Class of 1959
Name: Janice Foster Thurber email
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Jacksonville Fl
Date: Jun 02, 2010
Comments: I signed up on this site before July 2000.
Retired from Bellsouth December31 1995. Have four children and one deceased son,
5 grandaughters and 4 grandsons.
Been attending reunions since the 25th.reunion.
I was moving around all those other years..
Name: Shelby Honaker- moran email
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Prosperity, WV
Date: Dec 31, 2009
Comments: Hi everyone,
I attended WV.Tech.in Montgomery for 1 year, hated it, transfered to Beckley College, graduated with Medical Secretary degree, also associate degree in accounting/bookkeeping, then a degree in Social Work, I worked @ Pinecrest Hospital as a Social Worker for 5 years, worked @ Old Beckley Hospital, had 3 children, returned to Mountain State U. then worked @ Plateau Med. Ctr. I lost my firt child in 1991, returned to college, and back to Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital working the Intentisive/Critical care dept. then my youngest son died @ age 24yrs & 24days old, this completely changed my life, now I have only one child and one beautiful grandchild, my husband died, so I moved from a 15 room home @ Flat Top Lake area back to Prosperity, rejoined my home church. My son and grandson lives with me, also I retired finally to help take care of "the Light of my Heart" He has made my life shine & literally helped me to make a new life and open my heart to heal and love life!
again, laugh and be happy he is now 3 years old, you grandparents know what I'm talking about. I love being retired, esp. driving too & from work, but Oh how I loved my work.
Name: Kelli Ling
Class of: 1959 or 1960
Now living in:
Date: Sep 05, 2009
Comments: Please disregard my earlier posts on my mother, Stella Faye Moles. I recently found she had attended Hillsville High School, in Virginia (not West Virginia, as I had previously thought). Thanks so much for reading my prior entries ~ good luck in all of your reunion attempts!
Name: Ron Barker email
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Angeles City, Philippines
Date: Jul 29, 2009
Comments: Finally retired and will be attending the class of '59 50th reunion
in Sept. Really looking forward to the reunion!
Name: Mary Haldane Johnson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Manassas, Va. 20110
Date: Jul 24, 2009
Comments: Looking forward to our 50th reunion!! Doesn't seem possible. I retired and enjoy traveling and playing bridge. Would love to hear from classmates and friends. [email address corrected]
Name: Fran Duran Klaus
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley USA!
Date: Feb 19, 2009
Comments: Working diligently to make our 50th Reunion really memorable! Mark
your calendars and plan on attending this fun-filled weekend on Sepember
11-12-13, 2009 in Beckley! Our information packs should be in the mail by mid
March...if you haven't received yours by the end of March, call, write, e-mail,
text, or send a smoke signal!
See you in September!
Name: Connie Curtis Snuffer
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Daniels, Wv
Date: Feb 17, 2009
Comments: I was very happy retired from public libraries in 2006, living in
Winston-Salem, NC near my brother Steve and his wife Elizabeth and my son Mike
and his wife Ruth. I was blessed that in the Spring of 2007 an old high school
boyfriend came back into my life. Eddie Snuffer and I married in the Summer of
2007 and went to Ireland for our honeymoon. We are currently building a home in
Daniels at Glade Springs.
Name: John Douglas Beukema, sr
Class of: 1959
Now living in: South Colby, Wa
Date: Feb 12, 2009
Comments: Still working for King County Metro. Four out of five children
nearby. Ages 44 to 21. Four Boys and one girl. Two grand daughters nearby.
Name: Norma (Pack) Duncan
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Fairfax, VA
Date: Feb 9, 2009
Comments: I am widowed since 1999. Still working for Fairfax County in their
Planning Commission office. Still living in the house I've been in for about 27
years. Two children are grown and gone.
Name: Ann Underwood Mills
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, WV
Date: Feb 8, 2009
Comments: The Class of 1959 is planning their 50th reunion Sept 11th and 12th.
If you haven't received a postcard, we're looking for you. Send name and address
to Ann Underwood Mills, 914 Old Eccles Rd, Beckley, WV 25801 or Email to
aa.mills@hotmail.com. Let's make this the biggest reunion ever. Ann
Name: Wilma Garten Calhoun
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Hephzibah Georgia
Date: Jan 23, 2009
Comments: I married my high school sweetheart, Harold Calhoun, on May 10, 2008.
He works for the Federal Government and will be retiring soon, at which time we
will be moving to our new home in Berea, Kentucky. It is sweeter the second
time around.
Name: Phyllis Wilson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Rocky Mount, NC
Date: Nov 6, 2008
Comments: Living in Rocky Mount but not for long. Starting Dec. 1 with a school psychology position with Norfolk Public Schools. My son and his wife because of health reasons are both retired and have joined me. I am not retired and not too awfully tired yet. Feel like the energizer bunny and keep chugging along...Boom, Boom, Boom. Not quite sure yet where we will be living. Renting out my home here and so will rent there. So, any one in that area who can help us learn the lay of the land please call. Probably Norfolk or Virginia Beach since one of my schools is on NAS base and other school is down town. Cell= 252-903-7656.
