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LARRY
ROBINSON -
What a trip it
has been to find this site. Looking at the yearbooks and seeing the pictures of
people that I haven’t seen in years has been wonderful. When I graduated from
WEHS, I went to Alabama College and was in one of the first classes to allow
male students. During my freshman year there was an infamous “panty raid” that
caused over a hundred of us to be placed on social probation. I decided that it
was time to enter the Coast Guard and served 6 years. After I was discharged, I
finished my under graduate degree at Livingston State College. I’ve had a
variety of jobs, but most of them had some kind of counseling in common with
each other. I am an Alcohol and Drug counselor and an Employee Assistant
Counselor and a trainer. I went to UAB and got my masters degree and decided
that I had enough initials after my name. This year my wife (Delilah) and I will
have been married 39 years. We have 1 daughter and 1 absolutely wonderful
grandchild (6 months old), who is the joy of our lives. Hopefully I will be able
to retire in a couple of years. I have started a new company to work with after
retirement where I will do training for other companies and schools. I would
love to hear from anyone that remembers me.
(2022 Addition:
Above I
posted a note to see if anyone remembered me. One person said that they
remembered me from a camp that I used to work at. I'm trying to get in touch
with her again. Don't remember her name so I'm hopeful that she might see this
and email me again.)
NANCY SANDLIN
-
Married to Don
Wiginton (Ramsay '61). Don is an attorney in private practice. I am
a homemaker and also keep his books. We have 2 children, son Donny,
daughter Denise, daughter in law Krissee and granddaughter Alex (3 1/2 and such
a delight, she is truly GRAND). Denise begins her 3rd year of law school
at U of Alabama in Aug. She is a very smart young lady and quite
beautiful. I attended Central Park and Jackson and would have gone to WEHS
but my family moved across town to Roebuck and I went to Banks. I have
always wondered about my friends from elementary school and would love to hear
from any of you. If anyone has group pictures from Jackson made during
1953 to 1957, please share them with this site. Mine were lost over the
years. At Central Park, in Ms McKinney's class, I remember going on field trips on a
regular basis. What a great teacher she was. Friends I remember
there were Resheda Sharbel and Patsy Haynie. Others were Tommy Ponder,
Sandra Ogletree, Nancy Spurrier, Barry Gilliam, Stewart Hassler; at Jackson,
June McGinnis, Glenda Perdue, Nina Southard, Carlene Suttles, Barbara Pochran. I have certainly enjoyed the pictures from the Resume'. What a terrific
web site! Thanks.
DENA
SARRIS
-
(deceased)
-
I live in Homewood and served on the city
council for 8 years. Worked at AmSouth bank 31 years and took early
retirement in ‘94. Then I worked for Dan Puckett and helped start The Bank
of AL. In ’98, I was recruited by Jimmy Taylor to help start "the bank". I am
executive VP in charge of a little bit of
everything and love every minute of it. Our office is at the corner
of 1st Ave and 20th St. For those of you living in B’ham, you may have
read about us in the paper. Lots of good things going on. Love
politics and was fortunate to attend the Republican National
Convention in Philly - a wonderful experience. I serve on several
boards and do a lot of civic work. I love to travel and hopefully when I
retire, I will be able to do more. Right now I'm building a new house and going
a little bit crazy.
BILL
"SCOTTY" SCOTT -
After WEHS, I attended Samford for a year then transferred to the U of Alabama,
where I received my BS in Electrical Engineering in '65. I must have been
a glutton for punishment as I also received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from
UAB in '69 and went on to receive my certificate in International Operations
from the Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden. My soul mate, Georgia
Wall, Ensley '65, and I were married in '67 and this is our 34th year. We
have a son 30, a daughter 27 and a terrific grandson 2. I worked my way up
the corporate ladder, ran companies in Birmingham, Knoxville, Houston and Atlanta. Came back to
Birmingham in '92. I retired from the corporate world in '97 and
now run my own project management, consulting and training company. In my
spare time, I am an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Assn and hack my
way through the local golf courses. The WEHS website was a great idea. It has been interesting to read about everybody. My most vivid memory of
WEHS is Mr Baughan’s chemistry class and his notes on most of my test papers
(see me GCB). This was usually not a good sign!
