Sharon Johnson Bethany

Posted on: Aug 28, 2024 at 5:32 PM

Mike, I just sent Deborah a similar text in private about how I enjoy her posts!! ??

I received a message that Mike passed away and the message originated with Classmates.com. But I can't find any verification. I'm praying it's not true. Does anyone know for sure? He is such a nice family guy...

Joyce was a close friend of mine in junior high. She and I were both very shy back then until you got us in private. She had the best sense of humor! At slumber parties, she was fun and crazy and a wicked pillow-fighter. I loved it when she let loose because she had one of the best laughs. The summer between junior high and our first year at City, Joyce, Jan Rucker and I attended a summer band session at City High. One day during this "band class" I asked Jan and Joyce what they wanted my mother to bring them for lunch. To this day I can still visualize Joyce's reply, "A mustard sandwich." Of course I thought she was kidding, but she was dead serious. I'd never heard of such a thing!! But Mom obliged and made her a mustard sandwich and dropped it off along with whatever "normal" sandwiches Jan and I requested. I still laugh when I think about how calmly Joyce said, "a mustard sandwich," and then just smiled so smuggly, daring me to call her "crazy." Sure wish I could share those times with her in person. She was extremely sweet, selfless and a delight to be around and I will always miss her.

Posted on: Mar 23, 2020 at 1:46 PM

Happy birthday, Paula!! You share this birthday with my precious 4-yr-old granddaughter, so you know it's a special day!! ??????

Sadly, Valerie passed away in 2003 at her home in Murfreesboro, TN.  She had been ill for some time. In 1984, she had some culminating illnesses, beginning with a virus infection that settled in her heart, causing myocarditis and toward the end, she had developed a seizure disorder.

She was a Band Director at Thurmond Francis Jr High in Smyrna TN, and later taught Social Studies there as well. She lived in Murfreesboro.  She was a cello, then percussion major at Tennesse Technolgical University (TTU) in Cookeville TN.  She graduated in 1974 with a degree in Mus Ed. 

She threw a pulmonary embolism in the early hours of 3 May 2003, Derby Day. Her plan had been for her housemate to wake her up, so she would not miss a horse show that was scheduled for that day.  Unfortunately, her roommate was unable to wake her as Valerie had already passed.

Valerie, Janet Womack and I were very close in junior high (NCJHS).  Valerie and I remained friends on into high school where, by request of the band director, we signed up to learn cello because the CHS Orchestra needed cellists.  It was fun, and Valerie went on to be phenominal at the cello and everything else she played.  Ironic, though, that she only took up the cello on a whim and became a music major band director because of it.

I've thought about her so many times through the years.  She and I were 2 of the few, if not only, members of our 1970 graduating class that went from City to TTU.  Somewhere, somehow during our freshman year, our paths diverged and I lost contact with her until many years later.  It was when I met up with a very close friend of hers from TTU just a few years ago that I learned of her passing.  I hate never having the chance to tell her how much she meant to me when we were so young. 

Hey, Mike! If your retirement is new, congrats!

Hi Doug! Nice to "see" you again. How have you been?

Hey, Sharon! It's almost here. You're very own "special day," set aside just for you. I wanted to wish you a wonderful "HAPPY BIRTHDAY." I know it's not official until Thursday, but I thought I would send greetings now...while it was on my mind... because at my age thoughts don't stay in my brain much longer than that. LOL But seriously, Deb and I hope you have a very happy and fun-filled birthday. We don't hear much from you anymore, but you are often on our minds. So...to a great friend and "fellow Clarinetist"... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We Love Ya!

Posted on: Aug 04, 2017 at 12:20 PM

Hey Benjie!! That all-important birthday is sneaking up on you - just like it is on the rest of us. I'm sure I'll write you before then, but just in case - do us proud!!