Classmates

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Allice Janet Bishop (Reid)

Then Then
Spouse's Name: Keith

Arthur James Black

Then Then

Teresa Regenia Black

Then Then
Now Now
Comment:


I worked my way through college as a long-distance operator with Southern Bell.  I received a B.A. in English from Hollins in Virginia.  I was trained to teach in high school but after my teaching internship, I changed my mind.  I couldn’t imagine teaching a subject I really loved to a room full of kids who had such negative feelings about studying literature. Books are still my favorite interest.





My first job out of college was as an eligibility caseworker for a welfare agency. In this job I saw abject poverty up close through my home visits. I also saw welfare fraud but came to know if I had grown up in terrible poverty, my life would have been so desperate, I too might have “cheated” to get the money to survive.  From the histories of the 200 families on my caseload I learned: lack of education = poverty = crime.  So, when I see law makers being stingy with education funding, I know they will have to spend the money they saved, down the road, on greater law enforcement, a heavier judicial system, and more prisons.  That’s what’s happening now.





Eventually, I left welfare to join my husband in his growing publishing company (Leisure Publishing, Roanoke, VA).  There I learned advertising sales, magazine design and I also wrote for our publications. For support in this job, I bought college textbooks in marketing and graphic design and also studied promotional writing.  After 8 years, I started my own business providing marketing communications for clients in manufacturing, health care and real estate. I served my primary clients for 13 years.  Moving back to Asheville in ’97, I began working as marketing director (for 16 years) for a company that produced products sold through two different distribution channels, worldwide.  I worked closely with distributors from many countries and came to know some of them well.  In this position, I learned how goods flow from raw materials to the retail shelf. (I rarely complain about retail prices because I know all the layers of costs behind that price and the necessity for each of those costs) I also learned a lot about business, like the impact of currency fluctuations and how to monitor indexes to forecast turns in the market, etc.  I taught sales seminars at conferences and conventions throughout the U.S.  I retired from this position in 2013 and have worked in administrative support, part time, since then.





Through all of this working over the years, I raised two wonderful children, many years as a single mother. My daughter, Currie, lives in Roanoke, VA with my granddaughter, Brennan.   Brennan has many serious motor skill challenges with her autism but, at 9, she reads on 12th grade level, has a photographic mind and is a vibrant conversationalist with many interests.  She really wants to succeed.  Currie has a strong background in sales and now works, part time, with her father’s company.  My son, James, is a social worker in Henderson county schools. He has worked with “at risk” kids (and their families) for 14 years to keep these kids in school and out of detention centers.


 


I have learned much about autism and I am trained to provide respite care for autistic children.  Recently, my daughter had to quit working full time (works part time now) to home school my autistic granddaughter. Brennan is on a waiting list for an autism school in Roanoke but it could be two years before there is an opening. Roanoke schools are unable to fund programs that help autistic kids like Brennan meet their potential.  (For instance, their idea of “education” is to put these children in padded rooms and restrain them when they act out instead of teaching them how to manage their overwhelming emotions so they can fit into society. This treatment is very traumatic for highly-sensitive autistic kids and causes them to shut down in their learning from fear. Naturally, hiring therapists to teach them proven methods to manage their emotions costs more than punishing them through isolation in a padded room.)  Someday our government will have to get serious about educating autistic kids.  Here are the 2017 autism incidence statistics:1 in every 68 children, 1 in every 42 boys. When these kids are adults, they will have to be able to support themselves by working at a job or they will end up a burden on taxpayers.  And, what happens to them when their care-giving parent dies? It’s shattering to think of my very bright grandchild, when her parents are gone, ending up in a “home” for severely disabled people because she was never taught skills to support herself but was capable of learning them. With autism growing exponentially, this will be the scenario of millions of people.  Think about it.  I’ve noticed it’s only when autism touches a person’s family that they wake up to this epidemic and see the pain and struggle that comes from it. (Then, they learn important things---like how charter schools are not required to provide an education to disabled children.) 


 


Sorry to end on such a serious note but the issue of children with disabilities is very close to my heart.  

Jackie Louise Booth (Jordan)

Then Then
Spouse's Name: Robert

Shelby Jean Branim (Hawkins)

Then Then
Now Now
Comment:

After graduating High School, I immediately went to work at Square D Company in Emma.  There I worked in the Accounting Department in Cost Accounting and Payroll positions for around 16 ½ years.  I was fortunate enough to land a few modeling jobs on the side with The Asheville Mall, Sky City, Belk, and Peco Lawn Equipment during that time.  Those were fun.





I left there and went to Schwitzer (which is now Borg Warner) and was employed in the Finance Department as Payroll Clerk, then Customer Service, and finally into the CoreBank Analyst position.  It was there that I met the love of my life in Darrell, but was years later that we actually started dating and after 23 years of engagement, was married on August 20th 2014.  I was employed there for 18 years.