MARY HELEN SNYDER - Hollis Reid ('60) and I have been married for 42
years and live in Townley in Walker County. We have 4 grown children -
LaRee, Chuck, Lisa and Sonya. We also have 4 grandchildren - Jeremy, whom we
lost when he was 10 years old in '89; Krista, who is attending the U of Alabama;
Jeffery and Kaitlyn, who both attend Curry School outside Jasper city limits. Hollis had to retire in February '00 because of his health. I work at Townley
Jr. High in the office. We hope to hear from some of our friends, if you still
remember us. Please email us!
BUDDY
SCOTT -
After WEHS, I received a BS degree at U of
Alabama. Then I received a JD Degree at Cumberland School of Law. I
passed the AL Bar and began practicing law in B’ham. Our 30 man law firm
is Clark and Scott, with offices in Mobile and Jackson MS. I am a trial
lawyer trying civil cases in AL, MS,TN and GA. Personal injury, fraud,
product liability, medical malpractice and business litigation. I live in
Shelby, have a daughter and 2 grandchildren in Chapel Hill NC. Also have 2
sons, Will (13) and Nick (12). Married Darri Freeman (Vestavia HS, U of
Alabama). Darri at one time worked for me as a legal assistant. I
still love fast cars and motorcycles. Right now I have a HD Roadking and a
factory chopper American Iron Horse.
BEVERLY
SIMPSON - I graduated from Alverson Draughon Business School in
'62. Then worked several years for State Farm Ins at the regional office. In '63, I married Jim Robbins, Woodlawn '61. We were married 27 years, the
majority of those I spent as a homemaker. Jim worked at Alabama Power. We have a son, Jamie 39 yrs, a daughter, Heather 31 yrs, and 5
grandchildren. Sadly, we lost Jim in '91 after a 9 year battle with Lou
Gerhrig's disease. After losing Jim, I worked at UAB as secretary for a few
years. I remarried in '93, but divorced in '00. I have lived in the Birmingham
area most of my life except for a year and half at working at Auburn campus
helping Jim finish his degree. I consider myself retired now unless that
"perfect" part-time job comes along! I enjoy gardening, babysitting
grandkids and working out at the gym. Memories: Trying out to be majorette
and never getting that lucky! I remember cherry cokes, delicious pralines
from the Candy Kitchen, swimming pool at Woodward Park and those great drive-in
movies that provided another learning experience! Wish I could relive it all
once again!
CHARLIE
SPAIN -
I was a practicing dummy with the football
team. I also practiced running track and wrestling. I am happily
married to Judy, the girl of my dreams, from Trussville, where we now live. She has 2 children from her 1st marriage and I have 1 from my 1st marriage. We are blessed with 3 granddaughters, born March 1st, 3rd and 5th. I will
be broke for life buying presents every March! I work at American Cast
Iron Pipe, Birmingham, in the quality assurance div. Some of my coworkers are
Jerry Ulmer, Ronnie Miller and Damon Tompkins. They make scads of money,
but I don't. I'm a member of Georgiana Davis Lodge #308, the Scottish
Rites, a shiner at the Zamora Temple and member of the Skat Kat Unit, a branch
of the Shrine. We ride 3-wheel dune cycles competing against other shrine
temples. I have ridden on 2 National Championship teams, plus a high point
trophy team. We work with crippled and burned children free of charge. Contact me if you know of any children we can help. I have 1 brother, still
called Spike, who is retired. My sister, Patricia, is 10 years younger
than me and works at UAB. I am a big Tide fan with season tickets. We are going to crush Auburn down at the cow pasture this year. ROLL TIDE!
TERRY
STONE
-
(deceased)
-
I married a Bessemer girl, Linda Shell in 1965. We have 4 kids, 2 boys and 2
girls. All are here in South Carolina except one of my sons moved back to
Birmingham in 1988 and married a Bama girl. We have been blessed with 13
grandkids. The girls have won 8 to 5. After graduating from Howard College in
1965 I went to work with Goodyear Tire & Rubber for about one year. In 1966 I
went to work with Mason Corporation in Birmingham, a small company producing home
improvement products and window and door systems. In 1969 I became the manager in
Georgia and South Carolina for Mason. I retired from Mason in 1997 and only did
consulting work which I still do. Because I was bored and liked the idea I
started a Santa service business which never made any money but was a lot of
fun. Because I was still bored for 9 months of the year I started a window and
door company. After Linda told me she was going to leave I sold all I could and
gave away the rest. The consulting Linda still let's me do. We have lived in
South Carolina for 46 years. Our life in Birmingham and the many friends that are
still there are very special to us. God has truly blessed us.
