Carey Ann Sanford Dalton - Autobiography

My husband, Jim, and I are both retired and enjoy seeing our nine grandchildren who live scattered in Texas with two in Florida. We stay active in our community and church and still have time to travel some.

Shirley Broadhead Hamilton - Autobiography

I still love living in Oxford after 43 years in Memphis. Both girls still single - career girls - Alexandra Turner is 35, lives in Memphis, is in Media Relations. Christian Turner lives in Chicago, Bond Trader for FTN Financial (owned by First Tennessee Bank of Memphis). Come by or call if up here. See ya at reunion. I am still teaching my same handicapped student in Oxford.

Ronnie Adams - Autobiography

I retired from Western Auto after 31 years as a store manager, sales manager and for final 15 of those 31 years as national display manager. I worked in or visited 49 states in this position and was able to see the many wonders the good ole U.S.A. has to offer. I hope to visit Alaska soon to make it 50 states. I have one million frequent flyer miles to try to use up--probably will never happen!

I have one lovely daughter who is married to a really great man and I have one grandson who is seven years old. I still try to attend all of the Wildcat home football games and have had the same reserve seats for 30 years. I spend a lot of time in Birmingham playing golf or fishing with my brother Kenneth who is married to the former Kay Miller, a 1959 M.H.S. grad.

Well--that’s about all I have to say except I hope to see EVERYONE in 2013

Larry Tyner

Charlotte and I have been married 46 years. We are blessed with a daughter, son and eight grandchildren. Daughter Stacey, is a CPA and attorney in Atlanta. She has three sons. My son, Lee, is an attorney and the General Counsel for Ole Miss. He has three boys and two precious daughters.

I have a BS in Mathematics from Mississippi College. My most fulfilling achievements, other than family, include serving on the board and as President of the Board of Trustees for Palmer Home for Children and as President of the 3,000 plus member Mississippi Forestry Association. I had a 35 year career managing external affairs lobbying across the South for Weyerhaeuser Company.

As retirees, we now split our time enjoying Beech Mountain, NC in the summer and Oxford, MS and Orange Beach, AL the rest of the year.

Mary J. Spencer Stephens

After graduating from high school, I went to MSCW and graduated from there in 1962. I taught first grade in Natchez for a year, got married to Bill Stephens…class of ‘57...and then taught second grade in St. Gabriel, LA while Bill finished up his graduate program at LSU. We moved to Gulfport, MS and lived there for four years during which time we had three sons, William, David and John, before I was 26. Then we moved to the Oklahoma City area where we’ve lived since 1967. We now live in Edmond, Oklahoma. We have four grandchildren…William, Sarah, Spencer and Adam, age 9 to 15. Bill is traveling and is gone three days a week. I keep busy writing emails to friends…many of them are friends from high school, gardening and walking. I like to walk late at night and alone…am doing 5 ½ miles a night. I have enjoyed reading all the biographies coming in. So many people have gone on to get such good education and have had such successful lives. My fellow Marion Parkers like Richard Brown and Joe Burnett and lots of others…I am impressed but not surprised.

AARP Advice to attract sexy younger women

AARP Question---
Q: Where can men over the age of 60 find
younger, sexy women who are
interested in them?
A: Try a bookstore-------under fiction.

I found the question and answer quite interesting, so I went to the local Barnes & Nobles - hung out in the fiction section. Nothing happened. I asked the help desk and they suggested I was in the wrong section. They thought I'd have better luck in the Humor section. After all they thought it was a joke for men over 60 to expect sexy younger women to be interested in them.

After about an hour I went back to the help desk. Another person was on duty and I explained the situation. Again, I was told I was in the wrong section. I should be in the Money section. After all, if any sexy younger women were going to be interested in me, it would not be based on my charming personality or striking good looks - it would be based on money.

I tried the money section ... no luck.

I went back to the help desk and finally got the straight scoop. I was going to have to 1) show I had some money and 2) let the young sexy women know I was interested in spending it on them.

I purchased an erotic book and went home. I could create my own fantasy … it was a lot cheaper ... and the sexy young woman would not run out when the money did.

Answer To "A Kiss From Elvis" Trivia

Elvis Presley kissed classmate Frances Ousley on the cheek after a performance at the Jimmie Rodgers Festival on May 26, 1955.

Martha Ann's Battle

Martha Ann has asked that I delete the text of my post concerning her recent diagnosis. She thinks that we're all aware of her disease and can respond to the information and her condition as each sees fit.

Martha Ann is now in the hands of her earthly physicians, is guided by her own determination to win the battle and is directed her our heavenly Father. We are watching and waiting for word from her about subsequent steps she will be taking with expected outcomes and finally, the good news for which we're all praying.

The Best To You, Martha!

God's Minute

Psalm 57:7-11

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!

