Charles Jackson Jenkins 1941-2009

I apologize for missing this notice. Thanks to Blythe Carroll Hampton for calling it to my attention.

Jack Jenkins played football and ran track during his years in junior high at ARC. He was a member of Young Life. Many of you will remember his sisters, Jane and her husband, Milner Lively, Betty and Tommy Green.

His obituary from the Augusta Chronicle follows:
Retired Edgefield County Building Official NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Graveside services for Mr. Charles Jackson "Jack" Jenkins, 69, of West Woodlawn Avenue, North Augusta, SC, who entered into rest April 14, 2009, will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Father David F. O. Thompson officiating. Jack was a native of Augusta having made North Augusta his home for the past 47 years. He was a member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church where he was a former member of the Vestry and a US Army Veteran. He attended The Academy of Richmond County, Augusta College, The University of Georgia and Aiken Technical College. Jack was retired from the State of South Carolina as an Edgefield County Building Official, worked as a Superintendent of Construction, a licensed Building Contractor, a licensed Home Inspector and was a former Real Estate Agent. He was a certified Building Official and Fire Marshall, a member of the Board of Directors of Central Inspections and SC Code Compliance and a member of the Building Officials Association of South Carolina. Jack loved boating and fishing at Clark Hill Lake, the University of Georgia football and working in the yard. "He fought the good fight, holding on to his faith and a good conscience." Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Pamela Hayes Jenkins; three daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Rob Rothley, Peachtree City, GA, Cindy Owens, North Augusta and Jennifer and Matt Creswell, Huntersville, NC; four grandchildren, Cameron Hayes Rothley, Matthew Thomas Creswell, Jr., Reagan Elizabeth Creswell and Bonnie Pamela Owens; 2 great- grandchildren; two sisters and their husbands, Jane and Milner Lively, Augusta and Betty and Tommy Green, Carrollton, GA. Honorary Pallbearers will be Pat Timmerman, Charles Goodwin, Oliver Owens, Roger Lowe, Milner Lively, Tommy Green, Bill Benjamin, Matt Creswell and Rob Rothley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this Thursday evening from 6 to 8. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803-278-1181). Visit the registry online at www.poseyfuneralhome.com . Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

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Dan Miller 1941-2009

Dan Miller has sent his bio and photos for the Reunion Memory book. He will be included, but he will not be with us. He has contributed to the memories of the class across the years in notes to the committee and comments about Augusta on his own blog.

Danny died last night here in his hometown. We will miss him.

This link will take you to his home station http://www.wsmv.com/video/19136339/index.html http://www.wsmv.com/danmiller/index.html
More videos and clips about Dan Miller from WSM.

I will put up more info later today.

Annette

On March 9, 2009, I posted an entry here about the Reunion questionnaire along with suggestions of how you might use the forms to send us information about yourself I suggested that you "think of what you would like to read about your old friends. Then tell us that same thing about yourself;. . . " Then I used a photo of Danny Miller reading to his daughter's third grade class. As I thought about what to write about Danny today, I decided to let you read his own words. This is how he answered those questions for our Class of 1959 Fiftieth Reunion.

---What has been your main focus (career, family, hobbies/collections) for the past fifty years?....Broadcasting. It's the only thing I've worked in all these years. In fact, in 1961 I decided to take -- what I thought would be -- a one quarter sabbatical from Augusta College to earn a little extra money editing film full-time at WJBF. Here we are 48 years later and I still haven't gone back to class, but I might yet!

---What would surprise us most about what you have been doing, are interested in or have become?....
The most surprising thing for me, by far, was becoming a father again at age 57, after my first three were already grown. It was frightening to me, but has truly become the most wonderful thing I can imagine in life.

---What surprises you most about your reaction to having grandchildren? That's easy... My biggest surprise about being a grandfather is... I'M A GRANDFATHER!!! Isn't that something really old people do?

---What has it taken you 50 years to learn?... That 50 years can pass in no time at all.

---How or why would you most like to be remembered?... Oh, I suppose as a kind person who came up with a few good ideas, and became a friend to some really fascinating people, even some of my childhood heroes, along the way.

--—What is your favorite memory or what one thing would you change about your high school years?... I wouldn't change a thing, except maybe try not to be such a dork.

