Mrs Louise Meyler (“Miss Lou”)
It is indeed with much sad regret that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) announces the home going of Mrs. Louise Tomlinson-Meyler (“Miss Lou”), Beersheba Primary School Alumna, Retired Principal Beersheba Primary School, Educator Extraordinaire, Retired Church Organist at Carmel and Beersheba Moravian Church.
“Miss Lou” who was always seen by passers-bye sitting in her favourite cane seat chair reading her newspaper – without eye glasses – in her home at New Savannah, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, accidentally fell on the floor in her home two weeks ago while she was getting up after finishing her breakfast, became bedridden and succumbed to injury she might have sustained and she passed away peacefully at her home on the night of Wednesday, July 13, 2016 after she was visited by her doctor earlier in the day.
“Miss Lou” who was 96 years old, leaves behind family members, other relatives and friends, her Moravian Church Family and Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora.
The Wake in memory of Miss Lou and featuring the live band from Brown’s Funeral Parlour will be held at the home of the deceased on the night of Friday, August 19, 2016.
Thanksgiving Service for the life of Mrs. Louise E. Tomlinson-Meyler will be held at Beersheba Moravian Church on Saturday, August 20, 2016 commencing at 10:00 A.M.
Internment will be done at the home of the deceased at New Savannah, New Market, Saint Elizabeth.
The Repast will be held at Beersheba Primary School after the internment.
Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora who would like to pay tribute to “Miss Lou,” may do so in the form of comments or feedback which they can post in the space provided at bottom section of the article on this web page. Should anyone encounter difficulty in leaving his/her tribute, please click on the ABOUT US Tab to read the tutorial that will assist you to log in so him/her can leave his/her tribute.
Huntley & Sheila (Boynton Beach, FL)
My husband and I visited with “Ms. Lou”in 2014 when we went to see relatives. It was a pleasure seeing her, her remarks were, “I must have done something good for you as former students to visit me”. We said yes Ms. Lou, you helped us to be the person we are today. We often talk about the heading on the black board in school, “ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH”. Mrs Meyler set the standards for us to strive towards and help to mold many of her students to be what they are today. She didn’t just teach us, but she considered her job a mission field and she nurtured and encouraged us to become somebody. Thank you Mrs. Meyler. Our prayers are that the Lord will raise up some more Louise Meyler that will push the next generation to greatness.
You will always be remembered “Ms. Lou”. I trust that you will hear “well done my child”. R.I.P
Tribute from Earl Chambers (Miami, FL)
This is a very sad time for all of us who were fortunate to have been able to be in her presence. She certainly touch the lives of all those who were exposed to her tutelage, and to her kind and very thoughtful guidance. If I may take the liberty of speaking for her famous three (3) Earl Chambers, Vincent Brown and Vincent Samuels, not only did she touch our lives in ways which we will never ever forget, but she also played a very pivotal roll in guiding and molding our lives and career paths into what they are today.
Ms Lou was truly one of a kind, a rare gem which comes around once in a life time, and whose influence in guiding the lives of other generations, which in virtually all instances; extended from parents, to children, to grandchildren, to great grand children, and to great, great grand children as well.
She will certainly be missed by all of us, who were privileged to have been in her presence, and our hearts go out to her surviving relatives. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be in attendance at her funeral service.
Tribute from Dorette Tomlinson-Lind (Canada)
Dear “Miss Lou,” these words are from my heart. They are not just said because we share the same last name Tomlinson. Thank you for letting me live with you while your cousin May Jones Jacobs went to England to study.
Thank you for teaching me to do my fractions – even by lamplight and writing expert compositions; I mean it!
Thank you for trying to teach me to crochet, sew and make scrap rugs; you and Miss Dennis were great at sewing.
Thank you for trying to teach me (and Bev) how to play the piano.
Thank you for sewing me pretty dresses (from the pretty chicken feed bags) they were gorgeous!
Thank you and (uncle Vin) for taking me to Carmel Moravian Church every Sunday.
Thank you for playing that awesome pipe organ at Carmel. No one could play it like you!
Thank you for preparing me for my Common Entrance Examination (New Roads School) where I achieved a half scholarship.
Thank you for being strong on that New Year’s Eve when Andy and Kemar went marching with the Salvation Army Captain. You put me at ease as to why Andy was not at home and in bed asleep at midnight. Andy and I now reminisce at this too!
When we last spoke by phone in 2015, I told you I saw your picture on BOSA website on the Internet and that I liked your dress. I am so glad to have this picture which I will print with your permission.
There are many more thank yous’ which I will share with you when we meet in the great beyond and “In The Sweet Bye And Bye.”
Tribute from:
Professor Patrick Brown, Educator and Community Activist, Burlington, Vermont, USA)
It is with very deep sadness that I learn of the passing of our very beloved Miss Lou. It is with a very heavy heart that I write to express my sincere tribute to a teacher who knew and recognized the value of education. In her teaching, she gave her heart, mind and soul to the nurturing of her students. Miss Lou helped us to realize that critical to our success and vital to our future, only the best was good enough. May her soul rest in peace. (Patrick Brown)
Tribute from: Wilfred Holness (United Kingdom)
It is with deep sadness to hear of the passing of Miss Lou. A former head of Beersheba Primary school. Her motivation was to enable her students to get the best education.
She did everything possible to give her students a stepping ladder to their academic pursuit and assisted everyone irrespective of varied abilities. Personally, I appreciated those one-to-one sittings I had with Miss Lou, and I shall never forget the relevance of her help in my further accomplishments.
I saw miss Lou in 2013. It was a pleasure seeing her and I enjoyed every moment I spent with her. My hope of seeing her again on my next visit to Jamaica in September has now been shattered. Miss Lou had a tremendous and appreciable sense of humour and I can recall some of those moments the last time I saw her.
