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The Miss America Organization Offers Condolences
If anyone is interested in sending cards or gestures of sympathy, they can be sent to the National Office of the Miss America Organization and they will be forwarded to the families.
The Miss America Organization
222 New Road
Suite 700
Linwood, NJ 08221
Attn: Condolences
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In Loving Memory - Jim Grillot - June 5, 2010
In Loving Memory – Jim Grillot - June 5, 2010
Jim Grillot, The Miss Oklahoma Scholarship organization’s official photographer for almost 25 years, passed away on June 5, 2010 at the age of 66.
Jim Grillot's ability to coax big smiles from his subjects didn't stop when he set aside his camera.
With his own boyish smile and the big, booming laugh that usually accompanied it, the photographer could bring out the grins in just about any group or setting.
Jim Grillot was well-known for that distinctive laugh and the jokes he liked to tell.
"You always knew Jim was in the room," said former Miss Oklahoma Mignon Merchant-Ball, a longtime friend. "It was fun to try to get him to laugh. And it didn't take much."
A lifelong Batman fanatic, Grillot was no joker, though, when it came to his photography.
Even before realizing that it was his destiny, the former Kansas farmboy approached the subject seriously.
It probably sounded like one of his jokes at first — when Jim Grillot told his girlfriend, who was a model, that he could do a better job shooting her than her professional photographer.
But the Calgon hand soap salesman, who had no previous experience in photography, was being serious.
So serious that he went out and bought a camera.
Converting his bathroom into a darkroom, Grillot began taking pictures for his girlfriend and then for some of her model pals.
Before long, he was shooting for a Tulsa modeling agency.
Discovering that he had not only the talent but a passion for the work, Grillot opened his own studio in the late 1970s.
"From the beginning, he just had a really good eye for everything, for color and posing. And he was very creative," his daughter said.
The vital ingredient, though, was Grillot's personality. Ever the "big goofy kid" at heart, he was a good fit for the job, especially with what he brought to the pageant environment.
"It's a stressful time for the girls and they're usually all nervous. But he had this ability to make them feel at ease," Suzette Grillot said. "He was so social and could talk to anyone. He was always laughing, usually at his own corny jokes."
"You can't look at any of the photos Jim took of you and not think of Jim," said Merchant-Ball, who was Miss Oklahoma in 1986, Grillot's first year.
"It was fun to go to his studio," Merchant-Ball said. "Jim was so upbeat, he had energy like crazy and was ready to work. We had a ball."
Career highlights for Grillot included working with the three Miss Oklahomas who became Miss America during his tenure as pageant photographer: Shawntel Smith, Jennifer Berry and Lauren Nelson.
Besides shooting the pageant every year since 1986, Grillot also accompanied Miss Oklahoma winners to the Miss America pageant, where he would capture their experience there.
Grillot, who loved the show business atmosphere, was no stranger to the spotlight.
A guitarist from the age of 6, he played and sang for audiences across Kansas and beyond, winning awards for it as a child.
In 1957, he performed on TV for "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour" in New York City.
He continued to play the rest of his life, his daughter said.
Survivors include daughters Suzette Grillot and Angela Morrison; three grandchildren; and brother Francis Grillot Jr.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jim Grillot Memorial Fund, in care of the Tulsa Kiwanis Foundation, Miss Oklahoma Fund, 3211 S. Lakewood, Tulsa, OK 74135.
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In Loving Memory - Mary Korey - May 15, 2010
In Loving Memory – Mary Korey - Mary Korey who was the executive assistant to the general manager of the Atlantic City Convention Hall from the 1950s to 1980s, and a chaperone to Miss America 1954 Evelyn Ay and 1955 Lee Meriwether, died May 15 at age 93.
Mary was a life-long resident of Atlantic City. She was close friends with Paul "Skinny" D'Amato, the owner of Atlantic City's legendary 500 Club, and met many of the era's biggest entertainers through him, becoming friends with stars such as Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio. While she had no children, she was godmother to D'Amato's daughter Paulajane D'Amato, 60, of Margate, who said she was like a surrogate mother after her own mother died.
