text:
SPRING '08
mentary V O L . 36 N O . 1
commentary t h e q u a r t e r ly o f c o k e r c o l l e g e , h a r t s v i l l e , s o u t h c a r o l i n a
President Dawson to Retire | 2 Class News | 4
resident Dawson P A nnounces His R etirement
Coker College president Dr. B. James Dawson has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2008-09 academic year and that a team has been formed to coordinate the search for his successor. Dawson became the 15th president of Coker College in July 2002.
"Jim's leadership of Coker College has been exceptional and particularly beneficial in guiding the institution into its second century as a distinguished liberal arts college."
— Charles L . Sullivan, Chairma n of the Board of Trustees
contents >> O n The Road With Frank | 3 >> CLASS NEWS | 4 >> HOMECOMING 2007 | 23 >> DEVELOPMENT | 24 >> C entennial Calendar | 27
Volume 36, Number 1 w w w.coker.edu
The Commentary of Coker College is published four times a year in the fall, winter, spring and summer by the Coker College Office of Marketing & Communications. 843.383.8018 Periodicals postage paid at Hartsville, SC 29550 and additional mailing offices USPS Pub. No. 599-590
>> J ames Jolly Director of Marketing and Communications email@example.com >> K yle Saverance '0 6 Publications and Web Designer firstname.lastname@example.com >> C hristian S try ker '0 4 Sports Information Director email@example.com
POSTMASTER: Forward and send address changes to: COKER COLLEGE Office of Marketing & Communications 300 East College Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550-3797
"Jim's leadership of Coker College has been exceptional and particularly beneficial in guiding the institution into its second century as a distinguished liberal arts college," said Charles L. Sullivan, chairman of the Board of Trustees and Sonoco executive vice president. "While the college community will continue to benefit from his leadership and vision until July 2009, we are very excited about the college's future." The College's accomplishments during Dawson's tenure as president include the successful completion of a $23 million campaign in 2005. This fundraising effort enabled the College to make significant investments in the campus community, including the construction of the 40,000-square foot, $6.5 million Charles W. and Joan S. Library-Information Technology Center. Several millions of dollars also went to improving academic programs, residence halls and campus landscaping. Coker College has experienced a period of considerable enrollment growth during Dawson's presidency. The number of traditional students, those aged 18 to 22, increased over 40% to an all-time school high of 643. This year, 420 students live on campus, filling the college's five residence halls to capacity. To help accommodate Coker's growth, Dawson oversaw a $3 million renovation of Grannis Residence Hall in 2005 that converted the 1969 building into modern apartment-like housing. The College's full and part time enrollment is approximately 1200. "Jim Dawson has set a high precedent for his successor to follow," said Karen Lear '98, head of the President's Transition Committee and a College Trustee. "We are committed to finding the right campus leader to build on his legacy and guide the college's future success."
>> R ON ald D. REC K is Cok er 's new
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Dr. Dawson helping new students move in.
On the
Road with Frank Vis its with Coker Alumni and Friend s >> Frank Bush - Executive VP for Institutional Advancement
My "Travels With Frank" seems a little shorter this time because of Christmas vacation, but I did manage to get in some enjoyable visits. In November, I had lunch with Trustee Gay Fort Boswell in Charlotte, N.C., to discuss the landscaping around the new Library-Information Technology Center. It was fun to have her sister, Claudia Fort Heath, join us. Both of them are interested in Coker College. Later in the month, I went to Orangeburg to visit with past Trustee Jim Roquemore. Jim's son is Jay Roquemore '04. Jim has served on the Board of Trustees and is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Super Sod. He has been very generous in helping us with our new landscaping project. Not only has he donated much of our new sod, he assisted in selecting the grasses to use. I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time, Joanne McFaddin O'Bryan '58 and her husband, Cecil, in Augusta, GA in early December. We had a delightful visit in their home to discuss Coker's Annuity Program. Joanne and Cecil are considering establishing a charitable annuity at the College which eventually would fund the Joanne McFaddin O'Bryan Endowed Scholarship at Coker. The College is grateful to them for doing this. This gives me the opportunity to say to others out there that they may want to consider what Joanne and Cecil are doing. It is a wonderful way to make a gift to Coker College and retain life income and still receive a charitable tax deduction. In the early part of January, I was in Conway to visit with Ann Ludlam Winfield '44 and her husband, Bob. Ann is a sister to Ruth Ludlam McClam '46 of
Raleigh, N.C., and Jean Ludlam '51, who recently passed away. I am so proud to say that all three of the Ludlam sisters have endowed scholarships. Ann and her husband have generously contributed, along with others in the family, to endow a scholarship in Ann's name. We had a delightful lunch down by the water. I enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with them about Coker and her aunt, Evelyn Snider '28. Ann also gave me an old scrapbook with pictures of her Mother, Ruth Spivey Ludlam '20, when she was at Coker. I had a busy week the middle of January. I stopped in Columbia on my way to Greenville to have lunch with Barbara Dibble Dixon '59 and her husband, Bubber. Barbara has been such a supporter of Coker College over the years and has served on the Board of Trustees. I was so pleased to learn that Barbara has included Coker in her estate plans and will be added to the membership of the Major James Lide Coker Society. Barbara and Bubber have connections in Hartsville. Bubber's brother, Dr. Rion Dixon, lives in Hartsville and they come here quite often to visit. I continued on that day to Greenville to have an afternoon coke with Lee Watson. If you read my "Travels with Frank" you know that I visit with Lee often. At 89 years of age, Lee is one of the most vibrant women that I know and it is always wonderful to see her. She is a great supporter of the College, particularly the Susan Coker Watson Travel Abroad Scholarship, which was named for her late husband's mother. We had a delightful visit. The next morning I traveled to Easley and had lunch with Julie Poole Brice '61 and her husband, James. Julie also is a member of the Major James Lide Coker Society and included Coker in her estate plans. Julie has been so supportive of the Library-Information Technology Center and other important projects over the years. I had a great visit with Julie and James. Later in January, I made a trip to Savannah, Ga., and had lunch with Pat Brooks '91. Pat has done very well in his wealth management business as a financial planner and has set up his own office. It was a great visit with one of my favorite Coker College graduates. I traveled to Georgia to have lunch with Betty Wray McDonald Jones '52 and Tiggie Hooks Benefield '52 and her husband, Dewey, at Sea Island. Betty Wray recently lost her husband, Bill, and it was the first time I had seen her since her loss. She looks great and we had a delightful visit and caught up on all the goings on at Coker College. They were all excited to learn about our plans for a new field house/gymnasium.
President Dawson has made it clear to the Board of Trustees that we should work in that direction. Tiggie was so excited because she was such a great athlete when she was at Coker. It was a wonderful visit with people who love Coker College. In January the Alumni Office hosted a trip for graduates and friends to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. It was a wonderful weekend. Frankie and I joined the group and had a relaxing and enjoyable time catching up and spending time with everyone. We were pleased that Pat Brooks and his wife, Jill, were able to join us and the first night we had dinner with them. It was their first time away from their two young sons. I think they really enjoyed the trip and it was a pleasure to catch up with them. The next night we were honored to be seated with Jean Campbell Williamson '45 and her husband, Oliver, and Barbara and Greg Connor. If you read the last "Travels with Frank" you will know that I had a visit with Jean and Oliver in Mt. Pleasant at the end of October. Jean and Oliver have been so supportive of Coker, and it was a pleasure to have them on the trip. Barbara and Greg, who is a radiologist, are Hartsville friends of the College and so much fun. It was wonderful to have dinner with the four of them. Although we had many friends on the trip, it was nice to have Tricia McClam and her husband, Robert Greer, join us for the first time. Tricia is the daughter of Ruth Ludlam McClam '46 and the niece of Ann Ludlam Winfield '44 and the late Jean Ludlam '51. Tricia attended Coker for two years. I think everyone had a wonderful trip and I hope that on future trips more of you will take advantage of them. It is always a fun time to talk about Coker and to enjoy being with our friends. The last week in January I went to Georgetown to have lunch with Teressa Thompson Harrington '81. Teressa, who has a 12 year-old child, is currently retired but spends a lot of her time working part-time as a counselor. Her husband is a contractor in Georgetown and they live a busy life. I am pleased to report that Teressa has included Coker in her estate plans in her will. It really takes me back to visit Teressa and realize that I worked in Admissions and played an integral part in recruiting her to the College. What pleasure and satisfaction it gives me to see an outstanding former student lead a successful and fulfilling life. Please plan to come see us at Coker this year as we celebrate the Centennial. A list of events is in this Commentary and online at www.coker.edu/100.
>> D aniels N amed Director of A nnual Giving
Daniels, a native of Charleston, graduated from Coker with a degree in communication. He was previously the director of marketing and promotions for Charleston Southern University Athletics. Prior to that, he was an admissions counselor at the university. The Annual Scholarship Fund is Coker College's top fundraising priority. It directly benefits students by providing $600,000 a year for scholarships. Daniels can be contacted at 843.383.8178 or email@example.com.
Wes Daniels '03 has been named Director of Annual Giving. His primary responsibility is raising money for the College's Annual Scholarship Fund. "We are excited to have Wes join the team," said Frank Bush, executive vice president for institutional advancement. "His familiarity with Coker and his work experience will be a real asset." W W W. C OK E R .E D U /D E VE L OPM ENT
class news • G at h e r e d & w r i t t e n b y c l a s s R e p r e s e n tat i v e s •
>> C lass of 19 3 7 E mil y Henderson R emington Franke at Seaside 1885 Rifle Range Road The Cove Apartments 35 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 881-8383 | firstname.lastname@example.com Please call or email Emily with your latest news. Sibyl Sumner Hare sent in the obituary for her mother Carolynne Sumner, dietician at Coker from 1937 to 1972, who passed away December 7, 2007. "Having spent so many years there, Coker was very dear to her heart and an integral part of her life. She had been living in Columbia for the last 19 years but still considered Hartsville her home. She was buried in the First Baptist Church cemetery there."
>> C lass of 19 3 8 F lorence Houc k S teele Post Office Box 69 Davis Station, SC 29041 (803) 478-8783
Dear Classmates, Thirty-six of us graduated in '38. Nineteen are deceased. Alma Reames Walker is still active, does lots of volunteer work with her church and keeps close contact with two sons. Helen Watford Sassard resides in a retirement village in Tallahassee FL, shops and sounded great. Juanita Mason Lewis resides in the Methodist Manor in Florence. She has some problem walking but is doing well. I called Nelle McMaster Sprott's daughter Bootsy to ask about Nelle. She said she's right here. Nelle lives at the Presbyterian Home in Clinton. She's happy there and plays the piano everyday before lunch. Mary Jones Folger remains at her home in Greenville. She gets out for doctor visits, etc. and has good help each day. Charlotte Ryan Stuckey still drives. She is active with her church, bridge club and friends. Wave Josey Parks has trouble talking on the phone so I called her daughter, Karen in Cary, NC. Wave lives
at the Presbyterian Home in Lexington. She does have a slight dementia problem at times but is doing well. Eunice Ford Rogers spent several weeks at Christmas with her daughter in Oklahoma. Her sister Gladys (86) passed away a few weeks ago. Marie Harvin McDuffie resides at Covenant Place in Sumter. She is not doing well. Hope Tallevast Godefroy spent Christmas with her son, Scott in Augusta at Partridge Inn. She also got to visit with her granddaughter, Ginny. Hope, Eunice and I plan to attend the Alumni Weekend at Coker April 4th & 5th. Barbara Kalber Frampton and Harry live at the Presbyterian Home in Florence. Her son furnished a study room at Coker in her honor and his grandmothers' Carrie Lee Ervin. Hilda Rowe Rutherford lives along in Brunswick GA. She said the cruise from Cape Canaveral and the Caribbean was a wonderful way to celebrate her 90 th birthday. Her daughter checks on her often. I have tried to call Frances Robbins Hovis a number of times. She is evidently away or I have a wrong number. Nancy Bridges Fussell and husband Aubrey are doing great. They are not traveling much now but enjoy having their son and daughter visit them. We have lost contact with Rena Caldwell Hoover and Mildred Webb. And now for some news from me!! I'm still active, drive both day and night wherever I want to go, and stay at my duplex at the Methodist Oaks in Orangeburg January & February and move back to my lake house near Summerton. I enjoyed my 90 th birthday on a 14 day Alaska trip and an 8 day trip with the Coker College travelers to New York City and on the Queen Mary II. I spent a long weekend in January at Kiawah Island. Please keep in touch with me. Remember to contribute to the Coker College Annual Scholarship Fund. Thanks. Florence Houck Steele
>> C lass of 19 3 9 L aura S . M c I nnis 210 W. 9th North Street Presbyterian Village, Unit 151 Summerville, SC 29483-6701 (843) 851-8935
Virginia Williams Anderson says that she is feeling pretty good now. Her son lives with her, he can always be a help. Helen Moore Beam is the first new friend. She lives in Roanoke VA. She enjoys talking on the phone. She is a charming conversationalist. We welcome her. Martha Gunter Caldwell always has something pleasant to say. She is in good shape. Nona Crane Cothran is a special friend to me. She asked me to tell everyone that she can only talk on the phone in the morning. God bless you, Nona. Virginia Hill Hipp wrote me a real long letter telling me all about her family. I appreciated it very much. I challenge all the other friends to write her a nice note. Martha Coker Huntley lives with her two sons. Helen Montague James is one of our Sumter friends. She is always doing fine and in a good mood. Janet Langston Jones is my friend whom I call on the phone often. Janet has three daughters who are often checking on her. Janet sends me interesting things in the mail occasionally. Finley Plunkett Lucas was president of our class when we were Seniors. She is in a Methodist Retirement Home. Jeanne Anderson McLain and her husband of 65 years live in Columbia. Octavia "Ta" Moses Mahon. I believe many people at Coker know Ta. She has been very nice to me. She is busy as I am with a lot of family. Evelyn Bagby Montgomery lives in a lovely retirement home near Raleigh NC. She lives near a son. She is very happy where she lives. Anna Nettles Ray has moved to Georgia to be near her daughter. She loves living there. Florence McDaniel Rhodes is one of our special friends. We are happy for her now. Someone in her family is living with her now and she rejoiced when she talked to me. She loves to answer the phone, so call her sometime. Eloise Hayes Smith is one of the most interesting people on our list. She comes from a large family and she lives in the large family house in Latta. Laura McInnis has been the sponsor for this class for many years. I shall be 90 years old on March 12, 2008. I love all of you, Laura McInnis
Dear Coker College Friends, We are so happy to add more Coker graduates to our list.
class news | '40 - '45
>> C lass of 19 4 0
M ar y C onstance [ C onnie ] Huc k s ' 9 3 104 Cooper River Road Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 (843) 650-4791 | email@example.com
Dear Class of 1940: I must begin this, my first column as your class representative, with a hearty "thank you" for allowing me to serve in this capacity. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing and receiving cards and letters from you and chatting with many of you on the phone. For numerous years, Loree Harrington Gandy was your class representative, back in the days of personally writing long letters as there were no computers. Again, thank you, for permitting me to be your class rep although I request to bring along my laptop computer, cellular phone, and other electronic paraphernalia that may be required. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I spoke with Nell Godwin Morris, and I had so hoped to visit with her during the Christmas holiday, but had to return to work earlier than anticipated and missed that opportunity. She told me that her Thanksgiving couldn't have been better. Her holiday feast was shared with children, grandchildren, and neighbors. Nell is incredibly involved with Three Rivers Historical Society, a non-profit organization. She serves as Director and houses volumes of data as well as answers telephones. Marjorie Brunk Nettles fell at the beach earlier in the year and hurt her back, but she is doing much better now. She told me there were 14 for Thanksgiving dinner which included her daughter Carol Nettles Kirven '66. Frances Humphries Price and husband Hampton moved to Springmoor in Raleigh last March. They just love it there because there is so much to do all the time and they still enjoy attending the symphony and ballet. She had back surgery in June, but is now fully recovered. They both said that they did have a great Thanksgiving. Their two sons and four grandchildren are all doing well. Some of them shared Thanksgiving at Springmoor, and the Prices will visit with one of their sons for Christmas. Their granddaughter Mary Price, a 10 th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, along with another student, won the piano duet competition sponsored by the National Music Teachers Association. They will play in January in South Carolina competing against the winners from several states. I received a most beautiful Christmas card from Loree Harrington Gandy. It was a very trying and sad year for her. On September 19 in a Florence hospital, she lost her beloved son Doug to cancer. They were ever so close as Doug had never married and had spent most of his years in Hartsville. Our condolences and prayers are with the Gandy family during this arduous time. Mildred Hardin Sawyer and I had a lovely conversation; she is living in a cottage in a Moravian retirement center in Winston-Salem and has been for the past ten and a half years. We talked about those delicious Moravian cookies, and I could have easily eaten a dozen after that conversation. She will move in December to a room in the main building which just happens to be on the same floor as the dining room and a short walkway to the health clinic. Seems like a very convenient location for her. Her "decorator instincts" daughter from Tampa made a couple of trips up to NC to help pick out paint colors and do some decorating for her new residence. Mildred
also has a daughter living in the country in Winston Salem where she shared a lovely meal and a great time at Thanksgiving. Mildred shared with me that she is very, very lucky to live in a wonderful place and have family so close by. She also told me how very fortunate she is to be healthy and near 88 years old! I do want to share a tidbit of information – I don't recall the year, but once when Mildred was visiting Coker College and being reminiscent of the "girls only" campus, she was shocked to see young men in the drawing room. It just wasn't normal she told me. But we both consented that times in this old world have changed. For better? For Worse? I think the jury is still out on that one! Margaret Davidson Baker and I talked and talked and talked. For Thanksgiving the entire family was together and all are doing just fine. Let's see, in addition to Margaret there were husband Bill, two daughters, Jennie Baker Smith '68 and Mary Baker '74, their son, and seven grandchildren. There are also two new great grandsons [cousins to each other]. The Bakers are very proud of their family and will be together again on Christmas Day. The Bakers have a cottage in Bluffton where they spend a great deal of time since husband Bill retired from the furniture and appliance business. After graduation from Coker, Ms. Baker taught high school and elementary music and later taught at Campbell University [then, Campbell College] in Buies Creek, NC. She planned a spring 1942 wedding to William Wilkes "Bill" Baker, Jr., but because of Pearl Harbor, plans were changed and the happy couple married in 1941 at the home of their preacher. I talked again with Nell Godwin Morris after the holidays. She received a card from Sarah Orr Scarborough and said that she was doing real well. Nell, as if she weren't busy enough already, has inherited the bookkeeping duties of the Garden of Devotion Professional Care Cemetery in Hemingway where she also serves as president. She feels very fortunate to live alone and carry on such tasks. Nell shared with me her love of her Coker days but mentioned it was so different now that it's no longer an all-girls school. Please send your news for the next issue of the Commentary. I look forward to hearing from each of you during 2008; perhaps I'll see you at some of the centennial celebrations at Coker. Cordially, Connie
>> C lass of 19 41 N orma M at h is P ate Barclay Estates 210 Whitehall Road N. Augusta, SC 29841 (803) 279-9248 | email@example.com I hope you have a happy & healthy 2008. I can't believe that we have lived long enough to see Coker celebrate its centennial year. Love, Norma
>> C lass of 19 4 2 R ep or co - rep needed
>> C lass of 19 4 3 S elma S togner L eHard y 415 Lakeshore Drive Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 332-7952 C o - rep needed
>> C lass of 19 4 4 R ep or co - rep needed Jane Gardner Hunter had a wonderful article written about her in the paper recently. She was nominated for the "Pointing the Way" award for her outstanding achievements of being a mother of five, she work in a local clinic, education. She was appointed to President Reagan's Education Panel of Advisors in Washington DC. She has been a trustee at Coker College and has also been a third grade teacher.
