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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Ernest Eugene Arnold, Sr.

With deep sadness we learned that our classmate, Eugene Arnold, passed away on December 29th. Our sincere sympathy to Jayne; sons, Gene and Jeff; and grandsons, Justyn and Wyatt Arnold.   Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Obitury from Times Daily in Florence, Alabama

Ernest Eugene Arnold Sr., age 70, of Florence, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. His funeral service was at 11 a.m. Thursday with graveside service in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield.

Mr. Arnold was a native of Shelbyville, Tenn., a veteran and a member of the Baptist church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Nannie Arnold; and his brother, Ellis C. Arnold Jr. He loved gardening and working outdoors and Auburn football.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Jayne Arnold; his sons, Gene and Jeff (Heather) for whom he was grateful; grandsons, Justyn and Wyatt Arnold, who love their Paw Paw dearly and loved coming to Paw Paw's house to eat his special dishes.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the doctors and ICU staff of Helen Keller Hospital, to nurses Caroline and Barbara, all of his business associates and his lifelong special friend, Larry King.

News notes from Frank Vetters aka Old Frank V.

On September 28, 2009 Frank wrote:
"One never knows where life will take them.  Sandra and I have temporarily, maybe for 1-2 years, gone to Indianapolis, Indiana to help our son and his family out in their time of need.  We will be returning home occasionally, maybe once a month.  We are not anticipating that the Indiana winter will be much fun.  But one does what one must do.  We will miss seeing everyone for awhile, but, there is always e-mail"

Frank was home for a week in November but returned to the cold north for Christmas with his son and grandchildren.   Stay warm Frank!!

On a personal note:  I only spent two months this year in Alabama.  The Rio Grande Valley has me hooked.  I was home for a couple weeks at Christmas  but returned to the 75 degree weather.   As an Alabama fan, I am in enemy territory, but, the fans I've met are nice and excited to play BAMA in Pasadena.  I live in a predominately Canadian retirement park.  Their reaction and questions after the Florida-Alabama game were interesting.  They are used to seeing Texas and Hook'em Horns everywhere but a lone Alabama shirt gets attention.   The morning after the Florida game one French Canadian asked me if that was the same Alabama he saw on TV and did I live in Alabama.  Betty Lou

On 11/27/2009 Frank wrote that Mike Holland had a "slight" stroke in November and spent 5 days in the hospital for tests.  An arteriogram was scheduled for early December.  He appears to be better and spent the Thanksgiving holiday with his family in Gatlinburg.   May the Holland brothers be well on their way to full recoveries.

  Tuesday, November 24, 2009  This week Sandra and Neil Morris sent the  following two news items: 
 
Jim Holland of the SHS Class of '56 and husband of  the late Mary Katherine Perry is in Birmingham, Alabama recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.  We understand that everything went well and Jim should have a full recovery.

The following note was received from Gloria Smith Byrd informing Neil and Sandra of a serious accident suffered by her husband, Jim Byrd (Deshler 1957).  Of course, we all remember Gloria as our classmate during our elementary school days at SHS.

 
Hey Guys!
 
Jim said to tell you that the "King of the Cowboys" is down.  His young horse bucked him off yesterday (11-22-09)  and then stepped on him.  His liver was punctured and he has internal bleeding but that is better for the moment, he has fractures in his spine,  fractured ribs, and his left hand is a mess with no skin on top and a torn up thumb. He hurts so bad but the doctors are getting the pain under control.  He was moved to a room at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa today.  Keep him in your prayers, he needs all he can get.  He will be laid up for awhile but I will keep you informed.    Gloria

Get well cards can be mailed to Jim Byrd at the hospital for now or to the home address:
 
Jim Byrd -- Room 9106                     Jim Byrd
St. Francis Hospital        - or -          12708 E 111th St  N
6161 South Yale Avenue                    Owasso OK 74055-6325
Tulsa OK 74136

Please keep both Jim's in our thoughts and prayers as they struggle with their injuries and surgeries.  Hopefully they will bounce back with complete recoveries.
 

We have group pictures of our classmates who attended the Mini-Reunion on May 30, 2009.  Names will be added later.  Two photos are shown here as not everyone is visible in both.  For full-size views click on the link for 2009 Mini-Reunion PHOTOS in the Navigation Bar at left. Should be third  down.    The bottom two photos of the beautiful location for the reunion luncheon are from Wiley Montana.  The group photos are by Martha Richard. 

Update 8-24-09 - Others are on a separate page - 2009 Mini Reunion. 

Click for PHOTO ALBUM:  http://www.freewebs.com/sheffieldclassof57/apps/photos/album?albumid=6109875 

Note from Frank Vetters - June 2, 2009 at 3:48PM

A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL
 
Classmates   Quick note to let you know that we had a great get together on Saturday at the RTJ at the Shoals where the wind was wafting across the veranda and we overlooked our beautiful Tennessee River.  Food was good, but the visiting and talking with one another was what was so good.
 
We had 46 attendees, which is an outstanding turnout.  Martha was there to do pictures so I would advise that you keep checking this website to see who all was there.
 
Frank V.

Okay guys and gals.  The pictures will be posted as soon as received.  Keep in mind that it does take a bit of time to edit them to size, etc.

Betty Lou  (June 2, 2009)

Note from Frank Vetters dated May 25, 2009:

Hello Classmates: 

Well, it is getting close to our Mini-Reunion.  Things are looking very good for our get-together. 

Listed below are those who we have been told will attend.  The (2) means that we expect that a spouse or  another family member will also attend :

George Aston,   Sue Barber (2),   Jo Ann Blackmon Rainey,   Jackie Bloss Roberts,   Nancy Bolton Borden,   Juanita Black Rickard,   Keith Collier,   Joyce Grainger Farmer (2),   Ronnie Henson (2),   Mike Holland,   Jerald Homan,   Faye Horton Chastain (2),   Richard Hull,   George Ingleright,   Ann Isbell Andrews,   David Johnson,   Carolyn Judd Wagnon,   Albert Kelly,   Larry King (2),   Wiley Montana (see photos below),    Margaret Morgan Hunt,   M. B. Myers,   Billy Newton,   James (Buddy) Phillips,   Penny Pickens Kirsch (2),   Willene Poe Jackson (2),   Glenda Ramsey Hale,   Sara Terry Condra (2),    Frank Vetters (2),   Betty Williams Bulman,   James Wiley (2)   and   Thomas Wooten (see photos below).

As I have been saying, this will just be a meet, greet and eat get together with nothing formal planned.
 
As always, I am looking forward to seeing you.  If there are questions, please e-mail me (vetters1960@comcast.net)
 
Frank V..

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