Miss America 1955 Lee Merriwether shared this about Mary: “Mary was a delight to travel with. She had started as companion to Evelyn and the next year, I finished her off!! (Our little joke together) We did have fun! Our schedule was not to be believed. As our tour was the first one after the first telecast of the Pageant, the traveling was non-stop! Literally! Mary became my mother, nurse, and "special opps" runner on those occasions, along with her normal duties, such as making sure the schedules we adhered to were rearranged to suit everyone's liking. Both Evie and I remained close to Mary over the years. Every year at Pageant time in Atlantic City we would go for breakfast the morning after the "Big" night. And spent hours reliving our memories of those adventures we had with Mary. When people as wonderful as Mary and Evelyn are a part of your life, you are blessed. They will forever be in my heart. I miss them so much.”
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May Wondersek - May 12, 2010
In Loving Memory –Miss Maryland 1937 May Wondersek – May 12, 2010
Miss Maryland 1937 May Vivian (Miller) Wondersek, 92, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville. Born Tuesday, Feb. 5, 1918, in Baltimore, Mrs. Wondersek was the daughter of the late Alfred and Amelia (Lawrence) Miller.
She was a member of Mount Tabor Lutheran Church in Staunton, Va., and was a life member of the Eastern Star in Dundalk, Md. Mrs. Wondersek was proficient in gymnastics and had qualified for the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, which were held in Berlin, Germany.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wondersek was preceded in death by her husband, Karl Wondersek Sr., with whom she shared a union of more than 46 years. She also was preceded in death by one son, Bruce Wondersek, as well as one brother, Alfred Miller.
She is survived by two sons, Karl Wondersek and his wife, Sue, of Staunton and Richard Wondersek and his wife, Laurie, of Kansas; four grandchildren, Nancy Glade, Marlene Shaw, Elizabeth Cochran and Karl Wondersek III; one great-granddaughter; and four great-grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring are invited to send memorial contributions to Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, "Ruth's Basket," 334 Mount Tabor Road, Staunton, VA 24401.
Friends and relatives are invited to view this obituary and share condolences or memories with the family at www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.
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In Loving Memory - Robert Allen Towle - May 6, 2010
Robert Allen Towle, 56, of South Portland, Maine, past away suddenly on May 6, 2010, at his home. Born on March 15, 1954 in Portland, a son of Loring R. and Helen (Curtis) Towle, he attended Windham High School and North Yarmouth Academy and was a devoted and dedicated volunteer to The Miss America Organization for 30 years.
A "flawless" and prominent hair stylist, Robert lent his many talents to theatres and charitable causes both locally and nationally. For more than 30 years, his first love was producing the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant and volunteering for the Miss America Organization.
Robert is survived by his brother, David, his nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Curtis, Connor and Jason Towle and Ashlea Loring, his great nephews, Benjamin and Cody Brooks and Riley Parker-Towle and countless dear friends.
Services at Smith Cemetery, Windham, Tuesday, May 11, 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Robert Towle Memorial Fund
49 Verrill Rd.
Pownal, ME 04069
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In Loving Memory - Barbara LaVan – Feb. 18, 2010 - February 18, 2010
Barbara LaVan, 70, of Ventnor, N.J., who after three decades of running entertainment establishments used her charm and style to help hundreds of young women succeed in local and state pageants, died of congestive heart failure Feb. 18 at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, N.J.
Mrs. LaVan was a sort of fairy godmother for many young New Jersey women. She was executive director of the Miss Smithville Inn and Miss Garden Cities pageants in the late 1990s before joining the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation as hospitality and parents committee chairwoman. She also was fund-raising chairwoman of the Miss America Organization.
If one of the contestants in the local or state pageants could not afford a full wardrobe, Mrs. LaVan took the girl under her wing, said Lou Barthold, executive director of the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation.
When donations weren't coming in to the pageant office, Mrs. LaVan would be the first one knocking on doors, looking for donors, Barthold said. "She would go out and beat the pavement . . . and got things donated," he said. Her successful fund-raising efforts led to the position in the Miss America Organization. Mrs. LaVan threw a black-tie fund-raiser at Caesars Palace in Atlantic City in 2004, the last year the pageant was held in the resort before moving to Las Vegas. Until a few weeks ago, before she was hospitalized for heart problems, she was organizing lunches and other pageant functions.
Mrs. LaVan was born and reared in South Philadelphia and graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in 1957, said a stepdaughter, Carole Simons.
She then worked as a secretary at St. Thomas More High School for a few years. During that time, she married Robert Heffron, and the couple had five boys.
While living in Fort Washington, the two owned and operated clubs and bars throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the Princess Lounge and the Pump Room, both in Flourtown. The disco era was in full swing, and the couple thrived in the business.