I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to thee among the nations.
For thy steadfast love is great to the heavens,
thy faithfulness to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let thy glory be over all the earth!

COACH OWENS' OBITUARY

Peggy sent me this obituary from the Starkville Daily News:

Albert David ‘Dog’ Owens
Saturday, 06 September 2008
The funeral for Albert David “Dog” Owens will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Starkville. The Revs. Chip Stevens, Clifton Curtis and Sonny Fisher will conduct the service. Visitation will be held today from 1 to 3 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home. Mr. Owens, 82, a retired Starkville High School coach and teacher, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at Oktibbeha County Hospital. He was a native of Charleston. Mr. Owens served in the army during World War II as a Military Policeman. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he played football and coached. Over a 36-year career as an educator and coach, he touched the lives of many students. He was an avid outdoorsman and a member of the American Legion. He organized and began the first Parks and Recreation Department for Starkville, where he served as the director. His high school teaching and coaching career included Meridian High School, Starkville Academy and Starkville High School.He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jo Ann Lindsey Owens of Starkville; daughter, Amanda Miller and husband Paul of Cadiz, Ky.; sister, Mary Frances Tomlinson of Clinton; and several nieces and nephews.Memorial donations may be made to Palmer Home for Children or Salvation Army.The online guest register may be signed by visiting://www.welchfuneralhomes.com.

Billie Manney Crockett - Autobiography

I am a retired secretary from Gulf Coast Mental Health and enjoying life. James “Bo” Deane and I were married and divorced, we had two children. Later I married John Searcy, who was a captain of a yacht, and we cruised the Bahamas for about 10 years. John died of a brain aneurysm at 57 years of age. Then I married David Crockett, a retired train conductor who was really related to the famous Davy Crockett. David died of a heart attack. For my latest experience I went to Wuxi, China and taught conversational English for six months. While in China I also visited Thailand, where I rode an elephant through the jungle and played with the monkeys and went snorkeling in the Indian Ocean. Now I am swimming three days a week at a new fitness club and dancing with a senior dance group.

Nancy Collier Ranager - Autobiography

This is what I had planned to write: Fifty years, one husband, two sons, six grandchildren, a career in education, and many happy memories with very few bumps in the road, built on the foundation of friendships and adventures of growing up with all of you;………..

BUT, then we hit the really big bump in the road this summer. My husband, Tommy, (Class of ‘59) had a debilitating stroke. That, coupled with other health problems, has changed both of our lives forever. In 2005, Millsaps College, where Tommy taught and coached for 32 years, honored him by naming the field house the Tommy Ranager Field House. We were humbled by this lovely honor and very grateful.

Robert J. (Bob) Bailey - Autobiography

Mississippi State University 1962; MBA 1966. Years between spent in U.S. Army serving in Vietnam as spotter plane pilot, returned to U.S. and spent remainder of time on active duty at Ft. Bragg, NC. Returned to MSU for graduate school and the Mississippi National Guard. Moved to Yazoo City in 1966, married Amanda Dent, a young widow with three children--Mollie 8, Hayes 5 and Richard 3. We have been happily married for 41 years and are now grandparents of nine. Three in Jackson, three in Denver, a grown one farming in The Delta and two now with the Lord.

I first worked for Mississippi Chemical Corporation, then Bank of Yazoo City for 26 years. In 1995 I left the bank to work for Reformed Theological Seminary, fund raising and doing some of the business side of the seminary. Am now semi-retired after serving service as Chief Operations Officer and Assistant to the Chancellor for the RTS campuses in Jackson, Orlando, Charlotte, Washington and Atlanta. Still do some bank consulting work. During the last three years of Sonny Montgomery’s life, I took care of his business affairs. Upon his death, served as executor of his estate. Now, having left the bulk of his estate to his private foundation, I serve as President of the Board and Executive Director. The purpose of this foundation is to encourage military and civilian leadership through scholarship and recognition and support military and veteran needs in Mississippi. The foundation supports scholarships at Mississippi State University (main campus and Meridian campus), Meridian Community College and the McCallie School Foundation.

We manage to have enough free time for Amanda and me to enjoy our home in Yazoo City, a little traveling, enjoy the grands and help out with a couple of civic needs.

I regret I will not get to see all of you at the reunion. I had prior commitments that preclude our attendance.

Joyce Bailey Rider - Autobiography

Many changes in my life during the last 5 years. I retired from Mississippi Baptist Health Systems in 2006 after 20 years of service, serving as payroll coordinator from 1995-2006. As some of you may remember I wasn't able to attend the last reunion because my husband of 42 years (Terry Hinton) was gravely ill with cancer. He fought a courageous and brave battle with cancer; however he died on Labor Day of 2004. He leaves me and our 2 children and their families with wonderful memories.

