“ To the Ross family: Thank you for sharing Tom with us for so many years. He taught me with my friend, Gayle Anders in 1983-85. Gayle, Arwin’s babysitter ❤️ and a very talented artist as well, had an unfortunate diving accident in 1986 that left her a quadriplegic. Tom was a big support for her. The three of us remained friends over the years, meeting occasionally for lunch to “catch up.” He later taught both my kids. He was one of a kind: talented, big hearted, compassionate and hilarious. Not everyone was able to see all those sides but Gayle (Anders) and I —for some reason— were allowed to. He was such an inspiration to both of us. Even after her accident, Gayle is an amazing artist partly because Tom taught her that “art was in the mind, not in the hands.” Rest in peace friend. I can imagine you are living the life you imagined (and put on canvas) today. We love you, Jodie (Spence) Sartin Brookhaven, MS) and Gayle Anders (Natchez, MS) ”