 ABBA
DABBA -
After graduation, I got a job at the B’ham Zoo & met
the love of my life. We had 2 sweet little cubs. One continued
the family tradition & does well working for the Detroit Lions as thier
mascot.
The other got a dye job, a new hair do & now works at Auburn as a tiger, would you believe!
Sadly, over the years, many of you passed right by my cage & didn’t
recognize me (guess I had changed a bit). My love was trampled by an
elephant when he strayed too far & soon thereafter I was traded for a Panda
& off to China I went. Been here ever since. Luckily the
zookeeper & I are friends. He lets me use his laptop & that’s how I
found West End Online! Memories? How about the good old
days, trying to out-shout Woodlawn & the bus rides to games out of
town. And those cute little cheerleaders! Got to go
now.
The zookeeper is bringing dinner & I need to growl a bit (kind
of like Mr Baughan sounded when he would get mad & those little wrinkles
would pop up between his eyes!
 DOYAL AKERS
-
I spent 4 years in the
USAF. I married a B'ham girl, Judy Wells, 32 yrs ago. I later
graduated from Samford & attended law school for awhile, but started to work
for First Alabama Bank, now Regions Bank. I've been with them for 28
years & serve as Sr VP, Volusia County FL. Judy & I raised our
children in Montgomery & spent 18 years there before transferring here to
New Smyrna Beach FL. We live in Port Orange, near Daytona Beach.
We have 2 children who graduated from the U of Alabama. Stephen 30, married
2 years ago & manages 2 of Regions branches, Destin & Sandestin FL. Amy is
24, lives in Jacksonville & is getting married this Dec.
 PATRICIA ALLEN
-
After WEHS, I worked for awhile then went to the U of
Alabama where I had a really good time for a year. Then I came back to B'ham (as
requested by the Dean & my mother) & went to B'ham Southern for a year, then
worked & went to UAB at night. I returned to the U of Alabama graduating in '65
with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. I graduated on Sat & married Don Mohr
(Bessemer High '58) on Sun. A few months later, when Don was offered a job
teaching theatre in small college, we moved to Iowa & then to Lincoln NE,
where we had 2 kids & lived for 20 years. While there, I got a PhD in
Educational Psychology from the U of NE. After I worked as a professor for
a few years, we moved to SC where we currently live. I am now a
bureaucrat, working for the State Dept of Ed as a consultant on standards &
assessment (mostly doing teacher training). Our daughter is married to a
judge & I just became a grandmother for the 3rd time. Meanwhile, our son (a
late bloomer) is attending Johnson & Wales, a culinary school in
Providence. Does anyone remember when Tommy
Scarbrough put pig eyeballs in Ms Redfern’s aquarium (he really didn’t know
that formaldehyde would kill fish)? I thought Ms Redfern was going to have
apoplexy, but those eyeballs entertained everyone for the whole day! How
about Ms Whaley & her peanuts lined up on the desk & named for students,
then eating them when she called on you? What about Ms Baughan's wart,
which she (as a good Christian Scientist believing in mind over matter)
adamantly refused to acknowledge as being on the side of her nose? And, of
course, we, being teenagers of the '50’s, believed those stories about their
marital arrangements & why Mr Baughan rode a bicycle to work. Finally, did
any of you see Ms Hafling after you graduated? Several years ago, I found
out she was in a nursing home & wrote to thank her for everything she did
for me & Harriet Nabors (my best friend.
Ms Hafling sent me back the most beautiful letter. Since I was the pudgy academic in high
school, I didn’t think I had many memories except for studying, but I was
wrong !
