Ivan H. Cunningham Dies

 

Ivan H. Cunningham Jr. Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ivan H. Cunningham Jr. in Jackson, Mississippi, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, who passed away on December 24, 2021, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends. 

He was predeceased by: his parents, Ivan H. Cunningham, Sr, and Mary Katherine Herbert Cunningham; his former wife Dorothy Blough "Dot" Cunningham; and his brother John Cunningham. He is survived by: his wife Dorothy Ann Blough (Dot); and his sister Fran C. Bernard (Robert) of Vicksburg. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery (127 Church Rd, Madison, MS 39110). A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 at 3:30 PM at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Ivan H. Cunningham, Jr. (Vicksburg Post, Wednesday, December 29, 2021)

Ivan Hamilton Cunningham Jr. died on Friday, December 24 at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital.  He was 80.

A native of Vicksburg and born on August 27, 1941, he was the son of the late Ivan H. Sr. and Mary Katherine Herbert Cunningham.

A Class of 1959 graduate of St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, he attended Hinds Jr. College.  After moving to Jackson in 1961, he worked for Vickers Aerospace Corporation and Deposit Guaranty National Bank while finishing his undergraduate degree at Mississippi College.  There he met Dorothy Ann Blough (Dot) whom he married on July 7, 1962.  Cunningham began a long, dedicated 38-year career with Mississippi Valley Gas Company (Atmos Energy) in Jackson where he retired as Director of Purchasing in 2005.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Ivan and Dot were longtime residents of Madison and were active members of their beloved Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Dorothy Blough "Dot" Cunningham, and his brother, John Cunningham.

He is survived by his sister, Fran C. Bernard (Robert) of Vickburg, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 28 from 2:20 p.m. until the hour of the graveside service at 3:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, 127 Church Rd., in Gluckstadt.  Interment followed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Merry Christmas Classmates

 God's greatest gift was given to us at Christmas.  

May his gifts of Love, Peace, & Happiness be yours.

The 40's

Happy Thanksgiving Classmates!

 

Veterans Day 2021

Short Trip, Enjoy Life And Be Kind

I did not write this but WOW does it

speak to my heart!!!

It's worth the read.

"Barely the day started and

it's already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday

and it's already Friday.

.. and the month is already over.

.. and the year is almost over.

.. and already 40, 50, or 60 years

of our lives have passed.

.. and we realize that we lost

our parents, friends.

.. and we realize it's too late

to go back.

So.. Let's try, despite

everything, to enjoy

the remaining time.

Let's keep looking for

activities that we like.

Let's put some color in

our grey.

Let's smile at the little

things in life that put

balm in our hearts.

And despite everything,

we must continue to enjoy

with serenity this time we

have left.

Let's try to eliminate the

afters.

I'm doing it after.

I'll say after.

I'll think about it after.

We leave everything for

later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't

understand is that:

Afterward, the coffee

gets cold.

Afterward, priorities change.

Afterward, the charm is

broken.

Afterward, health passes.

Afterward, the kids grow up.

Afterward, parents get old.

Afterward, promises are

forgotten.

Afterward, the day becomes

the night.

Afterward, life ends.

And then it's often too late.

So.. Let's leave nothing for

later.

Because still waiting to see

later, we can lose the

best moments, the best

experiences, best friends,

the best family.

The day is today. The

moment is now.

We are no longer at the

age where we can afford

to postpone what needs

to be done right away."

It Looks Like An Eternity,

But It's A Short Trip,

Enjoy Life And Always

Be Kind.

St. Francis/St. Aloysius 50th Class Reunion Video

I was able to use my phone to video our 50th class reunion to share on our blog.  There are a few mistakes but all in all, I think it turned out pretty good for us to enjoy again.  Remembering our reunion and the good old days! Marian

PS:  Hard to believe it has been 62 years already that we have graduated.  The past 12 years have flown by.  

Never Forget

Zoom in...the faces that died on 9/11.

Happy Labor Day Classmates!

 

Happy 80th Birthday To All Our Classmates!

Wishing all SFXA and SAHS classmates a very "Happy 80th Birthday" to all those who have had birthdays or will in theYear of Our Lord 2021!  

Congratulations to all born in 1941!

Prayers For Gordon Sutton

Please keep our classmate Gordon Sutton in your prayers.  May God Bless you, Gordon!

Prayers for our classmates of SFXA and SAHS with health issues will be added to our prayer list. 

