CLASS NOTES 1950 E-M
JAMES W. "BILL" ELLIS, BS'50, is involved in the agricultural chemical business. He lives in Dumas with wife Dorothy and they are active at First Baptist Church where Bill is a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He is also a member of Lions Club. The Ellises have three children and four grandchildren. (402 Carson Avenue, Dumas, TX 79029)
Rev. and Mrs. HOYT ELLIS, EX’53 (MURIEL HUNDLEY, BS’63) are enjoying retirement. They recently have moved from Hollis, Oklahoma, to Wichita Falls, Texas. Rev. Ellis had been a pastor for 52 years. Muriel is retired from school teaching. (4610 Jennings, Wichita Falls, TX 76310; Email: mellis@wfiquik.com)
Mr. and Mrs. JOHN EMBERY, BA’59 (BARBARA SULLIVAN, BA’59) live in Albuquerque. Barbara is a retired public school teacher and John, a retired Air National Guard chaplain and missionary with the North American Mission Board, is serving as pastor of Highland Baptist Church. (8101 Morris Rippel Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 E-mail: brojohn66@msn.com
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of BOBBIE LEE SKIPWORTH FARMER, EX’50, who died in Plainview on February 16. She was a longtime champion of the fine arts and taught and directed The Fine Arts Center in Plainview. Bobbie was an accomplished piano teacher and was a reviewer for the Plainview Daily Herald. Her late husband, BOB FARMER, AA’29, who died in 1993, was the son of Dr. R.E.L. Farmer, who was Wayland’s third president.
Mr. and Mrs. LARRY FAUS, BA’56 (GLENNA, BA’56) have retired from Gospel Baptist Church in Sparta, Wisconsin, where he served as pastor. The Fauses started the church some 20 years ago. He has been a bi-vocational pastor. At the retirement, the church celebrated the leadership, integrity, sound judgment and steady faithfulness of the couple that is respected throughout the entire community. (Rt. 3 Box 189, Sparta, WI 54656; Email: largln@cs.com)
Mr. and Mrs. JEFF FLOYD, EX’57 (NORMA, EX’57) live in Carmel, Indiana, where he has a conference, evangelism and seminar ministry. They spent two years at Wayland where they both sang in International Choir. Jeff and Norma both were music teachers and he entered the preaching ministry in 1967. He has written extensively on forgiveness and reconciliation and has taught his seminar, “Lay Aside Every Weight, across the United States and abroad. Jeff has a website at www.jfloydministries.org. Norma was a homemaker and mother and in recent years worked in the newspaper and hospital fields. They recently celebrated their 47th anniversary and have six children and 14 grandchildren. (11514 Springway Drive, Carmel, IN 46033; Email: jhf72934@aol.com)
EARL FORT, BS’51, and wife Sandy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 24, 2005, in Cornelius, Oregon. After graduation from Wayland, Earl graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He pastored churches in Texas until 1972 when they moved to Portland, Oregon and remodeled the Victory Baptist Church building. He served as pastor of Rose City Baptist Church until 1977 when the Forts moved to Cornelius. Sandy worked as a substitute teacher and they retired in 1999. They have three grown sons. (373 S. Tarrybrook Court, Cornelius, OR 97113)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of GEORGE L. FROST, BA’56, who died in San Antonio on April 16, 2004. George attended Wayland on a basketball scholarship and then coached basketball and football at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio for 10 years where as head basketball coach he had many outstanding teams. He enjoyed working with and encouraging young people, helping many to obtain college scholarships. After leaving coaching he had a long and successful career in sales, working for Southern Pabst Engraving Company in San Antonio, the Xerox Corporation, Federal Envelope Company and as owner of Ford-Sein Envelope Company. In 1998, George returned to the field of education serving as Assistant Principal, first at Harlandale Middle School and most recently at the Harlandale Alternative Center. The Southwest Football Officials Association recently awarded him an honorary life-time membership. He served as president of the San Antonio Quarterback Club, the Golden Mile Optimist Club and the San Antonio Breakfast Club. He was also a member of the Alamo Brittany Club, Alamo Executive Club, William Barrett Travis Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Envelope Manufacturers Association of America, San Antonio Texas Exes Association, San Antonio Conservation Society and San Antonio Fiesta Commission. Among his survivors is his wife Carolyn, a daughter and son-in-law, a brother and two nieces.
