Free Web space and hosting from freewebspace.com
Search the Web


Union City High School Class of 1980

Home Page | About  Us Page | More About Us Page | What's New Page | Message Board | Contact Us Page | Favorite Links | Reunion News | Photo Page | Photoalbum

HERE'S THE LATEST ON SOME OF OUR CLASSMATES!!!

Lori Rea Taylor, her husband Glen, and their children recently moved to Medina, TN into a house they designed and built themselves. The did everything including installation of all the siding, windows, doors, interior framing, wiring, plumbing, sheet rock, cabinets, ceramic tile, trim, and paint! WOW!!! Bob Villa look out!!!!

Jeff Batts is officiating college football. He is a field judge in the Sun Belt Conference. Look for him on the field!

Congratulations to Scott and Shana Fowler on the birth of their daughter, Julianne Elise, who was born May 12, 2002 and weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces!

Congratulations to Jonathan and Tiffany Powell on the birth of their quadruplets(Yes, you read right, quadruplets). Virginia Bayse, Reid Fisher, Sterling Edward, and Aiden Ellsworth were born on June 7, 2002!

Our sympathies are with our classmate Beverly Estes Wilkins for the death of her brother and our classmate Anthony Estes (June 2002).

Alison Rippy Treen is the guest host on a radio cooking show in the Nashville area on 1510AM. You can listen to her recipes, expertise in cooking and appliances once a month on Saturdays from 3:00pm-4:00pm. She also answers questions and has round-table discussions from call-ins.

Our deepest sympathies to classmate Linda Turner Hardy on the death of her husband, Gene Hardy who was tragically killed in a tractor accident. (Jan.2003)

Congratulations to "grandmother" Trena Simmons Stephenson whose daughter Alicia delivered a baby boy on February 16, 2003 at 9:56pm. Dakota Lee Webb weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces and was 18 inches long. Trena said he had a beautiful head of hair and a small nose!

Rachel Caldwell Williams is living in Warren, Arkansas with her 18 year old son and 13 year old daughter. Rachel's son is studying to be a pharmacist and is in his first year of college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Her 13 year daughter is very active. She is on the pep squad, is the drum major for the Junior High Band and plays the flute, She also sings second soprano with the choir. Rachel works at the hospital in Warren and is the Insurance Supervisor there. She is also attending UAM to complete her degree in Business Administration. Way to go Rachel!(Feb. 2003)

Jon Cawley is living in Mt. Airy, NC with his wife Jill, and three sons, Kendall (age 11), Cameron(age 9), and Simon (age 3). Jon says Simon is the reason for his latest surgery! No more Cawley boys! Kendall played on the 10-yr.old AAU basketball team from North Carolina last summer and they finished fourth in the nation!! Jon and his family live on a golf course and all the Cawley men are golfers. Jon received a doctorate in ministry from Duke and has taught college for nine years. He's been pastoring in Mt. Airy for 13 years.(March 2003)

Cathy Whitehead Grow's brother, Scott Whitehead, has become a country music celebrity! He is part of a country music duo called "Hometown News" and they have been nominated for top country duo along with Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Sons of the Desert, and The Bellamy Brothers. The winners will be announced at the 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards show on CBS on May 21 from Las Vegas. Good Luck! (March 2003)

Melinda (Mandy) Smith, along with her husband Rich and son Zach, recently moved to Mobile, AL.  Melinda works for Island Realty Corporation in Dauphin Island, AL where they are working on a new project called the Fish Camps of Dauphin Island, Alabama.  It is a very unique development in that is it a classy fish camp located on the Mississippi Sound at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico and will be a gated community complete with a swimming pool and covered boat sheds.  You can check out the web site of Melinda's workplace by going to www.islandrealtycorp.com .  Her husband Rich is driving long haul for Covenant Transport out of Chattanooga, TN and is retired from the Coast Guard. (March 2004) 

Karen Rodenberger Vaughn has reason to be proud!  Not only has she gained a son-in-law, she is also the mother of a Navy SEAL!  Karen and Billy's daughter Tara married December 13, 2003 in Stuart, Florida.  Their son Aaron  is almost done with BUDS (SEAL training). His class (248) started with 168 men and by the end of Hell Week there were only 20 left. Within a few days, another quit, leaving 19 at the end of Phase I. During second phase, another 10 quit or were injured and couldn't continue, so out of his original class, he's one of only 9 left in the program. He started third phase this past Friday(3/27/04) and will no doubt graduate and become a Navy Seal on April 30. Karen says that they could not be prouder of him. During Hell Week, his boat crew set a record on one of the evolutions and they all got their names added to this huge boat paddle that hangs in the hall of fame in the Special Warfare Center on Coronado Island. Then, during second phase, Aaron became one of only 31 people in history to complete the pool comps without having to re-do one single evolution!  His name will be put on another special plaque "First Time Every Time" in the warfare center. Needless to say... he has amazed everyone! Karen says he loves what he's doing and that she has never seen him happier. His family can't wait to watch him graduate next month! Congratulations to Tara and Aaron!  Karen and Billy are still working with Sunshine Land Design with Billy in management and Karen doing the landscape design.  Karen is also coaching Junior High Basketball and is enjoying coaching their youngest daughter Ana who is in 5th grade!  (March 2004) 

