|
 RICK DOUGHTY -
Finished Wheaton College in '65 & Columbia Seminary in '68, where I met
my wife Anne, who grew up in Charlotte. We have 2 children, David &
Beth. From '68-'95 I served churches in the Greenville SC area.
In '95 (after our nest emptied) we moved to E. TN where I taught in a
Christian school for 6 years. Right now I am pastoring Christ Covenant
Reformed Episcopal Church in Sevierville. We are in the heart of the
Gatlinburg - Dollywood tourist area, so give us a call if you are nearby.
Oh, I wear glasses, have some weight around the middle, but I still have my
hair. I like to hike & occasionally indulge in recreational sarcasm.
Peace be with ya'll!
 SANDRA DREW -
In
'63, I married Robert Everett. We live on a small lake in McCalla AL.
I have worked in finance over 30 years. I am now employed with a major
coal company in the B'ham area & plan to retire in a couple of years.
Rob & I were blessed with 2 children & five "Grands." My son is a
pastor in McCalla & has 3 children. My daughter lives in the Logan
Martin Lake area a & has 2 children. I have enjoyed all the info furnished
on classmates, as well as memories of our times! When I think back on
our school years - we were so blessed to grow up in a time when we could
enjoy the simple things in life & they were truly "Happy Days."
 DIXIE DYER -
(Dixie passed away in 2004).
One of you signed my ’61
Resume with “May your life have just enough thorns to make you appreciate
the roses.” Pretty prophetic, as it turned out. My husband & I met in a
church on Capitol Hill in DC. David worked in the White House (East Wing,
not West) & I worked for a Congressman from AL. Don’t tell us
there’s no such thing as love-at-first-sight, because we were smitten! In
addition to his other sterling qualities, we share the same crazy sense of
humor. A year after we married, we moved to Atlanta & have been here 34
years. David, from Atlanta, grew up in an area called West End & the legend
goes that he left home only long enough to find me & bring me back. Our 2
delightful daughters live nearby with their families. Andrea (BS/MBA, N GA
College), married to Tom (BS, UGA), is a college instructor; & Kathie (BA,
Samford) married to Brad (BS, Samford), does free-lance journalism. My
daughters co-authored a children’s book which is set for publication this
summer. They each have 2 daughters: Kaitlin & Susannah; Olivia & Baby Ava -
4 roses! 3 years ago, however, we hit a thorn. I was diagnosed with a cancer
that had spread & the prognosis was grim. David, who owns & operates a
sports marketing company, put his career on hold to help me do battle. For
almost a year, the doctors blasted away with every weapon in their arsenal,
culminating in a month-long stay in a hospital isolation unit in NC with my
only visitors being the doctors, nurses & David. What a picture - all of us
wearing masks & one of us very bald. Thanks to lots of love & some powerful
prayers, I’m doing great. David
wanted me to tell you that, through the good times & bad, our love song has
never changed - “Still Crazy After All These Years.”
My favorite memory is the
night Mike Carlisle mooned the audience during a Shakespearean play.
I was Titania, Queen-of-the-Fairies, trying to seduce Michael who played
Bottom, a drunken tinker (wait, it gets better). Michael was wearing a
20-pound donkey head, which could account for the less-than-graceful way he
landed bottoms up in the flowery bed. It caused his tunic to flip up,
revealing bright red swim trunks beneath & that brought the house down,
stopping the show in its tracks! There might even have been a standing
ovation; you’ll have to ask somebody else for details because the Fairy
Queen & the Donkey spent their 15 minutes of fame lying there clueless until
finally somebody walked onstage & pulled his skirt down!
 GAIL EDWARDS -
Shortly
after graduation I married a former WEHS grad & we moved to Auburn where I
earned my PHT degree (Put Hubby Through). I was secretary to the dean of
the Graduate School. After graduation we moved to Hoover. We have 3 sons,
Bob, Daniel & Philip. For my 25th wedding anniversary, I was given a
membership in the First Wives Club. I spent the next years putting my sons
through school. The times we had together, good & bad inspired me to write
a cookbook,
"Gail's Kitchen.
