2021FallWarrior

WAGGONER

that our Heavenly Father decided it was time for me to marry, and at 60! He definitely has a sense of humor. East Central was the place Charlie Wag- goner and I first knew of each other. As music and science majors, we were at opposite ends of the campus. We unexpectedly met in 2011, another of the Lord’s workings. I learned of his wonderful and richly blessed marriage to former ECCC Hall of Famer Debbie Harvey, and of her death in 1995. After Charlie and I got over the shock of our being clearly brought together, we were married in 2012, and hang our hats in Starkville.” Waggoner said, “I’ve appreciated John Piper’s comments in his book Life as a Vapor. He says ‘Since every moment is the beginning of the rest of your life, and every moment is the end of the past, every moment should be governed by the glad affections of both gratitude and faith.’ I want to live each day like that. The life lessons and experiences provided by East Central were invaluable to me. I’m grateful for the solid preparation for that next sea- son of life. Even if sweet Miss Barber’s crochet lessons in the freshman dorm didn’t stick.”

to the entrance. One morning found us on our hands and knees searching frantically for a very expensive screw missing from Renee’s leg brace. “The rest of the girls watched wide- eyed as we crawled around in the saw- dust and searched through the garbage cans. When they could no longer bear to see the management stoop to such ‘dishonoring activity,’ they abandoned that long-held belief, dropped to their knees, and joined us in the search. Together we studied every inch of the stairwell and even scoured the street in search of this missing piece. The screw was later found, but the true jewel dis- covered that day was the chance for the women to ‘taste and see’ how special each one is in the Father’s eyes.” Waggoner said she would probably still be in the Middle East if the Lord hadn’t unexpectedly put her and her husband, Dr. Charlie Waggoner, also an ECCC graduate who recently retired as director of Institute of Clean En- ergy Technology in Mississippi State’s Research Park, together in what she referred to as “one of life’s biggest surprises.” “After a long, mostly fulfilling life, along with unexpected lifelong single- ness and childlessness, I was shocked

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was also an eye-opener for me,” she said. “Seeing individuals and families blossom as they were honored and equipped reflected changed lives that had a ripple effect in their families and their tribes.” She gave one example of changed lives in that culture of honor versus shame which involved a young mother she referred to as “Renee.” “Despite the difficulties she faced, Renee has a contagious smile and loving manner that touches everyone around her. Renee was completely homebound and unable to walk until she had surgery in her late teens that enabled her to use braces on her legs and crutches to move around. Although her surgery has allowed her greater mobility, it was almost impossible for her to find any kind of employment as many people still see any kind of disability as the result of a curse or punishment from God. “Renee has found a second home at a workshop where she is seen through different eyes—as a very special bless- ing to all of us! Every day, Renee care- fully maneuvers three flights of stairs

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EVERETT

He worked hard to make sure the annual golf tournament was a success and has helped in securing funds for numer- ous scholarships. When asked to serve he has been willing and able. He is most deserving of being named Alumnus of the Year.” In retirement, Everett serves as a docent volunteer for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History at the Capitol. He is a former mem- ber of the Brick Street Players in Clinton where he played various character roles and helped build sets, former volunteer with the Clinton Welcome Center, and a former Election Commissioner for the City of Clinton. Everett has two children, Preston Everett and Sonya Skelton.

Classes of 1970 & 1971 Homecoming 50th Year Reunion Thursday, Oct. 14 2 p.m. Brackeen-Wood Gymnasium Special Recognition at 4:15 p.m. During Alumni Awards Presentation

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ECCC alumni board. “I attended all the Golf Clas- sics during my tenure on the board of directors. Rita and I provided the food and bever- age for the many years. This allowed more money to go to the scholarship fund and be utilized by a student for their education. In the early days we also helped organize door prizes and place hole sponsor- ship signs on the course early in the day. It was always an enjoyable time.” Dr. Stacey Hollingsworth, ECCC’s executive director of the foundation and former di- rector of alumni relations, said of Everett, “He has been a gen- erous supporter of the college with his time and resources.

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