Blog 65

An Author at Eighty!

It is never too late and one is never too old to do amazing things: Witness our classmate Gerry Guly, who married Wayne Gabehart, also a classmate. Gerry is an accomplished artist and just recently published her first book.

Gerry says she woke up one morning and the story for her book was in her head. So she fired up the computer, started to write, and out came a children’s book. Not only did she write the book, but she illustrated it as well. Pot Licker
is a heartwarming story about a rescue dog and how he changes some lives. The book is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Pot-Licker-Color-Illustration-Version/dp/1534683658 

Gerry found the writing process so exciting that she already has the next book in the works. It will be a reading and coloring book.

Now a few words about Gerry’s art. Her medium is oil and she paints what she likes. In addition to mountains, oceans, and people, Gerry also does some religious themes. These paintings she donated to churches. She has oils hanging in Belgium, England, and France.

Lest we overlook Wayne, Wayne has an ear for music and a talent for sitting down at a piano. Gerry says he can play the accordion (but it is horrible she says) and the harmonica somewhat better. I wonder if he plays Lady of Spain on the accordion? That is what most people know.

For those of you who did not get the class history book a couple of years ago, below is what Gerry and Wayne submitted.

60 years! Where has the time gone? We were so blessed to have grown up in the years we shared at dear old Jeff and for some of us the early years at Mann and Woodlawn Elementary. Wayne still talks about riding his horse to elementary school. Wayne and I met the first day at Jeff in Miss Perez’ advisory. He borrowed my pencil. Come to think of it, I don’t believe he ever returned it.

We have been blessed with 58 years of marriage, 59 in August. We have three handsome, wonderful boys, three granddaughters and of course, two sweet daughters-in law.

After working 33 years for Exxon, Wayne retired. I worked for Round Rock ISD for fourteen years and retired. We moved to the small town of Natalia on my parent’s small vegetable farm, where we live now.

As I am sure some of you remember, Wayne played the piano at school. That talent was a blessing for him as it has brought many wonderful people ito our lives through music. He played with a western band for a few years along with playing at nursing homes on a monthly basis. Now he just plays once in a while just to keep in practice.

Moving to Natalia after retirement I became more interested in oil painting. I paint whatever I like and can’t say I prefer one subject over another. I have paintings in Europe, several states, and numerous churches.

We look forward to seeing our classmates and hope it won’t be for the last time for any of us.

God bless all of you and may our beautiful school be around for many, many years.

Another Classmate Passes

RUBY JANE RHODES ROBINSON

December 18, 1935 – September 6, 2016

Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Ruby Jane Rhodes Robinson, age 80, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. She was a 1954 graduate of Jefferson High School and a member of the famed “Lariat” Pep Squad.

A lady of sheer elegance and grace, she began her employment with the old Joske’s and Frost Brothers Department stores. Ruby’s modeling and teaching career began at the Ben Show Modeling Studio, her specialty was modeling hats. After a short courtship, in January 1958, she married 2nd Lt. Earl Joe Robinson from Goodlettsville, TN and Baylor University.

She was a member of the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society, the River Art Group and a proud member of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution. She and sister, Bonnie Mae were active in the Starving Artist Shows sponsored by the Little Church of La Villita.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, James Elton and Antonette Rittimann Rhodes; an infant brother, James (Jackie) Earnest Rhodes and sister, Bonnie Mae Rhodes Luddeke. She is survived by her loving husband, Earl Joe Robinson; sons: Carlton Rhodes Robinson, Jonathan Russell Robinson and Jeffrey Miles Robinson; and granddaughter, Kathryn Keely Robinson.

Services are pending.

Who did what….a continuation of what we all did after Jeff days.

Actors:

Meredith Kelly (Florence Boston)    Gus Peters

Nancy Grauer                Robert Jolly

Artists:

Beth Wilcox

Ann Hinnant

Bill Robinson

Musician:

Jon Kay (Bubba) Littrell        Mary Ann Lothringer

Law Enforcement

John Patmore        Paul Skrobanek        Carl Conn