1960

Easter was on 17 Apr 1960. Grandma Ramsey was with us at almost every special event or holiday. An example of the casual animal cruelty of the day- I’d gotten a live baby duck in my Easter nest. I remember Winn’s Dime Store having crates of the poor things, dyed garish colors, like living Easter eggs. The poor animals almost always died.

I assume these photos were taken in honor of my piano recital on June 9, 1960. I played Fairies Bell by Clark Turner and London Bridge by June Waybright.

On June 12, 1960, Mother and Daddy celebrated their 20^th anniversary and we had a family portrait taken to celebrate the occasion. I was 9, Catherine was 14 and Madeline was 15. I’ve always thought they looked older than their years and I looked dorky or retarded! This is the only photo I remember in which Mother’s hair looks red. She’d always said she had auburn hair, but I didn’t remember it being that red.

My 10th birthday, Aug 26, 1960 included a slumber party with friends pictured on our steps, Velma Jo Horton, Linda Paulson, Elizabeth Zapata, Betty Bridges. We played dress-up and camped out in the living room.

Above left, a snapping turtle Daddy caught while fishing and gave me. The photo is from a negative that was with my birthday pictures so would have been taken around the same time. I remember the turtle more than my 10th birthday! Above middle, I thought this might be from my birthday, but it’s a different dress. In the same group of photos Catherine is also shown wearing a German/Bavarian style dress so it must have been for some other occasion. Above right, my 1960-61, 5th grade school photo, before and after a bit of airbrushing. The cleaned up version looks better.

Christmas 1960. With Madeline’s pink gown and Catherine and me in blue, we made a very colorful mix.

1961

I joined the University Methodist Church on March 26, 1961. I’m on the back row, far left. The senior pastor was James William Morgan. Right, Easter was Apr 2. Madeline in her Jackie Kenndy-style slim dress and pillbox hat.

University Studios had used three brothers in an ad that ran in the McCallum yearbook in 1960. In 1961 they wanted one with three sisters. We fit the bill. There were at least two poses because another one was used to create the oil painting that was displayed at University Studios until we bought it for Mother and Daddy’s 25th anniversary in 1965. My dress was actually lavender, but to make us consistent, they painted it as white.

Left, March 1961, my 5th grade class at Rosedale Elementary with Mrs. Crawford. I’m 4th from the left on the front row. Right, me at Madeline’s 17th birthday party in July 1961. I’d cut my long hair by then.

In the summer of 1961, we went to Houston and Galveston. Left, us with Allen Ray. In Aug, I took a photo of my turtles and celebrated my 11th birthday with a few girlfriends at Barton Springs. We swam, went on the paddle boats and the train.

My 11th birthday portrait, the ugliest of all I ever had made. But with only a little airbrushing on the hair, I look a lot better, thinner in the face. The improved photo looks a lot like my 1961 school photo. In the fall of 1961, I entered the 6th grade at Rosedale, with Mrs. Geeslin. I did relatively well in my studies. At least I didn’t get a note about my kicking boys! Over the school year I gained 2 1/2 inches in height, but sadly, 13 pounds in weight. My test score for music aptitude was excellent. On Nov 5, 1961, we celebrated Grandma Ramsey’s 76th birthday.

Christmas 1961. In my Christmas stocking I got a bath set, head band, comb, crayolas, sweet toy, little purse, safety pins, emories, candies, gum, Old Maid game and a pencil. Gifts from Mother and Daddy – Socks, blouse, slacks, pj from Santa, panties, doll clothes and case, bride doll and clothes, brassiere, bedroom slippers, Nancy Drew book – Secrets of the Swiss Chalet, Mr. Potato Head (when we used real potatoes!). That doesn’t sound like a small Christmas to me! Patsy – 2 candles; Mike Carl – teen time doll; Laymans – pocket puzzle; Stephanie – pink stationery; Marsha – strawberry soap; Patricia - hand painted set; Rugeley – white socks, pink socks; Alice & Murray - $3; Grandma – Mrs. Potato Head and $1; Linda – bubble bath; Jennie & Jake - $1.

1962

I wasn’t in my 6th grade class photo, taken in March 1962 with Mrs. Geeslin. I must have been sick that day. I was in the school play Thumbilina on Mar 9. Easter was on Apr 22, 1962. We had our usual photo in the front yard.

According to Pat, the photo above left is probably from spring 1962 while he was recovering from breaking his leg playing football at Wheaton. He and Grandma had matching crutches. Right, a Girl Scout bake sale. Rainbow Grand Assembly was in Austin Jun 11-13, 1962. Daddy was General Chairman. That’s when Mrs. Whitfield gave me the demoralizing nickname of Little Miss Nothing because I wasn’t a Rainbow Girl yet.

