Article from unknown source with handwritten date of April 13, 1956. Extracted from the newspaper article collection started in 1879 by Mrs. Nannie Brown of Madison, Missouri. Madison Parents Received Annual Kate Nolen Parental Award “Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stith of north of Madison received the annual Kate Nolen Parental Award for 1956 at a special ceremony held at the Holliday Christian Church Sunday morning. Rev. