Bill Royle spent 10 days with the Hope Africa group of 7 from Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas. They worked in ministry with the permanent employees of Serving in Mission (SIM) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that helps AIDS patients and their children improve their lives with medicines and schooling. They saw formerly bed ridden adults in the SIM Home Health program that were now able to work and raise their children at their homes. Bill learned how the US government's funding for AIDS medicines in Africa was making a difference in so many Ethiopians' lives.
Todd Kassaw just learned after his many years in Lufkin that Bill Royle is my brother.
Margaret and Billy Mack Anderson's son-in- law Brown Claybar was at their lake house on Rayburn with his wife Linda and had a heart attack. Linda rushed him into Jasper where he was life flighted to Beaumont for quadruple heart by pass surgery. He went home to Orange after a 5-day stay in the hospital and is doing great.
Edwin and Donna Quarles have moved from Angleton to Lufkin where he will teach Journalism in Diboll. Edwin is a 1984 graduate of Diboll and has been the Journalism teacher in Angleton since 2000. They are happy to be back around family and friends. Donna has been in the photography business since 2003 where she had a studio in Angleton since 2005, She will open her studio at 109 E. Shepherd. Her website is donnaquarles.com. She had some pretty pictures the last time that I checked her website. Glad to have you back in Lufkin.
Jane and Ken Johnson's son Ramsey Seth Johnson married Karen Denise Wilson on Saturday, June 16 at 6 p.m. in the Chapel at El Dorado Royale Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The bride's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Russell Wilson of Beeville. Attendants for the groom were his brother, Hunter Johnson, and his dad, Ken Johnson. The bride's attendants were her sister, Cheryl Estrada from Houston who was matron of honor and Katie Massingill who was maid of honor from Beeville. The reception was in the Grand Ballroom at the El Dorado Royale. Karen has her masters of education from Texas Tech University and teaches at Cypress Fair ISD. Ramsey is an independent petroleum land man with his major in political science from Texas Tech University. They will live in Houston when they return from their honeymoon in Mexico. Jane and Ken hosted a rehearsal cocktail party poolside where a burro delivered drinks in saddle bags which is a Mexican tradition.
Gene and Connie Tate's son Ragan Tate works for the EPA in Dallas. He is Chief of Multimedia Counseling Branch, and will soon be transferred to Washington DC after Labor Day. Bill Bowers, son of E. J. Bowers, is in Washington as Senior Council for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Tax Policy. Alan Hill, son of Jerry and Donna Hill, is in DC and Colonel Charlie Jumper is at the Pentagon so as Gene Tate said "First Christian Church and Lufkin are making their mark on our nations Capital."
E. J. Bowers spent time in the Valley with son Edwin and Marie Bowers who are in Miranda City and grandchildren John and Alaine Bowers and great-grand children Hunter, Johanna and Marie who live in Kingsville. Other grandsons are Sam and Valerie Bowers from Laredo, Jacob Bowers and his wife from Kingsville. On his way home from the Valley, E. J. stopped in College Station to visit with grandson Brian and Barbara Bowers who gave him a Father's Day card with a special picture in it. They are going to have E. J. another great grandchild. Brian belongs to Bill and Jody Bowers and their daughter is Cori and husband Chad Baird from Dallas. Their children are Kate Elizabeth and Ryan. E. J. has five greats and one on the way. Bill Bowers has been traveling making talks to Bar Associations around the nation on tax policies.
Monica Lamb, Women's National Basketball Association star was at high school looking for Coach John Outlaw. She will have a basketball camp in Lufkin. Boy is she really TALL.
We have been watching the Astros baseball and were proud that Craig Biggio hit his 3,000th hit at the home games for the Astros. For you non-baseball fans, he has been with the Astros his entire 20-year career. That alone is a milestone today.
Woodie Hicks had daughter Kendall Nidoh in town for several days.
Lennie Smelley Recer Steele will be 100 years young on July 15. Her sons Erv, Harold, Paul and their spouses are giving her a birthday party in Fort Worth. They called to see if I had pictures of Lennie and I did in the LHS Class of 1927 with my mother Annie Jewel Mantooth Royle. Happy Birthday Lennie!!!!
Julie Sefcik, bride-elect of Forrest Robinson, was the honoree at a beautiful bridal luncheon in Canfield, Ohio recently. Her aunts had used a beach theme for the luncheon, complete with tropical plants, shells, and candles. The beach is especially meaningful to the couple because that is where Forrest proposed. Charles and Bonnie Robinson flew up for the week so that Bonnie could attend the event, plus they got to visit with Julie's family and see the sights around Youngstown. They also put the finishing touches on the rehearsal dinner plans for the couple while there. Their wedding is planned for August 10th in Canfield, Ohio.
Martha and Ray Carswell spent their 44 th anniversary with Jon and Jill Carswell and their daughters Emma and Abby in Spring. Jon and Jill celebrated their 5th on June 29 along with Martha and Ray and Jill's parents Susan and Tim Pair who celebrated their 33 rd. What are the odds of this happening with all three on the same date?
