Gleaning Facebook: Remembering Mary House

Facebook nudges my memories each morning by suggesting a re-post, sometimes nowadays from a decade ago. These pictures are actually from about fifty years ago.

My two years in the National Teacher Corps, 1969-1971, gave me some great experiences and brought some interesting people into my life. Mary House, artist and teacher at Poca High School in WV (Go Poca Dots!) was one of those unforgettable people. Ornery, opinionated, and a heart of gold.

She has died in the decade since I posted these pictures.

I have talked with Charles Yates within the last year or so, he's got some health issues and lives in a retirement facility.

I have not heard from Cynthia Weaver since about 1972 or so.

That post resulted in two new Facebook friends. Clayton Hensley, the little nephew of Mary seen in these pictures, somehow found it and we connected. He grew up to become a communications-news producer-guy who has taken those skills into a job as communications director for First United Methodist Church in Maryville TN. And Mary's sister Lois Gilbert is a musician and folk music enthusiast who I have now 'met' via Facebook and even had a nice phone call (while Sheila and I drove through Tennessee) once to discuss our shared musical interests.

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Mary House

The baby is Mary's nephew, Clayton Hensley. Holding him is Teacher Corps intern Cynthia Weaver. The guy may be Charles Yates [later info: likely not Charles but Clayton's father], another Teacher Corps intern. I don't know who's on the phone. 

Clayton Hensley

Comments

Terrell Shaw Mary House was a teacher in Putnam Co WV schools who befriended the Teacher Corps interns at Liberty Elementary School in 1970-71.

Becky Majors Asbury Mary House also was a teacher at Poca High School for many years. She was one of my favorite teachers in high school.

Ruth Baird Shaw Terry...The middle picure looks like Janice holding the baby. I have njoyed seeing some of the old photos wyou are bringing out!

Clayton Hensley I'm not sure, but it looks like my Dad is the one holding the phone in th picture. Certainly looks like him, but not clear enough to tell. Since I was only a year old in the pix, can't say I remember.

Terrell Shaw I'm sure you are right, Clayton. You Dad only slightly resembles Charles.

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Mary's Obituary on the Kiser -Rose Hill Funeral Home

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Mary E. House, 81, of Midway Circle, Midway, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013, at her home.

She was a retired teacher from Putnam County School System in West Virginia.

Mary was a member of Unitarian Church and was a member of the National Teachers Association; West Virginia Teachers Association and Putnam County Mental Health Board.

Survivors include a sister: Lois Gilbert of Midway; a nephew: Clayton Hensley of Clinton, TN; niece: Rachel Hensley of Midway; great nieces and nephews: Hazel Hensley, Will Hensley, and Emerson Hensley; several special cousins; special K-9 friend: Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Bolton Movious House and Thresa Lois Ranson House.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, Janurary 4, 2013, in the Kiser-Rose Hill Chapel with Rev. Faith Ramer officiating. Interment will be later at Emma Chapel Cemetery, in Liberty, WV.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm Saturday preceding the memorial service.

Online condolences may be sent to the House family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.