In July 1962 I went to Girl Scout camp at Camp Texlake with Barbara Hill and Nancy Cantwell. I brought a camera, watch and a plastic accordion! Right, my 12th birthday photo.

August 1962 and the obligatory photo with my cake before my party. We had cake and presents in the back yard. Grandma joined us. The girls around the table starting from the left are Linda Paulson, Elizabeth Zapata, Dana Handy, Brenda Sherrill, me and Patricia Smith. I think the pink poodle mentioned in the gift list is visible in the photo above right. I showed off my turtles in the home movie of the event.

In the fall of 1962, I entered Lamar Junior High School. Next, my FHA photo. Having turned 12, I was old enough to join Rainbow. According to my membership card, I was initiated in Oct 1962 at the Masonic Temple in Austin. The photo above right is from an installation at the Scottish Rite Temple. My dresses weren’t very flattering!

These images from Christmas 1962 are from negatives. I don’t remember us having maroon furniture or two couches in the living room. A still from our Christmas 1962 home movie. Right, Grandma Ramsey was with us again.

For Christmas 1962, I got a white blouse, gown, socks, silver tie belt, red slippers, from Daddy - bk on archeology, Mad - Black purse, Cath - mosaic, Rays - pen, pencil & stationery set, Mike Carl - scarf, David - Xmas ornament candle, Sandi & Mike Layman - Etch-a-sketch, parents - bedroom slippers, Grandma - cookbook, gray sweater, $1, JW Carl - $1, Alice and Murray - $5 dozen pencils with my name on them. In my stocking – an apple, tangerine, doll with red eyes closed hands in front.

1963

Pictures of snow at 5409. The development date is July 1963, but was probably late 1962 or early 1963. Easter was on Apr 14, 1963; Billy joined us.

Catherine had an Easter theme at the graduation party Doris Bowling gave for her. I wore my Easter dress. On May 31, 1963, Catherine graduated from McCallum High School and family gathered. I again wore my Easter dress. In the summer of 1963, I attended my first Grand Assembly as a Rainbow girl. In the photo above right are Ellen Ingersoll, me, Glenda Mears and two unidentified.

On Aug 26, 1963, I celebrated my 13th birthday with the obligatory studio portrait, and photos in the front yard with my cake and with Catherine and Madeline. Billy came by as did two unidentified kids, Mike and Sondra Layman? Since Madeline wasn’t in the photo at Grandma’s, Billy had probably come by to take Madeline on a date. They’d been dating since Junior High.

We also celebrated my birthday at Grandma’s with Alice and Murray. In the fall of 1963, I entered the 8th grade at Lamar Jr. High. Above right is my photo from the 1963-64 Scottie yearbook. I can’t find that I was involved in any school organizations. That was probably because I was so involved in Rainbow activities. I realize now that was a mistake. I should have gotten involved in some co-ed groups instead of only all-girl ones.

An historical note, on Nov 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. His next stop was to have been Austin. The banquet hall at Palmer Auditorium was set up and we school kids were going to be let out early to go see his motorcade. I remember us all being called for an assembly during which we were told the terrible news and let out early anyway. I think I walked home. It was Mother’s 52nd birthday. We watched the TV coverage for several days.

For Christmas 1963, we sisters made stockings for Mother and Daddy and enjoyed our present and our pets.

Grandma was with us. We got matching robes. And then shared the paper strewn floor with our pets. Madeline is holding Fluffy, Catherine has the grown up kitten George and I’ve got Mitty and Strudel. Right, my stack of loot.

1964

1964 started with a snowstorm that turned the yard into a white fairyland. Smoot has photos from this same snowstorm in his book.

In June 1964, Rainbow Austin Assembly #5 went to Grand Assembly in San Antonio, packed into our decorated yellow bus. Right, Madeline and Billy’s engagement party at Grandma Ramsey’s. Pictured - me, Catherine, Ann Stephens Cate, Madeline and Grandma. That’s quite a corsage Madeline has on!

Catherine was Maid of Honor and I was one of the six bridesmaids at Madeline and Billy’s wedding on July 4, 1964. After the wedding, the family gathered at 5409 to eat and visit. Middle, I still had my wedding hair and make-up in place. I was starting to be pretty again. I worked at losing weight and started using make-up. The photo above right is from Mother and Daddy’s OES installation. Daddy was installed as Worthy Patron for Athene Weaver. I can’t remember if I played a role in the event or was just there in my Rainbow attire.

My 1964 birthday portrait. Airbrushing helps a lot! I seem to have had a low-key, family only birthday celebration. In the fall of 1964, I entered the 9th grade at Lamar Jr. High. I can’t find any indication in the 1964-65 Lamar Scottie that I was involved in any organizations. Again, Rainbow took up all my time.