Pat and Buddy Colmer were the honorees at a 50 th anniversary party given by their children Randall and Jackie Colmer of Conroe and Michelle and Michael Hughey from Frisco. Grandchildren present were Jessica and Bradley Hughey of Frisco. Some of the out of town guests were Pat's mother. Dorothy Wherry, who is 97-years old; Barbara and Stan Springer and Joe and Virginia Thompson of The Woodlands; Pat's sister Mrs. Jack Smith, of Henderson; Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Owen, of Zachary, La.; Marilyn Loftin, cousin, of Henderson; Ann Blalack, cousin of Texarkana; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Owen of Alvin; Mr. and Mrs. Keith Pair, Ashlyn and Zack (formerly Becky Presnall) of Wylie; Mrs. Winifred Brinson, aunt, of Longview; Mr. and Mrs. Greg Smith, Lauren and Leah, of Mansfield; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Mann of Houston; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jumper of Nacogdoches; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Jones of Bullard; and Mrs. Pat Kent of Winnfield, La.
There were hosts of Baptist church friends and Brookshire Brothers co- workers that were there along with people like me. Sara Stevens did the catering and the food was so good.
Marcie Waller was telling me that son Cody Cox will graduate from Texas A&M with his degree in Ag Economics on time May 2008. The words "ON TIME" are wonderful to hear. He is in summer school and has three jobs. One that we will be watching will be as a referee for the 7 on 7 football tournament at Texas A&M. He will be refereeing the intramural games in the fall along with some junior varsity games.
Talked to Terry Morgan and he said that he is NOT starting a trucking company like was printed in a newspaper. He will have a new agent, Mark Vandover from Nacogdoches, who will be selling trucking insurance starting in July that will be the Morgan Trucking Agency.
Our sympathy goes to Jewel and Frank Arender and their daughter and family Jan Arender Bailey. Jan's husband Brett passed away June 9 in Clear Lake Shores. They have two sons Cole and Carter. Brett's grandmother is Auline Bailey, a former Dean of Women at Baylor. Some of you might remember her. Keep them in your prayers.
Vickie Evans was excited that son Hunter Haglund starts in August as the equipment manager for the University of Texas baseball team in Austin. He will be moving from Norman, Oklahoma where he just bought a house three months ago for he and bride-to-be Leeanne Friesen. If you need a house in Norman, call Vickie Evans or Wayne Haglund.
Len Medford was excited that daughter Amanda Medford Galati has won a trip to Barcelona, Spain in July.
"Peachy" Denman has moved to PineCrest Retirement Center. Daughters Cathy Todd and Jill Amend helped her move. She sounded good over the telephone.
Happy Birthday: July 4 birthdays Murphy Martin, Shanna Looney, Jim Gray, Hanna Westerman, Baliee Karnowski. Others celebrating from July 3 to July 11 are: Melissa Abeldt, Gary Hendrick, Ann Minitrea, Jerre Newsom, Kathy Sample, Doris Tatum, Mary Leah Duran, Carol Moore, Chris Faviell, Curry Jo Boesch, Linda Little, Terry Morgan, Nancy Herde, Joan Meyer, Krista Guzman, Evelyn Roach, David Davis, Mary Margaret Fenley, and Jim Pluss.
Jetta Westerholm went to Kansas City, Mo for the graduation of her last grandchild from high school. Janelle McGinnis is the daughter of Jetta Ann and Rev. Rick Mc Ginnis. Janelle was voted "best eyes and best smile and the girl I'd like to hug". Jetta met with her sixth grade friends at the Houston Junior League Tea Room last week. They get together several times a year.
At the Chamber Business after Five, Curt Fenley welcomed the group and Jim Watkins with Consolidated Communications, which was the host, did the drawing for the door prizes. Some that I saw were: Jim and Sharon Wark, Van Watson, Valena Spradley, Barbara Thompson, Mike Davis, Larry Davis, Scott Davis, Jamie Davis, Loyd Davis, Paul and Sue Parker, Jane Ainsworth, Tom and Sallye Darmstadter, Sandra Bennett, Damon Lazarine, Paul Perez, John Thannisch, Nan Alsbrooks, Heather Kartye, Jerry Huffman, Jack Gorden, Demetress Harrell, Jackie Zimmerman, Rick Schillier, Ginger Trotter, Victor Patel, Gorden and Charlotte Henley, Millege Norton, Todd Kassaw, Gene Carrier, Claude Smithhart, Judges Wes Suiter, and Billy Ball, Randy and Ray Ann Baker. I met Lindsey Witt that I deal with when it is scholarship time and Consolidated Communications contributes for two. There were many people there that I did not know. I guess I just need to get out more!!!!!
Valena Spradley showed me pictures of Olivia, T.J. Wheat, Valena and Kyle in Galveston on vacation.
Victor Patel told me that he is building the Holiday Inn Express behind the Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn on highway 59 south. The Holiday Inn Express will have a big meeting room. He is also clearing the land behind Zeleskey's law office for a Hilton Garden Inn. He is a busy man.
The American Real Estate, owned by Jaime Hensley, had a Community Appreciation Day on Friday. It was funny to see Danny Merrill with his head shaved. The hotdogs were good ,and all of the agents were busy serving drinks, snow cones and cooking the hotdogs. Guess I did not win one of the door prizes.
JoAnn and Gene Nerren's grand children Michelle and Martin Troth are attending camp on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. One of the counselors was from Longview. He had played against Lufkin's soccer team several years ago. Michelle and Martin's parents are Marilyn and Richard Troth who live in Columbus, Ohio.
When Jo Ann Nerren went for her radiation treatment at the Cancer Center of Memorial Hermann Hospital at the Woodlands, she saw Bob and Genie Flournoy. Bob was there to see Dr. Kennedy his oncologist for his six-month check up. All of his reports were good.
The only thing better than purple hull peas are peas that have been shelled by my favorite boy friend Bob Hicks. He even had a purple thumb to show for it. Now is the time for fresh vegetables. Thanks Bob.
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