News

This site effectively began in late October 2009. As the site becomes known, we are gradually becoming part of the network that keeps WEHS classmates connected. This means that, from time to time, news items appear in our inbox of interest to those who attended WEHS between 1934 and 1959 – news items that do not fit in any of the other categories already represented on the site. As of the first of March 2010, we are going to list those items below. If you have news items you’d like listed here, please leave a comment or go to the CONTACT US tab on the navigation bar at the head of each page.

The news items will be listed in date order, newest dates at the top.

2011 July 21

It is with regret that we report that James A. Currier, the husband of Una King Conway, WEHS ’58, died July 16th.

Coach Currier, who was known as Jimmy, spent decades teaching and coaching athletics at various high schools in Alabama, including Calera, Jones Valley, Banks, Jacksonville, Pinson Valley, Springville, Hayes and Woodlawn.

Attending the University of Alabama, Samford University, and the University of Alabama, he received his BS in Education and Science, Masters degrees in Biology and Math, and EdS in Superintendency and Administration. He was to receive his doctoral degree this fall in Administration. As a result of his long and distinguished career, Coach Currier achieved many honors, including: Who’s Who in American Education, Medal of Distinction Honoring Alabama Teachers, and memberships in many honorary and professional organizations.

He was a resident of Pinson at the time of his death. Preceded in death by his parents Ray L. and Evelyn Taylor Currier and his brother Ray Euygene Currier, Jimmy Currier is survived by: wife Una King Conway, his best friend and booster for over fifty years; their two children T. Dwayne Currier (Jill) of Trussville and Kevyn B. (Mary) Currier of Athens; grandchildren Martin, Ethan, Brettlyn, and Keenon; sisters Grace Webster of Marietta, GA; Barbara (David) Sanders of McCalla; brother Kenneth (Chinae) Currier of Roanoke, VA; and many nieces, nephews and friends. An inspired teacher, Coach Currier affected the lives of many young people in a positive and lasting way.

Visitation will be held at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville, Tuesday July 19^th, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.. Funeral services will be conducted at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Bessemer, Alabama, on Wednesday, July 20, at 1 p.m. Burial will be at the Salem Cemetery in Calera, Alabama, Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.

2011 June 13

We regretfully must report that Ray Brown, son of Ann Ratliff Dailey, WEHS ’55, was murdered last week in Birmingham. The investigation is ongoing. Sympathy messages may be sent as follows: MAIL – Mrs. Mikie Dailey & Family, 639 North Lake Circle, Birmingham, 35242; EMAIL – lala...@bellsouth.net.

2010 July 8

We regretfully must report that Louie Daniel Sansing ’56 (Dan Sansing, Sr.) died Saturday, July 3, 2010, at his residence in Decatur, Alabama, following a brief battle with cancer.

The following was published in The Decatur Daily on July 5 and is reprinted with their permission.

Dan Sansing, Sr., 71, dies after life of serving others

Family and friends of the late Louie Daniel Sansing Sr. remember him as outgoing and determined with a passion for helping people.

“When he got an idea of something he wanted to do, he was sort of like a little bulldog,” said Sansing’s wife, Sandra. “He would not let go until he accomplished it.”

The Sansings would have been married 50 years in October.

Born Aug. 21, 1938, in Jasper to James B. Sansing and Della Barnes Sansing, he grew up in Birmingham. He served in the Marines and received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Auburn University. He was employed by the Social Security Administration for 36 years and was district manager in Decatur from 1969 until he retired in 1997.

Sansing served on a variety of community clubs, boards and councils, among them the Morgan County Personnel Review Board, Wheeler Basin Library Board of Trustees, Widowed Persons Service Board, and Boys and Girls Club of Morgan County board.

Sandra Sansing said her husband always tried to help “the underdog.” When he was involved in Dixie Youth Baseball, it bothered him that all the children didn’t get to play, she said. “He worked to be sure that every member of the team batted,” she said. “He had a real sense of fair play.”

She said her husband and others were instrumental in funding Hospice through Medicare, starting the Widowed Persons Service and keeping the Decatur Rescue Mission open. “One of the things I really remember about him is he had a passion for helping other people,” she said. “He was very concerned with his job. He had an open-door policy and would talk to people and help them with retirement and deciding what to do.”

Morgan County District Judge Charles Langham said Sansing was “perfect for the job” with the Social Security Administration Sansing and Langham served together on the Tennessee Valley Outreach board of directors. “He helped a lot of people,” Langham said. “He had a wonderful spirit about it. He was always upbeat and positive… He really enjoyed life.”

Oran Tyler met Sansing after joining the Decatur Civitans in 1993. “The last few years, he always led the singing of the Civitan Club at our meetings,” Tyler said. “He had an outgoing personality and seemed to make friends easily.”

Sansing was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 40 years, where he was an elder, Sunday School teacher and choir member.

The Sansings have three children, four grandsons and two step grandsons.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with a memorial serice following with V. Don Haas officiating. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bibbville Baptist Church Cemetery in Bibb County.

Courtesy of The Decatur Daily

According to additional information published in the paper, these are among the awards received by Dan Sansing during his years of service.

