Muriel Sullivan Sills

To all of my wonderful friends and classmates of the graduating seniors of 1966  Clinton  High School. I have been close to all of you throughout the years and have felt that you were there with me during good times and  times that may not have been as good. You were my inspiration when I needed inspiration.

My life brought me a good life and much happiness. Throughout the years, I have been blessed with a good marriage and wonderful kids. My oldest, Sarah, and her husband Jeremy have given me four grandkids that anyone would be thankful for. They tell me that Nana (grandma) rocks . My son, Jason and his wife Staci have given me 2 wonderful grand puppies that have very distinctive personalities. My youngest, Lindsey, and Megan have returned to Mississippi and live where I grew up on my beloved grandparents farm in Simpson County

One day in 1973, I decided to go to a church in North Jackson. I encountered the strangest occurrence. There was a man there that had the same name of my employer in Clinton. I said " Oh no, not another one." This brought intrigue to both of us. We became enthralled in conversation. Soon we had discovered that the two were actually first cousins but did not know one another. Even though our meeting  brought love at first sight, a year would pass before we would have adequate opportunity to see each other. Life has a way of binding things that are to be and to become. Love at first sight is unusual for graduates of rival colleges: Mississippi College and Millsaps.

Conversations would lead us to realize that our families were very close friends even though we didn't know of each other. We lived near each other but separated by  the Pearl River. We discovered that oft times when he was present at a place, I would be there as well, yet we never met.  My grandparents and his parents were close friends in our rural environment. Still, we never met. Our lives were already so intwined. We felt blessed that the Lord would do this for us as he would continue to lay blessings before us and cause our lives to become even more wrapped and intwined.

In our early marriage, living on a mini farm in Shivers, life was like heaven  - so happy and blissful. It became so easy to dedicate life to things that were important. We also grew all sorts of birds and animals and garden produce. We had a flock of peafowl, they were loud but we loved it.

In 1992, we moved out of state. We had a happy life in Utah, even though it could never compare to our little agrarian farm.

The above has been written by my husband as we would share these things often and have such wonderful laughter as we discussed it. I returned to my Celestial home Feb 16, 2012. The day that I was laid to rest in Shivers, and just before the last words were said,  cows from each side of the road came to the cemetery and moo'ed numerous times while all looking at the grave site. My beloved grandfather instilled into me a love of animals. This farewell was very welcomed.