Name: Richard "Skip" Hawley
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Deland, Fl
Date: Aug 14, 2008
Comments: I've been a Florida resident for 30 years and didn't have to move when I retired. I have three daughters and three grandchildren, all girls. I haven't spent much time in Beckley since I went into service. Would love to hear from old friends.
Name: Barbara Hatcher
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, WV
Date: May 16, 2008
Comments: Life is great and getting better. Would love to hear from friends who attended Hollywood Elementary and WWHS. Our 50th will be here soon--God willing.
Name: Larry Ritchie
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Fort Mill, SC
Date: May 4, 2008
Comments: I'm married and have a grown son and 2 grand daughters. We visit WV as often as possible.
Name: Sandra Kendall
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Baltimore Maryland
Date: Jan 6, 2008
Comments: Change of e-mail address.
Thank you
Name: Dennis R. Toney
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Prosperity, West Virginia 25909
Date: Jan 2, 2008
Comments: Hello all classmates;
Well its been a long time since High School, but here goes.
Presently retired Welding Engineer and Nuclear Qualified.
My work took me all over the world of which I never would have believe would
have happened.
I have been blessed with two children one girl and a boy of which one holds a
Phd in Phara. Kenetics the developement of meds. and my son has his own law
practice in Charleston, South Carolina. I feel so blessed.
I now live in Prosperity, West Virgina and just love it. I now can attend all of
the Golden Eagles Reunions and just drive all over those ole mountains and see
so much that I missed of my early years.I purchased my Mothers and Fathers old
homeplace and built a new home for myself and someone very special to me. If you
are in the area plese contact me as it would be nice to see all those past
friends again.
My e-mail drtoney2006@yahoo.com
Name: eddie meador
Class of: 1959
Now living in: charleston, wv
Date: Dec 15, 2007
Comments:
Name: Martha (Waddell) Butts
Class of: 1959 (summer school)
Now living in: Myersville, MD
Date: Oct 2, 2007
Comments: Hello, I left Beckley in August 1959. I met my husband Robert Butts in 1960, we married in 1962. We have two daughters, Susan and Lynda and two grandchildren. We are both retired. I worked for my husband for 17 years in his plumbing business in Olney,MD. My husband sold and semi-retired from the business in 1984 and we moved to our farm in Myersville, MD. When we moved to Myersville, I went to work at National Geographic, and then MAMSI. I quit MAMSI in 2001. We collect antiques, and do quite a bit of traveling looking and buying. My Mother still lives in Beckley as does my sister Sandra. If anyone out there knows the whereabouts of Kathryn DiCiuccio, Please let me know. We were best pals from the 2nd grade until I left for DC in August after getting my diploma thru summer school. Thanks
Name: Phyllis Wilson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Rocky Mount, NC
Date: Aug 23, 2007
Comments: This summer's travels took me to some awesome places. I went on a tour built around the 29th Colloquium of the International School Psychology Association in Tampere, Finland with 21 other American delegates to the conference. We started in Copenhagen and then went to the 3 Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Then to St. Petersburg, Russia for 3 days. Then Helsinki and then to Tampere. The tour ended with 3 days in Oslo and 3 in Stockholm and then home after 21 days of seeing just as much as we could. Wonderful trip. The weather was temperate there and since coming home it is like a blast furnace and on really humid days a Turkish steam bath. Rocky Mount is on I 95 so if you are passing by stop and have a cup of coffee or preferably sweetea (one word).
Name: Mike Russell
Class of: 1959--SSHS
Now living in: Beaver, W.Va.
Date: Aug 3, 2007
Comments: Even though I never graduated from woodrow, I lived in Beckley for many years and most of my friends and associates were from Beckley. I attended BJHS and have always been a strong Eagle supporter. I graduated from Shady, Beckley college, Central Missouri University and graduate studies at Marshall. I taught for many years until some health problems occured. Thank you Mike
Name: Larry Ritchie
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Fort Mill, South Carolina
Date: Jul 21, 2007
Comments:
Name: Barbara Hatcher
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Crab Orchard, WV
Date: Jun 20, 2007
Comments: I've lost contact with so many of you. If anyone wants to chat, we can exchange e-mails. I've searched for some of you for years and would love to hear from you.