Gordon N. Fox of Union City has announced his candidacy for the office of county trustee. Fox, 42, a salesman at Reynolds Brothers Tires for the last 19 years, said he's running as an independent. "This is my first run for public office. I wouldn't say I'm nervous. In fact, I'm looking forward to the campaign," he said. "I've already got my campaign cards made and my yard signs will be ready later this week. "I would say to the people of Union City and Obion County that it would be a high honor and privilege to serve as their county trustee. I will be out campaigning, asking for their support and vote on election day." Fox is the son of Margie Fox of Union City and Billy Sam Fox of West Palm Beach, Fla. He is married to the former Melodye Futrell and has three stepchildren, Brandi Alley, Am-ber Scott and Nick Scott. He is a 1980 graduate of Union City High School and a 1985 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he received an undergraduate degree in agriculture. "This (candidacy) is something I've always wanted to do," he said. "I like dealing with numbers, making everything work. As county trustee, you've got to account for every penny. It's taxpayers' money. I will account for every cent of the taxpayers' money and I will run a professional office and treat everyone fair. I would consider it a high honor to be entrusted with the office of county trustee." For four years Fox has been president of Reelfoot Lake Bass Club, a non-profit organization of 20 members that promotes the sport of bass fishing. The club sponsors an annual bass tournament each spring at Reelfoot Lake. Good Luck Gordon!!! (June 2004)*article as it appeared in The Messenger*

Carol Wheatley is the Director of Specialty Gas Operations with Airgas, the largest industrial gas company in the U.S.. She is responsible for eight plants located across the U.S. quite a bit of traveling is involved.  Carol says that it's fun and quite often stressful.  Airgas fills mixtures of gases and chemicals to sell to various industries.  Carol says that most are used as calibration gases. (June 2004)

Jeff Batts will be refereeing at the Peach Bowl Dec. 31, 2004.  Jeff will be the short side judge so look for him at the Georgia Dome!!!  Way to go Jeff!!!!

Congratulations to Brent Smith and wife Kim who are now the proud grandparents of Joshua Davis-James Smith born March 31, 2005 at 4:55pm at Volunteer General Hospital in Martin, TN (Brent's daughter Kandace is the new mom!).  He weighed 2 pounds and 9 oz. and was 16 inches long and came 8 weeks early.  You can keep up with his progress and see pictures at http://www3.caringbridge.org/tn/joshuadavisjames/ (April 2005)

Sharon Shannon Hartman lives in Atlanta with her two sons ages 13 and 10. She is a neurologist at Emory University. (April 2005)

Our sypathies are with Cathy (Whitehead) Grow and her 3 children (Baby  #4 due late May/early June).  Her husband Erick suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away on April 9, 2005. (April 2005)

Congratulations to Brandi Grisham, daughter of classmate Cheri (Sturkie) and Brad Grisham, who is the Salutatorian for Obion County Central High School's Class of 2005! Brandi has been a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Key Club, Pep Club, Art Club, Foreign Language Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Youth and Project Graduation activities.  She claimed Top Ten status each year and won the Algebra I and II and Honors English I awards, while being named to Who's Who Among American High School Students and a Kiwanis Challenge graduate among many other activities and accomplishments. (June 2005)

Jan (Stricklin) Morris is living in Stone Mountain, GA with her husband and two sons.  Her oldest, Judson, just turned 3 and can read, count to 100, knows all 50 states and their location, and most state capitals.  Her youngest, Sawyer, is a miracle of modern day medicine.  He turns one year old on October 26 and was born with numerous pulmonary problems that have been eliminated with medicines that weren't available 5 years ago. (October 2005)

Congratulations to Karen (Rodenberger) Vaughn and husband Billy who will become grandparents in May 2006.  Their daughter Tara and her husband Adam are expecting their first child then.  Karen and Billy's oldest son Aaron, a Navy SEAL, has just been deployed.  His location is not known but Karen says he will be in a lot of danger and asks for your prayers for his safety.  You can obtain Aaron's email address from contacting Karen or this website requesting it.  (October 2005)

Richard Brooks and his wife Angela have been married for 24 years and report that their daughter April remarried her ex-husband on January 14.  April is attending Dyersburg State with aspirations of becoming a nurse practioner.  Richard's son Patrick is 18 years old and is in this 6th year at the Tennessee School for the Deaf located in Knoxville, TN.  He is in the high school vo-tech program and will attend until he turns 22 years old.  He flies home each weekend and is doing well.  (October 2005)

Trena (Simmons) Edgin's son is deployed with the 913th from Union City and will be in Iraq soon.  Her husband Scott was scheduled to go also but was sent home due to breathing problems.  Trena's daugher is expecting a baby which will be grandchild #3 for Trena. (October 2005)

