50th Wedding Anniversary Vows Renew Today

Mr. and Mrs. George Brown

Vera (Class of 1959) and George Brown were married at St. Paul Catholic Church on Saturday January 9, 1965.  Vera and George are lifelong Vicksburg residents.

  

Their children, Andrea and Owen Francis of Mandeville, Louisiana, July and Bill Walker of Clinton, and George and Lara Brown of Hattiesburg are very proud of them for demonstrating how to succeed in marriage, relationships, parenting and life.  They will be renewing their wedding vows at the 4 p.m. Vigil mass at St. Paul today, Wednesday, December 31, 2014.

Their children will be honoring them by hosting a reception today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Farrell Building.

All friends and relatives are invited to help them celebrate this happy occasion.  No gifts please.

Happy New Year Classmates!

May your New Year be a New Year that brings luck and 

prosperity, a New Year that brings happiness and joy. 

Happy New Year!

Congratulations To Sister Paulinus!

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

She received the Bronze Key, an award from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, in recognition of her contributions to the Central Mississippi NCADD affiliate's work.

Greetings and Happy Fall

I hope everyone had a great, relaxing summer, and are starting to enjoy the cooler days of Fall.  The first month of school has flown by, and the students are getting settled in their routines. We have a lot going on here at Vicksburg Catholic School, and invite you to join us!

Homecoming:

This Friday, October 3rd, St. Aloysius will host JFK Memorial High School for Homecoming. We hope to have many alumni come back to visit for this special week. The schedule of events for Homecoming Week:

Wednesday:  Powder Puff Football game 6:00 PM Balzli Field

Thursday:  Parade in Downtown Vicksburg at 5:00 PM on Washington Street; 

Pep Rally to follow at St. Aloysius.

Friday:  Mass at 9:00 in the St. Aloysius Gym, with Reception for Alumni, Family 

and Friends to follow Grandparents Day at St. Francis at 1:00 PM

Football Game: Alumni from the Classes of 1965 and 1990 will be honored before the game at 6:30 Homecoming Court honored at Halftime.

Upcoming Reunions:

The Class of 2000 will have their reunion this weekend, October 4th. Details are attached.

The Class of 2004 will have their reunion the weekend of October 25th. For more details, contact Katie Farris Myers at katiefarrismyers@gmail.com or Laura Beth Lyons Strickland at lblyons911@gmail.com.

Thunderbolt:

Please see the latest "Thunderbolt" attached, produced by the St. Aloysius Newspaper Staff.

As always, God bless, and thank you for your support!

Ann

--

Ann Farrell Roberson

Director of Development & Alumni Affairs

St. Aloysius High School/St. Francis Xavier Elementary

1900 Grove Street/1200 Hayes Street

Vicksburg, MS 39183

601-630-9762

www.vicksburgcatholic.org 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND NOTICE REGARDING NO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE. The information transmitted in this electronic message, including any attachments, is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged material, and may not be considered evidence of intent to be bound by any agreement. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination, or other use of, or taking any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please immediately forward the message to returns@vicksburgcatholic.org and delete all copies of this message and its attachments from all computers.

Gail Helgason Loviza Dies

Gail Helgason Loviza passed away Friday, September 5, 2014, at River Region Medical Center after a lengthy illness.  She was 77.

One of four children, she was the daughter of T. A. and Eva Callaway Helgason of Vicksburg.

She graduated from St. Francis Xavier Academy and continued her education at Incarnate Word College, Dominican College, and Loyola University of New Orleans.  Gail enjoyed bridge, music, and her family. She was a reserved lady of distinction.

Gail's career was in the hospital field, serving as administrative assistant to Sister Eva Loyocano, manager of Mercy Hospital.  After having her last child, Gail returned to her job and finished 30 years' service in medical records at Park View Regional Medical Center and Street Clinic.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ted Helgason; a sister, Charlotte Helgason; and her first husband, Julian Wooddy Barnett of New Orleans.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Joseph L. Loviza of Vicksburg; son, Julian W. Barnett Jr.; and daughters, Laura Barnett Stewart and Kathleen Loviza Miles (Daniel) of Vicksburg.  She has two granddaughters, Canada Stewart and Linley Miles.

