Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
VIOLA FAYE PADGITT
Viola Padgitt, daughter of Maude and Guy Asman, was born at Thurman, Iowa, on September 15, 1919 and died at Lamoni Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center on April 14, 2000. She had an older brother Harold who died in early adulthood.
Viola attended schools in Thurman and Bartlett, Iowa. She married Burbin Padgitt on December 19, 1935, and the couple began farming in Mills county, Iowa. In 1941, they moved to their farm southeast of Kellerton, Iowa, and it was their home for the remainder of their lives. They had four sons: Jack, Dennis, Steve and Merritt.
Viola was a member of the Kellerton Christian Church where she was a deacon, active in the Lady's Aide and volunteered for numerous other tasks needing to be done, always preferring the background to the spotlight.
Viola spent long hours taking care of household chores as well as working beside her husband and sons in a full range of crop and livestock enterprises. A gentle and unpetentious lady, Viola got quiet satisfaction from simple things in life and from doing things for others. She patiently nursed weak piglets, calves and lambs to health, worked tirelessly in her garden and spent countless hours at her sewing machine and quilting frames. She was utterly devoted to her sons, to her four daughters-in-law and to her nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. To the end, they were a source of strength for her. She always gave much and expected little in return.
After Burbin died in 1986, Viola spent the last 14 years of her life living alone on the farm. By then she had already began her battle with cancer, but she worked hard to maintain her yard, garden and the farmstead.
In passing she leaves her son Jack and his wife Helen, their three children, Chris, Athena and Naomi and their familes; her son Dennis and his wife Janice, their two children, Doug and Denise, and their families; her son Steve and his wife Janet, and their two children, Courtney and Noelle; and her son Merritt and his wife Chloe and their two children, Andrea and Kail.
Services were held on Monday, April 17, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Terry Roberts officiating. Carla Johnson and Reverend Terry Roberts provided music. Casket bearers were Chris Padgitt, Doug Padgitt, Courtney Padgitt, Kail Padgitt, Randy Simpson, Jim Easley and Alan Dolecheck.
Viola was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
WILMA LUCILLE SWANK
Wilma Lucille Greenman, eldest child of Clifford Corwin and Bessie Mae (Reynolds) Greenman, was born July 28, 1914, and departed this life at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa, April 8, 2000, at the age of 85 years, eight months and 11 days.
On December 3, 1935, Wilma was united in marriage to her longtime sweetheart Lawrence Linton Swank, at Sidney, Iowa. Accompanying Lawrence and Wilma were his cousin Arlene Tedrow and fiancé Dean Morgan who were also married. It was the depression years and the honeymooners spent the night with Wilma's great-aunt living in Shenandoah, Iowa.
Wilma spent nearly all of her life in the Salem community where she was born. For five years Wilma and Lawrence lived on a farm near Diagonal, Iowa. Here they formed friendships that still thrive today.
In March, 1942, Wilma and Lawrence purchased her parents' farm, originally owned by her grandfather. Wilma was a descendent of three longtime families, the Greenman, Reynolds and Burchett families, dating from the 1870's and pioneers of Ringgold county.
Wilma was a longtime member of the Salem Evangelical Church, which her grandfather Greenman helped to build. She attended the Salem rural school and then graduated from the Mount Ayr high school in 1932.
From early childhood Wilma loved the outdoors, the farm, tending livestock and their new babies. Many will remember her big flocks of chickens, fried chicken dinners or scrambled egg sandwiches with fresh lettuce leaves. No one came away from Lawrence and Wilma's home hungry. Wilma served many years on the cancer drive.
