For the 16th consecutive year, it’s time for my Cheapskate Editor’s Christmas Card List. The premise is that I don’t have the time to send out
cards, nor the 44 cents to mail each one. So send it in other ways, first in print and now in cyberspace. Will it be the last?
I don’t think the list will end anytime soon, but the thesis may have to change. The U.S. Postal Service is in so much financial trouble that we
don’t have a clue how long sending mail will be a possibility.
Until that sad possibility becomes a reality, we’ll continue as is. So if I had the time and lots of 44 cents(es), the following would be among my
recipients.
To Charlie, Taylor and Cooper Ray as they-and we-deal with the loss of their beloved wife and mother, Belinda Ray, after a long battle
with cancer. The Russellville educator affected lives throughout the entire social and economic of Russellville and Logan County.
To Chris Phillips in the death of his lovely and genteel wife, Christy Phillips, and their children-Elizabeth Beadnell along with Rachel, Caleb & Isaac Phillips
To Chad Grote in the death of his 30-year-old wife, Jennifer Grote, who leaves behind a preschool age daughter, Aubrey. Chad works
diligently at being a good father, just as he was a loving husband. During Jennifer’s sickness, the Grotes got lots of help with Aubrey from Raye Ann, Molly, Trevor and Rusty Clark and from Julie Davenport, among others.
To Kelly Yokley in the death of another much-too-young wife and mother,
Michelle Yokley.
To two Morgan families without their loving mother/grandmother for the first time this Christmas:
Only a few days before Christmas, Jolene Morgan lost her gallant battle with cancer. This comes about a year after the death of one of her sons,
Roger Morgan, also to cancer. Their sons/daughters/brothers/sisters (John and Roy Morgan, Kathy Howard, LeAnn Harris and Mary Winn) had also
lost patriarch Ralph Morgan and brother Billy Morgan. The Morgans, of course, are the owners/operators of Logan landmark restaurant Roy’s
Pit Bar-B-Q.
After 75 years of being “Mrs. Morgan,” Burndeen Morgan died this year. She and her late husband Goldie were wed in 1936, the same year as
my parents. They celebrated their 60th anniversaries together. Mrs. Morgan was the mother of Mary Katherine Powell, Virginia Johnson, Joyce Shrull, Judy Meguiar, John Morgan and the late
Elizabeth Morgan.
To Rhonda and Kige Ramsey in the loss of their mother/grandmother, Thelma Nash, only about a year after the death of their husband/dad Butch Ramsey. Thelma was Turner Valley Produce’s best purple hull pea customer. Also to Thelma’s daughter Jackie Moore, who gave Thelma’s
friends a daily update of her health on Facebook, and her son, American Legion leader
Randall Coffman.
To Rodney and Jan Seay, who went through the death of Rodney’s mom, Martha Seay, and their infant granddaughter, Rachel James Weathers, within a few weeks of each other. Also to Robbie and Melissa Atkins Weathers¸ who suffered the tragic loss of
their baby.
To Mark and Jane Wilkins, who each lost a parent this year, Helen Moore and Buis Wilkins. Also to grandchildren Anna and Adam Wilkins and to Mrs. Moore’s husband and constant companion,
W.L.Moore.
To Pearl O’Dell, who has been very, very sick. She is like another grandmother to Lindsay and she treats Clay and Trey like family, too. Pearl
is a dear, wise woman.
To Josh Thomas, who has spent the past several months recovering from a near fatal accident.
His parents, Lynn and Herbert Thomas, and his twin brother, Corey Thomas, have stayed faithfully by his side.
To long-time friends of ours Bob and Donna Birdwhistell, who both have struggled with troubling, long-term illnesses this year.
To the men of Crittenden Drive Church of Christ who have been willing to speak on Sunday evenings while the elders are seeking a new member after Andrew Phillips accepted a preaching position in Columbia, Tenn. Among them have been
Brian Stratton, David Johnson, Kevin White, Rusty Clark, Tracy Cole, David Stuart, Brian White, Billy McCarley, Michael Maxwell, Dave Dockins,
Marlin Coe, Russell Jones, Rob Sindorf
and retired ministers Barclay Riley, Frank Dockins and Charlie Roney. Our youth minister, Daniel McCarley, has done double and sometimes
triple duty in the months that have passed since Andrew left.
