I wanted to touch base and say PLEASE include me on info for the next reunion.  I attended Oak Forest Elementary and probably would have graduated 1978 from Forest Hill had we not moved when I finished up 5th grade.

I can recall many people on your list as if it were yesterday that we lived there.  I stay in contact with Tammy Chance Eason, Beth Quarles Dickey and was best friends at one time with Cindy Walker, Carol Morse and Julie Edwards, but unfortunately have lost contact with them over the years but plan to email those with email addresses.

Those years living on Wooddell Dr. were the most pleasant, happy, joyful and innocent time of my life.  Then real life reality happened when my parents separated, then reunited and moved us to Tennessee, then my dad died 2 years later from cancer.  My sister and I never knew the real story behind why they separated and we moved but anyway we came to love Tennessee.  Please add me to your contact list. 

Classmates may remember me from the following classes....first grade, Mrs. Beard.  Second grade, Mrs. Lumpkin.  Third grade, Mrs. Turnipseed.  Fourth grade, Mrs. Cook, and 5th grade, Ms. Spann.  Whew!  Yes, I remember every unique teacher.  I remember people who were so nice to me, Randy Baker, a great piano player and Tracy Pepper, quiet and friendly to me.  I was a skinny sickly girl and was made fun of, but I had some really sweet friends who made up for that.

I have been married now (first and only time) for 5 and 1/2 years now to Taven Merritt who was worth the wait.  (God is good!) He is an engineer/carpenter/mechanic and works at The Home Depot.  We have 4 cats, our children.  ( Just do not tell them they are animals...they will argue that point.  As will I.)  After living our first few married years in busy Nashville, we are now in the country....the QUIET country.  I am a homemaker, still love music, crafts, photography and Praise Dance/Worship and gardening!  I work retail from time to time, sit with elderly or teach at mother's day out.  Whenever I want or need to work, God has provided.  My health is the best it has ever been after 2 open heart surgeries about 20 years ago, though I do have some "don't feel up to par days",  I am doing pretty well.

For those of you who remember my mom, the "country singer" at Girl Scout camps, she continued to work in the music business after my dad's death in 1974 and then "retired" in the 80's.  She now lives in the country with her 2 babies, also cats and works for a shoppe refinishing furniture in the "Shabby Chic" look and does other crafts.  She has never remarried.

My younger sister Sharon is married and they have been married long enough for God to bless us all with their children Britney 17, Brad 13 and Bridget 11.  Though we have enjoyed living in Tennessee, my home will always be on Wooddell Dr. across the street from Barbara and Buster McPeak and my friends right around the corner at Oak Forest.  Please write me at Snoflakemom2003@yahoo.com

God bless,

Shirley Thomas Merritt