I think none of us forget the interactions big and small with our classmates. Such an impressionable time. Jim, Bill White, Carol Caddell, Debby Hargett and Rhonda Culp. All touched me in unforgettable ways. Louise, I remember Carol spending the night. We just talked and laughed all night. I remember sending her short letters and jokes after cancer got her arm. I remember feeling I should be doing something more but perhaps continuing to show her how valuable she was to me and all of us I hope helped. Bill was such a gentleman (especially at a time that wasn't so cool for a guy.) We danced at teen cotillion...anyone else remember the white gloves. I remember how graceful he was. I have already shared thoughts on Debby and Rhonda on their memorial sites. It is good for all of us to remember the loves and likes of our lives because they remain a part of who we all became and are.
I remember these passings so well, particularly Carol's. We were in classes together on and off all the way from MP Elem.and up. We were both lucky enough to be in Coach Ayers homeroom. He guided us through that very tough time while Carol handled her situation with such grace. I was so fortunate to hook back up with Coach Ayers during the past 10 years as my husband worked with him at Ardrey Kell. I was able to tell him what a great influence he was on us and tell him how much his guidance through Carol's difficult journey meant. He is the same Coach Ayers, just a great, great guy.
Jim and I had been friends for a few years. I remember my parents telling me about his death, as much to try to get a reality lesson across to me at 16, as to report the news. Jim had been driving his car (it seems like it was a mustang) at night in the rain. The report was that as he came around a curve at a pretty high speed, close to where he lived, his car slid out of control on the wet road and hit a tree. I was one of the paul bearers at his funeral. I had never experienced death at that point, or anything like it... It definaltely make an impression.
I remember the house that the Cokers built on Cherokee-it was really modern architecture and totally out of place in the Charlotte of the 60s. I wonder what happened to Jim's older sister-I forget her name. I do remember what beautiful blue eyes Jim had!
Jim Coker was a good friend. Just shortly before his death he had "spent the night" with me. We lived on Providence Rd at its intersection with Cherokee. Jim lived in the fairly new home of white brick at the bottom of the Chrokee Rd hill headed to Eastover school. Jim and i, along with a group of similarly untalented musicians, got together often to produce cacophonous sounds as a group (Butler, that means harsh sounding) .We practiced at his home quite often. We were not very good but we had a lot of fun.
If i recall correctly, on the day he died, Jim borrowed the Mustang of one of the Eckerd's employees that Sadler and Charlie were also familiar with. He took it for a "spin" that ended in the tragedy that stunned, shocked and drained us. For many, we had lost another friend. Bill White was my first memory of that tragedy. And, David Hasty as well. it was tough. We began to lose our sense of immortality. We began to replace that misplaced sense of security with the awareness of vulnerability. In a sense, we all took a big drink from the cup of reality that continues to enable our personal evolution. Just sharing this with old friends is a bit healing in and of itself. And, by the way, i never had the heart to return to Jim's parents the old beat up tennis shoes that Jim had left at my house. THey were kept as a reminder of the friend that he was to many of us....
Thank you, all, for the reminiscences. I particularly remember Carole Caddell, who was in my 10th grade French class. When she briefly came back to school with a prosthesis, I was asked to tutor her in French. We would sit upstairs in the library and conjugate verbs. One day, I realized that there was a good chance that she would not live to finish the semester. I admired her determination to catch up with the rest of the class regardless of the course her illness would take.
I don't know who took her to the dance in the 10th grade, but those were the days when a girl could not go without a date. She was there - thanks to the invitation of someone stellar and her own courage and spunk. Can you imagine caring about conjugating French verbs if you thought that you might not live past a few months? WOW.
I remember writing to Carol's mother to tell her how inspirational and special Carol was. She wrote back and keep in touch for a year or so. It was all so sad. But look at how her example has stuck with all of us. The brevity of life does not diminish its meaning and significance. Amen and amen.
He was in my 10th grade geomentry class. Mrs. Dishman.. we struggled..we sat together at the back of the class and helped one another the best we could. It was the first door pass the office as u entered in the front and......it was our first morning class. We hated it...I hit my knees in my home when my Mother told me. His eyes have lasted my entire lifetime..
