I stayed home until our son (the youngest) was about two. I worked for
Home Builder for three years. Worked twenty years for an Insurance Agency.
Spouse: Troy Bailey - Children: Janice Bailey Garner, Randy Bailey, Grandchildren: Kristy Garner Todd, Kelly and Karen Garner (twins), Amanda and John Bailey - Great Grandchildren: Garret and Ashley Todd.
We married in June after I graduated in May. We lived in Ajo, Arizona for four years. Our daughter was born there. Our son was born in Houston.
I was a mother and
Homemaker until my youngest was in high school. My main occupation for the
last ten years or so was a care-giver for elderly and mentally disturbed. For the
last six years I have been a house-parent in a MHMR boarding home here in Center, now
having seven women in the house. I enjoy this work very much, as I feel my mission
in life is helping others.
I have lost two husbands to cancer and one son, John Lightfoot, while he was working undercover in the marines. I have one other son, Jerry, and two daughters, Barbara and Nelda and one very special grandson, Feliz, Jr., or to me Pancho. I also have two other grandsons, three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
Spouse: None. Children: Carla, Bernadette and Beatrice (My
dogs) Grandchildren: My children were fixed.
Fondest memories: Too many to mention. After high school I rested awhile, then I entered St. Mary's Seminary, LaPorte, Texas to study for the Priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church, Galveston/Houston Dioceses. Reflecting upon things in my life, I left St. Mary's and entered the Alexian Brothers Monastery in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Never learning to meditate at 4:00 a.m., I decided to leave the religious life. I returned to Houston where I became a member of the U.S. Navy. Compared to the discipline I left behind, the Navy was a piece of cake. Here I was assigned Chaplain's Assistant. Never reaching a rank worth mentioning and after my tour of duty I was discharged. I laid around San Francisco for sometime and later returned to Houston. Here I found employment with Houston Lighting and Power Company--would you believe the Accounting Department. In high school the only thing I remember about bookkeeping, math and such things were something called algebra and something to do with triangles, squares and circles. I found that really boring but somehow managed to get by with a passing grade.
At HL&P, I was lucky to be on the ground floor of the purchase of a thing called "computer"--I never even heard the word in school, as far as I can remember today. Nevertheless, I was sent back to school and found this whole world to be my niche. I worked my way up to a managerial position (ok, ok Bluffed my way) and supervised a team of System Analysts and Programmers for the conversion of the Accounting Department Systems.
After 30 years of "Loyal Service & Friendship and Standard of Excellence"--That's what the wall trophy says, not me--- I RETIRED. Looking for something to do, I became interested in genealogy...I decided to research the ancestors of my mother. After many years of research and trips to Salt Lake City, Alabama and Georgia, I published a book "A Newman Story" which traced the Newmans back to late 1700's. Last year I completed my work in genealogy and issued "A Supplement to A Newman Story" going back to their arrival in America in 1600. You can find copies of these books in libraries in Henderson, Houston, Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Center. If by chance you go by one of these libraries --- take a look---. Presently, I do volunteer work for various organizations. Next year, I plan to attend St. Thomas University, Houston and continue my studies in philosophy and psychology. It has been good. Mistakes have been made, but somehow the positives outweigh the negatives. I would not change a thing, well maybe one, two, thr--- I did it my way, as someone has said.
My occupation for the last 50 years
has been mostly in direct selling, however my first job in the business world was in
a manufacturing plant in Houston as a special inspector and test operator. After 9 1/2
years I resigned since my husband was transferred to Kansas City, Missouri. I then
went into direct selling as a representative for an investment company selling Mutual
Funds. From that job into ownership of a grocery store. That was a
"Big" mistake. We moved back to Houston and I went into selling and
managing a ladies clothing business. Eventually I went into the Real Estate Business
as a Saleslady, Office Manager and Real Estate Broker in Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park and
surrounding area until moving back to Shelby County.
I'm married to Chet J. Hribal, Sr.
We have three children: Sherry Joyce Schump, James Dean Hribal, Chet J. Hribal, Jr.
Grandchildren: Cristian Green, Lee Ann Mclendon, Jamie Leann, Christopher, Iva Joy, Dylan, Sarah Hribal.
