Update 3 on Kay Burford Murphy's Daughter Gayle

Kay reports that Gayle looks so much better today. She is very slow for now but will have the Occupational Therapist working with her in the near future. If all goes as expected she will be home Friday August 31st. Kay says she and the family are looking forward to that. Kay sends a special thanks to all the classmates for their continued support and prayers.

We thank you Kay for thinking positive with Gayle and for keeping us informed of her condition. She will continue to be in our prayers.

Update 2 on Kay Burford Murphy's Daughter Gayle

Gayle had open brain surgery on August 27th. The surgery lasted 6 plus hours due to the location of the tumor in Gayle’s brain. The surgeon found a Stage 3 Glio Blastoma tumor just to the rear of where the first tumor occurred 13 years ago. The first tumor was a stage 4 so they are thankful to have caught this one at an earlier stage. Gayle will have to undergo chemotherapy and perhaps more radiation. She is in ICU for the next 24 hours and will then be moved to a room for a couple of days. Hopefully she will come home later this week. Kay asked for all the prayers possible for Gayle. She licked this problem the first time and she knows she can do it again.

Thanks for the update Kay and please know our prayers are with Gayle, you and the family daily as well as our loving thoughts. May God Bless Always.

Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts reports he just returned from another fun motorcycle trip. During an 11 hour ride he was in 5 different states - TN, NC, SC, GA, and FL. It rained on him twice and was 107 degrees in GA and Knoxville, TN. The coolest place he found was in the Smoky Mountains. Even though it was a fun trip with lot of beautiful sights Bill said he sure was glad to get home where he could rest a little. Keep us posted on the next trip Bill as you are having all the fun.

Pat Arrington Lee

Pat Arrington Lee has provided her email address along with a note saying she is no longer one of our missing classmates. Thanks Pat. Glad to remove you from that list. Pat's email address will be added to our alumni records. Pat has also been provided a copy of the current Class Directory and info on how to get to our class website. Pat advised that her email address will be changing in about 2 weeks but until that happens you can email her by clicking on her surname in the Class List webpage. Welcome Aboard Pat.

Update 1 From Kay Burford Murphy

This is an update on Kay Burford Murphy's daughter Gayle . . .

Gayle will have open brain surgery on Tuesday, August 28th instead of a needle biopsy. This way the Doctor will make sure he is in the right part of the brain and that is the best way to do it. Gayle will be in ICU for 24 hours and then she should be able to go home. Please keep Gayle, Kay, and her entire family in your prayers for a successful surgery and a good result.

Prayer Request From Kay Burford Murphy

Kay Burford Murphy has sent a note requesting prayer for her daughter Gayle. Please keep Gayle, Kay, and her family in your prayers over this situation . . .

My daughter Gayle's MRI came back "iffy" this last week. She will have to have a needle biopsy done to see if the spot on the MRI is another tumor or is more radiation damage. She was supposed to have not lived more than 2 months when she first got cancer 13 years ago and beat the odds. We are hoping for the same this time. We meet with the surgeon on Monday at MD Anderson. I'll keep you posted.

Kaye Blankenship Dudley

Katie Blankenship Dudley has provided her email address. That info will be added to the class email list and Katie will be provided info on how to get to the class website. Katie's email address will appear in the updated Class Directory that will be issued on October 1, 2007. Until then you can email her by clicking on her surname in the Class List webpage. Welcome Aboard Katie.

Don and Shirley Baldwin Chandler

The latest word from Shirley Baldwin Chandler is that her husband and our classmate, Don Chandler, just had major neck surgery two weeks ago. The problem was steadily getting worse so the surgery was very much needed to help ease the pain. Don now seems to be on track for a complete recovery. Our prayers to Don and Shirley for Don's continued healing. We want you both out and about soon enjoying the beautiful Colorado countryside.

Carolyn Holliday Eichner

Carolyn Holliday Eichner provided an update on her Dad’s 85th birthday celebration. There were 16 family members who camped at the Cottage Grove Lake for the weekend. The weather was perfect but rather cool at night. Her Dad really enjoyed himself and it was a fun time for all. Everyone arrived safely back at their homes. One son had driven in from Denver, CO. The oldest daughter came in from Kennewick, WA, and another daughter came in from Portland, OR. Carolyn also has a daughter who lives close to her in Cottage Grove, OR. A happy family get together for Carolyn and her Father. Congratulations to Mr. Holliday for reaching the big number 85. May he have many more.

Carolyn Holliday Eichner

Carolyn Holliday Eichner reports that her granddaughter, Tawnee, who has been working in Africa, should be coming home soon. She was ask to stay permanently to manage a home for 14 children now and even more later. Carolyn is wanting her home. Carolyn sounds like a loving Grandmother with her granddaughter. Welcome home Tawnee to the USA.

