Alumnae
are still living in Charlotte with their house pets Maggie and Aretha. Gail continues to works as a massage therapist, but less and less, because traveling is on their bucket list of things to do. This fall Gail and Ward will travel to Belgium and Holland for a “bike and barge” trip with Vermont Bicycle Tours. Safe biking, Gail! Emory Rogers Church and husband John are also traveling more, now that their nest is empty. They loved a European river trip last year, and are looking forward to traveling the back roads of England, Wales and Scotland this fall. Emory stays involved with SMS, serving on the auction committee and doing some free lance editing on this magazine! As for the Fishers, we have had a lot happening over the past several months. My mom died in January 2013 from a cerebral hemorrhage. As most of you know, it is never easy losing a parent. Our youngest son, Davis, just landed a position at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team. Davis graduated from UNCChapel Hill in May and will now be in the MBA program while working with the team at Lincoln Memorial. Older son Robbie just completed his three years with the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa. As I write this, he and another Peace Corps buddy are touring southeastern Africa before deciding where life will take him next. As for myself, I just had a total knee replacement and am recovering well. Physical therapy is not a walk in the park, but it is not horrific either. I still have my Lots of Luxe business that keeps my business associate and me busy. We represent the Doncaster line of clothing for women and we just re-
cently added J. Hilburn, a men’s custom clothier, to our collection. No retiring for me as of now. Reminder: mark your calendar for our 40th reunion next April 25-26, and if you would like to be included on our Monday Morning Cyber Prayer Group CG ’74+ (outsiders welcome) list, please email me and I will add you. Melrose
First Row (left to right): Nancy Kerr Thomason, Susanne Owens Logan, Catherine Phillips Winslow; Second Row (left to right): Jayne Milligan Spector, Nan Brantley Bayless; Third Row (left to right): JoAnn Nance Small, Jaquelin Jenkins Perry
1976
HIGH SCHOOL Next Reunion: 2016 Bebee Bason Lee ’76HS ’78C Please see Class of ’78 College for a combined class news letter.
1976 COLLEGE
Next Reunion: 2016 Bess Knotts Walker '76C Barksdale Spencer Thompson reports that life is good. She is a very excited grandmother! Her daughter, Sarah, is the mother of Barksdale’s granddaughter, and they live in Wilmington. Daughter Barksdale finished her master’s in education and teaches in Greenville, N.C. Mother Barksdale says no more education bills at their house! Son Lawson is still with BB&T in Wilson. Husband Philip is still with Merrill Lynch, and Barksdale stays busy with three part-time jobs! Mazie Swindell Smith wrote that she has recently been named the 21st century learning coordinator for Hyde County Schools. She also completed a twoyear stint as county manager of Hyde County. As for me, life has changed a bit with my youngest in college. Carr is a freshman at Clemson University. My son, Locke, graduated from Clemson in civil engineering and works in Raleigh. My daughter, Ila Walker Bittner ’05, is married, living and working in Morehead City. With our nest empty, life will be different, but we have plans to visit N.Y.C. with Saint Mary’s, and to take weekends to travel to Clemson and go to the beach in the off-season! I hope all is well with each of you! Bess
1978
HIGH SCHOOL Next Reunion: 2018 Sara Vestal Morgan and Tim are still living and working in Raleigh. Sarah teaches at Lacy Elementary School, and Tim is with Brasfield Gorrie Commercial Contractors. Their family
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