Donna Ririe Tisdale: After graduation in May 1966, I began graduate school at the University of Virginia and then started teaching history at a middle school in Fairfax, Virginia. The following year I married a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and over the next four years we lived in Norfolk, VA., Newport, RI, Bath, ME, and Long Beach, CA. My husband then attended law school in Virginia and we finally settled in Frederick, Maryland in 1974.
Once settled in Frederick, I decided that I was not a born teacher, so I went in a different direction for employment and became the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association for the next five years. In 1977, I embarked on a totally different career when I was asked by the Maryland Judiciary to create an alternative to incarceration program for non-violent offenders. Yes, I had an office in the local detention center as well as the courthouse. I retired from this position after 20 years. During this time my husband was elected to be a Judge on the Maryland Circuit Court.
I spent many years as a member of the Frederick Junior Women’s Club serving in many offices including president. After retirement, I became very involved with our local hospital auxiliary with 700 members. I was elected to numerous offices including a two year term as president. I also served on the hospital Board of Directors.
My husband and I have two married sons, and two teenage grandchildren and we are awaiting the birth of our third grandchild this summer. We are fortunate in that our family live only one hour away, in Virginia and Maryland.
My degree in history from Coker University has given me the foundation to pursue very diverse careers as well as given me the desire to be involved in my local community.
Sarah Askins House: Herbert and I will celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary in August. He retired as Emeritus Professor of Biology from Elon University after teaching there for more than thirty years. I taught ten years as an Elementary school teacher in South Carolina, first in Columbia and then in Greenwood county.
Our lovely daughter passed away in 1996. I was teaching piano at the time and have continued to have a full piano studio. My piano students continue to fill my days with much joy and fulfillment. We recently adopted an adorable little chihuahua named Bleu. Have fond memories of Coker University and I do return to Hartsville when visiting my brother.
Norma Reary Craig: I moved from Hartsville, SC l979 to NC where I taught elementary grades in Wake County until I moved (1991) to Winston-Salem, NC. Here I worked with the Winston-Salem Convention and Visitors Bureau for 12 years. When I retired from work, I spent my time doing and showing my art work in oil and acrylics, which I still do. Now living and enjoying home in Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community. Love to you all, Norma.
Sandra Tedder Lee: First, I want to say that I hope all classmates are well and enjoying every day. I find that being busy is best for me as I then don’t have too much time to dwell on sad events of life. I stay really busy with grandchildren’s activities, my mother ( who now resides in Methodist Manor in Florence), church work, and occasionally lunch with friends. Of course, though I don’t see them as frequently as I did when they were all still at home. My oldest, Ellie Abbott, is about to graduate from Converse in May; Will plays baseball (and I hope studies) at The Citadel, and Tate (who also plays baseball) and is in 9th grade at Camden High School. My daughter, Mary Manning, is the director of youth programs at Lyttleton St. UMC in Camden. My son-in-law, Rich, is in golf course construction business. All in all, I think a lot about my son, Teddy, and my husband, Ted, both of whom I lost several years ago and still miss. I do, however, realize all my blessings. God is good!
Rebecca Ramseur Earle: After graduating from Coker, I married my high school sweetheart and we are about to celebrate our 52nd wedding anniversary. We have four children plus their spouses and 18 grandchildren. We are very thankful for our many blessings. We have lived in the country outside of Greenville, SC for 44 years. We raise beef cattle and have ten horses. My husband Perry retired from banking 17 years ago and loves his full time ranching work. I retired from teaching 18 years ago and enjoy golfing, gardening and oil painting.
Rebecca Ramseur Earle, Class Rep