Smiley High School 1956

A - E   F - J   K - O    P - T   U - Z

Autobiography of Pauline Bakkenist  

When I graduated, I went to work and then to night school.  Later, much later, I went to Nursing school at San Jacinto College.  I am now a retired nurse (as of this year).  

I am a widow.  My husband, Michael, died three years ago.  He was employed with Duke Energy for apx. 33 years, and I got to travel with him to conferences and seminars occasionally.  I have two children and three grandchildren.  My oldest son is married to a Pediatrician, and they have a son and a daughter.  He also has always been involved in the oil business in some way.  His degree was Petroleum Landman at U.T.  My youngest son was in the Navy for four years (his ship, The Independence, aircraft carrier, was the first ship in the Persian Gulf when the war broke out.  I heard it on the radio the morning they left, scared me to death).  But it helped him find himself and now he has a great job with Cooper Energy doing something with computer networking, etc.  His wife works for a law firm downtown, and he has a daughter (a beautiful little redhead).   

I was in Italy for two weeks in September.  I went on that fateful cruise with Carnival to New Orleans (expensive for a trip to New Orleans), this past weekend with friends and my kids.  

I do volunteer work  with Northwest Assistance Ministries.  It keeps me busy and I thoroughly enjoy it.  I'm in the retiree club of Duke Energy and will be the secretary this fall (for two years).  

Don't ask, I did not volunteer, was not at the meeting, so don't know what happened.   

I'm looking forward to the reunion.  If I can help in anyway, please let me know.  See you Saturday.  

Pauline Bakkenist

Email-pbakk@wt,net

Raymond Bolinger

 In 1956 I set out to serve Uncle Sam for 3 horrific years of my life. The first six months convinced me that I wanted to have Beverly with me to share in all the great adventures the Army was subjecting me to. (In other words, misery loves company.) My high school sweetheart, Beverly Butler of Davis High, became my bride and three days later we set out on a long bus ride to our new home in Virginia. During our Army stay we lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Mass., and New York state. Our first child, Connie, was born in New York. When my tour was complete we returned back to Houston where I worked in the landscape business for 10 years. We lived in Almeda when our second daughter was born. In 1972 we moved to Missouri City and I went to work for WKM. I worked valve repair for 30 years and recently retired. Beverly received a degree in teaching and is now a principal in Fort Bend. She loves this job and does not plan to retire any time soon. Our daughter Connie also teaches in Fort Bend. Connie and her husband Bryan Hall have two sons, 17 and 14. Our youngest daughter, Sherry Durrett, is a Chiropractor, as is her husband, Lance. She practices on FM1960, close to I45, next to the Luby's Cafeteria. His practice is on I45 in the Woodlands. Sherry's office is Durrett Chiropractic and Lance's office is Institute of Physical Medicine. They provided us with a beautiful little grand daughter. Before I retired I started a small vending machine business. I am very busy with this business now. I think I am going to have to retire from the vending machine business to get some rest. We have had a small fishing cabin on the Colorado River at Matagorda, Texas for 30 plus years. It is a real treat to go there and relax and fish. Beverly and I stay active in church work and we will celebrate 44 years of marriage this December.

Autobiography for JoAnn Bonno Burroughs Jordan

Attended Smiley school for ten years.  Was active in both sports and honor society, Erie staff. Completed high school at Reagan High School in Houston.

Married, had two daughters, Judi Lynn and Jana Raye.

Lived many years in Jersey Village, Houston, before moving to Montgomery County, where she and husband began building custom homes.   JoAnn became the first woman homebuilder, in the area in 1971.  Building both speculative and custom homes in River Plantation subdivision.

JoAnn met and married Eddy Jordan, also a homebuilder, in 1974.  They joined forces to build homes in Harris and Montgomery counties for many years. 

JoAnn joined ERA Beeman & Assoc. and sold real estate for three years in River Plantation.  Became the top producer in that office two consecutive years, selling both residential and commercial listings.  While selling real estate, JoAnn had the opportunity to purchase a stained glass business and has been doing art glass for 20 years.  Decorator, builder clients, and many repeat clients.  Only commission work taken.

Bevels & Glass Studio is located in Willis, Texas, where JoAnn and daughter, Jana, execute their beautiful art work.

JoAnn Jordan

October 16, 2000  

 Autobiography of Bobbie Jean Bowman  

After graduation, I worked for the City of Houston and married, had one child and divorced one year later.  I then met my second husband, Dorsey Mehr, and the next thirty eight years, we built our business, Dorsey's Auto Trim & Glass Co., in Houston, Humble, and Corpus Christi.  

We have three wonderful sons, who also have their own business, Jimmy: American Trees of the Woodlands;  Shannon: Brenham Tire & Auto, in Brenham.  Dorsey has his own baby sitting service and is also a stay at home dad, with two beautiful step-sons, Cody Oakes and Kenneth Oakes, who are in business in Humble Discount Auto Glass.  I have three magnificent daughter-in-laws, seven beautiful grandchildren, who have fulfilled my life with love and great joy.  

After losing my husband in l998, I have started a new life with my dearest friend, Joe Oakes, and we are enjoying traveling, which we have already visited most of the U.S.  Coming up is Alaska and Canada and then who knows.  I am looking forward to seeing all of our old friends and classmates.  See you at the party.  

             Bobbie Jean Bowman Mehr

Jimmie Brown

 Married, going on forty years this October. We have three grown daughters and five grandchildren. Moved back to the Houston area five years ago after leaving in 1962. Lived in East Texas, Arkansas, South Africa, Wharton, Rio Grand Valley, and Boerne before returning. Presently working for the Galveston Appraisal District in Texas City and living nearby in La Marque. Hope to visit with as many people as possible at the upcoming reunion. See you there.