Ouida Landreth Tomlinson

Ouida Landreth Tomlinson, 81, died Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford, MS with Fr. Joe Tonos officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery.

Ouida was born August 1, 1940, to the late John D. and Juanita Warren Landreth. A 1958 graduate of Meridian High School, she developed life-long friendships with her classmates, staying in touch with them throughout the years. Ouida graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and an English Minor at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi in 1977. She was a gifted poet and won awards for her writing while in college. While at the University of Mississippi, her talent earned her the 1976 Duiguid Fellowship award of $5,000.

She earned a Master of Science degree in Judicial Administration at the University of Denver Law School in 1978. She began her judicial career in 1964 as a legal secretary for Will A. Hickman, Oxford, Mississippi, and later she worked as a legal clerk for the US Attorney, Oxford, MS from 1969 to 1975. Ouida began her post-graduate career as Administrative Assistant to the Circuit Executive for the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

She loved dogs and fostered many throughout the years but held a special love for her Maltese rescues. Ouida was known for her happy and joyful spirit. She enjoyed social engagements and gatherings with her friends and was able to find the fun in any situation. One of Ouida’s most treasured memories was of the Holy land cruise she took with her mother. Her Catholic faith brought great joy and peace into her life. As a member of the Order of Franciscan Secular, Ouida exemplified the commitment daily to, “show others that we are followers of the Gospel, by setting a good example and striving to be peacemakers in our society and within our own families.” For many years, she was the editor and writer of a Franciscan pamphlet, “Our Lady of the Pearl of the Immaculate Conception”, Pearlington, Mississippi.

Ouida lived for more than 25 years on the Coast of Mississippi in Diamondhead, but following the death of her husband, she returned to Oxford to live on the farmland that she loved and was once owned by her grandparents in the Burgess Community, John and Ruby Landreth.

In addition to her parents, Ouida was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy E. Tomlinson, and her brother, John Ronald Landreth.

Ouida is survived by her sons, James David Harwell and his wife, Elizabeth Regan of Bountiful, Utah, and Paul Thomas Harwell and his wife, LeAnn of Sheridan, Wyoming; a sister, Shelia Lewis of Oxford, Mississippi; as well as eight grandchildren, Danny, Logan, Terah, Jessica, Lauren, Peyton, Austin and Chase; three nieces, Amanda Mass of Oxford, Amy Remington of Ft. Worth, Texas; a nephew, Nate Landreth of Waco, TX; and many cousins and extended family members around Oxford and the Burgess Community; and Meridian, Mississippi.

She was loved by her family, classmates and friends and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Ouida’s memory may be made to the Tunica Humane Society, 4500 Fox Island Road, Tunica, MS 38676 or online at https://tunica-humane-society.square.site/, or to the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order – USA, National Treasurer, 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.