Name: Judy & David Scites
Class of: 59 & 60
Now living in: Powhatan
Date: Jun 16, 2007
Comments:
Name: Wilma Garten McKinney
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Roanoke Va
Date: Feb 9, 2007
Comments: I moved to Roanoke, Virginia when I married Howard A. McKinney II in 1965. He retired from Norfolk Southern Corp in 1995
after 30 years of service as manager of Freight Claims/Auto Division. He passed away on May 13, 2005. He was the love of my life and
I miss him very much. I worked for Lewis Gale Clinic/Valley View for 17 years as an Office Manager. Because of his RR Retirement I had to retire
in September 2005. We have two children, Howard, III who works for Carter Machinery in Salem Va and Rebecca, who is Administrative Asst
for the Vice President at National College in Salem. They have provided us with four wonderful grandsons who I adore. I still play the piano
at church and spend as much time with my children and grandchildren as I can. They have been a rock for me since their dad passed away. I've never
been to any of the reunions, but would love to hear from any of my friends from high school. I love reading the web page.
Name: Fairley and Elsie (Wilson) Calhoun
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Bethel, Ohio
Date: Jan 9, 2007
Comments: The Calhoun family is doing alright. Elsie is trying to locate some old friends. If you know where, Martha Adams, Joyce Brya
Name: Scotty Bennett
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Orlando, Fl.
Date: Dec 13, 2006
Comments: I had a good time at the 2004 reunion even thou I didn't
remember anyone. Want to Wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2007.
Name: Maydean Garten Howington
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Warren, Michigan
Date: Oct 1, 2006
Comments: I have lived in Michigan since 1963. I have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. I work for the USPS
as a letter carrier. If you remember me and would like to establish contact, e-mail me.
Name: Connie Curtis
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Winston-Salem, NC
Date: Sep 18, 2006
Comments: Retired Librarian
Name: Kelli J. Ling (daughter of Stella Moles)
Class of: 1959
Now living in:
Date: Feb 22, 2006
Comments: Does anyone at WWHS remember my mother, Stella Moles, who (I think) graduated from
there around 1959 or 1960? She was part of the group who were recruited later by the U.S. government
to work in an agency in Washington, DC. in the early '60s. Her maiden name was Moles, and she also had a
brother (whose name I'm not sure of). Many thanks for your time & help!
Kelli J. Ling (married name)
M.A., Northwestern University
Name: David E. Thomas
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Lynchburg, Virginia
Date: Feb 17, 2006
Comments: Joined the Army after graduation. Spent six years in the Army and four in the Air Force.
I went to work for AT&T in 1970 and spent 34 years with the company. I retired in February of 2004 with 34 years of service.
I have been married to Remona May Smith of Pax, West Virginia for 39 years. We have one son, David and one grandson, Wesley.
Name: Paul Cox
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Medina, OH
Date: Jan 13, 2006
Comments:
Name: Maydean Garten Howington
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Warren, Michigan
Date: Dec 27, 2005
Comments:
Name: Phyllis Wilson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Rocky Mount, NC
Date: Dec 21, 2005
Comments: Just an update on events in my life. 2005 has been an international year. In July I went to Athens for a meeting of the International School Psychology Assoc. Then in August, I went to South Africa for two weeks as an Ambassador in School Psychology for the People to People Program. Tomorrow, Dec. 22 I head to Portugal, Spain and Morocco and this is strictly pleasure and not professional. My son and his family moved to Houston in 2004 and I go there a couple of times a year, too. Still self-employed consulting with 4 school systems and I still teach part time for North Carolina Wesleyan College. Life is good with my companion, Gabby, an English bull dog and significant other, Jerry, who lives in Washington State and winters in AZ and Mex. Merry Christmas to every one and may 2006 be a good year for all.
Name: Nancy Kessinger Anderson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley WV 25801
Date: Dec 19, 2005
Comments: Just a note to let my classmates know that my precious daughter Michelle died last August 30th, 2005. She fought breast cancer for 3 years. She was very strong and wanted so much to live for her little girls. I know she is with the Lord now and is not suffering anymore. She was 31 and graduated from WWHS 1992. Her father (Bruce Anderson class 1956) and I will forever had a very large void in our lives. [Michelle's obituary and picture are here.]
Name: Fritz Newsom
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Washington, NC
Date: Dec 17, 2005
Comments: Change of email address effective September 2005:
fnewsom@cox.net
Name: Thomas Earl Riner ( Tom )
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Glen Morgan, wv
Date: Monday, March 14, 2005
Comments: Retired from Lewis Chevrolet. Still love sports cars and have a 1977 MG that I am restoring. Have
built a Formula Vee for myself and rebuilt a Fromula Vee for a past MSU Professor who now lives in Tenn.
I am now a housekeeper with Dove chapped hands and Hoover callouses.
Wish everyone the best.
Name: David Scites
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Powhatan, Virginia
Date: Thursday, February 24, 2005
Comments: Retired from state gov in 1995, still work. Married Judy Treadway, Judy &
I had no children together.
Name: Teddy Riffe
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Richmond, Va.
Date: Thursday, February 03, 2005
Comments: Retired as an Electrical Contractor, Now fishing a lot.