Sprinkled throughout the book of receipts are funny episodes that happened
in my kitchen throughout the years of rearing 3 sons alone; from the birth
of kittens to making numchucks out of my mop handle. I have worked for 20
years as a manufacturer's rep in a lighting agency in B'ham. It's rewarding
to drive throughout the state & see projects that I have played a small part
in lighting. Daniel married Crystal & they have given me 2 precious
grandchildren, Robert 11 & Hannah 2. Philip married Stacey this past June.
I am blessed with 2 wonderful daughters-in-law. They are the daughters I
never had. I lived in Hoover until last year when I moved to Calera & now
live on a small lake that allows me to fish every day. When I'm not
fishing, I'm working in my flowers or paddling around the lake in my boat
with my black lab, Butch. Life is good.
I remember going to a
Y-Teen party at the Y & seeing Miss Rakestraw in a swimsuit (I do have
pictures if anyone is interested), a Wacomba party at Camp Cosby, Saturday
morning come-as-you-are parties, blue gym suites & dancing to Sixteen
Candles!
 BRENT EVERS -
Attended
UAB, Anderson College, Clemson, GA St. Graduated from none! Managed
commercial real estate in Atlanta 28 years. Now live in Warner Robins GA
& work in Atlanta 3 days a week managing a friend's cooking
school & catering co. Happily married 37 years to George Richardson,
Shades Valley '59, U of Alabama Engineering Grad, Civilian Eng w/USAF. 2 great
kids: Brad 33, GA Tech grad, still single but getting closer to
"jumping the broom", successful sales engineer for Alcatel in Austin
TX; Lara 28, lives in Canton GA, getting married July we think. She
was original runaway bride in '99. U of Montevallo, Kennesaw, GA
State, Dekalb, still working on her degree. I spend as much time as
possible at condo in Gulf Shores, working out at gym, yoga classes,
reading, pestering George. Looking forward to chasing grandchildren.
UPDATE 2005: I dropped
from sight after the 1st great reunion but after 39 happy years of marriage,
I lost my husband after a year long battle with cancer. In a very short
period of time I moved back to Atlanta, was blessed with two grandsons, lost
another grandson born with severe birth defects, started building a custom
house from scratch, then had an auto accident which tore up my left leg.
Just moved into my great new "Grandma" house in the N. GA town of Ball
Ground to be near my daughter & her family. In between visits to Austin, TX
to see my son & his family, I hope to see a lot more of my West End
friends. I limp a little but I'm making a comeback!
 MIKE
FAIR - I
only attended WEHS the Fall of my Senior year. I am still in touch with
Mike Armstrong & I dated Becky Lisk some the year after our class
graduated. I've spent most of my life in Oklahoma City in business &
Politics. I'm an Oklahoma State Senator. It took years but I finally
earned my BS degree. My first wife was from Ramsey High in B'ham. I
was down last summer & the area of WEHS has sure changed. The kids at WEHS
were great to me & I treasure the limited part of my life's experience
which belongs to you.
 PAT FERGUSON
- I married Don Walker in
'64. He was in the USAF at the time & we immediately went to his new
assignment at Vandenberg AFB, CA where our daughter Donna was born. From
there we went to Clark AFB, Philippines, where our son Donnie was born. Then to Tyndall AFB, FL & to Barksdale AFB, LA where our youngest
daughter Stacey was born. We spent our final 6 years in the USAF at
Gunter AFS in Montgomery where we have lived since. My favorite
pastimes are traveling with Don & spending time with my family & 5 precious
grandchildren - Shayne, Harris Anne, David, Hudson & Pearson.
I remember Mary
Jo Melcher, Missy Montgomery, Dixie Dyer, Kay Foy & I had some great
times at Robert E. Lee grammar school until graduation from WEHS.
My favorite teacher was Ms Gretchen Jones, who taught typing.
 KAY FORRESTER -
I married Walter Barnes & we have 6 children, 11
grandchildren. I raised my family (a son, Michael Moebes, now a restaurant
owner & chef in Sydney Australia, & a daughter, Mindi Guthrie, who
married the "Guthrie Chicken Restaurant" folks) in Decatur AL
& moved back to B'ham in '89. I am a Church Growth Consultant &
have had the opportunity to work with 300+ churches all across our nation
in the area of "Outreach" & "Church Growth". It
has been a very rewarding & fulfilling career. Walt & I love to
travel & are planning a sailing trip to Croatia & Italy the end of
this summer. We have a lake house in Guntersville & if anyone is ever
up our way give us a call...we are in the phone book. We are in B'ham Sun
through Wed & then head to the lake!