Gail's surviving sibling is Julia H. Nichols.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2014, at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. P. J. Curley, the Rev. Tom Lalor, and the Rev. Noel Prendergast officiating.  Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday at Riles Funeral Home. Prayers will be at 7 p.m. in the chapel.
Active pallbearers will be Joe Curro, John W. Loviza, Mark Vedros, Tim Wright, Mike Stewart, Greg Curro, Dr. Keith Nichols, and Judge Allen Derivaux.

Honorary pallbearers will be David Ellis, Charles Peets, Albert Hossley, Harold Blackmon, Dr. Clyde Muse, Chad Shealy, Fred Lee, George Roesch, Sam Lusco, Charles Kette, Fred Groome, Joe Durst, Louis Renaud, Bobby Alvarado, Warren Doiron, Milton Barnett, Andrew Romano, Joan H. Leese, Thelma R. Koestler, Joan C. Donovan, Gertrude B. Lyons, Sister Paulinus Oakes, Lana Gray, Debra Smith, Tom Irby, Francine Fox Nosser, Judge Frank Vollor, Dr. Buddy Strickland, Sheriff Martin Pace, Jack O'Neill, Jerome Curro, Bill Loviza, Michael Helgason, John Miles, Chris Curro, Phil Vedros, Tom Patin, Bill Lauderdale and Bobby Barlow.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Dan Edney, Dr. Bill Wooten, and the staff of River Region Medical Center for their kind treatment of Gail.  Her caregivers, Lana Gray and Debra Smith, are to be commended also.

Memorial may be given in Gail's memory to the Loviza Trust at Vicksburg Catholic School, to St. Michael Catholic Church, to the Sisters of Mercy, or to a favorite charity.

Going Down Memory Lane

This picture of Sonny Logue's wedding party was sent to me recently by Robert "Bob" Witty.  Bob is going down memory lane and what a memorable occasion it must have been.  Standing with Father Lacey Green is the Groom, Louis "Sonny" Logue.  Back row, Robert "Bob" Witty, Mickey Sullivan, Jackie Mackey (Dead) and Ivan Cunningham. Classmates from the Class of 1959!

It's great to look back according to Bob who commented - old times are not forgotten!  Thanks for the memories Bob!

Robert "Bob" Witty

386-931-6179

Red Tops "Rufus McKay" Dies

The original lineup of the Red Tops performs in this undated photo from the collection of the Old Court House Museum. vocalist Rufus McKay, who died Monday, is on the far right.  Andy Hardwick, Standing next to McKay, is the last surviving member of the group.

Rufus Lee McKay, the vocalist for Vicksburg's iconic Red Tops died Monday at River Region Medical Center.  He was 87.

Between 1953 and 1974, the Red Tops entertained audiences with their distinctive mix of blues, jazz, and pop.  

McKay's death leaves 80-year-old Andy Hardwick as the only living original member of the original group.

"Rufus was the key attraction," Hardwick said Tuesday.

McKay, is perhaps best remembered for his rendition of "Danny Boy," which became a crowd favorite.

"When he would sing that song, people would stop dancing and come sit in front of the band stand, some crying, some sitting in awesome wonder," Hardwick said.  "Nobody sung "Danny Boy" liek Rufus."

The first time McKay performed his signature son, the told The Vicksburg Post in 2011, was during a dance at an Ole Miss sorority house.

"It just popped in my mind," he said.  McKay noticed a woman standing nearby who was crying, and later learned later that her son Danny had been killed in war.

"That's one reason I started closing my eyes when I sand," McKay said.

In an era of segregation, the Red Tops helped cross the color barrier by performing from audiences of all races.

"I would say 98 percent of performances were for white folks," Hardwick said.

The never encountered any racial violence while on tour.  However, the potential was there one night at the Wagon Wheel in Jackson for a highly volatile situation.

The Wagon Wheel had a low bandstand, and while McKay sang a woman climbed on stage and took him by the hand and held it.

"I could see the black help - the cooks and waiters - looking," McKay said in 2011, "They didn't know what was going to happen. There was a white lady holding a black man's hand in an all-white club with a black band. We just kept playing."

There were plenty of humorous times. too.  During a Red Tops performance in Bastrop, La., McKay put on a rattly old hat and got into character for a song titled "Drunk."  A constable jumped up on stage and pulled McKay off the bandstand.

"He thought Rufus was really drunk.  They were going to take him to jail.  That tickled us to death," Hardwick said.  "He found it hilarious."