RONNIE
STUBBS -
I left Birmingham upon graduation in '61, returning for a few reunions, funerals and
weddings. My sister Eugenia lives in Atlanta and my brother Donnie lives
in Tallahassee. We all attended and graduated from Elyton, WEHS and U of
Alabama. My professional career is in Higher Education with the State of FL,
being the State Univ System Budget Officer and then Special Asst to the Chief
Financial Officer at FL Atlantic U. I retired this year. I found a peach
in Calvary GA and married her in '68. Martha and I have 2 grown children and 1
grandson. Life is great! We all love FL State football, scuba diving and
fishing. Martha has a music school and we founded a scholarship program
for needy and performance-based students. I hope life has been good to all of
you. Yes, we had a great 40th reunion and it was a great opportunity to say
hello to a lot of friends, thanks to the Reunion Committee! I never
thought I would live this long after growing up in the Iron City of Birmingham! I
use to tell the story about my mother washing clothes and hanging them out to
dry before she went to work at Loveman's. She would come home after work and
the clothes would be covered with soot from the steel mills!
FRANCES
SUMMERS -
I have lived in Wilmington, NC since my former husband Bill
Scott ('62) left the USN 30 years ago. We have been divorced for a long
time but have 3 children and 3 grandchildren in common. Would love to hear
from any old school friends. I try to get back to AL at least once a year
as I still have relatives in B’ham.
RONNIE
THOMPSON
-
(deceased)
-
Hi all! After graduation, I played at college for a few
years and worked in the Birmingham area. After postponing my college work, I
joined the USAF. Then, I decided to finish college, but only after 20
years in the USAF, 2 wives, and 3 kids. At least you can't call me a
dropout! I graduated from W Kentucky U in '91, and began a teaching career. After a few years, I decided that 14 hour days weren't for me and went to work
at Fort Knox, KY. Been there for quite a while and enjoy Civil Service
"work". Lots of details omitted, but if anyone is interested, contact me! I remember Julian Morris' garage apartment. For those of you concerned, a
small cash donation will keep my mouth shut...more later!
RILEY
THORNTON
-
(deceased)
-
I
graduated from the U of Alabama in marketing in '65. In '64, I married
Carol Huie (Banks '62). We have 3 children, Mary Frances 36, David 32 and
Jane 30. We have 3 grandchildren, 13, 8 and 1. How sweet it is to be
a granddaddy! We have lived in Birmingham, Houston, Mobile, Pensacola,
Jacksonville and Albany working with Shell and Exxon. Finally, I got
enough of the oil business and the moving and started my own business in Panama
City in '75. I am an independent insurance agent and we love living
here. I've enjoyed the website and have heard from so many of my old
buds. My fondest memory at WEHS was in study hall. Annie Pearl Whaley passed
around a legal pad for the roll. Someone (I'm 99% sure it was Larry Vincent)
signed Conway Twitty's name. The next day, Ms Whaley called the roll
and got to Conway Twitty and the class broke up laughing. Ms Whaley said,
"Ya'll are so rude. Conway, please stand up". God rest her soul. They don't make them like her anymore. Carol and I are looking forward to
seeing everyone on Oct. 6th. See you then!
MARY
ANN TILLERY -
I live in Hoover, AL and have 2 grown married children and 1
granddaughter, age 9. My son is a Fireman/Paramedic for the City of
Vestavia Hills. My daughter is a manager for "The Framin' Shoppe" in
Hoover. I am gainfully employed in real estate management and leasing
office buildings. It will be great to hear from former classmates. God Bless!
