I'm single.  I have no children, but I have wonderful nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews that I feel it's my solemn duty to spoil !!!

I'm retired as of August, 2007.  In the past, I've worked ten years with the Georgia Department of Education, 20 years with GM (here and in Oklahoma).  I took an early buy-out and learned to drive a big truck (yes, an 18 wheeler!) so that I could see as much of our country as possible.  After two years and 47 of our 48 states, I went back to office work.  Before retirement I worked five years with the College of Dentistry at Oklahoma University Medical School as Administrative Assistant for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry clinic.  Have always done secretarial/accounting type positions.

After high school, I attended North Georgia Tech and Vocational School in Clarkesville for their complete business course.  I also attended Oklahoma State University for about four semesters studying the history of American Sign Language, as well as learning to sign.

In my leisure time, I read, crochet, cook, and sing trio with my sisters.  I watch movies, travel, sail, snow-ski, e-mail and stay in touch with as many family members and friends as I can (what we used to call letter-writing or corresponding!!), and I'm getting re-acquainted with my home state of Georgia since I've been in Oklahoma for 28 years!  I was back for frequent visits, but I needed that for my people.  This time I'm working on the area, as well.

I was born in Athens, Georgia, and grew up in the little town of Carl.  It's between Winder and Lawrenceville on Highway 29.

I'm the oldest of the children in my family, then comes Melanie, Gay, Durward, and Donna (all living, in good health, and we have a great time together).

I've lived in Georgia and Oklahoma, and also lived in Germany for 16 months in 1967-68.  My former husband was drafted during Vietnam, and we were blessed to be sent to Europe -- just a couple of kids who'd only been in the southeast, never flown, and get sent halfway 'round the world.  MAHVELOUS!!!

Interesting places I've visited include Europe, as much as we could see on limited time and funds.  Of course, the well-known places in our nation that I've been able to get to (Grand Canyon, Niagara, Yellowstone, Alamo, Rockies, Appalachians, etc.) but seeing the differences in our coasts, how cities evolve, the way architecture changes from one area to another, terrain differences, local cultures, has been awesome.  I have enjoyed St. Thomas, as well as the stops on a recent cruise thru the Panama Canal -- an amazing, amazing adventure.  New places I'd like to see in the future include Alaska, Alaska, Alaska!!  I'd like to see Hawaii, and go back to Europe, Greece, and Spain, and now that the Olympics have occurred, I wouldn't mind seeing some of China.

Niagara Falls

The Alamo

I've lived in Georgia all my life, minus 16 months in Germany and 28 years in Oklahoma.  If I were to move out of the metro at some point, if I had no family ties, I'd love the mountains -- any of them.

My dad is deceased.  He served in WWII, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was a German prisoner of war for over three months.  After camp was liberated, he returned home two weeks before my birth.  He worked for GM at the Doraville Plant, and also raised about 13,000 broilers (all of us).  After he was saved, he became the assistant minister at our little country church.  After a couple of years, he felt called to full-time.  He died of cancer in 1990.  My mom was a mother and homemaker.  After my parents divorced, she worked full-time until early 2008, when she retired!!  Her last 17 years were with Wal-Mart.  All of us kids/grandchildren/great grandchildren still enjoy her!  She has excellent health and can work me under a table any day she picks!!  As a matter of fact, she took the Panama Canal cruise with Pat and Bobby (my aunt and uncle) and me in 2008.  She's an amazing person.

I'm what I've heard of as a 'Cradle Christian.'  Mother ALWAYS saw to it that we were at and involved in church.  I've never known life without it -- wonderful memories.  During one of our vacation Bible schools at the age of ten, we were asked all the pertinent questions and did we want to join the church.  Naturally, we did.  So, we were sprinkled (Methodists go with sprinkling or Baptism) in one of the Sunday services.  I've been a member of a church ever since.  BUT, I haven't always lived a life that would prove that to anyone, for which I've asked forgiveness many times over.  In 1996, I rededicated myself to the Lord, quietly and privately at home during a sermon that Dr. Adrian Rogers was preaching.  I have loved having access to him, D. James Kennedy; Ed Young, Sr.; Jerry Falwell and Billy Graham as well as other Bible teaching ministers.

Memorable events include every, single, last one of them!!

I like a variety of music.  Not having been brought up on classical, I find that more difficult and trying, since I have limited knowledge.  Having been raised on church hymns, that's my favorite.  But my real music education was done at gospel singings.  We loved getting the new books every six months or so and learning new songs written by those with a message to tell.   Secular -- groups with harmony, like The Beach Boys, The Platters, and individuals with good tone.

The Beach Boys

The Platters

We all probably lean, with nostalgia, toward actors and actresses in the past.  But I guess I have to say I can enjoy one who lives their life without scandal and chooses their roles wisely.  That criteria aside, though, it'd be Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Harrison Ford, Gregory Peck, Clint Walker, James Garner, Susan Hayward, Maureen O'Hara, Loretta Young, Gary Cooper, the list goes on.

Clark Gable

Loretta Young

Gary Cooper

In the realm of movies and television, I currently lean toward mysteries.  I watch NCIS, CSI Miami (& Las Vegas), Numbers, and Monk.  Normally, anything on the Hallmark Channel is worth seeing.  But I shall forever be a westerns fan!!  Loved them as a young person, love them as a retired person!  I normally like musicals, but some appeal to me more than others depending on the story line.

NCIS

CSI Miami

My favorite TV show themes are Peter Gunn; I Love Lucy; Bonanza; Gunsmoke; Paladin; The Big Valley; The Rifleman; and Murder, She Wrote.  Also, musical openings for all the past variety shows (Dinah Shore, Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, Liberace, etc., the list is long!)

Gunsmoke

The Big Valley

My pet is a Toy Poodle named Dolly.  I've always enjoyed dogs and cats, and raised horses for about four years in Oklahoma.

I was probably six-ish when I first got involved in church music.

Among the instruments I'd like to learn to play: probably the xylophone, which is like piano, keyboard, bells, and the hammered dulcimer looks interesting.

My voicepart is Alto.

My favorite hymns are Since Jesus Came Into My Heart; Amazing Grace; Whispering Hope; Blessed Assurance; Holy, Holy, Holy; What A Friend We Have in Jesus; Just As I Am, and others with tight harmony and parts!!

Miscellaneous: Whew!!  My biography in a nutshell!!  This choir is a special group of folks, all the way from musicians and director into each and every individual.  I'm humbled that you want to know about me!!  Now, I get to read about y'all!  I'm probably going to see how wordy I've been.