Left, I helped Catherine celebrate her 19th birthday. On Thanksgiving some of Grandma’s grandchildren gathered for a portrait with her. Bill Rugeley wasn’t married yet and Charlie was with his first wife, Ann Stephens.

We celebrated Christmas 1964 at home. Billy joined us as a member of the family. Then we went to Grandma’s house. Bill and Ann were either married or soon to be, and joined us for the occasion. Alice’s mother Bess Beeman had died in August 1964 so Mr. Beeman joined us as well. None of us look very happy!

1965

Easter was on Apr 18, 1965 The photo above left was taken in front of Madeline and Billy’s place on Ave A. We also went to Grandma’s. Right, me in one of our flapper outfits, probably for a Rainbow event. In the spring of 1965, I was in the 9th grade at Lamar Jr. High School.

On Jun 12, 1965, Mother and Daddy celebrated their 25^th anniversary. We surprised them with the Portrait. We’d been paying on it for 10 months. After it was hung in its official place over the piano, we sisters tried on Mother’s wedding dress. We all looked good in it, but Madeline was the only one of us who could actually fit into it and button the buttons. In honor of Mother and Daddy’s 25th anniversary, we also had a family photo taken.

I went to Grand Assembly with the Austin #5 group. That summer we also had the official launching of Daddy’s new, hand-made boat.

My 15th birthday portrait. On Aug 26, 1965, we celebrated my 15th birthday. For some reason, Rachel Cavanaugh and Mike Harris were also with us. I got the telescope that I had until we sold the cabin in 2004. I still have the Exodus record and the astronomy book! In the fall of 1965, I entered McCallum High School as a sophomore. I was in the Pan-American Club.

Left, Catherine and I joined other Rainbow girls at Rio Vista. The Cates came to visit. We celebrated Catherine’s 20th birthday on Oct 30, 1965.

In November 1965, the family gathered to celebrate Grandma’s 80th birthday. Then it was time to celebrate Christmas.

Right, Strudel, as usual, was in the middle of Christmas chaos. It looks like he’d gained some weight and was starting to go white around his muzzle. We’d gotten him in 1955 so he was 10 years old, getting up there in dog years.

1966

Once again we started the year with snow. Above right, Catherine and I dressed up for a Rainbow event.

Left, a Mother’s Day celebration at Madeline and Billy’s on May 8, 1966. Above middle, Catherine and I at still another Rainbow event. Right, we got together with the Carls.

I went to Grand Assembly in Corpus Christi. Karen Jones and I had to fly back, my first plane ride. In Jul 1966, we went to visit Marsha Ray Gibbs. She had recently given birth to Dalton. Her husband Larry died soon after.

My 16th birthday photo and party with friends. We played miniature golf. In the fall of 1966, I was a junior at McCallum. I was in the Blue Brigade, the National Honor Society and the K-Club.

Above left, a still from the movie of Catherine’s birthday shows the three sisters in the same order as the portrait, except now I’m the tallest instead of the shortest! Celebrating Grandma’s 81st birthday and Thanksgiving at 5409 in November 1966. These may be the last photos taken of Alice.

Left, on Dec 17, 1966, the Blue Brigade hosted a semi formal. I didn’t have a date so Anne Rugeley’s brother, Andy Laudermilk took me. Getting ready for and then celebrating Christmas 1966 at home.

Christmas 1966 at 4312. We don’t look very happy, except for Murray, which is a bit strange because Aunt Alice was in the hospital. She had been near death but seemed to be getting better and had been transferred to a private room. Murray probably thought she was going to pull through but sadly, two days after Christmas, on Dec 27,1966, Alice Strong Ramsey died. She was a very creative, artistic person with a good sense of humor. I hope she had some happiness in her life. It couldn’t have been easy living with Uncle Murray.

1967

Playing in the snow at 5409. My yearbook photo for my junior year was a different pose from my birthday one. Catherine and I on Easter, Mar 26, 1967. Catherine graduated from UT in June 1967. She worked for the TEA for a few months then decided to move to Dallas to teach. She interviewed and was hired in the fall. When she left, I was the only kid still at home. I was surprised how lonely it seemed. I’d long wanted a room of my own, and now I had the entire dormitory, but it wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped it would be. I missed my sisters.

On Jul 31, 1967, I went with a group of youth from the University Methodist Church on a bus trip to Colorado. It was the first time I’d been outside Texas except for trips to see family in Oklahoma. We went through Amarillo, Castle Rock, NM, saw the Continental Divide, drove to Rocky Mountain National Park and camped in Glacier Basin. I saw beautiful scenery but it was very cold in the tent, just like our camping trip in 2008! On the trip home we got stuck for three days in Leadville, CO after the brakes went out on the bus. We stayed in the city gym, see photo above right.

