State of Mississippi Judiciary

Bar Memorial honors 78 deceased lawyers

October 21, 2015

The Mississippi Supreme Court convened on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to pay tribute to 78 attorneys who died during the past year.

Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. presided over the annual Mississippi Bar Memorial Service, which was held in the En Banc Courtroom at the Mississippi Supreme Court in Jackson. A white candle was lit as Memorial Service Committee Chair Peyton D. Prospere read each name.

Justice Jim Kitchens of Crystal Springs told families, friends and colleagues, “These 78 Mississippi Bar members whose names have been lovingly sounded in this courtroom today served our entire state, and society at large, and we who remain are the poorer for their departure....Indeed, those whose memories we honor today will not soon be forgotten by countless numbers of the poor, the weak and the troubled persons for whom these dedicated lawyers provided help and hope during times of difficulty and despair.”

Justice Kitchens said, “Many of these lawyers’ most laudable deeds are known only by those who were the beneficiaries of their kindness, their compassion and their unshakable commitment to their professional duties. But at the same time, we who were privileged to observe and learn from these great women and men of the law are aware of countless instances of their having gone far beyond the extra mile in their persistent pursuit of justice for all, often with no expectation of being paid for providing the same quality of legal services for those who could not pay as they did for those who could pay them well.”

Mississippi Bar President Roy D. Campbell III noted that some practiced law for more than 60 years. Others died after very brief legal careers. “They served as examples to all of us with their service to the clients, the courts and to the public,” he said.

Among those honored was former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Noble Lee of Forest, who was admitted to the Bar in 1939. He died Jan. 21 at the age of 99. Other judges who died were Chancery Judge Daniel H. Fairly of Brandon, retired Chancellor Ray H. Montgomery of Canton, and former Chancellor Edward C. Prisock of Louisville. Other public servants who died included former House Speaker Tim Ford of Jackson; former Senator Martin T. Smith of Poplarville, who was the first director of the Administrative Office of Courts; and former Supreme Court Administrator Jack E. Pool of Dallas.

Here is a list of the deceased attorneys who were honored:

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