Bill Meredith & John Woods: Another life-long MHS friendship

Bill Meredith, John Woods
East Monongah 2nd grade

At my request, Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, provides his memories of John Woods, Class of 1957:

“John,

“I have known John Woods nearly all of my life.  We went from the first grade at East Monongah Grade School through our graduation from Monongah High School as classmates and good friends.  Our families both attended Monongah Baptist Church. 

John Woods

“He had wonderful Christian parents and I was often at their home throughout my years of living in Monongah.  John's father, Bill, was my Sunday School teacher for many years and was a father figure to me, since my own father passed away when I was six years old.  He had a positive influence on me and all of the young men he taught.

Bill Meredith,
wife Roleta

“Although we don't get to see each other often, John and I have stayed in touch over the years.  I have always thought that the best friends one has in life are those who were your classmates in elementary and high school.  That was especially true in our little corner of West Virginia.  There was something unique about growing up there.  Having friends like John Woods allows me to often get a glimpse of that magical time of my life.

“Thank you for allowing me to recall those happy days when both the world and I were a little more innocent. 

“Bill Meredith, 1957”

John Woods lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bill lives in Sarasota, Florida and Buckeye Lake, Ohio.

Bill and John were on the 1955 Monongah High state championship football team. Life-long MHS friendships, as Bill indicated, are nourished by “something unique in growing up” in Monongah and/or going to Monongah High.

Virginia DeMary Rossi and Christine “Tina” Tartell Arnett, both Class of 1953, were born on the same day – April 24, 1935 -- and died two hours apart on the same day – August 20, 1982 -- and were best friends for life.

June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948, adds her lifetime friendship memories:

“Frances Savereno Pulice and I met in first grade in Carolina, became good friends which continued through grade school, high school and beyond.  We kept in touch all through the

years, even attending MHS alumni dinners together until she passed away about a

year ago.  And ... these years have gone by very fast!”

Frances, also Class of 1948, passed away in 2014. She was the widow of Johnny Pulice, Sr., 1944 Farmington High grad.

Frances’ brothers Tony Savereno, Class of 1941, and Orlando Savereno, also are deceased. 

Charleston’s Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971, daughter of Iris Martin Carpenter, Class of 1950, and Sue Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971, who lives in Stoney Lonesome and Piscataway, New Jersey, have been friends since second grade.

Nancy Robinson Saunders of Hutchinson and Mary Bienkoski Domico of Monongah, both Class of 1950, were together continuously till death intervened – Nancy first, then Scoogum’s widow.

Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950, who lives in Fairmont and St. Augustine Beach, Florida, and Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953, seemed joined at the hips at MHS and beyond.

Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972, and Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973 and married to Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, have been friends for most of their three score-plus years on this earth. Bob Kasper, who lives in South Lyon and Presque Isle, Michigan, and John Olesky, who lives in Tallmadge, Ohio, have been friends since first grade at Sts. Peter and Paul School and visit each other in Michigan and Ohio every year. Bob -- aka “Satch” in our younger days – and John were classmates for 13 years, including John’s first year at Fairmont State.

To read the earlier, extensive article and photos about the Woods family, particularly John, click on http://jo4wvu.blogspot.com/search?q=catching+up+with+john+woods

John Woods is the 4th player from Coach Jim Feltz in 2nd row
Bill Meredith is in 5th row, 2nd from left