Finally, I offer my condolences to her surviving relatives and may her soul rest in peace.
Wilford Holness.
Nora Delores “Kitty” Kirlew-Lawrence (Retired Teacher,
New Works, Westmoreland)
Tribute to the Late Louise Tomlinson-Meyler
The Daily announcements in the press and electronic media, the cemeteries and family plots in the land and the never failing Word of God continue to remind us that the Grim Reaper, Death is continuously on the move.
Miss Lou, as she was affectionately called, was an outstanding educator. In fact, she was not only an educator but a mother, counselor and a perfectionist, a confidante and a great psychologist.
Mrs. Meyler was one whom her students could emulate. She was a great disciplinarian and a very kind-hearted person, although she never ceased to exercise her rod of correction. Miss Lou gave the best to her students and she expected the same from them. No wonder many of her students turned out so well.
Her students never failed to notice her eye-catching physique, her contagious smile and her strong and confident steps as she swayed her broad hips along the corridor. For those of us who ventured into the educational fraternity, Mrs. Meyler was our role model. There were times when we would portray many of her attributes in the classroom and beyond. Her teaching techniques along with her persuasiveness and unselfishness enabled her students to climb the academic ladder all over the globe.
Mrs. Meyler impacted greatly on the lives of teachers, students and parents in and around the community of Beersheba. She transformed many children into productive and worthwhile individuals. The teaching profession has been deprived of a great icon, a philosopher, a heroine an outstanding and dedicated educator and a God given treasure.
It is not the stature of one that makes one great. It is not the frame that one gains from day to day. It is not the riches that one accumulates, but the simple things – the love, the kind deeds that are expressed from day to day. Yes these are what make one great.
This quotation is quite befitting to this phenominal woman Mrs. Louise Meyler. We have lost a beautiful flower, but God’s garden has gained a priceless treasure. Goodbye Mrs. Meyler, Miss Lou, teacher. Thanks for the beautiful memories that you have left us.
God has you in his keeping; We have you in our heart
Sadly missed by the Beersheba community and its environs.
May her soul rest in peace and light pertual shines upon her.
Tribute in Honour of the Life of the Late Mrs. Louise E. Meyler (affectionately called “Ms. Lou”)
Prepared by Vincent M. Brown, Past Student, Co-worker and friend- New Savannah, New Market, St. Elizabeth
My first association with Miss Lou, was when she became my class teacher and principal at what was then the Beersheba Elementary School (later to become known as the Beersheba All-Age School).
After graduating from school, Miss Lou taught and prepared me for the then out-of-school examinations – the First, Second and Third Year Jamaica Local Examinations.
In 1959-1960, Miss Lou gained the highest number of passes in the Third Jamaica Local Examination of all the All Age Schools around New Market and its environs – Carmel, Nightingale Grove, Happy Grove, New Road and Kilmarnock.
My long-term association with Miss Lou began in 1967 when I came to Beersheba All Age School fresh from the Mico Teachers’ College to join the teaching staff at my alma mater. As would be expected, I felt totally at home. I was the only male teacher there for quite sometime while Miss Lou was Principal.
We worked together as friends and real co-workers and had great confidence in each other. During these years, Miss Lou and I shared the teaching of academic subjects which were offered to students preparing for the Jamaica School Certificate Examination (JSCE) – the successor to the Jamaica Local Examinations (JLE).
Whenever Miss Lou had to be absent from school on a particular day, she would tell me the evening before “you will be in charge tomorrow.” Miss Lou and I maintained the same level of friendship throughout the years.
Miss Lou was genuine, kind-hearted and had real love for children. She raised them and cared for them throughout many generations. Her goal was to mould them into worthwhile citizens of their communities and of Jamaica on a national level.
Because of Miss Lou’s love for humanity, she was richly blessed with long life so that she would have been around for many years and still in good health to give solid advice and counsel to those who consulted her.
Miss Lou has been among the favoured ones who have been blessed with longevity – a virtue which many would crave.
Time would not permit me to speak of the virtuous woman that Miss Lou has been. She has got more than her share of years which the Almighty has allotted to human kind.
Miss Lou, you have played your part well indeed and you deserve to be called blessed. May you rest in peace from the toils of this life.
Vincent M. Brown, Past Student, Co-worker and friend
Tribute to the Life of the Late Mrs. Louise E. Tomlinson-Meyler (“Ms. Lou”
Miss Lou as Mrs. Louise E. Tomlinson-Meyler, Educator Extraordinaire is one of the pioneers and pillars of Beersheba Elementary School that later became known as Beersheba All Age School and Beersheba Primary School.
Miss Lou’s contribution to education in the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community is manifested in the lives of many past students whom she nurtured and moulded.
Miss Lou’s past students have excelled and held their own in all professions and vocations as they are now residing in Jamaica, the Diaspora and the world and they are doing well because of the tutelage that Miss Lou imparted to them.
Miss Lou did not only serve Beersheba Primary School Community, but even during her years of retirement, she willingly offered her wise counsel and assistance to people whose lives she continued to touch.
Miss Lou – an avid horseback rider – was for many years an ardent member of Carmel Moravian Church where she served as organist of the magnificent pipe organ, the only one of its kind in Western Jamaica. When Beersheba Moravian Church was established, Miss Lou donated her time to the work of the church including visiting the sick and shut ins.
Miss Lou, the present academic and ancillary staff and students ay Beersheba Primary School pay tribute to you as Educator Extraordinaire, Social Worker and Philanthropist and join everyone in Beersheba Primary School Community and Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora in lauding you as a good and faithful servant who has served your God and people with dignity.
May the light of God’s countenance continue to shine on you until He meets you at the Bema where He will give you your reward for the work that you have done during the life of longevity that he entrusted to you and blessed you.