KAYE
TYLER -
I
have lived in Homewood since 1972. I am divorced. I have one daughter who lives
in Hermosa Beach, CA and works for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. I have
one grand-daughter. I retired in 2016 after 50 years
in the legal field (37 years and 9 months as a Paralegal with the law firm of
Sirote & Permutt, P.C). I am still enjoying my dancing with the Magic City
Boppers. I have been working with Cliff and others on the West End High School
Reunion Committee since February 2001.
JERRY
ULMER - I joined the Navy after WEHS and was stationed in San Juan, PR. After a year there, I came home,
married Martha Fay Clawdus from Jones Valley and took her back with me. We
were there 2 years and the only Spanish I learned was the word for tomorrow. If we ever needed anything fixed they would always say "tomorrow". Life
was quite different there. Our first daughter, Karen was born in PR. She
cost us $5 (in the Navy) and our 2nd daughter Lee cost us $8 (with Acipco). I retired from the Navy in '84 and am planning to retire from ACIPCO in 2003. Our 2 daughters are Karen 35 and Lee 33. We have 5 grandchildren, the
eldest graduating from Boaz this year. We live in Gardendale and are
active in the Methodist Church there. We are looking forward to my
retirement. Hope to continue with my woodworking, traveling and plan to
have some plays published. I always had a crush on Ann Morris and Lynn
Hightower. I would enjoy having a 2nd Jackson School Class Reunion and
would be willing to have it at my house or at our church. Anyone
interested please contact me (at Email a Friend). I will also attempt to
locate and invite any teachers that may still be living.
RODNEY
VAN DYKE
-
(deceased)
- It is amazing how the memory
links of our brain kick in at odd times. It is a Saturday morning in November
2014 and I came across the West End High School link for the first time in
years. As I scrolled through the Memorial page and read the bios of all with
whom I went to school, memories flooded my head. Who can forget Mr. Baughan
threatening to throw football players out of his window, or the feeling of
accomplishment when the periodic table was mastered, or being in the halls
during class and going from one hall monitors’ desk to the next hoping a teacher
didn’t catch you. At age 71 (all of us still living will be in our 70s now)
memories are an interesting experience when we ask “why”? or “what if”? Since
leaving West End in 1961, I have collected more years of education –
undergraduate from Howard College, graduate from two seminaries, finally at age
61 getting the long pursued doctorate. I served churches in 3 states before
landing back in Birmingham in 1997. My career took many turns, serving for over
40 years in Baptist churches as Minister of Education and Administration,
serving as business manager in Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, working as a
hospital chaplain for 7 years and now being (coming out of retirement to leave
the boredom of nothing to do) the Executive Director of The Samaritan Counseling
Centers of Greater Birmingham, a faith-based non-profit with 8 counselors in
multiple locations throughout the metro area. After a failed marriage and one
daughter, I found the perfect partner for these fall/winter years of life. After
20 happy years, Mamie (Green County High ’58, retired RN) and I have a blended
family of 4 children and 5 grandchildren who live in 4 states. Cancer in 2004
slowed me down only briefly. Reflecting on the past and present are a good way
to pass a Saturday morning.
WARREN
WAGGONER - After WEHS I spent two
years at the U of AL and was there when the “Little Judge” blocked the doorway
to prohibit Arthurine Lucy’s entry. 3 crowds attended that event: 1) the large
one cheering on the governor, 2) the media and 3) the much smaller one booing
and throwing stuff. I was in the latter group and enjoyed some of their company
in the Selma march. I majored in History and English and minored in Biology,
receiving a BS from Samford University and a JD from Samford’s Cumberland School
of Law. After law school, I joined David Vann’s firm, helped with his successful
mayoral campaign, then received an offer I couldn’t refuse to join IRS and its
newly created Exempt Organizations Branch in Washington, DC. Later I joined the
US Merit Systems Protection Board as attorney and adjudicator and rounded out my
federal career as a Special Assistant with the US Mint doing special assistant
stuff. Along the way I managed to volunteer part-time for some of the (mostly
futile) Democratic presidential campaigns of the 70s, 80s, 90s and Hillary -
earning inaugural ball invites to the only 2 winners, Carter and Clinton. I remain in touch with 2 friends I’ve known
since 1st and 2nd grade - Cliff Walker and my fraternity brother Bill Hoover. I
married a like-minded woman I met at Samford, produced a daughter, separated
after 17 years of stormy relationship and divorced 10 years later.