In addition to her husband, son, and stepdaughter, Mrs. LaVan is survived by sons Bob Heffron, James Heffron, Kevin Heffron, Christopher Heffron, and Tom Heffron; another stepdaughter, Donna Hilley; a sister; a brother; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
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MORGAN T. MORRIS Jr. - February 16, 2010
MORRIS, MORGAN T. JR. 94 - ended his journey in this life on the 16th of February 2010. He was born in Tuckerton in 1915. After completing Tuckerton High he attended and graduated from the Atlantic City College of Commerce in 1933. He met Dorothy Lowe in 1936 and they were married in St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Atlantic City in 1938. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. He is predeceased by his only sibling Judy Croft. In addition to his loving wife Dorothy, those left to treasure his example are his son Morgan III (Catherine), of Mays Landing, his daughter Judith Haverstick (Terry) of Somers Point, his granddaughters Elizabeth (Jonathan), Christine (Michael), Liza (Gene), Nichole (Robert) and Christina (Kevin) - together with five loving great- grandchildren. Morgan began work as the bookkeeper at Mack Equipment and Machine Co. in 1934, and later became president of the company and retired the business in 1991. He was the first lay reader at St. Andrews and then Grace Lutheran Church where he served in that capacity for 60 years. He participated in church choirs for 50 years and served as president of both church councils. Morgan and his wife Dot are now active members of the Margate Community Church. He was a 66 year member and a two time Past Master of Belcher Lodge # 180 of Free and Accepted Masons. He served the Masonic Fraternity as the State Grand Marshal, a District Deputy, and The Grand Master of the State in 1967. Later, he was the Grand Instructor and the Grand Treasurer of that Grand Lodge and was made an honorary member of over 30 state lodges. He was active in many other Masonic bodies and was elected a 33rd degree Mason in 1976. He had been local president and a District Governor of the Exchange Clubs of America. He was also a 50-year volunteer for the Miss America Organization and served as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for over 30 years. In all that he did he was guided by a firm belief in the sovereignty of God and the brotherhood of man. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Morgan's Life Celebration and viewing on Friday, February 19, from 7 to 9 PM at the Margate Community Church, 8900 Ventnor Ave., Margate, NJ 08402. A Masonic Service will be held that evening at 8PM. Friends will also be received at the church on Saturday, February 20, from 10AM until 11AM. A Christian Service of Remembrance will immediately follow. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Margate Community Church at the above address. Family Services by Jeffries and Keates Funeral Home, Northfield. www.jeffriesandkeates.com
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Betty Schule Capps - November 28, 2009
Betty Schule Capps passed away Nov. 28 at the age of 71.
As the executive director of The Greater Miss Wilmington and Miss Carolina Coast pageants, Capps has worked with misses for more than 20 years. After her daughter was crowned Miss UNCW in 1987, Betty said she became a pageant fan for life and she was always willing to defend her pageant princesses from any pageant doubters.
Capps was active in numerous pageants for young women, including Wilmington's Outstanding Teen.
Born in Marietta, Ga., and the oldest of four children, Capps resided in Wilmington with her husband of eight years, Bill Capps.
“Miss Betty” will be remembered as a woman dedicated to the Miss America Organization, her family and her Wilmington community.
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Irene Brown - November 7, 2009
Irene Brown, beloved mother of Miss America 1966 Deborah Bryant, sadly passed away on November 7, 2009.
Irene served as a traveling companion to Miss America beginning with her daughter, and toured the country with Deborah supporting and sharing in her passion for "Project Concern" which provided medical support to undeveloped countries. Irene continued to dedicate her service to the Miss America Organization until 1974.
Irene also served as President of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc. from 1985-1987. She will be remembered for being a wonderful and compassionate traveling companion to so many of our Miss Americas and for having been such a dedicated friend to the Miss America Organization.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family at this time.
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Charles E. Welch - November 7, 2009
Charles Welch, beloved father of Kay Alexander, State Executive Director of Oklahoma, passed away quietly over the weekend.
Charlie, a 50-year dedicated volunteer, was recognized as the National Academy of Honor award winner in 2003 for his lifelong commitment and exemplary service to the Miss America Organization.
