Greetings Maroon Devils,
I hope all is well with each of
you and your summer is proving to
be fruitful and rewarding. We are enjoying moderately wonderful weather here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our health is good and Margaret and I continue to take mini-vacations hither and yon. I mentioned
in June’s Threads we had just returned from a trip to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee where we spent four days.
Gatlinburg has at
long last finally lost the quaintness and appeal of the small town we once knew during the 50s and 60s. In my opinion, it
has become another Myrtle Beach with “T” Shirt stores, and typical tourist’s
trap merchandise for sale in the majority of business. The craft stores who once sold fine mountain crafts such as pottery
and quilts are still abundantly in existence, but have moved to the country to avoid the high rent districts of Gatlinburg
and Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is mile after mile of mini-malls—some badly needing clients--carnival rides, chain restaurants,
and of course there is the entertainment park known as Dolly Wood. Also there are numerous stage shows like the Texas Stampede
plus a host of other play houses to add to the dilemma of slow moving traffic through the area. Ahhh…but the quaintness
of small town living is not yet lost in Sevierville which continues to look much as it did at the turn of the last century--despite
four lane highways passing by on each side of town. How many of you are aware Sevierville is named after our Class of 58 Student
Body President’s ancestors. Bob Sevier is a direct descendant of Pioneer and Revolutionary War hero, John Sevier.
We have another
trip planned for August with our friends from Mobile. We fly to Minneapolis on August 3, rent a car and tour Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North
Dakota and three Canadian Provinces and return
home on the 14th. These are areas neither of us have previously visited and we want to see the lay of the land.
Of course the ladies want to shop in that big mall in Minneapolis. I personally
want to see Mount Rushmore and the monument to Chief Crazy Horse in South Dakota. Who knows, we might bump into classmates Ronny and Anne Moore Henderson who are touring the west in their
mobile home.
Speaking of Anne and Ronny, They plan to arrive in Asheville during the last week of August to spend several days
with family and old friends. Sally McCanless and Allan White are planning another gathering sometime during the first week
in September (Date to be announced) and Anne and Ronny will be in attendance at the gathering as will Gary
Scott who is retiring in Charlotte and moving to the mountains of Buncombe County. Please try to keep the first week of September open as much as you can and
plan to attend this particular gathering which will be a cocktail hour plus a dinner but in a larger venue. Announcements
will be made weekly to classmates in WNC.
To follow up on “Class of 58 Gatherings”, twenty-seven classmates—eight with spouses—attended
our last gathering at TGIF in Biltmore on August 13th. Classmates and spouses attending the
gathering were, Tom Hatcher and Aubrey, Bab Gray, Patsy Farmer Jones and Don, Elaine McPherson Cole and Cliff,
Judy Justice Humphrey, Helen McCracken, Jo Anne Dalton Vaughn, Becky Denton Lawrence, Jo Ann Chandley Elliott and Gil,
Loretta Jarvis Sanders, Malcolm Sorrells & Carole, Rex Redmon & Margaret, B.L. Coleman, Sally McCanless
Stricker, Allan White, Barbara Marsh Morton & Melvin, Linda Sluder Tandy & Joe, and Marshall Bessinger and Louise
Scarborough Bessinger. Unfortunately we had five no shows leaving two empty tables in the room. Everyone
had a great time reminiscing and getting reacquainted. We were not rushed by the restaurant to “clear out” as
we finished eating and we enjoyed the good food—especially those who ordered ribs. Thanks to you
who attended—come again in September when we hope to increase our numbers to at least 40/50.
National news events have held our attention recently. The death of many well known celebrities including Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Carl
Mauldin, Robert McNamara, Walter Cronkite and Michael Jackson has been prominent in the news. We continue
to be inundated with the Michael Jackson fiasco and who can say when or how that debacle will end. Alaska
Governor and former Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin, resigned as governor of our nation’s largest
state—and we are left to wonder about her motives. While closer to home, those of us who live in South Carolina were greatly saddened and disappointed to learn of the extramarital escapades our much respected and admired
governor. The jury is still out on that one too. Maybe it is time for another vacation but let’s
hope the news will be positive and good during the next thirty days.