I live in
downtown DC’s Dupont Circle area where people strive daily for physical,
intellectual and cultural development. On any given day locals walk, run, ride
bikes, use public transportation, visit galleries and museums, play and watch
sports, welcome new restaurants, eat and drink out and greet tourists.
I’m also a seafood vegetarian and amateur cook. Notes to Sylvia Whitlow, Carol
Lemley, Judy Myers and Mary Ann Tillery: If the stars align and Gaia bides
green, I hope to make the 2010 WEHS reunion and reminisce with you, Sylvia, Ms.
Praytor’s Roman banquet and white sheets; with you, Carol, existential
philosophy and immortality; with you, Mary Ann and Judy, about growing up on
Avenue R along with the studly Bill Hoover and myself; and with all of you on
life’s empirical formula.
CLIFF
WALKER -
I graduated in 1961. My
brother, Don, graduated in 1960. After
WEHS, I spent 4 years in the USAF as a medic at Ellsworth AFB
near Rapid City, SD and
Wiesbaden, Germany. Both were great duty stations. I exited
the military in '65 to live in Atlanta and worked for 2 years for Southern Bell.
I married in '66. In '68, I took a 2 year job with Automatic Electric
Company installing and maintaining the Autovon military telephone network in Italy,
Spain and Germany. I was fortunate to have visited much of
Europe during my
4 years there. We returned to Atlanta in '70,
where I changed
careers and worked 8 years for Lanier
Worldwide, 6 years as Advertising Manager
and 2 years in sales. Our sons, Ryan and Alan, were born in
the mid '70s. In '78, we moved to Minneapolis, where
I sold IBM computer systems.
I divorced soon after moving to MN,
but
Barbara and I remain friends to this day. In '80,
I started my own business
selling used business computer systems, with 20
employees. In '93, I sold the
business and moved back to Atlanta.
In '95, I married Sue, my wonderful
wife and my best friend.
In '98, I started
a home-based business,
Baker Street Resources,
buying and selling
used data center support systems.
In '99,
Sue and I began
traveling
the country and have visited most of our beautiful national
parks. We especially enjoy our 'out west' vacations. Our
twin grandchildren, Reece and Amelia,
were born in 2009. Though they live in MN, we
see them several times a year and
frequently via webcam. In 2000,
I built my first web site, an online family photo
album, then West End Online, which went live in 2001. I have since built several
business web sites. When visiting Birmingham, I
always drive
around Central Park and West End, which never fails to bring back a flood of memories of
days gone by. I have enjoyed our class reunions and picnics. It's always fun to
rub elbows with people that shared my experiences in and around West End.
I am now semi-retired, but still work a bit every day to stay
busy.
I play tennis twice a week and
my hobby is photography.
For photos of my family
and travels, visit
PhotoPages
Online.
SANDRA WEBSTER - I graduated January 1962.
I married in 1962 to David Ingram. He passed away January 20, 2010 after
47 years. I remarried in 2013 to Eddie Myrick. He
passed away in November 2018 after 5 years of marriage.
I now live by myself in Gardendale, AL. I have
no children.
