Dispatches from Home: The Coastal Theater Loses an Icon, but Heaven Gains One.

“I’m Hothouse Rose, from God knows where…” The opening lyrics to one of Cole Poter’s lesser-known songs drifted through the air. The song may not have been famous, but the lady singing it was. Over the years, she had entertained countless audiences at Gulfport Little Theater and was one of the theater’s favorite actresses, leaving an indelible mark on our local theater scene.

For her fellow cast members waiting in the wings for their next entrance, what followed is an acid-etched memory. As she bumped and ground her way through her song, her fringed 1920s dress sparkled in the spotlight. The rose-covered hat atop her head jiggled. She twirled her beaded handbag. And then it happened. She disappeared.

As she neared the end of the stage, her spotlight blinded her, and she stumbled down a few stairs. Despite the mishap, Barbara Salloum, the consummate professional, rose from the floor of GLT, adjusted her costume, mounted the stage, and finished her song to raucous applause. That, my dear friends, is the iconic Barbara Salloum I was privileged to know.

After 89 years of a life filled with family, fame, good times, and bad, Father God has called this dear lady Home. I never knew her when she did not have a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Due to my active participation in the local theater scene in the 1970s through the 1990s, Barbara often interviewed me on her WLOX Morning Show. What fun we had cutting up together!

According to WLOX’s remembrance of Barbara, “She was a pioneer in television in Mississippi. She was the first woman to host a morning TV show and sing her own theme song, ‘Everywhere you go, sunshine follows you…'” Over the years, she interviewed artists and musicians, Coastal luminaries, and locals with a fascinating tale to tell. WLOX also stated, “In addition, she was chosen over many other actors for a cameo appearance on the soap opera ‘All My Children’ in 1986.”

Barbara’s love for South Mississippi was self-evident. “South Mississippi and the people were always in her heart,” the WLOX remembrance stated. During a late 1990s interview before she retired, Barbara said, “I just met so many nice people from South Mississippi…This is a wonderful place, now I’m a Jackson person, but I have been here forever, and I can tell you that South Mississippi is the best place to live.” Her words certainly resonate with all of us who call South Mississippi home.

I last saw Barbara at a Gulfport Historical Society meeting in the old train depot in downtown Gulfport. She was all smiles, and we kibitzed about old days at Gulfport Little Theater and the dear friends we met over the years, many of whom had been called Home. I remember how she shared a hilarious backstage incident that had us all in stitches, one that I’m sure she’s glad I’m not divulging.

Now Barbara has been called Home. Her passing has left a void in our hearts, but I am sure she was met at the Gate with shouts of love and affection from old friends and family. Something tells me she struck up a rousing chorus of “Everywhere You Go,” and everyone joined in: “Everywhere you go, sunshine follows you. Everywhere you go, skies are always blue. Children love you, they seem to know. You bring roses out of the snow. The whole world says, ‘Hello,’ Everywhere you go.” How true, how true.

Thanks for the memories, dear Barbara. But most of all, thank you for your love and your friendship. Your legacy will live on in our hearts and in the stories we share. Au revoir, my dear, until we meet again. Big hug.