The Class of 58 website is now compatible
with my PC again. Or, perhaps
I should say, my PC is now compatible with the Website again because I now use Internet Explorer as a browser instead the
browser AOL uses. The May and June 09 issues of Maroon and Black Threads were added to the website
recently as well. Have you noticed the number of hits to the website in just 2 years? More than 10,000
hits my friends and many of those hits are members of other LEHS classes checking in. While we are on the subject of websites, please do not forget to look-in at the websites of The Classes 56, 57, &
60. The Class of 56 website is at http://s1.webstarts.com/webstartscomeleeedwardshigh/. The Class of 57 is at http://leeedwardsclassof1957.shutterfly.com and the Class of 60 is at http://www.leeedwardsclassof1960.com/. Of course the Class of 58 website
is at Http://www.lehsmaroondevilsclassof58.com. Someone recently asked where is the Class of 59? Anyone know? .
News and e-mails from your fellow classmates follow. July 20, Classmate Paul Sheldrick of Hendersonville, NC sends sad news today
of the passing of a 58 classmate. Good morning Rex. I hope this e-mail finds you and Margaret
well. I thought that you would like to know that another class member has passed. His name is Dwyre Stroup of
Hendersonville.He died Saturday, the 18th, at Memorial Mission hospital in Asheville, NC. God bless and take care. Paul Sheldrick
(Exerts of Dwyre’s Obit from the
Asheville Citizen Times follows).
Dwyre
Stroup
Hendersonville - Dwyre Stroup, 69, of Hendersonville
passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Mission Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Shelby, he was the son the late
Rev. Marlow A. and Gladys Callahan Stroup. He was a 1958 graduate of Lee Edwards High School and was a
faithful employee of Winn Dixie for 45 years.
He was a faithful member of Barker Heights Baptist Church where he served as a Music Director and Sunday school teacher. He was
certified as a member of the Baptist Disaster Relief Team and actively involved in the Baptist Men's Ministry, Prayer Team,
and was a member of the JOY singers. Dwyre was also a dedicated Christian, whose daily walk served as an example to those
around him. He was a mentor to the younger men of the church and a compassionate friend to all who knew him. Dwyre will be
remembered for his many kindnesses, his love of music, his constancy in prayer, and his devotion to his family and friends.
He is
survived by his loving wife of 15 years Ann Lowe Stroup; three sons, Rick Stroup and is wife, Pam of Amarillo, Texas, Dwight
Stroup and his wife Mum of Spartanburg, Rev. Stephen Stroup and his wife, Lisa of Greenville, SC; a daughter, Tammy Ruff and
her husband, Rick of Hendersonville; two step daughters, Linda Maddox and her husband, Gene and Tricia Donaldson and her husband,
Bill both of Johnson City, Tenn.; a stepson, Terry Lowe and his wife, Jahala of Summerville, SC; a brother, Earl Stroup and
his wife, Gracie of Morristown, Tenn., two sisters, Vernell Foshee of Warner Robbins, Ga. and Carolyn and her husband, Rev.
Charles Magnet of Hendersonville; and nine grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, at Barker Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Boone officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the church. Entombment
will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.
An online
register book is available at www.thosshepherd.com. Memorial contributions may be sent to Barker Heights Baptist Church, 215 Glover Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangement.
Next up, Dick Angel remembers Dick Hensley…
Rex, I think we will all miss Dick Hensley (’57). Danny Evans and I ran around
with him a great deal during and after our Junior and Senior years. He was so proud of that 1957 Chevy Bel Air and we washed
and waxed it many times. One night we were cruising Babes and Dick got out of the car to visit with some ladies. Danny and
I decided to run out to a party we had heard about in Beaver Lake, but on the way there, a woman came down one of the side
streets on Charlotte Avenue and T'd us, pushing us across the street and up against a telephone pole. The 57 Chevy
was ruined and Dick was upset. I'm not sure he ever got over that episode, but not long after he traded for a white 1960 Impala
coupe. Just a fond memory of a great individual and friend.
