Fisher Family News and Current Events
Family submissions welcome. I reserve the right to edit submissions and to
determine whether the submission will be added to this webpage.
-The Editor
Report on the Tennessee Fisher Reunion '08 by Bill Jones
The Fisher reunion in
West Tennessee was a great hit this year!!
The fourth of July was
celebrated at Richard and Sandy Fisher's lake home on the Tennessee River near
Camden. It was well attended and as usual Richard was the perfect host.
Covered dishes arrived in abundance and there was plenty of Bemis's famous
stew (both tame and wild) for everyone to have their fill.
After appeasing the
many appetites Richard thrilled the young and old by taking them out on the
river in his pontoon boat.
On Saturday morning
Richard conducted a tour of the Sellers cemetery in the village of
Clarksburg. Many cousins and ancestors of the Fishers are buried here. Among
them were the graves of William Carroll Roark and his wife, Elisha Gray Roark
(grand father of Benton, Claude, Connie, Bert, Beatrice, Chester and Kathlyn
Fisher).
Elisha Gray Roark's
first wife and mother of Grandma Fisher had died in Murray County, Oklahoma in
the early 1900's. This past year Richard Fisher (son of Benton) had made a
trip to the cemetery where she was buried and brought her grave marker and a
bucket of dirt from the site back to Tennessee. At no small expense he had a
bronze plate engraved that told of her death in Oklahoma. This memorial and
the dirt along with her grave stone was placed next to her husband. Every one
left the cemetery with the feeling that Mary Jane Tosh Roark and her husband
Gray were together again!!
After leaving the
cemetery the caravan of many cars made it's way to the Purdy road to visit the
home places of William Carroll Roark and the home place of William Porter
Fisher which was about one mile north of the Roark place.
The visit to the Fisher
place had real meaning to the Tennessee and Oklahoma Fisher grand children
because this is where Benton, Claude and Connie were born. Even though there
is no longer a house here one can easily visualize how things looked over 100
years ago because of the Yucca plants, buttercups and other plants that were
set by the ancestors. Also the well that sat close to the house is still
there and several dropped coins in it and made a wish. Several were smitten
by nostalgia as they thought about this being the birth place of their Dads.
Among them was David Fisher (Son of Benton). The next day David sat down at
home and wrote the below poem about his father's birth place. Many others had
similar feeling but David's work speaks for all of them.
Saturday Afternoon at 3
P.M. the kith and kin met at Bemis Baptist Church for more wonderful food
prepared by Galen Cooper. The children provided the entertainment which was
enjoyed and applauded by all. All in all it was one of our best reunions!!
Our hats are off to
Richard for his hospitality at the lake and the tours he conducted Saturday
morning. We also need to thank David and Annette for arranging the use of the
Bemis Baptist church along with their very hard work assisting Galen.
Finally let David know
what you think of the poem he wrote.
Bill Jones
THE
WELL
Traveling a winding county road
A
caravan of kin
Back in time to the birthplace
Back where it all began.
No
pavement on the road then
Nor
gravel - only dirt
Where horse hooves and wagon wheels
Or
just footprints traversed.
Late fall, trees almost bare
Frost for sure, maybe a snow
The
year 1898 God gave life
To
a new soul.
To
see this site you must walk
From the road down an overgrown trail
Knee high grasses beaten back
Tree limbs meeting overhead.
Suddenly a small meadow opens
Briars and Lespedeza still abound
Cedars, Autumn Olives and Yuccas guard each side
Between these sentinels the well is found.
The
only evidence of a house
Not
one board or plank
Touching the well and realizing
It
gave the first water he drank.
So
many lives he touched
His
extended family spread and grown
Take this trip, touch the well
See
William Benton Fisher’s birthplace home.
David Fisher, Visited July
5, 2008
Written July 6, 2008
Reported 6/19/2008 by cousin Larry D. Fisher
All you'all welcome Madelyn Jayne Girga to the extended
Fisher family! She was born 3:42 .am. Monday, June 16 in Madison,
Wisconsin. Her parents are April and Rick Girga. April is the daughter of
Lisa (Fisher) Carver and J. C. Carver of Oregon, Wisconsin, making Madelyn
their first grandbaby. That, in turn, makes Madelyn Jayne the first
great-grandchild of Larry and Carol Fisher, Norman, Oklahoma. Larry is the
number 5 son of Connie and Leta Fisher. Connie was born to Thomas and Frances
(Roark) Fisher, the people who caused this web page to be created. Anyway,
Madelyn is 18.5 inches and 6 lbs., 14 ozs. (Isn't she pretty? She's less
than 12 hours old in this photo.)
E-mail from Richard Fisher April 28, 2008
Dear All,
Many of you have heard the great news already, but Kenny has
asked me to announce the news of the arrival of Susan's and his new
granddaughter last week. When Kenny asked me to do this, he used the word
"sweet" eleven times while describing the new baby.
Katie and Allison Reid Fisher (to be called
ALLI) are doing
well and have now returned to Jake and Katie's new home in Frankfort, KY.
I am using an old (and what may be obsolete) mailing list. Please check the
list see that all of your immediate family members are made aware of this
wonderful event.
