class news class news | ’51 - ’53
NC. I don’t have her address but her telephone number is 828-345-1199. Speaking of Joan—I’m sure that you saw the picture of her and Gus in the campus issue of the Commentary. Just as they do, let me encourage each of you to show your love and thanks to Coker by giving to the Annual Scholarship Fund. Remember to put class of 1951 on your donation. Great picture, Joan! You read in the Commentary that Frank Bush surprised a group of us at Mary Johnson Bowie’s house in Myrtle Beach in September. Mary, Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer, Doris Johnson Gray, Mary Lou Nye Holley, and I did have a good time catching up, shopping, eating (of course), and reminiscing about our Coker days. At my High School Class Reunion luncheon in October, I saw Sylvia Thompson Avant and Jo Hunter Watson both Coker classmates, and Mary Frances Coker Johnson ’53, a sister classmate. All looked great and were doing well, but since then Jo has open heart surgery right before Christmas. This class needs a co-rep. please one of you grab this position by calling the Alumni Office at 1-800-65 COKER (26537) or 843-383-8066 or me at 843-662-2797. Remember to send your contribution for the Annual Scholarship Fund to Coker College and your news to me. Love you all, Betty Lee
>> C lass o f 19 5 2 Bett y L ou M c I nt y re Barclay 329 Lee Circle Dillon, SC 29536 843-774-6122 | Bbar830771@aol.com Frances “ Frankie ” N ic h olson T ownsend 201 Kinney Circle Bennettsville, SC 29512 843-479-9398 Hi Classmates, Betty Lou and I continue to hope we will get a flood of calls or email with news from you. Karen Johnson Conway called to tell me Christiane Blanchon Burnet died December 30. Chris was the French exchange student our junior year and had been in a nursing home for several years. She had many fond memories of Coker and enjoyed getting pictures and news of our reunions Karen sent to her. Karen had a rough year health wise. A “bad” lumpectomy resulted in a series of radiation treatments. In August she had a knee replacement which still gives her trouble. We hope 2009 will be a good change. Now some good news, Karen’s own Walton was the subject of an excellent article in The State Magazine (North Carolina) about his business “Golden Cockerell” in Boone. Walton imports Russian “cottage industry” crafts which includes the unique nesting dolls. Perhaps you’ve seen his booth at the Southern Living Christmas Show. Judson, another son and his family are spending the season in Chile where he is working as manager and guide at a fishing lodge. Karen enjoyed having all of her family during Christmas in Boone. 2008 was not a good year for Jennie Smith McLeod. She suffered a major stroke in August. You’re a “real trooper” Jennie and we’re pulling for you for better times. Vera Wyndham Helmly told me she is doing fine and enjoys her family. Bobby has macular degeneration so she has become his driver. Jane Woodward Truett had a good family Christmas. She has enjoyed having her daughter for a longer visit. I enjoyed having all of my family at Ocean Lakes in
W W W. C OK E R .E D U /A LUMN I
July. Son, Jim and his family continue to live in Louisville KY. Anna, my only grandchild, is fourteen and keeps busy with school activities including tennis and playing flute. My oldest daughter, Mary, lives in Lugoff and works I.C.U. at Palmetto Richland. Ann, my youngest and her husband Mark Bowman live in North Augusta. “Barney” my cairn terrier and I hold the fort down in Bennettsville. I still enjoy spending time at the beach and activities with friends here. Betty Lou and I talked of having mini-reunions as a way to keep in touch. Anyone interested? Let us hear from you and please send a contribution to the Annual Scholarship Fund. Love and bear hugs! Frankie
>> C lass o f 19 5 3 P at C h apman Hu f f 507 Wilmar Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-3755 | Phuff507@cs.com M it z i D u P re M att h ews 6493 Bridgewood Road Columbia, SC 29206 803-787-4157 | Bmatthews2@juno.com Dear Special Friends, You really are special to me. After all, we did spend a lot of time together, since we lived at Coker College together for four years or less, and the memories we have are wonderful. I also remember the fun we had with our Big Sisters and Freshman Commissioners and the seniors - oh how we looked up to them! I also enjoyed being with and getting to know the ones in the classes below us. I roomed with a freshman my senior year and there were some wonderful sophomores on third floor Morgue. On Saturday, August 2, 2008, we had another great Leadership Training/Appreciation day at Coker. Pat Chapman Huff and I enjoyed having a luscious lunch, and we heard from Dr. James Dawson, President of Coker College, Lyn Blackmon, Director of Alumni Relations and our famous Frank Bush. To top things off, Dr. S. Anne Hancock, ’60 spoke on “Moving into a New Century” The Power of One. Again, many thanks to Lyn Blackmon and Dee Pierce for such great planning. For those of you who don’t already know, our dear Beverly Denny Dority went to her heavenly home after having Lou Gehrig’s disease. Richard ’55, her husband took such