was a founding member of Capital Quilters Guild and a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church. She’s best known by her family and friends for her gracious hospitality, holiday and family gatherings, and baby quilts for her grandchildren.

In addition to John, her husband of 60 years, Mary is survived by her children, Patricia Geiger of Boone, Margaret Chesson and husband Earl of Chapel Hill, John Carlton Geiger Jr. and wife Barbara of Raleigh, Janie Schaeffer and husband John of Raleigh; nine grandchildren; Elizabeth Hutchison and husband Don; Win, Mary, and Tricia Chesson, Robert and Margaret Geiger, Steven, Richard, and Chris Schaeffer, and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Oliver, Charles and Ella Hutchison.

Rest in Peace Marie Akers Middlebrooks

Marie Akers Middlebrooks, age 71, of Valley Grande, AL, passed away April 25, 2011.  Marie was a 1961 graduate of Mississippi State College for Women and had just attended Homecoming as a member of the "Golden Girl" class. Surviving are her husband, Eugene Middlebrooks; children, Michelle (Jerry) Barnett of Madison, AL , Claire (Tony) Roberts of Crittenden, KY and Elizabeth (Tad) Somes of Level Green, PA; brother, Kenneth (Dianna) Akers of Loganville, GA and grandchildren, Lamar Barnett, III, Grace Barnett, Wil Roberts, Sarah Roberts, Trent Somes and Vivian Somes.  Daughters Michelle and Elizabeth are MUW alumnae.  

Funeral services will be Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jerry Light officiating. Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens with Selma Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Middlebrooks was a retired teacher who taught in the Selma Public Schools. She loved living in Valley Grande and served as a councilwoman for the Town of Valley Grande. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and worked with the Women on Missions. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, UDC, Book Study Club and Joy Group.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be given to First Baptist Church Renovation Fund, P. O. Box 1186, Selma, AL 36702 or Mississippi University for Women, 1100 South 2nd Avenue, Columbus, MS 39701-5802.

Rest in Peace: Dr. Ralph Hitt

Dr. Ralph Hitt passed away this morning.  Please pray for him and his family.  More details will be posted as they become available.

Obituary: Marilyn Valentine France

Marilyn Valentine France, 72, passed away November 27, 2010. She was born in Natchez, MS on October 29, 1938. She was a 1960  graduate of Mississippi State College for Women, a sustaining member of Le Bonheur Club, a member of Independent Presbyterian Church and Bible Study Fellowship. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. 

The visitation will be 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 29, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, also at Memorial Park. The family requests that any memorials be sent to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.  Click here to offer condolences.  

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association offers its condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. France.

Rest in Peace

Mary Marguerite Hart Thomas, MUW class of 1960,  passed away at King's Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on Friday, November 26, after battling cancer.  Mississippi's First Alumnae Association offers its condolences to her family and friends.

Milestone: Jill Bethune Wood Becomes a Great-Grandmother

Congratulations to Jill Bethune Wood, MUW Class of 1965, who recently became a Great Grandmother.  Uriah Mykel  was born November 6, 2010.  Congratulations to Jill and her whole family.

If you are an MUW alumna or alumnus who is celebrating a milestone in your life--the birth of a child, grandchild, great grandchild etc., marriage, ordination, promotion, graduation, we'd love to celebrate with you.  Send us an announcement, with or without (preferably with) a photo and we'll share it with others.  We'll also join in mourning the loss of an alumna/alumnus.  Milestone announcements can be sent to mfaeablog@gmail.com.

Obituary: Jackie Yearwood Hollingsworth

Jackie Yearwood Hollingsworth, MUW Class of 1968, died this weekend after battling cancer for many years.    Jackie was a music major and a Jester.  Following graduation, she taught public school music for many years.

Arrangements are:
Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA  30075 - Wed. night
visitation 6-8

Alpharetta U Methodist Church, 69 N. Main St., Alpharetta, GA  30009-
Thurs. funeral with visitation 5-6pm,
     funeral 6:30 pm, reception at 7:30pm

Interment Greenlawn Cemetery, 10993 Alpharetta HWY, Roswell, GA  30075
- 11am Friday

The prayers of W alums are with Jackie and her family.

May Her Soul Rest In Peace

Linda Partlow

TUPELO – Linda Partlow, 61, MUW Class of 1971, a retired Itawamba Community College mathematics professor, longtime tennis coach and Plantersville native, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center after a long illness.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors. Burial will be in the Plantersville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday only.

Congratulations, Michelle Wescovich Daugherty!

2007 MUW alumna Michelle Wescovich married Charles ("Charlie") Daugherty on July 31, 2010, at the Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula, MS.

Michelle was attended by childhood friend Melissa McDonald Coker, who served as matron of honor, and Leigh-Ann Thornhill (also MUW '07), who served as maid of honor. Charlie's groomsmen were his brother, Robin Daugherty, and Michelle's son, Jarod Wescovich, 16, who also walked his mother down the aisle. Michelle's adopted son, Jamie Stumph, 17, served as usher. The flower girl was Bella Kendrick, 2, and the ringbearer was Charlie's nephew, Peyton Daugherty, 4.

The wedding was attended by almost a dozen W girls from Michelle's years at the school, including some of her sisters from the D'Belles social club. From left to right in the photo above: D'Belles Leigh-Ann Thornhill, Megan Roberts Becnel ('09), Michelle, Sanzettra Frazier (attended '06-'07), Jennifer Ford (attended '06-'08), and Katy Gray ('07).

Michelle and Charlie are very grateful to all their family and friends for making their special day as memorable as possible!

Have you recently celebrated a milestone in your life?

The MFAeA Blog would love to publish announcements of your engagement or wedding, the birth of your children or grandchildren, your promotion, new job or retirement, or any other significant event in your life.  Please send information to mfaeablog@gmail.com.

MUW Alumna Sheila Wendt Marries

Sheila Wendt, MUW Class of 1985 and Darryl Vickery are pleased to announce that they were married June  26, 2010 at Central Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL by Rev. Chris Bullock   Their attendants were their sisters, Lynn Wendt Husted and Sherry Vickery Tittle and Darryl's cousin Don Richardson and brother Jeff Vickery. Sheila's niece and fellow W girl, Amanda Husted Kirk sang at the wedding.

Sheila and Amanda

The wedding cakes were provided by MUW alumna, Beth Simpson Quave and included a milk and dark chocolate groom's cake with chocolate icing.  The wedding cake was red velvet and white chocolate almond with white icing.

Like most women, Sheila dreamed of her father walking her down the aisle for her wedding.  Unfortunately, Shelia's dad passed away before her big day.  She missed him a lot, but carried his photo in her bouquet.

Wedding guests included Sheila's MUW friends Jane Allen Howell, Penny Stork Dearman and Lisa Daniels Mathis.

Sheila and Darryl enjoyed a honeymoon in Branson, Missouri and will make their home in Semmes.

Have you recently celebrated a milestone in your life?

The MFAeA Blog would love to publish announcements of your engagement or wedding, the birth of your children or grandchildren, your promotion, new job or retirement or any other significant event in your life.  Please send information to mfaeablog@gmail.com

Milestones: Welcome Wesley Hunter Prevost

Wesley Hunter Prevost, son of John W. Prevost, MUW Class of 1993 and Melanie Prevost, MSU class of 1996. 

Isn't he beautiful?

If you or your family would like a milestone (birth, graduation, new job, retirement, death) recognized by your fellow alums, please send info (and photos if available) to mfaeablog@gmail.com