It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see, but not for me
I sit and watch as tears go by
(Rolling Stones, 1964)
By this time most of you have awareness of the tragic and bizarre auto accident that happened in Newport a little more than 48 hours ago. Seven individuals were having dinner at Hardee's Restaurant in Newport Tuesday evening when an out of control pick-up truck plowed through the side of the restaurant into the dining area. Five of the seven diners were present or former Newport school system teachers or staff members. Two of these succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. I can clearly see Beverly Tapp, Jane Wright, Jane Parnell, Pat Brown and Carol Brand sharing stories of the day, laughing and reveling in the company of one another. In an instant the truck became a life changing instrument. The beautiful and fun lives of Beverly Tapp and Jane Wright ended.
Beverly Warbington Tapp was a member of the NHS Class of 1962. If my recall is good she returned to Newport as a junior high English teacher in the fall of 1967 (my sophomore year) and she just recently retired. To know her is to fall in love with her. She had an effervescent spirit I will never forget. Please hold her husband Jody, their sons and other family members close to your hearts in prayer. Funeral services for Beverly are scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, September 8) at 2:00pm at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel.
Jane Wright and her husband Jerry came to Newport in the 1980's (I believe). When I was serving on the Newport School Board in the late '80s and early '90s both were exemplary employees of the district. Jane was an assistant to the junior high principal and Jerry was a ROTC instructor and coach. To a certain degree I came to know Jane better after I left Newport in late 1991 and moved to Arkadelphia where I met her sister Winnie Cox. Winnie always kept me up to speed on Newport through her regular conversations with Jane. Jane's beautiful smile is etched in my mind and in my heart. I ask that you remember her husband, Maj. Jerry Wright, and their family members in your prayers. Jane's funeral will be held at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, September 11 at 10:00am.
Both Pat Brown and Carol Fish Brand remain in guarded condition at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis. It is my understanding that Carol was undergoing surgery today to address damage to her aorta. She suffers from multiple fractures and broken bones as well. Carol Fish Brand is a member of the NHS Class of 1969 and returned to her hometown to teach reading. She is married to Rodger Brand (also a Class of '69 Hound).
Pat Brown and her husband, Dr. Mike Brown, came to Newport in the late '70s. I attended school at ASU in Jonesboro with Pat and Mike. They are a perfect fit for my hometown. Pat teaches algebra at NHS and is a first class instructor and friend. Like Carol she suffered multiple fractures and broken bones in the accident.
Jane Roberts Parnell is hospitalized at Harris Hospital in Newport. It is my understanding that she could be released from the hospital as soon as tomorrow to convalesce at home. Jane is a member of the NHS Class of 1964 and has retired from teaching English in the Newport schools. She has been my dear friend for years and is the cousin of Class of '70 mate Glenn Gay (deceased).
I know all readers join me in collective prayer for Carol, Pat and Jane P. for quick and total recovery from their respective injuries.
I also will take this moment to let my classmates know (in the event you do not) that Mary Wynne Parker Perryman has experienced a recurrence of her cancer. She became aware of the recurrence in mid July and has recently resumed chemotherapy treatments. You can check up on Mary Wynne's progress through a website established by her family for this purpose. It is www.caringbridge.com/visit/mwperryman. Her husband Grady posts updates in a daily journal and there is a guestbook for you to send messages to Mary Wynne and her family. I encourage you to drop her a line and extend good wishes.
Also, Bobby Gray (NHS Class of '69) continues to battle his cancer and recently informed me that he has had good reports from his doctors.
I know there are many others who can benefit from prayer. Everyone faces life's challenges from time to time. Class of '70 pal Margaret Ann Gillihan Snow recently suggested that our class rejuvenate our weekly prayer time that we initiated some five years ago. The power of prayer is mighty. Collective prayer is even mightier! So I invite each of you to join me in a moment of prayer for those mentioned in this writing as well as for others needy of prayer (that is all of us) each Sunday evening at 7:00pm CST. It is certain you will know many others are joining you in powerful prayer at these moments. Thanks for joining me and thanks for your friendship.
