Homefolks in Talladega

June Winters and Maxine Beck
06-27-2008

Wedding anniversary congratulations are in order for Lela and John Locklin. They recently celebrated their 60th and to honor the occasion, their daughter, Lela and Leslie Crawford and son, Jac, took them on a trip to Hobe Sound, Fla. While there, they stayed in the Crawford’s Hobe Sound home, Shangri-La II, located on one of Florida’s intercoastal waterways. They toured many points of interest in the area, including the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. Built in 1902 by Henry Flagler, one of the founders of Standard Oil, the 55-room mansion was a wedding gift to his wife. Also in Palm Beach, they boarded the yacht “Cipango” for a guided tour by the captain. In Jupiter, they visited the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse which was built in 1860 and stands 115 feet high. They also visited the nearby fascinating Blowing Rock Preserve. During high tide the water sprays up to 50 feet through “blow holes” formed in the Anastasia limestone along the shore. Another interesting side trip was a drive through the small, private community of Jupiter Island, home of some of the wealthiest people in the United States. One evening Leslie and Lela hosted a dinner party in their home to introduce the Locklins to about 25 of the Hobe Sound friends. They also attended a birthday luncheon at the home of Anthony and Kelly Heath with four generations present: Anthony’s paternal grandmother, his parents and former Talladega residents, Butch and Arlene Heath and his three children. The Crawfords and Locklins attended Sunday worship services at Hobe sound Bible Church, located on the campus of Hobe Sound Bible College, where the Crawford’s son, Matt graduated. Leslie was invited to be a guest soloist during the evening service. Juanita Pope was in Fayetteville, Ark., recently for the high school graduation of her great granddaughter, Hannah Leigh Juanita Smith. Hannah graduated May 22, from Fayetteville High School, at Bud Walton Arena. She graduated with high honors as a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She was a staff reporter for the Register, the high school newspaper, captain of the high school Color Guard, and a member of the school’s Winter Guard. Hannah will be attending The University of Arkansas in the fall on a music scholarship and marching with the Razorback Marching Band as a member of their color guard. Hannah’s parents are Terry and Cassie Smith of Fayetteville, Ark., and her maternal grandparents are Jerry and Cheryl (Pope) Davis of Hatcheechubee. The Howard Williams Sunday School class from Bemiston United Methodist Church enjoyed one of their special breakfasts recently. The members save and collect aluminum cans and use the profit for these gatherings. Enjoying the good time was Jeanette Davis, Willene Hughston, Linda Stover, Earldean Kurutulis, Sam and Yvonne Grice, Greg Shaddix, Katie Smith, Howard Williams, Josie Williams, Wayne Bowen, Margie Miller, Jim and Margaret Earl, Evelyn Stewart, Claude and Billie Mallory, Glenda Hodge, Wayne Stewart, Judy White, the Rev. Russell and Earline Rodriguz and the Rev. Glen and Cathy Horn. Pat and Bob Miller, Betty and Jim Spratlin and Cheryl and Alton Cooper enjoyed a summer cruise to Cozumel. They boarded the cruise ship “Holiday” in Mobile for the four-day trip, and especially enjoyed time aboard ship and touring Cozumel. The trip was in celebration of Pat and Bob’s 50th wedding anniversary which is tomorrow, June 28. The Miller’s daughter Martha Boysden and her son Hunter have been here from Florida for the past several days visiting and will soon be moving to Talladega. The Vivacious Dega Red Hatters held their last meeting for the calendar year on Monday. The meetings will resume in September and Hacker Kidd will be the host. Enjoying good food and each other’s company were Mildred S. Woods, Gradynea Wills, Jan Swain and Shirley S. Sims. Members not present were Hacker M. Kidd, Sheryl Fuller, Angela D. Estelle, Garnett Threatt, Rosa C. Wallace, Cora B. Green, Theresa Stockdale, Rhoda H. Lauderdale and Edith D. Beck. Several high school and college graduates of the Tuck family, along with other family members and friends, enjoyed their cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. The cruise-liner left Mobile on June 12 and returned on June 16. Area residents on board for the celebration were Willie Mae and Willie C. Tuck, Bernard and Sandra Tuck and Bria, Teddy Tuck and son, Paula Tuck and Mya, Janice Truss, Daner Truss, Sheryl Fuller and Brandee and Alan Dates. Annie Lee Canady was honored with a birthday celebration at the home of Willie Farrior June 12. Annie Lee and her late husband, Minus, reared 14 children on the philosophy that the Lord had to be present at all time. Celebrating with Annie Lee were Willie Farrior, Mildred Cook, Annie Cook, Louise Scott, Molly Jemison, Anna Boatwright, Mary Lee Scott, Mary Walker, Louise White, Gloria Wilson, Geraldine Crittenden and Barbara Pearson. The Westside /Drewry Alumni Association met on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Committee members finalized their plans, with full support of all in attendance. Present were K.D. Dickerson, president; Jaunita C. McClellan, secretary; George Burroughs, treasurer; Barbara Davis; Sherron Stockdale; Lois N. Curry; Yvonne E. McElderry; Dorothy M. Chapman, Toni S. Wilson; Barbara W. Elston; Cora B. Green; Mickey L. Small; Rosa C. Wallace; Richard Rogers; Red Russell; Eddie Stowers; Bert Miller and Sebron Harmon. The reunion festivities start on July 4 with registration, display viewing and refreshments from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. That evening, a re-acquainted dance and continued registration will be hosted from 8 a.m. until midnight at the Elks Lodge. Saturday, July 5, there will be a parade, picnic, reception and recognition of scholarship recipients and a grand ball. The reunion will come to a close on Sunday, July 6, following 2 p.m. service at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church. Rev. Oliver Morris (Westside alumni) of Cleveland, Ohio, will be the guest minister and will be accompanied by members of his congregation. Benita Bibbs and I accompanied Louise R. Dickens to Fordyce, Arkansas, on Monday for the burial of her husband, Fred Andrew Dickens. Louise and Fred met while teaching in Osceola, Ark., and relocated to Talladega in 1979 when Fred accepted a position at the Federal Correctional Institute. Benita and Fred were coworkers and remained close friends after retirement. Fred also worked with my late husband and my fondest memories of the couple are when we shared a garden. I didn’t think we would ever stop picking okra. Louise and Fred do not have relatives in Talladega, but you would have never known it by looking at the vast amount of people in their extended family. Knowing Fred and Louise reminds me of the quote, “You may forget what I said, you may forget what I did, but you will never forget how I made you feel.” Well done Louise and Fred, well done!

About June Winters

June Winters is a staff writer for The Daily Home.

Contact June Winters

Phone:

256-249-4311

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