 LINDA BARNES
-
The day after graduation I moved to Mobile. I married Bob Smith in '62. Barbara Robbins, my cousin
& Pat Swindle were in our wedding. Unfortunately I have not kept in touch
with any of our classmates since this time. We have lived in Mobile,
Spanish Fort AL, Clinton MS & now Raymond MS. Bob has been in the insurance
field for years & is VP of Fox-Everett in Jackson. We have 2 children. Kathy
has 3 girls 2, 8 & 12. Rob & his wife Miriam have a son 9 months & they
live in Metairie LA. I worked for AL Power Co in Mobile for 10 years & then
became a "stay-at-home Mom." When we moved to Clinton in '83, I became very
interested in working with stained glass. I took lessons, worked in a
Jackson studio & we were members of the Chimneyville Crafters Guild. I now
have a studio in my home & have continued this passion of working with
glass. Last year, as a gift, I presented to our church, The Episcopal
Church of the Creator, the 14 Stations of the Cross in mosaic stained glass.
I have also started water color lessons. Throughout my adult life I have
always done some type of volunteer work in school, church & community. Bob
& I designed & had built our new home 3 years ago on a fishing lake in Raymond
where we enjoy sharing our home with family & friends.
My
husband died of a sudden heart attack April 27, 2003.
I lived across the
street from Harrison Park where I went to kindergarten, then Robert E. Lee &
on to WEHS. Next door lived my cousins, Barbara Robbins & her brothers Ron,
Gary & Dale. Like Barbara, I remember the Cook family, Diane, Carlton,
Delores & their Dad playing tennis at the park, skating in front of Berney
Points Baptist, playing with Elease Mullins, Martha Dean McCarter, walking
to school with Barbara or begging Barbara's mother to drive us to school
because Barbara was always late. Some of you may remember stopping at the
drugstore at Berney Points on the way home from school with the gang for a
cherry coke or an iced bottle of Coke. Brenda Mitchell & I use to ride
downtown on the street car to the AL Theater to the Sat movies or walk to
the WE Theater. Pat Swindle & I enjoyed riding around in her V W
convertible. I remember those Della Phi Delta dances, car washes & selling
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to raise money. There were the band trips, singing
in the choir, football & basketball games, & United Nations Tour. Nancy
Whitlow, do you remember us lugging around those extra suitcases we just had
to pack for the UN Tour?
 STEVE BEASON
-
After WEHS, I spent
4 years in the USAF. Later graduated from U of Alabama in '70 (slow learner).
I lived in
Altus OK, Jackson MS & Fairfield Oh since '72 & have been married for
34 years to B.J. who retired from teaching 2 years ago. 3 grown
children, 2 grandkids with one on the way. We both work at Argosy, a riverboat casino on
the Ohio River outside of Cincinnati. BJ is in customer service & I
am a dealer. Planning to retire in about 3 years. Update:
In
'02, B.J. was diagnosed with lung cancer & had surgery to remove 2 lobes
of her right lung (chemo & radiation took care of that problem). Then this year it showed up in her right hip. After a partial hip
repacement & more chemo, it appears she will be OK. She will have another
CT Scan & we will go from there. Keep her in your thoughts & prayers.
I recall that Ms Baughan used to
make you do a ballet if you were late to her class. With that in mind,
on our last day in class, we all decided to wait in the hall & go in late.
Well, we all got to do the ballet. She took the whole class down to
the auditorium & we spent the entire class period balleting or whatever.
Another was the time that someone put pig embryo eyes in the fish tank on Ms
Redferns' desk. And who can forget "zippy" Zander?
 BETTY BOLLING -
I attended the U of Alabama.
It was there that I met my husband Sam. We lived in B'ham for 2 years, in
Chicago a year, Indianapolis 10 months & moved on to Middletown NY, Sam's
hometown. We had a great life there for 18 years, but took the opportunity
to move to a warmer climate in '83. We have a son, who because of distance,
chose FSU over Alabama in '88. We can't complain. He has done beautifully
since receiving his BS, MBA & is an executive with Duracell Div. of
Gillette.
 MYRA BUCKNER - After graduation, I went to work for AL
Telco Credit Union in B'ham. I met & married a fellow from GA, who was
in the Navy, in '64. We had 4 children, 2 boys & 2 girls. We did
a lot of moving with the Navy, living in Annapolis, Newfoundland, FL, VA &
Athens, Greece. After Henry retired from the Navy, we moved back to
B'ham & I went back to work for AL Telco. I plan to retire in June
'02. Our oldest son was killed in auto accident at age 24. Our
other son lives in Topeka Ks & has 2 sons. Our oldest daughter is
married, lives in Tallassee & has a daughter & son. Our youngest
daughter lives in Huntsville & are expecting their first child in Oct.