Kenny is with Susan in North Carolina, where Susan's aunt is in grave
condition. Prayers for Susan and her family are needed.
With love,
Richard
Reported APR 4, 2008 (Jason is the son of Paul and Beverly Fisher).
Jason and Gina Fisher
of Kenosha, Wisconsin
are the proud parents of
Jackson William Fisher
born at 6:51pm, Thursday April 3rd.
He's is healthy and 9
lb. and 21 1/2 inches long.
Mother and baby are
doing great.
Big sister Gabriella is
the most excited they believe.....
(a photo would be nice) but unavailable
From cousin Reena Street (daughter of Doris Fisher Kitchens) Feb 16, 2008
My son Brandon Street and Rex Thompson's daughter, Sierra
Thompson both got to participate in the Fifteenth Annual Oklahoma Children's
Choral Festival on February 2, 2008.
Several months ago, both of these kids had to try out for
this choir and have been learning the music with their own schools. Then on
February 2nd, all of the schools involved got together in Owasso and rehearsed
the music as one big group and then put on a concert that afternoon.
The interesting part of this story is that when my mom
(Doris) and I got to the concert we saw Rex and his family along with Rex's
mom (Thelma Rae). We visited a little bit and sat down to enjoy the concert.
When the kids got on stage, believe it or not, Brandon & Sierra were standing
right next to each other. The funny thing about this is that they spent the
whole day together practicing and performing this concert and didn't even know
they were cousins. We did tell them about it and took their picture. This
was a big accomplishment for these two young folks and we're very proud of
them. I've enclosed a couple of pictures for you to see.
Reena Street
From Tennessee cousin Richard Fisher: Sun. Dec 30, 2007
Nell Marie Fisher Jones
Dec 1, 1922 - Dec 30, 2007
Dear All,
We regret to inform you that our sister, Nell Marie
Fisher Jones, passed away this morning at her home.
On Wednesday, January 2nd, there will be visitation for family
at 9:30 AM, visitation for friends at 10:00 AM and funeral services at 1:00
PM. All of which to be held at First United Methodist Church in Milan.
Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Milan.
Prayers for Bill, Billy, Dianne and Jenny are needed and would
be appreciated.
We all will miss her very much.
Love,
Reported by Eddy David on Sat. Dec 1, 2007:
I am saddened to report that Aunt Kathlyn Chambers passed away last night
about midnight. Arrangements and Service Announcements will follow shortly.
With Regrets,
Eddy David
Aunt Kat's services will be held this Tuesday, 4 December 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
at:
First Christian Church of Sand Springs
501 N. Main
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Phone: (918) 245-9625.
Lunch will be provided at the church following the services.
Arrangements are provided by:
Mobley-Dodson Funeral Service
211 E. Broadway
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Phone: (918)245-6644
Lorida Kathlyn Fisher Chambers
Jan 3, 1915 - Dec 1, 2007
Aunt Kathlyn's own words at In her own
words
Her own memory book at articles\kathlyn.htm
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007
3:39 AM
Subject: Fred Short
Our father, Fred Short passed away in his sleep this
morning at 3AM. He was surrounded by his family and we know he felt the love
of all of you. He was listening to 1940’s music. We will let all of you know
of the arrangements for Milan and Jackson,
shortly.
Douglas F. Short
From Lisa
(Fisher) Carver,
daughter of Larry D. Fisher
May 24,2007
In March of this year I
visited my son AJ in Santiago, Chile. I’ve attached a picture of our visit for
possibly inclusion on the Fisher Family website. AJ was living in Santiago for
6 months while working at the European Southern Observatory. He just finished
his work there and is returning to the US this week.
From Larry Fisher, son of Connie and Leta Fisher. May 13,
2007:
May 24 our grandson A. J. Carver returns from his astronomy
assignment in Chile with the European Space Administration. He will spend
June as a student Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research.
Check AIER at this site: www.aier.org.
Larry Fisher
From Billy Jones May 11, 2007:
Just learned at 1:45 Friday May 11, Susan Fisher's
Brother, Tommy Turner, passed away in North Carolina, he had been ill for some
time, and
in the hospital, don't know any of the Funeral
arrangements yet, but will let you know as soon as i find out
Meanwhile Keep Susan, Ken and the Turner family in
your prayers
Billy
Cousin Steven Monroe Fisher reports the birth of grandson, Christian Clark
Fisher, Jan 9, 2007.
Grandpa Steven, Mother Chelsea and Christian Fisher, all doing fine.
Linda Hill Vincion (Granddaughter of Kate Hensley Fisher Hill who was a 1st
cousin to Thomas Monroe Fisher) reports the death of her Father:
MR. WILLIAM LOUIS HILL
Mr. William Louis Hill, age 86,
of Lewisburg, TN, died Friday, January 5, 2007 at Hidden Creek Health Care in
Mount Pleasant, TN following a brief illness. A native of Lewisburg, TN, Mr.
Hill was the son of the late Clarence Jones Hill and Katherine Hensley Fisher
Hill. He was an employee of the Marshall Co. Highway Dept. for 54 years working
mostly as a road grader operator. Mr. Hill was also a veteran of World War II
having served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater, a member of VFW Post
5109, and was a member of the Farmington Church of Christ.