To Lon Sosh, who continues to battle a medical book filled with ailments and still manages to entertain us on WRUS and to help raise money and
awareness for worthwhile causes in the community. His wife, Dartha Sosh, has been a great source of help and comfort for him.
To Tom Noe, Smokey Smotherman, Ken O’Dell, Mike Humble and Weldy Hunt, who are all battling prostate cancer and who are undergoing varied
procedures to get rid of this setback.
To Jerry Kimmell, Will Jones, Terry Baldwin, and Troy Winders, veteran officials who work to enhance the skills and mechanics of young officials
like Trey and
Barry Bilyeu.
To Tim Riley, one of the best high school coaches I’ve ever known who has now ventured into the world of college coaches.
To David Clark, the highly successful Franklin-Simpson boys basketball coach who seems to be handling well life after retiring from coaching.
To Buddy White, one of the kindest and most thoughtful gentlemen I know
To Gran and Sally Clark and Al and Noel Smith for leading the way in creating the Kentucky Wonders Market at Historic Russellville.
To prolific Russellville writer Algie Ray Smith, who helps our family in many ways
To photographers and writers whose submissions have been an important part of The LoJo this year. They include
Marguerite Kirkpatrick, Donna Gholson, Cathy Carver, Mary Lucy Franklin, James Milam, Josh Givens, Kathy Wilcutt, Sue Wood, Jim Humphrey, Kaelin
Vernon, Dreama Ruley, Brent Holman, Michelle Mitchell, Tom Gauthier, Casey Spears, Katrina Kemplin, Dianna Penrod, Bonnie Hartley, Keirstein
Jaggers, Crystal Bell, Dave Dockins, Mike Hall, Steve Stratton, Martha Jane King, Darlene Gooch, Tim Hughes
and
Mike Hall.
To new varsity coaches at Logan County High School, Dain Gregory, Steven Lyne, Eric Evans and Daniel McCarley, all of whom ran successful
programs this fall
To David Atkins, who retired this spring after 27 years as a math teacher at Logan County High School. He and I started at LCHS in the same
year, although I might be just a tad older. I'm sure David thought his stay here would be temporary, since he is from West Tennessee and graduated from
Murray State. Now we're hoping if he joins others retirees who start teaching in a new retirement system in Tennessee that it will be close enough for
him to commute from here. He is an integral part of this community and our church family.
To Mac Taylor and Mike Haynes, two of my long-time friends who retired from the Logan schools this year. I thought they would be fishing
together every day, but Mike is coaching and evaluating teachers in Tennessee now. A competitive guy, Mike probably knew he couldn't match Mac's
angling success anyway.
To Mike Hoots, who has followed Haynes as an assistant principal at LCHS. He's an asset to the school system.
To Hazel Fleming and her son Stanley, who keep us all informed of the wonders that are Spa.
To Malta Moore, June Lyne, Elsie Carpenter and Eloise Hadden, wonderful, community-minded ladies who all turned 80 this year.
To Kevin Kenady, the former Russellville High School math teacher who is an asset to Bowling Green Technical College in whatever position he is
filling at the time. His latest role is head of general education science and math courses.
To my former co-worker, Pam Cassady, who is now editor of the magazine SOKY Happenings in Bowling Green
.
To Daniel and Dusty Cowan and other members of the military who have served our country overseas and now have returned home.
To the family of Neal Grayson, a Southern gentleman who was a pacesetter in agribusiness. His wife Thelma and daughter Anna Grayson Smith have been so active in Extension and 4-H that they, along with son Larry, feel like family to us.