SYLVIA
WHITLOW -
Lights! Camera! A Capra-type could mine this site for a series of
"It's a Wonderful Life" stories. Smiles simply burst forth reading the
rich life tapestries of so many '61 WEHS grads who I remember so well. For
me, graduation from WEHS was one of several tiers in the paper chase, a BA
(Samford), an MA (UA), sandwiched between a few more surgeries (conceptually
brilliant but failing nonetheless to ready me should Mr Astaire waltz by and
request a go at the fancy footwork of the piccolino) and brief stints with
Birmingham
media and a PhD (SIU) during the student revolt era that saw buildings torched
to the ground and gunfire ripping from trooper's weapons. At SIU I met a
professor fresh from NYU, a kindred soul, and very much a Renaissance man, Norm. We accepted positions at UK and moved to Lexington KY where we still juggle our
respective professor roles with ever-changing administrative roles and service
on boards of nonprofit groups. Smiling fates brought us to a
hexagon-shaped house in the country (with no steps up into the house!) and ten
acres where we've coaxed several gardens from the surrounding woodlands. Neighboring fox, deer, raccoons, hawks and bluebirds fuel our "green" outlook. We're packmates for our second Giant Schnauzer who longs for the braveheart rep
of our first Giant. With Norm being a steadfast "I luv NY!" person, we
zipped up regularly for Broadway shows and all the city offers for a time, then
began to roam more broadly. My favorite memory is our arrival at
Timberline Lodge, at Mt Hood OR, in a snowstorm on July 4th! Travel
continues to be routine for Norm as a consultant for a Chicago market research
firm though the PPS ghost now makes it a challenge for me. As well as this
being our 40th WEHS anniversary, this summer brings the 50th anniversary of my
encounter with the '51 epidemic, 2 slightly sobering milestones! One
bright WEHS memory is of the ever-helpful Hi-Y Ushers who hoisted me from floor
to floor in those pre-accessible days and the rotating team of classmates who
helped me meet Mr Wilder's rule to get to the next class ahead of (out of the
way of) the class-change swarm. What a swell bunch, one and all! Accompanying Ms Praytor to a citywide Roman banquet for Latin students where
everyone wore white sheets and prayed the safety pins wouldn't snap open and
send our sheets plummeting to the floor. Our freshman year version of
Oklahoma! where powder used to "granny" my hair set a cluster of cast members to
sneezing just before curtain time. Adding nuts to a recipe in cooking
class with the mixer at max speed. I still get a chuckle remembering the
surprised look of classmates as those little missiles torpedoed through the air! (Norm is a terrific cook, thank goodness, and replicates dishes we've had
ranging from ones at Pebble Beach to WDW's Victoria and Albert to the Russian
Tea Room. Yum!) Homeroom, where a lad named Cliff Walker was ever
sketching and doodling. Lucky for all of the rest of us WEHS grads that
his talent led to website design. Thanks, Cliff!
SHIRLEY
WILDER -
My husband retired in Sept
'01. We have a condo at Hot Springs Village and plan to spend time there. Also, we plan to travel in our motor home this year!! We are really
looking forward to the trips. I wish I could have attended the reunion. I know you all had a great time! I have two kids. Frank lives in
Chicago and Dorothy lives in Kansas City. My memories include morning
watch, singing with The Notables, singing in Ms Davis' vocal class, and those
fun times at Constantines!
BARBARA
WILKINSON -
Attended the U of Alabama, married Ron Vaughn ('57) in '63. Moved to Hampton
VA, completed my degree at Old Dominion Univ. Moved to Charleston SC in '68. Have lived here since and love this special place. Eventually renovated a
4-story home, c.1830. I learned exceptional skills - hanging sheet rock,
scraping decades of wallpaper and shoveling dirt and debris! Divorced, I
have 3 wonderful children, Mary Chris, school teacher, Jacksonville FL; Elise,
counselor, U of SC, Columbia and Brian, owner of Aquatic Imports, Charleston. I have worked for the City of Charleston for 20 years. I am the Mayor's
"press secretary" and city spokesperson, using all my English skills from WEHS. Through my job, I have met amazing people, from Mayors of major cities to the
Prince of Wales to the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Presidents and Vice
Presidents of the U.S., etc, etc. No 2 days are the same. Went through
Hurricane Hugo in City Hall! Have a U-Haul truck on-call for the next big
hurricane and will be headed your way with my worldly goods. Once was
enough! Travel, home and my garden have been my respites from a busy job. Have traveled much of the world and look forward to seeing the places I haven't
been yet. It has been great seeing where everyone is.
ANITA
"BIT" WILLOUGHBY -
I graduated from Howard in '65, did grad work at LSU, taught history at Berry
High for 3 years. Met John, who was in law school at Cumberland (along
with Buddy Scott), and married him in '69. Spent 3 really fun years at Ft
Knox (beats Saigon!!), then moved in '73 to LaGrange, GA, John's hometown. We've been here
since and although I had a
short adjustment to small-town life, I love it and it is home. John
practices law and I keep the firm's books, go to meetings, and play golf. In just about that order! We have 1 daughter, Dean, who is 2nd year at Wake
Forest with plans for law school. Just couldn't talk her into that History!