Survived by his wife of 64 years, Sarah Elizabeth Phifer Hill of Mt. Pleasant,
TN, formerly of Lewisburg; daughter, Mrs. Linda Carol Vincion of Chapel Hill,
TN; son, Alton Louis (Martha) Hill of Macclenney, FL; grandson, Greg (Leanne)
Vincion of Lewisburg; granddaughters, Deborah Hill Spence of Franklin, TN and
Sara (Randall) Brannon of Lewisburg, TN and five great-grandchildren, Samantha
Hill, Dalton Brannon, Brandy Spence, Taylor Vincion and James Vincion. Mr. Hill
was preceded in death by sisters, Ruby May Luna and Aldean Gaalaas Nelson and
son in law, Jim Vincion.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 8, 2007, beginning at 4 p.m. Funeral
services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 from the chapel
of Lawrence Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Berea Cemetery in the Verona
community of Marshall county.
The above article is provided online at
www.utchome.net
Jan 4, 2007
Aunt Kathlyn celebrated her 92nd birthday (which was actually on the 3rd of
Jan).
12/17/2006 Larry Fisher writes:
While this isn't a Christmas memory, it is news about where
our grandson A. J. Carver is this Christmas. Here is what he wrote on his web
page. Could you post this on the family web page?
The European Southern Observatory: December 1st I will begin a six-month
studentship at the ESO in Santiago Chile. I will be searching for Tremendous
Outburst Novae (TONs) with ESO astronomer Linda Schmidtobreick.
12/02/2006 From Bill Jones.
This article about Anne Fisher Vollen of San Francisco, California. She is
the daughter of Benton Fisher, Jr.
Smart Shopping for Conscious Consumers
—By Julia Dodge
Published: December, 2006
Sheryl Cohen and Anne Vollen, the creators of Green Zebra
On a picture-perfect afternoon in San
Francisco’s Marina District, Sheryl Cohen pulls up to a table outside the Lettus
Organic Café. “The whole purpose is to make buying green more mainstream,” she
says of the Green Zebra Guide, a new publication created by herself and
long-time friend, Anne Vollen. “And we’re hoping it will be fun, too.”
You can read the whole article at
http://www.babwnews.com/article.php?id=751
Nov 5, 2006 from Bill and Nell Jones:
We sadly report the death of our beloved brother-in-law Joe
Isaac. Joe was the husband of Alice Fisher Isaac and the father of Joseph
Isaac III, Carol Isaac Merhle, Ann Isaac Knight and Jane
Isaac Killian. Joe and Alice lived in Jackson, Missouri.
09/15/2006
James Bryan Fisher, son of James W. and Mary (Montgomery) Fisher, grandson of
Chester and Martha Fisher, died Sept 8, 2006 at his home in Tulsa, OK. Funeral
services were at Green Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery where Jimmy was also
buried next to his Dad..
Cousin Larry Fisher writes: 09/15/2006
Chris Cremin, son of Theresa and grandson of Don Fisher, received his Eagle
Scout award on Saturday, August 19, during a ceremony at Ray Brown Park in
Sand Springs, Oklahoma. While Chris is surely not the Eagle Scout in the
extended Thomas and Frances Fisher family, I believe he is the first from
the descendants of Connie and Leta Fisher.
Larry Fisher
From Vera Nell Riggs Boatman, daughter of Thelma Beatrice Fisher Riggs,
7/18/2006
Clarence Boatman caught this (very unusual) catfish in Skiatook Lake this
past Spring. It is now in the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, OK.
Cousin Larry Fisher, brother of Charles who passed away in
2002, reports on Charles' wife, Donna: 07/08/2006........
Donna Fisher,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, the widow of Charles Fisher (sixth son of Connie and Leta
Fisher) died this morning, July 8, 2006. Cause of death included complications
from liver cancer. Donna had been ill for some time. It was Donna's wish to be
cremated and for no memorial services be held. Donna is survived by son Bill,
his wife Heather, and their two children, Brecken and Ellison.
If anyone has questions
concerning Donna, please contact Larry Fisher,405-321-0557 email
lfisher9@cox.net
Ferrell, Douglas
Todd
FERRELL
Douglas Todd,
51, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ Sunday, July 2, 2006 at St. Joseph
Hospice. He is survived by his wife Donna Fisher
Ferrell of
Lexington. He was the son of the late Doctor Taylor
Ferrell of
Richmond, and Nell
Ferrell of Glasgow, Ky. Doug was a member of the First United Methodist
Church, Graduate of Tates Creek High School, where he was an all-state
basketball player, and the University of Kentucky with a degree in business
administration. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and former owner
of Ferrell's Car
Care Center. His hobbies included golf, singing, and playing the piano. Other
survivors include two daughters; Katie
Ferrell (John)
Pinkston and Alison
Ferrell (John) Randolph; two brothers Paul (Laura)
Ferrell and Ben
(Kelly) Ferrell,
in-laws; Robert and Dorothy Fisher and brother-in-law, Craig (Bonnie) Fisher,
three nieces, and five nephews. The family would like to give glory to God for
Doug's strong faith in Christ, and thanks for the prayers and love of many. A
Celebration of Doug's life will be Wed, July 5, 2006, 6 p.m. at First United
Methodist Church in Lexington. Visitation will begin at 5 pm. Memorial
contributions suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive,
Lexington, KY. Whitehall Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Published in
the Lexington Herald-Leader on 7/3/2006.