Before the Red Tops, McKay and Hardwick performed in the Rebops. Hardwick was just 13, and McKay and other members of the band were mentors.

"They kept me from the evils of the road," Hardwick said.

McKay and Hardwick later broke out on their own and formed The Corvettes.

"We played a lot of new stuff," Hardwick said.  "We never went back to the Red Tops.  That was it."

The Corvettes didn't have the same following as the Red Tops, and broke up after not being able to land secure work.  Afterword, McKay moved to Las Vegas before eventually settling in Vicksburg.

"I'll miss him.  We went out separate ways when he got back here," Hardwick said.

Funeral services for McKay will be tomorrow with Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home in charge.

Remembering "The Red Tops"

The (Original Red Tops) "Swanee River Rock"

(Record released in  1957)

Phillip Logue Doiron, Sr. ~ Obituary

Phillips Logue Doiron, Sr. died Friday, July 4, 2014.  He was 72.

Born in Vicksburg, he was the son of Jules Warren Doiron, Sr.  and May Frances Logue Doiron.  He grew up in Vicksburg, graduating from St. Aloysius High School in 1959.  He was of the Catholic faith.

After serving in the United States Marie Corps, he received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Mississippi College and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Phillip worked for the Waterways Experiment Station in the Environmental Lab until his retirement in 1996.  After retirement, he continued his career in the private sector until his final retirement in 2012.

He lived most of his life in Vicksburg, where he was involved with the American Red Cross and the Vicksburg Soccer Organization.  Weaver, Alabama was his home the last seven years, where he enjoyed canoeing, hiking, RV camping and being a member of the Cheaha RV & Camping Club, and the Alabama Good Sam's Organization.  Other hobbies included antique train collecting and Civil War history.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a niece, Bobby Doiron Raines and a nephew, Christian Doiron.

Survivors include his children, Julie Doiron Sosebee (Craig), Phillip Logue Doiron, Jr. (Kara), Danielle Doiron Warnock (Brad); grandchildren, Jack Soebee, Elizabeth Sosebee, Anna Kate Doiron, Ally Doiron, Mary Bradley Warnock and Wes Warnock; brothers, Warren Doiron (Camille) and Greg Doiron (Shirley); nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Craig Sosebee, Jack Sosebee, Brad Warnock, Mark Doiron, Mike Jackson, Phillip Doiron.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vicksburg Catholic Schools and St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at Riles Funeral Home with Father Thomas Lalor, pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Tuesday at the funeral home from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the service.

St. Al Classmate Dies

Our classmate, Phillip Logue Doiron, (Class of 1959) passed away last night, July 4, 2014. Please keep his family in your prayers at this time.  

We are all saddened to hear of the lost of another classmate but we know he has gone to his final reward and to be with Our Lord.  

May he rest in peace! Amen



Update:  Funeral arrangements are ~ Riles Funeral Home on Tuesday.  Visitation begins at 12:30 and funeral at 2:00.   

Prayers For Phillip

Please continue to keep our classmate, Phillip Doiron, in your prayers.


The 23rd Psalm ~
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surly goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

2014 Mercy Babe's Reunion

Recently, my Facebook friend, Margaret Patricia "Patty" Grey, had this picture of her high school friends at their annual get together last weekend on her site.  Left to right, including maiden names are - Lucy Canizaro Williams, Laura Love Ables (my sister), Sandra Jabour Harvey, Nina Coccaro Buell, Helen Melsheimer Gordon, Judy Janes Youngblood, Cathy Barnes Downey, Linda Muffuletto, Patty Hebler Gray, Susan Taylor Yerger. 10 of 24 girls. They have lost five of the girls from the SFXA Class of 1961-- beautiful Rachel Hunt Dixon, Rosemary Woodbury, Mary Grace Tuccio, Michael Ann Penalver Zeh and Ethel Towne Kendrick. Three who planned to come, but had last minute obligations--Joan Kinnebrew Reynolds, Barbara Montgomery Mellon, and Marianne Neal Walley. They were missed so much. To the six others who could not be there--Dottie Brooks Murray, Cecelia Franco Springer, Linda Harwood Oakley, Mary Carol McNamara Lundberg, Deborah Miao Waggoner, Vivian Smith Bell--were truly missed and hope they can make the next one. And to Linda Byrd Killian who spent many years with their class, was missed, too. To Bernadette Luckett Ward, happy to have her with them on Friday. Obviously, Patty loves all her friends and the Mercy Babes.