 SANDRA FREDERICK -
Married
to Bill Robinson a year after graduation, now going on 39 years. We have 2
children. Brett 34, unmarried, teaches T38 instructors for the USAF (any
eligible daughters out there?) Leigh Ann 32, is married with our only
grandchild, Lindsey Marie, age 1. I'll show her picture to anyone who
asks! I met Bill through his cousin, Sandra Gaught Karr, WEHS '61, over a sandwich
at her house while attending WEHS. We've lived in Memphis, Atlanta & Huntsville where Bill was an Air
Traffic Controller. He is now working in LA
Center, near Lancaster, as a rehire from the strike of '81. I wouldn't
have believed it if anyone had told me that we would live in LA County CA,
but here we are. For the first time since my kids were babies, I am a bum!
Had my own wallpaper hanging business for 20 years, but after double knee
surgery last Aug, hung up my tools! I enjoy hiking, going to the gym,
walking the dog, singing in a group called Sweet Adelines & volunteer
work. Of course, I go to AL as often as possible to see my grandbaby. I am
really looking forward to seeing all my OLD friends (guess we can't hide
our age from each other, huh?)
I wonder how many diets are already happening.
 JIMMY FREEMAN -
After WEHS, I worked
part-time for JC Penney at Five Points West. I secured a full-time job
with Sears in Ensley in '62. I stayed there for 16 years & traveled to most
of the Sears stores in B'ham. I was a dept & security mgr at Century Plaza
where I retired from in '96 with a total of 35 years of service. I married
Barbara Barker in '63 & we have 3 children. Jimmy lll, Jeffrey & Lori. All
graduated from college & are gainfully employed. Lori was a cheerleader at
UAB & later became a sponsor. She is a school teacher in the Moody system &
JV cheerleading sponsor for Moody HS. Jimmy is a human resource mgr with
Delta Airlines in Huntsville & lives in Hartselle (2 boys). Jeff is a
communications specialist with Purcell Ind in B'ham (2 girls). He is a whiz
with computers. My wonderful wife retired but has a 19 hour part-time job
with a bank in Odenville. We live in Branchville & I cut 6 acres of grass!
Life is good. We are cruising the Hawaiian Islands in May next
year. Where
are all the Central Park grads? Remember the rivalry with Ensley High
School?
 BOBBY GARDNER -
I
have been married to a very wonderful & understanding woman, named Gale since
1964. We have 2 children, Michele (36), Lance (40). I worked at a new car
dealership for 28 years & retired June of 2005. I am very much enjoying being a
lady of leisure. Oh, one other thing, on March of this year I had Gender
Reassignment Surgery & am finally what I should have been since birth. I fought
these feelings all my life & finally 3 years ago gave in to them. Gale, now my
companion, wonderful as she is, is still living with me. We are relatively happy
with the situation. We live in Harvest, AL just north of Huntsville. I look
forward, with enthusiasm, and admittedly, some apprehension, to our next
reunion. I hope my friends understand that I have done this for my own peace of
mind & am now a happy woman.
 LINDA GARDNER
-
After graduating, I
attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota FL. I have lived in B'ham most
of my life with the exception of 4 years in Louisville KY. I married Marlon
Walker & had 1 daughter, Marcia. Unfortunately that marriage lasted only 5
years. I later met & married Gil Pearsall, a NY native & VP of a local bank
& we moved to Blount Co. with 40 acres. Gil was killed in a car wreck in
'95 & I have bee single since. After art school, I worked for Pizitz in the
Ad department doing layout & fashion illustration. I later went to work for
Long's Electronics as Art Director. In 1983, I opened Total Graphics in
Southside. We design & produce brochures, catalogs, magazines, logos, etc.
(thank you Ms. Skinner for your encouragement). My daughter, Marcia, works
for a local law firm & has 2 boys who are the light of my life. Some of my
special memories are the trips to Panama City & the banquets & lead-outs as
a member of the Whirlers Club.
