Friday, March 5, 2010

Birthdays

     Ah, the sunshine today makes me feel hopeful that Spring is on its way. I also feel, like the bears, that I may be coming out of hibernation.


     Therefore, my memory kicked in and I realized this Blog has not said "Happy Birthday" to anyone since December. So let's correct that now.


     "Happy Belated Birthday" to Leon Overbay, below. I am not



privy to how many years Leon has on him, but I don't think it's 80 in spite of the number of years he's been a storyteller. Sorry about how fuzzy the photo looks, Leon.


     February saw two birthdays that we forgot--Judy Butterfly on the 12th
(Another fuzzy pic, unfortunately.) Judy is a brand new member of BCS, clowns on the side, and is anxious to begin telling. She's not 80 either!
  
     Mary Grace Walrath celebrated her ??? on the 22nd
(I don't think it was 80!) M.G. has been telling stories in her work as a tour guide in Jonesborough, TN but not for 80 years! She lives in Piney Flats which is closer to Bristol.

     All three of the above tellers also belong to the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.

     "Happy Birthday" to Rocky Rockwell who reached  80 yesterday. He doesn't tell nearly as much as

he used to, but up until 5 years ago, he could always be depended on to tell a tale, off stage or on.

     Two more birthdays will be coming up in March, Chris Vickers on March 13 and Glen Williams on March 30. Don't forget them! 

     And since they celebrate birthdays on April 1, I'll mention Diana Conco and Mimi Rockwell who share that infamous date!  Both are passionate story aficionados and do everything they can to help BCS grow.

     If you're reading this Blog sometimes, sign up as a "follower." It makes for better public relations to show a good following.  Mimi

Correction to Previous Post

     I made a mistake on the last post. Doug Morrell retired as a Sergeant Major from the Army, and not a Master Sergeant as I had written. The publication that I had used for my resource used abbreviations, and I misinterpreted them. I'm very sorry.  Mimi


     

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Doug Morrell, 1931-2010


Doug and Sue Morrell, BCS Christmas Lunch, 2008

One of our most faithful members, Doug Morrell, died on Feb. 27. He will be remembered for his cheerful personality and a ubiquitous smile. He enjoyed telling stories and his favorites were those about his military experiences as an M.P. in Germany, events of his youth in Bristol, TN, and characters in his painting business. Doug was born July 14, 1931, in Sullivan County, TN. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1968 as a Master Sergeant having served during the Korean War. He then returned to Bristol where he became the owner/operator of Morrell Painting & Decorating, from which he later retired. Mr. Morrell was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church, the Lone State Writer's Guild, and Beaver Creek Storytellers. He had written a book, "Painters Have More Fun Than People."  Survivors include his wife, Sue Morrell, two daughters, three sons, and eight grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, March 3, in the Weaver Funeral Home. Military Honors will be conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. The committal service and interment will be held, at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Online condolences may be registered by visiting www.weaverfuneralhome.net