Samuel Gwin Mounger Jr.

Sam was born in Yazoo City, MS, on May 24, 1942 and was the son of Dr. Samuel G. Mounger and Katharine Davis Mounger of Greenwood, MS. Growing up, Sam was an Eagle Scout, an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, and an avid reader.

Sam was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Mississippi. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He completed Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and served three years in the United States Navy. Following his time in the service, Sam went back to school and received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. It is here that he met his beloved wife, Suzanne Schwartz of Orange County, CA.

For the entirety of his professional career, Sam taught English at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, MO. Over his twenty-seven years as an educator, Sam shared his love of Shakespeare, Vonnegut, and Hemingway. In addition to teaching, Sam loved to garden, cook, and entertain. In his later years, his favorite pastime was reading with his grandson, Jacob.

Sam and Suzanne retired to Olive Branch, MS in 2014 where they were active members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. There, Sam taught an interactive Bible study, where he combined music, art and poetry to illustrate Biblical stories and lessons. He was also a frequent visitor at the Church Library.

Sam is survived by his wife, Suzanne Schwartz Mounger; daughter, Julia Gwin Morrison and son-in-law, Jonathan Morrison of Maben, MS; sister, Katharine Mounger Jones of Winchester, VA; brother, Whitman Davis Mounger and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Avery Mounger of Greenwood, MS; and one grandchild, Jacob Taylor Morrison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Samuel G. Mounger and Katharine Davis Mounger of Greenwood, MS.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 2pm at St Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Southaven, MS, preceded by an informal visitation at 1pm. A private Committal of Ashes will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St Timothy’s Episcopal Church.