Wilma Lucille Swank is survived by her husband of 64 years Lawrence Linton Swank; four children: Mary Ellen Higday and friend Jay Bowen, Linda Lorraine and husband Robert Swanson, Larry Linton Swank and friend Debra Clark and Catherine Ann and husband Jim Coulson; grandchildren: Robert De Wayne Mc Lead and friend Carrie Smith, Gary Lynn Swanson and wife Dawn, Brent Lee Higday and wife Faith, Marilyn Ann Higday and husband Steve Thompson, Jennifer Ann Swank Cline, Ronnie Swanson and wife Sandi, Michael Paul Higday and friend Sylvia Loy, Mark Lowell Higday, Stacy Ann Coulson and husband Vince Henry, Scott Lewis Coulson and fiancée Kathleen Taylor, Matthew Jason Swank and wife Jennifer, Jamie Mc Lead Miller, who was considered a granddaughter and husband Keith Miller; and nine great-grandchildren: Amanda Marie and Elizabeth Diane Mc Lead, Kevin, Ryan, Lee and Brandon Thompson, Brenna Swanson, Shane Swanson and Laura Nichole Swank;
Two brothers, Carlton Greenman and wife Carolyn and Roger Greenman and wife Colleen; two sisters, Edna and husband Marshall Gibson and Alice and husband Gaylord Anderson; four sisters-in-law: Alice Lou Greenman, Georgine Swank, Margaret Swank and Marion Swank Hervey; one brother-in-law William Swank and wife Lorrayne; 25 nephews and nieces; many great- and great-great-nephews and nieces; 19 first first cousins; one aunt Maude Greenman Burchett, age 105, of Baltimore, Maryland; many, many cousins and friends and some of her high school classmates.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Bessie Greenman; one brother Wilbur Greenman; a young sister Etta Ruth Greenman; four brothers-in-law: Lyle Swank, Sr., Robert Swank, Raymond Swank and Glen Swank; and one sister-in-law Marsha Greenman.
This wonderful lady will be sadly missed.
A memorial-celebration of life service was held Sunday, April 16, 2000, at the American Legion building. Services were conducted by her brother Carlton Greenman. Opening prayer was prayed by her niece Elaine Raines and memories and a prayer were given by a friend Steve Swigart. A granddaughter, Sandi Swanson provided the music. Time was designated for anyone to relate memories of times with Wilma. A closing prayer and blessing were given by sister-in-law Lou Greeman.
A private burial by the family was attended on Sunday, April 16, 2000. Prayer was lead by great-granddaughters, Amanda and Elizabeth Mc Lead, and the family members.
IDA MAUDE (GREENMAN) BURCHETT
Ida Muade (Greenman) Burchett died April 19, 2000 at 105 years of age. She was born December 12, 1894 on a farm southwest of Kellerton, Iowa, the fourth child and only daughter of Florence Ida (Connelly) Greenman and Edward Ralph Greenman. She was raised with five brothers: George, Earl, Clifford, Lyle and Weldon. They all attended the Salem country school and then the Mount Ayr, Iowa high school.
After high school, Mrs. Burchett had two years of Normal Training in Des Moines, Iowa at Highland Park College. She attained her teachers certificate and taught in the Ringgold county, Iowa schools until her marriage to Charles Wilson Burchett in 1919. Their marriage produced four children: Florence Mary--died in infancy, Charles Rex--deceased in 1999; Marguerite Lucille and Joy Roberta. Maude and her husband operated a country store in Caledonia, Iowa during the 1920's and early 1930's. Charles died in 1932.
Mrs. Burchett moved with her three children to Baltimore, Maryland in 1936 where she was employed by the newly established Social Security Administration. She worked there until retirement in 1958, after which she made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, John and Marguerite Hecker in Catonsville, Maryland.
Mrs. Burchett was a member of West Baltimore United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She was a gentle person, filled with a spirit of exceptional kindness, exhibiting great courage throughout her lifetime. She was much loved and visited often by her children and grandchildren, exerting a positive influence on them by her Christian example of love and patience.
She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Rex Burchett of Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Family members left to mourn are Marguerite Hecker of Catonsville, Maryland; Ken and Joy Pierson of Glenn Dale, Maryland; daughter-in-law, Irene Burchett of Fort Morgan, Colorado; sister-in-law LaVon Thomas of Mount Ayr; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Thursday, April 27, 2000 at First Christian Church, Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Casket bearers will be Timothy Wilson Burchett, Charles Rex Burchett, Jr., Mark Andrew Pierson, Michael Gibson, Richard Gibson, Charles Greenman, Byron Eugene Greenman and Roger Greenman.