 SALLY GARY -
I
live in Prattville, have 1 daughter & 3 grandchildren, a boy 8 &
twin girls 4. They are why I moved from Orlando back to Prattville. I
have had two husbands; the first an artist & the second a musician. Guess I picked the wrong professional field. I am retired, but work
part-time at our local cooperative extension office. For 4 years I lived in Kaiserslautern, Germany while
my husband played with the USAF Band. It was a wonderful
experience. My hobbies are crafts, knitting &, if I have to, yard
work. Hope to see you soon!
 SANDRA GAUGHT -
I married Fred Karr, Bessemer, in '61 & we just celebrated our 40th anniversary. How he has
put up with me 40 years only God knows & our friends can attest to that.
Fred has made a career in the plastics industry & was transferred to Dallas
in '70. We left B'ham on my birthday & I cried all the way to Dallas. I
was the one person that didn't want to leave B'ham & have never let Fred
forget it. I must have spent a fortune calling my folks & making
Southwestern Bell rich. Both of my parents have passed away now so I am
glad that I made all of those phone calls. We were blessed with a daughter
in '67 (Kristi Leigh). She married Jeffrey Davidson from Chicago in '99 &
thank goodness she stayed in Dallas. They live 45 min away so we see each
other quite often & talk everyday. e have 2 wonderful granddogs, Bentley &
Shelby & Grammy always brings toys & treats when she visits. We have lived
in Dallas, Houston, Seattle & now Dallas again. I have made a career of
homemaking & my hobbies are shopping, gardening, reading & traveling.
UPDATE -
Well, I can truly say you are
never too old to become a grandparent. How can anything be so wonderful and you
are still be earth bound? I do believe a bit of heaven came down on August 18,
2006, at 12:13 am when a beautiful baby girl named Kaitlyn came into our lives.
I had forgotten about staying up all night, changing diapers, feeding & burping a baby. But it does bring back wonderful old memories of my own sweet
daughter Kristi from 38 years ago. My heart can hardly hold all the love I feel
for this beautiful blessing that God sent into our later years. I am truly
thankful for a grandbaby I didn’t even believe I would ever have. God bless all
the grandchildren & grandparents – what wonderful times and adventures lie
ahead. I hope we can keep up. (See our new photo at Friends Now).
 WAYNE
GILES -
After WEHS, I joined the
U.S. Marines in July '61. In '62, after helicopter and crewchief/gunner
school, I left for SE Asia. Over the next 7 years I made 2 more trips to
Viet Nam. I spent 22 years in the Marines, retiring in 1982 as a Master
Gunnery Sgt. In '65, between tours overseas, I met my wife Alice & we will
celebrate our 40th anniversary in this year. We have 2 children. Melissa
works for Relizon Corp at Ohio State Univ & Wayne Jr. is a Federal Marshall
stationed in Lompoc, CA. We have 4 grandchildren, but we don't get to visit
with them much as they are in the midwest and southern California. I
graduated VA Tech in '82 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering, then I worked
for the Naval Air Systems Command until retiring from Government service in
'97. The highlight of this career was working at the Naval Air Warfare
Center in China Lake, California as the Chief Flight Test Engineer on the
Harrier II aircraft weapons platform. Now I am a Deputy Sheriff for Douglas
County Oregon. After the academy, I worked full-time as a Patrol Deputy and
also as prisoner transport and extradition. Let me be the first to tell you
that getting these 54 year old bones moving at the 1997 academy was one huge
chore. I will plan to attend the next reunion. I would like to hear from any
of my old classmates. I just recently started corresponding with some of my
close WEHS friends; Ronnie Bryan, Ronnie Stubbs, Allwyn Horne, Randall
Mitchell, Diane Reid, and more. I returned to Birmingham in 2003 to be with
my Brother Deryl during his cancer operation. I had a brief few days to see
some of the old sights and the memories started to flow. I am happy to
report Deryl is still cancer free and I am planning some time back there and
hope to see a bunch of you folks!
I fondly remember Ms
Ezell & Ms Hilleke. I remember the dead chickens episode & Ms Ezell's
Investigative Team. I also remember that one of the lockers by the cafeteria
had shrimp or fish or something inside. All I know is it had a memorable
smell, whatever it was.