A wonderful new chapter of my life's history began in April 2007. I met a wonderful man from North Little Rock Arkansas, Jerry D Rider. We were married on August 16 of this year and are in the process of moving my household to North Little Rock, AR . You might find it interesting to know that David Elliott married Jerry and I. David and Gay Love are very dear to me in many ways.

We have been and will continue to travel through the U.S. Jerry is quite active incarriage restoration and drives horses as a hobby. (By the way, we do travel by car or airplane). This is very different for me; however, I really enjoy his hobby. Actually I will make an attempt to learn how to drive a carriage as time goes on. Due to a carriage trip to Stockbridge, MA in early October I will not be able to attend the reunion. I enjoy spending time with my only grandson, Mason Benton, who lives in Birmingham AL. I keep Interstate 20 hot at times. I can tell you that I will miss being in MISSISSIPPI in more ways than one. It is farther to Birmingham from Arkansas. In addition to being a grandmother I spend time with my sister and her family at their place in Orange Beach, AL.

I appreciate the efforts that the committee has put forth to make this reunion a successful event. I continue to treasure the memories of Meridian and the Class of 1958. If you run across a picture of the concert band, look at the 7th chair clarinet and you will see me! That's the best I could do and still carry a baton. Thanks to Mr. Jenks and Mr. Wendling. Does this bring back memories for some of you????

Have a good time and laugh for me.

Convenient Watermelons

We spit watermelon seeds from the front porch last year, and to our surprise, we grew long vines and 3 large melons. If the vines had grown up the stairs, we wouldn't have had to go to much trouble to cut and eat them! The largest is now about 18" long and growing. Our 13-yr.-old grandson James Cole wouldn't let us cut it on his last visit; I think he believes it will grow to enormous proportions - as in "James and the Giant Peach." Wish you all could come over, share watermelon, and help us seed for next year!

(Bare dirt is from a drain-covering project.)

A near sighted squirrel

I live in South Louisiana and we were required to evacuate due to Hurricane Gustav. We went to my sister’s home in Collinsville, Ms. She has a pleasant 3 bedroom home that sits atop a heavily wooded hill. The front porch overlooks about a 2-3 acre lawn that has a line of trees separating the house from the road. So sitting on the front porch is very relaxing and therapeutic.

On Tuesday I was sitting on the front porch fully absorbed in a business book. Out of the corner of my eye I detected some movement on the porch and glanced over to see what was intruding. There was a squirrel walking along the porch within a foot of me. I guess I had been very still and it had not perceived me to be a threat.

The squirrel was walking along the porch, looking for morsels of food. My sister has a couple of small dogs and one of them had left a small chew toy on the front porch. The squirrel found the chew toy and began to examine it. The toy was actually larger than the squirrel's head, but that did not prevent the squirrel from getting a grip on the toy and walking off with it. I thought about making a loud noise with the idea that the squirrel would be frightened and drop the toy. But I decided to just watch. The squirrel scampered off into the woods with its new found treasure. I know it was thinking it had discovered a large bundle of food. Poor squirrel …unfortunately the chew toy will only help to clean its teeth.

Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, MS, During Gustav

Many photos are on coast newspaper, The Sun Herald, at www.sunherald.com. One gallery is here: http://www.sunherald.com/414/gallery/783371-a783813-t3.html

Ella Kappes Edwards - Autobiography

In December 2006 I retired from Stamm Advertising after 27 years. My “retirement job” is full-time in Reference Services at the Flowood Library, a beautiful new library that is just 3 miles from home. Last summer I bought a small house and have enjoyed being a home owner except for grass mowing.

I have two wonderful daughters, Marian and Nancy, who with their husbands are bringing up my four fantastic grandchildren: Daniel (18 in Sept. 2008), Megan (10), Caroline (13) and Sarah (11).

I’ll not be at the Philadelphia reunion, but will be in Meridian the weekend before and look forward to seeing many of you then.

Gustav's Gone - Who's Next?

Happy to say that our electricity is back on as of about one hour ago and that Tom and I are safe and sound in Diamondhead. I talked with Lynne Johnson Grimes yesterday, and she and Sam also are fine. I've begun checking on my Franciscan family and was particularly concerned about my friend in Pearlington, MS. She had water to the ceiling during Katrina but none in her home during Gustav. I'm not sure about friends in Slidell, but think those in Bay Saint Louis are o.k. because of the elevation of their location. Picayune friends are safe.

We were very grateful to have our generator (one of those FEMA purchases after Katrina) to keep the refrigerator going as well as a light or two and a small air conditioner (purchased mainly to use with the generator when the power is out). I also enjoyed having a battery operated TV for local news. The yard is a mess but nothing like after Katrina when limbs, trees, and trash were stacked for pickup, covering the whole front yard.

We are grateful but our hearts and prayers go out to others not so fortunate, particularly in Louisiana. Now to get ready for the next one.