So many wonderful memories of high school. Mainly, of course, ballgames
and pep rallies, making pompoms and painting signs. All the teachers, esp. Ezell, Whaley, Beatty, Gibson, Spurrier, Haywood and Mrs Baughan (I wasn't smart
enough to take chem. from Mr Baughan)! I don't get to see old friends very
often, although I do keep in touch w/Barbara Bowling, Shirley Wood, Sandra Woods
and I hear some news from
them occasionally! The site
is a wonderful idea!
KAY
WILSON - After spending 35 years in FL, my husband (William) and I
returned to the Birmingham area in 2003. I retired from my position as a medical
transcriptionist in 1999. My Husband is a United Methodist minister now serving
in Gardendale as Visitation Pastor. We have 3 daughters. Our oldest, Susan,
lives in Baton Rouge and works for the Baton Rouge Board of Education. Our
middle daughter, Bethany, lives in Huntsville with her husband and is an office
manager for a group of attorneys. Our youngest, Katherine, lives in FL with her
husband and son, our only grandchild.
SANDRA
WOOD - I live in Birmingham (Vestavia); married a Huntsville native Ed
Daniels 35 years ago. Ed attended law school with Bit Willoughby's hubby
at Cumberland Law School. Ed is still with IRS in estate tax. We
have 3 children: Danny practices law in New Orleans and is married to Sheneen, a
psychologist; Stephen is still at U of Alabama in junior year (business major). I just retired from teaching English after 25 years, 20 years at AL School of
Fine Arts, and now hope to have more time for family, friends and travel. Thanks to all for the personal info. It has been great hearing about
everyone's life!
SHIRLEY
WOOD -
I
have had many wonderful years of teaching at Berry, later Hoover High School,
until my retirement in '98. I have had had great happiness in marrying Jack
Deavours. enjoy traveling with him on business and dividing our time
between Duluth (outside Atlanta) and our home in the north Georgia mountains of
Helen. My daughter, Tasha, teaches third grade, and my son-in-law, Matt, have
delighted me with my 4 year old grandson, Hayden, who calls me Boo-Boo (there's
a cute story there). My precious son, Wade, who recently graduated from the U
of Alabama and was working with my son-in-law. Little did I know it would be
necessary to add that the Lord saw fit to take Wade home with Him about a month
ago, a few days before his 24th birthday. Of course there is no loss like that
of one's child, but the support of friends, many of you whom I haven't seen in
years, has been remarkable. Thank you! I sometimes smile when I think
back on the simple times at West End. Sorority parties, Constantine's,
Auto Movies No. 1, and driving Tommy Milner's red jeep!
JOYCE
WOOLEY
-
(deceased)
-
I married Steve Gazdick when I was 18 and moved to Pennsylvania a year later
when he got out of the USAF just moments before the Bay Of Pigs. We have a
son and daughter, who have blessed us with 5 grandkids, aged 8 to 15. I
got my Art Education degree and taught Art in public schools for a while. Now, since Steve took an early retirement, I teach Oil Painting and Computer Classes at a local Senior Center. We travel and visit with the
grandkids. Life is good.
My memories have really been getting stirred up with this
West End Online web site! I remember Miss Prater's Latin class and her
saying, "Est stultus, Harold!" (no last names to embarrass anyone!) - The Latin
Book Burning Ceremony at Helen Likis' house. Mr Baughan testing a gas we
produced that wasn't supposed to support combustion and the lighted splint
exploded! The B-Y Teens and Ms Baughan trying to teach us to sit like
"ladies". Buying cigarettes one by one at the corner store by the school. The lovely blue suits that we girls had to wear in gym class. Practicing
Midsummer's Night Dream underneath the stage area in the auditorium. The
skits that we did for the class officers' election. Filling bags with
groceries and toys at Christmas with the B-Y Teens. Piling in Henry
Haney's green car and riding to the swimming hole. And finally, a May pole
dance on the football field when we were students at Robert E. Lee! There's more - they just keep tumbling around in my brain. I'm remembering
more than I ever thought I would, so these ol' gray brain cells aren't all
completely dead! |