>> C lass of 19 4 5 Kat h erine S till C amp b ell 295 Club Acres Orangeburg, SC 29118 (803) 534-6594 Dear Classmates, Only one of you took my suggestion of writing a Christmas note – Dot Greene Chisholm in Baton Rouge! They are doing o.k. and Dot continues to enjoy her P.E.O. chapter, book club, and her church activities. They'll celebrate their 60 th wedding anniversary in June. I also had a phone call from Frankie Ellis Miller's sister, Betty Jean Ellis '48. Betty, after 35 years of traveling to Japan, the Philippines, and Iceland – as a teacher for Dept. of Defense – has settled down in Hershey, PA. Her sister, Frankie (our classmate) now lives with her daughter, Dr. Ellen Miller, a veterinarian, in Warm Springs, VA. Frankie and her husband, Wayne, also traveled extensively abroad. Wayne was a surveyor. In later life Wayne had serious health problems and died at age 86 after a stroke in March 2007. Frankie and Wayne met in Washington, D.C. at the First Baptist church. Oliver and Jean Campbell Williamson are having similar aches and pains as the rest of us in our 80's! Ann Holloway Murchison planned knee replacement in Athens, GA., the first of February. We had lunch together at Chestnut Grill when they passed through Orangeburg in January on their way back to Union after 2 weeks at Hilton Head. Ann and Clyde's granddaughter, Ann Roddey, graduate of UT, will marry in late May. Ann Roddey is the daughter of Margaret Ann Murchison Fitz '73. In January I went with a friend to Walterboro for
'45 - '52 | class news
my first visit to a D.A.R. meeting – at the home of Betty Padgett Black '48! The 28 members and guests had a very interesting meeting! When I talked to Grace Jackson Ingram '44 in late January, she was involved in planning parties, etc. for a grandchild's marriage in March. I was at Coker for the dedication and opening of Coker's new state-of-the-art Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center. I also went back in January for the book chain. Both days were well prepared and well attended – as all Coker events are! Myrtle "Charlie" Dudley '44 in Seattle, Washington area, has downsized and moved from her waterfront home to a smaller home, which she is enjoying. Roy and Corinne "Kenny" Boyd Hunter are very satisfied in their retirement area. I see Lora Evie "Burnsie" Burns Thomas'46 occasionally and she's been fine. I hope all of you had a good and safe Christmas holiday – and will have good health and much happiness in '08.
had to be mailed. I do know that all the health problems the family has been having are improving. Their daughter, Becky, is in remission from lymphatic cancer and has been asked to be a representative for the Lymphoma Association. Doris, also a cancer survivor, declares that she is doing well now and I am looking forward to seeing her. On the home front things are about the same. My younger daughter, Laurie, who lives in North Pole, Alaska with her husband, Pat and daughter Emily, is in the process of adopting a little boy, two years old and an Athabascan Indian. From his pictures he looks to be a charmer! I am told that sometime soon we will be getting more detailed information on Alumni Day activities. This is a big year for Coker and I'm going to be there if I can. I don't drive long distances anymore so it's difficult. Start those card and letters coming in, folks. Love, Lee
Most sincerely, Katherine Campbell
>> class of 19 4 8 >> C lass of 19 4 6 A dele Hu b b ard W illiams Post Office Box 358 Lancaster, SC 29721-0358 (803) 283-4336
P at Hesse Hardison 1300 Queens Road, Unit 318 Charlotte, NC 28207 (704) 373-3056 C o - rep needed
R ep or co - rep needed
>> class of 19 4 9 >> class of 19 4 7 L ee Bla k e S tevenson Post Office Box 660 Beaufort SC 29901 (843) 524-5860 | firstname.lastname@example.com
Dear Classmates, I had hoped that my report on our 60th reunion would have brought some letters or e-mails. I did have a nice Christmas card from Jane Brothers Bryan. Perhaps some of you tried to e-mail and couldn't reach me. I had run afoul of the pornographers and was tired of having to delete so many offers of Viagra, etc., that I changed to email@example.com. (My initials plus year of birth!) I do have a little news of Coker friends here in Beaufort. Jeanette Brunson Martin '46 was front page news in The Beaufort Gazette (November 27, 2007). Jeanette is one of 14 volunteers in the VOICE program. The volunteers, dubbed the "Golden Girls" by the police department, make daily phone calls to sick or elderly residents who have no one to check on them. One day Jeanette made a routine call to a home bound man and he "sounded a little off", which made her think something was wrong. She immediately notified dispatchers who sent an emergency response team to the man's home. They found him gasping for breath with congestive heart failure. Jeanette is credited with saving his life. Doris Johnson Gray '51 and I keep up with each other, more or less. We talked on the phone recently and made plans to meet for lunch, but not before this letter
G enevieve C h andler P eter k in Post Office Box 2059 Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 (843) 651-7339
>> class of 19 5 0 R ep or co - reps needed
>> class of 19 5 1 Bett y L ee J ordan G and y 1201 Wisteria Drive Florence, SC 29501 (843) 662-2797 C o - rep needed Dear Classmates, It is Happy New Year time again! It seems to come faster each year. I am grateful for the correspondence I have had from some of you either by Christmas cards or telephone (I have no e-mail!) Thank you Sadie Rae Huggins Hutchinson, Betty Lou Mace Skinner, Doris Johnson Gray, Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer, Mary Lou Nye Holley, Elsie Vause Matthews, Mary Frances Graham Coker, and Herb Hanna.
Doris is recovering well after having had two major surgeries and treatment for her bout with cancer. Doris also had good news about her daughter Becky. After intensified treatment for cancer, Becky is in one hundred percent remission. Now that is good news! Herb was not at home when I called so I had a "visit" with Dot Garrell Hanna '52. She said they are both doing well right now. According to Dot, Herb is in love with his woodworking and spends a lot of time in his shop. He loves giving away everything he makes. His main project right now is making high chairs and tray tables. What lucky people benefit from Herb's love. Maybe some others of our class were there, but I know that Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer and Peggy Carmichael Woodward attended the dedication of the Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center and Gardens. You read about the dedication in the Commentary. You probably also noticed that Peggy has one of the named reading rooms on the second floor. Peggy and Ben have a new address: 621 Laurel Lake Dr, Unit B-123, Columbus NC 28722. Joan had heard from Denise Guerin Rice and Susan E. Watkins. Denise said she and Richard are in reasonable health and love taking 3 and 4 day trips. Joan and Gus are dong well. They have sold their house in Blowing Rock and that was a "sad but glad" time. They had enjoyed it for so many years. We are saddened about the death of our classmate Jean Ludlam (Luddy to us). She loved Coker and the class of '51. Our sympathy goes to Betty Shelley Gunnells in the death of her husband Bill. Also to Jewel Bryant Cannon whose husband Dan died in January 2008. I have had a healthy and good year. I am especially thankful for good health. Last January when I wrote the class letter I told you I was going to Naples, FL for my granddaughter's wedding in February. Well, this year I'm going to Winter Haven, FL for the second granddaughters wedding in May. That will take care of weddings for awhile since the next three grands are sixteen, ten and eight—all boys. As always I urge you to send your contributions to the Coker College Annual Scholarship Fund. A reminder that it isn't the amount that is as important as the percentage of he class that gives. I hope this will be a healthy and happy year for each of you. God bless you. Sincerely, Betty Lee
>> class of 19 5 2
Bett y L ou M c I nt y re Barcla y 329 Lee Circle Dillon, SC 29536 (843) 774-6122 | firstname.lastname@example.com
F rances " F ran k ie " N ic h olson T ownsend 201 Kinney Circle Bennettsville, SC 29512 (843) 479-9398
The old saying "time flies when you are having fun" certainly applies to getting the news for the Coker Notes. Time has flown by and we have gotten very little news
class news | '52 - '53
form our classmates to report so we hope it is due to al of you have so much fun you forgot to report. We hope all of you ("Select few of '52") are doing well. It is great to still be alive and able to communicate with "you all." Miriam "Tiggie" Hooks Benefield and Dewey were happy to report that Dewey is doing well after breaking his leg. He said he went from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane and now is walking on his own. We are very thankful for his recovery. It was good to hear from Betty Wray Macdonald Jones. She reports that she, Tiggie and Dewey get together for lunch often. She feels that time is helping her deal with the sudden death of her husband Bill. Like many of us they had been married over 50 years. Keep her and her family in your prayers. Don and Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay were married 55 years in June. Many who came to their wedding from our class will probably remember it was 107 degrees in the shade on June 27, 1952. They are doing well considering everything. Don still works part-time with the Dillon County Hisorical Society. Shelley, oldest daughter, was home for Christmas from NYC and their friend Mona along with the two dogs. Their dogs are PBVGs and really cute. They had a great time and Chris got tickest to the Dixie Stampede's Christmas show so they went on New Year's Eve and enjoyed it so much. They plan to go see Rick Alviti, Elvis Tribute Artist, on January 16. He does a great show and Chris loves it!!! Flora Collins Baker emailed that she didn't have much interesting news. It does sound like life is interesting for her family. They did have their two sons and their wives along with six grandchildren, three golden retrievers and one sheltie home for Christmas. Sounds like there must have been lots going on in their household. Karen Johnson Conway has had problems with her knees and had surgery, but that didn't work well so she is planning knee replacements in the future. Karen sent Christiane Blanchon Burnet, who was our student from France in our class, some pictures of past reunions and old pictures of some of our class when we were at Coker. Florence "Flossie" McManus Rabb had given them to Karen at one of our reunions. Chris' husband wrote that Chris was so happy to receive them. She has MS and is limited in what she can do now. Frances "Frankie" Nicholson Townsend had a great Christmas with her children at home. After Christmas she went to North Augusta to dog sit while her daughter and son-in-law went to his family reunion in PA. Frankie is looking forward to warmer weather so she can spend some time at the beach. Frankie reports that her dog Barney has her well trained.
Wyness Lupo Thomas lives in Conway and has some health problems that limit her activities. She still writes some, and Betty Lou enjoyed talking with her about Dillon County and other interesting topics. Wyness was from Lake View SC. Patsy Hughes Nelson writes "we're still here and going a bit slower, but love Hilton Head. It's a retirement and resort area, so there's a lot to do. We (my husband Dick) still are bicycling and looking forward to a biking trip in Florida in March with Elderhostel. Hope to be up in Hartsville for the 100 th celebration." We hope many of us will plan to attend Alumni Weekend in April it is the 100 th anniversary. The schedule for the weekend in the Commentary has lots of very interesting activities listed. I am sure many would like to visit the New Charles W. and Joan S. Coker LibraryInformation Technology Center. We would like very much to hear from each of you. If we get more news from you then you will hear less about us. We look forward to seeing many of you in April and don't forget to contribute to the Annual Scholarship Fund. Let's make the class of 1952 proud. Love to each of you, Frankie and Betty Lou
>> class of 19 5 3 P at C h apman Huff 507 Wilmar Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 332-3755 | firstname.lastname@example.com M it z i D u P re M att h ews 6493 Bridgewood Road Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 787-4157 | email@example.com Dear Classmates, Barely had the Christmas tree come down and decorations packed away that I realized that the least I could do for Mitzi DuPre Matthews was to meet the deadline for the Commentary for her. Both Mitzi and Budd have experienced health problems since last August. Budd was in the hospital for months, then rehab, but is home now. Please keep both of them in your prayers. Mitzi is a member of our reunion committee, and we have not seen
her since our beach trip last June. We have really missed her. So many of you sent beautiful Christmas cards, pictures, calendars and letters. What a joy it was for the mail to arrive each day. Callie McCuen Simpson who had been very ill and hospitalized in a Greenville hospital and later rehab expressed her gratitude to Coker friends who in her words helped "pull her through". We are so thankful that she is able to be at home. Sarah Sampson Bell wrote that she would see us in April, and we know she will, for I don't think she and James have ever missed coming to whatever we have. Joyce Bell in her Christmas message said that she hopes to see us in April. We really appreciate her making that long trip all the way from Texas. Dave Rogers talked about his broadcasting career which began 60 years ago. A book is being written about the "Forgotten NASCAR". Dave was anchor at Darlington, North Carolina Speedway and Atlanta. He says there have been interviews, so we can be on the lookout for this book which will include our classmate who announced the very first Southern 500. Jean Fore McDaniel sent greetings from Sacramento. Jean's sister Jo, who lives in Georgetown, needs our prayers as she deals with melanomas. We are certain that Jean and Mac will be back in South Carolina for our April reunion. Susie Gaines Hautala was in John Hopkins Hospital having surgery in December and then she and a daughter drove back in January for follow-up. We wish the best for her, and we already know that she has had her reservations made for a long time at the Fairfield Inn here. Ina Jean Webster Godwin wrote how time flies in her "old age". Her health is still good and she can stay by herself. She says it is great to have one son living nearby. Truey Tarbox Thieker thanked me for the notes and cards, and we feel sure that she and Forrest will be attending our 55th. They are another faithful couple who always come. Nina Franklin whom we all would love to see wrote that as much as she would like to come to Coker she probably would not make it. She said that she loves the Coker Notes. Tommie Long McClain wrote that she is doing much better since her hip replacement. Fran Worley Bond said that John would be having hernia repair before Christmas and that they have not moved yet. Fran has e-mailed recently and John's surgery went well. Anne Merck McDowell's greeting was a complete surprise for Anne had been in a Columbia hospital having surgery for cancer and came home Thanksgiving Day, knowing that she would be returning to the hospital the first of the year for four days of treatment. This will be repeated in February and March. I have kept up with her this week, and she has tolerated the treatment really
'53 - '54 | class news
well. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Jean Lamond Crabbe enclosed a newspaper article of a granddaughter's wedding. Her picture was beautiful. Jennie Herlong Boatwright enclosed a newsy letter about her family. One granddaughter was married last February, the coldest night of the year, and Jennie and Phillips hosted the reception in their yard. Another granddaughter will be married this May. It is so nice to hear each Christmas from Dot Garrell Hanna '52. Chuck Cottingham also sent greetings during the holidays. We extend sympathy to Chuck on the death of his grandson, Coleman Yarborough. Coleman's mother, Charlene Cottingham Yarborough '78, and the daughter of our beloved Sara Frances Coleman Cottingham. Danny Nicholson, our wonderful young friend who spoke at our 50th reunion, sent a card with pictures of his two sons. While visiting at my brother Henry Chapman's Christmas tree farm, originally my family home, I could not believe that Susan Daniels Henderson '93 arrived to choose their tree. We had a wonderful talk and shared memories of Dr. Daniels. Prior to my visit with Susan and her precious family (I know how proud Dr. Daniels was of those two grandchildren) I had called Mrs. Daniels and we had a special visit and reminisced a lot. Charlie Chewning's sister Barbara is in a nursing home in Darlington, and Charlie visits her daily. Barbara lost her only daughter in November, and Charlie helped so much in making arrangements. I was so thankful that I could be there at the service to support Charlie and the family. We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Lexie Margaret Stokes Collie, who passed away January 8, 2008. Mitzi had heard from Lois Ann Buddin Coker during Christmas. Beth DuBose Cottingham was the speaker at my XYZ (Extra Years of Zest), the senior citizens of my church. We went to Brown's Barbecue in Kingstree where she met us. She talked about Franklin D. Roosevelt, polio and her life. We still count her as one of our class, and she does too. I have spoken on the phone with Beverly Denny Dority who had been to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She and Richard '55 were planning to return when he would learn some therapy techniques to help her condition. Felicia Brown McElveen and I have spoken on the phone several times. Red was featured in a newspaper article in our local newspaper. He had written a song and their daughter had performed it for them in her church. That must have been very touching. Daphen Yarborough Edge and I visit on the phone occasionally, and it is always so good to hear from her. Her oldest granddaughter will be entering college soon. Betty Carol Mobley Bynum and I have talked recently. Their son Bill and family have moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he is librarian at the City of Richmond Library. Charlie Chewning enjoys talking with Barbara Lowery Mims on the phone and keeps up with news about Barbara's son. Barbara attends regular high school get-togethers here in Hartsville. She and Meta King Foster see each other there. Betty Lee Shelley Gunnells, class of '51, lost her husband Bill in November, and his service was at my church. The Gunnells family were members of our church before moving away, and it was good to see them again. Betty Jean Lee Hunsinger and I visit daily on the phone. We keep each other posted on news from our
classmates. Martha Ann Anderson Blackwell called in response to an e-mail prayer request that I had sent her. Carl '52 and I enjoy going out for Sunday lunch with Hylda Inabinet Bass '48, and Belinda Duckworth Copeland '63. We just love talking about Coker. Hylda's daughter Beth Bass heads the Women's Basketball Association and her headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. Hartsville is mighty proud of our little hometown girl. I have just sent our second reunion letter to the College to be mailed. We hope you will like the plans we have made for our 55th and will make every effort to come. It will be worth a trip to see all the improvements at the College. I cannot tell you how impressive the whole campus is. It will be so good to see you, and I can't wait until the day. I love each of you, Pat Chapman Huff
>> class of 19 5 4 M art h a L ittle Hunter Post Office Box 30207 Sea Island, GA 31561 (912) 638-4207 | email@example.com L ois Hatfield A nderson 210 Saddlebrook Lane Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 776-0926 | email@example.com Dear Classmates, Happy 2008! As I write this, the new year has just begun, and I'm wishing for all of you much happiness and peace. I have tried to contact many of you, with some success. Thank goodness for the "old reliables", who always reply! Doris "Pug" Rogers Page writes that her elevenyear-old grandson is keeping her busy and healthy. She says "I pick him up from school, monitor homework, and of course, visit Wal-Mart. (We have a brand new one. Hotdog!!!!!!.). I have three other grandsons, two in the Navy and one at the Citadel. I am very proud of them all, naturally. I am trying to eat right and exercise because ole age ain't for Wimps!" Shan Dozier Williams has opened an antiques shop in Marion, called Cat Fish Alley. Her son is helping her with the shop. Shan lost her husband last summer, and the shop has been a life-saver, getting some structure into her life and as she said, helping her to pick up the pieces and get on with it. Best of luck with your new endeavor, Shan. What a nice bonus, having your son help you with it! Mary Byrd Gibson lives in Jacksonville, FL. She is a retired school teacher, and loves to crochet, as well as spend time with her 10 grandchildren and 1 greatgrandson. She had 17 of them for Christmas! Gaye McLemore Beaumont and I had a great visit. She has 3 sons, a Presbyterian minister, a classical guitarist, and one who works for the University of Memphis, and a daughter who is an insurance broker. They have given her 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Gaye, whose husband Beau died about 20 years ago, lives in Memphis, TN. She is an avid gardener and church volunteer. When I talked to Jean Byrd Smoak, she had had
back surgery just 5 weeks before. She had a fusion, with rods and screws. Sounds scary and painful, doesn't it? She was in great spirits, doing lots of rehab and walking, and feeling very blessed. Her husband, Don, died 9 years ago. She has 2 children - Donny, who is on staff at the Univ. of SFL, married to a Pediatrician, and they have 2 girls and a new baby boy, and Tamara, who lives in Irmo, and has 3 girls. Jean loves to travel, and has been to Russia, Israel, England, Belgium, and France, and hopes to get to lots more places in the future. Send us a card, Jean! Finally, I caught up with Ruth Byrd Galloway. Cainie Ruth only went to Coker for one year, but we became great friends. She had 2 daughters by her first husband. After she and Phil divorced, she was in Byerly hospital with her mother, who was in intensive care, and met Furman Galloway, whose mother was also in intensive care. Actually, she re-met Furman, because they had dated in high school. When they met in the hospital, the first thing he said was "You married the wrong man!" This story has a happy ending - they've been happily married for 20 years! Cainie Ruth lost one of her daughters, Pattie, in October, '06. She is extremely close to her other daughter, Sharon, who lives in Charlotte. It was great to re-connect with Ruth, and we plan to stay in touch. Sarah Kolb Bivins writes that she and Lee had an especially happy 2007. As I wrote in the last Commentary, all their family was together for her 75th birthday in Ridgecrest, NC, then on to Garden City Beach for a week. Sarah sent a great photo of all the family at Ridgecrest. What a happy group! In September, she and Lee went back to Ridgecrest for the Year of the Emeriti (look it up!), and had a wonderful reunion with many of their missionary friends from Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Chile. To stay healthy, Sarah takes water aerobics 3 days a week, and Lee walks. He is still busy making bio-diesel for his truck from used vegetable oil. Sarah writes "May God bless you all with great joy and give you His peace every day in 2008." Amen! Joan Griffin Burpee's son, Ashley, has been very ill, but seems to be on the mend. Among other things, he had a ruptured appendix, and she was in Tampa most of November to be with him. Joan has had some problems with a knee that she had surgery on, but hopes physical therapy will get that straightened out. As you know, Joan spends a good bit of time in Chattanooga, and in September she was accepted into the Bill Holmberg Arts Institute Leadership Class. The Allied Arts of Chattanooga sponsors this class each year, and they accept only 30 people. The purpose is to educate about all the arts, and to promote the arts in Chattanooga. She highly recommends their text book "Rise of the Creative Class" by Richard Florida. I'm planning on ordering one from Amazon. Joan has been so busy that she hasn't been able to paint, but really misses it, and plans to start again. Joan's daughter Melanie is practicing Guardianship Law in Tampa, and son Trey is an X-ray technician and tennis coach. Joan speaks for many of us when she says "The universe has told me to slow down, and that's what I want - I have to figure out how I'm going to go about it!". Betty Reaves Herring writes that she didn't do anything exciting in 2007, then goes on to tell about her trips to Washington, DC, Alaska, Panama City, FL, and Lexington, KY. I should be so bored! Trips in 2008 will be to Washington, DC, to Orlando for her oldest grandson's graduation from Full Sail University, the bus trip to Colorado. Betty writes that in early January she was part of a "human chain" to transfer books from the old library to the new Charles W. and Joan S. Coker LibraryInformation Technology Center. Four hundred+ people moved 400 books in about 20-25 minutes. Betty urges all
class news | '54 - '55
of us to go to Coker for Alumni week-end April 4-5. Reid and I are well, happy, and blessed! We are going skiing later this month with our children, to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Reid left today for the Dominican Republic to play golf with a lot of friends from Atlanta. He does Pilates twice a week, and walks an hour most days. I volunteer at the Brunswick Hospital, teach Bible for my church circle, and mentor a child at Altama Elementary in Brunswick. Am still playing golf, working out, and taking spinning classes. Our children and grandchildren and well and happy, so as I said, God has blessed us exceedingly! Please email me, snail mail me, or call me with news of you. God's richest blessings to all! Martha Hunter PS - I emailed many of you, and received a few responses, but would love to hear from more of you. Did you get an email from me? Did it get lost in the Christmas rush? Please take a minute to write me a brief note (or not so brief!) and let me know: Did you get one? Do I have the wrong address for you? My email address is: erhunter@ comcast.net. Please write to me, or bring Coker up-todate on your correct address. Thanks, Martha Little Hunter
>> class of 19 5 5 Ho y land L ower y F is h er 924 Dogwood Court Hanahan, SC 29406 (843) 747-9764 | email@example.com J ud y L ong Q uattle b aum 11415 Strickland Rd. Roswell, GA 30076 (770) 642-1699 Dear Classmates, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Coker! It is difficult to believe that it is 2008. Hope this year will bring good health and happiness to you and your family. Three quarters of a century old does not sound old any more, does it? Even though we cannot stop our chronological age clock, we can eat healthy, exercise, and get proper rest with hopes that will contribute to our feeling and acting younger. We can feel "young at heart" like we did at Coker! Beth DuBose Cottingham writes that 2007 was filled with celebrations, challenges, and changes. Some highlights of Beth's note included her aunt's 97th birthday in Alabama, Walter's 53 rd college class reunion, and a holiday visit to the Biltmore in November. Also, she mentions celebrations of new babies, baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays with family and friends. Beth and Walter continue to be busy with church activities and daily work. They experience "aches and pains" of being over 70. Does that sound familiar? Beth is experiencing arthritic pain in the neck and physical therapy is helping. Beth, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your news. Sorry to hear about Walter's sister, Doris Lee, passing away in October. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and Beth. There was also sad news in December. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah Pauline Jackson McRae and
Virginia Tomlinson MacKinnon and their families in the loss of Sarah Pauline's husband, Johnny, and Ginny's husband, Jim. Allene Stuckey Reep, Wilhelmina Kirkland Miller, Patsy Hill Yarborough, Betty June Dixon Gandy, and I attended Johnny's funeral. It was a beautiful celebration of his life. The funeral brought back memories of Sarah and Johnny's first blind date our senior year. After returning from the date, Sarah was absolutely beaming and said with a big grin, "Ya'll, I think I have found my husband." She said she would marry a red headed farmer and Johnny fit that description. Sarah emails that the family observed Christmas as usual at her home because Johnny would not want them to skip celebrating the birth of our Savior. She and the boys are at peace over his passing, knowing that God's timing is perfect. Sarah says a son and grandson live with her so she is not alone. Ginny's two young granddaughters live near her in Tallahassee and continue to be the "apple of her eye". I believe Ginny and I are the only two classmates who had their first grandchildren after age 70 but it is never too late, is it Ginny? It is just a little more difficult to keep up with them. Ginny says she had an enjoyable visit with Illa Louise Price McCoy in November after a return visit from North Carolina. Leah Collier Crawford says her family had an enjoyable, traditional Christmas at their home. She also attended Sarah Pauline's husband's wake. Allene and Lewis shared the holidays with family— daughters and grandchildren and Lewis' family. Marian Atkins Powe is a very busy person. Wow, Marian, how do you get all the energy to be so active? Her email states that she continues to be active in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society United Daughters of the Confederacy, and National Society Magna Charta Dames. She recently presented a PowerPoint program on DAR Insignia to the Twickenham Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The presentation booklet was selected to be included in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution archives for use by the national membership. Congratulations Marian, we're proud of you! Vivian Harper Mobley responded to my email saying she had a heart attack on December 17 and triple bypass heart surgery the following day. She did not know she had a heart problem and was surprised to find out about the extreme blockage. Let's keep her in our prayers because she may still have to have surgery on the diaphragm since it is causing breathing difficulties. She is making some progress, though. Talked with Judy Long Quattlebaum in December. She continues to live with her daughter, Kaye and enjoys her three grandchildren, ages 4, 7, and 11. Martha Rogers Arnette continues to stay busy playing bridge and Shangi Rummy. We talked about the age of our children and can't believe we have children in their late forties. Her granddaughter and grandson in Tampa are in the 9 th and 12 th Grades respectively. The granddaughter in Columbia is in the 9 th Grade. Both granddaughters are class presidents and cheerleaders. I had an enjoyable telephone chat with Pat Chapman Huff '53 and Ann Merck McDowell '53. Pat is a great class reporter and always receives so much news from classmates that I asked her secret. Her class has small group gatherings throughout the year at various locations and also members seem to send more Christmas cards.