I went from that company to Biltmore Baptist Church for the remainder of my public working years in the Finance Department maintaining the Contributions Documents and Tax Reporting.  I retired from there at age 62 and am loving life more than I could ever imagine.





Darrell and I live on Dix Creek One Road in Leicester.  We took care of my Mother until she passed in 2001 and we inherited the home place.  We do gardening, bee keeping (if we can keep them alive), canning, freezing, and mow & weed eat approximately five acres.  We’ve both been through some cancer ordeals and have become great promotors of green, organic, and grain free farming and eating.  We love our little dog who is approximately 14 years old and love taking our daily walk with her in the evenings.  We live a simple life, but a good life.  God is our number one priority.  I have no blood children, but Darrell has three wonderful sons from a prior marriage and I have claimed them as my own.  We have six fantastic grandkids in Indiana and South Carolina.  One of our biggest pleasures is visiting with them as often as we can. We’re currently remodeling our entire home ourselves, and I can honestly say, it’s the hardest thing physically I’ve ever done.  Hoping to get through this project by Thanksgiving.  Darrell and I cook for the entire blended family about four times per year.  We have family and friends that attend from anywhere from 20 to 50 people.  We love the holidays and having everyone there.





We’re looking forward to the reunion and catching up on what’s taking place with all our other classmates.  We thank all the promoters and organizers for doing all the hard work to make this event happen.
Spouse's Name: Darrell

Gloria Jean Brank (Banks)

Then Then
Now Now
Comment: I started my working career by having a small craft business making dolls and selling them locally. That evolved into an associate position with Piece Goods Shops on Tunnel Rd. in 1976.  I worked there for 5 years, 4 of which I was the Assistant Manager.  In 1981, I was transferred to the Patton Avenue shop as the Manager and worked there for 14 years.  I always thought I wanted a store of my own, and this was pretty close to that. Being the manager, you are responsible for everything; but I enjoyed all the responsibility. Unfortunately, Piece Goods went into Chapter 11 and eventually closed over 300 stores.





The life changing event for me was accepting the Lord as my Saviour in May of 1981.  It made all the decisions for the rest of my life; trusting in the Lord for my future.





In September, 1995; I was employed by the Floral Displays Dept. at the Biltmore Estate as a floral designer and decorator. I then was made Coordinator for the Ancillary Areas in 1996 and later Supervisor over these areas which include the restaurants, some offices, Food and Beverage carts, and 2 warehouses which stored all our dept's equipment, tools, props, and merchandise; also purchasing, inventory and scheduling coordinating with the Manager and the House Supervisor.  When the  Floral Displays Supervisor over the Biltmore House left, I was made Supervisor over both areas: Biltmore House and the Ancillary Areas.  The combined duties allowed for overall supervision of scheduling, and crews for all areas of our coverage of decorating and installation, also working with several departments in setting up our big events for Spring and Christmas as well as other events during the year.





Both careers was a great adventure and I enjoyed working with such talented people; but the 21 years I was employed at the Biltmore Estate was by far a life changing time.  Working with such wonderful people, I was able to stretch my love of learning and talents in such a beautiful and historical atmosphere.





In June of 2000, I married Paul Mark Brank, whom I known for a number of years as a friend but love blossomed and we are quite blessed to have been married for 17 years.  He is a very generous, patient, kind and hard working man. We live on a farm on a Reems Creek Road in Weaverville. The farm produces hay, steers and a wonderful life.  I was not a farm girl at first, but enjoy learning and living on the farm.  We have had a good time remodeling the farmhouse and improving other areas, and now live full time on the farm.  I love gardening and get carried away forgetting I'm 68. You are supposed to be slowing down.





I love where I was born and have lived all these years but enjoy traveling; most recently to England, Scotland and Wales. Mark and I also love to take cruises with family and friends and hope to do more in the future since I retired in August, 2016 from the Estate.


 


Since my father's death in 2010, we have been seeing to my mother's needs. She is now 89 and hope to have her here for many years to come.  My family includes a sister, brother in law, brother, 2 nieces, 4 great nephews, 1 great niece and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  Many of which live in and around the area.





In closing, the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family, friends and husband and I have had enjoyed my life here in the most beautiful place on earth and look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.  May God Bless.  Gloria Banks Brank

Linda Jean Bridges (Hyder)

Then Then
Comment: Please see Memorials page.  Date of death:  11/2/2007

Linda Louise Briggs (Quakenbush)

Then Then
Now Now
Spouse's Name: Leroy

Bruce Neil Brigman

Then Then
Comment: Please see memorials page.  Date of death: February 28, 2021.
Spouse's Name: Latrice

Vicky Karan Brigman (Fisher)

Then Then