Name: MACK
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Midlothian Virginia
Date: Thursday, January 13, 2005
Comments: I am Mack's sister, Sherian , and Sizzer@figard.com is my email address that you were given
to send his emails to him since he didn't have the internet. He now has the internet and you may send him
the news at his above address. I would like to personally request that you continue to send news
to me also. We left WV when I was in grade 8. I would have graduated from Woodrow Wilson with my friends if
we had not moved. I have really enjoyed getting the news, updates, mailings from Eugene Harvey etc. I know Mack
will appreciate receiving the information at the above address.
To sum it up...please send info to Mack at above address and to me at Sizzer@figard.com. Thanks.
Mack's Sister,
Sherian "Cooper" Figard
Name: Marsha Milam Shannon
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Centreville, MD.
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2004
Comments: New email address....looking forward to the 45th reunion in October.
Centreville is 45 minutes from Annapolis and 90 minutes from Ocean City..
Bill ('57) and I have 2 sons, 1 grandson and another grandchild arriving in August.
Name: Eddie J. Meador
Class of: 1959?
Now living in: Charleston. WV
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Comments: 2-bits/4-bits/6-bits/a dollar-all for Beckley stand up an
hollow'. Back in 57/58 I tried to led cheers for the
Flying Eagles.
I moved away my senior year to Indiana but I am still a
true Beckley Flying Eagle. I would have graduated in 1959.
By the way we had all male cheerleaders in 1957 and in
1958 it was split/4-girls & 4-boys.
Name: Darrel Israel
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Atlanta, GA
Date: Sunday, May 02, 2004
Comments:
Name: Loretta King - Teberg
Class of: Class of 1959
Now living in: Beckley, West Virginia
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2004
Comments: Jeff,
I enjoyed reading your alumni page. Please add me to your list of graduates from WWHS for class of 1959.
Thanks,
Loretta King - Teberg
[Loretta, you are added. She indicated that she has no email address at this time. -- Jeff Miller]
Name: Fritz Newsom
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Washington, NC
Date: Thursday, March 25, 2004
Comments: Hello Class of 1959. It's great to see all the familiar names again
after 45 years. I look forward to seeing you at either the Alumni Reunion in June or the 1959
Reunion in October. I settled in Washington, NC in 1979 following a 20 year career in the AF and
have retired again in 2002 from a local HUD Funded Program. My wife, Phyllis, is from Colonial
Heights, Va. We have a daughter and two grandchildren who also reside in Washington, NC. I would
enjoy e-mail from anyone who remembers me and wishes to make contact.
Best wishes to all,
Fritz Newsom
Name: Scotty Bennett
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Orlando, Florida
Date: Monday, March 01, 2004
Comments: Residing in Orlando/Melbourne area for the past 40+ years.
I didn't graduate with all the rest in May of 1959; however, was awarded a diploma in July of that year. Am retired
from the US Army as well as Washington Group Industries Inc. Have no children but have a wife of 40+ years.
Name: Bea McKinney Taylor & Wayne Taylor
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Fayetteville, NC
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Comments:
Name: Saundra Morgan Carte
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Jupiter, Florida
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Comments: Saundra Morgan, class of 1959.
Address is:
6701 Mallards Cove Road
#2A
Jupiter, FL 33458
Home phone #: 561-746-0527
Cell phone #: 561-762-4011
Name: Ruby (Lester) Bowling
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2004
Comments: Hello Class of '59. I was looking for reunion pictures and thought I would drop a line. I am
currently working at JC Penney in the houseware dept. Stop and see me sometime.
Name: Richard Hash
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, West Virginia
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Comments: Hello to everyone in the Class of 59'. Alot of the names I see on here I do reconize from meeting
you in the years past...Johnny & Trina, Cathy Fourney,
Duke and many others! Sorry..I forgot to tell you know I am. Tracey Hash Shumate. Richard is my dad....and what
a terrific guy he is!!! (just ask his granddaughters too!). Anyway mom and dad aren't into the computer
thing so I thought I would submit this for him.
He is doing great and keeping busy like always.
He still has AC Electric here in Beckley and works everyday...once in awhile we get him to take
the afternoon off and play alittle golf in the summer.
He and my mom Jane have been married for 44 years now and are both doing well. He has 2 beautiful
granddaughters he is VERY proud of. Kathy graduated from WWHS in 1999 and will be graduating from Marshall
this May with her teaching degree and will be moving to Chicago in June with her boyfriend of 7 years
(looks like a wedding next summer). Kerri,17 will graduate from WWHS this year and plans to go into nursing in the fall.
As you see we all keep dad busy. I know you all are planning for you reunion this year and hope you
have fun!!! If you would like to contact dad, you can send the email to me and I will make sure he gets it!!
Name: Allen Marshall Houchins
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Bellevue, WA
Date: Sunday, February 08, 2004
Comments:
Name: John and Trina (Cipolat) Banco
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Bluefield, WV
Date: Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Comments: Hello all!