 JANICE GRAY -
I am a 57 year old
retired, divorced, happy menopausal, worn out grandmother. I have 2
wonderful children, David Edwin Cavaleria, Richelle Cavaleri Rosato & a
son-in-law, Leon Rosato, Jr. I have 2 precious grandchildren, Leon
III, 5, & Katelyn Marie, 2. I am a aspiring Christian inspirational
writer of true stories & am working on a new book called "Ain't Life Funny"
which is about several eccentric, funny menopausal southern women. The
names have been changed to protect the guilty. It's going to be a
great comedy. Writing this book has been an experience since I can't spell
& am probably dyslexic like Fanny Flagg, a fellow author. I have been
retired from the Social Security Admin since '90 & have spent a great deal
of time helping my daughter with Leon III, who was born very prematurely &
is truly a miracle child. He has CP & requires a great amount of time &
attention. He is now able to walk with the aid of someone's hand. This in
itself is a feat for him. I have been spending my days writing,
reading, counseling friends & with prayer chains for those who need extra
help from a higher authority.
 JOHNNY HAMILTON -
I have one grown son who
lives in TX with my 2 grandsons, Zack 16 & Zane 13. My wife & I have been
married for 22 years. I have been employed with the US Postal Service as a
rural letter carrier for 14 years. I am an ordained minister & have
recently formed an interdenominational church. I have not been in touch
with any classmates for some time, though I have run into Lewis Womble, who
at last contact was a Captain with the B'ham Fire Department.
 RICHARD HAND -
Joined
USAF in ‘61. Graduated FSU in ’66. Commissioned 2LT. Tour in London. Tour in SEA. Flew Fighters most of career (F4's
& F15's). Retired in '90 (Colonel). Owned Private Detective Firm in Montgomery for 5
years. 10 years
teaching for Troy State U - Graduate Faculty. MPA Troy
State ’77. MBA Michigan ’79, DPA U of Alabama, ’88. Still married to Judy
(Graham), 4 Boys, 30 Grandchildren.
I remember
Coach
Short trying to teach me to kick extra points & field goals. Miss
Ezell suspending me for 2 days because I cut classes. Ronnie
McBride jumping out of my car one night because the police were chasing
us. I guess I must have been speeding. They did not catch us!
 BARBARA HARDEN -
I
was married for 34 years to Malcolm Smith, class of '59. I am now
divorced & have 3 lovely daughters & 2 grandchildren. I've lived in CA, NC,
NM & TX, but returned to AL 4 years ago to take care of my mother in
Ashville. Update 2007: I have
moved back to NM,
where I spent most of my married life, and where my children and grandchildren
live. Now I get to see them anytime I want to, not just once every year or so!
 JIM "PIERRE" HARRELL -
After
WEHS, I joined the USAF & served in Korea & SD until '66. I
graduated from U of Montevallo in '74. I lived in Alabaster for 12
years where I was involved in Dixie Youth Baseball as President, VP,
Commissioner & started the first girls softball in Alabaster. I
was also President of the Thompson's Band Boosters for 2 years plus Master
of Ceremonies for Shelby Co Junior Miss for 14 years. One of our
contestants was Heather Whitestone, Miss America.
I have been an Industrial
Salesman for 28 years. I deal in corrosion & have my NACE
(Nat'l Assn of Corrosion Engineers) certification in Corrosion. I
have 2 sons, one in Bangor ME & the other in B'ham. One
Granddaughter, almost 2 years old. My root's will always be at West
End!
 MARIE HARRINGTON -
After
graduation I went to work for the B'ham Police Dept as stenographer. In
March '64, I married Jerry Harper from Huntsville. His job took us to LA,
GA & IL. Thankfully, he has his own business now. We have settled in
Carrollton, GA. It is a lovely small town & we love it. Our daughter
has 1 son & lives about 20 miles from us. Our son has 2 sons &
lives in CA. I do the office work for our business & spoil our
grandchildren every chance I get. I'm doing a family history for the
grandchildren now. It has been a challenge, but a lot of fun. It has been so nice to
go down "Memory Lane". While looking through the Resumes, I noticed
something that I had not realized before. When I was working for the B'ham
Police Dept, we had eight stenographers in our section. 6 of them were
graduates of WEHS. Betty Ann Pair '59, Evelyn Trucks '59, Sandra Sims '60,
myself from '61, Ginny Bragan '63 & Saundra Tate '63. With this information
& a dollar, a person could buy a cup of coffee. The B'ham PD must have
liked the way West End teachers taught their girls!