NORMAN FRY, BA’54, and wife JoAnn have moved from Friendswood, Texas, to Temple, Texas. Norman had been serving as pastor at First Baptist Church of Friendswood. They have moved to Temple to begin the first phase of retirement. The Frys have bought a house that is that is near Scott & White Hospital, Temple Mall, HEB, WalMart, Sams, a bank, two nursing homes, a funeral home and six churches. He asks, “What more do old people need?” Their daughter lives in Temple and Norman is hoping that supply preaching, interims or perhaps, a small pastorate will come available. He would love to hear from Wayland friends. ( 2107 Madden Road, Temple, Tx 76502 E-mail: norman.fry1933@sbcglobal.net)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of MARSHA HUTCHERSON GEORGE, EX’56, who died on December 13, 2006. Shortly before her death, Marsha made a $100,000 gift to the school to complete scholarships in her name. Daughter of longtime sponsor of the Flying Queens, the late CLAUDE HUTCHERSON, AA’25, Marsha had always been an avid supporter of the Queens. She will be missed.
GLEN E. GODSEY, BA’52, was recognized at the annual meeting of the Caprock-Plains Baptist Area for 50 years of ministry. Godsey’s ministry primarily has been to the Hispanic population throughout the Southwest, and he has served several churches as pastor. He is currently associate director of missions to the Hispanic churches of the Caprock-Plains Area. He and his wife Mary live in Plainview. (1217 San Felipe Ave., Plainview, TX 79072-5739)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of STERLING GOODMAN, EX’51, who died on September 20, 2002, in Austin, Texas.
ERNA BEARD GRAEGERT, BA’54, is retired and living in the Baptist Village in Youngtown, Arizona. She attends First Baptist Church of Sun City. (10800 N. 115th Avenue #74, Youngtown, AZ 85363)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of EARL GREATHOUSE, BA’51, who died on August 3, 2006. He and his wife lived in Hawaii.
Mr. and Mrs. MILFORD GRISHAM, BA'53 (AVIS CULP, BA'53) are retired after serving many years as missionaries to Argentina. They live in Hereford and plan a short trip to Argentina this spring. (HC 6 Box 35, Hereford, TX 79045)
WILBUR HARBAUGH, BA’54, is still pasturing Gateway Baptist Church in Saint Robert, Missouri. He had spinal surger in 2004 but is recovering well. He is volunteer chairman of the Polaski County Salvation Army nd stays very busy with that. He would love to hear from Wayland friends. (797 V.F.W. Memorial Drive #1, Saint Robert, MO 65584)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of SHELBA PATTERSON HARMONSON, BA’50, who died on September 4, 2005. She was a homemaker and former teacher and supported her husband’s ministry as pastor’s wife for 58 years. Husband ROSS HARMONSON, BS’50, pastored churches in Texas, California, Oregon, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado and Iowa. In addition to Ross, seven children, 30 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, Shelba is survivied by two sisters, WANDA PATTERSON DANIEL, EX’47 and PATSY PATTERSON FISK, BA’62, and her husband, JIM FISK, BS’63. (Ross: 8106 Avenue W, Spencer, IA 51301 E-mail: rossh@pionet.net) (Wanda: 1109 Ennis, Plainview, TX 79072) (Jim and Patsy: 2149 San Dollar Drive, Longmont, CO 80503 E-mail: jpfisk@comcast.net)
Mr. and Mrs. DAVIS HARRELL, BA’52 (NETA JO MOORE, BS’50) live in California where they are retired. Davis retired from the pastorate in August, 1993, and Neta retired from teaching in the public schools in June, 1990. Davis served as pastor for 42 years at church in Oklahoma, Texas and California. Since retirement, he has served as supply preacher, served as interim pastor for several churches and taught Bible study classes. He has also driven motor homes from the National R.V. Factory in Perris, California, to dealerships all over the United States and Canada. He now teaches an adult Bible class at White Avenue Baptist Church in Pomona where he and Neta are members. Since her retirement, Neta served two different churches as organist and now enjoys reading, playing the piano and keeping in touch with friends, their four children and five grandchildren. Their son, STEVEN V. HARRELL, BA’78, is a Wayland graduate and has been ser ving as Chaplain in the National Guard since the 1980’s. He is currently serving as Chaplain with the 1-185th AR BN 81st AR BDE out of San Bernardino, California, which has been activated to be deployed to Iraq sometime in 2004. Steve is now stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington for a period of “train-up.” (Davis: 5483 LaDeney Street, Montclair, CA 91763 Steven: 24002 Manzanita Street, Menifee Valley, CA 92584; Email: )