I learned from Pat that she saw Betty Shaw Merck while visiting Ann in the hospital in Columbia. I had not heard from Betty since shortly after our 50 th Class Reunion. After spending Christmas of 2005 in Columbia assisting her ill daughter with her three boys, Betty decided to move from the country in Bishopville to Columbia in August 2006. She stays busy with new activities in Columbia and visits her son in Florence. A grandson is a freshman in college. Betty and Florence Houck Steele '38 attend Carolina Football games and go on Coker trips. She has joined Shandon Baptist Church and participates in Sunday school. She went with a group of seniors on a mission trip to New York last summer. Also, Betty has joined the Retired Officers Wives' Club at Fort Jackson and is renewing acquaintances with military couples she and her husband, Bob, knew. He was Squadron Commander of the South Carolina Air National Guard before he retired. Several couples from his squadron are members of her church. Betty says her goal is to be healthy and happy. She walks three miles three or four times a week. Mary Kathryn Lowrimore Daniel is doing OK after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She takes pills and goes to Duke periodically for check ups. She talks with Jean Byrd Smoak who recently had back surgery, I believe. Also, she received a card from Lou Phillips Hancock with no news. Mary Katherine reminded me that she and Jean graduated in three years and did not graduate with the Class of '55. They are still our classmates because we were together for three years. Keep Mary Katherine in your prayers. Pauline Griffin Funderburk had a hip replacement in October and is able to walk without pain. She, too, received a card from Lou with no note. Pauline also talks frequently with Mary Katherine. Pauline also had talked recently with Christine Savvas Homer '56. Dorothy Hayes Branham says their family enjoyed a nice Christmas at their home. Dot is like many of us; some days are better than others with aches and pain. Barbara Quattlebaum Salter lives in her parents' home in Wagener and is doing great. She and Mary Lou Nye Holley '51 do water aerobics and travel together. They plan to go to Alaska this summer. Barbara and her husband (deceased) had three children, two daughters and one son and four grandchildren. The children live in Prosperity, North Augusta, and Wagener. The oldest grandchild is a junior in college majoring in speech therapy and plans to study in Australia in 2009. Two grandchildren are in high school, one a senior and the other a junior. The youngest is in middle school. Before retirement Barbara worked as a secretary in a bank and private school. Afterward, she received a nurse's aide certification, moved in with her parents after the death of her husband and was their caretaker prior to their deaths. Barbara talked with Thelma Mae Johnson Baker several years ago and she was doing OK. She also wants to know if anyone knows anything about Johnsie Wallace. Dona McLamb Brand emails that she and Buster continue to be well and happy, just slowing down a little. The holidays were filled with joy and good food as they shared them with their immediate family and Dona's sisters and their families. Dona says she is the proud owner of a new pink Dell laptop computer that she intends to use as an important addition to her rocking chair. That will take a lot of coordination to rock and key at the same time. Dona, be careful about getting so comfortable in the
'55 - '57 | class news
rocker that you fall asleep and drop your computer. Dona tries to walk every day, keep her weight down, and diet under control. She wants to know if anyone has a magic formula for weaning oneself off chocolate and white bread with butter. One solution is not to have any in the house. Dona you are not alone craving chocolate and bread with butter. I'm sure many of us have a "sweet tooth", not necessarily just chocolate. Now that I am finally experiencing the joy of being a first-time grandmother in her 70's, what most of you experienced many years ago, I do a lot of reminiscing of my childhood days with my grandmother. Grandmothers are the links between generations. They pass along traditions, share wisdom, and moral values and shower us with love to last a lifetime. My grandmother was big mama to me; she always gave me love, wisdom, and plenty of smiles. Our granddaughter, Isabella, is now 21 months old and loves to come to Nana and papa's house. She is like a sponge and absorbs everything. We love her so much and can't imagine life now without a grandchild. Thanks for sharing your news! Everyone would like to hear from other members of the class. Put January 10 and July 10 on your calendar as the deadlines for sending me class news for the Spring and Fall Issues of the Commentary. News may be old for some and new for others but everyone enjoys reading about their classmates and other Coker friends. Help celebrate Coker's 100 th birthday this year by making a contribution. You may support Coker with your contributions in memory of or to honor someone. The number of contributors is important. Beth DuBose Cottingham has the Mary Elizabeth DuBose Cottingham Endowed Scholarship. Please send me or the Coker Alumni Office an address or telephone number if you know how to contact the following missing classmates: Patsy Jean Cheney Arnold, Dorothy Ann McMillan Belger, Eleanor Sellers Brewer, Betty Ann Lowder Harrison, Barbara Lee Woodcock Hucks, Patricia Annette Howell Jolly, Maria Pia Medimaceli, Margaret E. Mitchell Melton, Betty J. Moore, Amelia Ann Page, Clemingene Rhodes, Rosa Bell Sarvis, Jean Willistine Smalls, Evelyn Faye Tolbert. Love, Hoyland
>> C lass of 19 5 6 P egg y C ante y G ardner Post Office Box 42 Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-6862
Bar b ara W ard M is h oe Post Office Box 38 154 South Main Street (if you're coming close to Greeleyville) Greeleyville, SC 29056 email@example.com Greetings to everyone, Hope all of you had a very, Merry Christmas and an especially Happy New Year!!! Isn't the news at Coker wonderful? If they had just had all that at Coker when
we were there, our memories would have been much different! I hope everyone is planning on attending some or all of the many different centennial ceremonies they are planning this year. Some of you haven't gotten any news to me this year, and I certainly hope you all are doing and going so much that you just haven't had the time. Some did send either a Christmas card or an e-mail containing their news, and I was delighted to hear from you. Liz Degenhardt Campanile sent a Christmas card of her and her sisters, nieces, and a nephew on her front porch in New Jersey. Quite a handsome group, Liz. Anne Blake Townsend's Christmas had news of the birth of her thirteenth grandchild. Her son, Charles, and wife, Lisette, who live in Denmark are expecting in late June. Way to go, Anne! She also said she would be in Colorado for Christmas, and plans to be home in Wilmington the third week in January. Sounds wonderful to me! Joyce Johnston Utt sent a nice note in her Christmas card saying with her it's just "work, work, work". Her house was on the Christmas tour, and a dear cousin died the same week. I see what you mean, Joyce. Her youngest grandson, Patrick, graduated from Clemson, December 20, 2007, and left immediately for a snowboarding/skiing trip to Colorado. Her oldest granddaughter, Christy, was in France with her fiancé for Christmas to go skiing in the Swiss Alps. The other two were home with the family. Her daughter has moved back home from Tennessee, and Joyce is delighted. Joyce had some surgery in October, but she got along fine and is pleased with the results. Lib Plowden Anderson has had a stressful fall with her brother-in-law's illness and death, her sister's bout with lymphoma, and her husband's mother's pacemaker problems. She and Spencer have been in the road from Rock Hill to Bishopville to Lake City. Her sister is in remission and she is thankful that things have settled down to normal. Ann Gelzer Black writes that she has hip replacement surgery scheduled for February 6, 2008, and she hopes to be able to go to Coker in April for the century celebration. The doctors promised her she would be in good shape to go with the family to the Caribbean in July. Good luck, Ann!!! Bobbi Finch Schoelpple writes that she probably does what most people do—grocery shopping, taking care of the cats and two firebelly toads. I don't know!! She did take a train trip to New York where she saw the play, The Lion King, visited Madame Tussard's Wax Museum and the Museum of Natural History. She claims the cupcakes at the Museum of Natural History are the size of softballs and well worth the trip north. She has a chance to read and enjoy lots of books now. Peggy Cantey Gardner and her husband had the chance to take a trip to the Midwest with her daughter, Michelle, and her family. They traveled around through the states for 17 days. They had a chance to see some cousins that they seldom see. Sounds like a lot of fun!!! Peggy also related that Christine Savvas Homer's granddaughter, Christina Glover, who attends Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, won the Lower State and State Soccer Player of the Year and has already been offered a full scholarship to attend college. That is really great, Chris. Christine's son is still living in Greece, but she did have a chance to go to visit with him. I keep getting e-mails from Maxine Locklear Amos but she doesn't give me any news—just some interesting and thought-provoking information. I assume she is still doing her work with the church and speaking around the
country. Let us know where you go, Maxine, in case it's close enough for us to attend. Shirley Lawhon Rhem also sends some really cute e-mails, but no information. I understand she is still on dialysis. We all hope you are alright, Shirley. Let us know. Personally, I have had a busy year. I'm still substituting at school a good many days, trying to go to Lexington, as often as possible to see the grandchildren in their activities. Two of our children live there which makes it easier. I've also been doing some work in politics—been to the Republican debates in Columbia and Myrtle Beach. We've hosted some county meetings and trying to get people out to vote. Dr. Davidson would be proud! Hope to see all of you at Coker! Keep in touch. Barbara W. Mishoe
>> C lass of 19 5 7 L y nn W illiams O ates 3417 Oates Highway Lamar, SC 29069 (843) 332-3040 | email@example.com A nne D uBose S mit h 504 Dunlap Drive Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 332-2035 | email@example.com Hello Class of '57, The deadline for submitting class news is today. I have waited until the last minute on the chance of getting some news, but--guess what—none has come!! I called Anne Smith last night. She has been sick for about a month with cold, congestion, etc. She is better. She went to Vivian Ruthven McElveen's visitation but was not able to go to the funeral. I know we are all saddened by Vivian's death and extend our deepest sympathy to her family. Pat Hosey Edgeworth went to California recently to visit her son. She says she sets off all the airport alarms with her bionic hips, knees, and shoulder replacements. Anne S. and I went on the Coker trip in September to New York City and on the Queen Mary 2. It was a marvelous trip. It changed my opinion of NYC. There are nice, friendly, helpful people and clean, safe subways. The only scary thing—yellow cabs!!! I am going with the Coker group to The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island the last of January and to the Canadian Rockies in May. Looking forward to both. Send news or there will be more about me next time--nobody wants that!!! DON'T FORGET Coker is 100 years old. Come celebrate her birthday at Alumni Day on April 5. Love to all, Lynn Williams Oates
Anne DuBose Smith
class news | '58 - '59
>> class of 19 5 8 A nnette C oo k e S to k es 21500 Patton Avenue Lago Vista, TX 78645-6768 (512) 267-7520 | firstname.lastname@example.com Well, here's what I know about us 1958-ers! We break records, and we are excited about our upcoming 50 th reunion! Lamar Caldwell, Dolores McCracken Briggs, Elaine Johnson Hayes and I have been working on our 50 th reunion. Don't miss it! I have heard from several who are planning to return to Coker College in April, 2008 – Lucille Parker Stranch, for one, along with Connie Booker Moe and Jane Howie Correll. Hazel Johnson Nichols is another who lives quite a ways from SC but plans to return. I am hoping to get started on my flight plans! Mary Harvey Holmes called at Christmas and relayed her sorrow at the death of her sister-in-law, but commented that George, sister, Dorothy Harvey Lavisky '60 and Mary had a wonderful time together recently. They laughed over all the old childhood memories and truly enjoyed each other. Mary had a trip to Myrtle Beach and saw two plays at theaters there, including "Alabama" and the Carolina Opry. She takes part in Atlanta's culture scene, and loved seeing an outstanding religious art exhibit recently. She belongs to the retired teachers association and the SC group, which I believe is former S Carolinians who now live in Atlanta. Lamar Caldwell tells me he was part of the human moving chain! He assisted the students and other alumni in transporting books from the old Library at Coker to the new Library! Not many of us can claim that honor! Aren't we proud our little College is again listed in US News and World Report magazine as one of the Best Comprehensive Colleges in the South? Let's send some money to Coker today. Help some young student get the kind of education we were privileged to receive. The donation helps as a deductible on your IRS tax form, too. Mary Kay Rickenbaker and Linda Gause Conner ran into each other in Columbia recently. Both of them plan to come to the reunion! We were saddened to learn of those seven college students killed in the beach house fire in North Carolina, and doubly hurt to learn the house belonged to our Sarah Burgess Auman's family. What a terrible tragedy to all the families, including the Aumans. Lucy Parker Stranch lives in Live Oak, Florida. She and Laurence have one daughter, Christy, who recently got married – in England! Both bride and groom are from United States, but they met in England, and wanted to be married there. Lucy says she has an eye disease but she's hale and hearty and heading to Hartsville! In addition, I received a Christmas message from Helen Kolb Chambless who declared 2007 the FIX IT year! Beach house had to be fixed, daughter Anne fixed her alone-ness to together-ness by getting married in the summer! And Helen spent several weeks recovering from a knee replacement – all fixed now! She too hopes to make the 50th reunion! "Christmas cards have brought new information! Joanne McFaddin O'Bryan sent picture of her and hubby Cecil in front of their new automobile – a BMW Z-3 &Z-4 Roadster! She is coming in style to Reunion, I'd say!