---What is the best thing about retirement?! ... I have no idea. Maybe I'll be able to answer that someday way down the road. Remember, I have a 10-year old daughter.


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The photo is of Dan Miller with his friend former anchor, Jim Davis. Danny sent it for our book. It was taken at Sacred Heart Cultural Center while Dan was here for the 59th Anniversary Celebration of the premier of "The Three Faces of Eve" at the Miller Theater. I sent him the link to the article about the event.


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A Note of Sympathy

There were many romances at Richmond Academy (and/or later at Augusta College)which blossomed into lifelong partnerships. Henry and I were one of those couples for 33 years. So I understand the pain of loss which Joyce Lanier Jaksch is experiencing now and offer my sympathy for the weeks and months ahead. Many of his classmates will also mourn the loss of a friend, Diether Jaksch, Sr.

His obituary:
Business Owner AUGUSTA, Ga. - Entered into rest at University Hospital on Friday, October 12, 2007, Mr. Diether Jaksch, SR., 65, beloved husband of Joyce Lanier Jaksch of Augusta. Mr. Jaksch was a native of Kaplitz, Czechoslovakia. He had made Augusta his home for the past 55 years. He was the owner of South Augusta Auto Electric. Mr. Jaksch was a member of the Elks Club, the Green Meadows Golf Club, President of the Keg Creek Boating Club and was of the Catholic faith. In addition to his wife he is survived by his son, Diether Jaksch, Jr. and his wife Renee of Waynesboro, GA; his daughter, Terri Jaksch Bray and her husband Joel of Swainsboro, GA; grandchildren, Ellen Jaksch Chandler, Beau Jaksch, Courtney Jaksch, Scott Bray and Jack Bray; great-grandchild, Dawson Chandler; brother-in-law, Al Niver; his step-father, Karl Fuerlinger of Martinez, GA; nieces, Elayne McGlaun, Tabatha Niver and Martha Gunn; his nephews, Lanny Niver and Monte Lanier and the extended Prieschl Family of West Palm Beach, Florida. The family would like to thank his special caregiver, Jeanette Grissom. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th St. New York, NY 10022 Funeral services will be conducted today, Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 2:00 PM, in the Chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Max Hicks officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Beau Jaksch, Justin Chandler, Jim Beck, Wes McGlaun, Lanny Niver and Marty Bray. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Bray, Ronald Jowers, Dwight Bagwell, Don Brown, Jim Gohacki, Cecil Adams, Leslie Padgett, Jim McGlaun and Doc Woodward.

Interment will follow at Bellevue Memorial Gardens, Grovetown, GA. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, GA 30907. 706-364-8484. Published in The Augusta Chronicle from 10/13/2007 - 10/14/2007.

Jean Dinkins Morris -- One of the Treasures

I often refer to myself as a "born again Augustan" -- a facetious title, but one which fits my rediscovery of Augusta and all its hidden treasures. After college, I accepted a job in Greenville, SC while hubby was at Clemson. We moved to a number of towns over the next 25 years and enjoyed what each had to offer. Imagine our surprise to find, after returning 'home,' that Augusta has many of those things and more. Everything about our old hometown has been experienced with new eyes and new excitement.

I saw very few classmates over those years that we were away and I still sometimes just pass them by without recognizing them. Seeing them again is like discovering another hidden treasure.

One of the first ones I recognized was Jean Dinkins. Her big smile had not changed a bit. We talked a little about our days at Richmond, reunions, and singing with Miss Halbert in that upstairs chorus room.

Jean Dinkins Morris died on Sunday. A grandmother of six who is gone too soon. Another classmate who has been lost to us.

Her obituary from Monday's Augusta Chronicle is below.
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EVANS, Ga. - Mrs. Jean Dinkins Morris, 66, entered into rest on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Heartland Hospice. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at Abilene Baptist Church cemetery with Rev. Bill Harrell and Rev. Barry Daniel officiating. Mrs. Morris will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of Abilene Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tommie Morris of Evans; two daughters, Debbie Atwood and her husband Rick of Brunswick, Ga., Robin Compton and her husband Randy of Piedmont, S.C.; and six grandchildren, Thomas Knapp, Nikolas Knapp, Heather Knapp, Kaitlyn Compton, Madison Atwood, and Caleb Atwood. Mrs. Morris was predeceased by her parents, Gary and Vivian Dinkins; and her brother, Wayne Dinkins. If so desired, memorials may be made to the Abilene Baptist Church Building Fund, 3917 Washington Rd., Martinez, Ga. 30907. Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Rd., Evans, Ga. 30809. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 10/8/2007.

