State of Mississippi Judiciary

Memorial service honors deceased Mississippi lawyers

October 14, 2003

Lawyers, judges, friends and family gathered Tuesday in Jackson for a memorial service for 56 Mississippi lawyers who died during the past year.

Mississippi Bar President Richard C. Roberts III of Jackson told the crowd gathered in the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the Capitol that the best tribute to those who have died would be for those lawyers in attendance to rededicate themselves to the oath they took to practice law.

Roberts in his eulogy said, "We are all eyewitnesses to their legacy of service and devotion to duty." He said, "I count it as a blessing to have known them and to have been touched by their lives."

Chief Justice Edwin L. Pittman presided over the ceremony. Fifty-six slender white tapers were lit as the names of the deceased were read.

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice George C. Carlson Jr. of Batesville in the response for the court said, "Of those names read, I heard the names of a childhood friend, a college classmate, law school classmates, former trial judges, public servants, and those who went quietly about their way on a daily basis in their respective communities, practicing law, helping people, doing good, and seeking no recognition for their efforts."

Justice Carlson said, "The lawyers we remember and honor today recognized that in spite of the negative publicity inflicted on the legal profession, our profession was founded as, and continues to be, a service profession, dedicated to service to our citizens."

The memorial service is a 96-year-old tradition, Roberts said.

A list of those who have died follows.

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