Suzanne Currier Soderberg also had a picture of her family, gorgeous like Suzanne, with all 5 grandchildren, and a promise of a phone call soon. It will be best for me to bring Virginia Hall Brinson Caine's letter as I can't do it justice. They have had some major family health problems during 2007 but seem to be conquering that with style. She and Drury flew to Athens, Greece for a cruise to Malta, Syracuse and Rome, based on Apostle Paul's final journey to Rome where he was ship-wrecked. They weren't, but sure did have a scare! Linda Gause Conner has one talented husband who wrote a cute poem outlining the need for rain from Santa Clause, and intertwined the family events, included a cast of characters for explanation. They have 4 grand grandchildren! Very talented family. Linda postscripted that "we'll be at the reunion!" The Stokes clan, all 16 of us, went on a Western Caribbean Cruise Thanksgiving. The triplets, age 4, got to know their big cousins, 15, 17, twins 18, and college student Tracey who's 19, as well as their aunts and uncles. It was great fun! And I did not have to cook or wash dishes! And the teens had a blast; I did not have to worry about them driving somewhere. We all ate dinner together each night – otherwise, it was do your own thing. Be sure to call someone to remind them – COKER STILL NEEDS US! See you in April…. Annette
>> class of 19 5 9 P at C rawford F ields 1713 Scenic Valley Lane Knoxville, TN 37922 (865) 675-3013 | firstname.lastname@example.com Holl y M ims W estcott 7813 Harpeth View Drive Nashville, TN 37221 (615) 673-7949 | firstname.lastname@example.com Once again Christmas cards have provided news of some of the Fifty-niners, and the telephone has worked wonders for others. It is intriguing to hear of all the places our classmate have been, and they are an active group! Bonnie Cone Sawyer and Faye Gurley Reynolds (still together!) have been on several Coker trips—and rave about them—as well as trips with friends. In December they were at Lake Junaluska to hear the Messiah. Bonnie also became a grandmother again in August, making 3 grandsons and 6 granddaughters. Bonnie took the girls to Columbia for the City Ballet's Nutcracker which they all enjoyed. Faye says that life is good with her children and grandchildren nearby. Molly Creadick Gray sent a card with a picture of their 3 Pomeranians—so cute. She, too, had news of her children and their activities. Perhaps you remember that her granddaughter was battling leukemia several years ago. Claire is now ten and considered cured—well, with a huge smile and a great love of adventure. Her brother has earned over $80,000 for leukemia research! Molly and Pete continue to enjoy good health and made a trip to Newport and Block Island, Rhode Island to visit friends and enjoy a Court Tennis tournament. Betty Crawford Moore is always on the go. In
2007 she went on a trip to Northern Italy and a cruise of the Greek Isles—and Betty harkened back to our Civ studies (that happens so often!). Betty has a 2 1/2 yearold grandson who goes with her to story time at the local library, then he spends the rest of the day with her. Doesn't that sound like a great day? Basketball games and soccer games are where you'll frequently find Barbara Roney Whittington, watching her grandchildren play. Daughters Beth and Caroline both live in Columbia and son David is in Summerville. Barbara reported that in late 2007 the South Carolina "clique" met for a picnic in a park in Columbia. In addition to Barbara those attending were Bonnie, Faye, Barbara Dibble Dixon, and Elizabeth Whittle Baxter. They had a report from Bonnie, Faye and Elizabeth on the New York/Queen Mary trip as well as Lulu's graduation from obedience school. By the way, Lulu is Barbara Dixon's Cockapoo, who graduated with honors! A wonderful letter came from Shirley Land Lupfer. She and Mike travel—and to many far-flung places! They began 2007 in northern Mexico's Copper Canyon—four times larger than the Arizona Grand Canyon, so there was plenty to see. Their "major" trip in 2007, however, was three weeks in South Africa. They were quite impressed with the "South Africa Miracle"—the functioning modern democracy carved from one of the most repressive governments on earth—and done without a bloodbath. They were optimistic about the future of this country which has many natural resources, a great climate, an expanding economy and talented people who want it all to work. While in South Africa they went to Kruger National Park getting "up close but not personal" (Mike's words) with lions, elephants, zebras, rhinos and giraffes, then later visited an ostrich farm where Shirley took a ride on "Speedy Gonzales"! Shirley continues as a docent at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (she probably mentions Civ!). Their son Eric and daughter-in-law Victoria are in Austin. They have two "seriously spoiled cats" (again, Mike's words). Shirley and Mike are the seeing-eye people for their beloved dog Bonnie on her daily walks. They have planned a trip in February 2008 to Antarctica, and you can expect a report a year from now! Doris Kirk Miller also leads a very active life. She travels just as so many of our classmates do. Cruises and New York City have recently been on her itinerary. Her plans are to go to Hawaii this year. She sees her grandchildren often and loves keeping up with them. Doris reported that family members gave a birthday party for Barbara Dibble Dixon and there were several fiftyniners there including Barbara Roney Whittington, Faye Gurley Reynolds, Bonnie Cone Sawyer, Katie Huggins Hennecy, and Elizabeth Whittle Baxter. Mary Gee Langston has been to Brazil where Wayne traveled many times with his work. She says that they play golf and travel, but declares that she is a fulltime grandmother to her grandsons ages 1 and 5. I asked about Polly Jordan Huntley and Mary says she remains in an assisted living facility. There's always a lot going on with Holly Mims Westcott. She and Warren were in Tuscany and Rome long enough to know they want to go back. And they went to Charleston for some of the Spoleto events, staying at the home of Mary Holmes Burkett—sans Mary who was with her children in California at the time. Nancy Phillips Sebastianelli said that she and Armie had "serial" Christmas. Their daughter Julie who lives nearby was there on Christmas day; Lisa and her husband came the day after Christmas from New York; then son Daniel came from China on the 27th. You can be
'59 - '60 | class news
sure there was a grand celebration at their house. Nancy said that she has always loved to read and dreamt of enough time to read as much as she liked. Now the time has come! Doris Ann Maxwell English and John have a lake house in addition to the one in Fayetteville, and they make good use of them both. Doris has had some medical problems but was feeling well when I talked to her. Her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters live not too far away. So that's what I learned from Christmas cards and the telephone. Please contact Holly (hmwestcott@ comcast.net) as she will report on the Class of 59 in the next Commentary. We can't do this alone; we need your cooperation. All the best in 2008. Pat
>> class of 19 6 0 A nn M att h ews Bragdon 1563 Johnsonville Highway Lake City, SC 29560-6202 (843) 389-4401 | email@example.com Dear Classmates, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish you a year of blessings of Peace and Good Health! I'm sorry to begin on a sad note, but we have lost a good friend and shining light from our class. Sylvia Parks Price passed away on November 26, 2007, following a diagnosis of terminal cancer 10 weeks earlier. When I learned of her illness I called her. She seemed perfectly at peace and said that everything was in God's hands. She had such a wonderful deep Christian spirit. Husband Julian, 4 children and 13 grandchildren survive her. We send our love and condolences to each of them. Joyce Gregg Fincannon called me with the news the day she died. She and I attended her memorial service, which was a beautiful testament of her life. Tom and Evelyn Parsons Weaver sent a beautiful family portrait Christmas card showing the entire family: Evelyn, Tom, daughters Marcia and husband John Sandy, Amy and husband John Bryan and the five grandchildren. It has been a wonderful experience watching the growth and changes over the years of this attractive family. Evelyn enclosed a note with their news. She and Tom had a 13-month commitment chairing their church's 150 th Anniversary Celebration Committee. They had at least one major event each month, culminating with a big homecoming weekend in late October. Tom researched and wrote history articles during the year and developed a book of the church's history. Tom and Evelyn enjoyed a three-week tour of southern Spain in May. They enjoyed a day on Gibraltar and also had a two day side trip to Morocco, which she described as "glad we had the experience…but never ever want to return there!" Evelyn, we only did a one-day trip to Morocco, which was enough for me. Liz Huggins Barrow and I talked on the phone in the fall after learning of the illness of Sylvia Price. Liz has a cousin who lives in Florence who knew Sylvia. Later, Liz wrote a note on her Christmas card with her news. She is another busy retiree presently involved in a Bible Study Fellowship which is pretty intensive requiring a good bit of time. Running from September through May,
it is a 7 – year course and Liz is in her fourth year. Judy Watson Dew and her friend Mary visited in Charleston for a short stay in October. Liz met Mary after Mel's death and they enjoyed a fall trip in 2006 to the New England States, mostly Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. She and Mary signed up to go on a trip to Cape Cod this coming fall. Liz also sees Ann Parker Gallop from time to time when she goes to her doctor in Charleston and she wanted to get to Columbia after January to visit Mickie O'Brian Hook and hoped Ann could go with her. A Christmas card and letter brought news from Frank and Elaine Johnson Hays '58. The two of them enjoy many activities for retirees including being very involved at church, but Elaine enjoys less activity and more relaxation. She and her Coker roommate and suitemates meet several times a year in Florence for lunch and conversation. Son Frank IV lives in Columbia and teaches second grade at a high technology school in Richland District Two. He was a SC delegate to the NEA Convention in Philadelphia in July and enjoyed hearing all of the presidential candidates who spoke there. Younger son Craig and wife Andrea continue to live and work in Hartsville and are very active in Hartsville's First Baptist Church. Frank and Elaine still enjoy USC ballgames, Surfside Beach and Georgetown with Elaine's family. Her 94-year-old father lives alone and continues working on the farm and at the livestock market and he still enjoys hunting. Remarkable, isn't he? This has been a hard year for the family of Jim and Judy Watson Dew. In March when daughter Becky's youngest was almost two, he was diagnosed with Autism. However, they feel so blessed because Lucas was diagnosed early and is getting excellent therapy at a time when more and more is being learned each day. When we spoke after the holidays Judy and Jim had just returned from Alabama due to Becky having surgery and they went to help care for the children. Judy felt encouraged because she could already see signs of improvement, better focus and following directions in the behavior of Lucas. Judy, we'll certainly keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers as Lucas continues his therapy. Lois Sawyer Lott and B sent a lovely Christmas card including a picture of their three handsome grandsons, Graham 8 years old and twins Luke and Travis, 5 years old who are the sons of their daughter Melissa and her husband. Lois enclosed a note saying they looked forward to their choir and school programs. She and B spent 2 weeks in Germany and Italy May 1 – 19. On the 14th Lois fell in Bellagio and triple fractured her shoulder. She described her ride to Lake Como in the Italian ambulance as being quite an experience. No sooner had she recovered in July, her Mom had a heart attack and sadly, passed away November 1, 2007. We send our condolences, Lois. Son Barry and wife Roxanne are both back into advertising and enjoy it. Lois and B said, "We love having them all near in Sarasota and Orlando." Ann Parker Gallop and I spoke on the phone and I also had a note from her during the Christmas holidays. Her extra time is spent trying to repair her body. She has been taking care of her legs due to recurring skin cancers. When she gets her legs in shape she promises herself a trip somewhere for fun. Their 6-year grandson, Joshua continues to be "the spark in our lives." Ann had recently visited Mickie O'Brian Hook in Columbia who continues to do volunteer work, now working in the lab of a Columbia school. Also, Mickie continues to work on needlework projects, this time a rug. I wondered why I didn't hear from Anne Hancock before Christmas, but she sent a Christmas and New Year's letter in January. Many had written or called about
the absence of her "annual Christmas letter." She had a good reason. On November 13 while in Washington she became very ill with a hemorrhaging colon and went immediately to Atlanta and was hospitalized the next day, for three and a half weeks. Her brother and wife went to Atlanta and took her to Rock Hill to be with family for Christmas. Her continual battle with ulcerative colitis caused the problem and it became so severe that Anne simply wasn't able to keep going. At the time of her letter (January 10, 2008), she had returned to work although still tiring easily and not able to go at full speed. Anne described her illness and being hospitalized as a "frightening experience," but was so thankful for the love, support and many prayers of her family and friends. She said God had blessed her with a return to almost full strength. Anne did not travel abroad in 2007. She had planned another trip to China in October, but her doctor didn't want her to go because the ulcerative colitis was a problem then. However, she's traveled quite much in the USA. Professionally, her year has been rewarding and as always, challenging. As President Bush's term comes to a close, Anne will retire again. She's had many wonderful experiences in the almost seven years that she's been a part of the No Child Left Behind initiative. Anne's family continues to be an important part of her life. Her remarkable 93 year-old Aunt Fairy accompanied Anne on their annual beach trip to be with sister-in-law Fran for two weeks. In the fall (2008) she will become a member of the Coker College Board of Trustees and is excited about the opportunity to serve our alma mater. Anne, our best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement as you approach it again. Patti Posey Bullen and Don spent the night of December 12th with us and left the 13 th, Patti's birthday, to return to Melbourne, Florida. They had visited with their daughters and families in Richmond and Don carried Patti to Northern Virginia to meet a friend from their former neighborhood. They then joined a group for a trip to New York while Don stayed in Richmond. We enjoyed being together as always, although the time is always too short. The Bragdons are fine. We were blessed with good health during 2007. Brian completed his counseling degree in Seattle and traveled across country for three weeks during December stopping in various locations to visit friends along the way. He arrived home a couple of days before Christmas. Bill, Becky and Holly drove down from Lexington on Christmas morning for our gift exchange before we all went to my sister's home to join other members of the family including our 92 year old mother for dinner. It was the first time in several years that both sons had been home on Christmas day. On New Years Eve Brian drove down to Melbourne and spent a week with Patti and Don while traveling back and forth to the Orlando area to look for housing there. He is with a counseling group in Winter Park. It's good to have him 8 hours away and in the same time zone as opposed to 3000 miles and 3 time zones away. It was good to be able to stay with Patti and Don while he got situated. Our little granddaughter, Holly continues to be our pride and joy. She turned 4 years old November 3, 2007. As I write this we're planning to go to Lexington to stay with Holly and Bill while Becky is on a 10-day trip to Israel with a group from their church. Classmates, this is a big year for Coker as our beloved alma mater reaches the century mark. Beth DuBose Cottingham '55 from Kingstree and I went to the dedication of the new library in October. Although it was a wet and rainy day (which we needed to ease the drought) we did enjoy the indoor activities. The campus
class news | '60 - '62
looks good and we should be proud of Coker and the impact she played in our lives. I'm so proud of the close friendships that exist among us. If you can attend any of the activities to help celebrate the 100 th birthday of Coker College please come. Love to each of you, Ann
>> C lass of 19 6 1 S y lvia Beard S eppala 2271 Brackenville Road Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-0641 | email@example.com (302) 239-0641 (fax) R egina S w y gert - S mit h 5206 Main Street Stephens City, VA 22655-2632 (540) 868-1055 | randm@bilbroughterriers. com With two class representatives, you'll note that we sometimes both fail to write any news of our class, and other times, we both crank it up and write. We are sort of like a wresting tag team, I suppose. You'll see that the tag team was at work on this report. Sylvia is first and I'm the cow's tail. Please note that I have a new e-mail address; please note that I would love it if you would use it to write me! Okay, here goes with Sylvia's part: While reading the plans for the Centennial Events at Coker, I was reminded of our freshman year and our first Alumni Day, which was the celebration of Coker's 50th year. We were in awe of the women from those early days who had returned for the celebration. It is difficult to believe that was 50 years ago. Even though our most recent reunion year was in 2006, this is a good excuse for us to get together again. Haven't heard from many of our classmates since our reunion, but I did receive a nice Christmas card from Bleeker Sisk Cannon. The card featured a wonderful picture of Bleeker and Bubba's four daughters and their children taken on their vacation trip to Dolly Wood. Bleeker, the daughters and "grands" take a "cousin's trip" annually and are thinking of DC or Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the next trip. There was also a great picture of Bleeker and Bubba with their two Basset Hounds: Nichols Rose (who has been a member of the family for four years) and Sherman McDaniel (adopted from the Grand Strand Animal Shelter in April). Bubba had total replacement of his right knee in June. (The left was done in July 2006). Bleeker reports that there is some scar tissue and Bubba continues to work on range of motion; but it doesn't stop him, only slows him down a bit. Bleeker retired from the Horry County School Board in December of 2006, but a member of the school board arranged for Bleeker and Bubba to attend the National School Board Association conference in San Francisco in April. Two weeks later, they took a two-week cruise through the Panama Canal with friends. They spent time at Lake Junaluska in August, attended all the Clemson home games in the fall, traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi, to help Katrina victims and have plans to travel to Las Vegas and Pasadena, California, after Christmas. In addition to all the travel, Bleeker finds time to belong to two Red Hat groups (one at North Myrtle Beach and one
at Pawley's Island), play canasta, lunch with another group once a month, sing in the St. Paul's Waccamaw UMC chancel choir and will serve as vice-president of UMW and plan the monthly programs for 2008. Whew! Wonder how long it will take her to start thinking of taking a real job, so she can have a day off! I do hear from Mary Shirley Whelchel and Licia Love Stone frequently. Mary and George enjoy retirement and their family. All of their children and grandchildren were home for Christmas. Since George's retirement, they are catching up on travel. They were in Williamsburg, Virginia, in May, then New Hampshire and Vermont in early September. In mid-October, they flew to Auckland, New Zealand, where they spent two days before cruising to Sydney, Australia; they cruised for 14 days with 9 or 10 stops. After two days in Sydney, they flew to Cairnes and the Great Barrier Reef where they spent 2 days. In 2006 Mary and George went to the western Riviera in Mexico and spent a few days in San Diego. The year 2005 found them cruising around the Hawaiian Islands and exploring the islands in a rental car. They have plans to cruise from Athens to Istanbul in April. Licia is still active in her singles group, which has evolved into a group monitoring the activities of the local government in Florence. She recently sent pictures of her son Stuart and his family taken on their visit to Florence for Thanksgiving. After our reunion in 2006, my husband Earl returned to work as acting Executive Director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation for a second time. He worked from the first of August until the middle of January 2007. He took a break for our two-week cruise from Venice to Rome in November 2006, with stops in Croatia, the Greek Isles, Turkey, and Italy. Everything was wonderful, but my favorites were the Acropolis, Ephesus, Pompeii and Rome. This year, in February, we drove to Florida for a week at Disney World. On the return trip we spent a night in Beaufort and stopped for a morning tour of Charleston. In September, we drove to the tip of the Keewenaw Peninsula in northern Michigan with stops in Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and Marquette to visit family and friends. In October, we drove to Myrtle Beach with friends who have a time share: we spent a rainy day visiting Charleston, visited Brookgreen Gardens, and visited with Earl's cousin and four of my cousins. We continue to volunteer with Delaware's tall ship, the Calmar Nickel. Much of our time this year was spent in helping to open a new museum at the Calmar Nickel Shipyard; it is very small, but a real gem, and tells of the early Swedish settlement that was established at this site in 1638. The celebration of Coker's 100th birthday would be a great time for our class to meet again for a "tween" reunion. Contact either Gina or me to share your news with our classmates. And, now, a few words from your other class rep. Not much news about classmates arrived in Stephens City during the past few months. And this class rep didn't have time to start calling around to see how everyone was doing. But… Nancy Stackhouse Kennedy wrote that she "retired" from her part-time job at Wal-Mart in September and began an at-home business she calls "Nancy's Needles." Although she says she wasn't all that busy at first, there was a major rush during the holidays and she has high hopes that her little proprietorship will work out. As usual, she hinted at a trip back East—that would be to visit her daughters and me—and I'm hoping it works out. As for Michael and me, the dogs have been keeping us busy. We had a litter of 4 Norfolk terriers (the ones
with the drop ear) arrive on August 28, followed on September 28 by a singleton Norwich litter (or as we say in the dog world, a "lit"). And on December 21, much to our surprise (despite the fact that we truly are experienced breeders), one of our Norwich girls produced a little boy all by herself. Michael went to take the dogs out for their afternoon soiree and, lo and behold, there was Honey and her baby! In addition to taking care of puppies, we have attended dog shows all over the East Coast and gathering some nice wins along the way. In May I attended my 50th high school reunion in Columbia. As most of you know, I moved from Columbia to Chevy Chase, Maryland, after finishing tenth grade at Dreher High School, so for me this was a 52nd reunion! I literally had not seen but two of my former classmates since 1955! After the first rather tentative 10-15 minutes, when I was sure I recognized no one and wondered what in the dickens I was doing in this room full of people who seemed to know each other but not me, I gathered my courage and took a good look at a few name tags and realized I had known this or that person since we were 4 years old! I had such fun catching up on friends from my childhood. I wish I could regale you with an itinerary of places where Michael and I have traveled, but dog shows aren't held at exotic places, unless you fly and we don't—too many dogs, too expensive. By the time you read this, I hope to have been in Charlotte for a dog show and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I might find JoAnn McDonald Land at home when I call. I keep trying to convince Michael that we could drive to the dog shows in Biloxi, Mississippi, and visit Lillie Easterling while we're there but it turns out that the trip takes 2 days! I'm still working part-time at PhotoAssist, Inc., and making sure you all have beautiful (well, sometimes, not so beautiful) stamps to put on your letters. I haul my laptop back and forth so I can work from home—a real luxury. Must admit that I love having a portable computer, however. Highly recommend them. As soon as you read this, send an e-mail or a letter to Sylvia or me. Tell us what you are doing, what you are planning to do, who you have seen, anything. It will be about the right time for us to write another class report and it would be wonderful to hear from those we never hear from.