Johnny Newberry

Johnny Newberry reports that he is a new Grandfather as of 3 am August 14, 2007. Johnny's daughter Beth Tracey and her husband Trey are the proud new parents of "Erin" who came in weighing 4 lbs 8 oz. and is healthy as she can be. Her little brother Parker (17 months old) is waiting for his new baby sister at home. According to Johnny this should be Beth's last baby as they have been blessed with a boy and girl now. Congratulations also Johnny for being able to hold that baby girl after she was only a few hours old and being able to count those 10 fingers and 10 toes. The class is very proud for Johnny, Beth and her family. May all go well for the new arrival.

Eugene and Carol Blake

Eugene Blake reports that his wife Carol is out of the hospital today after a weeks stay for a blood clot in her lungs. This clot may have been caused by the recent knee surgery she had. She is on medication now and seems to be doing better. Lets all remember Carol and Eugene at this time. Hang in there Eugene she will be up and at 'em very soon.

Donald and Sue Box Greene Email Address

Donald and Sue Box Greene have provided their email address. Their surnames on the website's Class List page will be linked to their new email address. That enables you to email them now by clicking on their surname. Their new email address will also be part of their address data when the Class Directory is updated on October 1, 2007.

Mini Reunion Attendees - updated 10/14/07

This is a list of classmates (not including spouses or guests) who have said they plan to attend the Mini Reunion in Shreveport on October 20, 2007. The list will be updated as new info comes in.

If you are in contact with a classmate who may not know about the reunion please invite them to attend.

If anyone has any questions, please email Pat Hayes Smay and/or Linda Terry by clicking on their name.

It's Going To Be A Fun Time For All!

1. Betty Molcany
2. Betty Sims
3. Bettye Bogue
4. Bill Cantrell
5. Bill Carpenter
6. Bill Jones
7. Bill Roberts
8. Bill Scott
9. Brenda Broome
10. Bruce Deville
11. Camilla Fulco
12. Carrol Hanson
13. Clark Smith
14. David Loper
15. Denice Schneider
16. Dewitt O'Donley
17. Dinah Netherton
18. Donald Greene
19. Donnie Carroll
20. Doug McDonald
21. Edward Mathes
22. Faye Hammons
23. Garland Ware
24. Gayle Teresa
25. Gloria DeSoto
26. Helen Lindsay
27. Hollis Thompson
28. Jack Klorik
29. Jack Odom
30. Jackie Jones
31. Janet Box
32. Jerry Cook
33. Jim Nallin
34. Jimmy Talley
35. Joe Festervan
36. Johnnie B. Ross
37. Johnny Newberry
38. Johnny Petty
39. Joyce Graves
40. Joylyn Smith
41. Judy Pace
42. Judy Ramsey
43. Judy Sewell
44. June Mullins
45. Katie Blankenship
46. Kay Kitchens
47. Larry King
48. L. C. Anderson
49. Linda Mason
50. Linda McDaniel
51. Linda Terry
52. Lynn Hall
53. Marvin Jones
54. Mary Ann Davis
55. Mary Butler
56. Orvalynn Wall
57. Pam Summerlin
58. Pat Hayes
59. Peggy Williamson
60. Robert Hudsmith
61. Rosita Medellin
62. Sharon McClain
63. Spate Anthony
64. Sue Box
65. Sue Judd
66. Sue Roark
67. Susan Whipple
68. Wanda Pool
69. Willis Dear
70. Wilma Beaird

Eugene Blake

Eugene Blake wanted to brag on his son, Jason, who is a private pilot. It seems Jason flew Bill Richardson to Moline, IL, and from there to Chicago, and then to Kansas. He was with Mr. Richardson for about a week. In case you don't know who Mr. Richardson is, he is the Governor of New Mexico who is running for President. Good for Jason!

Also an update on Carol, Eugene's wife who had her knee replaced last month. Carol is now walking with a cane and the two of them have been out and about for a few days recently. Keep up the good work Carol. You’ll be up and about very soon. Eugene is looking forward to retirement in February 2008. So hopefully it will come soon and he can enjoy fishing all the time.

Mini-Reunion Will Be October 20, 2007 - Updated 9/9/2007

The date for the Mini-Reunion has been set for October 20, 2007. It will start with a meal at 1:00pm at Jan's River Restaurant and then shift to the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza for an afternoon and evening of informal visiting and quality "face-time" with classmates. All '61 classmates and their spouses/guests are welcome.

Linda Terry and Pat Hayes Smay need a head count on how many will be eating at the restaurant. Please send an email to both these ladies letting them know if you'll be eating at the restaurant. Please do that asap.

Please pass the word to any classmates with whom you interact and invite them to attend. Your personal touch might be all it takes to give them the nudge they need to say yes.

August Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the Class of 1961 folks with August birthdays . . .

--Mary Carolyn Butler Dunn - August 4.
--Saundra Thomas – August 5.
--Linda Terry - August 6.
--Mary Ann Frizzell McCrary - August 22.

May these Leo’s have many more happy ones to come.

Death of Don Barker's Sister

Lester Anderson sent a note that Don Barker from the Class of ’62 recently lost his younger sister Patricia. Lester said Don had lots of friends in the Class of ’61. If you remember Don or his sister Patricia and want to leave a message in the Guest Book of the Times you can do so by clicking HERE. The Obituary and Guest Book are available via that link until August 19th.