To the staff of Logan County Public Library, who are always ready to help when any of us need assistance
To my teachers who taught me to love reading, both fiction and non-fiction. I think only one of them is still living, but if I could I would send cards
to the late Russellville teachers
Ruby Fuqua, Myrtle Linton, Louella Johnson Flatt, Laura Thurmond, Lelia McEndree, Clara Louise Jones, Clennie Sue Rector Riley, Katherine Lyle
Stengell, Eleanor Piper and Ruth Price Carpenter
along with Lipscomb professors Cynthia Dilgard, Aileen Bromley, Miss Jennie Pittie Brown, Dr. Sue Berry and Dr. Morris Landis. I would also send
one to my favorite teacher, Marie Turner¸ who would check out works of fiction for me from the public library like the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy
Boys and Nancy Drew before I started reading James Bond on my own. She also bought me the collected novels of Charles Dickens.
To Al Smith, who is destined to be remembered as one of Kentucky’s most distinguished citizens ever, for his undying love and gratitude to the
people of Logan County and for personally keeping me on his list of close friends.
To the next generations of people who were key to Al Smith’s life in earlier years who attended a reception for him and his autobiography
recently. They included
Wallace Herndon Jr., Brad Herndon, Ray Clark, Raymond Davis, Gran Clark, Mary Lucy Franklin, John Paul Stuart, Martha Jane King, Jane Noe Duncan
and Tom Noe.
To Al Cross, Kentucky’s most professional journalist, for his friendship and his advice.
To Mary Ewing Hart, who may have affected more students at Russellville High School than anyone else over a period of 40 years ago. She
maintains her smile and her brilliant mind.
To Roger and Merry Lee Brewer, who have moved into our community to be near their offspring-daughtersJoella Morrow, Polly Porter and Bonnie Wells, sons-in-law Jim Morrow, Donnie Porter and Grayson Wells, and grandchildren J.R., Savannah and Tanner Morrow, Dylan and Derrick Porter, and Jackson, Audrey and Maria Wells. The Brewers are good, fun people and are
an asset to Logan County, having seen the light after living in Muhlenberg and Simpson counties throughout their married years.
To the widows and widowers of our congregation, including
Punkin Klein, Imogene Hite, Betty Sue Boyles, Sue Coffman, Dorothy Jackson, Shirley Peters, Perle Golden, Nita Williams, Jerlene Lewis, Johnnie
Walling, Helen White, Evelyn Wilson, Janet Hall, Rhonda Ramsey, Mary Baker, Juanita Walker, Bob Sumner, Chad Grote and Larry Rigg.
To my cousin, Willard Allen of Franklin, who is recovering from cancer surgery, and to his brother, Bobby Allen, who continues to admit
that he is my cousin.
To one of my favorite people, I.E. Helton, who has been diagnosed with the frightening disease pancreatic cancer, and to his loving wife and
son, Mary Pat and Casey Helton. I’ve told I.E. that his role is to be a pain, not
be in pain.
To others who have experienced extended sickness or serious injuries in 2011, including
John Paul Stuart, Jimmy Starks, Doug Davenport, Mabel Farmer, Wayne Powell, Barclay Riley, Nita Williams, Joyce Wilson, Noram and Mae Head, Malta
Moore, Louise Potter, Ronnie and Helen Potter, JoAnn Foster, Mary Lou Justice, Carol Reynolds, Bill Stamper, Cheryl Taylor, Margie Clark, Kenneth
Holloway, Katherine Hart, Brother Joe Carrico
and Renee Carrico.
To Frank and Davy Lee Dockins, the people most closely associated with Elaine and me becoming a couple. Davy Lee "fixed us up" and Frank spoke
at our rehearsal dinner. Davy continues to battle health problems. We enjoyed being part of a honor program for Frank's for his over half a century for
representing Bethany Church of Christ on WRUS, and we always enjoy "Little Frank" sitting with us on Farmers' Market days.
To Lorene Leedom, who just celebrated her 101st birthday and her loving daughters,
Jeannie Bowles and Clarkie Milam.
To Russell Owen and Rusty Burchett in the double loss of daughter/sister Sherry Weinstein and mother/aunt Geraldine Campbell. We
have many friends who are part of the Campbell family, including her children Joel, Jack and Jeff Campbell and daughters Janese Campbell and Geri Scaratino along with their children.
To brother-sister Jason Campbell and Ashley Rayno in the death of a grandparent on both sides, Jim Angel and Geraldine Campbell.