AAB

Affecting Our Days

As I have added obituaries of classmates to this blog, I've received a number of emails from readers. Some just say thanks for the memories. Most comment that they don't remember much about specific class members at first or have truly lost touch with those they do remember, yet they have a true sense of loss.

I understand their response; sometimes I feel like old classmates are fictional characters in some fictional person's life (Mine. Was that really me?!!) Yet I have snippets of memory which come back -- both the pleasant and the down-right awful -- and I appreciate that these folks and our days together helped to make me who I am today.

I like Dan Miller's comments after reading an obituary.

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Charles Bignon: Keeping Track

Reunion committees don't just look for names, they keep track and sometimes they connect.

When we began to look for classmates before the 45th Reunion, I took out my old list of "A" names which had been assigned for the aborted 40th. I searched in as many ways as possible and I found quite a few. Then, I picked up the stack of "B" cards which had been given to Henry and began again. I finally just made some phone calls. Just out of the blue, I called people. Some remembered me; some didn't. Most were glad to hear from someone from ARC and their past.

Charles Bignon was one of those I called. He was kind enough NOT to say, "I don't remember you." I could tell he didn't. But he remembered lots of others and wanted to know about them - to catch up.

He read the Chronicle on-line everyday to keep up with his beloved Augusta. He often came over from Macon to check on his mother's house and would call or come by to talk about growing up in "PG" (Olde Town) just a block over from my house. He looked at the 1959 annual and asked about specific people who we might have found in our reunion search. He brought me his friend Willie Perkins' (ARC Class of '58) book ("No Saints, No Saviors") about their years with the Allman Brothers Band; he talked a little about those times and the job of keeping track of the band.

Sometimes I would not hear anything from him for 6-8 months and then he would call with some kind of request which was both matter of fact and specific. So, I checked his house after a storm, I wrapped Christmas presents for his family, I saved all the papers pertaining to James Brown's death and funeral, I redressed a small injury on his calf which had required an emergency room visit . . . . The last time I saw Charles we shared our first and only meal and talked about my tiny little digital camera. Later, he called to ask for more details. He liked it and thought he would buy one. When I told him the cost, he said, "Damn, Sugar, I don't want to make love to it. I just want to take a few pictures!" That was the Charles I got to know.

Charles reached the end of his days on August 25, 2007. I will miss those infrequent calls and visits from this kind and gentle classmate. I will always regret that I owed him a phone call and perhaps an email.

Charles's obituary follows:
MACON, Ga. - Charles N. Bignon, III died on August 25, 2007. Born on July 30, 1941 in Augusta, Ga., he lived in Macon for many years. He was the son of the late Charles N. Bignon, Jr. and the late Mary E. Massengale. He graduated from Richmond Academy and attended Augusta College. He worked in Atlanta and then in Macon for The Allman Brothers Band and as co-owner of The Great Southern Company. He retired in 1990. Charles is survived by a brother, Robert E. Bignon of Athens, Ga.; a sister, Gloria Anne Ivy of Belvedere, S.C.; nieces, Erin, Elizabeth and Britton; nephews, Rush, Tony, Christopher and Ryan; and many friends. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 29, 2007 from 10:30 a.m. until noon at Hart's Mortuary, located at 765 Cherry Street in Macon. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. in Athens, Ga. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel located at 327 North Lumpkin Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the donor's favorite charity. Hart's Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com
Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 8/28/2007.