1987 – the Older Americans Volunteer Programs honored Dan with the Ted Gilchrist Award for purposeful dedication to the betterment of the lives of the elderly citizens in Morgan, Lawrence, Cullman, Winston and Limestone Counties.

1993 - the Social Security Administration awarded Dan the National Community Service Award in recognition of continuing involvement of community service and activities from 19696 to 1993.

1993 – Civitan honored Dan by naming him a Fellow of the Civitan Internatinal Research Center for extraordinary contributions in leadership and community service.

2005 – National Conference of Community and Justice recognized his service to the empowerment of individuals and communities.

2007 – ARC of Morgan County gave Dan the Spirit of Special Olympics Award for his commitment and dedication to Special Olympics.

Dan Sansing lived a life of which anyone could be proud, especially those who knew him in his youth when many of his ideals were formed.

2010 June 6

We regretfully must report the sad news that David Leland Ponds ’50 died Wednesday morning, June 2. David, a delightful man who will obviously be much missed by family and friends, was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves. His pleasures included building and flying model airplanes, and he was passionate about Auburn football. The Webmaster’s personal experience with him was limited to phone calls in which he shared much interesting information about WEHS, but it was a particular joy to learn that he remembered June Hewitt as the manager of Burks Drugs at Berney Points, as June was my much-loved mother-in-law. Like so many of us, David married his teenaged sweetheart Joyce, a West End girl, who preceded him in death. Also preceded in death by his parents Ward and Ethel Ponds, a daughter Susan Ponds, a grandson Ethan Yarbrough, and two sisters, Lorene Fleet and Elsie Lagrone, David is survived by his son Scott and two daughters, Sharon Brimer and Stacy Yarbrough, as well as by nine grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and his sister Iris Daniel. The funeral service was held Saturday June 5 at Green Valley Baptist Church, where David was a long-time member, deacon, and Sunday School teacher. Burial followed in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.

2010 April 3

Doris Parker ’56 and Keith Wilson ’54 report that their granddaughter Lindsey has been named a War Eagle Cheerleader. Lindsey, currently an Auburn freshman, was a cheerleader for Bob Jones High School for four years. The Bob Jones cheerleaders are a competition team; and they were tops in the entire United States in Lindsey’s junior and senior years with them. Lindsey, petite and 104 pounds, is what’s known as a flyer – and she’s reputed to be totally fearless! Watch for Lindsey when football season starts next year – she’ll be sure to put on a good show!

2010 March 1

Phil Skewes ’55 reports that Bobby Armistead ’54, who suffered a mild heart attack on 27 February, underwent a cardio-cath procedure on 1 March, during which he had three blockages cleared, two with angioplasty and one with a stent. Bobby is doing well and should be at home by March 2.

2010 March 1

Janet Hrbek Griffin ’56 reports the following resolution from the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Alabama, congratulating Sally Beth Vick, wife of Jimmy Vick ’56.

COMMENDING SALLY BETH VICK ON BEING SELECTED MS. SENIOR JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WHEREAS, we take great pride and pleasure in commending Sally Beth Vick of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, on being selected Ms. Senior Jefferson County 2008; and

WHEREAS, one of eight talented and elegant finalists, Mrs. Vick was awarded the title in ceremonies at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens; contestants must be at least 60 years old and were judged on the basis of their philosophy of life and talent, as well as in an evening gown competition and a private interview; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Vick capitivated the audience and judges with her wisdom, poise, intelligence, community involvement, and vocal talent, winning the right to represent Jefferson County at the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant on March 29, 2008, at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Hueytown High School and a Cum Laude graduate of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Mrs. Vick is retired from the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she served as the Public Information Officer for the Alabama District Office; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Vick exemplifies the qualities of beauty and grace that are not only immune to the passage of time but enhanced by the refinement of maturity; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That it is a privilege to commend Sally Beth Vick on being selected Ms. Senior Jefferson County, and by copy of this resolution we convey our congratulations and our best wishes in all her future endeavors.

2010 March 1

Sarah Holcombe ’56 reports that her husband Ernest A. “Andy” Hardy, known as “Coach Hardy” to many students, passed away on February 27, aged 84, in Birmingham after a brief illness. Coach Hardy, born in Wayne County MI, served in World War II, during which he was awarded a Bronze Star. Subsequently, Dr. Hardy attended college in Alabama, receiving a B.S. from Birmingham-Southern College and master and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Dr. Hardy dedicated his professional career to the students and educational system of the Birmingham, serving for forty-seven years in the Birmingham area not only as a coach but also as a school principal and as Director of Research for the Birmingham Board of Education. He practice taught at WEHS with Coach Proctor in 1952.

Dr. Hardy is survived by his wife, Sarah Frances Holcombe Hardy, four children, two stepchildren, seven grandchildren, two sisters, two brothers, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 2, from 4 pm to 7 pm, with a memorial service to be held Wednesday, March 3, at 11 am, Pastor Julie Holly officiating, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. Interment will follow at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Hoover, Alabama. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to Discovery United Methodist Church, 5487 Stadium Trace Parkway, Hoover AL 35244 or to the Church of the Reconciler, 112 14th Street North, Birmingham AL 35203.