Hazel and Jim Rigsby.
Hazel is a 1946 Graduate of Rockport. She attended college and taught school on a part time basis until she received her degree in Elementary Education. She was teaching school in the time frame when Jim Rigsby came to town as a Presbyterian Preacher. Hazel and Jim married and he moved on and took Hazel with him. They settled in Madison, Tennessee and raised a family. Hazel continued to teach until retirement. She had a chance to continue working and to change careers and is now employed as a Data Input Specialist at a local Doctor's Billing Office.
Hazel and Jim Rigsby have two children, a boy and a girl. Their son is an Aerospace Engineer and their daughter is a veterinarian.
Hazel is a 1946 Graduate of Rockport. She attended college and taught school on a part time basis until she received her degree in Elementary Education. She was teaching school in the time frame when Jim Rigsby came to town as a Presbyterian Preacher. Hazel and Jim married and he moved on and took Hazel with him. They settled in Madison, Tennessee and raised a family. Hazel continued to teach until retirement. She had a chance to continue working and to change careers and is now employed as a Data Input Specialist at a local Doctor's Billing Office.
Hazel and Jim Rigsby have two children, a boy and a girl. Their son is an Aerospace Engineer and their daughter is a veterinarian.
The Reid Women In 1992.
Above picture furnished by Harold Welborn. Many thanks Harold.
They are L-R: Margaret Reid Welborn; Jean Reid Reynolds; Virginia (Gee Gee) Reid Lamb; Gladys Robinson (Mrs. Buddy) Reid; and Annetta Mae Reid Howerton. I am guessing from my best memory and Family birth records. I think Annetta graduated in 1927; Gee in 1931; Jean in 1940.
Margaret married Johnny Welborn. This Welborn couple tried some business ventures in the late forties and early fifties along with working for several companies in several states. Finally, the state of Oregon seemed to have the best opportunities to offer for a family of five and in 1953, Margaret and Johnny left Kentucky with their three boys and moved to Oregon. Kentucky never left their mind and they returned to the "Bluegrass State" to visit as many times as they could make the trip.
Jean lives in Beaver Dam with her husband of over 60 years, William Reynolds. William's father owned the Pontiac/GMC dealership in Beaver Dam and Wm worked there.
Gee Gee married Gilbert Lamb, a Rockport High School Teacher. Gilbert moved the family, which now included a daughter, several times looking for his place in life. Gee Gee knew her Paradise and where she wanted to spend her time on this earth. She returned to Rockport with her daughter and became a lifelong resident of Rockport. She worked for Casebier's in Beaver Dam until retirement. She was also the secretary/bookkeeper for the Rockport Water Works, a position she held until just a few years ago.
OBITUARY:
Virginia R. "Gee Gee" Lamb, 99, of Rockport, passed away, Friday, April 12, 2013 at Beaver Dam Nursing and Rehab. She was born April 30, 1913 in Rockport, KY to the late M B and Lennie Maddox Reid. She was a member of Rockport Baptist Church in Rockport, retired sales clerk for Casebier Department Store and homemaker. She also was a proud Kentucky Wildcat Fan and she loved to read.
Beside her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters, Anetta Howerton and Margaret Welborn and one brother, James "Buddy" Reid.
Survivors include one daughter, Claire (Jerry) Singleton of Rockport, one granddaughter, Susan (Kenny) Newcom of Beaver Dam, one grandson, Tommy Singleton of Rockport, one sister, Jean (William) Reynolds of Beaver Dam. She was blessed with two great grandchildren, Ashley Singleton and Aubrey Newcom. She was also survived by three nieces and six nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, April 15, 2013 at William L. Danks Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Brownd officiating. Burial will be in Reid Cemetery in Rockport, KY. Visitation will be from 10AM until time of service on Monday at the funeral home.
Gladys Robinson married James B. Reid and she became a Rockport Citizen and a life long ambassador. They raised two sons and she and Buddy moved to Beaver Dam for their retirement years. Gladys continues to have Rockport in her heart and soul and will assist in any endeavor that she thinks will make Rockport a better place to live.
