Introduction

Having just finished studying about David in the PodCast "Bible in a Year", I note that one of the things David did was to recognize all that were with him during his reign. Good idea. I have had a great life but at 87 and with the physical problems I am having, I think maybe I should do the same. Please know that I am recognizing those that are particularly special and if you are not there, you are still special! And if you want to complain, or correct anything I have posted please add a note.

Immediate Family

Liz

Of course to have Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Bearden as a partner most of my life is unparalleled. She told someone she married be because I was a "good person". And I must add that she worked hard during our marriage to keep me that way.

 

Ethel Mae Shaffield Bearden

If I started my life with Liz as a good person, it was because of a mother who loved me enough to breath life into me when I was a "Blue Baby" and when I had Polio. Further my punishments were often lessons from the Bible that she gave me when I transgressed.

Oscar Loron "dad" Bearden

Dad only had a third grade education. But ask him how much lumber was required to build a room of a certain size and he could tell you, with a minimum of waste.

Ethelyn Jane "Sister" Bearden Machen and Sherman Stansel "Stan" Machen

Mother, after Perry was born, had an enormous job with him. Sister often filled mother's place as a sudo mother. Stan served as an example of how to be a father, husband, and citizen, having served (and wounded).

Robert Henry "Bob" Bearden and Betty Jane Conkling

Brother - also served in the Army. After washing out of aviation cadets (he did it before I did) he served as radio-operator on B-29s. And yes, his experience probably influenced my entry into the Air Force and cadets. Betty provided counseling about the fairer sex.

Angela, Kelly, Gary, Dale

And yes, I probably should and someday will split this into numerous descriptions. For now, I just want to say they were tops in making this soul's life worth living.

Other Family

I must note here that I have enjoyed all of my family but because of poor memory I am only going to mention those I remember at the moment.

Judith Amanda "Mandy/Angel" Driggers Hay

To me Mandy is proof that God has put angels among us. Her service to her family, particularly her mother as well as serving her community and being a talented artist is what comes to mind.

Sidney Bethell Pruett Lucas

Sidney made this list because she, with a lot of resistance, finally attained her goal of being a registered nurse.

Friends

Benjamin Burton Chastain

Ben was the smartest person I have ever known. We were close during my High School days and the most memorable events were Sunday afternoon activities. Dad would give me a quarter to go to MYF meeting at First Methodist Church. 14 cents for streetcar fare and 11 cents for offering. Ben and I decided that we could walk to MYF and save the 14 cents. That and reducing the offering by a penny would leave us enough to buy a soda at North Highlands drug store. After which we would go to Ben's house and play cards, Canasta as I remember. Considering Ben had a photographic memory and could remember every card played, I never won. But I enjoyed it anyway!

FoolsFace

This person's conviction was from his mother's teaching that "Fools' names and Fools' Faces are found in Public Places". Therefore I substitute FoolsFace for his name. FoolsFace is a forever friend. Where others and I drifted apart, he was always there. When Liz and I lived in Canoga Park, he would visit us every weekend for breakfast even though the drive to and from our house took him over an hour both ways. He presently lives in Mountain Brook less than a mile from where I lived the first 6 years of my life. I still have the feeling that if I called on him for help, he would, if physically able, would respond.

John Allen "Johnny" Harris

Johnny lived a house up the alley from our house, 1517 11th Steet No., in Birmingham. Johnny joined the US Marines shortly after we graduated and except for a short period thereafter have not communicated. Johnny, retired as WO John Allen Harris, received a medal (I have never found out what), for, being wounded himself, dragging two wounded members of his squad to safety during a firefight in Korea. The sad part of this story was that at the 20 year class reunion, those in charge refused to honor him for his service.

Carol Warrick

Fool's Face introduced me to Carol to take her to a lead-out at her sorority. As a result she became my first girlfriend. At the time, all I could afford was bus fare to the stop close to what is now the Samford University. There was a bus stop at what is now Lakeshore Drive and Columbiana Rd, (I think) and I would walk to the Warrick house on one of the side streets. We entertained each in a "play room" by playing the piano, listening to records, and dancing. It may seem strange to many but we were not sexually attracted to each. Yes, I thought she was beautiful, but not that way.

 

Barbara Bamberg

Barbara was special, mainly because she had the most beautiful alto voice I have ever heard. She, along with Ben, Mary (Ben's sister) and I would sing while going from place to place in my car.

Jo Veal

Aside from being my date, and the prettiest high school ROTC sponsor I ever knew, Jo has been special, mostly of late because of her posts on FB. I am really at a loss to explain why she seems to occupy such a special  place in my heart, but I am glad she is there.

Louise Templeton

Louis was my first candidate for marriage. Having graduated from high school and scheduled to go to Air Force Radio School. Even though leaving failed to activate the "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" syndrome and we drifted apart, I am grateful that we reestablished our friendship.

Harriett Thigpen

Brother Bob suggested that, to meet the prettiest girls, go to church. That has been my experience and Harriett was possibly the prettiest. We met at the West Baimbridge Methodist church even before they moved into the new building. That relationship failed because when I transferred to jet training in Mississippi, I decided to raise my standing in the class and sacrificed communication with her. She was attractive and soon I stopped receiving letters from her. I noticed the passing of her husband in the obituaries and contacted her by mail to express my condolences.

Ann Hughes

Note that I put Ann's name in caps!!! I credit Ann for turning my life around after I returned home, washing out of Aviation Cadets. Bitter and disappointment were pervasive in my life at the time. Ann showed me that life could be enjoyable and set me on the course that got me here. I lost contact with her and having searched including "Classmates" but only know she graduated from Ramsay High School in Birmingham in 1957.

Ken Harple

Ken Harple was President and Founder of Modcomp. His mantra was "What makes a successful company is its people". In addition to saying it, he lived it. A convincing incident occurred at Joe Godfrey's going away party from System Engineering Laboratories (as people, disgusted with policies of new management there, left, they were given a party at a local bar and grill). One of the employees, Bill, a just graduated mathematician, remarked that a president of a company just didn't have time to "know his people". At the party, Ken approached a table where Bill and I were sitting and was shaking hands to all around. When he got to Bill, he congratulated him on his recent graduation, asked about Bill's sister and brother, by name, and mentioned each's career. Bill swears it was a put up job. But I don't think so!

Ed Murphy

Ed was founder of Saratoga Conveyor in Atlanta. He taught me that, no mater the level of management a person found oneself, they had to be familiar with the nuts and bolts of their product. I had attended a course at Florida Atlantic where they taught that a manager did not need to know the technology of the product in order to be an effective manager. My opinion that that was not true was confirmed by Ed.

Stephen and Riina Makk

Stephen, knowing I was a Christian, claimed to be an unbeliever. In fact, he and Riina were the most moral people I ever knew. So much so, that if I had to make a choice between most of the "Christians" that I knew and the Makks, I would choose the Makks.

Doug and Carolyn Norris

Doug and Carolyn are what is known as enduring friends. They supported me through my brother's death, actually arranging the  Masonic aspects of the funeral activities,  and "Keeping" me during the time of Liz's fight with cancer, death, and afterwords, by keeping me occupied with various projects, and transporting me when I needed to go somewhere.  The day Liz died, Carolyn remained at her bedside until the family arrived.

Finally

All of the people, friends and relatives, have in some way influenced my life and these are just a few. But they are an important few!