John and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in November ’03. John is retired and I will retire in 18 months
after 43 years of nursing. We still live in Bluefield but just for a little longer. John and I are going to move to
the Pittsburgh, PA area. Our oldest son Steve and his wife Wendy live in Washington, PA. Of course the main reason
for the relocation is that our 2 grandson’s (Trey 6 and Jax 2) are there and we are expecting a new arrival in May ’04. We
are very excited! Our younger son Mark lives in New York City and flies to Pittsburgh often to see his nephews. So one day, we
decided that it would be easier to see our children more often if we lived closer. Who knew that in our 60's we would come
to such a conclusion!
Looking forward to seeing each of you.
Name: Ron Barker
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Angeles City, Philippines
Date: Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Comments: Would loveto hear from anyone from class of '59 or '60. I retired from the U.S. Air Force
and am currently Chief of Security at the Philippine International Hospital here in Angeles City, Philippines.
Class of '59 Alumni page is great! Keep it up. Take care. Ron.
Name: Nancy (Kessinger) Anderson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, WV 25801
Date: Monday, February 02, 2004
Comments: I am still living in Beckley. Married to Bruce Anderson (1956 class),
we have one girl who is a nurse and one graddaughter who is 4 and a baby doll. I have retired from
Bell Atlantic with 36 years service..We have a farm out in the Grandview area and hope to move there
soon. Would love to hear from classmates of any year..Be safe
Nancy (Kessinger) Anderson
Name: Sandra (Potts) Kendall
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Baltimore Maryland
Date: Monday, February 02, 2004
Comments: Hi, graduates of 1959. My name is Sandra Potts, I have been living in Baltimore Maryland, since
1960, I have been married for 42 years, I have a great husband, life, and two Westie dogs, and one Scottie. I have
no children. I retired five years ago, I worked for a insurance company designing
telephone systems for twenty four branch offices. It has been so great reading about classmates. I really would
love to hear from my old class mates.
Name: Russ King
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Murfreesboro, TN
Date: Monday, February 02, 2004
Comments: Married to Marcia Persinger (59) King
Name: Marita (Rita) Ballard Dorr
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Colonial Heights, Va 23834
Date: Friday, January 09, 2004
Comments: Hello everyone, my husband and I moved back from Florida in November 2001 to be close to our 2
daughters and their families. We have 5 grandchildren and we did not want to miss any of their childhood. I am retired from AT&T.
While we lived in Florida I went into the real estate field and liked it so much that I opened my own real estate
company. I have been selling real estate for over 11 years. Of course I had to sell the company before moving back to
Virginia. Now I am with Napier REALTORS ERA, which is an international real estate company, in Colonial Heights, VA. Well
that is a little bit about me. I wish everyone the very best life can offer. Remember, each day is a new day, forget the
past and rejoice in the future. GOD bless you.
Name: Nancy Walker Cueto
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Hines (Greenbrier) WV
Date: Monday, December 15, 2003
Comments: I have two wonderful sons from a former marriage. Tony and I met and remarried nine years ago. I retired
from teaching special ed this year. Enjoying retirement I think.
Name: Deana "Jean Brewster" McDaniel
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Washington, DC 20003
Date: Friday, November 14, 2003
Comments: Dale and I have been married since 1970, and we are both retired from the Federal Government. After retirement
in 1997, I worked for Local 99 Operating Engineers (Commercial Facilities Contract at the HUD Bldg.); and I have now retired
permanently. Dale and I do not have any children. I love the Lord and continue to work in the ministries of Luther Place Church
at Thomas Circle by providing food to shut-ins and visitation. I have a rare form of cancer (small-cell carcinoma in the left
ethmoid sinus area) and am currently on my second round of chemotherapy. I know the Lord has healed me, though, and I'm doing
my part. I look forward to the 45th reunion in 2004, God willing, and would like to hear from anyone who remembers me. Thanks
to all for the wonderful memories! Jean
Name: Harmon Lushbaugh
Class of: 1959
Now living in: High Point, NC
Date: Friday, September 05, 2003
Comments: Married Lou Ann Bragg (class of 60) and we have been in High Point 29 years. Two sons,
Greg and Devin, and just became grandparents for the first time....little girl named Zoe. New job of
being granddad and grandma is fantastic! Retired at 55 from Hewlett Packard.....we love to travel and spend time at our boat in Oriental, NC.
