This report was written by Rhetta Pate Tatum of Birmingham, Alabama.
Our daughter, Jeannie, and I got back from the EC (Emmanuel College) Gathering 2011 to Charleston, SC late Sunday evening.
It was a delightful trip with lots of adventures: forts, historical homes, shopping, etc.
Charlotte Godwin Humphries did a splendid job of putting all the details together and even had the group out to her John's Island home for a "Pig Picking" on Saturday evening and back for Sunday service in the private chapel on her property. The service was followed by a brunch of shrimp and grits at the outdoor kitchen and dining area.
Jeannie and I made it fairly well through March 25th which would have been Tommy's 73rd birthday. Then on March 26th, Jeannie's birthday, Charlotte surprised Jeannie with a big birthday cake at lunch that was shared with everyone.
The 1958 EC Academy class was represented by Hope Ross Dunlow, Ben Dunn and his wife Beverly, Gilbert and wife Sheilah Guthrie Sha, Mona Kendall Clark, and me.
The 1960 class had several attending: Gilbert and Sheilah Guthrie Shaw, Ben Dunn and Beverly, Larry Queen and his wife Linda, Hope Ross Dunlow, Sherman and Betty Wright Smith, Eddie (Elliott) Williams and wife Jan and me.
Others you might know were: John and Fay Hedgepeth, Terry Reel and wife, Harrell and Linda Queen, Jean Harwell Thames and daughter, Ruth Cato Turton, Jerry and Linda Wilson Hopkins, Betty Jo Bailey, Ruth Brookshire, Bill and Judy Batts, Harold and Cindy Taylor (Harold is G. F. Taylor's grandson, the founder of EC). Cliff and Sara Wood, Sylvia Swails, Linda Howard, Willette Rollins, James and Rachel Sorrow, Frank and Gay Shepherd, Gene and Millie Stallings, Gerald and Jean Stephens, Ruth Jones, Beulah Sturkie, Lenoir Sturkie, Wesley and Jean Peyton, Mike (EC President) and Pam Stewart, and several others that were related to Charlotte including her son Fran and daughter Jan.
Some of the group was there for just a few activities but most of us were there for everything. Probably the most we had for any activity was close to 60. It was a very nice group. I hope that I can continue going and hope that maybe you will be able to join us. The next year's location has not been decided on yet but should be announced in the winter QUAD, EC magazine.
Rhetta Pate Tatum
[Editor's note: This most informative account of the Emmanuel College Gathering in Charleston, SC, was sent by e-mail to my life-long friend, Stan Oliver of Orlando, Florida. Stan was gracious to send it on to me. He reported that Eve was in remission. As you know she has been battling with Lymphoma.
Let us all rejoice in this good news about Eve. We have all prayed for her healing. Let us give God glory, honor, and praise along with our thanksgiving.
I have known Stan and Eve Nicholson Oliver since they were high school students and dating. I want you to know I was in college when I met this good-looking couple at Emmanuel College.
However, I have known Rhetta since she was born. I have a photo (black and white) photo of my sister, Mary Evelyn, Ruth Cato, and myself holding Rhetta when she was a baby. She was a beautiful baby. Her father was the Rev. Mr. Vernon Virgil Pate and her mother was Ruby Kelley Pate. Rhetta's mother was a beautiful lady and a great singer. Her father was the superintendent of the Alabama Conference for many years. The first Coke I ever drank Rhetta's father bought it for me in South Alabama. It was so powerful when I took a sip, it came out my nose. However, I thought it was a sin to drink cokes and felt a lot of guilt. That was what we were taught. We had a saying in our home, "If it makes you grin, it must be sin."]
Posted on
Thu, March 31, 2011
by Hugh Morgan