Mr. and Mrs. REED HARRIS, BA’56 (LAURA BROOKS, BA’53) live in Belton, Texas, where he has been working with Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment and Conference Center as Director of Development. He retired as Director of International Student Services at University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Laura in November was elected first promotional vice president of Texas Woman’s Missionary Union during the annual meeting in Waco. (204 E. 21st Avenue, Belton, TX 76513; Email: 2harris@vvm.com)
Mr. and Mrs. JIM HART, BA’52 (CLAUDIA BROWN, EX’54) are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on October 24, 2003. Their children are hosting a reception for them in the fellowship hall of the church where Jim is presently serving. They are retired and living in Brownwood, Texas. (4413 Mimosa, Brownwood, TX 76801; Email: hart9834@juno.com)
Dr. FRANK HATTOX, EX’51, is retired and lives in Spring Valley, California. He completed his MD degree at Baylor University College of Medicine. He has served as a U.S. Marine before entering Wayland in 1948 where he took all his pre-med requirements. Frank practiced medicine for 25 years before developing severe medical problems himself. He also served as chief of staff or a major medical hospital. Frank had a passion for California Baptist Children’s Home and was elected to serve on their board by the California Baptist Convention. He served on that board until the home closed. Frank and wife Leta have five children. (2231 Durasno Lane, Spring Valley, CA 91977 E-mail: jodyfrank@juno.com)
MARY ALICE “MAG” GASTON HAYES, BA’50, is a retired teacher who says that any work that she does these days is volunteer. She lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she serves on the Downtown Alliance composed of businesses and individuals working together to revitalize the downtown area of the city. She is also president of the board of one of the downtown businesses. Mag enjoys quilting and painting and in her spare time attends the theatre, symphony concerts, movies and traveling. She would love to hear from Wayland friends. (5832 Lake Villa Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304; Email: mhayesonthego@aol.com)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of NELL McEVER HODGES, BA’56, who died on October 4, 2004. She was a former member of the Board of the Association of Former Students. During her Wayland days and after, Nell ran the Wayland daycare center and nursery and cared for hundreds of children of students. Among her survivors is her son Jerry.
Christian love to the family and friends of RALPH HOVEY, EX'52, who died on July 16, 2002. He had been a longtime pastor and concluded his pastorate at First Baptist Church, Mobeetie, Texas, before going into business. Among his survivors are his wife and four children including son TERRY HOVEY, BS'90. (Rt. 1 Box 93, Mobeetie, TX 79061)
ANNIE SUE CROW INMON, BA'50, is a retired teacher in Hereford, Texas. She lost her husband, Vernon, an accountant, in 1990. They have three children and six grandchildren. Sue is a Sunday School teacher at Temple Baptist Church, is treasurer of the Retired Teachers Association and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was selected as Good Neighbor of the Day by the local radio station and was recognized for having the most volunteer hours in the Retired Teachers Organization. (124 Kingwood, Hereford, TX 79045)
Mr. and Mrs. FRANK IRBY, EX’51 (MARGARET “JIMI” GREEN, EX’55) celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversary with a three-week trip to Europe. They spent a week on the island of Crete, took a cruise to the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Patmost and walked the streets of Ephesus in Turkey. They also took the super ferry from Greece to Italy and they took the Eurail up the east coast of Italy, through Switzerland and on to Germany from which they departed for home. During their cruise, they were on the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Agean and Ionian Seas. The Irbys have three children and 8 grandchildren. Frank is a retired banker and Jimi is a semi-retired realtor. They are both of the Advisory Board of the San Antonio Campus. They are both former members of International Choir and Frank ws a charter member when it started in 1949. ( 501 Mountain Crest Drive, Wimberley, TX 78676 E-mail: firby@wimberley-tx.com)