Carol King (Butler)
I think none of us forget the interactions big and small with our classmates. Such an impressionable time. Jim, Bill White, Carol Caddell, Debby Hargett and Rhonda Culp. All touched me in unforgettable ways. Louise, I remember Carol spending the night. We just talked and laughed all night. I remember sending her short letters and jokes after cancer got her arm. I remember feeling I should be doing something more but perhaps continuing to show her how valuable she was to me and all of us I hope helped. Bill was such a gentleman (especially at a time that wasn't so cool for a guy.) We danced at teen cotillion...anyone else remember the white gloves. I remember how graceful he was. I have already shared thoughts on Debby and Rhonda on their memorial sites. It is good for all of us to remember the loves and likes of our lives because they remain a part of who we all became and are.
Rebecca ‘Becky' McAden (Hudson)
I remember these passings so well, particularly Carol's. We were in classes together on and off all the way from MP Elem.and up. We were both lucky enough to be in Coach Ayers homeroom. He guided us through that very tough time while Carol handled her situation with such grace. I was so fortunate to hook back up with Coach Ayers during the past 10 years as my husband worked with him at Ardrey Kell. I was able to tell him what a great influence he was on us and tell him how much his guidance through Carol's difficult journey meant. He is the same Coach Ayers, just a great, great guy.
Charles Walter "Charley" Akers
Jim and I had been friends for a few years. I remember my parents telling me about his death, as much to try to get a reality lesson across to me at 16, as to report the news. Jim had been driving his car (it seems like it was a mustang) at night in the rain. The report was that as he came around a curve at a pretty high speed, close to where he lived, his car slid out of control on the wet road and hit a tree. I was one of the paul bearers at his funeral. I had never experienced death at that point, or anything like it... It definaltely make an impression.
Mary Mikell (McDonald)
I remember the house that the Cokers built on Cherokee-it was really modern architecture and totally out of place in the Charlotte of the 60s. I wonder what happened to Jim's older sister-I forget her name. I do remember what beautiful blue eyes Jim had!Franklin "Sadler" Love III
Mary, My mermory's not great, but I think Jim's sister's name is Cathy.
Averill Currie Harkey
Jim Coker was a good friend. Just shortly before his death he had "spent the night" with me. We lived on Providence Rd at its intersection with Cherokee. Jim lived in the fairly new home of white brick at the bottom of the Chrokee Rd hill headed to Eastover school. Jim and i, along with a group of similarly untalented musicians, got together often to produce cacophonous sounds as a group (Butler, that means harsh sounding) .We practiced at his home quite often. We were not very good but we had a lot of fun.
If i recall correctly, on the day he died, Jim borrowed the Mustang of one of the Eckerd's employees that Sadler and Charlie were also familiar with. He took it for a "spin" that ended in the tragedy that stunned, shocked and drained us. For many, we had lost another friend. Bill White was my first memory of that tragedy. And, David Hasty as well. it was tough. We began to lose our sense of immortality. We began to replace that misplaced sense of security with the awareness of vulnerability. In a sense, we all took a big drink from the cup of reality that continues to enable our personal evolution. Just sharing this with old friends is a bit healing in and of itself. And, by the way, i never had the heart to return to Jim's parents the old beat up tennis shoes that Jim had left at my house. THey were kept as a reminder of the friend that he was to many of us....
Mary Mikell (McDonald)
Thanks, Sadler! Indeed Cathy was her name and she had beautiful long hairJane Emily Perrin
Thank you, all, for the reminiscences. I particularly remember Carole Caddell, who was in my 10th grade French class. When she briefly came back to school with a prosthesis, I was asked to tutor her in French. We would sit upstairs in the library and conjugate verbs. One day, I realized that there was a good chance that she would not live to finish the semester. I admired her determination to catch up with the rest of the class regardless of the course her illness would take.
Louise Gordon Upchurch (Johnson)
I don't know who took her to the dance in the 10th grade, but those were the days when a girl could not go without a date. She was there - thanks to the invitation of someone stellar and her own courage and spunk. Can you imagine caring about conjugating French verbs if you thought that you might not live past a few months? WOW.
I remember writing to Carol's mother to tell her how inspirational and special Carol was. She wrote back and keep in touch for a year or so. It was all so sad. But look at how her example has stuck with all of us. The brevity of life does not diminish its meaning and significance. Amen and amen.
Lynn Hope Cassels (Younce)
He was in my 10th grade geomentry class. Mrs. Dishman.. we struggled..we sat together at the back of the class and helped one another the best we could. It was the first door pass the office as u entered in the front and......it was our first morning class. We hated it...I hit my knees in my home when my Mother told me. His eyes have lasted my entire lifetime..