Mrs. Eula (C.T., Sr.) Switzer

Mrs.Eula W. Switzer, age 87, of Biloxi, MS, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. A life long resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Eula Webb Switzer was born April 6, 1921, in Ocean Springs to Walter “Red” Webb and Josephine Myers Webb. One of thirteen children, Eula attended Ocean Springs High School and graduated in 1939. She went on to nursing training at New Biloxi Hospital from 1940-1941 and kept a special place in her heart for nurses. Eula’s life was full of love, laughter, generosity and service and was anchored in her deep faith. She imparted this faith to family, friends and strangers. Lovingly called “Meme” by her grandchildren and “adopted” family, she supported their every endeavor and celebrated every accomplishment with great pride. Eula taught an adult Sunday school class for 43 years at Handsboro Baptist Church, where she is a member. Mrs. Switzer joined the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Board of Trustees in 1975 and served on the board for 29 years with the exception of 1986 and 1987, during which time she filled the remaining term of her husband on the Harrison County Board of Supervisors for District V. She was the College Board’s first female chairperson and also served as first vice-chair, second vice chair and secretary. She received the distinguished Sam Owen Award in 2001 and the board elected to name the first building in honor of an individual at the Jefferson Davis Campus as the Eula W. Switzer Nursing and Allied Health Building. Throughout the years, Mrs. Switzer served her community as an active parent, grandparent and citizen. She has received numerous award for her service, but perhaps one of her most cherished honors was “Outstanding Mother of the Year Award” given to her by the Biloxi East Harrison County Lion’s Club. She was active throughout the community in the Civitan Club, Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Altrussa, Beta Sigma Phi, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Real Grandaughter of the UDC, Amaranth, and Order of Eastern Star. She often said, “with every privilege is a great responsibility” and her life marked by committed community and public service challenges those she has left behind to give freely to make a difference in the world. She was preceded in death by her husband, C.T. Switzer, Sr., parents, Walter and Josephine Myers of Ocean Springs, siblings, Hugh Webb, Tracey Webb, Sybil Beaugez, Audrey DeSilvey, Walter Webb, Carolyn Kiernan, Francis Webb, Priscilla Webb, Alice Webb, and her granddaughter, Ashleigh Humphreys. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children Tommye (Dan) Jackson of Gulfport; Dianne Smith of Gulfport; C.T. (Patti) Switzer, Jr. eight grandchildren Kandy Skinner Smith, Dawn Skinner Bates, Victoria Smith Butler, Angel Switzer, C.T. Switzer, III, Jessica Platz, and Zach Smith, ; six great-grandchildren Laurin Smith, Alex Smith, II, Zachary Griffin, Elizabeth Griffin, Jacque Crochet and Joshua Humphreys; three sisters Nita Taliancich of Brownsville, TX, Viola Martin of Petal, MS and Mildred Williams of Gulfport; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Monday, September 15, 2008, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12 pm, with a 1 pm service at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Downtown Gulfport. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Cemetery. The family would like to express a special thanks to Addie Smith, Ernestine Blanford and Melandie Williams for the special love and care they shared. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.