My Old Friend, Virginia Johnson Laird

Recently, my daughters and I were discussing family dogs. Most of our pets have been mixed mutts or pound puppies. One of our favorites had been Rags, a little Peekapoo, who looked like a little pile of black rags on the floor at the pound. I thought about the first 'real' pekingese which I had ever seen. It belonged to Virginia Johnson's grandmother. Virginia and I got to be good friends while her mother was my third grade teacher and I often visited their house during the next few years. Sometimes Mrs. McElveen would let us play with her little pug-nosed, bug-eyed jewel. He seemed very exotic! Our Rags was not exotic, but he was loved just about as much. I had lost touch with Virginia across the years, but still have warm memories whenever I pass the little brick house on Troup Street in Kings Woods.

Even though Virginia died in January before I began my class blog, I had saved her obituary. I wanted to add it just for the record with thanks for the memories.

HOUSTON, TX - Virginia Johnson Laird, born August 9, 1941 in Aiken, South Carolina, entered into our Lord's hands January 4, 2007 at the age of 65. Virginia graduated from Augusta Richmond Academy and Bolens Business College. She started her career in the apartment industry in Columbia, SC in 1969 and continued her career in Houston from 1979 until retirement in 2001. Virginia was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and she was a loving friend to many. She was preceded in death by her son Steven John Laird, her mother Ruby McElveen Johnson and her father James Tilman Johnson. Virginia is survived by her husband of 45 years, John B. Laird, Sr., daughter Merrell L. Turpin and her husband Dean, son John B. Laird Jr. and his wife Dalene, grandchildren Justin, Kurt, Halton, Laird, Elizabeth Massey and Wyatt and great grandchildren, Kori and Landon. Virginia had a great love for life and enjoyed every moment she shared with her family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907 from 12 pm to 1 pm with the funeral service beginning at 1 pm and burial will follow at Westview Cemetery, 2051 Division Street, Augusta, 30904. Pallbearers will be Justin Turpin, Halton Turpin, Laird Turpin, Jordan Clem, Richard O'Connell and Doyle Evans. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Virginia. Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 1/7/2007.

Phillip Gray Burton Found the Joy in Life

This week, Don Patterson received an email from Evelyn Burton-Kelly, who contacted Don after finding the "59 Classics" in her father's mail. She wrote, "Daddy went to heaven on April 9 after a 4 month fight with Mesothelioma. Please include this in your next newsletter as notification to his former classmates." Don forwarded her email to me.

Even though we shared a homeroom, I checked my annual to make sure I was remembering Phillip correctly. Underneath his photo was this quote "To eat, to drink and to be merry." It seems this is the way he lived his life and that he made sure those around him enjoyed life as well as he.

I am finding more and more that those early traits stay with us for all our lives. It's one of the reasons reunions work; suddenly we are back in time with those same folks. They may look different on the outside, but inside we know them. It's too bad Phillip Burton will not be with us for the 50th Reunion to share his laughter and sense of humor. I have no doubt he would have once again made us all find the joy in the day.

Part of Phillip's Obituary from the AJC follows:
Phillip Gray Burton was met at the gates of Heaven on April 9, 2007 by his parents, Milton and Mazzie Burton and his step-son, Richard Drummond, Jr. Mr. Burton worked for SAIA Motor Freight for ten years and was retired from Yellow Freight System after 30 years of service. Preceded in death by his parents and step-son, he is survived by his wife, Mary Burton of Duluth; daughter, Evelyn Ann Burton Kelly and her husband James of Suwanee; sisters and brother-in-law, Faye B. and Pete Ogren of Lawrenceville, Betty Mayes of Kings Mountain, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

If you would like to email Evelyn and her family, contact me or simply click on comments below. If you would like to see all obituaries which have been posted, see labels below and click on obits.

Ray Maddox Painted What We Remember

I had a long conversation with Ray a couple of years ago -- two artists who vowed to get together and talk about our work face to face. We never had that afternoon. For that I am sorry.

Although Ray had painted for many years, he began to paint seriously in oils and pastels after moving to the Carolina Low Country coast a few years ago. He and his wife Pati, a potter, shared a studio space at their home and often shared the exhibiting spotlight. He was a good representational artist whose work was colored by his memories of vacations as a boy. He said. "It is not enough to simply capture a scene on canvas. That can be done with a camera and film. The artist should make the viewer a participant. The viewer should feel, ‘I’ve seen this place. I’ve been there. I know it.’"' *from Ray's bio.