>> C lass of 19 6 2 G a b rielle ( G a b y ) M orandiere 300 East 54th St #7-K New York, NY 10022 (212) 832-7462 | firstname.lastname@example.com Dear Classmates, This year's Coker Centennial celebrations should be wonderful! Hopefully a lot of you will be able to join in the fun especially the weekend of April 4-6. The new Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library Information Center must be thrilling to see. FYI, I must fill you all in on what you will surely find exciting news – and it's all because of the entries so many sent for our reunion's book of memories last spring. Many wrote about our Civ classes and Dr. Davidson and Company that the Alumni Office tried to find copies of our Syllabi – to no avail. We discovered that Nancy Martin Swisher had all four years perched in her bookcase and
'62 | class news
was willing to lend them to Dee Pierce to copy and then to put on a CD! This project is still in the works and you will be hearing more about it soon. Following are some bits and pieces of news from our classmates, placed in alphabetical order by maiden names. Please keep me posted on your comings and goings, any changes of e-mail or other addresses in time for the midJuly deadline for next fall's Commentary. It seems so quiet not to be planning for our reunion. Oh, well, we have only four years left for our 50 th – so please get those thinking caps on! Nancy Bowles Allison finally answered her telephone! Nancy taught before having two daughters, one of whom is now living in Paradise, CA with a husband who is a professor at Pepperdine University and two daughters. Nancy's other daughter lives in Atlanta, GA, and has received a MFA from Goucher in creative nonfiction. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in February. Nancy loves to read and has some good suggestions of books to read. She belongs to an interesting book club and volunteers at the library. Her husband who had not been well for quite some time died last year. She now travels to visit her daughters and grandchildren as well as her mother who still lives in her own home near Williamsburg, VA. June Ammons has been well. She still does a lot with her church and with the Red Cross and is keeping an eye out for an interesting trip to take. Her muchloved English Springer Spaniel died a few weeks before Christmas. Now she has found a lovely black and white puppy of the same breed, has decided to name her "Spirit", whom she is planning to pick up on January 25th. June has seen some interesting TV spots featuring Coker College for those looking for a college to attend in SC. Sara Anderson Kummer's daughter Liz and 8year-old Sara spent several days with her for the holidays, including Christmas Eve and Day. Sara's extended family had a progressive dinner at 4 of the 8 family homes in the area and they had a blast and will probably do it again. Little eight month old Katherine is a joy to all. She is a very happy baby, energetic and curious and already pulling up on everything. Sara plans to complete teaching for the semester and then will have outpatient shoulder surgery and inpatient knee replacement in early February. While she does not look forward to either, she is tired of the pain and needs to be well before June when she and her sister, Charlotte, will take a Trans-Canada trip by train. They have planned a relatively easy trip in case she is not feeling 100% by then. These sisters are already planning to go to Australia and New Zealand in 2009. Mary Bell Kittle and Joe are happily perched in San Antonio until next summer and fall, when they will return to their home in Orkney Springs, VA. Mary enjoys her projects with the Assistance League. The women in this organization do a lot of good work for their community. Some make clothing for the tiniest of premature babies in SA's hospitals; make caps for hospitalized children; "adopt" senior citizens in nursing homes; and run Operation School Bell. Club members act as personal shoppers for children in a store the League has set up in the building they own and maintain. Children come to choose clothes and supplies which give them advantages during the school year. League members also present programs in schools, teaching children how to protect themselves when there is no one at home. This year Mary is helping run the book department in their store. She is also active in the Military Civilian Club, which was established to help military wives (spouses) meet and get to know civilians who live in San Antonio. This year she is on the luncheon decorating committee.
Sherrie Berry Wolski and Pat went on a Norwegian cruise at the end of November to Honduras, Belize, Cancun and one of the cruise line's private islands. Plans to visit the Mayan ruins unfortunately did not happen as they came down with some sort of flu. Gayle Brandt Faust is recuperating from a dreadful and scary time. This last fall and winter she spent three months in the hospital, including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! She needed to have seven operations due to an abscess on/in her lung and ensuing complications. Gayle was able to return to her house on New Years Eve because one of her sons moved into the house and has been able to take wonderful care of her and there has been help from some aides from time to time. All three children have been wonderfully attentive. She has not been able to eat anything yet but is hoping to be able to pass a swallow test on Valentines Day. She is now getting stronger and can talk on the telephone for awhile and is able to walk around her house without a walker. Gayle says she is grateful for cards and notes from some of our classmates and offers to help from others. She has decided she cannot teach for the rest of this year but is hoping to be able to return next fall. Henrietta Ramsey VanArsdall has kindly mentioned this to me and Gayle has given me permission (through Henri) to let you know. In case you don't have her contact information, here it is: 700 Rickenbaker Road, Columbia, SC 29205-2148. Peggy Brown Buchanan wrote that she and John were able to spend two weeks at home in Mount Pleasant for Christmas. Their daughter, Mary, has moved back to Mount Pleasant from Florence. John and Peggy are still living temporarily in Norfolk, where John serves as the Interim Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern VA. They attended (and John participated in) the ordination of the new bishop of VA at the glorious Washington National Cathedral. They have had so many good times with their grand-twins including a visit to Disney World. This year they will meet Mickey on a cruise. Last summer their family joined them for the 400 th anniversary celebration of Jamestown with the new Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefforts Schori. The whole family enjoyed the cool mountains at Kanuga for our second guest period (Great fun!). In September Peggy and John attended the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans and participated in some Katrina relief work, observing the great devastation. They were able to go home to Mt. Pleasant for a needed respite over the Thanksgiving holidays. Harriet "Happy" Burnside Richmond had a wonderful time at her 50 th high school reunion and has decided to take lessons to master some dance steps she had never learned, including the Shag! Carole Causey Boyles writes that she is still going to work everyday and spending every other weekend with her Mother who unfortunately has dementia, hearing voices. This is a difficult situation for too many of our friends. Charlotte Cothran Taylor told Carol Elting Richardson she took a wonderful cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, in January and had a great time sightseeing and "doing all the tourist things". She spends a lot of time enjoying her grandchildren. Brenda Cromer Miller lost her husband of 45 years, Rhett, from cancer in November. "I have a wonderful family surrounding me and 2008 will be better. I really enjoyed our reunion and was so happy to catch up with classmates. This spring I am planning to visit grandchildren and work on a much neglected garden." Brenda's contact information is: 114 East College Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180-1113, 803.635.9111, jrmiller635@ truvista.net.
Charlotte Daggett Bauguss has been found! She and her husband have recently moved to Huntersville, NC, near Charlotte. She mentioned that she is currently a tax consultant and manages the Charlotte office of Jackson Hewitt. This is a very busy time, of course. She worked in various positions with ever-increasing responsibilities at Duke Energy for 38 years. They actually sent her to finish her undergraduate degree in accounting.. When she retired Charlotte took more advanced courses and decided to become a part time tax consultant. She and her husband have had a peaceful hideaway in Calabash (between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington) for many years and they love to go there to "decompress". They also love to travel to places around the world and do this through a time share arrangement. They especially love staying in Hawaii and going to Las Vegas. Carol Elting Richardson sounds well and has shared news of Charlotte Cothran Taylor. Carol celebrated what she calls a "split Christmas". She had one Christmas at home with her son and another in Las Vegas where her daughter lives. Molly Holbrook Birchler and Al are well and busy, love to entertain and enjoy keeping up with their friends. Santa brought Molly a new wireless computer which she is learning to use. Her new laptop acts as a TV so she can watch a movie or TV program while sending emails. "Talk about being high tech!" The Birchlers have upgraded to high speed internet service and are having a wonderful time. Christmas in their area of the world was pleasantly warm. Children from the DC area visited and arrived at various times so Molly was either cooking or washing sheets and towels. Of course there was lots of time for visiting and reconnecting. Al will become a "real grandpappy" in late March. Al's son Tom will be almost 47 when the baby (a boy who will be named for Al's other son who passed away several years ago) is born. Molly is looking forward to visiting with classmates and other Coker friends this April 4th when Coker will celebrate "A Century of Excellence." Please let her know (910.693.7897) if you will, may, or will try to attend. She's willing to help plan another reunion. Harriet King van Norte and her sister took a trip to Southern France in May of 2007. The local guides were informative, and they found the natives friendly, the food delicious and the scenery beautiful. In September, Harriett and a friend traveled to Salt Lake City, rented a car and spent a week in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Although the scenery was quite different from France, it was just as lovely. For Harriet an enjoyable vacation is seeing the wonders that God has created and both of these experiences were good choices to balance the mundane work that occupied most of the year. Most of Bob's and Harriet's time was spent serving as the coordinating point for communications between family members, lawyers, and staff of the Nature Conservancy. Handling tedious details and the numerous communications necessary to place a conservation easement on farm land they own on the South Edisto River was quite a learning experience. The process was completed on December 19th and the property is now protected from development. They have almost completed furnishing and decorating the home they restored in Maysville in 1989 and which serves as a retreat from the fast pace of Atlanta. There is an excellent restaurant. As she wrote this, Bob was outside installing a "cat fence" to keep their two cats in and other creatures out. They hope the concept works as there are many wild creatures walking through their yard. Nancy Martin Swisher continues to teach English as a Second Language to graduate students at North
class news | '62 - '63
Carolina State. Most of her students, from all over the world, are working on their PhDs in various and interesting fields. She says they all have a very good time and are learning a lot. Nancy also publishes an online newsletter which focuses on ESL in North Carolina. She and Happy Burnside Richmond chat by telephone almost weekly. Nancy is the one classmate who could easily put her hands on all four Civ syllabi (on a shelf in a living room bookcase) and has been generous enough to lend them to the Alumni office for reproduction. Peggy McCue Freymuth told Molly Birchler that she was planning to have surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome. Gaby Morandiere has two new feet. Rheumatoid Arthritis had nibbled away all the nice bones that help the feet work and doctors suggested that something could be done to help. So last June 28 th and this January 10 th the same miracle-working surgeon reconstructed one left and then one right foot. She is a lucky old lady and should be able to walk, climb and swim by next summer. Bonnie Murray Bull is married and has three sons. When the boys were in school, Bonnie worked and attended Charleston Southern, earning a degree in Elementary Education in the 1980s. She then taught for 10 to 12 years and retired last year. But she is busy. She is delighted to have two sons living nearby with their children and Bonnie goes to all their games and special events. A third son works in advertising and public relations for the Port Authority in Charleston. She is also active in the First Baptist Church in Holly Hill, teaching Adult Sunday School and has been active in its Discipleship program. Her pharmacist husband gave up his own pharmacy and is working part time in their son's pharmacy, the Medicine Shoppe in Walterboro. Ida Pace Storrs and Frances Segars Kelley keep in touch by e-mail and now that Christmas is over, they will visit in person. Ida continues with her chemotherapy treatments now, thankfully, only every three weeks. She says that gives her more time to do nothing! She was just beginning to read Pillars of Stone which "has about a thousand pages and the first sentence grabs your interest". Possum, her dog and constant companion, on the other hand, demands her attention and does not want her to read! She writes that she feels as though nothing is wrong with her, which is a wonderful way to start this new year. Ida is looking forward to travel to Vancouver, taking the train across the Rockies, on the Coker tour in late May and early June. She just needs to find a good solution for Possum's care. Henrietta Ramsey van Arsdall is very happy to have moved back to Columbia. She is near her children and their families and is seeing so many friends from long ago as well as new friends. There are several groups in which she participates and so she is involved lunching, "suppering", partying and helping a variety of friends. Last summer she hosted a shrimp peel evening on her porch with several Coker girls. Frances Segars Kelley is a proud and busy grandmother. Alex, 8, killed her first buck this season and her dad had it mounted. Yes, it is hanging in Frances' darling little girl's bedroom. It matches her pinks and purples really well. Sarah, 12, is dancing at Disney World in the spring. The dance Studio where she takes classes received an invitation to dance there. The students are all excited and practicing. Yes, MeMe is going to Disney to see her dance. Alex gave up dancing this year for ball and hunting with her Dad. Sarah used to go hunting with her Dad but has outgrown that now. She still plays Softball in the spring and fall and Basketball in the winter. Frances is sort of glad that the season is over: Frances's
husband, Henry's birthday is on December 3 rd; their older granddaughter's birthday is on December 18 th; their younger granddaughter's is on December 20 th; their daughter Dawn celebrates her birthday on December 31st! Christmas and all of these birthdays, really make a fast and furious time around there. There are five more in our immediate family who have December birthdays and of course Ida Pace Storr's is on December 30th. Whew! Flo Staklinski Taylor and Bill had a blessed holiday with the whole family, including her mother, 88, and Bill's mother, 90. Flo was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and has had to change to a gluten free diet but is "getting pretty good at it". Bill will retire this year and Flo is still working at the Atlanta Apparel and Gift Marts. They play a lot of tennis. Nancy Thornhill Bolden and Harold attended Harold's VMI class reunion in January. Joanne Tuten Bellamy has been busy with her darling pups and animals. She drives to Mount Pleasant weekly to try to help take care of her very sick sister-inlaw. Cathy Ward Parker '71 has just been reinstated into the class of 1962! Linda Whittle McCormick reminded me that she, June Ammons, Peggy Brown Buchanan and Cathy Ward had been suitemates for our senior year at Coker and wondered what had happened to Cathy. Well, she was not listed in our class database for various reasons. Coker had put her in with another year's class and their contact information needed tweaking. June and Peggy helped furnish some puzzle pieces and Dee Pierce from the alumni association came up with all sorts of wonderful relatives for me to call. Finally we made contact! After Coker, Cathy was in charge of Christian Education at a church in Spartanburg, moved to Georgia where she met and married Jim Parker who was from Nova Scotia, Canada. They moved to Tennessee, where she taught second grade. They bought an old farm house in Nova Scotia in 1979 and they moved to that beautiful part of the world in 1989. Cathy loves the peace and quiet there (almost resenting the summer influx), looking out of her big window to see the ocean. She spends her free time reading and working on crossword puzzles. Bruce Williams and Mary-Frances '64 traveled to New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Christmas with their family. They also celebrated Mary-Frances' mother's 90th birthday, who is healthy and fit. Plans are to go to Hawaii (their last of the fifty states to visit) in March. They will be in Honolulu for 4 days and then cruise the islands with NCL for eleven days on a Your Man tour. Mary Ann Wycliffe Johnson is still busy with her carving and is relieved to have found out that her brother's cancer seems to be localized and therefore easier to treat. Peggy Zeigler Reeves's Donnie loves to go fishing and Peggy responded to my question about whether she served Donnie's fish for Christmas? Donnie did catch some fish before Christmas and he and his friends ate them since I don't eat fish. Things have not been as busy at the office since a new accountant has joined the staff. Hopefully, I shall get more time off and will be back to my originally scheduled 10 days a month. This past year I was honored to receive my accounting chapter's highest award - the Robert E. Bell, Jr. Leadership Award and the Carolinas Council first Kinsey Jenkins Service Award. There were so many other members who were deserving of the awards. I feel very special and hope I am worthy of the honors. In February, I shall be heading for Austin, Texas to take part in the National IMA Recognition Advisory Committee. I am looking forward to seeing some of my accounting friends who I have not seen in a couple of years." With love to each dear one, Gaby
>> C lass of 19 6 3
N anc y W arren C lar k e 715 Kirk Road Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 371-0527 | email@example.com
E dit h F loride R e y nolds 105 South Rosemary Avenue Andrews, SC 29510 (843) 264-5173 | email@example.com Genie Ray Watson Cooke still lives in Jacksonville FL with her well-known lawyer husband Ham. Son Thurston lives in Avondale Estates GA—right around the corner from Nancy Warren Clarke. Nan and Genie Ray plan to get together the next time she visits her son. Nan had a long telephone conversation with Joan Henley Brendle. After living in England for many years, Joanie now lives in Laurel Park NC. Nan spent some time in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico in January. She has been to Jamaica and New Mexico twice with husband Erskine and the seminary students. She loves participating in this Alternative Content for Ministry which is required of all second year students. Margaret Brown Young, Nancy McConnell Wilhelm and Edith Floride Reynolds met for lunch in October when Margaret and husband Jimmy were at Litchfield Beach. Jennie Turner Gustafson had a doctor's appointment and was unable to join them. Jennie and husband Gus both had some minor surgeries—she on her toes and he on one of his eyes. Jennie visits and cares for her mom who is in a nearby nursing home. Gus continues consulting with several trips a year supporting the nuclear treaty programs for the DOD. His next trip will be to Kenya. Anna Phillips Chandler and husband Archie have been honored by Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter by having a building named in their honor—the Chandler Deployment Processing Center. For over 30 years they have volunteered their time and supported the men and women coming to and departing from Shaw. Anna is active in the DAR and has, since retiring, started taking art classes. Ann McCutchen Swasko and husband Toby spent Christmas in Texas with their two daughters and their husbands and six grandchildren. Last year they went on an adventure to the Galapogos Islands and to Macha Picchu. In January they went to Antarctica. Believe it or not, Ann says she is not a traveler! Nancy McConnell Wilhelm and husband Budgy had a busy 2007. She says "We loved our first long trip with Coker over Labor Day. Several of our close friends, including Goode Mobley and wife Gail, joined the group. We had four nights in the Big Apple and then boarded the Queen Mary 2 for four wonderful nights with a shore excursion to Nova Scotia. Lyn Blackmon and Madge Zemp '87 know how to take care of their travelers and I highly recommend traveling with them. Everything is first class and stress free. Highlights for me were lunch at Tavern on the Green and the Broadway play "Jersey Boys" in New York and the Queen Mary 2 is beautiful." On December 1, daughter Libeth married Christopher Parsons in a small ceremony at Holy Cross Episcepal Church on Daniel Island in Charleston. Christopher teaches English at the Citadel and has a 3 ½ year old son (Holden) who lives with them. Holden calls Nancy "Honey" and Budgy "Buck Buck" like their other two perfect grandchildren
'63 - '64 | class news
Byerly, 19 and Julian 8. On Christmas morning, on a spur of the moment, Nancy and Budgy's sister and her husband launched their boat. They traveled along the Intracoastal Waterway, about 50 miles per day, until they reached a marina in south Florida. Belinda Duckworth Copeland's daughter Jenifer was married on November 3 in Montega Bay, Jamaica. It was a small family wedding. Her new son-in-law, Matt Crawford, is a Clemson graduate in Civil Engineering. He works for a firm in Atlanta, but for the present time they are living in Jenifer's townhouse in Rock Hill. Martha Morrison Sweeny and husband Jim have donated 19 works of paintings, prints and ceramics from America's most important self-taught Folk artists to the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Martha was the assistant to the Curator of Decorative Arts at the High in Atlanta. For those of you who were not at the reunion, Belinda has the information from Frank Bush concerning the Class of 1963 Endowed Scholarship that we need everyone to start contributing to, in addition to the Annual Scholarship Fund. We need to have at least $10,000 to set this up by our 50 th reunion. Remember, Coker is celebrating its 100 th year. If you have not contributed to the Annual Scholarship Fund, please do so by June 30. We encourage all of you to keep us updated on any changes in your life. A special request—Does anyone know the whereabouts of or anything about Becky Elam? Please let one of us know. Nan and Edith
>> C lass of 19 6 4 L orena C oo k J ames 24 Dearborn Road North, SC 29112-8201 (803) 874-3332 | lorenajames@windstream. net Bec k y S parrow 505 Law Street Hartsville, SC 29550-3646 (843) 857-0782 | firstname.lastname@example.com C ameron C ouncil S pet h 986 Forest Road New Haven, CT 06515 (203) 453-8985 | email@example.com Hello Classmates! Here I am again joining Cameron and Becky this time to add a few words to our Class of '64 column. We bet you'll agree that our blank space in the Commentary isn't a pretty sight, and we're counting on you to help us fill with your updates and comments. The Coker campus grows more amazing every day, and you've go to see it to appreciate it. The new Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center is a beautiful facility which offers excellent services to students, faculty and staff. Extensive landscaping expands the lovely grounds, while plans for other projects are in the works. Cameron, Becky, Anne Lamb Matthews, Pat Holland Chapman and I enjoyed the impressive October dedication activities at the Library. The long overdue rain was so welcome on that day until nothing could dampen our spirits of the large crowd attending. A reception following at the exquisitely restored
Drengaelen House nearby was a wonderful treat. Linda Traynham Prior made a fall visit to the Texas home of her son Jimmy and his family, and her Christmas card had an adorable picture of her two little grandsons in their Halloween costumes. Restoring the Prior family home has been a long-term project for her and son Jess. Several day and weekend trips with husband Jim have been enjoyable interludes. Keeping up with five grandsons is a time-consuming, but very rewarding, job for Ann Dobson Hammond and Tom. The boys, two are babies, thrive on the hours spent in their care and can count on their participation in all activities. An October trip cruising up the New England coast and into Canada provided a nice break with interesting stops at seaports along the way. Both Naomi Kelley Jackson and John and Nita Nunn Danenburg and Marshall have recently undertaken home expansion projects by finishing attic spaces. The Jacksons added a family room area, two bedrooms and a bath, and the Danenburgs completed their attic and put in a large area of new flooring downstairs plus accomplishing a few other "to do" list items. Marshall, since earning his seminary degree, continues pasturing an area church and is writing a book exploring some issues of theology and economics. "The trip of a lifetime" is how Catherine Tanner Mishler described her May 2007 trip to Japan. A friend's brother who has lived in that country for many years was an excellent host and able to show them "the real Japan". Katie also visited her brother in Colorado and trekked to Maine in August. Part-time work at a community college is a pleasure and leaves her with plenty of leisure time. Susan Frank has much fun with her two grandchildren who are both teenagers now. She still lives in the San Francisco area. As for Doug and me, we finally built our house in the country and moved last spring. We love our bit of woods, watching the birds, squirrels, deer and other wildlife that visit. We even enjoy the mooing and braying of a neighbor's cows and donkey! Best of all we're a half hour closer to our granddaughter who's in Charleston. Being our "one and only", she receives more than her share of our attention. This past Christmas we celebrated a new home and the blessings of gathered family with a wonderful meal all helped prepare, renewed our appreciation of life's bounty and experienced a deepened sense of stewardship for this troubled earth and its inhabitants. The mail arrived as I was writing this, and I was delighted to see the newly designed, full-color winter issue of the Commentary. Perusing its pages made graphically clear that Coker is truly a twenty-first century institution of higher learning of the finest caliber and armed with plans for the future that will maintain its excellent tradition of quality and service. Yet at its core still are the elements that we hold dear from our own years on campus: student camaraderie and spirit, individual attention to students from faculty, dedicated staff, the every-present support of the Coker family, townspeople who truly care about the College and its students, and the Bell Tower, that icon of all that is Coker. You'll remember Mrs. Carolynne Summer as the very efficient and friendly dietitian during our college days. I waited tables, so I saw her almost every day. She reached the age of 97 before her death just this past December. Thinking about her conjured up so many dinning hall memories: table mates, the food, the antics, the special events, "Round the table you must go!" She was one of that support system which made such a big difference in our lives, although we barely thought about it then. And
