The Lexington advertiser., 1961-08-17

often and loved much; who has
enjoyed the trust of pure
women, the respect of intelli-
gent men and the love of little
children; who has filled his
niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better
than he found it. who has never
lacked appreciation Of earth's
beauty or failed To express it;
who has always looked for the
best in others and given them
the best he had. whose life was
an inspiration: whose memory
bencdiction." lB. A. Stanley
Ross Wiiioughby Rhyme, Sr.
native OF Lexington and life
long resident Of Holmes County
died Friday, May sfh at $3.50
p. m. Of pneumonia. Mr.. Rhyme,
tall, erect, handsome. maintain
ed a consistently optimistic and
Interested attitude in the affairs
OF his family and in current
events.
His mother, Mary Brown and
her family moved from Lexing-
ton, Kentucky, where her fa-
ther had been editor of tn e
newspaper and in coming to
Lexington Mississippi, became
editor of the paper there. His
father, Drewy Willoughby
Rhyme was postmastr of Lex
ington. He gave the land for the
site of the first railroad depot.
A street bears the name OF this
pioneer family. Rhyme street
may be found at the foot of
the hill, where the ancestral
mansion. stately home place
once stood among the beautiful
oak. cedar and magnolia trees.
AS a boy, Ross Rhyme was
large and strong for his age.
and was presented with a gold
watch for his assistance in the
construction of the steeple OF
the present Court House at
Lexington, carrying bricks to
that great height to the mason.
Perhaps the gift was minor
consideration as the danger of
such a task had its appeal to
young Ross. He loved horses,
guns, dogs and all of Gods
great out doors. He loved flow
ers, and his vegetable garden,
from which he gave, both flow
ers and shrubs to please the
aesthetic delight of his friends
and neighbors and vegetables
for their tables. His kind heart
and personal concern for his
friends was evidenced once
when his neighbor was i'll he
came down to the house and
asked what he could do, only
to find that his friend was be-
ing rushed to the hospital. Mr..
Rhyme. very kindly replied, Il
can hold the door open for the
ambulance driver, and wish the
neighbor "good luck which he
did.
"Mr. Ross" as he was affec-
tionately called was dignified,
reserved respectful of law and
order, he was an exemplary
citizen. He had reverence for
religion and respect for an Al
mighty God which he showed
by his actions. His six children
felt they could well be advised
by him.
It has been said that one can
tell a persons personality by
the way children love him and
truly it can be said that Mr..
Rhyme was loved by children.
He had '.just a way" as they
say. In his back yard was a
playhouse for little grand
daughters. In the stable. horse
for them to ride. He assisted
a grandson to begin pine tree
farm (and set out many him
self, to mention only few OF
his grandfatherly gestures.
Courteous, and well-bred,. he
was a gentleman, to the core,
in all relations with people.
At one time Mr.. Rhyme was
conductor for the Illinois Gen.
trail Railroad, and in one OF
their Year Books he was highly
praised as an affable man, who
was dependable and capable.
His assistance to young en-
ployees Of the Railroad has not
been forgotten and the nick
names, he gave some. have
stuck with them, and bespoke
has popularity.
Among Mr.. Rhymes hobbies
were fishing, hunting, carving
and "whittling". He had an in
teresting collection of pipes,
walking canes and coins. Many
delicious fish were consumed
by his family and friends, be-
cause of his Isaac Walton habits.
MANY salad forks, and spoons
are found in cabinets of friends,
items whitfield and polished by
Ross Rhyme. Just as he so neat
ly finished each article he made,
as he tended his garden, so was
.--.l.Ao -. hsc v,orca, CO