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Ray's obituary follows:

Retired Sales Manager BEAUFORT, S.C. - Entered into rest Friday, July 06, 2007 at University Hospital, Mr. Raymond D. "Ray" Maddox, 65, husband of Pati True Maddox. Mr. Maddox was a native of Augusta, had lived in New Orleans for 10 years and Beaufort for the last 6 years. He was a retired Sales Manager in the Chemical Industry and a retired Teacher with Beaufort Academy. Mr. Maddox was also a Low Country Artist. Family members in addition to his wife include his mother: Janie Richards Maddox of Augusta; daughters and sons-in-law: Kimberly Maddox and Jon Utley of Salt Lake City, UT, Melanie Maddox of Atlanta, Julie and Michael Sanders of Greenville, TN; son and daughter-in-law: Charles and Dominique Giordano of New Orleans; sister and brother-in-law: DiAnne Maddox Gay and Ray Gay of Charleston, SC; brother and sister-in-law: Ronald Charles and Greta Maddox of St. Helena Island, SC and 15 grandchildren. A Celebration of Mr. Maddox life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Beaufort Art Association, PO Box 625, Beaufort, SC 29901. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

Charlie Harris Storms the Gates Again

This week, Charlie Harris died. He was not a 59 Musketeer, but many of us knew him when he was on the winning football teams in earlier years. I have occasionally run into him and have heard the whispers "he's an ex-con, you know" about his time in prison and his crazy actions which put him there and the quiet comments "he's a hard worker in his church."

But I also learned that he was a hard-drinking buddy of my uncle before he stormed the gates of the Augusta National Golf Club in his old blue pickup to see President Reagan about his concerns for American Workers and overseas jobs. I learned that after he stood before our classmate Judge Dudley Bowen to hear his charges and later served a portion of his sentence, he began a prison ministry which he continued after he became a regular citizen again. I learned that he was a quietly respected member of his community who could always be counted on.

I'm glad I had a chance to get to know the adult Charlie Harris. I'm sure he's storming another Gate this week. This time, I don't think he'll need to take hostages to see The Big Guy.

Addendum: 7/26/07 This week I visited my sister and passed by the church where my Story great-grandparents are buried. I thought this photo needed to be added to Charlie's obituary. AAB

Charlie's Obituary
APPLING, Ga. - Entered rest Wednesday, July 4, 2007, Mr. Charles R. "Charlie" Harris, 68, beloved husband of Eleanor Harris for 47 years. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 7, 2007, at Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church, Appling, Ga., with the Reverend Jeffrey Freehof officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Harris, was born in Newberry, South Carolina to the late Harry Raymond Harris and Almena Harris. He was a retired Millwright from Austin Industries. He was an avid sportsman and loved hunting, fishing, and football. He was devoted to his family and friends and lived his life to the fullest. He graduated from Richmond Academy where he was a star football player with scholarships offered, but was unable to continue due to injury his senior year. He did later play semi-pro ball with the Augusta Eagles. Mr. Harris was a good Christian man who touched many lives with his testimony. He was a member of Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School teacher and Lay Leader of the church. In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Sandra H. Vandeventer, Evans, Bonnie H. Bussey and husband, Scott, Grovetown, Charlene H. Fulcher and husband, Carlton, Appling, and Ramsey R. Harris, Augusta; grandchildren, John J. McDaniel, Jr., Amber Bussey, Brent Bussey; and Morgan Fulcher; brother, Michael L. Harris and wife Peggy, Appling; sister Harriett Garrison and husband Butch, Evans; his mother, Eulalie Sales, of California; and brother, Russell Remero, California. He was predeceased by brother John Curtis Harris. Pallbearers will be Fred Richard Bussey, John McDaniel, Ray Fulcher, Ernie Hammond, Jack L. Fitzgerald, and Steve Hutchins. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Charlie's memory to Dunn's Chapel United Methodist Church, 6563 Ridge Road, Appling, Ga. 30802. Mr. Harris will lie-in-state at the church one hour prior to the service. Friends may call at the residence. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 to 9 PM at Starling Funeral Home, Hwy 78, Harlem, Ga. -

Related story in Augusta Chronicle
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/070707/met_134992.shtml
1983 Story in Time Magazine

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921354,00.html