Annetta married Andy Howerton, a "Railroad Man" and they ended up in Memphis, Tennessee. The pair added two daughters and they settled in Memphis to raise their family. Annetta and family will visit Rockport as often as they can.
Above picture furnished by Harold Welborn. Many thanks Harold.
They are L-R: Margaret Reid Welborn; Jean Reid Reynolds; Virginia (Gee Gee) Reid Lamb; Gladys Robinson (Mrs. Buddy) Reid; and Annetta Mae Reid Howerton. I am guessing from my best memory and Family birth records. I think Annetta graduated in 1927; Gee in 1931; Jean in 1940.
Margaret married Johnny Welborn. This Welborn couple tried some business ventures in the late forties and early fifties along with working for several companies in several states. Finally, the state of Oregon seemed to have the best opportunities to offer for a family of five and in 1953, Margaret and Johnny left Kentucky with their three boys and moved to Oregon. Kentucky never left their mind and they returned to the "Bluegrass State" to visit as many times as they could make the trip.
Jean lives in Beaver Dam with her husband of over 60 years, William Reynolds. William's father owned the Pontiac/GMC dealership in Beaver Dam and Wm worked there.
Gee Gee married Gilbert Lamb, a Rockport High School Teacher. Gilbert moved the family, which now included a daughter, several times looking for his place in life. Gee Gee knew her Paradise and where she wanted to spend her time on this earth. She returned to Rockport with her daughter and became a lifelong resident of Rockport. She worked for Casebier's in Beaver Dam until retirement. She was also the secretary/bookkeeper for the Rockport Water Works, a position she held until just a few years ago.
OBITUARY:
Virginia R. "Gee Gee" Lamb, 99, of Rockport, passed away, Friday, April 12, 2013 at Beaver Dam Nursing and Rehab. She was born April 30, 1913 in Rockport, KY to the late M B and Lennie Maddox Reid. She was a member of Rockport Baptist Church in Rockport, retired sales clerk for Casebier Department Store and homemaker. She also was a proud Kentucky Wildcat Fan and she loved to read.
Beside her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters, Anetta Howerton and Margaret Welborn and one brother, James "Buddy" Reid.
Survivors include one daughter, Claire (Jerry) Singleton of Rockport, one granddaughter, Susan (Kenny) Newcom of Beaver Dam, one grandson, Tommy Singleton of Rockport, one sister, Jean (William) Reynolds of Beaver Dam. She was blessed with two great grandchildren, Ashley Singleton and Aubrey Newcom. She was also survived by three nieces and six nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, April 15, 2013 at William L. Danks Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Brownd officiating. Burial will be in Reid Cemetery in Rockport, KY. Visitation will be from 10AM until time of service on Monday at the funeral home.
Gladys Robinson married James B. Reid and she became a Rockport Citizen and a life long ambassador. They raised two sons and she and Buddy moved to Beaver Dam for their retirement years. Gladys continues to have Rockport in her heart and soul and will assist in any endeavor that she thinks will make Rockport a better place to live.
Annetta married Andy Howerton, a "Railroad Man" and they ended up in Memphis, Tennessee. The pair added two daughters and they settled in Memphis to raise their family. Annetta and family will visit Rockport as often as they can.
Juanita K. Park.
Juanita graduated from Rockport High School in 1944 and enrolled at Western Kentucky State Teachers College. The school later became Western Kentucky University, but until the seventies it was a college for teachers. It was a common practice then, to enroll in college, earn a few hours and teach on a part time basis or as needed. As long as the student teacher was working on their degree, they could continue to teach. Western Kentucky State Teachers College, and other state colleges such as Eastern Kentucky State, supplied the demand for teachers. It seems that most of the teachers at Rockport and Ohio County received their teaching degree from Western Kentucky State.
Juanita had a long and enjoyable career teaching others. She started teaching the third grade at Rockport while still in the teens. Going to Western Kentucky State University during the summer months and taking other courses she earned her degree in Elementary Education. In the meantime, Juanita married another teacher by the name of Woodrow Park. He also spent his career teaching and worked his way up that old ladder and eventually became Superintendent Of Ohio County School System. Juanita continued teaching and attending Western on a part time basis and eventually decided to try the college scene. She became a professor at Western Kentucky University and taught until retirement.