God has been very good to our family. I am very excited about seeing
everyone. I would love to be able to talk to all of you but especially
those who went to Hemphill School.
 CAROL BUSENLEHNER -
Since graduation,
I have lived in Dallas, TX & several other places, but always back to
Dallas. I am now divorced, 3 children & 7 grandchildren. After
my divorce, I moved back home to be with my Mom, whom I sadly lost this past
July. Am now living in Trussville, Al & working in the Office of
Development for the AL Youth Home. A very rewarding job, helping
children that have been abused & neglected.
 JANICE
CLARK -
Married to Mike Forman. We will be married 40 years in October. We
have 2 children, Michelle & Clark. We have 2 precious grandchildren,
Russ (10) & Rachel (5). I am the Dean Secretary in the School of
Continuing Education at Auburn Univ Montgomery. I have been with AUM
for 30 years. I hope to retire in 2002. My husband owns his own
engineering consulting business called WMF Engineering.
 MARGARET COBB -
After WEHS, I attended UAB, no degree.
I married Gene Kesler (WEHS '58) in '62. After Gene graduated Auburn
in '62, we moved to Huntsville. Gene worked for NASA (Electrical
Engineer) for 34 years after working several years for NASA contractors.
He retired in '99. I retired from Teledyne Brown Engineering in '97.
We have 1 daughter, Kristin & son-in-law, Barry (Auburn grads) & 2 precious
grandchildren, Hunter, 7 & Mary Emily, 5. They live in Muscle Shoals,
approx 1-1/2 hours from our front door to theirs & we are willing &
available babysitters! After living 30 years in Huntsville, we moved to
Arab, AL in '92, a little quieter environment. I enjoy gardening
(well, Gene enjoys gardening, I just DO it!), leading a weekly Bible study
at my church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, volunteer
work & community activities. I enjoy speaking to Women Ministry groups
& cancer survivor meetings, having had ovarian cancer in '79. Our
traveling has been limited as Gene is on the heart transplant list at UAB,
so we are "patiently" awaiting a beep!
 DIANE COOK -
After
graduating, I went to the U of Alabama. Married Richard in '63 & we moved
to Knoxville TN. Moved back to B'ham & I was able to go back to
Tuscaloosa to finish my degree. We moved to Arlington TX in '78
& to Salina KS in '93. Richard is now in Marion OH working as Mgr of
Engineering for a company there. I will join him at the end of June. I am
presently the Director of Nurture & Outreach Ministries at a Methodist
church here. We have 3 daughters, 2 live in Arlington, 1 in B'ham (whose
husband is in residency at UAB in Internal Medicine). They have a son,
Trent.
 PAT CORVIN - After
WEHS, I spent a few short years as a night club musician before starting a
legitimate career in Data Processing. Over the years I worked for
several companies: I was DP Director at Mayer Electric, DP Operations
Mgr at AG Systems, Programming Mgr at First Alabama & Systems Analyst/Project Mgr at Alabama Power. I retired from Alabama Power at age 55.
My wife Georgia & I have been married since '64 & have 3 successful children
& 7 wonderful grandchildren to whom I am known as GrandPat. I love
gardening (though it doesn't show) & enjoy woodworking. I have
collected '40s pottery for 20 years. We live in a 1915 home in
the Highland Park neighborhood near the old John Carroll site. I lost
my Dad, but my elderly Mom and 2 older brothers are doing great. Over
the years I have had many uphill battles & more than my share of personal
struggles, but I'm still here & trying to learn something new each day.
I would love to know how my old friends are doing. My best to you all.
 ELAINE
DAVIS -
After
WEHS I went to work for Sou Bell in B'ham as a drafting clerk. I married
Jim Little, class of '56, in '61 & we will celebrate our 40th anniv in July.
