2022.08.25 THROW BACK THURSDAY - SKYLINE OF LITTLE ROCK BACK IN THE 50'S PLUS CLASS NEWS
Anyone recall when Little Rock's skyline looked like this as seen from north shore of the Arkansas River? Marion and Grady Manning (Ben McGehee) Hotels visible at left; the Old State House, center, and Joe T. Robinson Auditorium, right. Just beneath the Old State House (1836) was a concrete supplier, Criss & Shaver (or Big Rock Sand & Gravel?) whose trucks at day's end backed up to the river to discharge unused concrete. Likely shot in 1960s, because WR's 18-story Tower Building, center, looks completed. Think the plebian-looking concrete structure at right is the old Pulaski County Jail, relocated there in the 1950s by Judge Arch Campbell from east Little Rock near what became I-30 interchange.
1956 Class News
I remember the old Lafayette Hotel across Louisiana Street from the old Arkansas Theater in downtown Little Rock. In fact, I vaguely remember that our class had a dance at the Lafayette Hotel in the upstairs ballroom on our graduation night; and I seem to remember that Bobby Chandler and the Starduster’s sang some Platters hits at the dance. My date (Mary Bowden) and I dropped in to the dance for a while. Maybe it was not graduation night but some other event our senior year. Am I confused? crazy? or correct? (I could be all three!) Gary Frederick
Clara Dean Stoddard is at home nursing a broken hip. So sorry, Dean! Dean is the caregiver to her husband, Tom, so there will be some rough days for them ahead. We're sending our best wishes, Dean.
This is a "heads-up" to everyone. When you read those terrible stories in the paper, you always think, "well, thank goodness that will never happen to me". Well, it does happen to us. I've been asked not to use the Classmates name, but the son-in-law was killed by a senseless shooting in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago IN THE MORNING AT 10:00AM while he was repairing one of his rent houses. No reason for the shooting.
Don't forget funeral for Monica Starnes, Thursday, 8/25, 1:00pm, St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel, Evergreen and Mississippi.
1955 Class News
The Gaslight Club was, for several years, the epicenter for business and monkey-business in LR. Excellent food served by scantily clad waitresses. Closest thing LR had to a Playboy Club.Anonymous Look forward to Thursday every week. Living in Athens, GA in the middle of Bulldog country, I need your words to refresh Arkansas roots. Thank you, MLM! Betty Weiss Stoker
Marylou, thank you for keeping us updated on former classmates.Sadly, my brother Bill Houchin died on July 26; Bill was in Little Rock's first special education classesset up after WWII. He graduated from LRCHS in 1961. After completing his education at the Evergreen Vocational School in Louisiana, he worked for 60 years, initially and primarily at St Vincent's Infirmary. We all miss him very much. Betty Houchin Winfield, LRCHS '55
Condolenses to the family to Helen Moss - Ward who passed away the weekend of August 14, 2022. There was no obituary. Helen's grandson ismarried to Barbara Ramoly's grandson and she shared the news. Helen had dealt with dementia the last few years.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of J. C. "Bud" Avants who passed away August 23, 2022.
James "Bud" Cecil Avants, Jr. August 15, 1938 ~ August 23, 2022 (age 84)
Obituary
James “Bud” Cecil Avants Jr., 84, of Russellville, entered his Heavenly rest on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at his home. A celebration of his life & legacy of faith will be held on Friday, August 26, at 10:00 AM, at First Assembly of God in Russellville. Rev. Mike Norberg will officiate with Aaron Duvall assisting. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 9:00AM. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.
Bud was born August 15, 1938, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to James Cecil Sr., and Blanche (Wood) Avants. He married Betty Ann (Sutton) Avants on May 26, 1956, in Greenville, MS.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Betty McMinn and Bobbye Kenney; and one grandson, Luke Avants.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty; their daughter, Melissa Avants; three sons, James “Rusty” Avants (Tammy), Mark Avants (Janie) and Tim Avants (Bernadette); six grandchildren, Cody, Jake, Wiley, Duran, Bryce & Victoria Avants; three great grandchildren, Cole, Rory & Adrianna Avants; and a brother, Nick Avants (Shelba).
Bud graduated with the Class of 1955 of Little Rock Central High School. He attended LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles, California, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. He pastored churches in Colorado for many years before returning to Arkansas.
He was known in Russellville as “The Bugstomper,” a local termite & pest control business he owned & operated. He had a soft spot for the elderly and spent time sharing God’s love, whether it be mowing their lawns or providing them free pest control services. He was the former owner of Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville. He touched many lives, including his involvement with missions in Thailand and Myanmar. He most recently retired as the Pastoral Care Minister for Russellville First Assembly of God.
Internet obituary and online guestbook are available at www.humprheyfuneral.com.
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IT'S WEIRD BEING THE SAME AGE AS OLD PEOPLE!
ML