Regards, Dick Angel
Patsy Farmer Jones writes on Monday, June 22 of an encounter with Mickey Hoyle ’57. Rex, Received the June edition of
the newsletter. Thanks for sharing all of the latest happenings with classmates....You are doing a
fabulous job. I want to share the latest story about Mickey Hoyle.
Last Thursday, (6/18) Don and I were sitting in
one of the Weaverville West's Funeral Home parlors welcoming friends of my Uncle H. B. Bradley from the Asheville/Woodfin area
who had passed last Monday, a week ago today. His only son, Larry Bradley, was with my Aunt Leartis at the Emerald Ridge Health Center where she now lives. Thursday was
the day for visitation at the funeral home and Don and I were "taking our turn" in the afternoon.
Shortly before 4pm this man walks through the door
into the room, tips his hat and says, "Patsy, it is Mickey Hoyle". I was absolutely shocked at his presence. It
seems he and my Uncle had become great friends over the years and my Uncle had even asked him to be a pall bearer upon his
death. Uncle H. B. had owned Edgewood Cafe and H. B's Drive In through the years and Mickey lived close by and probably ate
there many, many times. He also visited in my Uncle's home from time to time...and they probably talked about everything
from A to Z!. I never knew this until last Thursday.
Mickey stayed for about an hour and brought Don and me up-to-date on his
health situation. He will be flying to Houston for another evaluation soon. His son will travel with him.
Basically, he looks and acts great. He has lost his hair, but who cares?...I told him it was alright!. I called Larry who
came and visited with Mickey til the place closed down about 5:30pm. Mickey was his same cheerful self, entertaining
us with all kinds of great stories of his time with my Aunt and Uncle.
This was one of those times when you least expect it that something
wonderful happens in your life. Needless to say, Uncle H. B.'s service was at WNC State Veterans Cemetery on Friday and there were no pall
bearers needed, .but Mickey wanted to tell Larry he would not be able to serve due to his health condition. What a blessing
it was to see him! He also said so many of his friends had called him and had visited, so he is receiving blessings every
day. He also wanted to tell Larry what a blessing it had been to have my Uncle as his friend. Neither one of us knew about
this connection, but both are blessed because of it. He seems like family to me now..
My love to you and Margaret.....Patsy Farmer Jones
George Couch and Judy Justice Humphrey sent the following
e-mail address changes,
Please change my
e-mail address to pinnaclemt@gmail.com. I have changed my internet provider to a Verizon
Mobile which I can carry anywhere Verizon serves. It has basically doubled my upload/download speed. Thanks, George
C
Judy has a new e-mail provider. Judy’s new e-mail provider is AT&T
instead of Bellsouth. Reach her at justpat517@at&t.net
My dear friend and classmate, Nancy Drum Clark, who now lives in Cary, NC sent good news on July 3rd.
Rex, We now have a contract on our house in Asheville. Closing is July 31. Thanks for all of your support during this time
for us. Nancy and Arnold.
This is actually a copy of an e-mail Nancy sent to many of her friends. Congratulations Nancy!
Classmate
Kay Williams Sutton of Hendersonville also contacted me on July 3rd.
Rex I do enjoy
your monthly newsletter and appreciate your hard work and dedication in providing us with the news of the class of '58. Thanks
again, Kay
July 8th, finds Ronny and Anne Moore Henderson in Taos New Mexico
enjoying their summer vacation.
Dear Rex, Hope this e-mail finds you and Margaret enjoying your summer.
We are in Taos, NM, which is the center of art and tourism. The cultural mix
and the beautiful setting of Taos have lured artists and tourist for many years. Hiking is
very popular here and we have been on several trips. The one we liked best was hiking down the canyon to Manby Hot Springs
which lies deep within the gorge and is one of the most dramatic settings for a hot spring in the state. Of course,
when you finally get down to the river you have to go swimming in the hot springs.
We will be leaving here on Thursday and heading to Westcliffe, CO to
a Blue Grass Festival for four days.
Attached
is a picture of one of our hiking trips. Do you recognize our guide? He is Richard Sheldon a 1958 graduate of
Enka High
School. Richard owns a condo here and
he has been our guide.(I do remember Richard.
