Birthday celebrations brighten up two winter months

It takes more than a day and one party when Dorothy DeCoudres turns 90 years of age. She was pleasantly surprised when her two daughters from Texas, Shirley McMillan, Fort Worth, Roberta, Stan and Scott Armstrong, Arlington, came in Friday, Feb. 8.

That evening they were joined by Esther Secrest, Mike Hixon, Dale and Betty Hixon, all of Fort Scott; Denton and Annette Hixon and Raven, and Lois Reader all of Uniontown; Dana and Barry Button Alissa and Alex, Redfield; at Chicken Mary's. A good time visiting and sharing old memories was had by all. Then on Saturday her three daughters hosted an open house at the home of Dorothy's grandson, Mike Hixon, his wife Lori and son Clayton. Sixty people attended. Saturday, Feb. 9, was also the birthday of her daughter, Shirley. Betty had a decorated chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting, and presented Shirley with three yellow roses, just before the open house. The family enjoyed celebrating Shirley's birthday, too. Shirley, Roberta, Stan, and Scott, had to travel back to Texas on Sunday, so Betty was up before dawn preparing a big country breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and coffee for them to dine on before leaving. They also had a short visit with Stan's parents, Howard and Agnes Armstrong after she came from church.

Linda Center received word Tuesday, Feb. 5, that Jennifer Craven Dominguez, 36, lost a two year battle with breast cancer. Jennifer was survived by several family members, including, her parents, the Rev. Richard Craven and wife Melanie; Jennifer's husband, Michael; one son, Nolan, age 8; and one daughter, Sophie, age 6; her grandmother, Beth Craven; aunts Jan, Carolyn and Patty; and an uncle, Dana. Her services were held at Trinity Baptist Church in Big Spring, Texas, on Friday afternoon, Feb. 8.

Saturday, Jan. 26, Joe and Shirley White attended a birthday party at the Pizza Hut for their great-granddaughter, Madison Thurston's seventh birthday.

Pat and Mike Worford, Springfield, Mo., visited with her parents, Tony and Buena Karleskint, over the weekend.

Jan. 27, Joe and Shirley White attended a birthday party for Bob Larkin in Fulton.

Ron and Leah Lewis brought lunch to his mother, Marjorie Lewis, on Sunday. After they ate they enjoyed playing cards.

Dave and Sheila Blubaugh spent the weekend with her sister, Sharon Madison and and husband Don in Wichita.

Ron and Linda Center enjoyed eating at Jim's Steak House in Pittsburg in honor of Linda's birthday.

Tuesday, Jan. 15, Shirley White, Evelyn Dwyer, Pauline Hart all of Fort Scott; Donna Clayton, Hott, Mo.; Peggy Wakefield, Mound City; Sherry White, Pittsburg; all former classmates of Shirley Isaac, surprised her on her 66th birthday. They all enjoyed cookies and coffee at her home in Fort Scott.

Dale and Betty Hixon, Dorothy DeCoudres, Esther Secrest, all enjoyed eating Sunday dinner at Chicken Annie's recently.

Wayne and Marge Stringer attended the funeral of her cousin, Alice Goins in Thayer, Kan., on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Tuesday, Kitty Lewis visited with Marjorie Lewis, and they enjoyed playing cards while they visited.

Linda Center enjoyed being treated to lunch at Chicken Mary's by her mom, June and daughter Ronette. Joining them were, Ron Center, June Hereford, Ronette Center, Scott and James Center, Lindsey Center, and Kelsie Jo Collins. They all returned to the home of Ronette for Linda to open her cards and gifts and all enjoyed cheesecake.

Wayne and Marge Stringer was dinner guest of Bob and Maude Burnes, in lola, Sunday, Feb. 10.

Beverly Peel, Fort Scott, Doug and Kim Harris and Hannah, Nick and Jeanne Harris all of Hepler, visited with Marjorie Lewis, Sunday, Jan. 27.

Ron, Linda, Scott and James Center traveled to Pittsburg for James to have some dental surgery done.

Sheila Blubaugh spent Wednesday, Feb. 13, with her parents, Bob and Francis Fursman in Colony, Kan..

Saturday, Feb. 9, Bob and Linda McBride had supper with Joe and Shirley White in Nevada.