Judy Dianne Rooks Wilder:
CLASS OF 1969
Wetumpka High SchoolClass of 1969
Wetumpka, AL
Judy Dianne Rooks's Story
I attended Wetumpka Grammar School and graduated from Wetumpka High School in 1969. My sister Brenda Rooks, was almost 4 years older than me, so when she and her friends graduated in 1965. I literally mourned their moving on and finally my parents sent me to a private school in Montgomery so I could find myself.
My friends and classmates are my heros. I have traveled a lot in my lifetime and when I get down emotionally, I go back to Wetumpka, Alabama. That is where my family has been for several generations. However, I have lots of cousins and ancestors in Georgia.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Steve Garst, because the last time we saw each other things got a little crazy. I regret this because we had been in touch the years. For reasons unknown, we would always wind up in the same places. We had dated in high school, had a none dramatic breakup, but had remained great friends, Oddly, enough, I was studying the Rooks Genealogy and telling Steve about my discovers and found out he had married a Rooks. I thought at first we might be first cousins, but could not connect her to our branch. Through the years Cynthia Kenney and her husband, Mike Hinson. Cynthia and I have been friends since we were in grammar school. The sleepovers and double dates began in grammar school and when I finally physically able to come home alone and visit with friends and family, she stepped up to bat and we continued having the adventures we had in our youth. Cynthia is an angel unaware and she always gives of herself. We have been to Florida to visit my Uncle she has been out to visit me, and she always keeps me posted about the changes in Alabama, especially in Elmore and Montgomery Country. We shop, visit friends, and love to find new places to eat out. If you want to know something, ask Cynthia. Of course I see my family when I am home. Brenda Rooks Culver Biller and her husband Paul, Cathy Diuncan (my sister), Charles Duncan (my brother) and his wife Kristi. My nieces and nephews Johhny Ray Culver and his wife, Renee, Rhett Culver, his wife Shannon, and my two great nieces Aubrey and Jessie. Charles' children, Erin and Jeremy do not live in the area. Erin Duncan has given us 3 great nieces - they live in Mobile. Jeremy has not married and lives close to Opelika. The Widers have spread out. Mark and Denise Wilder live in Pike Road, Alabama. Their girls (our nieces) Anna Belle and Sarah Grace married and live away. Anna Belle just has a son. Cecil Wilder and his wife Ann Romine live in Atlanta and their girls, Betsy and Debbie are married. Debbie and Mike have two boys. The Rooks-Wilder family has spread their wings. My parents, grandparents, mother, father, and step father passed away many years ago - way before their time. Thomas' Dad is 92.
PETS. I do not like dogs but have a peekapoo named Wicket. I went to the humane shelter to get a cat, but fell in love with this little fellow. I believe he is a cat captured in a dog body. Anyway, He makes me get up and move, which is hard to do with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I also love birds and turtles. UPDATE ON WICKET. As of May 20, 2011 he has another home. I am too old to be chasing dogs. This pup was a handful and 15 years ago I would have given him a run for his money. However, I have higher priorities these days.
My obsession is collecting dolls, first edtion books, pictures, figurines, art, and just about anything unique that catches my eye. All I need is a bigger house to display everything. I love to garden but have a hard time bending over. Thomas is remodeling the house, with double pane windows and screens, complete attic insulation, and new air condioning with vents. We will be landscaping the yard, he will repaint the house etc. while I am in Alabama and Florida this summer. I cannot afford toxic waste to be injested through my lungs or onto my skin.
The TELE: I don't watc...Expand for more
h a lot of television, but Thomas and I love to watch new and old movies and old television shows. My hubby and I record NCIS, Reba, House, the biography channel, true cime stories, and I have a secret crush on His Royal Highness Pince William.
CHILDREN: My children have taught me more about myself and life than I could ever teach them. They are their own identities but you can see through their mannerisms reflections of yourself. It is quite remarkable. We have Chris (39) who is married to Sharon (36), Corey (36) our middle son is the philosopher, unmarried, ready to change the world, a very caring old soul, and Karyn (34) who is principle agt her high school and has our first grandchild, Jazz Wilder Sykes.
Chris and Sharon are the proud parents of our other two wonderful girls, Meredith Kathleen and Mallory Diane.
My current age is 60. When I was 12, I thought that people my age would be wise and mature. I was so completely wrong. I think our bodies grow old but the older we get we realize how little we know.
My best friend would tell you I'm still fun and crazy after all these years, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as reserved.
Clothes and fashion. I wish I could get into the outfits I wore 10 years ago but I am disabled with rheumatoid arthritis fibromyalgia, and some heart conditions. The steroids and strong medicines I take for my illnesses keeps the weight and I try to dress to distract from this as much as I can. I still love color and when I am not on chemo I can still get a whistle every now and then.
I share my home with my true love of 40 plus years, which I find quite amazing. In case you don't know him, his name is Thomas Henry Wilder and he is a graduate of WHS Class of 1970. He is a very important man in his job, to his friends, and a hero to his children and wife. Just don't tell him I said "He Was My Hero" yet. I want that to be one of my exit songs to him.
When I worked for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I raised a million dollars to start new churches. The Department of Missions gave me an engraved plaque for the hard work. It was a challenge and lots of fun. I would have preferred a bonus, but I was working for missions.
In 10 years, I hope to be alive. If I accomplish this it will be by the grace of God and miracles of science and medicine. I am going down fast though folks, so keep praying for me.
My oldest girlfriend is Cynthia Kenny Paige. We went to school together and clicked because we were so much alike. We had challenges in our home life that you just did not talk about to anyone back then so we supported and understood each other. Cynthia is honest, loyal, has the heart of an angel, and is so gorgeous. I will always cherish the day we met and think about her all the time. We are miles apart from where we live but only seconds away in each other's heart. I thank God for her and pray for her everyday.
My first job was at Al Dennis' Curb Market, where I got paid $300.00 to sell hot dogs. What I remember most about it is that it was a two day promotion for Homel Hot Dogs and they were 10 cents each. I must have sold a thousand and these were 12 hour days. Afterwards, I was offered a job to work at the store for $1.65 an hour. I worked a twenty hour week and loved it. A oouple of years later I went to work for Winn Dixie and stayed there until I graduated.
My favorite childhood memories are of Ghosts. As a child my Mother was divorced and we always lived in big, old houses that had ghosts in them. There have been so many people who have seen these ghosts that no one in our hometown really denies they are there, they just do not want to go on record saying they believe in GHOSTS.
My finale is that I love all of you guysl Drop me a line every now and then and I will try to do the same. God bless you!
Judy Dianne Rooks Wilder
3423 Spring Meadow Lane
Flower Mound, TX 75028-1229
940-368-4074
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