We have 1 son, Jim, 35, who runs a computer company in Homewood. After 34
years with Sou Bell, I retired in '94 as Dir of Client Svcs for the 5 S
Central Bell states. I attended Samford Adult Education School of Business
at night from '83-'86, but by that time had gotten heavily involved in local
politics. With family, work & politics, something had to give (hopefully,
I'll graduate some day). I served as chairman of the Rep Party in Shelby Co
from '86-'90 & as Sect of AL Rep Party from '95-''01. I am presently
chairman of the Rules Committee for the ALGOP. In '98 I was the founding
pres of the AL Rep Assy & presently serve as the SE Reg VP. After taking
early retirement in '94, I became active in Eagle Forum of AL & presently
serve as its field dir & newsletter editor. I was honored to receive the
'97 Nat'l Eagle Forum Award from Phyllis Schlafly in Washington & AL Eagle
of the Year Award that same year. I edit the monthly newsletter for the Mid
AL Rep Club & put out a conservative weekly email newsletter. I was a
delegate to the 2000 Rep Convention representing AL on the Platform
Committee & I was most proud to serve as an AL Presidential Elector for both
George Bush in '88 & George W. Bush in '00. We have lived in Pelham for the
past 28 years. Jim is retired from the B'ham Police Dept & spends his time
serving as Comm Dir of the AL Civil Air Patrol & builds large scale radio
controlled airplanes. We attend Briarwood Presbyterian Church. It is good
to read about classmates & all the things everyone has accomplished over
the years!
 KATHY DISMUKES -
After
graduating, went to work at Southern Bell in B'ham. Married 2 years later &
moved to Oceanside CA where my husband was in the navy & attached to the
Fleet Marine Force. We have now just celebrated 39 years of marriage. We have
2 sons who are married with children of their own. We have a total of 4
grandchildren, 1 girl, being the oldest & 3 boys. We recently built a house
in Oneonta AL. We love to travel. One of the most memorable trips we took
was to Alaska. We age both still working. I spent most of my married life
being an at-home Mom, which was wonderful. Spend a lot of time now following
the grandchildren to their ball games. Now I am an Admin Asst in the sales
division for Royal Cup Coffee in B'ham. I have been with them for 15
years. Would love to hear from some of you!
 BETTY DUNCAN -
I married Paul Gilliam,
class of '58. We have 2 sons & a daughter. Jeff, Heath & Lisa. Jeff has a
daughter, Christian 10. Heath has a son, Ryne 9. Lisa has a son, Duncan,
3 months. Paul is retired & we love to travel, keep grandchildren & stay at
the beach in Destin. We have lived in Vestavia for 23 years.
 JAMES EHL -
I graduated from Samford '70 in the School of Pharmacy. I own &
operate my own business, The Medicine Chest Pharmacy in Vincent AL. We
have a son that is married & lives in Homewood. He graduated from Auburn in
'90. My wife, Wanda, & I love antiquing on weekend trips or going to
Logan Martin Lake & cruising the lake in our pontoon boat with our friends.
 BRADY FARR -
I am
an Orthodontist & live in Gadsden. My wife Anita & I have a son, Kevin
& & 2 grandchildren. They live in CA.
 LANNY
GARDNER -
After West
End, joined Air Force Reserve. Attended U of AL. Fell in love with & married
Susie Douglas, class of '63 in 1963. Went in insurance business in '68 with
Metropolitan Life. In '70, promoted to Manager in Montgomery, AL. Transferred to
Salina, KS as state manager in '78. In '81, transferred to Wichita, KS as state
manager for Principal Financial Group. In '96 retired & joined Susie in our
family business, Reflections Interiors in Wichita, KS. In '02, retired again &
moved to TX where our 2 wonderful grandchildren live. Have 2 children, a son
born in '69, who still lives in Wichita, KS & is in the insurance
business. A daughter, born in '71, who lives in Denton, TX. She is a RN &
specializes in hospital care for very small premature birth babies. She is also
the mother of our grandchildren. Susie & I live in Corinth, TX on the banks of
beautiful Lake Lewisville, where we occasionally take our Sea Ray for an evening
cruise.
