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Notes from/about our Classmates Summer 2008 Update.... Good News for a Change! On August 25, 2008, our Dr. Frank Adams was bestowed a living award by the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. As reported in the Commercial Appeal on September 5, his award was for "Physician Inspiration in Faith and Health", stated as follows: "Adams has been a driving force in ensuring patients at Methodist University Hospital receive the best possible care for a wide range of rheumatology illnesses.” Adams has served as president of the Methodist Hospital staff and was the original member of its internal medicine teaching program. He is a Founding Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology. Throughout his career he has been actively involved in a number of local community initiatives to educate and help raise funds for research and new treatments for rheumatologic disorders." Some bad news from earlier: I
reluctantly sent you this newsletter earlier than intended, as we
wanted all of you to know as soon as possible about the deaths of
three classmates.
Bill owned a pump business over on Winchester, and he attended past reunions. But I don't know if he made the 50th. He was a nice, good-natured gentleman and had many friends. I thought you and others would want to know.
Chester Caster (from: Judy Henderson Stevens (Class of 1957)
He practiced pharmacy in Memphis for 34 years and was the owner of the Prescription House on Madison Ave., and later Union Ave. Jack
was a member of Beth Sholom Synagogue. He was the widower of Susan
Zechman Kirsch and was predeceded in death by his son, Jon Michael
Kirsch. He leaves his son, David Kirsch; brother, Joe Kirsch; and
his beloved companion, Patty Wolbe. “Thanks
for the recent email update on our 1956 class. My wife,
I've been self-employed since1980 as a private investigator, and
I formerly traveled extensively as an international agent for Lloyd's
of London. My practice is now primarily devoted to contract duties
as a Special Investigator for federal government agencies. My point?
Well, my colleagues and I have exceptional skills and a host of
unique resources. If we can ever be of assistance, especially in
locating someone, please contact me. Some classmates have done so
already. thehawkco@msn.com
Our
Graduation – from: Moose
Bruce
From: Beverly (Dizzy Dunn) Corbett:
“On
Saturday, April 11th, our two sons and their wives pulled off the
surprise of a lifetime - a 50th Anniversary dinner for John and
me. You know, you really shouldn't shock old people like that. We
survived and managed to have a wonderful time with friends and relatives
from across the country. We're wondering how they're going to top
this next year. Four generations of Corbetts are pictured -
and one on the way! Hi! to all.“ Dear Billy, thanks for the Central updates. Two bits of info from the Burrow/Peters side. My mother, Mrs. Weldon Burrow, died last month at the age of 92 from complications surrounding hip surgery. Many of you remember spending time at mother and daddy's cabin in Raleigh with her and my father. The other news – Coach Jerry Peters was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association last month. It was a great occasion and they honored his 48 years of service to athletics and young men. I am proud of him! He's going to coach at least another year, so pull for us to have a winning season at MUS. Love and kisses.
From Jerry Davis: “Billy,
glad I haven't died, which seems a surefire way to get in the news.
Have sent several "bios" and updates in, none of which
have appeared. Guess they just disappeared into the ether or virtual
world somewhere. Retired 15 Nov from the formal practice of orthopaedic
surgery. Have subsequently had 6 weeks of Idaho skiing, lots of
flyfishing and golf improvement. Leaving for Libera 1 May for three
weeks of operating on a hospital ship sponsored by Mercy Ships (mercyships.org). Capsule
Bio and Update For the update, fished and skiied pretty solid thru the1st of April. Then had a great experience – flew to Monrovia, Liberia, where I did ortho on a hospital ship (The Africa Mercy) for three weeks. Fabulous mercy ships (mercyships.org). The Liberians have only been at peace for about a year, but seem to be a beautiful and religious people who love America. Even the Muslims there will have a beer or a tot of rum with you. A great DVD called Liberia, an Uncivil War, gives you the brutal history of the war. OK, I'm through with capsule bio and update...except to mention 4 grandkids: 8-yr old princess, 4 and a half-yr brother in Seattle and 4-year old twin boys down here in the Bay area.
Well, OK Jerry! Thanks for the complete update. You have been (and are) a busy man. Good going and enjoy your well-earned retirement! That's about it for now. Thanks for the cards and letters and emails. I'll do my best to keep you all "in the know". Sophie Theodore has volunteered to gather the "locals" this summer for some R&R. How 'bout it, Sophie? What, when, and where?
Older News Dear 1956 Central Classmates, There is some good news and some bad news to report since our reunion. First, the good news: Billie (Thomson) and Sammie McMillan, were recently pictured in the Commercial Appeal celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Honey (Lipman) Saltzman and hubby, Steve, also joined the slim ranks of those together for half a century. Charlie Askew married Sissy Jones shortly after our reunion weekend. And the very sad news: We have learned that six of our classmates have recently passed on:. Myrna Gold Drake and Cleveland Johnson both, came to the reunion knowing the seriousness of their respective illnesses. Unfortunately, Arthur Prince could not come to the reunion, but sent his best greetings. Their obituaries fare below. We extend our sympathy to each classmate’s family. We will remember them as good friends. I am sorry to now report that a fourth classmate also died this year – Barbara Hanna Raburn. James Cleveland Johnson James
Cleveland “Cleve” Johnson, 69, of Collierville,
died September 9, 2006. Mr. Johnson was a longtime member of First
Baptist Church in Collierville, a board member of the Ronnie Tullos
Evangelistic Association, and a member of Gideon’s International.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, D’Anne Johnson; one
daughter, Leigh Ann Paxson of Collierville; one son, Jimmy Johnson
of Collierville; two sisters, Rebecca Fitzmorris of Gambrills, Maryland
and Jane Adkins of Memphis; one brother, David Johnson of Little
Rock, AR; and six grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Brandon Johnson,
Reilly Johnson, Cooper Johnson, Alex Paxson, and Mackenzie Paxson
all of Collierville. Myrna
G. Drake, 67, of Memphis, died Friday, September 1, 2006
at her home. She was owner of East Memphis Electrolysis. She was
a lifelong Memphis resident, founder of the Memphis Chapter of PFLAG.