Name: SHERIAN COOPER FIGARD
Class of: 1964/1959
Now living in: CHESTER, VIRGINIA
Date: Friday, July 04, 2003
Comments: I AM DOING THIS FOR MY BROTHER, MACK COOPER,
CLASS OF 59, SINCE HE HAS NO EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE PRESENT TIME. IF YOU SEND YOUR EMAILS TO ME I
WILL SEE THAT HE GETS THEM. HE COMES HERE ALMOST EVERY WEEK AND WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO YOUR EMAILS. HE WOULD
LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY OF THE CLASSMATES. HE ATTENDED THE LAST "CLASS OF 59" REUNION AND IS ANXIOUSLY
AWAITING THE ONE IN 2004. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
Name: Norma Thompson Luther
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Wilmington, NC
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2003
Comments: Greetings to all! I left Beckley after graduation to work for the "telephone
company" in DC. I am now retired but working from home as a consultant for Verizon. I am actually
enjoying it and plan to keep it up for a few more months. My husband Jim (from Elizabethton, TN)
and I were married in 1997 and we moved to Wilmington, NC in 2002 when he retired from the Associated
Press. He has 2 children and 2 adorable grandsons. My daughter, Christy Adams Demory, is an attorney
here in Wilmington. My son, Russ Adams, works as an air traffic controller at Dulles Intl Airport in
Virgina. He has 3 beautiful, talented and sweet daughters. My oldest son, Glen Adams, graduated from West
Point in 1984, but died in a helicopter crash in 1988. He was truly a wonderful young man and he is greatly
missed. My children are my greatest accomplishments. I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit; Europe,
Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil and Moscow were the highlights. I lived in Rome,
Italy for 3 years and fell in love with the country and people. I could easily retire there if I could take
the family :-) Hope to see you in June.
Name: Darrel Israel
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2003
Comments: Hello to all 1959 grads. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. I married
Jean Daugherty of Welch HS (class of 1960). We have one son and one grandson. Married to my lovely wife
for 41 years. After four years in the USAF, I worked for Equifax for 28 years and retired early in 1992. I
formed VeriData Services Background screening service nine years ago. We have lived in the Atlanta area since 1978.
Name: Wanda J. Rose Bean
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Durham, N.C.
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2003
Comments: Sounds like a great plan for the reunion in June: I can hardly wait!
I graduated from Philadelphia Genereal Hospital School of Nursing (1963) and University of Oregon
Health Sciences School of Nursing (1981). I am currently employed with Duke University Medical Center,
Dept of Endocrinology, as a Diabetes Clinical Trials Coordinator. We are living in exciting times, research-wise.
I am married to Ron Bean, a Physician Assistant, grad of Duke (1971)
who retired from Kaiser Permanente (Internal Medicine) with 28 years of service in 2000, and he has worked with
Raleigh Dermatology Associates the past 3 years. We have five children (merged families in 1979);
2 boys in Tn/Va and 1 daughter and 2 sons living in Washington state. We moved to NC 10 years ago so we could be
within reach of family for a while, we thought. Now it looks like we may retire on the East coast. I, too, have
done a bit of genealogy and the Thompsons, Lillys, Hedricks, etc are all my kin. Sorry I missed the Lilly reunion
last year with all the dignitaries there... I'd love to hear from anyone.
Name: norma luther
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Wilmington, NC
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Comments: I would like to update my email address. We moved to Wilmington in July 2002. Would
like to hear more about the reunion.
Name: Judy Frazier VanVechten
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Roanoke, VA
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Comments: Hello all you from the class of 1959. I would love to hear from anyone
that is interested. My e-mail is vanvechten745@cs.com.
Name: John Douglas Beukema
Class of: 1959
Now living in: South Colby, WA
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2002
Comments: Lost track of class web page Gene had. Stumbled across this site.
Would love to hear from classmates. Live on 10 acres across the sound from Seattle. Can
see the city but don't have to put up with the noise. Any plans for a reunion?
Name: Carole Foster Gravely
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, WV
Date: Sunday, October 13, 2002
Comments: Hi Everyone,
It was so nice to read the messages from former classmates. A lot of
them I knew or had heard of them. I am an Associate Broker for Century
21 First Choice. I have been selling Real Estate in Beckley for 25 years.
I love it and do not plan on retiring yet. I married Bob Gravely from Mabscott.
We have one son and two grandaughters. I have
been fortunate to live here in Beckley. I look forward to hearing from you.
Carole Foster Gravely
Name: Phyllis Wilson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: RockyMount NC
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2002
Comments: Picture 130 in Gallery 9 of Mrs. Edward's kindergarten is familiar to me. I went there
ages 3, 4. and 5 and an next to Colette Minter. I believe the little girl on the other side is Patti Paige
Porterfield.
Phyllis Wilson
Name: Billy Joe Huffman
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Forest, VA
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Comments: Phyl and I have a new email address, huffmanbill@msn.com OR bphuffman@yahoo.com.
Would love to hear from any classmates out there. I graduated in 1959 and married Phyllis Kathleen
Oliver in 1959, joined the AirForce that year too. Phyl and I have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and
attend North Bedford Baptist Church where I am a deacon. Phyl graduated in 1960. God bless, Bill
Name: Linda Kessel (Meckfessel) Koenig
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Chesterfield (St. Louis), MO
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2002
Comments: Great website (Thanks for the heads-up, Phyllis)! Sure enjoyed visiting with folks
at the 1999 Pipestem reunion. Look forward to the next one. Thanks again to all of you who make the
reunions happen...and happen so well. I'm loving running my tour company (out on tour 140 days a
year), doing a weekly radio show for the Missouri Botanical Garden, lots of other involvements, and
especially bicycling, hiking and conversing with my fairly-new hubby, Jerry!