To sisters Julie Davenport and Annelle White, who again led the way as Crittenden Drive Church of Christ served meals to over 1,200 people on
Thanksgiving Eve.
To one of our favorite young couples, Lory and Katherine Edwards. They both have passed the 90-year age mark and have been married for
over 60 years. They not only live by themselves but Lory drives all over Logan and Todd counties.
To Sherman Price, the spry farmer who is much closer to 100 than he is 90. He says he isn't going to break any more colts, but he gets a gleam
in his eye when he thinks about climbing aboard one again.
To Ed Coffman, the retired minister and published historian. His 88-year-old body (soon to be 89) is lacking moblility, but he was able to go on
a tour of Scandanavian countries this year. And there's nothing wrong with the flexibility of his mind.
To Grover and Mary Corum, who are much healthier than they were a few years ago. Grover, who celebrated his 85th birthday this year and is
looking fit and trim, credits his wife's determination in overcoming a couple of strokes that would have felled many other people.
To former Auburn mayor Oscar Wren in the recent death of his wife of 71 years, Louise. Oscar has been one of my favorite people for
decades, and I always knew Louise tried to keep the ever-enthusiastic statesman on an even keel. Son Rhea Dean Wren and daughter Faye Puryear have loyally supported their parents, as have four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
To Logan County natives Erica Baugh Palmer, Donna Schiess Renaud and Dan Costellow, who have completed their doctorates this year, long after
finishing their undergraduate degrees.
To our long-time neighbors, Glenn and Doris McGehee, who have moved to a new home next to their daughter, Chandlers teacher Kelly Jenkins
, her husband Elmer and sons/grandsons Ethan and Matthew.
To Donna Hayden, Laura Wagoner and Cyndia Tarrence, the ladies who manage college offices and try to make the life of teachers like me
run more smoothly.
To old fogeys/semi-retired communication professors Larry Winn, Carl Kell, Dale Wicklander and Larry Caillouet, who always include me in their
profound discussions, such as Winn's lamenting that everyone can't be originally from Clifty, the Todd County village he tries to immortalize. And to
former Auburn Baptist pastor Gary Hughes, the only ‘youngster’ in the group.
To Circuit Judge Tyler Gill, who has made strong statements to protect absued children and to promote openness in government. My guess is that
we’re going to hear much more from him on this in the months to come.
To Donna Gholson, who has retired as public relations and community education director from the Russellville schools. Her dedication to the
school system and to the young people of Russellville has been remarkable.
To our Farmers' Market friends who grow the produce they sell themselves--people like
Roger 'Goober' Duncan, Phillip and Becky Johnson, Mike and Barbara Dorris, Virgil and Jo Parrish, Dan and Wanda Grayson, Steve and Kathleen Noe,
and Jay Campbell.
To Brent Price and Bill Jackson of Jackson’s Orchard, Debra and Carl Chaney of Chaney’s Dairy, and Joanna Coles and Penny Hughes
of Cave Area Agritourism, who are wonderful about including Turner Valley Produce in their promotions
To Doris Vick, who works tirelessly for the good of young people and families in need through Concerned Citizens.
To the families of former newspaper co-workers Victor Campbell, Larry Craig, Mary Jane Smith and
Dottie Snyder.
To June Robinson in the death of her brother Jack Lyne and to his wife
Laura
To Lynn Hartford and sons Sam, Danny and J.C. in the untimely and sudden death of husband/dad
Mike Hartford
To Carolyn Boggs and the rest of the family in the death of her dad,
Melvin Ray Boyd
To Russell and Pam Jones and the rest of the family in the death of his gracious, genteel mother,
Marie Jones
To Paul, David, Jim, Kenny and Mac Kerr and to Susan Kerr Halbert in the death of their dad, former Rockwell manager and two-time
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President
John Kerr
To Sharon Crossley, Donna Heidel and Joe and Barry Smotherman in the death of their mother,
Laurette Smotherman
To Kathy Holman and her family in the death of my language arts teaching colleague and both Russellville and Logan County high schools. She
would have been proud of the teaching levels her granddaughter, Carrie Shanklin, has already reached.