A New Entrance

I drove by our Alma Mater of St. Francis Xavier Convent/Academy which is now the Southern Cultural Heritage Center and saw a new entrance to the auditorium.  I wanted to share the pictures I took and I really like it.  The entrance will be a lot safer to go up and down and very eye appealing.  

A wider view.

I'm sure this light fixture was here when we went to school except for the light bulb of course.  

New sign on the entrance wall.

SFXA/SAHS 55th Class Reunion

Our SFXA/SAHS 55th Class Reunion was held at the B'nai B''rith Literary Association, (B.B. Club) on Friday, April 11, 2014, honoring the Class of 1964 and the Class of 2014.  It was disappointing that none of our SAHS (Class of 1959) classmates were able to attend the banquet.

Billie Marie Price Clarke and Ina Carol Lott Whittington getting ready to go to the Banquet.  

Left to right ~ Myself, Marian Love Phillips, Sue McNamara Fowler, Rita Martin Holland, Kay Hess Simms, Theresa Martin Kitowski, Ina Lott Whittington and Billie Price Clarke.  Photobomb by Chuck Kitowski!

Front row ~ Billie Price Clarke, Sue McNamara Fowler, Kay Hess Simms and Ina Lott Whittington.  Back row ~ Myself, Marian Love Phillips, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado, Theresa Martin Kitowski, Vera Marshall Brown all Class of 1959 and Rita Martin Holland, Class of 1960.

George Brown and Jim Simms.

Gene Martin with his lovely wife Cindy.

Gene showing off his Miller Lite beer while Cindy shares in the laughter!

Bobby and Myrtle talking to a guest.

Kay Hess Simms, Theresa and Charlie Marshall with Vera Marshall Brown.

Barbara with her sister Sue McNamara Fowler and classmate, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado.

Kay Hess Simms talking to George Brown.

Chuck and Theresa Kitowski having a good time.

Friends of mine, Karen Gordon with her husband Trey, who's son, John Gordon, was graduating in Class of 2014.  

Karen and I were so glad to see one another again!  

Very nice table arrangements and the food was very delicious.

Sue McNamara Fowler with her youngest sister Barbara.

We had two reserved tables for the Class of 1959.

Full view of our classmates before the Banquet.

Reverend P. J. Curley, Pastor, St. Michael Catholic Church who gave the Benediction.

OUR BRUNCH

Our Brunch was held at the lovely home of Myrtle and Bobby Alvarado's at noon, Saturday, April 12, 2012.  

A delicious fruit tray.

Banana nut bread made by Vera.

Devil eggs galore by Ina!

A beautiful Easter egg centerpiece!

Large pretty bunny rabbit statue on the coffee table.

Rita Martin Holland, Vera Marshall Brown, Ina Lott Whittington and Theresa Martin Kitowski chatting.

Enjoying Bloody Mary's and Momosa are left to right, Jane Cathey Wilkerson, Marie Menger Renaud, Rita Martin Holland and Sue McNamara Fowler.

Louie Renaud and Albert McNamara laughing/enjoying each others conversations! 

Sisters, Barbara and Sue enjoying a hotty toddy together.

Lots of breakfast food to be enjoyed by our classmates.

Vera Marshall Brown, Billie Price Clarke, Ina Lott Whittington, Theresa Martin Kitowski and Kay Hess Simms posing for the camera.

All eight SFXA Alumni girls (Class of 1959) attended the Brunch.  

Sitting ~ Vera Marshall Brown and Ina Lott Whittington.  

Standing ~ Sue McNamara Fowler, Marian Love Phillips, Theresa Martin Kitowski, Kay Hess Simms, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado and Billie Price Clarke.

Marie Menger Renaud smiling for the camera!

Theresa Martin Kitowski looking pretty in turquoise.

A beautiful butterfly glass in the kitchen window.  

Lovely home with a nice staircase!

A beautiful tapestry hanging on the wall!

A cute rabbit holding business cards.

Sitting ~ Vera Marshall Brown, Ina Lott Whittington, Kay Hess Simms, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado and Sue McNamara Fowler.  

Standing ~ Theresa Martin Kitowski, Billie Price Clarke and Marian Love Phillips.

Hopefully, next year some of us can get together again at the 2015 Alumni Banquet to visit and catch up on our lives and old times!