Mrs. Burchett will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
JERRY LEE (CHIP) LONG
Jerry Lee (Chip) Long, Sr. was born December 1, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa to Dwight Ives and Geneva Mae Long and departed from this life at his home in Tingley, Iowa on April 18, 2000.Chip was working for Wright Tree Service when he met and married his wife of 38 years Betty Jo Bear on November 11, 1961. To this union was born Vincent James, Russell Le Roy, Valerie Yvonne and Jerry Lee, Jr.
Chip was preceded in death by his son Jerry Lee in January, 1975; his parents; brothers Bill and Arlie; sister Glenna; father-in-law and mother-in -law (Glen and Eula Bear); and brother-in-law Ted Baker.
Chip and Betty raised their family in the Houston, Texas area where he was a greenskeeper and had his own landscaping business. In 1988 he became an over the road trucker. Later Chip and Betty became team drivers at which time they returned to live in Iowa and to be closer to their family.
Chip was forced to retire because of a heart condition. He kept busy by doing odd jobs for neighbors and friends. He raised lots of delicious tomatoes and was a regular at the coffee table in McIntosh Grocery Store. Chip was baptized on Sunday, July 25, 1999 at Sun Valley Lake into the United Methodist Church of Tingley where he became an active member of Sunday school, Bible study and all other church activities. In January, 2000, Chip started working as a blackjack dealer at Lakeside Resort and Casino in Osceola. Chip loved his job at the casino which gave him a sense of happiness and fulfillment.
He is survived by his wife Betty Jo; sons, Vincent of Livingston, Texas and Russell and wife Wendy of Spring, Texas; daughter Valerie and husband Scott Hardy of Osceola, Iowa; grandchildren: Christina Long, Michael Long, Andrew Hardy, Kahla Marie, Russell Le Roy, Jr., Taylor Nicole, Tyler James Long; sister Duluci Forrett of Adel, Iowa; brother Myrle Long of New Hampshire; brothers-in-law, Don and Darlene Bear of Mount Ayr, Ted and Bryce Bear of Ellston; sisters-in-law: Shirley and Lawrence Chase of Drexel Missouri, Beverley and Charles Peterman of Nevada, Missouri, Karen Baker of Zearing, Iowa, Jean Schriever of Farmington, Minnesota; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a multitude of friends and neighbors.
Services were held on Monday, April 24, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Tingley with Pastor Jeff Flagg officiating. Char Christensen, Alan Ibbotson and John Allen provided music. Casket bearers were Allyn Jarred, Charles Case, Ted Bear, Scott Hardy, Bill Smith and Doug Campbell.
Chip was laid to rest in the Oliver Cemetery, Kellerton, Iowa.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
INA PRISCILLA NAPIER
Ina Priscilla Napier was born January 18, 1913 and died on April 21, 2000 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. She was the daughter of Thomas W. and Olga (Defenbaugh) Napier.
She was a lifelong resident of the Mount Ayr community having grown up on the family farm located south of Mount Ayr. As a young girl she was always interested in helping her father with cattle. Her pride was to take a steer to the showings in the area where she won awards.
Her other interest was education. After receiving a teaching degree from the college in Cedar Falls, Iowa, she taught in Diagonal, Iowa and for many years in Creston, Iowa, where she served as vice principal of the Creston high school. She was also an instructor at the Creston Junior College. After her retirement from education, she worked as a social worker at Clearview Home.
Ina always had her students' interest at heart and encouraged many to strive for a higher goal in education in order to prepare themselves for the future. She also assisted many financially. As a memorial to Ina for her dedication as a teacher, funds have been put into a trust for a $1,000 scholarship to be given each year in her memory to a graduating senior from the Mount Ayr Community high school.
She was a life member of N.E.A., member of I.S.E.A and Department of Classroom Teachers, Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma. She represented these organizations many times at local, district and national meetings and often was a speaker at these meetings. She was also an active member of P.E.O. and served as an officer in the organization. Through her membership in D.A.R. she pursued her interest in genealogy working on the Napier family history as well as assisting others for membership in the D.A.R.