Great-Granddaughter: Kaylan Nichole Green
My fondest memories were the Pep Rallies at the Football games, playing softball, singing in the Glee Club during intermission of the Junior-Senior Play one year. I remember when the football field was enclosed to house the German Soldiers imprisoned during World War II and gawking at them through the gate as if they were less than human - or should be. Also the aggravation of collecting coupons for food, gasoline, clothing etc. that was rationed at the time since we had a grocery store at South Jerico at the time. I also remember Miss Jim Ann Taylor as the first lady Band Director that I had ever seen. I think my fondest memories though are the many, many times I walked through the open field in front of the school and out past First Methodist Church to downtown Center to get a hamburger from Little Rock Inn for 10 cents and then to Jess & Bob's for a chocolate fudge bar for 5 cents for lunch and then stroll around the square to see who was in town that day and then back to school with time to spare since we had an hour for lunch. Those really were the "good ole days". I've had a very busy and eventful life since school days, besides the different jobs I've raised three children that I'm proud of. I've been involved in many activities since moving back to Shelby County. I've done volunteer work for the Shelby County Museum, helped move to their present location, served as recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, also Secretary for AARP and other offices as well as volunteer work at the hospitals. My greatest joy and pleasure has been my Church and the Shelby County Singing Convention, we visit the annual homecomings at various Churches during the year and sing Southern Gospel Music which I love. Since retirement I've had the pleasure of traveling in many states as well as touring England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Skye (where my ancestors came from) & Ireland, also -way down under - to Australia. From Sydney to south western Australia to the city of Perth. That was a l-o-n-g trip. I'm happy to be able to spend my retirement years in my hometown with loads of friends and relatives and have been truly blessed by the Heavenly Father for allowing me the pleasure. Best wishes and lots of love to all "Ole Classmates".
Occupation- what I have been doing the
last 50 years:
Mom. Worked in Milam building downtown, Cafe booth, for Star Engraving: Assistant Manager Wackers; now working Center I.S.D. in cafeteria.
Spouse: Leon Dockens-Ex. Ralph O. Spears-passed away 1991.
Children: Dixie Ruth Dockens & Barbara Gene Dockens.
Grandchildren: Jeffery Scott Spears, Travis Aaron Spears. My late husband adopted these two. Joseph Surette.
I did not appreciate School as I should. Miss Hanna was a what. If I had my life to live over there would be no changes, I lived for my family, loved every one of them. Its very bad to be left alone when you have been married all your life. I live with the thought that everything happens for the best, of course we cannot see it at the time. I put my trust in God. I know he will not put more on me that I can bear. I married in 1944 for 23 years, remarried in 1968. 23 years in that marriage.
After graduating from high school, Bobby attended North Texas State
Teachers College in Denton, Texas one year and then transferred to Texas Tech at Lubbock,
Texas where she graduated in 1950. She received a B.S. degree with a major in Math
and a minor in French. After graduating from Texas Tech, she was recruited by the
Superintendent of the Welch, Texas public schools to teach the fourth grade.
Welch, Texas at that time, was made up of the school system, a cafe, a gas station, the
post office and two churches. It was strictly a farming community and was made up of
the nicest and kindest families that could be found anywhere.
That year at Welch she met Dave Abernathy who was a high school Business and History teacher. Much to the delight of her students she and Dave dated that school year. After that school year Bobby went to work with Shell Oil Co. in Midland, Texas as a geological map plotter. She continued to date Dave who had become an employee of Atlantic Refining Co. in Crane, Texas which was about sixty miles from Midland.
On March 15, 1952, Bobby and Dave were married in the First Baptist Church of Center, Texas with Pastor J. Carroll Chadwick officiating. Bobby and Dave moved to Crane, Texas in a one bedroom apartment right across the street from the elementary school where Bobby began teaching the fourth grade again. Bobby taught until their first child, Kim, was born on December 29, 1955. Kim is now married to Rex Ritchey and works as a physical therapist in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have no children.
Dave and Bobby's second daughter, Kelly, was born April 14, 1957 in Crane, Texas. Kelly is married to Dwalyn Berry and is a computer keyboarding teacher in Ford Middle School in Allen, Texas. They have two sons Kyle (12) and Kris (9). They live in Forrest Grove, a community about five miles from McKinney.
Dave Keith was born April 8, 1960 in Crane, Texas. He and his wife, Peggy, have three children, Llana (16), Randle (13) and Sonny (12). They live in Whitesboro, Texas where Keith is a production supervisor for Fisher Controls, a company which manufactures gas regulators.
The Abernathy family transferred to George West, Texas for a couple of years and then move to Andrews, Texas in 1963.
Kay Beth, the youngest daughter, was born in Andrews on March 20, 1964. She and her husband, Kevin Sanders, have three boys, Kev(6), Kirk (4) and Kent (9 months). Kay Beth taught in the McKinney public schools two years as a first grade teacher and two years with kids who had dyslexia. She is now staying home with her three boys. The still live in McKinney.