Rockport is fortunate to have a super citizen like Mrs. Woodrow Park. Now retired, she continues to work on projects that benefit Rockport and Ohio County. May you never be forgotten by this small town and by Ohio County.
Juanita graduated from Rockport High School in 1944 and enrolled at Western Kentucky State Teachers College. The school later became Western Kentucky University, but until the seventies it was a college for teachers. It was a common practice then, to enroll in college, earn a few hours and teach on a part time basis or as needed. As long as the student teacher was working on their degree, they could continue to teach. Western Kentucky State Teachers College, and other state colleges such as Eastern Kentucky State, supplied the demand for teachers. It seems that most of the teachers at Rockport and Ohio County received their teaching degree from Western Kentucky State.
Juanita had a long and enjoyable career teaching others. She started teaching the third grade at Rockport while still in the teens. Going to Western Kentucky State University during the summer months and taking other courses she earned her degree in Elementary Education. In the meantime, Juanita married another teacher by the name of Woodrow Park. He also spent his career teaching and worked his way up that old ladder and eventually became Superintendent Of Ohio County School System. Juanita continued teaching and attending Western on a part time basis and eventually decided to try the college scene. She became a professor at Western Kentucky University and taught until retirement.
Rockport is fortunate to have a super citizen like Mrs. Woodrow Park. Now retired, she continues to work on projects that benefit Rockport and Ohio County. May you never be forgotten by this small town and by Ohio County.
The Reid's. Earlier Years.
Picture and write-up supplied by Harold Welborn. Harold forgot to identify each Reid in the above photo, but two of them are easy to name and I will try to name the other two. Feel free to nab me on this one if I don't get them correct.
Left to Right. Virginia (Gee Gee) Reid Lamb should be easy to identify as she became a life long resident of Rockport when she returned with her daughter, Clara. I think the next one is Margaret Reid Welborn, the wife of Johnny Welborn and the mother of Harold, Kenneth and John E. Welborn. She and Johnny, along with all of her sons moved to Oregon in about 1953. Next is Annetta Mae Reid Howerton. I never had the pleasure of knowing her as she and her husband moved from Rockport soon after their marriage. Of course, the gentleman on the right and on the end is James B. (Buddy) Reid. There is no doubt about him. And now for the write-up by Harold. Thanks Harold.
James B (Buddy) Reid graduated from Rockport High School in 1944 just before he went into the Army. After the Army he went to school to make neon signs in Louisville, then built the Snack Shack in Rockport with HT Kennedy and ran it until he went to work for Ken Coal, where he finally became the operator of the "monster" strip shovel (the very tall one that had about a 30 yd shovel) and ran it until he died at age 57. Buddy and Gladys had two sons; James B Jr was the champion coach at Georgetown U. until he died; and John is a Dentist.
Margaret went to school in Rockport until the spring of her senior year when she quit school to marry John M Welborn in April 1935. She never got around to finishing high school, but lived a full life. She and John raised three sons. She lived in Salem Oregon from 1964 until her death in 1993. While in Salem she worked for May Department store from 1964 until she retired in 1980.
Annetta Reid graduated from Rockport High School in 1927. She taught school at Rockport for awhile after high school and married Andy Howerton from Central City. Andy worked for the Railroad. He was transferred to Memphis where they lived the rest of their life. Annetta worked at several jobs there until she went to work for S and H Green Stamps, she worked there as store manager until she retired. She had two daughters.
Gee graduated from Rockport in 1932. She married Gilbert Lamb who taught High School at Rockport, they later moved to Sturgis, then to Memphis, before Gee returned to Rockport with her daughter Claire who is now Mrs. Jerry Singleton. Gee worked at Casebier's in Beaver Dam until she retired.
Picture and write-up supplied by Harold Welborn. Harold forgot to identify each Reid in the above photo, but two of them are easy to name and I will try to name the other two. Feel free to nab me on this one if I don't get them correct.