the support system is firmly in place today. Thanks for the memories, Mrs. Summer. Coker's 100 th anniversary year is a perfect time to reminisce and consider how your college experience shaped our life over these almost 44 years (gasp!) since. What was Coker's greatest influence on the life you live today? Share your thoughts! With fond memories of you all, Lorena There are some common threads in our class news: We're all about 65 and some of us are downsizing, many are traveling, some have retired, some are still working at things we love, and many are enjoying grandchildren. The thing that I am most proud of was not only that Gus wrote another book in 2007 but that I typed this one from the beginning (longhand) to the end (Yale Press). It was a great experience with lots of "together time!" Look for The Bridge at the Edge of the World: Capitalism, the Environment, and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainability in April. Cameron Council Speth Becky Sparrow spent 10 days in Tuscany, Italy and visited Florence one day in 2007. She visited the Duomo Museum and the Academy and will never forget seeing Michelangelo's David for the first time. It was absolutely stunning! Seeing David brought back so many wonderful memories spent in Civ with Dr. Davidson. Becky is proud of having art history at Coker with Dr. Elizabeth Davidson. We would probably all agree with Becky that Civ enriched our lives in so many ways! Anne Lamb Matthews is very involved in Rotary International, particularly the Rotary Foundation. With a motto of "Service Above Self" Anne serves as a Foundation Coordinator for four states. She is very proud of the work she does raising funds for the Foundation to help those in the world less fortunate and being Lead Trainer for the 2008 Rotary International Assembly in the intensive training of district governors. The incoming president of Rotary International from Korea appointed Anne to this position - an honor but also a lot of preparation. Karin Armstrong Harper retired five years ago from teaching school after 28 years in the classroom. She enjoys gardening, reading, handwork (knitting and embroidering), and sewing, and spends a great deal of time playing with her six grandchildren. Her husband Sam is a service-disabled vet. Last year he started a new service-disabled veteran company, RoofVet. She admires his desire to keep going and keep learning. Of course, he keeps her busy doing his accounting. So they both stay active. Linda Traynham Prior reports that the best news is visiting her two grandsons (5 and 3) in Houston in November. She plans to visit Lorena at some point this year. Carol Chastain Dietrick and Joe love retirement and can't imagine how they found time for fun during the work years. He spends a great deal of time gardening, doing home improvements and playing golf. She volunteers one day a week in the Herbarium at Fairchild Tropical Garden, takes a flower painting art class one day a week, and plays golf with Joe on Mondays and with her gal pals on Thursdays. Travels last year included Savannah, Williamsburg, Jamestown the week of the 400th anniversary celebration, Washington, Charlottesville, Blue Ridge Parkway, the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, and Waynesville, Santa Monica, and Sandwich, Mass. They fulfilled Joe's dream of attending a Boston Red Sox game in Fenway
class news | '64 - '67
Park and Carol's dream of going to Martha's Vineyard and Edgartown. Now, they are eagerly looking forward to a two week trip to Peru in May. Linda Milam Law and Charlton felt it was time to downsize and prepare for life after 65! They moved to a patio home in a gated community and love it. Their five grandchildren were not happy about the move at first but they have adjusted and now know more about Linda's new modern home than she does! In September Linda and Charlton flew to Amsterdam for three days and then boarded a river boat for eight days on the Rhine. They were with friends and had a relaxing trip. Every day they docked and saw beautiful old cities and towns. Mary Louise Antley Glesner reports on her children's activities. Another adorable little grandson Dustin Cory Brown was born on August 29 th. Mary Louise went to daughter Sharon's home in Hadensville, VA for a week after the birth. It was a fun visit. Big brother Trevor (3 in March) is adjusting to this new addition to the family. Jill has a new job at Indoor Biotechnologies in Charlottesville. She's working with immunology research – antigens/antibodies and DNA. She's very excited. And son Scott is engaged! He met up with his "ole" classmate Suzanne Mayo at their high school class reunion in November and started dating. The wedding date is April 19 th. Judy Smith Campbell had knee surgery on both knees in the summer of 2007. It affected her speech by making her talk slower but she's hoping for more verbal improvement and ease of walking this year. Husband Doc has also had health problems but they are both glad to be alive. Many thanks to Lorena Cook James and Cameron Council Speth for helping collect our class news! On October 25, 2007, Coker College dedicated the new Charles and Joan Coker Library and Information Center. Much needed rain prevented us from having the human book chain and that even was postponed until January, 8, 2008. Mary Ann McCaskill Tomlinson, Naomi Kelly Jackson and I represented the class of 1964 on that very sunny, warm, and beautiful January 8 th in the human book chain which stretched from the James L. Coker Library down the street and through the old gates to the new Library. We stood on the steps of the new library and could see the human book chain all the way up to Davidson Hall composted of students, faculty, and alums. Such an impressive sight! Mary Ann, Naomi, and I had such fun remembering the very cold winter day in 1963 (it was 9 degrees) when our class formed the book chain from Davidson Hall to the, then new, James L. Coker Library. As Coker celebrates its centennial this year, it is a year of looking back and reflecting on what Coker has meant to alums, faculty, staff, the Hartsville Community, and beyond. On January 10, Coker held a special Centennial Convocation. Featured speaker was history professor Dr. Walter Edgar, from USC who has done research on Coker College and the Hartsville Community's history. He gave us a clear picture of what Hartsville was like in 1908, the year public high schools were started in South Carolina, and Welsh Neck became Coker College. There was much pomp and circumstance, wonderful music from the Midlands Brass, and the Coker College Chorus. Major James Lide Coker's image was projected onto the stage as though he presided over this most special Centennial Convocation. Coker will be having special events all year long including a global warming conference with featured speaker Dr. Gus Speth in October. Do plan to come to Alumni Day in April. All classes are encouraged to come for the Centennial year celebration.
>> C lass of 19 6 5 P egg y S impson P ec k 2564 Mossy Oak Drive Hartsville SC 29550 (843) 383-5726 | email@example.com The Class of '65 has sent some interesting news. I am so happy that these classmates responded. Karen Kuehner said her holidays were relatively quiet and relaxing. They spent New Year's Day and the day after in Georgetown with a group of friends who traditionally meet there on New Year's Day for lunch. She is going back to DC in February to visit a friend and has a lot of things on her to-do list. Since she is not teaching this semester and it is too cold to garden, she is relearning knitting. Jane Parlor Norwood is serving another term on the Board of Trustees. She is very excited about all the good things happening on campus. She is also teaching at Appalachian State University. I saw Jane at the opening of the new library and she looks great! Donna Gates Chapman voluntarily went to CONVOCATION at the College the other night. The College is beginning its 100 th year celebration and is having special functions each month. She went with a group of friends and they really enjoyed the speaker. She remarks that the new auditorium looks spiffy and a quintet played the alma mater. Her friend who went to Winthrop was surprised that Donna knew all the words to the Coker alma mater! Donna credits the song contests. Donna says the gorgeous media center is up and running and that the gates of the College have been moved out a block to make the campus bigger. Even the rose garden looks good. She enjoyed the Convocation! She wants everyone to come on April 5th for the big 100 th Birthday. Dianne Morris Edwards and her husband, Marion, have been happily married forty years. They live in Marion. The children, Richard and Cathy, are all grown up. Both children live within an hour's drive from Dianne. Dianne and Marion have a precious granddaughter and two handsome step-grandsons. She retired from teaching in 1999. Dianne and Marion are enjoying a good life since that long-ago graduation from Coker. Jane Stogner Thompson is spending January in Destin, FL, where her husband plays golf and she enjoys visiting with friends. She is shopping, eating, and working on her samplers, cross-stitch and scrapbooks. She will be at Seabrook Island, SC, from February to April. In September she and her husband went on a cruise of the Mediterranean with some friends. Jane says she is enjoying Joel's retirement. After baking cookies up until midnight on two nights for a cookie exchange party at Sally Schrader Irving's, Pat Hanahan Engman said it was a blast. She and Sally's friends laughed and ate cookies all afternoon. Pat said Sally's house was all decorated and looked beautiful. Pat's family was with her for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. The four grandchildren were outfitted with golf clubs and lots of lessons while they were there. They loved playing on a "real" golf course. Pat says Florida is beautiful in the winter. Come for a visit! Hoot Ramsey Snyder is very proud of her grandson who just finished his first semester of Asian Studies at NCSU with straight A's and a seat on the Dean's List. He and his girlfriend visited during Christmas and they went sightseeing. The girlfriend was shocked by all the snow she saw. They stayed at her son and daughter-in-law's
home on Mount Hood and more than four feet of snow fell while they were there. They enjoyed snowboarding and sledding both at Mt. Hood Meadows and in the back yard! Hoot is still writing for a lifestyles magazine and will have two articles published in the spring of 2008. She also does her own photography. Hoot is busy! Mary Williamson Sikes is excited about moving into the new house she and her son built. She asks for our prayers for the moving experience. Sharon Williams Elton writes that Mr. Bray was wrong in saying ladies do not all procrastinate. They just time things closely. She wishes everyone a happy New Year. Marianne Green Roser said her holidays were a treat with all the family, Allison and her two boys and Geoff and his three and one on the way. As I am writing this Marianne is on a cruise to the Panama Canal, Miami to Los Angeles. She returns to Richmond and will prepare for her move in March to a lovely 55+ community in the Shenandoah Valley. She will be about a mile from her old homestead in Culpepper. She has been on the east coast for about six years and is ready to focus less on the children and their lives and more on hers. Craig Mason Morisak writes that she has had a time with her knee replacement. While her leg "has not fallen off yet" it has given her a fit. She has fought MRSA, a nasty fight, but has not lost her sense of humor. I have been busy getting used to having a man in my life. It is wonderful. We have bought a new house on the outskirts of Hartsville. I have never lived in a house less than a thousand years old so it is a treat to have nonflickering lights and pipes that do not rumble. My fifteenyear-old dog almost did not make it. She kept getting lost in the house but now she has adjusted and is enjoying the view of the back yard from her heating pad in the in the breakfast nook. Tom and I are enjoying each other's children and his grandchildren who live here in town. We both have a few health issues that time brings but still plan to have a darn good time.
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>> C lass of 19 6 7 L aura P almer 2612 Henderson Ridge Drive Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 270-9775 | firstname.lastname@example.com
'68 - '70 | class news
>> C lass of 19 6 8 J ud y Brown P igg 2412 Old Hickory Lane Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 332-5600 | email@example.com The Class of 68 is getting busy with plans to meet in April for our 40 th reunion! Hope to see a lot of our classmates there. This may seem like old news but it really is not! The datelines for sending this information in does not always fall with the timing of the events!!! Never the less, let me say that it was great to see Emily Pittman Hudson this past summer. Our families were staying at the same complex at Ocean Isle Beach. Emily and her family live in Greenville and she teaches at Greenville Tech. This is the second year that our families have been at the beach at the same time during the summer. Hope we will be there again the same time this summer! Two of our classmates are new grandmothers. Angelyn McCarver Bateman welcomed David McCarver Segars, Jr. in April of '07. He is the son of Angelyn's son, David and his wife, Graham. They live in Hartsville so Angelyn gets to spend a lot of time with McCarver. Angelyn just found out that her daughter, Frances Segars Jones, is expecting the end of June. Mary Anne Pate Erter also welcomed her new grandchild, Charlotte Caroline (Charley), on September 4th. She lives with her older sister, Lily, who just turned 2 and her parents in Boston where Caroline is a full professor at Harvard. Jay Erter, Mary Anne's son, has recently moved to Ohio where he is doing a fellowship at Ohio State in hematology/ oncology. Nancy Baker Bell broke her foot at the end of the summer but did not let that stop her. She and Jimmy went on a cruise to Nova Scotia, Maine and Massachusetts. They really enjoy having their three grandchildren living here in Hartsville where they can see them daily. Nancy said that she looks forward to seeing everyone at our reunion. In November, I got an e-mail from Dianne Kirby Anderson. She and her husband, John, live in Aiken. They have two daughters and two grandsons. Since she and John are both retired they have enjoyed doing some traveling. They recently went to the Outer Banks with Margaret "Peggy" Kirby Lawrence and her husband, Ronny. The two guys were roommates at Clemson. They also took a cruise to Alaska together two years ago. Margaret and her family live in Florence where she teaches piano. She and Ronny have a son and daughter and two grandchildren. Wayne and I have enjoyed going on several Coker sponsored trips the last few years. Our most recent one was to New York and Nova Scotia over Labor Day. We especially enjoyed cruising to Halifax and back on the Queen Mary II. I think Wayne enjoyed seeing and hearing the music in the play Jersey Boys the best. Did you see some of us on the TODAY show? Florence Steele '38, had a ball being interviewed by Al Roker and telling him that she was 90 years old and traveling with the Coker College tour. She was amazing! Wayne and I look forward to the next trip, which will be crossing the Canadian Rockies in the late spring. If you are looking for a great group that has lots of fun together, join the Coker trips. Lyn and her crew do an excellent job of planning everything for us. We just sit back and have a ball!
Please don't forget to e-mail or call with any news that you might have. I'd love to hear from all of you.
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>> C lass of 19 7 0 L inda S mit h Bradford Post Office Box 130 Hallieford, VA 23068-0130 (804) 876-3239 | email@example.com
J ane Brown R iec h mann 2970 St. Johns Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 384-8650 | firstname.lastname@example.com
J o y ce F lo y d S h aw 252 Timberlake Drive Florence, SC 29501 (843) 393-2540 | firstname.lastname@example.com Hello Class of '70! Expected grandbabies made their arrivals for both Mary Edmunds Reed and Elaine White Gilbert. Thomas Center Reed, III (Thomas) was born to Mary's son and daughter-in-law on October 1 while James Maxwell Upchurch (Max) was born to Elaine's daughter and sonin-law on October 30. Both grandmothers attest that they are the cutest babies ever! Maxine McGarity was able to sell her condo and purchase a new one in the very depressed Florida housing market. She is very happy to be on a golf course where she spends as much time as she can when she's not instructing P.E. at a private school. Candee Constable Craven and husband Scott are planning a trip to Miami in November for one of Scott's conferences so they might try to look up Maxine while there. Candee reported 18 inches of snow in Wisconsin over Christmas. Florida sounds mighty good at times like this. Nell Cutts Daniels won a seat on the Awendaw City Council, knocking out incumbents in a landslide victory. "After 2 months I am wondering what I have gotten myself into! Actually, it is going to be interesting, even if it is very time-consuming. I will do the best job I can for the people of Awendaw." We'll need to keep our eyes on our latest politician! Fran Crisp McCaw, Susan Burns Wetmore and Jane Brown Riechmann will join eight other high school friends from Laurens in April at Surfside to celebrate turning sixty! Anyone in the area, come by the Ultimate Pearl during the week of April 12 – 19. Jane Brown Riechmann finally has a girl in her family. Son Rob married on October 21, 2007. Rob and Tina live in Jacksonville which makes it nice for Jane and Mark to have them still nearby. Pat Jacobs Lipe writes: "Jeff and I have moved to Charleston and are building a house on Johns Island. Jeff retired in Jan. and we decided the traffic in Atlanta
had finally gotten to us. Turns out that 2 weeks after we sold our house and moved out, they broke ground for a new high school just outside of our subdivision entrance. That will add another 1,000+ cars since every kid 16 and over has their own wheels. Bet we wouldn't have sold the house if the new buyers had known that was going to happen. I know we wouldn't have. Until they actually started, we had only heard vague muttering about the new school somewhere in the area but had no idea it would be so close. Can't you just imagine Friday night football games, as well as band practice, pep rallies, etc. in your back yard. And those poor people were retired also. Pat and Jeff's new address is 4288 Fripp Lane, Johns Island, SC 29455 and the phone is 843-793-2593. And from Judy Southard: "I spent a few days in Sumter visiting my mom and sister, Jean Southard Riddle '72 and will join friends in Indianapolis for a New Year's celebration. Then back to Baton Rouge to get ready for the National Championship Football game. We are so excited about our LSU Tigers and can't wait to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Jean (my sister) and her husband, Sam, will drive in from South Carolina to join me for the game in New Orleans. We'll go down a few days early to enjoy some great food, jazz music, and shopping ... not to mention a carriage ride through the French Quarter and a walk down Bourbon Street. I had hip replacement surgery in August but have recovered very well. I guess it can be attributed to competing in every sport in those early years when we didn't understand the value of stretching and strength training, not to mention the number of years I spent on the sideline coaching basketball from the squat position!! The right knee will be next, though I am trying to wait another few years before I do that. Just call me the bionic woman!!!! I can't believe what a difference it has made to be pain free. I am chairing the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee again this year and will have one more year to serve after this. Thankfully, I'll be done with this assignment in time that I would hope to be able to join everyone for our 40th reunion in 2010. The Women's Final Four always falls so very close to the date for Alumni weekend, and I have not been able to be there since the 30th celebration in 2000. I hope to be able to coordinate my retirement with the rotation off this committee and move back to South Carolina at the end of 2009 or by early summer 2010. It'll be good to be back home!! Judy was not trying to jinx Patty Schuler Noble and John's Ohio State trip to New Orleans (for the SECOND year in a row) for the National Championship. Patty and John faithfully support the Buckeyes and hold out for the "third time charmed theory"! Larry and Brenda Thompson Stewart spent the Christmas holidays in the US Virgin Islands. "We went to share Christmas with our Daughter, Mandy and her family because they moved to St. Thomas in October and this was the only way to see our Grands. We had a great time but with the warmth, blue skies and water it was hard to think of "Christmas" as we know it. Lily, our granddaughter has just turned six and grandson, Van is two; so this was a very special Christmas for them and for us. We went boating to St. John, I para-sailed, scuba dived and did a lot of snorkeling. What a hoot at my age to be doing these cool things! Our son Chad or Air Force Capt. Brandon Stewart just returned to the states from Afghanistan and made it home in time to see us off at the airport. It is good to have him stateside for a while. Larry and I are doing fine; still working but anticipating retirement in just two short years! I wish I could be at
class news | '70 - '73
Coker for the book line but I'll be at work---Won't be long before I can do whatever I want anytime!!!! (Can't wait)" George and Gayle Buckheister Sawyer realized that "we have not sent our new address to our classmates. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 2833, Rock Hill, SC 29732. We live about a mile from the main gates of Winthrop University. My email is sawyerg@winthrop. edu. I moved to Rock Hill in July of 2006 as Executive Director of the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement--South Carolina (CERRA). CERRA is located on the campus of Winthrop University but is an independent state agency. We used to be The South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment (SCCTR) but the scope of work had grown so much that the name was changed to reflect the additional responsibilities in 2002. Our classmates in education may associate CERRA with some of our programs--Teacher Cadet, Teaching Fellows, FEA, Mentoring and Induction, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Check us out at www. cerra.org. As I travel the State, I see many other Coker folk and am proud to let other educators know that I'm a Coker graduate. We can be proud of our alma mater's teacher education program. George retired in December and joined me in Rock Hill in January after 41 years at Coker. Leaving Hartsville was difficult but we love Rock Hill and have many old and new friends here. We have joined Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. Jean Whitesides James '69 and I frequently sing next to each other in choir as we did in the Coker Singers. Our daughter, Erin, is a first grade teacher at Pate Elementary School in Darlington and has completed her first year in Winthrop's Master's in Educational Leadership Program. Our son Chris, his wife Jenny, and our grandson Logan live in Charleston. Logan had his first birthday on July 4, complete with fireworks, compliments of the City of Charleston." Like Fran, Susan and Jane, Diane Thrasher Mills and several friends from Fairmont have figured out this birthday thing: in celebration of the momentous age most of us will attain in the next 12 months, they pooled their resources and invited a slew of friends to a birthday bash at a restaurant at the Beach. Such a fun idea! She sounds great and, like Judy Southard, plans to retire back to Carolina in a couple of years. Plan to come to Campus for the events celebrating 100 Year of Coker! Best always, Jane, Linda and Joyce
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S ara h J o W ood S afrit Post Office Box 388 Beaufort, NC 28516 (252) 728-3213 | firstname.lastname@example.com
How many of you recognized classmates Pricilla Perry Arnold and Susan Weathers Floyd in the photos on the "We've Come a Long Way! 100 Reasons to Give" mailing that accompanied my letter in December? We've certainly come a long way since then! Ophthalmologists Dr. Priscilla P. Arnold has relocated from Springfield, Mo., to join Sneed Eye Associates. In 2005, she received the Senior Honor
Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, was selected for inclusion in Best Doctors in America in cataract surgery 2007 and was twice named to America's Top Ophthalmologists. News came from Katherine Ledbetter Meyer about her annual reunion in September with Beth Poole Garrett, Jan Bonnett Frye and Julie Stackhouse Eggen. They gathered this year at Cannon Beach, OR, to catch up on news and enjoy the delightful beach town. Katherine flew out to Seattle early to visit her first grandchild, Dylan Sherrington, born in May. Jan's a new grandmother, too. Her daughter, Julie, welcomed a son, Will, in July. Beth has two grandchildren, and the Eggens have four. I visited Christina Glover Wallerstein in September to attend the wedding of her son (and my godson), Edward, at their lovely Episcopal church in Pasadena, CA. Coker continues to be a destination spot for me. I attended the book chain in January and helped students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends pass the last 300 books from the old library to the new phenomenal Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center. It's worth a trip to Coker just to see the new facility – and to enjoy a latte or a smoothie in the library's coffee bar. Coker's come a long way! A special thanks to the 21 who contributed to Coker during 2007. That's 29 percent of our class. Sarah Jo Wood Safrit Class of '71 Rep.