Left, my 17th birthday picture and photos from my birthday party. The girls in the group picture are Karen Price, Barbara Milligan, Patsy Castro and Cindy Collier. According to Mother’s notes, Cindy and Barbara gave me a tiny gray kitten from the Humane Society! They took me there to get it. An interesting gift choice.

It appears that same day, Barbara Rugeley came to town and she, Murray and Grandma came over and had cake and ice cream. I was active in Rainbow events. That fall I started my senior year at McCallum and was in the Blue Brigade.

On Sep 30, 1967, I was installed as Worthy Advisor of Austin Assembly #5, Order of the Rainbow for Girls. My family was there and the Rays came down from Dallas. An article ran in the paper using my junior year photo.

My term started with Mrs. Whitfield, Supreme Service and the head of Rainbow in Texas, making her official visit to my first initiation. My major fundraising event for my Rainbow term was a Christmas Bazaar.

For our Christmas, we turned the tables and made stockings for Mother and Daddy. Grandma and Uncle Murray joined us. Terry Childers gave me red carnations for Christmas.

1968

My last meeting as Worthy Advisor was in Jan 1968. Brenda Bickett followed me into the office. Her mother and Elizabeth King are in the background in the photo above left. Easter was Apr 14, 1968. Uncle Murray and Grandma joined us. Next photo, Barbara Milligan and I ready for, I assume, the Blue Brigade formal. I was very thin. I graduated from McCallum High School in the spring of 1968.

The ceremony was on May 31, 1968 at Municipal Auditorium. Terry Childers came; he and I were dating. The Rays came down from Dallas and Grandma and Uncle Murray were there too. I went to Grand Assembly in Corpus Christi Jun 16-19, 1968.

Mother, Daddy, Catherine and I went to Hemisfair in San Antonio. My 18th birthday photos with cake and family. Catherine had taught the spring semester in Dallas but got ill with Hepatitis and had to come home to recuperate. She was able to go to Hemisfair with us, but must have been back in Dallas by my birthday.

In the fall of 1968 I entered the University of Texas. I went through rush and pledged Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. I met Jason Pavlovic through a sorority sister. In the photo above middle I’m in the outfit I wore on our first date, a church hayride. I invited him to join the family for Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house.

The family gathered for Thanksgiving.

Above left, I was in the Sing Song concert with AOPi in Dec 1968. The family celebrated Christmas at home and at Grandma’s.

1969

Above left, my photo from the AOPi page in the 1969 UT Cactus yearbook. Next, from the class photo section of the yearbook. Next, the photo that was in the AOPi montage for 1968-69. Right, Elizabeth King from the yearbook.

On Jan 31, 1969, Smoot wrote a letter to his parents and mentioned the first time he and I met. He said, “Last week was a lot of fun. Jason, my roommate got me a date with one of his girlfriend’s friends and we all went out and had a great time. We also went out Sunday afternoon and flew kites over at Travis.” I wrote a letter to my parents in 1971, explaining the history of my relationship with Smoot. “It had started a little over two years ago, in Jan of 1969. That was when Jason and I first double dated with Smoot and Elizabeth [King].

The two photos above left are probably from my initiation into AOPi in Spring 1969. On Feb 26, 1969 I was tapped into Spooks which included having my room trashed.

On Mar 6, 1969 I went to the AOPi’s Mother’s Club lunch with Alan. I drove with family to Tulsa for the Mar 22 wedding of Barbara Rugeley and Darryl Murphy. I won best pledge scholarship for 1968 and got two trophies. On Apr 22, I was initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honorary scholastic fraternity for freshmen women who maintain a 3.5 average. Also in Apr 1969, Catherine created a plaque to commemorate my honors. The rose represented AOPi, the mask for Spooks and the books for my scholarship award.

On Mother’s Day, May 11, 1969, Madeline and Billy had the family over for dinner and announced she was pregnant and due in Dec. In June, I went to Midland to visit Jason. Mother and I hosted a wedding shower for Nancy Horton.

Left, my 19th birthday photo. In the fall of 1969, I did my Spook duty to raise spirits before a football game. Jason wore one of my ribbons. Madeline and Billy gave a holiday party before Bev was born. Jason and I and Uncle Murray attended. Jason and I set up Mother and Daddy’s tree.

Beverly Beall was born on Dec 20, 1969. Catherine came down from Dallas to be with us for Christmas 1969, her last as a single woman since she was going to marry in Jan 1970.