In Memory - Margie Riddle Bearss

Remembering Margie Riddle Bearss

A Photographic Journey

Margie and Ed Bearss on their wedding day, July 30, 1958, in Brandon, Mississippi.

Cutting the wedding cake before embarking on their honeymoon out west.

Ed and Margie’s three children, Jenny, Cole and Sara.

Margie signing copies of Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign: The Meridian Expedition in 1987.

Margie greets a HistoryAmerica tour group at the USS Cairo, Vicksburg National Military Park, and delights the crowd with a few comments. Ed stands proudly by her side.

Elizabeth Joyner, Museum Curator, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Margie sign copies of Elizabeth's recently published book, The USS Cairo, with Foreword by Margie Bearss. During Margie's rare appearance at the Military Park, she also signed copies of her book, Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign: The Meridian Expedition. Standing beside Elizabeth is her proud son, Travis.

Pictured with Margie and Rebecca Drake at the dedication of My Dear Wife: Letters to Matilda are: Kitty and Billy Ellis, Jenny Bearss, daughter, and grandsons, Todd and Andy.

Rebecca and James Drake accompany Margie to the Champion Family Cemetery in 2006 prior to the unveiling of Sid Champion’s Confederate headstone.

Fall of 2005 ceremony at Champion Hill where a large crowd gathered for the dedication of My Dear Wife: Letters to Matilda.

Margie and Rebecca visit the Champion family cemetery. A Confederate flag was placed in honor of Sid Champion I, while a dozen red roses were placed on Matilda's grave.

Pete Brown, W. K. Vanderwal, and Jack Waugh greet Margie at Champion Hill.

Margie and Rebecca, co editors of My Dear Wife: Letters to Matilda and Darwina’s Diary: A View of Champion Hill ~ 1865. A third book, Collected Stories of the Vicksburg Campaign will be published in 2007.

Margie enjoys Union and Confederate escort during book signing at Champion Hill in 2006.

Margie and Rebecca at Champion Hill prior to book signing - waiting for the crowd to arrive.

Margie discusses Sherman’s 1864 campaign with several re-enactors who have read and re-read her book.

Margie visits with Grady Howell, Jr., author and historian, prior to the 2006 book dedication at Champion Hill where Grady was the featured speaker.

Margie with grandsons, Andy and Todd, daughter, Jenny, and husband, Ed.

Margie at home in Trace Point Assisted Living, Clinton, where she spent the final year of her life
surrounded by good friends and her beloved books.

<click here to view Margie's Scrapbook>