 LETA GARST - After graduation I went to work for a law firm as a
legal secretary. In '60, I married Henry Gaulden (Phillips '59).
At the time we married, Henry was in the USAF stationed at Clinton-Sherman
AFB, OK. I joined him & we lived there until '63. We have a son,
Bill, who was born while we were in OK. Over the years I have worked
in the legal, mortgage & real estate fields. At present, I am an Asst
VP of the Property Mgt div of Collateral Mortgage / New South Federal
Savings Bank. I have been with them 14+ years. Henry is a Sr VP,
Computer Operations Mgr with Compass Bank. We have a beautiful 13 year
old granddaughter. She lives in Nashville & we spend as much time as
possible with her.
 JERE
GAULT
-
High school graduation. Wow...seems soooooo long ago. Lots of
memories, many of them fading, yet the good ones remain. Lots of
blessings for the Gault's over the years. Pene (Penny King of Ensley
'61) & I married in '64, had our daughters in '68 & '71. We celebrate
our 37th wedding anniversary this year. After WEHS, I attended night
classes at UAB, then U of Alabama for year & half. Too much fun there, so
things didn't go well. Joined the AL Army Nat'l Guard while pursuing
an undergraduate degree. Finally graduated in '70 from NE Louisiana U
in Monroe. Worked for State Farm in '66 in B'ham, transferred to
Monroe in '68, transferred to Bloomington IL in '70, then to Winter Haven FL
in '71. In '73 became a State Farm Agent for 10 years in Gulf Breeze
FL. In '84 became agency mgr for 11 years in Fort Walton Beach.
In '95 transferred to St Petersburg where we now reside. Retired from
State Farm last Nov & started 2 small businesses; one having to do with
financial strategies & the other conducting advanced life marketing seminars
for practitioners in the financial industry. Pene & I have traveled
the world. Our favorite is the Tuscany & Umbria areas of Italy.
It seems I was born to die there. Part of Italy's attraction is Pene's
interest in art. Pene is an artist who also enjoys art history.
She is a marvelous tour guide for our family, especially in Europe.
Our daughters are doing well. We have 3 granddaughters. Church
has been an important part of our lives over the yrs. It was faith
that brought us through some difficult times & it was faith than helped us
enjoy the good times even more.
BILL HARRIS - I
moved from Atlanta to B'ham in '59 & graduated WEHS in spring of '60. I attended
Auburn from '60-'62 & finally graduated from the U of Montevallo in '75. We
lived in Central Park. I am now retired with 38 years of military service. I had
close to 20 years on the Birmingham and Midfield Fire Departments. What I
remember most is playing all types of ball at Central Park Community Center.
 MEL HARTLEY - Joined
National Guard after WEHS. Active duty til '61 when I entered U of Alabama. Graduated from OCS & got married in '62. Active federal duty
for 5 months when Gov Wallace "stood in schoolhouse door". As
the newest 2d Lt, directly responsible for security of Mary Burke Hall
which was off-limits to all male students at "The University",
except me. Not bad duty - access 24 hours a day. First daughter, Michelle,
born in '63. Moved to Huntsville & worked as draftsman 10 years in
space program related work. Worked with Chrysler Corp, Sperry Rand &
General Electric. Celebrated with fellow GE employees when our astronauts
splashed-down on return from the moon. Renee was born in '64 & Brian
in '67. Moved to Jemison in '73. Worked with AL Power for 2 yr. Started my
career as drafting instructor at Bessemer State Tech College in '76. Graduated UAB in '78. BS Graduated from
U of Alabama in '82. MA (FINALLY). Retired from Army National Guard in '84 (24 years service). Retired from
Bessemer Tech in '99. Currently building new home. Looking forward to
collecting 2nd retirement (military reserve) in 18 mo & moving into
new home this month.
 WALLY HENLEY -
After graduation, I attended Howard College & graduated in '64. I
married Irene Lambert, from Banks' first graduating class, & we celebrated
our 40th anniversary last Sept. We have 2 children & 6 grandchildren,
all of whom live near us in Houston.