Dave was transferred to the Atlantic Richfield Production Research Center in Plano, Texas in 1968. So the Abernathy clan moved to McKinney, Texas, a town about fifteen miles north of Plano. After settling in McKinney, Bobby went back to teaching fourth grade and continued to teach until she retired in 1986. She had been teaching for twenty-one years.
Bobby's health began to decline around 1984 and has continued to decline to the point that she needs help to get around. She fell this past January and broke her hip and right elbow. She is recovering very well and will soon be back to the condition she was before the fall.
Bobby has many good memories of high school, especially the times spent with her friends. They were all very close and she still keeps in touch with several of them. By Dave Abernathy, March, 1998.
Retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with 28 years as estimate
assigner.
Spouse: Vernon Leath Gayle (deceased).
Children: David E. Gayle (deceased), Timothy A. Gayle, Karen J. Gayle, Rodney Joe Gayle
Fondest memories: Graduation Day. I worked for the telephone company and retired with 28 years in January 1985. My husband died with a heart attack in February 1983. My son Timothy died in an accident in March 1975. I have worked hard all my life. After I retired I got a chance to go to the Holy Land, and I went to the Holy Land for 11 days in September, 1985. I really enjoyed that and have wanted to go back, but haven't got the chance yet, hoping to go though. I have enjoyed my life and am still enjoying everything. I love yard work and have plenty of that to do.
On Christmas Day, 1948, Marty Brittain of Center, and I married. We
have two children, Sharon and Ray. Sharon is a school teacher and has two daughters,
Danielle, 23, and Katie 10. They live in South Texas. Ray is a heavy equipment
operator in Tatum and his wife Kathie is a school teacher in Gary. They have two
children Ashley, 8, and Jonathan 10. They live in Center. Until Marty and I
retired, we had a broiler farm. Since retirement, I have done lots of traveling.
Before Anne's husband, Bill, died, Bill, Anne, Marty and I took a month long trip stopping
in Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend Bill's daughter's wedding in the Sandia
Mountains; visiting Ann's daughter and family in Riverside CA., and touring
all over California, especially Monterey and San Francisco. Later, Anne and I made a
trip to Florida. I took a trip back east, touring Pittsburgh and the Amish Country
in Pennsylvania; the White House, Capital, etc., in Washington, D.C.; and George
Washington's home, Mt. Vernon, in Virginia. I have also been on vacation in
Hawaii. About two years ago, I visited friends in the country of Ecuador and took
extended tours north and south of where they live. I have always enjoyed school and
being with my friends.
I was young when I married. Our daughters, Dianne
and Patricia were born in Dallas. Their Dad was transferred to New Mexico
where we lived in Las Cruces, Alamogordo and Albuquerque. In Albuquerque I worked
for a law form as a legal secretary and raised my girls as a single mom.
Diane, the oldest, is a registered nurse and her husband is an editor of the newspaper in
Riverside, Ca., where we all live. Diane has two boys- Ryan just finished his
first year of college and Matthew just finished high school (50 years after his
grandma). Patricia has three daughters, Mariko, 16, Andrea, 15, and Tara, 13.
Patricia is interested in music and has her own recording studio where she records and
teaches voice. She sings in church and recently sang a song she composed. Her
husband is a sergeant in the Air Force and is stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE., where
they live.
My late husband, Bill, and I married in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the early 70's and we traveled across the United States and Canada for a couple of years with a 32' Silver Streak travel trailer. Then we bought 3-1/2 acres out of Coldspring, Texas (on Lake Livingston) and lived there until his death in 1988. In 1989 I came to Riverside, Ca. to be near my daughter. I live in an adult mobile home park with a toy poodle that will be a year old soon. She keeps me busy and company at the same time. I now have time to read, crochet, knit and work crossword puzzles and I play Bridge several times a month. Last weekend I helped Dianne make plum jelly and jam. Next week it'll be apricots. She has all kinds of fruit trees. In July we are going to the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles to see the stage production of "Rag Time". As you can see I have a pretty full life. Oh, but I do remember all the beautiful people I went to school with.
Retired from the Lubrizol Corporation, Deer Park, Texas in January, 1993 after
24 years.
Spouse: Oliver Talmadge (deceased in 1996).
Children: Neal Rodgers Talmadge, Melissa Nell Kutta and Amanda White.
Grandchildren: Doug Kutta (20) - Paige White (8) - Trevor Talmadge (7) - Evan White (6) - Tera Talmadge (5).
My fondest memories of high school were being in the band and going on its trips...football and receptions....the Q.M.C. club and its activities. I worship with Christians at Parkview Church of Christ in Pasadena. A cancer survivor since 1994.
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