(If any of our classmates are in need of prayers, please contact me at mariandeer@aol.com and I will post to our blog)

1960 Memories At SFXA & SAHS

These pictures were posted on Facebook recently and thought you would like to see them if you missed the post.  The faces and names will bring back a lot of memories of friends we made at our alma maters.  

 

Hope everyone is having a good summer so far and staying safe and healthy with this lingering pandemic.  If anyone needs prayers, please email me at mariandeerhunter@

bellsouth.net or mariandeer@aol.com, and I will put you on our prayers list.  May God Bless you all.

Happy Fourth Of July Classmates!

Remembering Charles B. Kitowski, III, (Trey)

Remembering my nephew, Charles B. Kitowski III, (Trey) who died in Afghanistan in 2007 at age 33.  May God bless you, and God bless America! 

(Posted on Facebook by Rita Martin Holland, sister to our classmate, Theresa Martin Kitowski).

Class of 1961 ~ Mercy Babes!

Can’t believe these beautiful Mercy Babes graduated 60 years ago.

Col. George Booth ~ SAHS (Class of 1966)

My cousin, Col. George Booth (St. Aloysius Class of 1966), laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Among other duties ... he was a “fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, flying with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing based in Ubon, Thailand. He flew the F-4 and F-15. During his years of service, Col. Booth also served at Air Force bases in Bitburg, Germany; Soesterberg, Netherlands and Nellis AFB, Nevada. He spent one year in Toronto, Canada at the Air Command and Staff College, an institution designed to provide high-quality professional military education for selected Canadian and international officers. He then provided services to the Canadian government for 2 years at the Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. Col. Booth subsequently returned to the United States with an assignment to Langley AFB in Virginia where he served as Commander of the 48th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He later trained at the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, the senior professional military education school of the USAF. His final duty station was in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he was a senior officer at NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).” by Peter Pikul

Arlington National Cemetery

October 2020

Blanche Loviza Irby Obituary

Blanche Irby, 83, of Huntsville and Madison, passed away Monday, May 24, 2021. Born in Vicksburg, MS to John Joseph and Mabel Harris Loviza, Blanche graduated from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Vicksburg. Education was invaluable to her, and she returned to school as an adult to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Theology from Athens State College. She continued to soak up life as a forever student. With a heart of gold, Blanche never knew a stranger and radiated love and compassion. She saw the good in everything and everyone and treated each day as a gift. She was a volunteer at Meals on Wheels and a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Her loved ones believe she had a "direct line to God," as she was a true prayer warrior for everyone she knew. Fittingly, two priests were drawn to her side to deliver her last rites. She always wanted to meet God, and those who knew her to find peace in knowing she now rests in His embrace. Blanche is survived by her husband of 62 years, Thomas "Tom" Irby, with whom she built a life of laughter, love, travel, and plenty of dancing. Their romance sparked at school dances, and they married on April 12, 1959. At every wedding, she and Tom stole the dance floor with their light feet and loving gaze. They celebrated two vow renewals and served as pillars of love and devotion for their family and friends. Marriage to Tom was an adventure Blanche bravely embraced. She willingly tried new things, such as hiking, backpacking, snow skiing, sailing, and scuba diving. She water skied until age 70 - a passion she and Tom passed down to their children and grandchildren. As a patron of the arts, she enjoyed reading, weaving, and theatergoing, especially to Fantasy Playhouse with her grandchildren. Blanche was preceded in death by her parents; and two of her siblings, Dorothy Faye Vedros (Phillip) and John William Loviza (Emily). A beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, she leaves behind children, Lisa Derasaugh (David), Peter Irby (Yvonne), Thomas "Griff" Irby (Anna), and Christie Burgess (Ron); siblings, Joseph Loviza (Glenda) and Myrtle Curro Alvarado (Bobby); and grandchildren, Andrew, Jessica (Tom), Ryan, Meagan, Rachael, Grant, Grace, Zachary, and Brandon. She lives on in their loving memory and will be deeply missed. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, AL. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. and be officiated by Father Bryan K Lowe, Pastor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison Senior Center Nutrition and Meal Program, 1282 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758.

Blanche, Joe, and Myrtle.

Happy Mother's Day Classmates!

William "Fred" Baldwin Dies

November 11, 1939 ~ April 10, 2021

William "Fred" Baldwin, a retired certified public accountant (CPA) and long-time resident of Vicksburg, MS died at his home on April 10, 2021. A graveside service for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 11:00 am at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery in Vicksburg. 

