Nitro High School

Mary Cash (Means)

Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

From Mary:Since graduating from NHS, I have lived in Washington DC, Georgia, Germany and finally settled back in West Virginia. I have 5 grandchildren - 4 girls and 1 boy. I have been a volunteer for Special Olympics Kanawha County for almost 40 years, and have been serving as director for the last 15 years.

Looking forward to our 50th class reunion. So hard to believe that it has been that long ago since our graduation, especially, since all of us are only "39" and holding.

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Connie Miller

Occupation:Self-employed Website:legaltempserviceswv.com Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Connie:I have been self-employed and own Legal Temporary Services Corporation for twenty-five years. We staff law firms and corporate entities with legal secretaries, paralegals and administrative assistants. We have also worked with the oil and gas industry.

I have been happily married to my wonderful husband, David Barger for the last twenty years. We have two daughters, Kelly and Kerri, and three grandsons and one great-grandson.

Thank each and every one of you on the committee for putting this wonderful weekend together.

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Bonnie Landers (Oldham)

Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

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Judy McCracken (Parsons)

Now

Occupation:Part-time Alterations Specialist Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Judy:I am married and lived in Poca for 37 years. We just moved to GA last summer to be near my daughter. I have one son from my first marriage and one daughter from my current marriage. I was widowed at age 20. In addition to my son and daughter, I have a wonderful son-in law and daughter-in law and 8 fabulous grandchildren. I have been greatly blessed with family and good health. I took up running at age 60 and have completed 7 half-marathons. I have held various positions throughout my life, mostly in Credit Unions. I have always loved sewing and currently maintain a part-time position as an alterations specialist at David's Bridal.

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Karen Allison (Plank)

Now

Occupation:Retired RN Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

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Susan Morris (Schwarz)

Occupation:Retired RN Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Susan:

Have been married 46 years. Husband, George, is a retired Mechanical Engineer. He worked for Union Carbide and DOW Chemical for 44 years before retiring in 2012.
I was an RN who worked 43 years before retiring 1n 2012.

We have 2 children. A son , Allen, who is a Lutheran pastor in York, PA. He is married ans has one child, Emily, who is 12 going on 30!!A daughter, Melissa, who is married and works as an executive assistant for Commercial Insurance, in Charleston. She lives in Teays Valley.

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Leland (Lee) Selbe

Occupation:Retired/Sub Teacher Marital Status:Single No. of Children:1

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Willa Shaffer

Then

Now

Occupation:Retired Editor/Webmaster, National Association of Schools of Music Marital Status:Single Again No. of Children:1

From Willa:Well,, I started out writing a detailed summary (now there's an oxymoron for you) of my life since graduation from NHS. I mean, it IS very late at night, and I DO tend to bleed words profusely when I write at night! So I thought better of it, moved the whole thing to a private file on my computer where no one else need wade through it, and am wondering ... now what the heck shall I write?

So, for now, it will be just this: After marrying at 17, having a baby, and divorcing at 20, I essentially started my work life in Nitro at West Virginia University Center for Graduate Studies, which relocated while I was there to the WVSC campus in Institute. I enjoyed my job there, but I left at age 22 for northern Virginia in time for my son to start school somewhere other than Putnam County and where I could earn a decent living for my son and me. I married again at 24 to a man who had custody of his two sons (so you'd think he was a solid guy, right?), moved to Wilmington, NC, and was rescued from that unfortunate union at the age of 29 by my courageous, amazing sister. Returning to Virginia. I reclaimed my maiden name and spent most of the ensuing years there, consumed in work until I became too weary and worn down to continue. Health issues sped up my retirement plans a bit, so in 2014 I retired and returned to the welcome and welcoming embrace of these West Virginia mountains and my beloved family. Home and family (along with blessed rest) have breathed new life into me! Life is good!

My son caused me to become a granny at 39. That was fun! I naturally treasured that role and the privilege of spending as much time as possible with my firstborn grandchild as he grew up. My son tragically lost his wife to illness when my grandson was just five. Eventually remarrying, he became dad to two daughters, who are now 14 and 17. My grandson, who is engaged to be married this May, is 27. Time just goes impossibly fast!

I attended our 10- and 20-year reunions, and look forward with excitement to our 50th and to reuniting with old friends and long-lost classmates!

Until then, I'm right here. Feel free to reach out!

Willa

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Gary Smith

Now

Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:4

From Gary:After graduation I served 4 yrs in the U.S. AIR FORCE. I then moved to Ohio and worked for the telephone company, and in sporting goods. In 1978 I moved to Columbia, S.C. , where I met my wife, Joann. We still live there today. I worked mostly in the insurance industry and retired in 2008. I have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

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Pauline Bradley (Smith)

Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

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