Name: Judy Frazier VanVechten
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Roanoke, Virginia
Date: Wednesday, March 06, 2002
Comments: Married Joseph VanVechten, have three children and one grand daughter.
Retired in 2001 from Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., in Cleveland, Ohio as Section Manager
of Credit/Collections for U.S. Operations. Moved to Roanoke, VA January 2002. I have not
kept in touch with high school friends, but would love to hear from anyone interested.
Name: TEDDY R. COOPER
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Springboro, Ohio
Date: Saturday, February 09, 2002
Comments: Just stumbled across this site while thinking of old times.
Graduated in 1959. Went to US Army for three years. Retired from Ameritech
(formerly Ohio Bell Telephone) in 1994 then on to MCI for
four more years of torchure the for the past three and a half years
with Time Warner Telecom, Cincinnati, Ohio. Married for 42 years to
Rosemary Mann Cooper, Class of 1960. We have four grown children
and four grandsons. Would love to hear from any who may remember
me.
Name: Larry E. Smith
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Falling Waters, WV
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2002
Comments: Served 30+ years in United States Marine Corps. BA degree in History. MS in
Information Systems. Married to Paulette Mason in 1963. She is still the love of my life and
the wind beneath my wings. Have two wonderful sons - Larry II and Christopher. Larry II is
currently a Marine pilot and Christopher is an accountant. Have two beautiful grand children,
one boy and one girl. After USMC worked for Logicon/Northrop Grumman in various capacities.
Finished in June of 2001 as the Program Manager for the USMC C4ISR Support Services contract.
Moved from Stafford, VA to Falling Waters, WV in 2001.
Name: Phyllis Wilson
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Rocky Mount, NC
Date: Monday, December 17, 2001
Comments: Left Beckley area in 1980 and came to Rocky Mount with
son Philip now Gen. Mgr. of Business Markets operations for Sprint in Fayetteville, NC.
One grand daughter Kaitlin, now 8 years old. Been educated in a lot of places: WVU,
U of Fla, U of Va., Radford U, U of GA, and Texas A&M. Currently teach psychology
for nearby college and work as consultant to school systems. Don't see retirement in
my future but love what I do...so glad that I can. Split time in high school between
Beckley and Tucson. Graduated WWHS but both places are on the agenda for 45th reunions.
Have yet to attend a reunion at either place. Have spent a lot of time over years looking
for Barbara Burton WWHS '59 last known to be in Las Vegas. If anyone is in touch with her
let her know that I would like to catch up on all these years.
Name: Phyllis Fitzwater Marshall
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley WVA
Date: Monday, October 22, 2001
Comments:
Name: Roma Charlotte Cline
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Seattle, WA
Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Comments: The best year to have graduated from high school was 1959. "Grease" proved that.
Since I graduated Woodrow Wilson, I left Beckley to travel as well as live in a variety of places.
West Virginia, Kentucky, California, Egypt, Pennsylvania, Indiana, now Washington; I've enjoyed getting to know the people and cultures.
I'm retired now, living with my son. Sometimes I volunteer at community centers or work part-time. Most of my work
experience was as a welfare supervisor in San Diego.
Completing crossword puzzles, assembling jigsaw puzzles, and reading have become my favorite pastimes.
A few years ago, I was in Beckley to attend the first annual reunion of Hollywood Grade School in MacArthur.
That was a wonderful experience, and I thank all the classmates who organized the event and provided food and hospitality.
Among other activities, I've recently become interested in genealogy. I found second cousins in Charleston.
My family has oral traditions about intermarriage into the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina, and about descent
from a German immigrant from the Rhine Valley. Anyone interested in genealogy can find dead relatives, IF THEY HAD
SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS, in the Social Security Death Index, which can be accessed from most genealogy web sites; such as,
rootsweb.com. Once one has a social security number and birth date from the Index, one can purchase a copy of your ancestor's
application for a social security card. That application contains valuable information; for example, names of parents and places
of birth. All of this takes patience, but is incredibly exciting.
The tragedy of the September 11 attacks saddens me. I follow the news, participate in chat forums on the Internet to share
feelings and frustrations about the terrorist accts against this country.
I'd enjoy receiving e-mail from those of you who remember me. Please remind me what classes or clubs or other
activities we shared. I might need my memory jogged.
May the Force be with you.
Name: Dorothy Wilson Cash [email address submitted was teeety bird 117 @ msn.com which is invalid because it has spaces]
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Madison Heights, Va.
Date: Friday, August 24, 2001
Comments: Hello all graduates of the old Woodrow Wilson High School. I was webb searching
one day and happened to come up on classmates.com.
