I am sad to report that our class Secretary, Betty Vaughan Willis, died on November 1, 2019. Betty always attended our reunions and luncheons any time it was possible for her to do so. We all will remember her with very fond memories as she was such a nice and smart person. Betty had been in a nursing facility for the past several years.

Betty Jo Vaughan Willis, 77, of Waco, Texas, went to be with Jesus on November 1, 2019. Funeral services will be on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Crestview Church of Christ, with Scott Talley and Jordon Hubbard officiating. Visitation will be at Grace Gardens Funeral Home on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be at Thornton Cemetery, Thornton, Texas.

Betty was born in Fresno, California in 1942 to Jo and Woodrow Vaughan. After the family relocated to Texas, they settled in Waco, where she attended school. Betty was very intelligent, graduating with honors from both Waco High School and Abilene Christian University, graduating in three years. It was at Abilene Christian where she met Robert K. (Ken) Willis and they were married on January 25, 1964. They were married for almost 56 Years.

Betty and Ken were blessed through adoption to have join the family their daughters, Staci Lynn (1968) and Julie Beth (1973). Betty loved her family dearly.

Betty’s passion for learning carried over to her many years of teaching in the public schools of Tyler, Waco and Crawford. She ultimately retired from teaching to help Ken in his financial services business in which she held both securities and life insurance licenses.

Betty loved her Lord and was active in the church. She was deeply faithful; and at Crestview she taught Bible classes and helped organize Wednesday night meals. She was fluent in sign language and served as the co-leader in the Deaf Ministry. For many years, she, along with Ken, served as a co-leader for the Communion to Shut-ins Ministry. Betty and Ken also led small group study classes. She led the FriendSpeak program and gained close personal relationships with her international students. She held a special place in her heart for the ministry efforts in Croatia.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Staci Lynn Willis of Waco and Julie Beth Hill and husband Steve, of Amarillo; four beloved granddaughters: Libby Lynn Hill, Sophie Jo Hill, Molli Jean Hill and Demi Claire Hill, all of Amarillo; and two brothers, Val Vaughan of College Station and Ray Vaughan of Waco; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to numerous caregivers from Right at Home, Regent Care Center and Interim Health Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Croatia for Christ (in care of Crestview Church of Christ) or the Deaf Ministry at Crestview Church of Christ.

Pictures of Betty – 1960

At Various Reunions

2010 – 50th Reunion

2000 – 40th Reunion

2015 – 55th Reunion

Our graduate, Jenny Easter, died on October 7, 2019. Jenny was the niece of our graduate, Bob Easter. Bob and Jenny were more like brother and sister and held a very close bond to one another right up to the end.  Bob was the youngest of eight children and Jenny’s father ( Bob’s brother) was the eldest. Therefore, Jenny was Bob’s niece. Back in those days there were many families who had children a generation apart. While attending Waco High, Bob had a brother, Bill Easter in the 12th grade– a nephew in the 11th grade –and a niece (Jenny) in the 10th grade, the same grade as Bob. Bob said it always confused everyone.

Jenny Lynn Easter Miles, 77, passed away in Austin on Monday, October 7, 2019. Visitation will be held at Oak Crest Funeral home at 4520 Bosque Blvd, Waco Texas, 76710 on Sunday October 13, 2019 from 2-4 PM. Graveside services will be Monday at 11 AM October 14, 2019 at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 South 5, Section 0, Waco, Texas 76706.

Jenny was born September 9, 1942 in Waco, Texas to Jasper Columbus and Jene Skelton Easter. She was raised by a loving and generous family along with an older brother, Jerry Paul Easter and younger brother, James (Jim) Eugene Easter. She adored both of her brothers her entire life. Jenny graduated from Waco High School and quickly married Cecil Wayne Sorrells. They had a daughter Kimberly Jene Miles Pena. Jenny was also married to Robert Jack Miles and they had a daughter, Melynda Michelle (Shelley) Miles Fisher.

It was impossible not to love Jenny. The twinkle in her eyes when she was pulling a quick practical joke or helping family was delightful to watch. Her laughter was contagious, too. Jenny lived for her family making sure her children and grandchildren knew they were protected and loved. In return, for several years when Jenny was no longer able to care for herself, her daughter Shelley extended that same loving care to Jenny and remained by her side until she passed.

Jenny was preceded in death by her parents J.C. and Jene Easter, daughter Kimberly Miles Pena, brothers James Lloyd Easter and Jerry Paul Easter. She is survived by her brother Jim Easter, daughter Melynda Michelle Miles Fisher, grandson Rhett Pena, granddaughters Veronica Pena, Jessika Lynn Pena and Abbygale Faith Fisher and multiple great grandchildren and a big devoted family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation for the Professional care of the entire Staff at Retirement and Nursing Care, 6909 Burnet Road Austin, Texas and for the devotion to and for Jenny by Encompass Hospice.

Instead of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimer Association Capital of Texas Chapter, 5508 Hwy 290 West, Suite 206, Austin TX 78735.

On Thursday evening April 16, 2015, in her home, her parents, “Mr. Tony” and Mrs. Sarah G. Rodriguez, along with her brother, Johnny Rodriguez, came for our mother with open arms. Services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Benjamin Magnaye as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m., and Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Monday, April 20, at Brazos Funeral Home.

Mary Frances Morales was born and raised in Waco, Texas, on August 9, 1942, to Antonio “Mr. Tony” Rodriguez and his wife, Sarah. She attended local area schools and retired from Paragon. She met her husband, Juan E. “Charlie” Morales and they were married for 50 years. Mrs. Morales and her husband were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, as well as Waco Mission Recreation Club.

Mrs. Morales enjoyed baking decadent holiday treats, especially with her grandchildren. She wanted to ensure tradition be passed on for generations. She took pleasure in dancing and traveling with her husband, Charlie. She also enjoyed sewing. All that came into her life loved her and she returned that love.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Johnny Rodriguez.

She is survived by her spouse, Juan E. “Charlie” Morales; children, Frances “Arcenia” Morales of Dallas, Lisette A. Garcia and husband, Tomas Garcia, and Sylvia Daboh; grandchildren, Annette Maria Campos Arhens and husband, Steven, Sara Francine Salazar, Jonathan Edward Lawrence Salazar and wife, Yessenia, Amanda Holobaugh and husband, Seth, Alyssa Michelle Garcia, Arianna Marie Garcia, Darien Michael Garcia, Damian Andres Ramon and Daniella Alese Ramon; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rita Rodriguez of Waco and Lupe Alcala of Rockwall; four brothers, Mario Rodriguez Sr. and wife, Pauline, of Seguin, Theodore G. Rodriguez of Waco, Joe G. Rodriguez and wife, Susie, of Waco, Jesse “Jaybird” Rodriguez and wife, Vickie, of Waco.

Pallbearers will be Jason Rodríguez, Eddie Cortez, Johnny Villafana, Ruben Rios, Roy Duran, Benny Herrera, Tony Barrientos Sr. and Mario Rodriguez Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Damian Ramon, Jonathan Salazar, and Darien Garcia.Special thanks to her daughter, Sylvia Daboh, her children, Damian Ramon, Daniella Ramon, and Regina Lopez; and sister, Rita Rodriguez for the constant loving care and compassion given to her; Providence Hospice and staff, and to a wonderful doctor, Dr. Todd Blattman who was very skilled in his talent, and also took care of her family as well.