RUTH COURSEY JAMES, EX’51, is a homemaker and lives in Seagraves, Texas, with husband Marvin, a retired farmer. She has been a leader in local and associational Women’s Missionary Union work and teaches a Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist Church in Brownfield. Ruth enjoys embroidery and spending time with her six children and 13 grandchildren. (Route 2 Box 623, Seagraves, TX 79359)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of EDNA SELLMAN JENKINS, BA’53, who died on January 28, 2003. Edna was a retired teacher and wonderful, lifelong supporter of Wayland and had been Coming Home Queen and received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Among her survivors are husband J.J., and four daughters including Dr. MERI JENKINS REINHART, BS’87, and several grandchildren including SUMMER MOHON, BBA’98. Edna’s parents, who are deceased, were Mr. and Mrs. LEE SELMAN, EX’25 (LOIS CHADDICK, EX’50). (J.J.: 2703 N. Orchard Avenue, Roswell, NM 88201 E-mail: jenkinsj@pocketmail.com) (Meri: 6341 Hickorybark Drive, Loveland, OH 45140 E-mail: meri_le@hotmail.com) (Summer: 21717 Iverness Forest Boulevard #105, Houston, TX 77073 E-mail: summerl@hotmail.com)
Christian love and sympathy to Dr. and Mrs. CHARLES JINKS, BA’56 (ELIZABETH SCHNEIDER, BSOE’86) at the death of her mother, Lillian Linton in Edmonton, Canada, on March 13, 2006. The Jinks had attended graduation of their granddaughter at the San Antonio Campus on February 16 and planned to come to Plainview for Homecoming the next week. They got the call that Elizabeth’s mother was critical so they left and drove to Canada. Mrs. Linton lingered and they returned to their home in Arizona and got the message that she had died. They returned to Edmonton for the services. (7624 W. Mauna Loa Lane, Peoria, AZ 85381 E-mail: cp.ee.jinks@qwest.net)
Mr. and Mrs. JAMES JOHNS, BA’52 (JOY PHARR, EX’52) live in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he retired in 1997. After graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1956, James returned to Lubbock and pastored Slide Baptist Church for a year before going to work for the Baptist Sunday School Board. He served as manager of the Baptist Book Store in Lubbock from 1959-1962. James served as a salesman for Broadman Press before becoming a sale representative for Cambridge University Press in 1964. He was re-employed by the Sunday School Board where he served from 1968-1974. In 1974, he accepted a position as sales representative for Zondervan Publishing and served there until his retirement. James and Joy have two sons and two granddaughters. In February, 2003, they will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. (4 Leawood Court, Greensboro, NC 27410; Email: jthomasjohns@msn.com)
LETA PRESTON JOHNSTON, BS’52, lives in Bellevue, Nebraska, near Omaha. She has been in Nebraska since 1974. She works three days a week at University of Nebraska Medical Center doing computer work and the rest of the time, she works her Excel Communications business from her home. Active at First Baptist Church in Bellevue, Leta works with children in the Awana Club. She has three daughters and two grandchildren. (1704 Pelton Avenue, Bellevue, NE 68005; Email: letajohn@myexcel.com)
Mr. and Mrs. TOMMY JONES, BA’57 (BARBARA BARNES, EX’57) visited the Wayland booth during the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta in June, 1999, and in Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando in June, 2000. Tommy is pastor of Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. (4871 Guerry Drive, Macon GA 31210)
KEN D. KELLEY, EX’54, has retired in Houston after serving churches in Texas, Oklahoma and the Panama Canal Zone as minister of music, youth and education for more than 40 years. He and wife Mary, a registered nurse, have three children and six grandchildren. (5800 Hollister #1802, Houston, TX 77040)
BARBARA WALL LeGRANGE, EX’56, still lives in Manteca, California, where she just completed 42 years in the teaching profession. She would like to teach another year and is just taking it one year at a time. Daughter Terri lives nearby with her four children and she is also a teacher. Son Darin lives in Plano, Texas, where he is president of Health Care Solutions for ACS and he has three children. Barbara would love to hear from Wayland friends who might remember her. (1830 E. Yosemite Avenue #46, Manteca, CA 95336; Email: Bleg731@aol.com)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of JESSE RAY LEONARD, BA’55, who died on September 9, 2004, from a sudden heart attack. He lost his wife CAROLYN LEONARD, BA’55, three years ago in an automobile accident. Jesse was a longtime pastor in Texas, Washington and Georgia. He retired in Kerrville, Texas, where he continued to do interim pastorates until the time of his death. Jesse worked his way through Wayland as the campus barber.