Charlie took over the Miss Oklahoma Pageant in 1972 when it had less than 20 local pageants and a scholarship program amounting to $2,500. He immediately grew the Miss Oklahoma Organization into one of the largest and most successful programs in the country. During his tenure, the program made available over $65 million in cash and college scholarships to some of Oklahoma’s most outstanding young women.
In addition, the Miss Oklahoma Pageant has produced a total of six Miss Americas – five of those while Charlie was involved with the organization. His joy was found not in the state titleholders, but in the changed lives of those who competed.
Art McMaster, President and CEO of MAO stated, “As we reflect upon the five decades of outstanding service that Charlie has given to our organization, we are forever grateful for his dedication not only to the great state of Oklahoma, but to the thousands of young women who were positivity impacted by Charlie’s commitment to the program. We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to a man who was loved and respected throughout the country.”
Charlie will truly be missed…he will forever be remembered as a warm and compassionate leader who was devoted not only to the success of the program, but his complete devotion to his wonderful family.
We extend our thoughts and our prayers to Charlie’s family especially his beloved wife of 58 years, Carolyn and to Kay and her family at this time.
A special scholarship has been set up in Charlie’s honor. Donations may be made to the Tulsa Kiwanis Foundation – Miss Oklahoma Fund, 3211 South Lakewood, Tulsa, OK 74135.
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Miss America 1939 Patricia Donnelly Harris - October 25, 2009
Miss America 1939 Patricia Donnelly Harris
One of our beloved Miss Americas, Patricia Donnelly Harris passed away on
Sunday, October 25th, at the age of 89, just shy of her 90th birthday. We will always remember Pat for her genuine kindness, her grace and her commitment to the legacy and tradition of Miss America.
On a dare, Pat entered a pageant at Jefferson Beach and was crowned "Miss Michigan." She came to Atlantic City in 1939 and graced the stage in the Marine Ballroom of Atlantic City's famed Steel Pier. Her prize was The Miss America trophy. After winning the title, and without having a travel companion, Pat toured the country making personal appearances prior to World War II, and speaking to audiences around the nation about patriotism and boosting the country’s morale. She was lovingly nicknamed "The Long-Stemmed American Beauty".
Before the end of her year, Pat was named the First President of the Miss America Sorority – Mu Alpha Sigma – that still exists today. Pat loved her Miss America sisters and made her last pageant visit in 2004 to spend time with them while celebrating her 65th anniversary of being crowned Miss America.
In 1948, Pat married Robin Harris and for years they worked together as traveling editors of the Hearst Newspapers. They had two children, Amanda and Stephen, along with two loving grandsons.
Pat was a champion of St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and charities concerning animal welfare.
Reflecting on the Miss America title, Pat would fondly say, "We were the first. We set the pattern for the others to come, and we've all retained a quality that sets us apart.”
On behalf of the Miss America Organization we extend our heartfelt sympathies and our prayers to Pat’s family. We will forever treasure the memories of Miss America 1939 Patricia Donnelly Harris who helped build a lasting tradition that has continued to set us apart and has helped inspire new generations.
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Ada Martyne Caudell - September 10, 2009
Ada Martyne Caudell died of cancer Sept. 10, two weeks before her 91st birthday.
Ada, whose maiden name was Woods, was the first American Indian to win the Miss Oklahoma title in 1940, when she was a fine arts student at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University).
Ada went on to be a semi-finalist in the Miss America pageant that year and appeared in the March 1941 issue of National Geographic magazine.
Ada was one-quarter Choctaw and became the first Choctaw woman to attain a degree in nursing, according to information provided by the Bishinik, the Choctaw Nation newsletter. She studied nursing at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and became a registered nurse.
Ada was laid to rest on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Tuskahoma near her mother, Geraldine Nelson, and her husband, Harry Caudell. She was devoted to her Catholicism and her Choctaw roots and loved to visit the Choctaw Nation’s Museum in Tuskahoma where her buckskins have been on display. Ada also loved to play the organ and read. On one side, her tombstone is engraved with the Choctaw Nation seal and on the other with "Miss Oklahoma 1940.”
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Sharon McCauley Jones - September 8, 2009
Sharon McCauley Jones, 64, passed away peacefully at her home in Southlake on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 surrounded by family and friends after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born Oct. 9, 1944, in Waynesboro, Va., she grew up and successfully represented both Athens and her beloved Texas in the 1964 Miss America Pageant, finishing third overall. She continued her interest and support in the Miss Texas Pageant throughout her life, helping young women better themselves through their pageant pursuits. She loved bringing people of all ages closer to the Lord and avidly volunteered in hospice. She felt her calling was helping others become closer to God and she was profoundly fulfilled by her accomplishment in acquiring a Christian counseling license to further help others find their way to Christ.