Fred is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rosalye Wilkerson Baldwin (Class of 1959), his son Trent Baldwin (Marissa) of Ridgeland, MS, his brothers Harold Baldwin (Caroline) of Waynesboro, Virginia, and David Baldwin (Patty) of Vicksburg, MS, and his grandchildren; Shelby Beckett Baldwin, Blake Wilkerson Baldwin, and Ashley Ann Baldwin. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Minnie Rae Baldwin, and his youngest son, Troy Beckett Baldwin. 

Fred was born in Memphis, TN on November 11, 1939. He lived in Vicksburg most of his life and graduated in the last class of Carr Central High School in 1958. He then attended Mississippi State University and graduated with a degree in accounting. He worked as an accountant for 56 years of which the last 42 years were spent in private practice before retiring in January 2019. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg where he served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, executive committee member, and was on the board of trustees. Fred deeply loved and was always faithful to his Lord, his family, and his church. Memorials may be made to the Troy Baldwin Scholarship Endowment, MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or to the First Baptist Church, 1607 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

(Just found out that Rosalye's husband had passed away. Rest in peace). 

Happy Easter Classmates

Prayers For Our Classmate, Myrtle

Our classmate, Myrtle had a shoulder replacement yesterday in Jackson and came home today to recover.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.  She is looking at 6 weeks with physical therapy. 

Top Of The Morning Classmates!

The shamrock represents the Trinity as well as the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. The four-leaf clover, a rarity, represents those and “good luck."

Happy Valentine's Day Classmates!

 

Our SAHS/SFXA Bricks @ St. Aloysius High School

I went by St. Aloysius High School the other day and took pictures of our bricks that were laid.  We bought them after our 60th Class Reunion.  I'm not sure when they were put down but most likely last year.  

Another picture with our bricks at the top left-hand corner.

Bricks at the right front entrance of the high school.

 

Bricks to the left entrance of the high school.

Another walkway full of bricks in front of the high school.

The walkway on the side of the building with our bricks at the far top left.

The front of St. Aloysius High School facing Grove Street and the football stadium.  

Focused On MS ~ Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation

The Sisters of Mercy came to Vicksburg just before the Civil War and purchased the Cobb House as their headquarters. It was built in the 1840s. They taught school downstairs and lived upstairs. Then in 1868, the Sisters built their convent. Later, they added the auditorium and Academy. You’ve seen the auditorium in the movie ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou.’ It’s a big tourist attraction now.

Click here for Walt Grayson's talk about our former school in Vicksburg, MS.  

Happy "80th" Birthday To Me!

George Edward Brown, Sr. Dies

George Edward Brown Sr. passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021.  He was 84.

George was the son of James Franklin Brown and Iva Alice Baker-Brown.  He was born on May 27, 1936, in Redwood.  He was a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a medic.  George was a retired employee of Internation Paper with over 30 years of service.

He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was involved in many ministries, where he and his wife Vera enjoyed preparing and organizing meals for bereaved members of St. Paul, and he also was a member of the church's choir until recently.  In his spare time, George loved drawing and painting.  Many people own his beautiful magnolia paintings.  He was a man of few words but everyone who knew him referred to him as a sweet man who would do anything for anyone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, James Franklin Brown III, Iva Lillian Brown, Grace Scott, Donald Brown, and Bill Brown; the love of his life wife of over 52 years, Vera Marshall Brown (Class of 1959); and one grandchild, Christina Francis.

He is survived by a sister, Dot Griffith; his three children, Andrea Francis (Owen), Julie Walker (Bill), and George Brown Jr. (Lara); four grandsons; two granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 25, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Dore officiating.  Fisher-Riles Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Van Stewart Dies New Year's Eve

 Dear All,

I want to inform you that my brother, Van Stewart, died on New Year’s Eve of kidney failure.  He had been ill for many months.  There will be a short service at Fisher/Riles funeral home on Indiana Avenue by the Knights of Columbus followed by graveside services on Tuesday, January 5.  Van was Grand Knight a few years ago.  Please pray for him, his wife, Sue, two children, Edwin and Jason, and his 9 grandchildren.  On a happier note, I got the first shot of the vaccine yesterday, the second due on February 2.  Something to be said for old age!  A most spectacular healthy, joyous, and blessed 2021 to everyone!

Kay Stewart Clark

Happy New Year Classmates!

 An alternate New Year's Resolution!