>> C lass of 19 7 2 J ean S out h ard R iddle 1210 Summit Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 469-9452 | email@example.com Dear Classmates, Happy New Year! The year 2008 finds us returning for our 40th High School Class Reunion. Yes, and 40 years ago we entered the halls of Memorial Dorm and began our Freshman year at Coker College. This spring Coker will celebrate our college's Centennial. There are many events scheduled in honor of Coker's 100 years. Plan to come to Alumni Day April 4th weekend. News from Harriet Courtney Lemke is the success of her cookbook, The Screened Door Pantry. There have been numerous book signings and Harriet has sales of over 1000 books. Congratulations to Harriet on a fabulous cookbook. News from Mountville "Sister" Mary Wham Thomas is a greeting for all of Happy New Year. "Sister" was recently at Litchfield in her family's new beach house. Visiting "Sister" after Christmas was Brooke and her husband Chris and their daughter Mia along with Palmer and Andrew. "Sister" hopes to join us at our next reunion. Janie Cleckley Campbell sends greetings also. Sammy and Janie have two delightful grandchildren, Brycen, 6 and Tyler, 5. Their dad, Andrew, is serving his second tour in Iraq but, returning to the USA in March. Tricia, Janie's daughter, is now driving a tractor trailer truck. She has crossed the US several times and loves the independence and adventure. Janie is teaching at Florence Darlington Tech and working part time in a florist
shop. She loves both jobs. Janie wants everyone to come to Hartsville in April. Let's visit the new Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library- Technology Center and celebrate together Coker's Centennial. As for me, Sam and I will be relocating here in Sumter. Our new address is 1210 Summit Drive, Sumter, SC 29150. After 25 years in this old house, we are packing up and moving on. Going through four children's mementos has been a challenge. Finding my old Coker College scrapbooks was a treat. What fun we had back in 1968 when we first met. Please keep in touch. Hope to see you all soon. Sincerely, Jean Southard Riddle
>> C lass of 19 7 3 J ane C l y b urn 1002 Starcliff Drive Lugoff, SC 29078 firstname.lastname@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com Dear Classmates: I hope all had a safe and merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too. I apologize for not sending out a "send me some news" email. I'm working for a CPA firm (one I left 12 years ago) and December through January is a very busy time for me. Soon the 100 th birthday celebration for Coker will be here as well as our 35th reunion. I hope everyone has marked their calendars for the weekend of April 4th and 5th to come to Coker and celebrate these two occasions. I have only heard from two people with suggestions. One person suggested that maybe we can order takeout, gather on one of the porches and just catch up on everyone's news. I think that is a great idea. Please try to complete your information sheet that was sent with the reunion information and send it in. Send it even if you aren't planning to attend. Since I was negligent in sending out a request for news, mine is the only news I have. On January the 11th, I became a grandma for the second time. My daughter, Shanda Marie Price Bean '94, had a little girl. Her name is Logan Alexis Bean and she was 19 inches long and weighed 8 lbs 4.5 oz. Big brother Ryan (2 and a half) is helping mommy (ha ha ha) take care of little Logan. I'll definitely have pictures at the reunion. I'm ending by saying I hope I see many of you at the reunion. I'm planning on attending the formal gala on Friday night so please join me. Jane Clyburn
'74 - '75 | class news
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M y ra G ra y son N uttall 2873 Luvan Blvd. Georgetown, SC 29440 (843) 527-4837 | email@example.com
R ose P atric k S mit h 1801 Stannard Trail Raleigh, NC 27612 (919) 789-4829 | firstname.lastname@example.com
Greetings Class of '74,
The holidays brought loads of cards, pictures and good wishes along with NEWS from class members! It was just great to hear from so many Coker friends! A beautiful Christmas card arrived from Denise Johnson Baker in Darlington! I also received a pocket daily planner from Beshear's Green House in Lexington, AL, compliments of Mary Morris Beshears. Thank you Wonderful photo cards arrived from Susan Hite Wade and Carlotta Johnson Wiggins. They both have beautiful families! Diane Roden Dinney included a newsletter with a picture of her girls Kate and Megan with the family golden retriever, Casey. Kate is a junior in college and left in January for a semester at the University College of Cord in Ireland. Diane and Owen hope to visit her in March. Megan is a senior in high school and weighing her options for college. She has recently completed her Gold Award through the Girl Scouts and Diane has been her troop leader. Owen is with Merck and still consumed with golf! While waiting for her house to sell, Mrs. Roden has been with Diane or Karen. Reveley Wilson Thomy sent a family picture and followed up with an email. Reveley is REALLY retiring at the end of the school year. She is serving as president of the Lake City Community Theater and is also a performer. In the upcoming production of THE WIZ, she will be playing the role of "Evilene". After a 23- year "hiatus" Greg has returned to teaching and is responsible for all the high school science courses at The Carolina Academy. All their children are doing well and grandson, Daniel, just celebrated his third birthday. Reveley and Susie Dunklin Guerry will travel with People to People again this summer. This time they're off to Europe! Deborah Scarboro Snyder writes: "I have big news!!! After working for the Charlotte- Mecklenburg School System for 32 years, I plan to retire June 30 th. I have mixed feelings because I absolutely love working in the Pre K program, but Hannah will be a senior next year and I want to be a more available, less exhausted mom her last year at home. Hopefully it will give me time to help her with her college visits, the application process, etc., and her Gold Award requirements for Girl Scouts. Everybody needs to wish Tom luck, as we will have lots of time together! No big plans other than catching up on cleaning, organizing, and throwing away lots of clutter. The highlights of our year were a girls' trip (Hannah, my sister Kim, and me) to the Florida Keys last summer and a short trip to New York to do a little knock-off shopping just before the holidays." Debbie would like to get in touch with Valerie Waters Rossi. Can anyone help? Carolyn McMillan writes, "I'm still flying--- one more year. My news for '07 is that I'm a grandmother. I have a PRECIOUS 8-month-old grandson named Caleb living in California. Needless to say, those are the trips I fly these days in order to see him." It was so nice to hear from Miriam Anderson Pratt in Goose Creek. Miriam writes, "I've been remarried for almost 6 years now to John Stocker and because of that have a lovely step-daughter, Jessica. She's 15 and attends the Charleston School of the Arts. My son, Ryan, graduated from college with a degree in English
A special thank you for your updates! Do not forget the Annual Scholarship Fund. Every contribution counts and a special thank you to those who have already contributed! Remember Coker's 100 th Year Celebration in the spring, April 4-5, 2008! All alumni are invited to come back! Hope to see you there! Here is some news from our class! From Elizabeth Simons Avery in Spartanburg... My oldest daughter, Katherine, is the Director of Special Projects and Missions at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta. My baby, Frances Kinloch Avery, graduated from USC (cum laude) in May, 2007. My middle daughter Caroline, is the guidance counselor in Lone Oak Elementary, Spartanburg School District 6 and is getting married on December 29, 2007. I am still at Converse as Associate Director of Alumnae. From Cissie Jordan Thaxton in Columbia…. How about this: I am going to be a grandmother in five weeks!?!?! I am so excited I'm about to split wide open! It's a boy!!! From Jane Blankenship in York….Thanks for thinking of me! I haven not heard from anyone from Coker in a while. I guess everyone is doing okay! Everyone is good at my house. Mary Bradlee is a Junior this year at Clemson and Jane Ashley graduated in May from Longwood. How time flies!! Keep in touch. From Carole Toomey Kiser in Charlotte…. Add to the news letter that Katie Kiser Thompson will have a baby- due date July 10. You do the best job. Till I started talking to you again, I never thought I would reconnect with Coker. I owe that to you. Thanks. Keep on Keeping on. I heard from Flora Beth Privette Patterson and she is doing well and her daughter, Courtney, is a lovely girl and I thank her for sending a photo of her. She is doing a lot of traveling in her college days. Marcena Kellahan Tisdale continues to do great work at her Church. She teaches my grandniece, Grayson, (Carolyn McCutchen Grayson '69's granddaughter) in Sunday School. I get to see her often. Marcena is a fabulous grandmother! Heard from Cynthia and Milton Gantt and they are doing well- thanks for the Christmas card Cynthia! I am looking forward to a "Coker College" trip this January to the Sanctuary at Kiawah with my Mom, Ruth Phillips Grayson '49, and her sister, Naomi Phillips Ward '49. We enjoyed the last Coker trip in New York and on the Queen Mary II and we know this will be fun too! I think I like this retirement! Our deepest sympathy to Mary Porter Vann in the death of her father, Julius Marshall Vann, 81, December 17, 2007. Hope this finds everyone well! I am looking for someone to replace me as Class Rep or someone to be a Co-rep for our class. It will not be long before we have a reunion. Help! And remember keep the news coming! Myra
and is now a 1st LT in the Air Force. My daughter, Kristen, attended college and now lives in New York. She recently married her "true love", Brian, and they've just bought their first home." Kathi Pleasant Luther writes, "We are back in our house since the fire last fall (2006) and it is beautiful. You really don't appreciate what you've got until you see it going up in smoke. We were very lucky with our lives and what we were able to save. Charlie, our youngest, graduated from college last May and is Cincinnati. Ian and Jus live in Beaufort, NC. Corey and Caitlin (Caitlin's mom is Nancy Timms Matthews '76) live in Hartsville. Looking forward to Blayke Epley Turrubiartes's wedding in January." Blayke is a '02 Coker graduate and the daughter of Cynthia Kennedy Lockerman and the late Donald Epley. John Simpson sent a Christmas newsletter and also caught us up on what he has done since graduation. John writes, "I returned to active duty with the Army and finished college through Operation Bootstrap. I worked with the Army Security Agency, the Copper Group, and was involved in developing guidelines for the military to follow as they downsized, modernized, etc. I also worked in the reception station at Fort Jackson and helped GI's find a career path that suited them. From there, I went to Korea and the Signal Group and on to Germany and the War Plans Division. I retired from the Army in April, 1986 after nearly 22 years of service. I made it home in time for my oldest daughter's graduation! After leaving the Army, I worked briefly with a machine shop until having a heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery. I then went to work with HUD as a housing inspector. Linda and I retired in 1995 due to health issues. We stay home and enjoy our 6 grandkids. They range in age from eighteen years old to two and a half months. They bring a lot of joy into our lives!" John and Linda reside in Monroe, NC. It was good to hear from Brad and Ruthie Henderson Mobley. They celebrated Christmas with family. Last summer, Bonnie Yon and her daughters enjoyed a fabulous trip to Greece! Bonnie is in Mt. Pleasant. Cameron lives in Denver and Cayce is in New York. Sarah Creech Vick and John will soon be empty nesters as Suz will head to college in the fall. Allie is at Meredith and likes living in Raleigh. I'm with you, Allie! Just before Christmas. I had a delightful phone visit with Priscilla Corriher Weaver! She and Donny live in China Grove, NC. Lauren graduated from college and is now in nursing school. Sarah is a sophomore in college with plans to be a teacher. Priscilla stays TOO busy running Landis Plumbing Supply, particularly since she lost her dad in April, 2007. In July, Dabney and I took a trip to Victoria and the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We had always wanted to visit that part of the country and a family party in Spokane was just the excuse we needed! While we were in Portland we went by the Wandering Gypsy Soul Gallery in hopes of seeing Liz Glenn Marvin's daughter, Brandy Kayzakian-Rowe. We missed Brandy but were very impressed by the marvelous work she had in the window. I continue to enjoy my October to Easter work in Undergraduate Admissions at UNC-Chapel Hill. Dabney thinks my schedule is a waste since I don't play golf! I hope to see you at Coker's birthday bash in April! Love, Rose
class news | '75 - '85
My daughter, Blayke Epley '02, afforded us a wonderful opportunity to have a "mini-reunion" on Jan. 5th. Blayke married Eduardo Turrubiartes on Jan. 4th, and her reception was on the 5th. Kathi Pleasant Luther and Floy Henry Fanning were there for the celebration. It was so good to visit with them! Kathi and Chuck have just finished restoring their home in Hartsville after a fire caused extensive damage. Floy is busy teaching and being mom to two teenagers. I am still teaching ESL in Charlotte, working part-time with the North Carolina Dept. of Instruction with testing reviews, and assessing and reviewing portfolios for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Eric and I are also keeping busy with our four children and brand new son-in-law, who are all in various stages of young adulthood. Look forward to seeing the new library on my next visit to Hartsville. Cindy Kennedy Lockerman
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M aril y n M ros Belotti Post Office Box 2334 Myrtle Beach SC 29578 (843) 747-8361 | firstname.lastname@example.com
>> C lass of 19 8 0 L ee H . Hic k man 703 Beaty Street Conway, SC 29526 (843) 248-3925 | email@example.com S usan D . W eat h ers b ee 137 West Home Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550-4123 (843) 383-4692 | CIRCEmyTW14 email@example.com
>> C lass of 19 8 1 Bar b ara A . Britton 6716 St. Julian Way Fayetteville, NC 28314 910-860-7650 (877) 820-9147 | email@example.com (put Coker in subject line)
We have 3 great boys - Paul is 16 and a Jr. in high school. He plays football and baseball. He will begin making some big decisions soon regarding where he will attend college. Matt is 14 and is a freshman. He is our artist and quite talented. He does enjoy sports, but, was unable to try out during his middle school years due to a virus that attacked his heart. He is doing great now and is beginning to get himself back into shape! He is slowly beginning his growth spurt and loving every minute of it! Adam is 13 and in the 7th grade. He also plays baseball and will try out for football when he puts some more meat on his bones!!! He keeps the house jumping! Other than Cari, do you ever hear from any other classmates? I used to run into John Whitlock on occasion. I don't know when the last time I ran into a former classmate! I have definitely gotten into the domestic/sports mom life and I really love every minute! So, here is one person that I would like to hear from Mary Matthews: what is going on with you lady? I hope others from our class will email you as well and there will be more news to share! I do hope to be able to go to the reunion this year - it will be fun to see the class of 83. Of course, when the baseball schedule comes out, that does have first dibs on my time. Take care and I will try and keep in touch - at least to add more news in the commentary! Again, it really was great to read about your life now! Leslie
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J ane M c C rac k in S uc h y 1011 Poplar Street Marion, SC 29571 (843) 423-1989 | firstname.lastname@example.com
Forester driven by love of ourdoors: Lynn Leclair is in charge of the stewardship forestry program for the Pee Dee Region of the South Carolina Foresty Commission which includes 14 counties. She is one of the three stewarship foresters in the state and the only female to hold the title.
>> C lass of 19 7 8 V ic k i S mit h C h aplin 839 Bethlehem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 332-5998 | firstname.lastname@example.com
D r . D aniel M oses Post Office Box 2403 Jacksonville, FL 32203 (904) 777-8179 | email@example.com
>> C lass of 19 7 9 D e b ra S c h ult z M c L aren 20184 Foothill Terrace Ashburn, MD 20147 (703) 726-1190 | firstname.lastname@example.com
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D e b ra Holt Zsem b i k 325 Moss Avenue Port Orange, FL 32127-6136 (386) 760-6430 | firstname.lastname@example.com C o - rep needed
Hello Classmates! I finally heard from one of you! Leslie Saverance Pizzuti wrote to tell us about what's happening in her world. Thanks Leslie for the letter. It was great hearing from you. Now let's hear from the rest of you. Here is Leslie's letter.... Hey, Dee, it's Leslie Saverance Pizzuti! It was great to read some class news!!!! Thanks for volunteering to be our class rep. And a BIG congratulations on your new additions! That is wonderful! You go! I can definitly tell you that is not something I could accomplish at this age!!! I am very happy for you!! I miss hearing what is going on with everyone from our era! I was in Florida visiting a high school friend with my boys during our class reunion last year. From the picture in the commentary, others were off doing things too! Wonder why we have no one attend? I have no excuse, as I live right here in Florence. Well, I do have an excuse; I have been at baseball games for many of them! So, let me share what has been going on with me. Greg and I will celebrate our 20th wedding aniversary this July! Wow! We have been living here in Florence for 19 years. He works in Hartsville at Progress Energy. I am still teaching Physical Education! I love my job - I teach at Moore Intermediate which is 5th and 6th grade. It has been great fun to teach the kids my boys go to school with! I was very fortunate to receive National Board Certification last year! I have been teaching long enough to teach with former students, however, I am still waiting for my first student whose parent I taught - had I kept teaching in Hartsville, I am sure that would have occurred long time ago!
