Class Notes

Greetings! Jesse and I are really putting down roots in fast-growing Culpeper and looking forward to our 63rd anniversary in August. He sings in the choir but misses Blue Ridge Barbershoppers, after organizing when we moved to Warrenton in 1964. I teach in senior adult Sunday school and work on flower and funeral reception groups. Daughter Linda is now Special Assistant to the Director of Law Schools of America. We delight in no more overseas work-related trips! Son Stephen and his wife, Missy, still work for POs six days a week, so family get-togethers happen on every holiday.

We attended our granddaughter’s high school graduation in May in West Virginia, and her 14-year-old sister moved in with her Dad, son David, still here with us. My brother is in fantastic health at 80 and is our built-in “master gardener” in our small yard. There is no empty guest bedroom, den, or sewing room! We are all in really good health, find lots to do for each, and meet the challenges of three generations as they come. Life is exciting!

It was good hearing from Barbara Pittman. She and Pitt attended UMW for her grandson’s graduation in May—what changes! The University Center is magnificent. She has chronic leukemia and Pitt had another recent TIA, but they stay busy with church and family and she enjoys hearing from her former students, having taught in high school.

Doris Lindsey Whitfield writes of her “quieter days” in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a small community with nearby library, Healthtrax for swimming, two and a half mile walking trail for daily walking, bluebird-watching in the back yard, and tennis-watching on TV (playing is no longer an option). She is enjoying visits often from daughters in Maryland and Austin, Jim’s sons from Arizona and Illinois, and the grandchildren. Doris misses campus events but is looking forward to seeing the new restored amphitheatre at UMW when completed. I’m sure politics weighs heavily on her mind, as she was so active in Fredericksburg for many years.

Nell Savapoulos and husband are enjoying life at a large continuing care community in Silver Spring, Maryland. They miss St. Augustine but see family quite often and are “chugging along, having fun” together with usual health issues. She says, “If I were a car, I would be in the junk yard.” I bet she is still standing tall!

Peggy Hopkins Johnson is progressing after her traumatic Amtrak derailment experience. When we met at the delightful MWC/UMW anniversary brunch, she had severe neck pain. Several days later my sister emailed me that Peggy had a stroke and was in the hospital, then rehab for a long time. She and Nancy taught school together until retirement in Fredericksburg and have been in a weekly bridge club together for years, so they stay in close contact since her daughter is out of town. Unfortunately, a recent car accident set her back, but knowing Peggy she is bouncing around the town, just not taking her many Hostel trips (presently!). I’ll guess she is looking at itineraries, however! She has enjoyed friends’ prayers and many contacts!

Barbara White Ramer lives with her daughter and is still employed at what she likes best—school administration at the private school.

It is always good to get updates, so please send your current email with happenings on a regular basis to keep in good contact—many were returned as incorrect. As Class of ’53, we each need to care about you. Do remember YOUR VOTE COUNTS! And prayer will surely help in all of life’s decisions. Have a blessed year and be a blessing.