In her family life, she was a doting grandmother to eight who, along with the pets whom she shared her home, she was fond of spoiling. Her vocal talents led her to singing throughout her life. Ultimately her love of the Lord and her natural talent found harmony in her singing in her church choir.
She is survived by her husband L. Van Jones; mother, Fritzi Rizer; brother, Gary McCauley and wife Beckie; daughter, Susanne Swift Regan and husband, John; son, Bill Swift III and wife, Amy; and stepdaughters, Dee Dee Sifuentes and husband, Adrian, and Dana Bailey and husband, Scott. She also left behind a rich legacy with a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made via www.VitasCharityFund.org, which provides loving care to the terminally ill.
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BECKHAM, FLORINE HOLT - August 3, 2009
BECKHAM, FLORINE HOLT, 88, died on Monday, August 3, 2009. She was a member of Highlands United Methodist Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Club, and the Fleur de Lis Garden Club. She graduated from Ramsay High School and attended the Julliard School of Music in New York. She was crowned Miss Birmingham, Alabama in 1939 and placed in the top ten in the Miss America Pageant. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 1:00 PM in the Mausoleum Chapel at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205.
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Joe M. Dickens - August 2, 2009
Mr. Joe M. Dickens, age 77, of 211 Sharon Circle, Americus, died at his residence on Sunday, August 2, 2009. Mr. Dickens was a native of Pike County, Alabama, born April 12, 1932, the son of the late James and Delphine Dickens. Mr. Dickens was a retired office manager with Scott Bedding, and a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. He was involved with, and judged, thousands of pageants on the local level as well as over 200 state pageants. He began his work with the Miss Georgia Pageant in the late 1950s as a member of the Jaycees and was President of the Board of Directors of the Miss Georgia Organization for nine years.
Mr. Dickens is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eugenia M. Dickens, of Americus, one daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Ed Wolverton, of Greensburg, NC, one son, Jeff Dickens, of Americus, one sister, Mrs. Margaret Entrekin, of Troy AL, and one granddaughter, Jessica McDaniel, of Acworth, GA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Diabetes Research Foundation, Inc., 1120 W. Broad Ave. Suite A-1, Albany, GA 31707. Messages of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Eugenia M. Dickens, 211 Sharon Circle, Americus, Georgia 31709.
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Cathy Glau Gillaspie - July 31, 2009
Miss Colorado 1971 Cathy Glau Gillaspie, 58, died Friday, July 31, 2009, of cancer, in Orlando, Florida, with friends and family at her side.
Cathy was born in Oklahoma and graduated from Colorado State University where she studied elementary education. She was a gifted athlete and dancer and was the state champion in the 100 yard dash and the uneven parallel bars. She was also a National Champion Quarter Midget Driver. In college, she represented Colorado in the 1971 Miss America Pageant, where she won a special talent award for her dance performance.
Cathy went on to perform in many show business venues including TV guest appearances, her own nightclub act, and with MGM's Las Vegas and Reno shows "Hallelujah Hollywood", opening cast, and "Hello Hollywood Hello", both at the MGM Grand Hotels. After moving to Orlando, in 1980, she opened her own "Showtime" children's dance studio which quickly became the largest children's dance school in the country with over 3,000 students. Nothing was more important to Cathy, than for her students to feel good about themselves and enjoy the dance. In addition to the many national dance competitions her students won, they also won the $100,000, Ed McMahon Star Search Competition. Their success was a testament to her belief in positive reinforcement. After losing an infant son in 1981, and almost losing another in 1983, Cathy became a tireless worker and supporter of the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and was on the Board of Directors of the Orlando Health Foundation. For many years she supported the hospital with her "Kick for K.A.R.E." benefit program. She would be pleased if, in lieu of flowers, friends would donate to "Kick for K.A.R.E." at Showtime Dance Studio in Altamonte Springs. Cathy was married twice and had three children (all boys), one of whom died in infancy. The surviving brothers; Jon (32) and Bill (26), live in Debary, Florida. Cathy is also survived by her Mother; Joyce (Denver), and siblings; Bobby (Las Vegas), Dean (Denver), Amber (Las Vegas), and Rocky (Las Vegas).
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