Spotlight on Audrey Joan Richardson Bailey
Good morning, everybody!
It's been several days since I have posted anything on my blog! I'm afraid the Blog has been "ousted" (temporarily) by Facebook, of which I am now an official member! I tell you, this high tech stuff can be just as addictive as chocolate chip cookies! You can't stop with just one "nibble".
Honestly, I have had so much fun hearing from so many friends whose lives have blessed me through so many years ... long ago and in recent times!
I just must tell you about one person, though, who stands out in particular. Her name is Audrey Joan Richardson (Bishop) Bailey! Joan and I go way back to 1955 when we both entered Tennessee Temple Bible School in Chattanooga, TN. We were suitemates and made a lot of friends in common there, a few of which I have stayed in touch randomly through these many years. But somehow I lost touch with Joan after we moved from Dallas to Kentwood in 1964. At that time Joan was still living in Dallas, so it was prior to January 1964 that we actually saw each other. I held onto all my memorabilia, though: photos of Joan as a bride, newspaper clippings of her wedding and her family, etc. Joan has a lyrical soprano voice, one of the purest sounds I've ever heard. She and a friend often sang at Lester Roloff tent revival meetings if anyone out there is "mature" enough to remember those!
In recent years I had made various attempts to contact Joan, but to no avail. I had no clue as to her current married name, so without a last name it can be difficult to locate folks, even with the Internet! BUT, several days ago I did hit pay dirt and got a great lead from a newspaper near her hometown of Clinton, Tennessee. The rest is history!
Joan and I enjoyed over an hour's telephone visit and got a start on getting caught up with our lives over the years. She and her husband Bill now live in New Jersey and are adjusting well to the move from Abilene, Texas! Quite a difference in climate, church, etc. Another good thing: I learned that Joan also recently joined Facebook about the same time I did, so now we are "friends" yet again! God is good.
I hope the photo of Joan and Bill comes through. I will insert it at the end of this e-mail! I am still in shock that we actually found each other after so many years! God is so good ... as I learned at Tennessee Temple: "God may delay but He is never late!" Both being retired now, we will have some time to stay in touch and maybe even some day see each other again after 46 years!
Well, I understand the Ground Hog saw his shadow today! I suppose that's not the news we wanted to hear ... more winter weather. I'm about to go out and check it out for myself. I have neglected my walking during January, big time! So, I hope that February will be a much better walking weather. Of course, the treadmill is located downstairs in a very comfortable room, so what is my excuse? Can't blame that on the weather!
(Pause ....)
Well, I'm back from my walk and can attest that it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze. Only about a dozen dogs barked at me - or to me?? - and none of them were interested in walking with me, so it was just me, myself, and I. I enjoyed it even though I was huffing and puffing up some of the hills (they feel like mountains!) in my neighborhood. I did drag myself back into our driveway, though, without collapsing and embarrassing myself!
Here goes the photo of Audrey Joan Richardson Bailey and hubby, Bill Bailey! I think he may affectionately be called Santa! He definitely looks like he could fill that role!
Love to all!
Velta
It's been several days since I have posted anything on my blog! I'm afraid the Blog has been "ousted" (temporarily) by Facebook, of which I am now an official member! I tell you, this high tech stuff can be just as addictive as chocolate chip cookies! You can't stop with just one "nibble".
Honestly, I have had so much fun hearing from so many friends whose lives have blessed me through so many years ... long ago and in recent times!
I just must tell you about one person, though, who stands out in particular. Her name is Audrey Joan Richardson (Bishop) Bailey! Joan and I go way back to 1955 when we both entered Tennessee Temple Bible School in Chattanooga, TN. We were suitemates and made a lot of friends in common there, a few of which I have stayed in touch randomly through these many years. But somehow I lost touch with Joan after we moved from Dallas to Kentwood in 1964. At that time Joan was still living in Dallas, so it was prior to January 1964 that we actually saw each other. I held onto all my memorabilia, though: photos of Joan as a bride, newspaper clippings of her wedding and her family, etc. Joan has a lyrical soprano voice, one of the purest sounds I've ever heard. She and a friend often sang at Lester Roloff tent revival meetings if anyone out there is "mature" enough to remember those!
In recent years I had made various attempts to contact Joan, but to no avail. I had no clue as to her current married name, so without a last name it can be difficult to locate folks, even with the Internet! BUT, several days ago I did hit pay dirt and got a great lead from a newspaper near her hometown of Clinton, Tennessee. The rest is history!
Joan and I enjoyed over an hour's telephone visit and got a start on getting caught up with our lives over the years. She and her husband Bill now live in New Jersey and are adjusting well to the move from Abilene, Texas! Quite a difference in climate, church, etc. Another good thing: I learned that Joan also recently joined Facebook about the same time I did, so now we are "friends" yet again! God is good.
I hope the photo of Joan and Bill comes through. I will insert it at the end of this e-mail! I am still in shock that we actually found each other after so many years! God is so good ... as I learned at Tennessee Temple: "God may delay but He is never late!" Both being retired now, we will have some time to stay in touch and maybe even some day see each other again after 46 years!
Well, I understand the Ground Hog saw his shadow today! I suppose that's not the news we wanted to hear ... more winter weather. I'm about to go out and check it out for myself. I have neglected my walking during January, big time! So, I hope that February will be a much better walking weather. Of course, the treadmill is located downstairs in a very comfortable room, so what is my excuse? Can't blame that on the weather!
(Pause ....)
Well, I'm back from my walk and can attest that it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze. Only about a dozen dogs barked at me - or to me?? - and none of them were interested in walking with me, so it was just me, myself, and I. I enjoyed it even though I was huffing and puffing up some of the hills (they feel like mountains!) in my neighborhood. I did drag myself back into our driveway, though, without collapsing and embarrassing myself!
Here goes the photo of Audrey Joan Richardson Bailey and hubby, Bill Bailey! I think he may affectionately be called Santa! He definitely looks like he could fill that role!
Love to all!
Velta
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