Notice •
Guest Book •
Flowers •
Gift
Shop
Cousin Nell and Bill Jones celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on April
7, 2006. Congratulations !!!!!!!
Cousin Amy Short writes: 04/04/2006
I spent the weekend in Oklahoma with Aunt Kathlyn & wanted to share a picture
from the Fisher Women's Spring Fling. Aunt Kathlyn is still in her apartment
with Peggy, her dog. She has an aide (Dianne) coming in 3 days a week to help
her with shopping, bathing, housekeeping and taking her to get her hair done
etc. There is a large family /neighbor support group keeping an eye on her.
"Uncle Joe" gave me a little tour. The Orphan's home is being demolished
& Commander Mills are being torn down soon to make way for a bank.
I went to the Sand Spring Museum to see Great Grandma's Bob Wills quilt, but
it is on a state tour with Judy Howard, who collected stories on quilts and
published them! (If you haven't seen it, Larry's story is the third one in
the sample stories just after the order form in this link.
The Oklahoma folks are looking forward to the June Reunion and encourage
everyone to be there!
They appreciate visits from their "Tennessee cousins."
Take Care All.
Amy Short
Aunt Kathlyn and Amy
From cousin Wes Fisher, son of Ronald and grandson of Benton Fisher, Sr.
3/12/2006
Hi from Khao Lak,
Thailand. It’s been a while since I've spoken to or emailed some of you, so I
wrote this update (my second one) on what I’ve been up to lately. Here's an
overview of where I’ve been and what I’ve done since August 2005, when I left
my job to volunteer in Indonesia and Thailand:
*Mid-August: helped
out at the Sarojini Orphanage in the village of Aik
Bukak, on
the island of Lombok, Indonesia
*Late August - late
December: worked on tsunami relief efforts in Khao
Lak, southern Thailand
*December 20 - 29:
went home to Arlington, VA, for Christmas
*December 29 - Jan 9:
went to Rio de Janeiro for New Years w/ my brother
Fred and some friends
*January 14 - 24:
returned to Lombok to visit the orphanage and to climb
Mount Rinjani, an active volcano with a rapidly
growing new volcanic cone inside its crater
*January 28 - present:
returned to Khao Lak to continue working on
tsunami relief efforts
--------------------------------------------
KHAO LAK, THAILAND:
I'm presently
volunteering at the same NGO as last year, the Tsunami Volunteer Center (www.tsunamivolunteer.net).
Last year I was working primarily in TVC’s office here in Khao Lak, acting as
the media relations and multimedia coordinator. I would sometimes help out at
the fishing boat building project or with a housing construction project.
Now I’m the project
manager for TVC's Environmental Restoration program, which (like all other TVC
projects) works with the villagers to restore their communities to their
previous state before the tsunami. Our most recent endeavor was the
construction of a recreation area and playground in the village of Laem Pom.
(See the first two attached pics.) We cleared two fields of tsunami debris and
then built a takraw and badminton court, a petanque (bocce) court, several
gardens and relaxation areas, and a children's playground using mostly
recycled materials (e.g. concrete foundations of houses destroyed by the
tsunami, sawdust from the boatyard, large tree stumps, bamboo, etc.) One of
our goals when building the recreation area was to provide the residents of
Laem Pom with a nice place to relax in their village. Also, some of our other
volunteers are currently working with the villagers of Laem Pom to develop an
eco-tourism/home stay program, so another goal of this new recreation area was
to help attract tourists back to Laem Pom.
--------------------------------------------
LOMBOK, INDONESIA:
The children there are
generally healthy and happy. They are really enjoying the toys that Sarah B.
and others put together and shipped to them. Thanks for that, Sarah! (See the
next two attached pics.) I would also like to thank Sarah and everyone else
who helped raise much needed money for the orphanage. However, the girl’s
dormitory desperately needs to be rebuilt and there is an ongoing need for
funding for other repairs and various items at the children’s home. Check out
these pictures taken by Josi Hillary, a family friend of my parents who
introduced me to the orphanage:
http://community.webshots.com/album/510413319pNFTsW
Some of you have asked
how you can donate money or items. Shipping to Indonesia can be expensive from
the US, so please let me know if you have anything to give and we can discuss
whether it should be shipped or hand carried there. And there’s good news for
those of you who are interested in donating: Josi has applied w/ the IRS for
tax exemption status, which he expects will be approved very soon. So any
donations to the orphanage should be tax deductible in the near future. To
donate money, please send a check to:
N.J. Hillary
3400 Barger Drive
Falls Church, VA 22044
USA
Be sure to write "Sarojini
Orphanage Trust Inc." on the memo line of the check. At the end of the year
Josi will send you a receipt with the name of the Trust, EIN, etc. for tax
deduction purposes.
--------------------------------------------
As for the rest of the
year, I plan to stay here and continue working on environmental restoration
through the dry season until at least mid-June. I will probably go back to the
DC area once or twice this year to visit, but I would like to keep working
here at the TVC because it has been a great experience and I’ve met countless
interesting people who also came here to volunteer. (See the fifth pic.) I'll
send out another update in a few months. (Sorry for the impersonal mass
mailings.)