Christian love and sympathy to family and friends of BELINDA DENHAM LEWIS, BA’54, who passed away March 29. She was a retired teacher of 21 years. She helped her husband CHARLIE L. LEWIS, EX’54, in various mission ministries they developed. They made two mission trips to Haiti, to serve as support missionaries for Global Outreach. In addition to Charlie, Belinda is survived by two daughters, CHARLOTTE L. LEWIS WHITE, EX‘68, of Bakersfield, California, and Dorothy Harris of Mesquite, Texas. (Charlie: 1407 Taylor, Roswell, NM 88201) (Charlotte: 208 Truxtun, Bakersfield, CA 93301)
Christian love and sympathy to family and friends of Dr. RAY F. LUPER, BA’53, who passed away June 16, of a heart attack. Ray was in the original International Choir and was a strong supporter. He attended the International Choir Reunion in November at Homecoming and sang in the Reunion Concert. He earned a Master of Music degree from North Texas State University, a Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Tulane University. He had retired in May from Baylor University after 25 years of teaching in the department of music. He had previously taught at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he was professor of music. Ray had served as minister of music at churches in Quanah, Waco, Hillsboro, Cameron and Clifton, in Texas, and in Hattiesburg. He is survived by his wife Myrl, a son, three daughters, five grandchildren, a brother. (810 Gaywood, Waco, TX 76712)
ADA MILLER McBETH, BS’54, live in Fort Worth, where he is professor of church history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They were in Plainview in May when Leon served as commencement speaker for Wayland Spring Commencement. (6601 Kingswood, Fort Worth, TX 76133)
Dr. HARRY LEON McBETH, BA’54, who taught history at Southwestern Seminary for 45½ years, is retired and living near Fort Worth. He has written several books, including histories of Southern Baptists and Texas Baptists. His first wife, Ada, died five years ago. He is married to Thelma Grace Smith and writes: “I greatly enjoy retirement. My health is good. We greatly enjoy every edition of Footprints.” (8120 Saddlebrook Drive, Benbrook, TX 76116-1400)
BILLIE McCANN, BS’54, is a retired educator living in El Paso. She was a member of the original International Choir from 1950-54 and has been singing with some group ever since. She has been a member of Sweet Adelines, a women’s barbershop chorus, for 34 years and serves as assistant director of her local group and serves on the board of directors of Region 21 which includes West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. Billie leads workshops and in May was in Hawaii with her Sweet Adelines quartet where they led a workshop. (3208 Catnip Street, El Paso, TX 79925)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. JERRY McCLURE, EX’51, who died suddenly on April 25 in Ohio. He was professor emeritus of botany at Miami (Ohio) University where he taught from 1964 until his retirement in 2001. In 1972 he was the first recipient of the Sigma Xi Outstanding Researcher of the Year award. He received the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Senior U.S. Scientist Award from the West Germany government and simultaneously received a Fulbright Foundation Honorary Research Fellowship award. Jerry was a visiting professor at Ruhr-Universitat, Bochum, Germany, giving more than 30 invited lectures in the U.K., Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, USSR and East Germany. In 1982, he was named Distinguished Visiting Scientist at Texas Tech University and in 1983, he received the Heinrich-Hertz research award in Dusseldorf, West Germany, and the Gordon Research Conferences organizing award. In 1987, Jerry was an invited visiting scholar, University of Nairobi, Kenya, and at the same time, worked with the Richard Leakey group and National Museums of Kenya. He presented invited lectures in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Asmara, Eritrea; Nanning and Guilin, Peoples Republic of China. Jerry served as treasurer and later president of the Phytochemical Society of North America; chair of the physiological section, Botanical Society of North America; member of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, Life Sciences; screening committee for Fulbright Awards; screening committee of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowships Foundation, Ohio and Michigan region, and more. He and his wife Frances were Danforth Faculty Associates; presidents of the McGuffey Laboratory School PTO and the Community Service Program for Foreign Students (COSEP) Oxford; and regular helpers for Meals on Wheels. In addition to his wife Frances, he is survived by two daughters and three grandsons.
