Former federal law clerk: Jackson loses three titans who had national influence

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Jackson lost three titans in March. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Wiley “T.W.” Lewis, age 94, the Rev. Dr. John M. Perkins, 95, and the Honorable E. Grady Jolly, 88, died within a week, from March 10 to March 15. They were not close friends with each other, but all three impacted me.

By way of background, I lived in Jackson for only a year to serve as a law clerk to Judge Jolly. But my Jackson story goes back further. In fact, Dr. Lewis is one of the reasons in God’s providence that I exist. My parents met in Jackson while attending Millsaps, and the only reason my mom was able to attend there is because my grandfather’s first cousin – Dr. Lewis – was a long-time professor at the college. My grandparents trusted that “T.W.” would check in on her and make sure she was Ok…

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