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Memphis
Central High School
Class of 1956
50th Reunion
May 5 - 6, 2006
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Your
50th Anniversary
Reunion
Committee
Joy
Allenberg Wilk,
Charles Askew,
Kathie Bailey Cavette,
Joann Baker Parker,
Ann Ball Frost,
Marlene Belz Libby,
Jerry "Moose" Bruce,
Ruth Burrow Peters,
Don Cavette,
John Crews,
Marcia Davidson
Moskovitz,
Ralph Davis,
Betty Farris Russell,
Larry Fury,
Myrna Gold Drake,
Tom Gerdes,
Ralph Gray,
Jack Hoelscher,
Mary Ann Kimbrough Vollmer,
Jack Kirsch,
Arlene Krivcher Stamm, Natalie Lewis Rosenberg, Sandra
Loskovitz Beatus,
Bill Maxwell,
Janie McCune Deupree,
Pat Parker Maxwell,
Sandy Peiser Lipman,
Marcia Pinstein Weiss, Barbara Rauscher Walters, Billy
Schaefer,
Phil Sherman,
Ed Simmons,
Sophie Theodore,
Ramsay Wall,
Carolyn Welch Hale
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Spring
2008
Hello
Central '56 Classmates!
It's been months since we have "talked." I’ve been
accumulating information that you have sent in, but have not acted
on it. Some of the news is not good, which deters me, though I should
communicate deaths to you as soon as I hear. I'll do better!
Moose Bruce
has been playing around with some of us online, questioning our
memory and referring to us as "seniors". He says
he can't remember these things:
- where
our graduation took place
- where
we had our prom. Can you remember?
- Did
you go alone, or with a date, or with a group? Who?
- And
if you know whom Moose went with, please let him know!
He
keeps hearing Graduation Day
on WMPS. Does that ring a bell for you?
Jack Hoelscher sent in this
note of interest:
Billy,
As we discussed, please
send to our 1956 Central class [information on] the novel I have
just read, "The Last Reunion" by James Ross. He is a good
friend of mine & is a retired periodontist living in Collierville,
TN. It is about his 50th reunion from his class of 1952 from Elizabethton,
TN.
His
class was about the same size as ours was & he relates so many
of the same things we experienced that it could have been written
about our class. I ordered it from Borders in paper back for $12.95.
It is very light reading, but highly enjoyable. Kind regards for
all the fond memories that we share from our class of Central High
1956.
Jack
Hoelscher
Betty Farris Russell
has a new email address: bettyrussell3@aol.com
Pete Summers son sent
me his dad's Email address, thinking Pete might like to hear from
one of us. I wrote him but received no response. Jack Hoelscher
also made a run at eliciting a response. Nothing. If any of you
can help, go for it. The address I have is: peteandmaria@hotmail.com
I'm sorry to report that two of our classmates died
since the last newsletter
Norma Jean Burrus Smith
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Norma
Jean Burrus Smith, 69, of Memphis died on Saturday,
December 15, 2007. Born in Memphis, on May 18, 1938, she was
the only daughter, of Norma McMillan Burrus and Thelmer Thomas
Burrus. She graduated from Central High School where she was
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and a tap dancer. |
Jean
went to work for the Memphis Urology Group (now known as The Conrad
Pearson Group) on August 1, 1960. She was a tireless and loyal employee
for 43 years, retiring in August 2003. She was loved by everyone;
employers, co-workers and especially the patients. Many patients
would stop by just to sit, talk, or enjoy a cup of coffee.
She
was a longtime church member of Speedway Terrace Baptist Church
and Whitten Road Baptist Church. Working with the church youth groups
was always her passion. Many a teenager was set on the right path
through Jean’s influence, values, morals, and her religious
faith. She had a special relationship with kids and teenagers that
will be greatly missed. Mrs. Smith leaves two children, Joe Steven
Smith of Southaven, MS and Susan Knight of Memphis; six grandchildren
and two great- grandchildren.
Paul
Thomas Hicks
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Paul
Hicks, 70, died
at St. Francis Hospital Bartlett on April 18, 2008. He was born
January 12, 1938 to Thomas Albert and Lizzie Bell Miles Hicks,
who preceded him in death. |
A
native Memphian, Paul graduated from Central High School, Rhodes
College (formerly Southwestern), and University of Memphis (formerly
Memphis State). He also attended Auburn University. He was the author
of four books pertaining to the history of Methodist churches in
Memphis, and wrote and published Christian music.
Paul
was a member of the West Tennessee Historical Society, Examination
Organizer of the American Guild of Organists, Memphis Chapter, member
of the Beethoven Club, and organist for the Memphis Theological
Seminary. He has served as organist and/or choir director for Underwood
UMC, St. Luke's UMC, Trinity UMC, and First UMC (for 34 years).
He was the interim organist and also played the Carollier bells
at Idlewild Presbyterian Church.
Paul
is survived by his sisters, Mary (Jack) Overby of Lakeland, TN,
Martha Oschner of Cordova, TN, and a brother, George (Pat) Hicks
of Collierville. Services were held Monday, April 21 at Idlewild
Presbyterian Church.
All of us extend our thoughts and sympathy to the families
and friends of these two classmates who were proud Central High
graduates.
Class
of '56 Website
I hope that everyone remembers that we have a website up and
running for our reference and enjoyment. This newsletter will be
posted there, along with lots of memories of our reunions and information
on our future meetings and events. The address is still: www.memphiscentralhigh56.com
Our class leader now is Sophie Theodore,
whom, as you all know, retired from school teaching/administering
last year. What's next for us Sophie? There's TWO more years until
our 55th – can't wait that long to meet and greet!
Well, that's all the news that is news! I hope each of you finds
time every day for a smile and some kind words for those around
you. Let me know if you have something to share with your Central
classmates and I will do my best to get the word out. Cheers……
Billy
Schaefer
wwsgoat@aol.com
or
40879 N. 107th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Oh
yes, our class website is still up and running!
It's a great place for occasional bragging.
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