sam westmoreland obituary
TUPELO − Family unit, friends, teammates and coaches gathered at The Orchard Church on Midweek evening to celebrate and memorialize the life of Mississippi State and Tupelo High offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland, who died Oct. xix. He was 18.
Approximately 300 people gathered for the service, including a majority of Westmoreland's Mississippi State and Tupelo teammates, as well every bit Bulldogs motorcoach Mike Leach and athletics director John Cohen. Vii speakers memorialized Westmoreland, ranging from reverends from All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo to Westmoreland's former coaches at Tupelo to Mississippi Land associate Advertising Jay Perry. Every speaker highlighted Westmoreland's loving nature, his infectious smiling, his natural joy and kindness, and his passion for beingness a good disciple and a adept teammate.
Reverend Phillip Parker from All Saints was among the kickoff to speak and shared messages nearly the intersection betwixt grief and love. Parker emphasized the community that Westmoreland and his parents Josh and Amanda created, telling a story virtually meeting the family unit through his son before ever moving to Tupelo and instantly recognizing how loving and protective the Westmorelands would be for his son, fifty-fifty if he was a relative stranger.
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Tupelo offensive line coach Trey Ward followed Parker with a reading of the verse form "The Dash" by Linda Ellis. Ward then told stories about the aspect of Westmoreland's personality he near appreciated: When Westmoreland trusted someone, he listened and followed without question, out of deference and respect to the relationships he'd built.
Perry delivered the terminal memorial address, speaking on behalf of the Mississippi State family. He shared stories from practices and workouts well-nigh Westmoreland'southward religion, vibrant personality and the effect his kindness had on his teammates. 1 story he happily shared was about a squad trip to the new Chipotle restaurant in Starkville where the credit bill of fare reader wasn't working. Westmoreland, the only player there carrying cash, paid for seven or eight of his teammates' meals without missing a beat.
Later on sharing his stories, Perry presented the Westmoreland family unit with three gifts from Mississippi State. One was a document of attendance courtesy of Mississippi State president Marker Keenum. The others were Westmoreland's Mississippi State game jersey and helmet for the family to keep and cherish his time playing for the Bulldogs.
The family wanted the atmosphere of the service to be light. Guests were encouraged to wear colour instead of black. The Tupelo football game squad arrived wearing their game jerseys and most Mississippi Land players wore maroon. Before the service, as a photo collage of Westmoreland played over the video screens, music alternated between hymnal instrumentals and some of Westmoreland'due south favorite hip-hop songs.
Tears flowed, but the focus was on celebrating Westmoreland'southward retentivity and the ideals he stood for in life.
Contact Nick Suss at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.
Source: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2022/10/27/sam-westmoreland-memorial-service-mississippi-state-tupelo/69581530007/
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