Susan Welch Bates

My husband, Danny Bates, passed away in 2000. Since then I've lived near our friends who help me when I need it. I live in an Ozark Mountain Valley, about an hour away from Branson. It is paradise here and the real world seems far away. My water comes directly our of a spring behind my house and I heat with wood which makes it easy to live on my small income.
I have written a weekly newspaper column for the past 15 years and also wrote a children's book.

I also raised and marketed some American Mule Foot Hogs, an endangered species. I couldn't raise enough to meet the demand and finally sold out. I still have my web page up, though.

I spent a month in New Orleans this past Spring taking care of my son, George who had chemo, radiation and surgery for esophogial cancer. He just found out he is cancer free and is beginning training as a technician for AT&T.

Dana and her husband moved to an island off the coast of Maine. What is with my children and hurricane prone areas? But they love it. Maybe someday I'll find a way to go there.

Fran and her husband live in Jacksonville, Illinois. They have Michael, 20, Thad, 17 and 6 year old Dylan who is autistic. I have never met Dylan.

Chris is unmarried.

I think often of Shelbyville and the class of 1965. I llost my year books in a fire and would love to find some for sale, but haven't had any luck.

I have spent quite a bit of time in New Orleans where my son lives. I love Bourbon Street and the old Plantations. Hurricane Katrina did massive damage. I went down this spring and there are still homes that have the numbers of missing and dead painted on them. The beauiful Garden District was hard hit but is coming back. The Street Cars are running again, including the Street Car named Desire.

I live 32 miles away from town and only have the OATS Bus (Ozark Area Transportation Service) to count on. They come out here one a week to take me shoppiing or to the dr. Many times the road is washed out or I"'m not able to go so I don't go much any more.