Mr. and Mrs. BILLY G. McDOWELL, BA’57 (ONEITA CARR, BA’54) live in Centerville, Texas, where he is a retired school superintendent. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on August 15, and are blessed with six children “who are serving God in various positions: teacher, pastor, engineer, television production, co-pastor and missionary. Since retiring, Bill and Oneita stay busier than ever. She has written a book, “Do You Know Who You Are?”. Bill raises cattle and has tried a variety of jobs: substitute bus driver, substitute mail delivery and jury bailiff. He is an avid gardener, so Oneita stays busy in the summer with canning. Bill and Oneita also served served as church pastor for four years. (1723 County Road 200, Centerville, TX 75833; Email: locmc3@juno.com)
ONEITA CARR McDOWELL, BA’54, has written a book, “Your Identity in Christ,” which has been published and is ready for sale at $14.99. The book is soft-cover and is 420 pages based on the theme taken from I Peter 2:9. It is divided into four parts: a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people of God. (1723 County Road 200, Centerville, TX 75833; Email: bgmc@juno.com)
Dr. and Mrs. JAMES McGRAW, EX’53 (JANICE GRIMSLEY, EX’52) live in Bellevue, Washington where he practiced endodontics for over 30 years. After Wayland, he graduated from Texas Tech and went to Case Western Reserve University for dental school. He then did a specialty residency at the University of Washington and a hospital in Seattle. Jim currently teaches and serves on the University of Washington Dental School board of admissions. He served as president of the American Association of Endodontists and has served as vice president of American Dental Association. Jim feels that his two years at Wayland were very beneficial both academically and spiritually. He worked full time evenings at Plainview Hospital to help pay for his tuition. At Wayland, he met his future wife, Janice Grimsley, who went on to complete her degree at Hardin Simmons University. They have been married for 52 years and have two sons. Janice is a former school teacher and a trained genealogist. Jim writes, “Wayland was training students for all kinds of professions early on and it is great to see how the recent generations are continuing the health care legacy at WBU.” (1788 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 E-mail: wildeyeimages@aol.com)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of MIKE McKAY, EX’53, who died on September 14, 2006, in Anchorage, Alaska. He was and icon in Alaska Baptist life and had served for more than 20 years as a career missionary through North American Mission Board. Early in his career, he was pastor of First Native Baptist Church. Among his survivors is his wife, VIRGINIA McKAY, EX’53. (P.O. Box 102015, Anchorage, AK 99510)
JERALD McMILLAN, EX’50, is retired and living in Michigan. He left Wayland to enter the Air Force in 1950 and completed his degree at Eastern Michigan University. After the Air Force, where he served as chaplain’s assistant, he worked for the Detroit Edison Company for 41 years. He retired four years ago as senior buyer in the generation procurement division. He is enjoying retirement. His mother, EUPHRIE McMILLAN, taught homemaking economics at Wayland from 1944-1949. (4759 New Haven Drive, Howell, MI 48843; Email: JRENFORD@aol.com)
Christian love and sympathy to GAIL McWILLIAMS KING, BS’59, and GLYNDA McWILLIAMS GROVES, BA’61 at the death of their mother, Lenna McWilliams, who died in March, 2007. Her funeral was on March 20 in Matador, Texas. (Gail: 12004 Lakebluff Way, Frisco, TX 75035 E-mail: egailking@comcast.net) (Glynda: 1426 Sylvan, Abilene, TX 79605)
Dr. GEORGE MAY, BA’54, has returned to the United States where he is retired. He established a Christian school in Colombia. Dr. May is living at The Park at Fort Bend. (3001 Dove Country Drive #1307, Stafford, TX 77477 E-mail: fannie.young@cityofhouston.net
