......LHS News......
Originally sent Nov. 24

I hate to have to pass along more sad news and news of numerous classmates who are having health issues, but I know many of you do want to know so you can be supportive.

Elaine Smith, 98, Lawton, passed on Sunday Nov. 23. Miss Smith graduated from LHS in 1929 as Valedictorian of her class. She taught school for 41 years - 17 at Cameron and 24 in LPS. She taught English when 'we' were at LHS. She retired from Eisenhower in 1975. With her sister Bernice - who also taught - they traveled extensively around the world and the US.
She is survived by Bernice.
Services will be Tuesday Nov. 25 at Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, 2:00pm, with Dick Neptune - class '52 - officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery.
An online guest book is at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

Received word of the passing of LaVelle (Swinney) Boyd, 77, of Nashville on Nov. 19. I am assuming LaVelle was a LHS grad but do not know year? LaVelle is daughter of LHS teacher Mrs. B.C. Swinney who taught English II. LaVelle is sister of Carolyn Swinney, class '58. She is also survived by two daughters.
Obit and info at: <http://www.legacy.com/Tennessean/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=120440056>

I know there are several classmates with serious health problems. I do not pass along such information unless I am asked to or told it is alright. One such is an email I received today from '59 classmate Patsy (Sheppard) Holcomb on her husband Larry.....
Georgia, I haven't written you before this because we were hoping for a better outcome for Larry. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several weeks ago and has been in the hospital on 2 different occasions for a week or more at a time. There is a pancreatic cancer specialist at OU Med Center who originally thought that a Whipple surgery could be done and then combine that with chemo would help extend his life. However, last week, the drs. did a Pet Scan on Larry and found 2 cancerous nodules in his lungs. Today they are doing a biopsy on the lung nodules to find out if they has matastized from the pancreatic cancer or if it is a separate lung cancer. At this time, the only option given to us is chemo once they decide what kind of cancer is in his lung. So if you want to, please notify others and solicit prayers for Larry. I know there are a lot of 1959 grads who remember Larry and his brother Bill who was killed our Sr. year. Larry graduated in 1961. Will keep you posted as things progress. Patsy

Also, Fred Burch is recovering from lower back surgery, about 2 weeks ago. Slow, but doing ok.

Richard Hopper is having colon surgery after a past same type surgery for cancer.

Jerry Phelps is recovering nicely from recent knee replacement.

Mary Lee (House) Coleman was walking in WalMart today after recent knee replacement. Doing great!

Visited with Jerry Boucher a few days ago and he is having 2nd knee replace soon.

I know you will join me in keeping all these classmates in your thoughts and prayers. As Marcille (Burns) Covey commented...."if these are the 'golden' years, they are surely tarnished!"

On a lighter note.....Thanksgiving and Christmas are wonderful times to 'see' classmates home for a visit.

Oh, gotta say Happy Birthday to my brother George today! He was born on Thanksgiving Day & it hits every so many years. Not this year...but he's still a BIG turkey!!!! hahahhaha, kidding! Love to U bro and many happy returns! He's a '63 LHS grad!

Regards to all.........Georgia