P H O T O G A L L E R Y
Great grandchildren of
John Henry Luman & Mary Jane Weatherford
Mrs. Taylor retires from CISD
By JOANNA CHILDRESS
Staff Writer
Mrs. Vivien Taylor, whose name is synonymous with the
Center Independent School District, is retiring Jan. 31.
After spending nearly 46 years directly involved
in the Center school system and over two decades as business manager, Mrs.
Taylor says she is looking forward to "being a little 'ol granny."
A native of Shelby County and a 1939 graduate of
Shelbyville High School, Mrs. Taylor finished business school in Beaumont
at the McCracken School of Business. Shortly thereafter, she went to work
with Western Union in Beaumont and later worked for their offices in New
Orleans and Lafayette, La.
Mrs. Taylor was married in 1946 to J.B. Taylor.
Mr. Taylor, who died three years ago, was a Center school teacher. The
Taylors have four children, Gwen Stewart, a chemical engineer in Houston;
Gayelynne Lokey, a school teacher for the Silsbee Middle School; and twins
Gary and Greg. Gary is a bank examiner in Grand Saline and Greg is a Methodist
minister and director of Christian Education in Benton, Ark. Mrs. Taylor
is also very proud of her three grandchildren.
In 1967, Mrs. Taylor began her duties with the CISD
as an accountant. She says her duties and responsibilities quickly grew
and she was soon named business manager. She has worked under five superintendents.
Mrs. Taylor says the high points in her career with
the CISD have been watching the school district grow and the improvements
that have been made within the district. "It has been challenging, maddening
and rewarding, and it's been fun," she said.
Mrs. Taylor says she will enjoy being at home working
in her yard and caring for her pets - two dogs, four cats and occasionally
her neighbor's five chickens.
"I'm going to sleep late and have that second cup
of coffee in bed," she said.
She will also now have the time to spend with her
grandchildren that she has wanted to spend, "like band concerts and baseball
games." She says she would like to do some volunteer work and then, with
the vivacious spirit and determined tone that has managed the CISD business
office for 22 years she added, "possibly I'll go to college."
"The community can be proud of the job the school
board is doing. They are very dedicated," she said, "and I would like to
express my appreaciation to all of the staff, principals and teachers for
their cooperation and support in helping us run our job efficiently."
The public is invited to attend a retirement reception
honoring Mrs. Taylor this afternoon, Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the CISD
administration building.
At the January meeting, the Center school board
announced the selection of Mrs. Betty McDaniel to fill the position vacated
by Mrs. Taylor.
Mrs. McDaniel is a native of Shelby County and graduated
from Joaquin High School in 1965. She attended Massey Business College
in Nacogdoches and worked locally for Rite-Care, now known as Tyson. She
also worked at the feed mill in Tenaha as a grower records clerk and bookkeeper.
In 1971, Mrs. McDaniel joined the Joaquin ISD as
secretary to the principal. She was employed with the JISD for 18 years.
Last year she attained her bachelor of business administration degree from
Stephen F. Austin State University and views her new position as a real
advancement.
Mrs. McDaniel says she plans to carry on in the
same tradition as Mrs. Taylor. "This lady (Mrs. Taylor) is practically
a legend," she said. "I hope to perform as successfully and effectively
as Mrs. Taylor has," she explained.
"I appreciate the confidence the board has shown
in their accepting me for this job," said Mrs. McDaniel.
Page 2, Section A, THE LIGHT AND CHAMPION, Tuesday, Jan
30, 1990
Vivien is the granddaughter of John Wesley Luman,
s/o John Henry Luman & Mary Jane Weatherford.
Denman Joe Neal Jernigan is the oldest grandchild of
Lillie Bell Luman Jernigan, d/o John Henry Luman & Mary
Jane Weatherford. Joe completed a tour of duty with the
United States Air Force in Germany 1950-52. Joe is married
to Ruth Earlene "Pattie" Samford.
John Woodie Jernigan is the youngest grandson of
Lillie Bell Luman Jernigan, d/o John Henry Luman
& Mary Jane Weatherford. Woodie has served on
the Shelby County Reserves Drug Task Force. He
is married to Kathryn Parker of Center.
Elbert Eugene "Gene" Hughes is
married to Jackie Ann Martin (KY).
Gene, Jackie, and their two child-
ren, as well as their son-in-law and
daughter-in-law, are all graduates of
Bible Baptist College of Springfield,
MO. Gene is the pastor of Colonial
Heights Baptist Church in Wichita.
KS, and he is another grandson of
Lillie Bell Luman Jernigan.
Dr. Arvie Fern Jernigan earned his first degree
from Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington TX in 1962.
He was honored on 29 Mar 1998 for 35 years ser-
vice as pastor of Lakeland Street Baptist Church in
Fort Worth TX. Married to Patricia Cummings,
Arvie is also a grandson of Lillie Bell Luman
Jernigan.
Johnnie Fern Hughes retired from the United States Army
with the rank of MSG E8, earned a degree from Stephen
F. Austin State University in agricultural science, horticultural
specialization, and retired from teaching in the Garrison
Independent School District. Another grandson of Lillie Bell
Luman Jernigan, Johnnie is married to Sigrun Simone (GER).
They are pictured here with their children, John Henry,
Simone, and Sonja, shortly after Johnnie returned from a
tour of duty in Vietnam.
Eddie Mahan, who was a member of the select
group of United States Army Rangers, is a deco-
rated WWII hero, and the grandson of Eliza A.
Luman Oliver, daughter of John Henry Luman &
Mary Jane Weatherford. Eddie is married to
Christine McSwain Mahan, a local artist and
historian.
Rickie Paul Jernigan has served on the Shelby County Reserves
Drug Task Force.
He is
a mechanical genius who developed a thriving business building dune buggies.
Rickie, a grandson of Lillie Bell Luman Jernigan, married Carolyn Anthony
of Center.
Lillie Marie Jernigan Shelton,
is the namesake of her grand-
mother, Lillie Bell Luman
Jernigan, and was born on the
birthday of her great grand-
father, John Henry Luman.
Clyde is a Lieutenant with the
Harris County TX Sheriff's
Department.
Rebecca Jernigan Ray is following in the footsteps
of Grandpa Luman with a career in the postal service.
Bonnie Hughes McGinnis now makes her home
in Arkansas, where our Luman ancestors originated.
Guy Allen Jernigan
US MARINES
(photo courtesy of Spencer Jernigan, Nacogdoches TX)
Roby Spencer Jernigan
Summa Cum Laude
Otho Plummer Award for Academic Excellence.
(one of three from a field of 365)
(photo courtesy Spencer Jernigan, Nacogdoches
TX)