I
am an associate pastor at 33,000-member Second Baptist Church. I served
previously as an aide to the President of the United States, asst director
of the Division of Internal Security, US Dept of Justice, chief of staff for
a US Congressman, writer for The Birmingham News, & pastor in Alabama. I
also worked as a leadership developer in 20 nations, focusing on nations in
crisis in the former Soviet bloc & Africa & am the author of 12 books. Irene
is a Houston realtor.
Because of my background
in the two spheres of government and church, I spend much time studying and
teaching on the relationship between belief systems and the nations they
produce.
 DAVID HIGDON -
Shortly
after WEHS, I joined the USAF & spent 4 yrs (last 2 in Alaska where I
met my wife, Sena). After that, I joined the AF Reserve for 24 yrs &
retired as Senior Master Sergeant. Looking forward to that retirement
check when I turn 60. Worked for L&N Railroad as Claim Agent for 2
yrs, started to UAB & finally graduated in '72.
Been working with B'ham Park & Rec as Business Mgr for 28 yrs. Sena retired 3 yrs ago after 30 yrs as RN with Children's Hosp. We have 2
daughters & a son, 2 grandchildren & 1 on the way. We lived 25
years in Altadena area & are currently living on Lay Lake near Shelby,
AL. Missed the one at Cascade Plunge, but
went to most of the others prior to that. Have really enjoyed reading
about everybody on this site. This was a great idea. I plan to let
everybody that I can know about it!
 CLARENCE HODNETT -
After
WEHS, I joined the Army for 3 years, spending most of my time in SC &
Germany. Following my discharge, I worked for 3 years prior to going
to nursing school & then on to anesthesia in Norfolk VA. I graduated,
took my boards & became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I
met my wife of 30 years in VA & together we have 5 children. In '91, I
transferred to the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Cheyenne WY & had to
take disability retirement in '97. We moved back to VA & now travel
occasionally to visit our children who live in various parts of the country.
 CHARLIE HOWARD
-
Graduated
from Auburn with a BSEE in '64. Worked for Southern Bell in B'ham,
transferred to Huntsville & worked in the NASA Complex. Went to
Harvard Business School in '68 & received MBA in '70. Married Jo
Edmondson, an 'Ole Miss grad, in '70 & moved to Houston. Developed a
9300 acre tract of vacant land into a city of 65,000 (Sugarland TX) where we
now live raising Limosine cattle & walking horses. Retired in '94 &
ran for the State Legislature. Have served as a State Representative since
that time. God has richly blessed our family. We lost a son in
'89 at 17 months of age. We have a son Chad, 18 yrs. old, just
graduating from high school (home-schooled). A daughter Julie, who
just graduated from Law School, married to Blair Drenner, has 2 sons & will
give us our 3rd grandchild (a daughter, YEAH!) in Aug.
 PAMELA HUNT -
In '64,
I married Wayne Snellgrove, who I met while at Auburn. We have lived in
Samson AL, Hazlehurst MS, Auburn for a 2nd time while Wayne was in graduate
school, Thomaston GA & now LaGrange GA since '75. We have 2 great sons,
both in their 30's & both married. Jeff works for the city of LaGrange
in the telecommunications dept & Eric is a veterinarian at McAdory Vet
Clinic west of B'ham. We have 2 step grandchildren & our 1st biological
grandchild due at Christmas time. I have worked as a lab tech at Auburn, a
substitute teacher & now have been self-employed for 30+ years. Wayne
is retired from the field of education & now is an accomplished bird
carver. We enjoy travel, having gotten back from a trip to Alaska last
month & in January experienced the thrill of swimming with manatees in FL.
 TERRY SUE JOHNSON -
I
have been married to John Heald for almost 39 yrs. We have a grown son
& daughter & an obnoxious “grandkitty”. We have lived in
Gadsden since '68 where John was an investment broker for American
Express, retiring in 2000 after 30 yrs with them. I worked for our
former mayor until '90. We enjoy politics, traveling & camping. |