We {LEHS guys} used to eyeball the boys from Enka across the parking lot at the Beacon Restaurant in Enka. They did not want
us there). Sally McCanless e-mailed me and we are going to get together with a group in September when we get to Asheville. We also received an e-mail from Gray Scott and he plans to come also. Thanks again for
the wonderful job you are doing with the Maroons newspaper. We look forward to getting it each month.
Anne & Ronny
Jeanette Warren Thompson’s little brother, Jerry
’60, contacted me on 6/28 with news about different subjects of which I did not have knowledge.
Rex, as promised, here is the link
to The Class of 1960 website. http://www.leeedwardsclassof1960.com. Also, here is an obit about Margaret Peggy Fluharty Stormer of Lincolnton, NC.
(Margaret Peggy Elizabeth Fluharty Stormer,
70, of Wilma Sigmon Road, Lincolnton, died Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville. Born November 29, 1938 in Guilford County, she was the daughter
of the late William Barry Fluharty Jr. and Dorothy Jones Fluharty. She was a graduate Lee
H. Edwards High School in Asheville in 1956. She was retired from Bank of America after 38 years of
service in the Charlotte area where she was Vice President Of Trusts and Securities. She
will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
Her husband of 34 years, Aaron Coley Stormer
of the home; two sons, Michael Mickey Johnson and wife, Judy, of Maiden, and Jeffrey and wife, Janet, of Lincolnton; two sisters,
Dorothy Dottie Clyatt of Augusta, Ga. and Anne B. Fluharty of Carey; three grandchildren, Taylor Johnson, Kathryn Johnson,
and Elizabeth Ann Johnson survive her. A Celebration of life and worship service will be 2 p.m.
Thursday at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor John Mann officiating.
Editor: I remember Peggy well. She was very popular and involved in many school activities.
She has a younger sister, Dorothy, who graduated with the Class of 59. I attended Grace School Elementary with the sisters.
Dr. Mack Anders ’57, sent the following e-mail to his classmates on June 28 with
an updated health report on Mickey Hoyle.
I called Mickey Hoyle yesterday to wish him a Happy Father's
Day. He sounded good and was in great spirits. He had visits from his children and grandchildren and was very
involved in watching The US Open golf tournament. He is staying with his
dear mother and they both had visited Mickey's dad and had dinner with him and other family members on Friday I think
he said, for Father's Day. Mickey has said so many times to me, "it's unreal how much I look like my dad now that I'm
bald." He also said that he went to church Sunday and sat on the back row. He says that he still feels a little
uncomfortable about losing his hair but wears a cap when the situation calls for it.
One
thing he is doing that is helping him is working a few hours here and there at the office. His assistant Betsy is doing
a very good job he says and he is advising her on different projects. He also mentioned that he is attending his grandchildren’
sports events when he is able and loves watching them and is so very, very proud to be their Paw Paw Mick!
He will be flying back to Houston on July 9th for an
evaluation and tests in regards to his chemo treatments and how they are working for him. His son Rick will accompany
him. His Dr will meet with him on July 10th and report his findings and tell Mickey what to expect as far as more treatments
and surgery. Mickey says that this time, the chemo did not leave him with a sore throat and mouth ulcers. He is so thankful
that this round of treatments was better tolerated but he still experiences some nausea at times and also said food doesn't
taste the same. He did however, say that his favorite meal is now officially, greens beans,(cooked by his mom. she is
well known for her green beans), corn on the cob, and sliced ripe tomatoes. He said that those all still taste delicious
and he could eat them at every meal if he had too!
So many of Mickey's wonderful friends continue to call, visit and send cards,
prayers and stay in touch with him. He appreciates the love and caring that surrounds him during the difficult time
in his life. He remains optimistic and trusts in God with a firm and strong faith. All in all he sounded wonderful
on the phone is still finds humor in his day to day happenings. Editor: Mickeys Home address is: Mickey Hoyle, 30 Jarnaul Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804 if you care to send a card. He is receiving mail at home.
