Daughters pay tribute to their mother’s dedication to special needs children.
Leah L. Thomson of Peachtree City, Ga., Lori L. White of Aberdeen, and Laura W. Milling of Meridian have funded the Mitzie B. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship for students interested in pursuing teaching or service careers, with first preference going to Mississippians.
“An education scholarship is a perfect way to honor our mother because of her deeply felt passion for Ole Miss and her pure love for the students she lifted and led for 30 years,” said White. “Mother taught special needs children for most of her career. I remember her exuberance in describing their daily accomplishments. Giant steps and baby steps were celebrated equally.”
Thomson echoed that sentiment, saying, “Anytime I came back to Fulton to see my mom and we were out and around town, parents of her former students and students themselves always came to say ‘hello’ and thank her. She encouraged people in the community to volunteer their time to help with the annual Special Olympics event, and from this experience, one volunteer decided to become a teacher and now is a principal.”
Glenn Hopkins, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said it is fitting to recognize the life commitment of an educator with a gift that helps future educators. “We are fortunate to have sisters Leah, Lori, and Laura giving back to strengthen the university and the College of Liberal Arts,” he said. “Their gift reflects their great love for their mother and the respect they have for her passion for teaching. To honor a dedicated educator by helping pave the way for others to become educators is truly outstanding.”