2021.06.24 THROW BACK THURSDAY - Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs, AR

In 1971, Jonesboro schoolteacher Jim Reed and his wife bought some land three miles outside

of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The plan was to build their retirement home there, among the beauty

of the Ozarks. So many people stopped to admire the area that Jim decided to share their view

with the world. He commissioned architect E. Fay Jones of Fayetteville, Arkansas to build a non-

denominational chapel. His dream was to offer visitors a place of tranquility, in harmony with nature.

Jones designed a structure that would “bring the outdoors in.” When building the chapel, he

specified that “no structural element could be larger than what two men could carry through the woods.”

The result was Thorncrown Chapel, which is considered to be one of the most outstanding examples

of organic architecture in the world. The 48-foot high structure contains 425 windows and over

6,000 square feet of glass. Since its completion in 1980, over 6 million people have visited the chapel,

which has been called "one of the finest religious spaces of modern times." It’s won awards, been

featured in magazines and on TV programs and in 2000, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

if you've never seen this Chapel and you're in the area, you should make it a point to see it. It is awesome!

CLASS NEWS

Lois Ball

of Maumelle, AR

January 6, 1939 - November 15, 2020

Elenor "Lois" Ball returned to her heavenly home on November 15, 2020, after a valiant battle with a long illness. Lois was born on January 6, 1939, to her late parents, Joseph A. and Beatrice Simpson Rhoads in Bethlehem, Arkansas. She didn't have to look around for kids to play with growing up because she was blessed with ten siblings. Lois graduated high school in 1957 and went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Mack Ball, that very same year. Mack and Lois were married 56 years before his death in 2012.

To know Lois was to love her and she loved everyone she met. Her greatest joy was her two grandsons, Matthew and Casey whom she loved dearly. She loved spending time with them and got so much joy watching them participate in sports.

Lois was a member of Indian Springs Baptist Church of Benton. Her strong faith in God and devotion to family supported her through her illness and gave her peace.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband; Mack Ball; four brothers, Hubert Rhoads, Billy F. Rhoads, Joseph M. Rhoads, and Walter Donald Rhoads; six sisters, Clara Kinkade, Lannette Patrick, Rozzelle Harvison, Mildred Garner, Barbara Kern, and Lorene Jefferies.

Lois is survived by her son, Ron Ball (Camille); two grandsons, Matthew Ball and Casey Ball (Layne); one great-grandson, Cooper Thomas Ball and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gwen Oakes Gaston

Little Rock, AR, 1939 - 2021

Gwen Oakes Gaston, 81, of Little Rock, transcended this life surrounded by her family on June 22, 2021. Gwen was born October 12, 1939, to Ennis and Elba Oakes. She attended Little Rock Central High, graduating at 16, and pursued undergraduate studies at Randolph Macon Women's College. While raising her children, she earned a Master's in Social Work from UALR, and later a Ph.D. in Psychology. Gwen, or "Gigi" as we called her, loved her family with every ounce of her being and soul. Her love of life will carry on in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Next to her family, Gwen loved to travel. She had a gypsy soul that for the past 16 years has been fed by her wonderful husband, Jim Gaston, making so many memories as they traveled around the world with each other, their friends and family. Gwen was happiest exploring new places and always looked forward to the next grand adventure.
Gwen is survived by her husband Jim, and four children; Kay Briscoe (RJ Looney), Ted Briscoe, Oakes Briscoe, and Noel Hinerman (Bucky), ten grandchildren; Christine Lay (Andrew), Blake Briscoe, Gabe Lodge (Hailey), Paige Briscoe, Sydney Briscoe, Maggie Lodge, Lily Briscoe, Kate Briscoe, Caroline Briscoe, Alex Hinerman, and two great-grandchildren; Jamey and Bella. She is also survived by four stepchildren, Maurine Gaston, James Gaston (Gail), William Gaston, Richard Gaston (Michele) and step-grandchildren Phillip, Margaret, Sarah, Buddy, James, Daniel, Richard, and Izzy.
Gwen lived life on her own terms. She loved playing bridge and her friends at the Little Rock Bridge House. She loved holidays, and would often request "Feliz Navidad" be played, no matter the season. She was feisty and passionate, very proud of her family, and loved seeing her grandchildren become amazing adults. Being a wife, mother, grandmother and friend were the things she loved most and did best. She kept a quote on her desk. It describes her very well. "Any woman who has been loved as I have been loved and who, has loved, has experienced life in its fullness." She lived in joy, laughter, and love. She died in peace.
Memorials may be made in Gwen's name to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology department or Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. Please sign the online guest book at: RuebelFuneralHome.com

ML