I hope all is well with
everyone. Please drop me a message and let me know how you’re doing.
Wes
This from a proud Grandpa, Kenny Fisher: 03/13/2006
This is not reunion news but I have something
to share with all of you so I am taking advantage of Ronald's address list.
Jake and Katie have a beautiful baby boy. He
was born Thursday March 9th at 10:57 PM at Duke University Hospital.
Statistics-19" long and weight 6 lbs 7 ozs.
His name is Benton Gummer Fisher, and he will
be called Benton.
He is not reading yet but he does know his
numbers and letters.
God is good. Thanks be to God for all his
blessings.
11/14/2005 From Larry Fisher:
Sister-in-law Donna, brother Charles' widow, called today
to let us know that she is a grandmother for the second time! Son Bill
and wife Heather have a second child. Daughter Ellison Jen Fisher, 6 lbs and
10 oz plus 19 inches, was born today in Tulsa. Congratulations to the parents
and grandmother Donna! I asked if big brother Brecken is happy and at this
point, he just seems to be accepting of the event.
Concerning Donna: her cancer is gone, but she has problems
with scar tissue plus she continues to get chemo treatment to ensure the
cancer stays gone.
When I know more, I'll pass it along. Feel free to call
Donna at 918-605-4689. She goes to bed early.
09/24/2005 From Larry Fisher, reporting on his daughter's evacuation from the
path of hurricane Rita.
Daughter Ann and her family (Bryce, Jake, and Bryanne
Weathersby) all evacuated Friday with Bryce's parents and other extended
family northwest into north-central Texas from the Beaumont area to avoid
hurricane Rita. They live north of Silsbee which is north of Beaumont about 20
miles.
At this point, Ann says the word they are getting is
Silsbee may have been hit by a tornado and their is lots of downtown damage.
The police are saying they do not want anyone coming back for at least seven
days.
While Ann and family are safe, they do not know if their
homes are safe, damaged, destroyed, or what. Also, there is one horse, one
cat, and three dogs and several hundred trees that had to be left behind and
their status is unknown.
I am writing to keep folks updated as best we can.
Everyone is safe, housing status is unknown, and the local situation is
anything but normal.
Larry Fisher
08/27/2005 From Larry Fisher
A.J. Carver, grandson of Larry and Carol Fisher and son
of Lisa (Fisher) Carver, Oregon, Wisconsin, added this to his personal web
site. A.J. is currently attending a college cosmology course in Rome, Italy.
Check out A.J.'s web site at:
I have been selected as a recipient of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. NOAA's
mission is to, "understand and predict changes in Earth's environment and
manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation's economic, social, and
environmental needs". The scholarship is named in honor of South Carolina
Senator Ernest F. Hollings. Senator Hollings has spent his life in service to
the nation. It is an honor to be awarded with this scholarship. Thank you Bob
Morse, Don McCarthy, and Alan Whiting for recommending me for the scholarship.
Thank you NOAA for selecting me.
06/13/2005
The Sand Springs Museum is currently displaying an exhibit honoring Bob Wills
and his Texas Playboys. One of the items on display is Grandma Fisher's Bob
Wills Quilt. There are also lots of vintage photos and artifacts from the "hay
day" of the band. A recent visitor to the exhibit was Grandma Fisher's daughter,
Kathlyn Fisher Chambers, pictured here with the quilt.
Photo courtesy of Ruth Ellen Henry of the museum staff.
Received from cousin Ron Fisher, 6/13/2005.
Steve Short is the son of Betty Jean
Fisher Short and Fred Short:
Milan High
School Alumni Association 2005 Honoree
Stephen
Taylor Short, Class of 1970
Our MHSAA honoree for 2005 is
Steve Short, a member of the Class of 1970.
Steve has served the alumni
association for many years on both committees and the Board of Directors.
A journalist for the Milan
Mirror-Exchange, he has written numerous articles about Alumni Day activities
and profiles of honorees for the alumni program. In 1999, Steve teamed with
MHSAA president Sarah Robbins and volunteer Leon Smith to create the alumni
website (www.milanalumni.org).
He has been the writer-photographer for the website since its inception. Last
year, Steve’s family established the Betty Short Memorial alumni scholarship
in tribute to his mother.
A Milan native, Steve lived in
Jackson, Tenn. and Wisconsin before returning to Milan in fourth grade and
residing in the arsenal Area Q neighborhood. He graduated with honors from
Milan High where he was a class officer, Beta Club president and voted “Best
All Around.” He was football co-captain, co-MVP, Most Valuable Lineman in the
1969 Jaycee Bowl and was on the ‘68 Bulldog basketball team that finished
fourth in the state tournament.
After attending the Univ. of
Tenn. Knoxville and Jackson State Community College, he graduated with honors
in English from Memphis State in 1977. He worked in the Memphis City Schools
and the Commercial Appeal before returning to his hometown. He married a 1970
classmate, Susan Pillow. Their daughters Rachel and Jessica graduated together
this year from the Univ. of the South, Sewanee. A stepson, Jay is deceased.