J.L. MERRILL, EX’51, is retired as Oklahoma Tax Commissioner and lives in Frederick, Oklahoma. Wife Virginia is a retired social worker. They have one daughter who is a free-lance commercial artist in computer graphics. J.L. is an elder on his church governing board, is past president of Midwestern States Association of Tax Administrators, past president of American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and past president of National Tax Association Tax Institute of America. He earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Oklahoma City University where he was a member of Beta Gamma Honors Fraternity, won a first place gold medal award from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants and won a Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship trophy. He enjoys continuing computer education and gardening. J. L. writes that he has many fond and treasured memories of Wayland. “Those were truly halcyon days and to l ive and learn in the Wayland environment was to experience a very solid and enduring preparation for life.” He adds, “If you are retired, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!” (210 W. Highview Avenue, Frederick, OK 73542-1808; Email: jmerrill@pldi.net)
JANICE BURNETT MILLER, BS’57, has been honored by having a school named after her in the Lake Worth Independent School District. The Janice Miller Elementary School is under construction and will be dedicated later this year. After graduation from Wayland, Janice married her husband, Bob Miller of Fort Worth, in 1957. She began her teaching career with the Fort Worth ISD at Meadowbrook Middle School where she served for three years. Janice taught in a private kindergarten for three years and served on the Lake Worth ISD School Board for two and one half years before returning to teaching as a visiting teacher in the district in 1969. For 20 years, she was affiliated with the Lake Worth district as teacher, vice principal and principal. She retired in 1990 and has served as substitute teacher since that time. Janice and her husband work with the senior adult ministry at First Baptist Church of Lakeside. (4112 Ridgecrest Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76135 E-mail: jb4112@aol.com)
Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of MARLIN MILLER, BS’53, who died Aug. 10, 2007, in Idalou. He was associated with Miller Flying Service for more than 50 years and was manager of the Hale County Airport for many years. Marlin was inducted into the Wayland Athletic Hall of Honor in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Melinda Parish Miller; two daughters, two stepdaughters, a brother, two sisters and three granddaughters. (Box 1023, Idalou, TX 79329. Email: melinda1@valornet.com)
Dr. JIMMIE R. MONHOLLON, BA’55, dean and chair of the division of business at Hardin-Simmons University, was guest speaker for the Kiwanis Club of Abilene in April. Dr. Monhollon, former First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Virginia, has spent most of his professional life as a central banker, intimately involved in formulating monetary policy for the country, supervising and regulating commercial banks in the Fifth Federal Reserve District and, providing banking services to commercial banks and the U.S. Treasury. He is currently distinguished professor of economics and finance at Hardin-Simmons. Jimmie and wife PATSY PYLANT MONHOLLON, BA’55, make their home in Abilene. Patsy is a publisher and owner of Reflection Publishing which she began ttwo years ago to publish her son’s book, Divine Invasion, a novel about Jesus, which American Library Association’s Booklist selected as one of the top 10 Christian novels of the year. Other books published include two by AGNES DURANT PYLANT, "GRANDMA," Patsy’s late mother. Grandma and Lake Pylant both taught at Wayland until his death and she moved to Nashville where she began the Church Recreation Department for the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The names of Mrs. Pylant’s books are, Gee Whiz...I’m Old and Three Score and Ten...WOW! Patsy has two books listed under her professional name, Lake P. Monhollon, A Child Asks...What Does Dying Mean, and The God Flow: Spiritual Living in a Physical World. The company also publishes two of Patsy Neal’s books, So Run Your Race, and Psalms and Proverbs on the Playing Field. The website of Reflection Publishing is www.reflectionpublishing.com(1 Hendrick Drive, Abilene, TX 79602; Email: lakepm@msn.com)
VELMA JUSTINE BRYANT MONTGOMERY, BA'50, is retired and living in Plainview with husband Kenneth. She retired from teaching after 39 years. She stays busy with retired teacher meetings and activities, has participated in many precept Bible studies and is on the Advisory Board for Edgemere School. Velma is an honorary life member of Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers. (3006 W. 20th Street, Plainview, TX 79072)