Rex Scoles Ministry Retirement Party June 25, 2011

In another post, I have shared the speech I gave at my parents' retirement service. My parents have given their best to the Master. Daddy has been a pastor for 50 years, 42 of them at Joplin, MO. So many of the ones who have attended church there through the years are already in heaven, so my speech mentions many of them by name. We were honored by the 65-70 people who took time out of a busy day to come and celebrate with us. It was a hot day and the air conditioner at the church went on the blink before the party. We had fans going, moving the hot air around, but kind, gracious people listened and took turns sharing what Rex and Wanda Scoles had meant in their lives. It was wonderful!


There were at least 10 others who came that were not shown seated.

My wonderful and creative sister, Brenda, masterminded the decorations.

Her daughters, Rebekah and Leah were great help.

Some of the doilies Mother has made were used for decorating, along with many pictures from the past.

Leah, pictured above, made this beautiful cake.

Daddy visiting with some old friends.

Everybody had a good time.

While some were eating, others were watching a slide show of pictures from the past 42 years. Rowen spent many hours scanning and photoshopping the pictures to make the slide show.

It was a real blessing to us to be there and recall God's faithfulness through the years. I was blessed to be in the family with the parents God gave me. I love them very much.

30th Annual Woods Reunion

The 30th Annual Woods Reunion was held in Baxter Springs, KS on June 25, 2011. Below is a picture of everybody who was there when the picture was taken, except for my son, Randy, who was taking the picture, and about 10 people who arrived after the picture was done! Click to make it bigger if you care to.

Here are some miscellaneous pictures from the Woods Family Reunion. My daddy's mother was a Woods, so this goes back 3-4 generations. There are only three of the original Woods family still living: My great-uncles Walter and Lester Woods, and my great-aunt Velma Hinds. Walter is almost 96 years old and he and his wife Mary were the only ones of that generation to get to come this year.
Walter and Mary Woods


My brother, Lyndell, had gotten a Christian Flag for people to write a note to our daddy for his retirement from 50 years of ministry. Here my cousin, Caroline Taylor, and Aunt Elsie and Beth are planning what to write on the flag.

Beth, Emily, Micah and me waiting for the group picture in the gym.

Daddy gave the devotion and led the prayer time.

My grandsons, Quil and Micah, love the nursery in this church. It is well equipped with fun and educational toys. Micah playing the xylophone.

Quil playing the drums.

What is more fun than a "big cousin" to play with? Austin Scoles. Emily played with them too, but she was manning the camera.

Glenn and Melody Goodwin and children, Maggie and Max

Aunts Elsie and Joyce, sister Sherry, Mother and me

Cousins Andrew Owens, Austin Scoles, Leah, Rebekah Owens, Mandy Scoles

Joy, Quil, and Micah, Tim and Brenda, Charley Owens


Cousins: Tasha Wampler, Cody DeOrnellis, Mandy Scoles

Rowen, Daddy, and my sister, Brenda

Nephews Caleb Wampler and Andrew Owens, niece Leah Owens, and my mother, Wanda Scoles

Brother-in-laws Charley Owens and Tim Wampler, and Rowen

Niece Rebekah Owens, sister Marlene DeOrnellis

Sister Marlene, Cousins Glenn and Melody Goodwin, Christy Rowland

Daddy and his sisters, Barbara, Ruth, Leona, Elsie and Joyce

Brother-in-law, Charley Owens talking to Uncle Larry Goodwin. Larry was married to my Aunt Margaret, who is already in heaven. I enjoyed getting acquainted with his new wife, Ruth.

Cousins: Leah Owens, Mandy Scoles, and Andrew Owens

My daddy and his sister, Elsie, exchange a silly gift back and forth every few years.

She said she gets so nervous before she opens it and finds out what it is. They are both so ornery, that she deserves to be nervous!

Sons Randy and Tim talking to Aunt Elsie, Daughter-in-law Brenda talking to Aunt Joyce.

Scoles Sibling Meal

Last Thursday evening, I went with Daddy and Mother to Charlie's Chicken in Miami, OK to a Scoles Sibling pre-reunion meal. Most of my siblings also went too. This shows my daddy and his sisters: Ruth, Leona, Barbara (Bea).

Two more of his sisters: Joyce and Elsie. There is one more sister, Doris, who was not able to come. Daddy's two brothers and one other sister are already in heaven.

My uncles: Marvin (Elsie), Gene (Ruth) and Franklin (Joyce)

The whole group of Daddy and Mother and his siblings and their spouses.
Back: Franklin and Joyce Conley, Elsie and Marvin Spohn, Gene Spohn, Rex Scoles
Front: Leona Moore, Barbara Wimer, Ruth Spohn, Wanda Scoles

My aunts are really funny and delightful. They told stories about when they were young (a long time ago) about their school teachers and neighbors. They also gave gifts to each other. This is the main time they get together in the year. I was glad to get to go to this Sibling Meal. For years I have heard about the fun they have, and this was my first opportunity to witness it!

Miscellaneous pictures from our trip to Joplin

Except for Jeffrey and Jason, the rest of us went to Joplin, MO for last weekend. It was a busy time because of the Scoles sibling meal, Woods Reunion, my daddy, Rex Scoles's retirement from ministry, and packing in family time.
This is a picture of my mother and me in the nursery at the church where the reunion took place.

My sister, Brenda and me at Mother and Daddy's house. We used to look more alike, before I got a wig.

Brenda's kids: Andrew, Rebekah, and Leah

Here Quil is trying on my wig. Both of my grandsons were very intrigued by Grandma's lack of hair. If I didn't have it on, "Where is your hair?" If I had it on, "Are you going to take it off?"

Micah taking a turn with the wig. He looks like a doll.

Mother babysat these young men when they were little boys. Joe Austin Finn and his wife, Dallas, on the left, and Ben Bastings on the right. They came to the retirement party and it was so good to see them again, all grown up. Our kids used to wear hand-me downs from Joe and his brother, Jared. Their family was so generous to pass on their clothes to our boys.

My niece Leah, relaxing on the back step of the church, after the retirement party.

My brother, Lyndell, and his daughter, Mandy.

Lyndell's wife, Sharen, waving goodbye.

Beth and I at the reunion.