gifted performer, singer and artist. She was a wonderful mother,
grandmother and wife with a wonderful ability to listen and blessed
with a strong sense of humor. She is preceded in death by her sister,
Sondra Alabaster and survived by her husband, Dr. Arnold Drake of
Memphis; a son, Dr. Stanley David Drake of Washington, DC; a daughter,
Dr. Alison Drake Barrack of Atlanta, GA; two brothers, Samuel Brooks
Gold of West Palm Beach, FL, and Paul Gold of Wachung, NJ; two grandchildren,
Anna Rose and Benjamin Drake Barrack; and a host of extended family
and friends. Dr. Arthur H. Prince, died Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born August 30, 1938 to Phillip and Rebecca Prince. He attended Baron Hirsch Congregation, services were held at the Baron Hirsch cemetery on Sept. 4. Dr. Prince was a 1956 graduate of Central High School in Memphis and had a Bachelor of Arts degree (1970) from The University of Memphis. He had a Master of Arts in Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee (1987). In 1996, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Prince served as an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Sociology and taught medical ethics at the Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences in Memphis. He previously taught at Dyersburg State College where he was honored as an adjunct faculty member during the years 1998-2000. He also taught and was honored in 2002 at the Christian Brothers University. Previously Dr. Prince taught at the University of Memphis and also at the Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas. Dr. Prince had trained at the National Crisis Prevention Institute and counseled people in emotional distress during the late 1980s. He worked as a geriatric clinician at the northeast Mental Health Center, also in the 1980s. Dr. Prince was on the board of the University of Memphis Alumni Association. He had been honored by Ned R. McWherter on two occasions. As speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. McWherter bestowed upon Dr. Prince the Honorary Sergeant at Arms of the Tennessee House of Representatives for outstanding service to the state of Tennessee (8/5/77). On May 29, 1990, as governor of the state of Tennessee, Mr. McWherter bestowed upon Dr. Prince the Colonel Aide de Camp for his patriotism, valor and fidelity. Dr. Prince was included by the American Biographical Institute in the 1976-1977 community leaders and noteworthy Americans. Dr, Prince, who was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Rebecca Prince, is survived by his sister Ida Prince-Schechtman and her husband, Dr. Jay Schechtman; his two nieces, Malka T. Schechtman-Adelman and her husband Eric Adelman of New York City, Ilana S. Schechtman of New York City; a nephew, Phillip Schechtman and his wife, Jada; and a great-niece, Whitney Schechtman; and a great-nephew, Alex Schechtman. Dr. Prince was a dearly loved and caring son, brother, uncle, friend and teacher. Barbara Hanna Raburn Barbara Hanna Raburn, 68 of Memphis, passed away September 25, 2006 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis after a long illness. Barbara graduated from Central High School and attended Southwestern University. She was a beautiful pianist and was organist at Macon Road Presbyterian Church for 19 years, where she was a member. She was a current member at Advent Presbyterian Church. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Crawford and is survived by her husband of 49 years, Jerry Raburn; three daughters, Jenny Overbey Oswalt, Lori Wade and Jeri Weaver; six grandchildren, Sam Overbey, Zac Overbey, Neal Thompson, Emily Thompson, Kyle Wade, and Shelby Wade, all of Memphis. Mary Miller Arnold Kathie and Don Cavette Emailed us that Mary Miller Arnold died after a brief illness on November 28, 2006. Mary leaves one son, one daughter, and her husband of 48 years, Al Arnold. The members on the Central Class of 1956 send our sympathy to Al and his family. Helen Avergis Knight Ralph Gray and Anita Burns Spragg notified us, sadly, on the death of classmate, Helen Avergis Knight, as reported in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on 3/5/07: Helen Avergis Knight passed away March 3, 2007.Ms. Knight was preceded in death by her son, Robert Knight, and her parents, Andrew and Sophia Avgeris. She is
survived by one brother, John A. Avgeris of Memphis and two sisters,
Georgia Scarmoutsos of Germantown and Athena Fox of McKinney, TX. Also
take a look at our Class
Biographies which will contains biographies
that your classmates have shared with us. Class Notes will be continually updated as people share the latest events/activities in their lives. Please feel free to write a short message or email them to Billy Schaeffer, wwsgoat@aol.com . We would also like to receive your photographs, hear about your offspring (probably grandchildren) and what is going on in your life. Also , being realistic, please share the bad news with us, too. It's inevitable and is a source of concern and interest to all.
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