Congratulations to Georgianna Whipple who is engaged to Dennis Scarborough as of October 15 with plans for a wedding on December 11, 2005!  Georgianna recently bought and fixed up a house in Hickman, KY where she won Yard-of-the-week.  She and her bridge playing partner recently won fourth in a Bridge tournament in Saskatoon, Canada.  Georgianna is also enjoying riding her new motorcycle, a gift from Dennis and is the QC/HACCP/Safety Coordinator for Williams Sausage Company. (October 2005)

Rachel (Caldwell) Williams has a home-based business that she began October 22, 2005.  She has several different businesses included on her website www.rachelwilliams.myEcon.net but has focused on credit repair as her first line of business. Check it out! (October 2005)

Jeannine (Chambers) Bruce and husband Fred celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on October 26, 2005. (October 2005)

Jeff Batts will be officiating the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio December 28.  Michigan vs. Nebraska.  Way to go Jeff!  He also recently moved to the Atlanta area.(December 2005)

Congratulations to Jeff & Betsy Batts who were married April 22, 2006 in Carrollton, Georgia! (May 2006)

Congratulations to Brent & Kim Smith who are proud grandparents again!  Brent's daughter Kayla gave birth at 12:11p.m. on May 1, 2006.   Baby Gabby weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz and 21 1/2 inches long.  Kayla, Mario, and Baby Gabby are doing excellent.  (May 2006)

Rachel (Caldwell) Williams will graduate from college on May 12, 2006 with a Business Administration degree. Her plans are to remain at work at Bradley County Medical Center in Warren, Arkansas and work her home-based business too. (May 2006)

Congratulations to Trena (Simmons) & Scott Edgin on the birth of a new grandson.  He was born May 11, 2006 and weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.  His name is Kolby and both mom and baby are doing great! (May 2006)
Congratulations to Karen (Rodenberger) & Billy Vaughn on becoming grandparents.  Their daughter Tara and and son-in-law Adam welcomed their baby girl Annabelle Reese Baldwin May 26, around 9:30am.  She weighed 8lbs, 5 oz and was 19” long. Karen says she’s a BIG baby, everything went perfectly, and that their new granddaughter is adorable! (May 2006)
 Lori (Rea) Taylor has just had a children's book published.   The name is What To Do When Your Hoof Turns Blue.
It is available @ Amazon.com & Authorstobelievein.com.  It will be in stores soon. You can see the book and read what it is about and about Lori and her family at http://authorstobelievein.com/what.to.do.when.hoof.blue.htm
Congratulations to Lori!!! (October 2006)
Rachel (Caldwell) Williams daugher was recently in a Bradley County Jr. Miss Pageant on Saturday, November 4 and won!! She sang a song by Fantasia called “Summertime” and she was great. She won the fitness portion of the pageant and a $250 scholarship.  She will go to compete in the State competition in Searcy, AR in March and is Ms. Merry Christmas.  Enjoy looking at the pictures.  Please follow the link to see the pictures: http://southarksports.smugmug.com/gallery/2093618/7/108011645
(November 2006)

Congratulations to Alison Rippy who is engaged to Tim Turner! (December 2006)

 Congratulations to Karen (Rodenberger) Vaughn's son Aaron who proposed on New Years Eve in Times Square in New York City.  She said "Yes!"  (December 2006)

JoAnn (Williams) Horton's daughter Gentri is getting married January 2007. (January 2007)

Congratulations to newlyweds Dr. Sharon (Shannon) Hartman (now Sharon Hartman Polensek) and Bob Polensek who married September 30, 2006! (January 2006)

Congratulations to Will Townes, son of Bill & Martha (Wehman) Townes who has been chosen as an alternate to attend the 2008 Boys State.  Will is a student at Union City High School and was named Kiwanis Club Student of the Month, has been a member of FCA, Junior Civitan, Spanish Club and Pep Club and is a member of the UCHS football and baseball teams. He is also a member of the concert band and was named a Class Beau by his peers and has won Academic Achievement awards and the football Iron Man Award. He is also a Boy Scout in Troop 55 with the Rank of Star. He enjoys hunting, fishing and sports and is a member of Union City First United Methodist Church and the youth group. Will is also a volunteer for Chimes for Charity each year and works for Townes Mowing and Townes Farms. He plans to attend UTM and major in engineering. Way to go Will!!!!

Congratulations to Alison Rippy & Tim Turner who tied the knot on March 31, 2007 and honeymooned in Mexico.(March 2007)

Congratulations to Carol Wheatley who is engaged and will be married in Gatlinburg on May 5.  Carol and her fiance who is a deputy sheriff are building a house on several acres outside of Durham, NC. (April 2007)

Leah Jean (Moss) Rollins is involved in a production for Trenton Nite Lite Theater. An article was written in the Jackson Sun Newspaper about the band she organized and is playing in and there's a couple of pictures of them.  You can read the article that appeared in today's Jackson Sun newspaper today by clicking on.
Way to go Leah Jean!!! (April 2007)
Congratulations to Trudi Collins who has been hired as the Special Education Teacher at UCHS.  She and her son Jackson Donnell (age 15) live in Union City.  Trudi earned her bachelor of science degree and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UTM.  She has previously taught Special Education at the East Side Elementary School at the 4th and 5th grade levels as well as the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten levels. (August 2007)