A reporter for the
Mirror-Exchange since 1982, he has also written for the Humboldt Chronicle,
Trenton Gazette, Tri-City Reporter and Tennessee Farm & Home magazine. He was
the first journalist in Tennessee to earn an individual School Bell Award from
the Tenn. Education Assoc. for Outstanding Education Reporting. He is a
four-time winner of Excellence in Education Reporting awards from the
Tennessee School Board Association. His writing contributed to several Tenn.
Press Assoc. awards for the Mirror-Exchange, including first place state
awards for Local Features (2000) and Public Service (1984,1986).
Steve’s community honors
include YMCA Volunteer of the Year, Milan Education Assoc. Friend of
Education, Polk Clark Enrichment Center Community Enlightenment Award, and
First United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year.
He has served on the board of
directors for the Mildred G. Fields Library (chairman); Milan YMCA, and as a
charter member of the Milan Endowment for Growth in Academics. He was
president of the Milan Historical Society and worked on committees for
Tennessee Homecoming ’86, Chamber of Commerce, Bullet Town Celebration, Relay
for Life; Gibson Co. Sports Hall of Fame; Gibson Co. pictorial history, and
Junior Auxiliary’s songwriting music class.
At First United Methodist
Church he was the children’s choir accompanist sixteen years; church
historian, and currently the praise band pianist.
Music has been a lifelong
interest. He has played keyboards in a Jesus Christ Superstar stage
production, a Gentrys-Ohio Express show in Memphis, and local bands Handmade,
Black Lace, and currently Bullet Town.
Steve celebrates his
thirty-fifth class reunion this year and is appreciated for all of his
contributions to the community and the MHSAA.
Received 6/10/2005 from cousin Alan Fisher:
Alan's wife, Susan, is a Commissioner for the CA Board of
Prison Terms (see news item of 3/3/2005 below). She has been in the news in
California again:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/06/10/news/coastal/22_46_326_9_05.txt
Tuesday, April 19, 2005 Milan, Tennessee Mirror-Exchange
Newspaper
The following article (written by cousin Steve Short, son of Fred and Betty
Fisher Short) honored the "Exemplary citizens" among whom was cousin Billy
Jones, son of Bill and Nell Fisher Jones.
From Mary Horn: May 4, 2005
I am writing to
let you know that we had a lost in the family. Verda (Lacy) McGowan's
Daughter, Margaret Cox. She passed on April 15th and
I was asked to let everyone know.
Thank you
Mary Horn
(Granddaughter of Verda)
George Ralph Fisher, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2005. He
was the son of William Benton and Acenah Mills Fisher.
From cousin Alan Fisher 03/03/2005
Friends and family,
Susan Fisher was confirmed as a commissioner for the CA Board of Prison Terms
this morning on a CA Senate voice vote 34-0! For those of you who would like to
see it, therel is a streaming webcast of it at
http://www.calchannel.com/search.php?date=030305&source=All&type=All&title=&Search=Submit
Click "watch" beside the Senate hearing. You can drag the time bar at the bottom
of Windows Media Player to about 10:00. Her portion of the session occurs at
that time in the session.
Curly (aka- Alan Fisher)
From Larry D Fisher 03/01/2005:
A. J. Carver, grandson of Larry and Carol Fisher, is the
co-author of a new astronomy article! A. J. is taking a semester off from the
University of Wisconsin to work at Cerro Tololo in Chile. See the web site
provided to read an abstract of the article and to read about the project A.
J. is working on.
Notable landmark: 01/03/2005
Aunt Kathlyn and Peggy
Lorida Kathlyn Fisher Chambers (AKA Aunt Kathlyn) is celebrating her 90th
birthday today.
From Larry D Fisher 12/02/2004
My grandson A. J., daughter Lisa' first born who is a
Junior at the University of Wisconsin, sent me the following message. A. J., a
double major in Physics and Astronomy, is going to Chile to work ten weeks as a
research assistant at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the REU. He
leaves Jan. 16.
A. J.'s website link is:
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/acarver/web/
Links to the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the
REU program webpages are in the blurb on his NEWS page.
From Robert Dale Fisher 11/11/04
Here's a picture of my new granddaughter,
Elena Jewel Fisher.
Father - Chris Fisher
Mother - Jennifer Fisher
Currently living in Texas with her parents and two brothers, Judah and Caleb.
Elena Jewel Fisher
born 11-7-04 at Nativiti Birth Center (nativiti.com) 7:34 am
7 lbs. 15 oz., 19 inches (mommy caught me in the water!)
From Richard Dean Fisher 11/10/2004
Hello All from Scotland
Just received word. Becky and new baby boy doing well in Jackson, TN.
8#+ , 20" long.
Haven't heard how John, Jack, Lucas and Olivia are doing.
From Richard Dean Fisher 11/03/2004 Note to him about his 15th grandchild.
D.
Rick called a little while ago and they had a boy around 12:15 PM today.
Weighed in at 8lb and 4 oz. Length not recorded yet. Mother and baby are
fine. RM fainted when he was born but her blood pressure had gotten low but
she is fine. She had "au naturale" again. No name as yet. Rick asked me to
spread the word and if I don't hear from you soon, may ask Bill or Billy to
put out an email to the family as they have those email addresses.
