Herber Ethridge M.D. Sr.

1926 - 2015

Heber Clark Ethridge, Sr., M.D.

Madison

Dr. Heber Clark Ethridge, Sr., a resident of Madison and member of Madison United Methodist Church passed away Thursday, September 3, 2015 at home. He was born July 29, 1926 in Meridian, the son of Luke and Bertha Clark Ethridge.

After graduating from Cleveland Consolidated High School in Kemper County, MS, he joined the Navy and served until the end of World War II. Upon discharge from the Navy, he entered East Mississippi Junior College with a major in pre med. Medicine was the only thing he ever considered doing with his life. He graduated from University of Mississippi and Louisiana State University School of Medicine.

After completing an internship at Mississippi Baptist Hospital in Jackson, he began his career in general practice in Bassfield, Mississippi returning in three years to Jackson to enter a residency in surgery at the newly opened University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He was the first person to complete a plastic surgery residency at the Medical Center and immediately entered private practice with his chief and mentor, Dr. James H. Hendrix. He retired from Jackson Plastic Surgery Clinic in 1991 after an accomplished career. Dr. Ethridge was highly respected by his peers and loved by his patients.

Dr. Ethridge was a member of the Mississippi State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, The Southeastern Society of Plastic Surgery, and the American Society of Plastic Surgery and was the founding president of the Mississippi Society of Plastic Surgery. He was also a founder of the Callender Society. In addition, Dr. Ethridge, along with his friend, Wayne L. Nix, founded the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi.

He was an active member of the Country Club of Jackson and enjoyed the Men's senior golf group. He was also an avid gardener and his garden was the subject of magazine articles and many garden tours. He especially enjoyed sharing his tomatoes with family, friends, and his golfing buddies.

Dr. Ethridge was predeceased in death by his parents; his younger brother, Malcolm Hugh Ethridge; and his first wife, Barbara Beckman Ethridge. He is survived by his wife and best friend of forty years, Miriam Blakeney Ethridge; a daughter, Carol (Doug) McKinnon; sons, Dr. Rusty (Val) Ethridge, Dr. Chris (Patty) Ethridge, and Dr. Clark (Jana) Ethridge. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and his dedicated and loyal nurse of thirty three years, Pansy Higginbotham.

Visitation will be at Madison United Methodist Church Tuesday, September 8, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 10:30 a. m. with visitation at 9:30.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Town Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157 or to the Building Fund at Madison United Methodist Church, 100 Post Oak Rd., Madison, MS 39110.