Page 24 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2021 - Online Magazine
P. 24
Exceptional
SENIORS
A Conversation
with the
McCallisters
by Gayle (Wampler) Willson, BC-HIS
aHonda and RD McCallister Socialization in Acuff centered
have been long time around the churches and
Lresidents of Acuff. LaHonda school. Roosevelt offered
and Roy Dale married in 1953 basketball and summer
after graduating from Roosevelt baseball, but not football until
High School, which was a school later. LaHonda would go
consolidation of Canyon, Acuff watch RD play baseball and
and McClung. RD’s father passed shell peas while she enjoyed
away with a heart attack when RD the games. In 1967, RD was
was a freshman at Texas Tech. This one of the organizers of the
tragedy ended RD’s college career, Roosevelt Volunteer Fire the privilege of helping LaHonda
and he began farming to support Department; he has also been a and RD. We enjoyed visiting with
his mother and sister. RD was long-time member of the board of them about their hometown.
drafted, but later, they moved back directors of then Farmers Co-Op
to the family property, living in a Compress, being the president for COVID has forced some separation
house next door to RD’s mother. many years. He is still a member between families and friends, but as
There they began their family. of the SPEC (South Plains Electric we begin to socialize again, Grand
Since the death of his mother, RD Co-Op) Board Of Directors. Hearing would like to remind you
and LaHonda have lived in the LaHonda was an officer in Young of some things you can do to help
main house. Homemakers and was also active people who wear hearing aids,
in United Methodist Women at those who need hearing aids, and
Acuff is a small farming community Canyon Methodist Church. The even those with good hearing.
east of Lubbock and south of UMW ladies continue to have These are just good communication
Idalou. When the McCallisters an annual bazaar and lunch to skills.
were growing up, there were three benefit the mission projects in the
churches: Methodist, Baptist and church. The McCallisters have Make the most of your time
Church of Christ. Every little three children, six grandchildren together with good conversation
community at that time seemed and eight great-grands. Their son habits. The following tips should
to support retail. Acuff had a and grandson continue to farm the be useful in all relationships but
grocery store, a gasoline station, family land in Acuff. are most effective with people
two cotton gins, and a blacksmith who wear hearing aids or those
shop. (Remember the great chicken In our Hearing Care practice, we with challenged hearing and
fried steaks at the ACUFF STEAK often have the opportunity to help understanding.
HOUSE?) There was also a grocery more than one generation with their • If a person seems not to
store in this location, but the hearing needs. In this case, we were understand, PLEASE do not
grocery store closed, and the café able to be of service to LaHonda's raise your voice at them. Louder
remained until about ten years ago. mother, Babe Keeler, and now have
24 Amarillo Senior Link