To the families of cousins Will Mallory and Benton Page, athletes who died much too young in an automobile accident this summer
To the families of those people who died this year whom I’ve known primarily through sports, either as athletes or parents, including
Sonya Buckle, Boyd Burchett, Donnie Burton, Mildred Angel Davis, Jerry Gibson, Barclay ‘Boochie’ Griffith, Ruth ‘Mape’ Hampton, George Hill, Clyde
Lee, Gilbert Mallory, Christine Meacham, Betty McReynolds, Guy Neal, Ima Jean Richardson
and
Jim Thomason
To the families of the following people (way too many) that we have lost this year:
Annie Allen, Anna Anderson, Jesse Anderson, Nannie Katherine Baldwin, Lena Barrett, Clifford Basham, John Belcher, Carolyn Bond, Kenneth Bond,
Thurmon Borders, Herbert Bratcher, Ray Herndon Celsor, Sarah Chaudoin, Elda Kaye Cheatham, Margarette Chick, Curtis Clark, Elmer Creek, Jimmie
Louise Crick, Diane Dawson, Dero Downing, Ethel Downing, Rosa Yarbrough Elliott, Wendell Embry, Bonnie Marie Goodin, Eldon Ray ‘Toeboy’ Green Sr.,
Martha Hall, Gary Hankins, Deanna Hanley, Sheila Cabiness Harman, Evelyn Hayes, Frankie Heltsley, Larry Henderson, Mary Hodge, David Holloway,
Glendon Johnson, Marie Jones, Paul Kennedy, Ed Knuckols, Peggy Ruth Latham, Margaret Lehman, Helen Mallory, Christine Markham, Leland McKinley,
Jeannette Scott Miles, Minnie Louise Moore, Amanda Morrison, Chet Morrison, John Ernest Mengleberg Sr., Ruth Mullen, LTG Beverly Powell, Doris
Powell, Wanda Price, Richard Rainwater, Leonard Ramsey, Oneda Parrish Rogers, Susan Shelton, James Snorton Jr., Larry Spencer, Sandy Davis Stack,
Tom Stovall, Wilburn Sumner, Nina Faye Thomas, Beverly Thweatt, Vannetta Bruce Vincent, James Pearl Wagoner, Alvin Wells, Gladys Virginia White,
Bennie Whitson, Glenn Woolridge and Nancy Wright (
of Olmstead)
To those celebrating their first Christmas together as a married couple, including
Nick and Elizabeth Corbin Arrington, Mandell and Ashley Osborne Barbee, Craig and Elizabeth Phillips Beadnell, James and Sheila Atkinson Biggs,
Matt and Annie Coles Burchett, Kyle and Tracy Grapperhaus Cauley, Landon and Emily Mardis Coe, Ryan and Jenni Osborne Craig, Phillip and Whitney
Offutt Ferguson, Lt. Alex and April Pennington Graves
,
Nathan and Krystan Langley Hinton, Brian and Ashley Campbell Holloman, Andrew and Brittany Bilbrey Johnson, Anthony and Drew Woodall Licitra,
Justin and Ashley McIntosh Long, Trent and Lauren Stinson Martin, Ryan and Cassi Shoemake Morgan, William and Andrea Brown Nance, Cody and
Stephanie Jones Pedigo, Will and Julie Dulworth Rosser, Derrick and Samantha Tanner Scott, Jonathan and Angie Hall Sears, Nickolas and Kendra Hurt
Sewell, Blake and Brandy Nuyt Trimble, Adam and Jessica Kemp Weatherford,
Dustin and Lyndsay Bogle White, Curt and Abby Robertson Whittington
To those getting to enjoy their first child’s first Christmas, including
Adam and Amanda Bush, Patrick and Yvonne Faulkner, Chad and Jessica Hall, Rich and Mary Lynn Moore, Will and Andrea Parker, Brad and Rebecca Moss
, King and Taylor Simpson, and Amanda Mayes and her husband, whose name I can’t remember.
I have remembered many names, though. Merry Christmas to all.