A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Sparta Methodist Church in Holcomb for Thomas Bell Rosser III, 88, who went to his heavenly home on Saturday, Aug. 31, while surrounded by his loving wife and friends at his home on Sparta Road. A graveside service followed in Sparta Cemetery. The Rev. J.E. Mortimer and the Rev. Bob Cannizzaro officiated. Visitation with the family was held one hour prior to the service.
Thomas “Tom” was born on June 19, 1936, in Tulsa Okla., the son of the late Thomas Bell Rosser Jr. and the late Mary Ann Scott Rosser. He was a member of Sparta Methodist Church in Holcomb.
Tom attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., where he also held the title of captain of the golf team. He then went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., with a degree in civil engineering. Tom later graduated from Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in engineering. Tom also held a licensure with Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Tom worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg from 1964–2000. During his tenure with the Corps of Engineers, Tom helped to build the Border Fence in El Paso, Texas. Tom then turned his career to the concrete industry. He worked from 2000-03 as the executive director for the Mississippi Concrete Industries Association. In 2005, Tom came out of retirement to help the town and people of New Orleans, La., during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Tom was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing and teaching golf. He played golf in many states as he traveled with the Corps of Engineers. Tom even held many championships in the Jackson and Vicksburg areas.
In addition to his parents, two brothers, Hammer Scott Rosser and John Stevens Rosser, preceded Tom in death. He is also preceded in death by the mother of his daughters, Virginia “Ginger” Moore Rosser.
Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose life revolved around his family and church. Survivors include, his wife, Linda Switzer Rosser; his daughters, Mary Scott Rosser Shepherd (Tommy) of Jackson; Sara Jane Rosser Parker (Gene) of Vicksburg and Virginia “Ginny” Rosser Abraham (Bobby) of Oxford; three grandchildren, Banks Shepherd (Jena), Martin Shepherd (Randle) and Luke Abraham; two great grandchildren; Polly Shepherd and Bob Shepherd, and a special niece, Elizabeth Scott Rosser Thomas, and her husband, Randy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Sparta Cemetery, c/o Brenda Baker, 5726 Hwy. 35 S., Holcomb, MS 38940.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
