The Dinner Ladies include Dody Lawrence Brown, Terry Davis, RuBelle Evans, Debra Burch Humphrey, Peggy Hurst, Clarinda Jackson, Jennifer Johnson, Mary Moore, Marsha Norris, Donna Smoot Wooten and Connie Webster.
Many fell out of touch as the demands of adulthood pulled them in various directions. A sad occurrence brought them back together in 2010, and now they’re fulfilling a request that should bond them together for years to come.
Terry Davis was in her backyard one day in 2010 when she received a surprise visit from old friend Patricia Lawson Dobbs, who lived in Columbus. The visit was bittersweet.
They reminisced and enjoyed each other’s company, but Patty also revealed she had cancer. Her request was to see the group of friends they’d grown up with reunited.
“I got on the phone immediately and called everybody,” Davis said. “It was kind of overwhelming.”
It was a success. About 12 women got together and they agreed to meet monthly for food and fellowship.
Tragically, the time together was short. In December 2010, Dobbs and fellow Dinner Lady Gloria Mosley Dixon passed away within two weeks of each other.
“Gloria asked us to stay together and wanted us to work on a memento book about our lives. We’ve been doing our bios and sharing memories,” said Davis.
The proposed book would profile each Dinner Lady and share how each met and their friendship. For the majority, it was in the early 1960s at Roosevelt Middle School, or Junior High as it was then known.
Some had prominent parents including professional athletes, Springfield’s first black police chief and other leaders.
Some had moved from Springfield only to return. Connie Webster is the newest Dinner Lady having moved back from California.
“It’s funny how many ladies I know. I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.
The Dinner Ladies describe themselves as being like sisters, with many calling each other every day and some connected through church or line dancing.
Their December outing at Applebee’s included a gift exchange. While they each admired their gifts and the colorful wrapping and bags, their companionship is their gift that keeps on giving.
They traded memories, reminiscing about schoolyard games like four square and recalled rhymes they recited along while jumping rope many recesses ago.
Some of the younger members were adopted by the others.
“Jennifer (Johnson) and I were only children and they were like our big sisters and looked out for us,” said Marsha Norris.
They support one another through their hardships and illnesses.
The Dinner Ladies claim they’ve been to about every restaurant in Springfield as they go into their seventh year together. And they’ll keep going “as long as we can walk,” came the suggestion.
Where to eat comes second to their ultimate goal of their memory book. They hope to complete it soon and find a publisher to print it to share with each other and their families.
It’s also the final tribute to the fallen ladies who inspired the reunion as well as the continuing bond.
“We’re here for each other,” said Jennifer Johnson.
About the Author