 PEGGY HARRISON -
I
began collegiate study at B'ham-Southern literally before I graduated from
WEHS. I graduated from BSC with an AB degree with a major in speech & a
minor in phys ed. Taught speech 1 year, speech & physical education 1
year,
then physical education only for 6 years & served as chair of the girls
physical education dept at Woodlawn HS. Completed my master's degree during
the summers at the U of Alabama then began doctoral work during summers at FSU
completing my degree in '74. Began teaching at UAB in '74 & will retire end
of Aug after 27 years there. Served as interim dept chair twice & dept chair
for 4 years before returning to full-time teaching. I live in Hoover with a
lake home in Pell City. I plan to travel in my RV & do all the things I
have put off doing while I worked. I, too, remember the book burning event.
I remember the last name of "Est stulta, Harold"!
 CHARLES HARTLEY -
After
graduation from WEHS, I earned a BA degree from Samford Univ where I
met & married Barbara Ann Tyler (WEHS '64, BS-UAB). I briefly
attended Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville & was pastor of a
rural church in N Kentucky. We returned to B'ham where I was
employed as a Probation Officer at Family Court of Jefferson Co. I earned
a MSCJ at U of Alabama. Following 30 years of service, I retired as a
Division Administrator at Family Court. While working for the court, I
taught Criminal Justice as Adjunct Faculty at UAB & served as pastor of
several churches in the B'ham area (for 3 years I was associate pastor at WE
Baptist Church). In '94, in preparation for retirement, I began to attend
a local seminary completing a Doctor of Ministries degree. Presently
I am an instructor for Christian Life School of Theology. Barbara is
a retired school teacher. We have 2 daughters, Lisa & Johanna, & 4
grandchildren. Barbara plays keyboard as part of the worship team at
Liberty Church in Hoover, where we are members (she played the piano for
the '61 class graduation exercises). We presently live in Pelham.
 RAE HAUSER - I have
been married & divorced, but God blessed me with a wonderful daughter,
Darlene, who has given me 3 beautiful grandkids. Deanna 19, James 18 &
April Joyce 10. They are the apples of my eye. My daughter is
also my best friend & I treasure that relationship more than I could ever
tell. I live in Adamsville, AL & love spending time with my grandkids.
I work part time outside the home. My friend Bill runs a Print & Mail Business
from home & we are on the net printing & typing materials to be
mailed. I am a Customer Service Representative dealing with the
public in various situations. Update
2007: I have fully retired and am staying at home and taking care of my friend,
Bill Moore. My first grandson had my first great grandchild and she is a
doll.
 PATSY HAYNIE -
Denny Carlisle & I married in '63 & just celebrated
our 38th anniv. After WEHS, Denny attended Auburn & I attended Nursing
School, graduated in '64 & postponed my career as an RN until after the
birth of our first daughter in '65, who is also an RN & married to an
attorney. They live in Atlanta & have given us 2 granddaughters. We
went on to have a son (Dennis, Jr.) who is in partnership with his dad & is
married with a daughter & step-son. Our 3rd child, daughter, is Reg Sales
Mgr for a pathology lab & lives in B'ham. Dennis is in Commercial &
Residential construction (The Carlisle Corporation). He has been in
this business since '69 & built numerous WEHS grads new homes & businesses.
We see several classmates regularly as we live in N Shelby Co & there is a
group of us here.
 JANELLA
HOLLEY - We have lived in Cahaba
Heights for 27 years. My husband is Wayne King (Shades Valley) & he
was stationed with the Navy in Jacksonville FL when we married in '66.
Our son, Brian & his wife, Sundi, live in Austin TX & have a 3 year old son,
Alex, & 1 year old daughter, Marigrace. They are our only
grandchildren & although they live in TX, we see them often. We have
twin sons who live in B'ham. Kevin is single, a pilot. Keith is
married, goes to B'ham Southern & works in sales. Wayne & I like to
travel & enjoy staying in Bed & Breakfast homes. We consider our sometimes
spur-of-the-moment journeys an adventure & are enjoying growing old
together. God has blessed us with healthy children & grandchildren & He has
met all our needs. Thanks to those who have put this together for the
rest of us; you have done a great job. It has been great to hear
about old friends. God bless you all! |