I sit and watch...............................
joe
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see, but not for me
I sit and watch as tears go by
(Rolling Stones, 1964)
By this time most of you have awareness of the tragic and bizarre auto accident that happened in Newport a little more than 48 hours ago. Seven individuals were having dinner at Hardee's Restaurant in Newport Tuesday evening when an out of control pick-up truck plowed through the side of the restaurant into the dining area. Five of the seven diners were present or former Newport school system teachers or staff members. Two of these succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. I can clearly see Beverly Tapp, Jane Wright, Jane Parnell, Pat Brown and Carol Brand sharing stories of the day, laughing and reveling in the company of one another. In an instant the truck became a life changing instrument. The beautiful and fun lives of Beverly Tapp and Jane Wright ended.
Beverly Warbington Tapp was a member of the NHS Class of 1962. If my recall is good she returned to Newport as a junior high English teacher in the fall of 1967 (my sophomore year) and she just recently retired. To know her is to fall in love with her. She had an effervescent spirit I will never forget. Please hold her husband Jody, their sons and other family members close to your hearts in prayer. Funeral services for Beverly are scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, September 8) at 2:00pm at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel.
Jane Wright and her husband Jerry came to Newport in the 1980's (I believe). When I was serving on the Newport School Board in the late '80s and early '90s both were exemplary employees of the district. Jane was an assistant to the junior high principal and Jerry was a ROTC instructor and coach. To a certain degree I came to know Jane better after I left Newport in late 1991 and moved to Arkadelphia where I met her sister Winnie Cox. Winnie always kept me up to speed on Newport through her regular conversations with Jane. Jane's beautiful smile is etched in my mind and in my heart. I ask that you remember her husband, Maj. Jerry Wright, and their family members in your prayers. Jane's funeral will be held at Jackson's Newport Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, September 11 at 10:00am.
Both Pat Brown and Carol Fish Brand remain in guarded condition at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis. It is my understanding that Carol was undergoing surgery today to address damage to her aorta. She suffers from multiple fractures and broken bones as well. Carol Fish Brand is a member of the NHS Class of 1969 and returned to her hometown to teach reading. She is married to Rodger Brand (also a Class of '69 Hound).
Pat Brown and her husband, Dr. Mike Brown, came to Newport in the late '70s. I attended school at ASU in Jonesboro with Pat and Mike. They are a perfect fit for my hometown. Pat teaches algebra at NHS and is a first class instructor and friend. Like Carol she suffered multiple fractures and broken bones in the accident.
Jane Roberts Parnell is hospitalized at Harris Hospital in Newport. It is my understanding that she could be released from the hospital as soon as tomorrow to convalesce at home. Jane is a member of the NHS Class of 1964 and has retired from teaching English in the Newport schools. She has been my dear friend for years and is the cousin of Class of '70 mate Glenn Gay (deceased).
I know all readers join me in collective prayer for Carol, Pat and Jane P. for quick and total recovery from their respective injuries.
I also will take this moment to let my classmates know (in the event you do not) that Mary Wynne Parker Perryman has experienced a recurrence of her cancer. She became aware of the recurrence in mid July and has recently resumed chemotherapy treatments. You can check up on Mary Wynne's progress through a website established by her family for this purpose. It is www.caringbridge.com/visit/mwperryman. Her husband Grady posts updates in a daily journal and there is a guestbook for you to send messages to Mary Wynne and her family. I encourage you to drop her a line and extend good wishes.
Also, Bobby Gray (NHS Class of '69) continues to battle his cancer and recently informed me that he has had good reports from his doctors.
I know there are many others who can benefit from prayer. Everyone faces life's challenges from time to time. Class of '70 pal Margaret Ann Gillihan Snow recently suggested that our class rejuvenate our weekly prayer time that we initiated some five years ago. The power of prayer is mighty. Collective prayer is even mightier! So I invite each of you to join me in a moment of prayer for those mentioned in this writing as well as for others needy of prayer (that is all of us) each Sunday evening at 7:00pm CST. It is certain you will know many others are joining you in powerful prayer at these moments. Thanks for joining me and thanks for your friendship.
I sit and watch...............................
joe
No comments:
Post a Comment