Congratulations to you, as well.
Love, S.
Received from cousin Larry D. Fisher 10/18/2004
Donna
Fisher, widow of Charles Fisher (6th son of Connie and Leta) is in St. Francis
hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with lung cancer in her right lung. At the present,
she also has pneumonia, but they are treating both illnesses and she is doing
better. She begins radiation treatment Tuesday, I think.
Any and all prayers and positive thoughts you can send
Donna's way are appreciated. St. Francis is at 5353 East 68th Street, Tulsa,
OK 74063. Donna is in room 7111 and the hospital phone number is
918-494-2200.
Carol and I visited Donna and her son last night and she
is optimistic her treatment will be successful and she will beat this.
Larry Fisher
07/18/2004
Sarah Frances Fisher Todd, daughter of Chester and Martha Anderson Fisher,
passed away sometime this past weekend. Services are pending.
Update: 06/21/2004
CAMP SNAKE PIT, Iraq
Fisher cousin, Cpl. Joey Barnes USMC, has been featured in news stories on
KOTV, the CBS affiliate in Tulsa, OK. You can read the story at
http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=64242
Remember to send Joey a letter and let him know we are all proud of him. The
address is below.
Fisher cousin stationed in Iraq: 06/14/2004
Note from Bill Jones:
This morning Nell and I got a letter from Linda
and Kenneth Barnes of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Linda is the grand daughter of
your Uncle Claude and the daughter of Claude's son Richard (deceased). In
this letter she told of her son Cpl. Joey Barnes USMC who is stationed in
Iraq. All of Nell's siblings who were in the service knows how happy it makes
a person serving in the military to get snail mail from friends and
relatives. She suggested it would lift Joey's spirits to get letters from his
relatives even if he did not know them personally.
So I am sending this letter to invite those
"Cousins" who are willing to do so to write to Joey telling him your
relationship and how proud you are of our service men in Iraq.
His address:
Cpl. Barnes, Joey R.
214 Fox Co WPNS PLT
UIC 40290
FPO AP 96426/0290
Linda would also like the addresses of service men
who you might know so that she can write to them.
Linda and Kenneth Barnes's address:
214 W. 38th Street
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
Thanks!!
TN Fisher Reunion News 05/10/2004
This message is from Kenny.
I called each of my siblings recently to tell you the reunion is on for 2004.
The current schedule for known events is at Richards lake house Thursday
7/1 and Friday 7/2 evenings , the First Baptist Church at Bemis Sat 7/3 and
for those who are still around Sunday the 4th after church at Catfish Cabin.
Paula and George will be in Greece , so the good times we've had at the Wall
Street Grill will have to wait another year.
The meals at Richard's haven't been finalized , but it looks like spaghetti
Thurs and Bill's stew on Friday.The dinner on Sat will be the catered Bar-B-Que.
David will be needing a head count a week or so before the 3rd of July. I will
keep you informed.
Word is that all of us might not be able to make it this year. It is certainly
understandable. Health, other family commitments and travel concerns are
certainly factors that we all have to deal with. I hope you and each of of
your family members can make it. Please inform us of your plans.
I am asking each of my siblings to keep their offspring notified. Doug will
keep the Short clan notified. We need to make sure our extended family and
friends in the Jackson area are also aware. I thinking of Mildred, Byrnes,
Ruby , others.
The letter that this is addressed to is to the thirteen families. If you have
ideas or questions about the reunion and if you can let everyone know by
replying to all it will be appreciated.
From Larry D. Fisher 05/07/2004
NASA
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarship! I (A.
J. Carver, grandson of Larry D Fisher) am being awarded a $1,500.00
NASA/Wisconsin
Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarship for 2004-2005 at
UW-Madison. The scholarship supports outstanding undergraduate students pursuing
aerospace, space science, or other space-related studies or research. I will be
honored at the Fourteenth Annual Wisconsin Space Conference scheduled for August
19-20, 2004, at UW-LaCrosse in LaCrosse, WI.
From Steven Monroe Fisher 04/23/2004
Broken Arrow Student Gets Good Video of
Twister (Local Tulsa TV station used the video and posted it and a story
about the "Broken Arrow Student", Steven Michael Fisher, at the following web
address)
http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0404/141886.html
From George R. Fisher 04/14/2004
These are pictures of the snow we got yesterday April 13. I remember in
1938 or 1939 we got a snow on Easter. Not sure about the date We had to cancel
our Easter egg hunt. Some of you up north would probably laugh about a little
snow like this.
George (Jackson, TN)
From Nell Fisher Jones 04/07/2004
With deepest regrets I must inform you that our brother-in-law Charles
Blankenship passed away at 12:30 this morning (April 7th). Louise has asked me
to convey this message to her siblings. Pat and Bo Wallace were at his home
when he died. Bill, Barbara and Jeff are all arriving within the next few
hours. As soon as arrangements are made you will be notified.
I know that Louise's and Charles's children will appreciate your prayers
and support during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Nell Jones
From Larry D. Fisher 04/06/2004
Some family news. Doris Fisher, wife of Joe, in Sand Springs. fell at
work, cracking a bone near her left hip. She is in St. Francis hospital in
Tulsa, doing fine, and hopes to leave in a few days to recover at home. I
visited with her yesterday.