With friends or family she was always ready to attend an antique show or sale. She was proud of the many family antiques that she had and she enjoyed telling about them. After retirement, Ina volunteered wherever there was a need as she was always interested in serving and helping her friends, neighbors and family. Loving to work in her yard and garden she shared her flowers, fruits and vegetables with friends and family.
Ina was a member of the United Methodist Church having been baptized in the First Methodist Episcopal Church on October 12, 1913.
She was preceded in death by a brother Howard and her parents, Thomas and Olga Napier.
She leaves several cousins and friends with many pleasant memories.
Services were held Tuesday, April 25, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. Ginny Eighmy and Judy Cunning provided music. Casket bearers were Galen Ruckman, Junior James, Dan Cunning, Barton French, Chester Roed and Jim Pedersen.
Ina was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
JOHN WILLIAM WOOLLUMS
John William Woollums, son of William Perry and Eva Josephine (Ambrosier) was born November 9, 1898 in the rural Ellston, Iowa area and died at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa on April 16, 2000 at the age of 101 years, six months and four days.
On August 2, 1925 he was united in marriage to Edith Gray at her parents' home near Ellston. To this union four children were born: Raymond Earl, Reba Mae, Carl Eugene and Perry Vaughn.
John and Edith established their home on the Woollums' family farm just north of Ellston. They continued farming there until 1970 when they retired and moved to Kellerton, Iowa. In December, 1988 they moved to the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr where he was living at the time of his death.
John enjoyed playing cards as long as he was able to see.
He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and looked forward to their visits.
John is survived by his three sons: Raymond and wife Helen, Carl and wife Jessie, Perry and wife Sally; one daughter Reba Schmidt; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; one brother Robert and wife Hazel; and one sister Ruth Carlton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eva Woollums; his wife Edith; son-in-law Virgil Schmidt; five sisters: Mary Gray, Jenny Walters, Rena Jackson, Louise Walters and Evelyn McConnell.
Services were held on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Darlene Morgan, Edna Jones and Neva Fisher provided music. Casket bearers were Garey Woollums, Steven Woollums, Mike Gilman, John Lillard, Jim Woollums, John Woollums, Rob Mathews, Rob Woollums and Shay Mathews.
John was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
KENNETH RAYMOND COULSON
Kenneth Raymond Coulson, age 83 of Lamoni, Iowa, was a twin born on October 7, 1916 to Charles and Nora (Swank) Coulson at Hatfield, Missouri in Harrison county. He died at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa on Saturday, April 22, 2000.
The eighth of nine children, he graduated from Long Branch country school in the spring of 1930 and then from Hatfield high school in the spring of 1934. He continued his education for two years at Northwest Missouri State Teacher's College at Maryville, Missouri.
In 1941 he enlisted into the United States Coast Guard as apprentice seaman. He was stationed mainly at Charlevoix, Michigan and Nome, Alaska. He was honorably discharged on September 13, 1945.
On July 19, 1944, he married Alice Lucille Eden and subsequently divorced in 1946. Then on September 8, 1955 he married Doris Delene Borrusch. They bought a farm near Leon and began farming. In 1958, he was hired by the Decatur County Road Department from which he retired in 1984. He spent his remaining years in Lamoni.
Kenneth loved to fish and to camp in the mountains. He also enjoyed Western novels and John Wayne movies.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles and Nora Coulson; and all eight siblings: Clara, Gracie, Earl, Mae, Cecil, Edna, Wayne and twin Kinsell.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years Doris Coulson of Lamoni; children: Kristine Peddicord and husband Jim of Osceola, Iowa, Kendall Coulson of Liberty, Missouri, Kathlene Coulson of Liberty Center, Iowa and Karyn Malcom and husband Ed of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; five grandchildren: John, Jamie and Joanna Peddicord and Ami and April Malcom; two sisters-in-law, Vivian Coulson of Vacaville, California and Neva Coulson of Mount Ayr, Iowa; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral services were held at the Decatur Cemetery in Decatur on Wednesday, April 26, 2000 with Reverend Max Carmichael officiating.
Burial was in the Decatur Cemetery, Decatur.
Memorials may be made to the Deatur Medical Services Lamoni Clinic in Kenneth's memory.
Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni was in charge of arrangements.