Left to Right. Virginia (Gee Gee) Reid Lamb should be easy to identify as she became a life long resident of Rockport when she returned with her daughter, Clara. I think the next one is Margaret Reid Welborn, the wife of Johnny Welborn and the mother of Harold, Kenneth and John E. Welborn. She and Johnny, along with all of her sons moved to Oregon in about 1953. Next is Annetta Mae Reid Howerton. I never had the pleasure of knowing her as she and her husband moved from Rockport soon after their marriage. Of course, the gentleman on the right and on the end is James B. (Buddy) Reid. There is no doubt about him. And now for the write-up by Harold. Thanks Harold.
James B (Buddy) Reid graduated from Rockport High School in 1944 just before he went into the Army. After the Army he went to school to make neon signs in Louisville, then built the Snack Shack in Rockport with HT Kennedy and ran it until he went to work for Ken Coal, where he finally became the operator of the "monster" strip shovel (the very tall one that had about a 30 yd shovel) and ran it until he died at age 57. Buddy and Gladys had two sons; James B Jr was the champion coach at Georgetown U. until he died; and John is a Dentist.
Margaret went to school in Rockport until the spring of her senior year when she quit school to marry John M Welborn in April 1935. She never got around to finishing high school, but lived a full life. She and John raised three sons. She lived in Salem Oregon from 1964 until her death in 1993. While in Salem she worked for May Department store from 1964 until she retired in 1980.
Annetta Reid graduated from Rockport High School in 1927. She taught school at Rockport for awhile after high school and married Andy Howerton from Central City. Andy worked for the Railroad. He was transferred to Memphis where they lived the rest of their life. Annetta worked at several jobs there until she went to work for S and H Green Stamps, she worked there as store manager until she retired. She had two daughters.
Gee graduated from Rockport in 1932. She married Gilbert Lamb who taught High School at Rockport, they later moved to Sturgis, then to Memphis, before Gee returned to Rockport with her daughter Claire who is now Mrs. Jerry Singleton. Gee worked at Casebier's in Beaver Dam until she retired.
Jenell Fulkerson Wilcox.
Jenell is pictured above, on the left, with part of her family.
Jenell Fulkerson was born and raised in the Echols community and started her formal schooling at #19 school. The old school building has long since been torn down, but when in use, it served the local area, and many an Echols area student received all or a part of their education in that old schoolhouse. Jenell's family lived within a mile or so of #19 School and most of her family members started their education in the old building. After an elementary education, Jenell transferred to Rockport High school and Graduated in 1943.
Jenell married Bert Neal Wilcox after graduation from high school. Their family consisted of about five children including a set of twins. I am not aware of the exact number of children, nor do I have information on their grandchildren. The family moved to Louisville shortly after Jenell married and they made their home in Louisville. The retirement years were also spent in Louisville.
Jenell taught school for one year. It was of an emergency nature and she, as a high school graduate, was given permission to teach. After the one year, she decided that teaching was not what she wanted in life.
Bert Wilcox passed away several years ago. Jenell passed away this year.
Jenell is pictured above, on the left, with part of her family.
Jenell Fulkerson was born and raised in the Echols community and started her formal schooling at #19 school. The old school building has long since been torn down, but when in use, it served the local area, and many an Echols area student received all or a part of their education in that old schoolhouse. Jenell's family lived within a mile or so of #19 School and most of her family members started their education in the old building. After an elementary education, Jenell transferred to Rockport High school and Graduated in 1943.
Jenell married Bert Neal Wilcox after graduation from high school. Their family consisted of about five children including a set of twins. I am not aware of the exact number of children, nor do I have information on their grandchildren. The family moved to Louisville shortly after Jenell married and they made their home in Louisville. The retirement years were also spent in Louisville.
Jenell taught school for one year. It was of an emergency nature and she, as a high school graduate, was given permission to teach. After the one year, she decided that teaching was not what she wanted in life.
Bert Wilcox passed away several years ago. Jenell passed away this year.