Below is the latest report from Mack received week of 7/12.
I spoke with Mickey by phone
this afternoon. He was evaluated by his physician at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston on July 9-10.
The chemotherapy regimen that he has been on for the past couple of months has worked. The tumors in his liver and on
his pancreas have shrunk. He will be on another round of chemotherapy with different administration and rest periods
for the next 12-14 weeks which is aimed at shrinking the tumors ever further. At the end of this regimen, he will return
to M.D. Anderson for evaluation and determination of next steps.
Mickey is very encouraged. He said he
is feeling good and had no intolerable side effects from chemotherapy. His blood sugar levels have stabilized
to the point that his nutrition consultant said he no longer has to get up in the middle of the sleep cycle to eat something.
He's monitoring his carbohydrate intake and testing his blood sugar early each morning (fasting) and throughout the day.
All readings are within the range specified by the doctor and nutritionist. As a result of dietary changes, he has lost
some weight and 2 inches off his waist which requires him to tighten his belt and pull his pants up frequently - a good
problem and one that he is happy to contend with.
His
M.D. Anderson doc said he can do anything he wants to do, including playing golf. My impression is that Mickey will be
on the golf course this week. He will also continue to go to work as he's been doing for the past couple of weeks but
only for 1/2 days.
Mickey asked me to
express his appreciation for your calls, notes, e-mails, and prayers. They, along with the good medical care he is receiving, are
bringing him through this difficult time. At
the end of our talk, he said he was going to eat lunch - a plate of his mother's green beans. --Mack
Tom Hughes ’60 sent the following e-mail on 6-22.
Rex, Even though Jeff Lipe and Sonny Enloe are class of '59, I thought I would pass the following info on to
you about them. Sonny just recently had a knee replacement and appears to be on the mend very well. I got an e
mail from Jeff this morning and was made aware he had a heart attack about two (2) wks ago. He had a stint inserted
and appears to be on the mend now. Stated he was back to walking and feeling well. Hey this isn't supposed
to happen to us. Have enjoyed your newsletters and e-mails, ref class of '58, and have to get out my "Hillbilly
'58" to try and remember who you are writing about....................Tom Hughes
Also Tom Hughes sent the following sad news on July 14
Rex I Just read the AVL paper (obits) and saw where Coach
Herb Coleman died on Jul 11 09. He was 88 YOA and was still living in the Asheville area. It appears funeral arrangements are pending..............Tom
Editor:
During the years when the Class of 58 was in Junior High School, Herb Coleman was head football coach at David Millard Junior
High. I’m sure many football players have very fond memories of Coach Coleman. If so,
would you share some of those memories with your classmates?
My particular memory of coach was of him taking me aside in the ninth grade
during football practice and constructively, but gently, chewed my butt for not learning plays he had passed out the day before.
Plays? Actually, I had never in my life played organized sports and did not have a clue about plays even though he had given
us the sheet of plays to learn. Who needs plays I though when I looked at the paper the previous day, I know how to play
football and besides I can out run anyone on the team. When my butt hit the bench for continuing to
miss blocks, tackles and pass assignments I quickly began to learn the plays.
Dave Roberts, my contemporary with the Class of 56 and big brother to Class of 58 member,
Brian Roberts, wrote on 5/23 the following e-mail message.
Thanks to Carolyn Bostick Fisher ’56, for sending this web site with many video interviews
of what folks like about Asheville.. Click the lower right icon below the screen to view these on
your full screen. Dave http://citizen-times.com/section/myasheville.
In closing I would like to report, I had a nice visit with
Elaine Scott Brown ’59 Monday morning, the 20th. I visited with Elaine in a small Ladies
Boutique in Greer, SC where she works part time. She is still as pretty as she was in high school. We enjoyed
“catching up” and Elaine sends greetings to all who remember her.
Maroon Devils, take good care of yourselves. All of you are a rare people indeed—and the best.
Take Kindly the counsel of years past, Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, and whether it is
clear to you or not, no doubt, the universe is unfolding as it should. Strive to be happy.
Peace and Shalom, Rex Redmon