good care of her. Beverly always smiled and had such a great attitude for all the years she was struggling with her illness. She and Richard were involved in our reunions, dropins, the beach trips and whenever we had mini reunions, etc and were always encouraging us with their faith and trust in the Lord. Please continue to pray for Richard and children and grandchildren during this time of sorrow. Jennie Herlong Boatwright came to see me one day. We had lunch together and had some good talk time. She and Phillips were driving, a few days after our get-together, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to meet some of their children. Then they were going to take a few weeks to travel around all of that beautiful country and see all the special sights, such as the Grand Canyon. Louise Bristow Kinsey called me one day and said she had moved back home with her son now, as she had been living in a retirement home in Columbia. Her address is 2921 Blossom Street. Columbia, SC 29205. She enjoys knitting sweaters for her great grandchildren and working on her genealogy. She is so proud of her grandson Bert Kinsey
who is at MUSC getting a degree in Pharmacy. He already has his Doctorate degree in Research. Pat and I are sharing our Christmas cards with you. (Please forgive me for not sending any this year and last year.) Pat heard from Mary Elizabeth “Beth” DuBose Cottingham ’55. She stays busy with church work and other activities. She and Walter celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Walter is still working full time. We are sorry to hear of the death of Walter’s sister, Juanita Gordon. Please keep him in your prayers. Pat also heard from Dot Garrell Hanna ’52 and Herb Hanna ’51; Ina Jean Webster Godwin; Marie Daniels wife of Dr. James Daniels, former President of Coker College; Chuck Cottingham who is husband of the late precious Sara Frances Coleman Cottingham; Danny Nicholson; Callie McCuen Simpson; Dave Rogers who had bladder cancer surgery in November; Nina Franklin who is so happy that Pat keeps her informed about Coker events and friends. Jean Lamond Crabbe and Bill have one granddaughter who is graduating from Medical School in June and another who is getting married in July. They also have another grandchild who is in college and another graduating from High School in May. Jean Fore McDaniel and Mac plan to be in their Pawleys Island home soon and several times during the year. Pat, Anne, Charlie, Susie, Betty Jean and I join Jean in June for a week at the beach. Jean has been experiencing some health problems. We’re praying for her. Sarah Sampson Bell and Buddy always take part in all of the Coker activities. We really enjoy seeing them at least twice a year. Joyce Bell sends greetings and is so faithful about keeping in touch and joining us at our reunions. Truey Tarbox Thieker and Forrest are always attentive in our class activities. Tommie Long McClain and Ken welcomed their first great granddaughter on November 18, 2008. They say, “they have been blessed.” Susie Gaines Hautala was so disturbed about Beverly’s death as many of our other classmates were. Daphen Yarborough Edge and A.J. sent a special card that said, “Have a bright and wonderful Christmas as you celebrate Jesus.” Fran Worley Bond and John moved last March to a smaller house. They had lived in their other house for 48 years and miss it. Anne Merck McDowell and Mickey sent a sweet card. Anne will be having surgery on Thursday, January 15. 2009. She has been taking chemo treatments for more than a year and has already had two surgeries. Her attitude and outlook on life has always been so special. She always uplifts me with her faith and trust in the Lord every time I see her. Several of us have been going to their house about once a month and taking food - and guess what? Anne always cooks good meats and “vegs” out of their garden. .Please keep them in your prayers. Charlie had a Christmas card from Everette Gause Stauffer. Charlie Hunt Chewning stays busy looking after her sister’s affairs. She is also trying to sell a house her niece occupied before her death. She loves her three dogs. Betty Jean Lee Hunsinger had a grandson to graduate from College in San Antonio, Texas in December. She stays busy with her children and grandchildren and her friends and her church. Pat and Carl Huff ’52 are very excited about their granddaughter who is getting married in July. They also have a granddaughter going to Medical School to be a Physician’s Assistant. They really enjoy their family and their two great grandchildren. The reason I haven’t written the class news since 2007 is because Budd and I have not been well. Budd has Parkinson’s disease. He’s really slowing down with walking and doing things for himself. I have help three days a week, so I can get out and grocery shop and do what I have to do. I fractured two vertebrae in my back and am still having pain after a year and a half. I am going to a pain management doctor now. We moved in May to our little “doll house” after living in our bigger house for 48 years. We live across the street
THE QUARTERLY OF COKER COLLEGE , HARTSVILLE, S . C . - C O M M EN TA RY
|
7