Pictured above is photograph of Rockport High School. The photo was probably
taken in the early fifties. In the early nineteen hundreds, there was no school
building in Rockport and any teaching was done in public places like church buildings
and even a saloon. By 1908, the people of Rockport were beginning to realize that
a high school was needed and a two-year high school was established. This new school
building was built on Bluff Street. In 1925 a four-year high school was established
with the first graduating class in 1926. All went well for a few years and Rockport
High School was producing high school graduates. Then in 1933, the nice school on
Bluff Street burned and the students were back to attending school in churches and
other buildings. A short time later, an entire block of buildings in Rockport caught
fire and burned. Some of these buildings were being used as school rooms. The
students were moved once again to churches and other buildings. Later in 1933,
plans were made to purchase land and build a new school building. This new school
was to be built by the WPA (Work Projects Administration-A Federal project created
by the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration) and located on highway 62. Several
local residents were hired by the WPA to help construct the new school. Two years
later and in 1935, Rockport students were moved to the new school building. In 1937
a gymnasium was added and soon afterwards the newly constructed Rockport Water System
was tied into the school's water system. During this period to time, the students
either ate in local restaurants, went home to eat or brought their lunch. In 1949
a cafeteria was started. The stage was used for the new cafeteria and the kitchen
was located just off stage. Mrs. Ida Mae Kennedy and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Nell
Kennedy were hired as the new cooks. In 1954 a new cafeteria was built. By now
this new school system had been in use for a little over twenty years and was producing
some fine citizens, as well as giving those that wanted a higher education, the
background to go on to a higher level of knowledge. Life was good in the fifties
and life was even better in small towns like Rockport in those great years of the
early fifties.
Changes may be inevitable, but most people over thirty resist changes. In the mid-fifties, changes were occurring in the school system of Ohio County and the small towns were losing their local schools. Consolidation was the new by-word and the new idea for a better education for the students. Maybe so, maybe not, but the people in charge of the paychecks, in their infinite wisdom, made the decision for one large high school in Ohio County instead of the eight small schools. In 1956, the last graduating class of Rockport picked up their diplomas and Rockport High School was no more. In 1957 the high school students went to Beaver Dam and the schooling of grade school students continued at Rockport. After all, Rockport still had a school building with students and all was not lost. Although the older students were being transported to Beaver Dam to continue their education, the younger Rockport students were still able to attend the school of their choice. Conditions were good, but more problems and changes were forthcoming. In September of 1967, Rockport students had registered for another school year and had started the education process of another term when the school building mysteriously caught fire and burned. Another sad period of time existed for the people of Rockport and this time, there would not be another school building built. Again, the people that controlled the monies were adamant in their decision to not build another building in Rockport for the purpose of educating the local youth. Instead, a nice school building was constructed at the intersection of Highways 62 and 85. This school would later be known as Western Elementary and students from Rockport, Centertown and McHenry would be bussed in for their education.
Information from Shirley Smith's book, "History Of Rockport and Echols" was used in the writing of the above two paragraphs. Thanks Shirley.
See you......
jrd
Changes may be inevitable, but most people over thirty resist changes. In the mid-fifties, changes were occurring in the school system of Ohio County and the small towns were losing their local schools. Consolidation was the new by-word and the new idea for a better education for the students. Maybe so, maybe not, but the people in charge of the paychecks, in their infinite wisdom, made the decision for one large high school in Ohio County instead of the eight small schools. In 1956, the last graduating class of Rockport picked up their diplomas and Rockport High School was no more. In 1957 the high school students went to Beaver Dam and the schooling of grade school students continued at Rockport. After all, Rockport still had a school building with students and all was not lost. Although the older students were being transported to Beaver Dam to continue their education, the younger Rockport students were still able to attend the school of their choice. Conditions were good, but more problems and changes were forthcoming. In September of 1967, Rockport students had registered for another school year and had started the education process of another term when the school building mysteriously caught fire and burned. Another sad period of time existed for the people of Rockport and this time, there would not be another school building built. Again, the people that controlled the monies were adamant in their decision to not build another building in Rockport for the purpose of educating the local youth. Instead, a nice school building was constructed at the intersection of Highways 62 and 85. This school would later be known as Western Elementary and students from Rockport, Centertown and McHenry would be bussed in for their education.
Information from Shirley Smith's book, "History Of Rockport and Echols" was used in the writing of the above two paragraphs. Thanks Shirley.
See you......
jrd