I now live in Virginia (1964), and have been here ever since. I was married to James Hatcher,
who still lives at Mabscott, Wva. I now have a wonderful husband, two handsome
stepchildren, and 3 hancsome grandchildren . I retired from General Electric, but, I am presently working for SCI.
Name: joyce kidwell-maxey
Class of: 1959
Now living in: melbourne fl 32935
Date: Sunday, June 17, 2001
Comments: i moved to melbourne in 1960, i married ray maxey class of
57. we have been married 42 years. we have two beatiful
daughters and 3 grandchildren and all are doing well. one
daughter lives in melbourne and one lives in orlando. i
feel so lucky to live in the sunshine state, we still love
to go back to beckley !
Name: Ray Wood
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Albuquerque, NM
Date: March 13, 2001
Comments: Still a mountaineer at heart even though i'm a desert rat now. Married
to Sheila Phillips (WWHS '62) from 1963 thru 1990. Have a son Trae (Ray Wood III) and a
two-year old grandson (Ray Wood IV) and a three-year old granddaughter (Shelby)
who live in Santa Fe. Remarried to Linda (from Mo.) for the last ten years and she has two
beautiful daughters and two granddaughters and one grandson. I'm still lost in the fifties
and still play with cars (50's and 60's vintage). Give me a call if your cruiseing thru
on the southwest on I-40 or I-25 at (505) 856-1371.
Name: Pat (Meadows) Holman
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Marion, Ohio
Date: March 6, 2001
Comments: My husband, Larry, and I have lived in Marion, Ohio since 1964 when he
graduated from WVA Tech. We have three children, Eric, Andrea, and Matt. Andrea gave us two
beautiful granddaughters, Eric (so Far) has only given us a golden retriever,
and Matt isn't married yet. Larry is a high school principal at Olentangy High School in
Columbus, Ohio. Our mothers both still live in Parkersburg and Beckley. We get home to
visit several times a year and have a cabin in Hinton, overlooking the
Bluestone Dam. It is great to hear from classmates and friends. Our 40th reunion in 1999
was terrific!
Name: jerry wayne bennington
Class of: 1959
Now living in: edgewater, florida
Date: Feb. 13, 2001
Comments: hi, i graduated in 1959, joined the u.s air force, and spent twenty
years touring the globe, retired in 1979, and went to work at kennedy
space center, as an communications technician, where i have been for
the last twenty two years. ray pittman who graduated in 1957, sent me
the web page. so hello everyone.
Name: Phyllis Ann Fitzwater Marshall
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley
Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Comments:
Name: Judith A. Frazier VanVechten
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Strongsville, Ohio
Date: Jan. 8, 2001
Comments: My sister, Carolyn Sue Leach, just told me about
this. I think it's great. I am married to Joseph, have 3 children
(two from his previous marriage) and just bought a house in Roanoke,
VA We will be selling our home in Ohio in May and moving to VA by
February of 2002. I did not go to the reunion held at Pipestem.
Would love to hear from some of you that graduated in 1959. Judy
Name: Billy Joe Huffman (new email)
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Forest, VA
Date: Jan. 6, 2001
Comments: Have a new email address now and anxious to hear
from all of my "old friends." Lets stay in touch. I married Phyllis
Kathleen Oliver Huffman, class of 1960, in 1959. Have been married 41
wonderful years, 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Name: Zivia Johnson Powers [no email address yet]
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Newark Delaware
Date: Sept. 22, 2000
Comments: 146 Brookside, Newark, Delaware 19713
Name: John B. Dorsey (Crash)
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Monarch Beach, California
Date: Sept. 12, 2000
Comments:
Name: Barbara Ann Riffe Pack [no e-mail address supplied]
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Beckley, WV
Date: Aug. 29, 2000
Comments: Hello to all flying eagles.
Name: Margaret Sanna Sizemore
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Camp Creek, WVa
Date: Aug. 17, 2000
Comments: I love this site and reading of all the things going
on in classmates lives. I spend too much time on this reading about
WWHS. I loved growing up when I did. NO REGRETS
Name: Duncan Cline
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Cincinnati, Ohio
Date: Aug. 8, 2000
Comments: Super job the webmaster is doing! It was terrific
news hearing that coach Van Meter will be 100 years old Aug 12th!
Surely that rates some special coverage by someone from media.
Charles Kuralt would have loved a story like this one! Best wishes to
all!
Name: Duncan Cline
Class of: 1959
Now living in: Cincinnati, OH
Date: Aug. 6, 2000
Comments: What a delight to find that Coach Van Meter will be
celebrating his 100th birthday! What a gentleman and a coach! These
days one doesn't often see an individual who is both! Congratulations, sir!!
Name: JOHN W. THOMAS
Class of: would have 1959
Now living in: Little Rock, Arkansas
Date: Aug. 3, 2000
Comments:
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