Mariglyn Mayfield Meacham

Mariglyn Newton Mayfield Meacham, one of Tate County’s most beloved citizens, died on August 28, 2020, at the age of 99, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN.

The daughter of William Henry and Ione Moring Newton of Coldwater, Mariglyn, as she is affectionately called, made an enduring impact on the lives of all who knew and loved her.  She was a graduate of Coldwater High School and what was then Northwest Junior College.  

She married Ralph Powell Mayfield of Coldwater in 1941. Ralph left for service in World War II right after the birth of their son, Ralph Powell Mayfield Jr.  Mariglyn and her son did not see their husband and father for three years.  After Ralph’s return from the service, Mariglyn attended The University of Mississippi, receiving her bachelor’s degree in English and Social Studies, and later, earned her master’s degree in Education.  While raising their son, Ralph (Pop) worked as a rural mail carrier and farmer while Mariglyn taught at Coldwater High School.  They had been married 37 years when Ralph passed.

Mariglyn taught and served as counselor at Coldwater High School for more than 30 years.  Many of her students credit Mariglyn’s active influence on their lives with turning their lives around and encouraging them to work toward higher education degrees and to serve others with the same compassion they had received from this stellar teacher and compassionate counselor.

In 1982, Mariglyn moved from Coldwater to Senatobia. In 1989, she married Sam Meacham of Senatobia where they enjoyed a wonderful, happy life together until his death in 1999.

Mariglyn was an Elder in the Senatobia Presbyterian Church and a member of the Senatobia Cosmopolitan Club and the Magnolia Garden Club.  She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation and was a Trustee of the Senatobia Library.  She was also named Alumnus of the Year at Northwest, and a scholarship was established in her honor by her family, The Mariglyn Mayfield Meacham Endowment.

Mariglyn was pre-deceased by her son, Ralph, whom she loved dearly.  Those she also loved and who are left to grieve her absence are her daughter-in-law, Constance Wilson Mayfield; grandsons, Robert Powell Mayfield, Ralph Wilson Mayfield and his wife Catherine Cotton Mayfield and their wonderful two new additions to the family, Ralph Wilson Mayfield Jr.(3) and Charlotte Louise Mayfield(2 mo.) , all of Houston, Texas.  In addition, she leaves behind nieces and nephews and many loving friends, including her beloved bridge "girls".

This extraordinary lady blessed the lives of all who knew her with her  wisdom and her wit.  Her exuberance for life was a beacon of hope and joy to anyone who was in her presence.  Her faith in her Lord and her service in her church never diminished even when she was no longer able to attend.  Mariglyn Mayfield Meacham’s light will never dim in the hearts and lives of the citizens of Tate County.

The family would like to take this time to thank all of the many people who assisted and cared for Mariglyn during the last few years.

The family kindly request memorial contributions be made to Senatobia Presbyterian Church and Northwest Community College.

A visitation will be held at the Senatobia Presbyterian Church Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome but the number allowed into the church during the visitation will be limited to a few at a time in order to practice social distancing. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. The church will only be allowing an occupancy of 55 total for the service. A graveside service will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Coldwater and is open for everyone to attend.

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