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G lenn D ouglas Bridges 14 Huskey Court Wellford, SC 29385-9695 (864) 439-6217 | email@example.com
>> class of 19 8 4 D onna C raig 801 Longbow Road Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 365-6763 | email@example.com M ic h elle W iscovitc h King 400 Gandy Drive Hartsville, SC 29550 (843) 857-0084 | email@example.com
>> C lass of 19 8 5 E lecta A nderson S mall 204 Lantana Circle Georgetown, SC 29440-7278 (803) 348-6748 | email@example.com
'86 - '94 | class news
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>> C lass of 19 9 0
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S usan S weatt R o b e y 1 Cobblestone Court Columbia, SC 29229 (803) 699-6620 | firstname.lastname@example.com
A m y G i b son 6 Corby Court Columbia, SC 29229 (803) 462-9851 | email@example.com
Kell y S . J en k ins 129 Springdale Drive Union, SC 29379 (864) 427-6823 | email@example.com
T eresa " T rigger " M artin 133 Tall Oaks Drive Irmo, SC 29063 (803) 749-3922 Home | (803) 318-1413 Mobile email@example.com
Kat h y Hars h C unning h am 6004 Highmarket Street Georgetown, SC 29440 (843) 527-0530 | email@example.com
F redie J ames W illiams P.O. Box 2734 Evans, GA 30809-2734 email@example.com
Dear Classmates, I did receive news from a couple of people this time. I heard from Lisa Johnson Ard '88. She says, "Things are going great here in the big town of Shiloh. I am teaching and coaching JV basketball and softball at East Clarendon High in Turbeville now. A little change because I am now teaching Driver Education - what an experience. My boys are growing up too fast - Douglas is now 14 and will turn 15 in March and he will be old enough to drive and William will be 11 in February. I am really enjoying being in the same school with the two of them and no longer feel like I am missing them grow up. Ike is doing good and staying busy with work, helping me, and running the recreation department in Turbeville." Tina Weeks Weaver was able to give me an update on Lisa Snyder Freedman. Tina writes that Lisa Snyder Freedman had another baby boy in October-Zachary Grant. Yes, that makes three little adorable boys. We usually get together over the holidays, but as you can imagine, Lisa was pretty busy with a 5, 2, and 2 month old. She still works too. I don't know how she does it! Also, I received a Christmas card from Dale and Julie Leatherwood. Dale's career continues to soar (we all knew it would)...and they also have adorable boys—the little one looks just like Julie! They are both cuties! Tina is still working as the Director of Alumni Relations in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at USC. She loves her job. Her children, Brent Jr., 9 and Caroline, 5 keep her very busy. Tina and her husband Brent attended the grand opening of the new Library-Information Technology Center on October 25. She reports that the facility is amazing. That is all the news for now. Please remember that this is Coker's 100 th year Anniversary. This would be a great year for us to get a big group together for Homecoming. Start making your plans now! Please send any news that you have to Kathy or myself at any time. We can always save it until the next issue of the Commentary comes out.
Hi Coker friends, I know I have been out of touch for quite some time, but life has been busy! I live in a lovely townhouse in a suburb of Washington, DC, and work for the county mental health emergency intervention service. Mark and I divorced (as amicably as can be expected) in May of 2007 and I have a great guy in my life. My daughter, Kelsey, is now 11 y.o. and smart, sweet, and beautiful: my completely unbiased opinion ;-) friends can reach me at email@example.com
>> C lass of 19 8 7 C y nt h ia L ee H y lton 14405 Woodswalk Court Midlothian, VA 23112-2412 (804) 639-2814 | firstname.lastname@example.com
P h y llis A t k inson P almieri 1819 New Market Road Hartsville, SC 29550-9303
>> C lass of 19 8 8 L isa Br yant M c D owell 9 Alison Way Columbia, SC 29229 (803) 699-7924 | email@example.com M illicent C h ewning M acc h ione 3011 Stone Bridge Trail Conyers, GA 30094 (770) 388-0067 | email@example.com
>> C lass of 19 8 9 P ennie C at h e y P eagler 183 Royal Oaks Lane Lexington, SC 29072 (803) 926-8410 | email@example.com M eg Q uilt y L ie b e 803 Washington Avenue Palmyra, NJ 08065 (856) 303-1090
Sincerely, Amy
>> C lass O f 19 9 1
Blessings, Heather L. McPherson
>> C lass of 19 9 3 A ngela Hodges T a y lor 2834 Wood Hill Lane Darlington, SC 29532-7465 firstname.lastname@example.com
>> C lass of 19 9 4 A ngela Herron Bosle y Post Office Box 1595 Dellslow, WV 26531-1595 firstname.lastname@example.com
>> C L A S S E S 19 9 5 - 2 0 0 7 V isit www . co k er . edu / alumni to read y ou R class news
Helen M ason A llen 1823 Misty Vale Road Charlotte, NC 28214 (704) 391-0931 | firstname.lastname@example.com M ar y L ance W illiams 1304 Deerwood Street Columbia, SC 29205 (803) 738-0674 | email@example.com 22
,a '9 8 of florence received >> S EA n Heffernan her and coac h, teac successful young alumni th e 20 08 Outstanding . award winner
>> F ormer Co bras Bas ket ball Star M '97, a teac her ont y Carr and coac h in murrells inlet inducted into , was th e at hletics hall of fame .
>> M emorial gifts From November 10, 20 07 through Februar y 5, 20 0 8 Coker has received gifts in memor y of the following:
Drs. George P. and Gayle Buckheister Sawyer Douglas and Jacqueline Young Dr. Elizabeth Davidson Cecilia Warren Benton
Otis Lee Baker
Gabrielle de la Morandiere
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Jane Ann McGregor
Clyde W. King
Ann Parker Gallop
Vermelle Gressette King
Sherrill E. Jordan
Russell Linton
Earl Quick
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Susanne Gay Linville
Joseph Regan
Harris and Louise DeLoach
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
William and Mary Coker Joslin
Shirley Caldwell Becken
Janie Davis
Sarah Jo Wood Safrit
Al C. Becken III
Kaye Crook
Dr. George P. and Gayle Buckheister
C. Caldwell Bell
Dana Dixon
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Pat Smith
John Black
Virginia McDonald Dunklin
Marguerite Kiser Bessenger
J. Wiley Blackman Frankie Cauley Earnst Joann Bodenheimer Ann Bodenheimer Bell Roger Bowie Gus and Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer Perry Bryant Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff Bill Chapman Andy and Vicki Eaddy Suzanne Inabnit Cheatham
Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham
Andy and Vicki Eaddy Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Fentress
Betty Fentress Johnston
Nick Fletcher, Jr. Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff Dr. John T. French
Betsy McCullough Yager
Elizabeth Kelley Gardner
John and Naomi Kelley Jackson
Virginia Goude
Sandra Kirkley Rhodes
William and Olive Timberlake
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown Carolyn Richardson
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Al Rolfe
Drs. Phillip and Sara Odom
George Anna Chambers Setzer
Doris Johnson Gray
Ruth Ludlam McClam
Tricia McClam
Virgil Smith
Ann McCallum
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff Mr. and Mrs. E. C. McDonald
Andy and Vicki Eaddy
Allene Stuckey Reep
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Helen Hagan
Tom Mugele
Betty Jean Lee Hunsinger
Jean Fore McDaniel
Mary Celia Cone
Barbara Roney Whittington
Katherine Bledsoe Nelson
David and Wendy McCracken
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff Professor John Stewart Cecilia Warren Benton
Becky Sparrow
Lillian "Mickey" Harder
Paula Stanley
John Lane McRae
Duane Nelson
Miriam Blackwell Myers
Sarah K. "Cissy" Baker Speights
Murray Frank McDonald
Norma Hosea
Maxine Locklear Amos
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Allene Stuckey Reep
Gabrielle de la Morandiere
Jane Ann McGregor
Becky Sparrow
Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Smith
James C. MacKinnon III
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Lexie Margaret Stokes Collie
Betty Jean Lee Hunsinger
Jean Ludlam
Dr. Valeria Grannis
Laura Cheatham Palmer
Grace Jackson Ingram
Dr. Berry L. Litsey, Jr.
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Elsie Pierce Reutenauer
Carolynne Sumner Drs. George P. and Gayle Buckheister Sawyer
Harriet Huntley
Jim Nesbitt
Mildred Abbott Currier
Sarah Sampson Bell
Elinor Veatch
Andy and Vicki Eaddy
Suzanne Currier Soderberg
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Parler
Mary Jane Jacobs Veneklasen
Dr. James D. Daniels
2007 Education Study Abroad Students
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Betty Jean Lee Hunsinger
Jean Fore McDaniel
Anne Merck McDowell
Nell Cutts Daniels
Ruth Adams Kelley
Ray B. Davis, Jr.
Amy Gibson
John and Naomi Kelley Jackson
Jean Killey
Katherine Kirby Nobles
Drs. Phillip and Sara Odom
John and Naomi Kelley Jackson
Joy Keyserling
Melissa Patrick Lerner
Steve and Paula Terry
Karen Moore Lorenz
Mary Verne Powell
Clyde Wallace
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Pat Smith
Polly Pickett Caldwell
Sylvia Parks Price
John McLarty Williams, Jr.
Melissa Patrick Lerner
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
George Richardson
Dr. Kenneth Wilmot
Karen Moore Lorenz
Susanne Gay Linville, former trustee, granddaughter of
Laura Inabnit '33
Polly Pickett Caldwell
Information received November 17, 20 07 through Februar y 7, 20 0 8.
Carolynne Sumner, former staff
Frances Payne
>> I N memoriam
Major James Lide Coker
Ballard and Jane Parler Norwood
Sandra Veatch Freeman
Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham
Osmund and Barbara Dibble Dixon
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Rosa Quattlebaum Whittle '34
Kathryn Chastain Durham '58
Margaret Harper Barker '37
Sylvia Parks Price '60
Elizabeth Libby Roberts Dowling '37
Margaret Sweet Coggburn '61
Miriam Bell Forsythe '37
Vera Polenova Kistler '68
Mary Verne Williamson Powell '40
David Harrison Frazier '89
Lexie Margaret Stokes Collie '53
Jane Johnson Jordan '91 EV
Mickey Hixson '53
Mary E. Satterfield '93
>> Honor gifts From November 10, 20 07 through Februar y 5, 20 0 8 Coker has received gifts in honor of the following:
Dr. Priscilla Perry Arnold Linda Rhyne Katherine Jackson Barton Grace Jackson Ingram Dr. T. James Bell, Jr. Charles and Frances Hupfer Frank and Frankie Bush Reginald and Edie Williford Brown Frank Bush Nell Cutts Daniels Katherine Still Campbell Randy Campbell Dr. Ron Carter
Dr. Jeanne F. Cook
Barbara Joyce Chambers
Della Revels Hartis
Class of 1953
Margaret Hewitt Hoffmeyer
Class of 1959
Patricia Crawford Fields
Class of 1971 Susan Bartenstein Necci
Howard and Pat Dampier
Dr. George Lellis
Sarah Jo Wood Safrit
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Glenn D. Bridges
Dr. B. James Dawson
Elayne Mahn
Dr. George P. Sawyer, Jr.
Susan Howe Wain
Carl H. and Pat Chapman Huff
Frankie Rhodes Watson
Malcolm and Jacqueline McLeod
Dr. Darlene Maxwell
Anne Daugherty Shaw
Ruth Earnhardt
Reginald and Edie Williford Brown Enid Vause Eaddy Frances Humphries Price Dr. Edward S. Ebert II
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Nancy Edinger
Jan Bonnett Frye
Marguerite Assey
Lib Patrick Gnann Rose Patrick Smith Dr. Susan Daniels Henderson
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Jane Ingram Holland Grace Jackson Ingram Laura Inabnit Paula D. Jackson Betty Wise Jackson
Dick and Barbara Kirkley Kelley Reginald and Edie Williford Brown
Beth DuBose Cottingham
Information received November 17, 20 07 through Februar y 7, 20 0 8.
Aldean Cassidy '49 in the death of her brother Billy Godwin on October 30, 2007. Jewel Bryant Cannon '51 in the death of her husband Dan Cannon in January 2008. Betty Shelley Gunnells '51 in the death of her husband Bill Gunnells in November 2007. Hellen J. Jackson '51 in the death of her husband D.A. Jackson in November 2007. Shan Dozier Williams '54 in the death of her husband in the summer 2007. Virginia Tomlinson MacKinnon '55 in the death of her husband James C. MacKinnon on January 2008. Sara Pauline Jackson McRae '55 in the death of her husband John McRae on December 2, 2007. Sylvia Sweet Peed '55 in the death of her sister Margaret Sweet Coggburn '61 on September 7, 2007. Bernice Clanton Thomas '60 in the death of her husband
Dick Puffer
Perry Wilson
Marguerite Assey
Dr. Sara Odom
Jill Smith
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Tom and Jane Brown
Linda Lovett Parker
Turner Stout
Marguerite Assey
Nancy Dunn
Norma Mathis Pate
Alice Stuckey Thomas
Jo Mathis Pinner
Velna Rollins Patrick
Ann Rice Phillips
Sandra Veatch Freeman Sarah Creech Vick
Susan Howe Wain
Rose Patrick Smith
Lynn Rawls
Christina Glover Wallerstein
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Allene Stuckey Reep
Marguerite Assey
Bonnie Yon
Barbara Ballentine Stuckey
Rose Patrick Smith
Faye G. Reynolds
Marguerite Assey
Elinor Veatch
Marguerite Assey
Judy Brown Pigg
Barbara Ballentine Stuckey
Anne Dennis Trotter
Rose Patrick Smith
Sid and Madge Windham Zemp
Bonnie Cone Sawyer
Lyn Blackmon
Dr. Joseph Rubinstein
Sarah Kolb Bivins
>> s y mpat h y
Ralph Sims
Laura Cheatham Palmer
Susan Bartenstein Necci
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Marguerite Assey
Dr. and Mrs. David Blackmon
Brenda Cromer Miller '62 in the death of her husband Rhett Miller in November 2007. Joan Battle Draper '66 in the death of her husband John Draper on January 12, 2008.
>> W E D D I N G S Information received November 17, 20 07 through Februar y 7, 20 0 8.
Blayke Epley to Eduardo Turrubiartes on January 4, 2008.
Laura Cheatham Palmer '67 in the death of her aunt Laura Inabnit '33 on January 26, 2008. Pat Stevens Hewitt '69 in the death of her mother Frances
Rogers Stevens Payne on January 23, 2008. Joyce Floyd Shaw '70 in the death of her mother Blanche W. Floyd on January 24, 2008. Katherine Bledsoe Nelson '73 in the death of her husband Duane R. Nelson on October 14, 2007.
>> Birt h s Information received November 17, 20 07 through Februar y 7, 20 0 8.
Mary Porter Vann '74 in the death of her father Julius
Congratulations to Shanda Marie Price Bean '94 on the
Marshall Vann on December 17, 2007.
birth of daughter Logan Alexis Bean on January 11, 2008.
Susie Dunklin Guerry '75 in the death of her mother Virginia
Congratulations to Jennifer L. Mosier '02 on the birth of
McDonald Dunklin on November 7, 2007.
daughter Kylie Elizabeth Daniels on January 21, 2007.
Larry Ferguson '76 in the death of his mother Elizabeth Bishop Ferguson on November 21, 2007.
Holly Prentice Murray '97 in the death of her beloved husband Jason Murray on December 29, 2007.
Tim Thomas on January 11, 2008.
>> contri b utions to sc h olars h ips The following gifts for scholarships from November 10, 20 07 through Februar y 5, 20 0 8.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Endowed Scholarship Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Ann Ludlam Winfield '44 Endowed Scholarship Tricia McClam Ann Ludlam Winfield Anna White Hill Endowed Choral Scholarship Andy and Vicki Eaddy Barbara D. Dixon '59 and Osmund W. Dixon, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Osmund and Barbara Dibble Dixon Benji Blanton Endowed Scholarship Tim J. Halverson Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship Charlie Hunt Chewning
Pat Chapman Huff
Toula Latto
Eleanore Whittinghill Vaughan Endowed Music
Marvis Wiggins Henry Endowed Scholarship
James and Virginia Vaughan
L. Robert Vaughan
Marvis Wiggins Henry
Mary Elizabeth DuBose Cottingham Endowed Scholarship
Folsom Scholarship
Ann Livingston Joyeusaz
Allene Stuckey Reep
International Students Scholarship
Nancy Barrineau Endowed Scholarship
Trudy Coker Jacqueline Everington Jacobs Endowed Scholarship
Jacqueline Everington Jacobs
Jane Andrews Funderburk Endowed Scholarship
Becky Sparrow
Jane Parler Norwood Scholarship
Jane Parler Norwood
Jean Ludlam '51 Endowed Scholarship
Doris Johnson Gray
Juan Holmes
Beth DuBose Cottingham
Teresa Thompson Harrington Nan Carter Howard Nickey Brumbaugh Endowed Art Scholarship
Betty J. Robertson Coughlin
Sarah Jo Wood Safrit
Drs. George P. and Gayle Buckheister Sawyer
Rebecca Fields Henslee '31 Endowed Scholarship Rebecca Fields Henslee Ruth Lawton Wilds Endowed Music Scholarship
Jim and Sara K. Wilds
Ruth Ludlam McClam
Sarah Jo Safrit Endowed Scholarship
Tricia McClam
Sarah Jo Wood Safrit
Jean Fore McDaniel
John C. and Leland S. Hungerpiller Memorial
Sparrow Scholars Program
Peggy Warren Smith
Mitchell and Iva Jane Odom
Becky Sparrow
Class of 1956 Endowed Scholarship
Maxine Locklear Amos
Shep Porter Wallace Diana Cobb Nall Endowed Social Work Scholarship
James E. and Page Hungerpiller
Katherine Still Campbell Endowed Scholarship
The Inabnit Family Endowed Scholarship
Katherine Still Campbell
Laura Cheatham Palmer
Randy Campbell
Dr. Jeanne F. Cook
Kenneth Lewis Wilmot Endowed Music Scholarship
Becky Sparrow
Pat J. Wilmot
T h e r e a r e m a n y r e a s ons to s u pp ort C ok e r C ol l e g e ' s A n n ua l Sc hol a r s h i p F u n d e v e ry y e a r . t h e be s t r e a s on t h i s y e a r i s t h at C ok e r C ol l e g e i s c e l e br at i ng i t s C e n t e n n i a l . Giv e online at w w w.cok er.edu It's Sa fe. It's Simple.
Your contact for the Annual Scholarship Fund is Director of Annual Giving W es D a n i els ' 0 3 — firstname.lastname@example.com or 843.383.8178.
>> F all
Dr . Edward S. Ebert
M arc h 2 8 - 2 9 | 7 : 3 0 P M Watson T h eater
A ugust 2 8 | 7 : 3 0 P M Watson T h eater
A production featuring dance, theater and music students and alumni.
A lumni Art E xhibition Cecelia Cok er Bell G allery M arc h 3 0 - A pril 5 : S h ow D ates A pril 5 | 3 : 0 0 P M : C losing R eception Show featuring alumni work in painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, graphic design, printmaking and ceramics.
>> A lumni
al L A lumni Invited bac k to campus
Dr. Edward Ebert is an education professor and author of acclaimed textbooks.
>> Homecoming 10 0 years of Coker Athletics
O cto b er 3 - 4 Celebrate the centennial and 100 years of Coker Athletics with a bonfire, fireworks and more.
>> G lobal
warming lecture
Dr . Gus Spet h
O cto b er 2 9 | 8 : 0 0 P M Watson T h eater Dr. Gus Speth is the Dean of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies at Yale University and co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
A pril 4 - 5 Annual meeting, luncheon and other special events including the official release of Growing Up in the Brown House: Memories of Early Hartsville by Mary Coker Joslin (Coker College Press).
Book Reading Ron rash
N ovem b er 1 3 | 7 : 3 0 P M Watson T h eater Ron Rash is an award-winning poet, short story writer and novelist.
E conomic Development Forum L ois W. C ok er L ecture Series
FALL 2008 TBA Local Economic Development in a Global Economy with leaders from business, banking, industry and government, hosted by the Center for Research in Leadership Community Development.
>> 1 0 0 t h
M ay 3 | 9 : 0 0 A M C ourt yard at D avidson Hall Keynote Speaker will be Charles W. Coker, retired Chairman of the Board of Sonoco and great grandson of Major James Lide Coker, founder of the College.
>> V isit www.coker.edu/ 10 0 to keep
up to date with Coker College's Centennial Celebration or call 1.8 0 0.6 5.COKER.
Office of Marketing and Communications 300 East College Avenue Hartsville, South Carolina 29550-3742
w w w.coker.edu
l a r i e n Coekntenration C eleb dar C alen . g C
Published on May 19, 2010
Alumni Issue Vol. 36 No. 1- Dr. Jim Dawson announces his retirement and distinguished alumni share professional news