Another Lions reunion broke out

Monongah High alumni have unexpected reunions all over the country. I’ve experienced it myself, in Florida and, with a former Akron Beacon Journal co-worker, at an airport in Auckland, New Zealand.

For example, at a Steak ‘n Shake in Bristol, Tennessee, Barbara Marsh stops for a bite to eat after visiting her grandchildren in Alabama.

And runs into Patty Steele McCombs, Monongah Town Recorder.

Barbara is 428 miles from Nick Saban’s territory and Patty is 296 miles from Monongah. What are the odds?

Patty quipped, accurately: “It’s a small world!!!”

Barbara responded: “I was in shock. Looked like I slept under the bridge. Have a great holiday. Good seeing you.”

From Monongah and Alabama to 413 Pinnacle Parkway in Bristol. Amazing!

Patty is married Monongah Water expert Bill McCombs, Class of 1969. Bill’s parents were the late Loretta June Fox McCombs and Harless McCombs. Patty’s uncles are Kevin McCombs, married to Vicky, and Monongah fire chief Harless “Mutt” McCombs, married to Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s books author Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977.

Don’t confuse Barbara Marsh with Barbara Fleming Marsh, who was a Thousand Oaks, California resident before she passed away in December 2016. Fleming Barbara with part of the Fleming family on Fleming Hill in Monongah that overlooked the railroad bridge that crossed over Booths Creek into the West Fork River.

The Barbara Marsh who was widowed when Dennis Toler was a victim in the Farmington #9 mine explosion a half-century ago writes the Monongah News column in the Fairmont Times. And does a dang good job of it, too! Barbara and Dennis had three sons and a daughter.

If you are a Lion and you hit the road, don’t be surprised if you hear another Lion roaring in surprise.