While I was visiting Doris, I learned that Garl (yes, "Garl") Willis,
husband of Susie {Fisher} Willis (daughter of my deceased brother Bob), was
undergoing triple by-pass surgery at that very moment. I do not know his
condition, but since I've heard nothing to the contrary, I'm assuming Garl is
recovering well.
(Some trip to the hospital, I'll tell you, though.)
A later update from Dale Fisher 04/06/2004
To all -- Garl is my brother-in-law, Susie is my
sister. At last report Garl is recovering well, awake now and a little
grumpy. He did have a triple bypass after some problems with the balloon and
stent -- they tore his artery while removing the catheter. The total surgery
was about 9 hours and had everyone very concerned for quite a while. He
finally made it back to the CIC recovery area about 4:30 yesterday afternoon
and Susie and daughters got to go in to see him about 5:30. He doesn't look
good because of all the water gain from the fluids they pumped into him during
surgery but that should be gone in a few days.
I'll keep you posted if there are any problems.
Dale (son of Bob, grandson of Connie P. Fisher)
Posted 2/27/04
News release submitted by Alan Fisher, whose wife, Susan, has been appointed
to a California government post:
Susan Fisher with Arnold Schwarzenegger
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Two Members of the Board of Prison Terms
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Margarita
Perez as chairwoman of the Board of Prison Terms and Susan Fisher as a member of
the board.
"Margarita and Susan bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of law
enforcement and parole in California," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I thank
them for their willingness to serve the people of California."
Fisher has more than a decade of experience working on behalf of crime victims.
Since 1999 she has been the director of the Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau.
She served as a member of the board of directors of the Doris Tate Crime Victims
Bureau for seven years. She has also been a member of several community crime
victims' organizations including the Institute for Crime and Trauma Survivors,
the San Diego County chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and since 2000 as
president of Citizens for Law and Order.
Fisher, 50, is a Republican from Oceanside, CA. She is a graduate of the
Pacific College of Nursing. This position requires Senate confirmation.
The Board of Prison Terms considers parole release and establishes the length
and conditions of parole for all persons sentenced to the Department of
Corrections under the indeterminate sentencing law and for persons sentenced to
prison for a term of less than life and those serving a sentence of life without
the possibility of parole.
Posted 1/4/04
A. J. Carver, son of Lisa (Fisher) and J. C. Carver and grandson of Larry and
Carol Fisher, and a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison made a
presentation at an international astronomy conference in Atlanta Jan 4-8, 2004.
The University paid his way to the conference. To read the details of A. J.'s
presentation, go to this site:
http://www.aas.org/publications/baas/v35n5/aas203/S800.htm . It has to do
with measuring gamma ray bursts from deep space using the AMANDA research
project.
Jimmy and Jennifer Fisher, son and daughter of the late
James W. Fisher, recently attended a live performance of legendary C&W star,
Hank Thompson. The 79 year old performer (pictured between Jimmy and Jennifer)
gave what is quite possibly his final Tulsa public performance as he launched
his "Sunset Tour" with this show. Hank Thompson was one of James Fisher's
favorite performers and James was known to travel quite a ways to attend Hank's
concerts when he could, often with one of his kids along for the trip. Jimmy and
Jennifer made it to Hank's final local appearance not just for "old times'
sake", but because they know their Dad wouldn't have missed it if he were still
alive.
Leona Fisher Goad passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003. She was the
daughter of Claude M. and Lois Nicol Fisher.
FISHER — James William “Jim,” 69, died at home on September
18, 2003 of heart complications.
Jim was born January 2, 1934 to Chester and Martha Fisher in Guthrie, OK. Jim
attended Sand
Springs Public Schools and graduated in 1951 He was stationed in Korea while
serving in the
Marine Corps from 1953-1956 and he remained on inactive duty until 1960. He was
a member of
the American Legion and a proud member of the USMC Motor Transport Association.
Jim worked
for many years as a glass worker in both Oklahoma and Colorado. He loved to
travel by car and
he was known for telling a good joke. Jim is survived by: his wife, Mary; sons,
Scott, Russell
and Jimmy; daughter, Jennifer; brothers, Chester Thomas, Allen and Carl; sister,
Sarah Todd;
aunt, Kathlyn Chambers; and grandchildren, Samantha, Buddy, Jordan, Daniel and
Allyssa.
He will be greatly missed. Service will be 11 am., Wednesday (9/24/03), Green
Hill Funeral
Home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
From cousin Louise Fisher Blankenship - 9/14/2003
Hi
and good health to everyone. Son Bill has been invited to race in Exterra World
Championship Triathalon In Hawaii end of October. He has the points that are
required to be in that race. He is number one in his age. The race is real tough
and Bill said a lot drop out before they finish.
Love to my family
Louise
From cousin Larry Fisher -
Some in the
families excel at fishing; some don't. One family member (who for reasons that
will become obvious shall remain nameless) recently took a six-hour fishing
excursion. Look at her photo and decide for yourself if she had a good time.
That's her lunch in the bag beside her, by the way.
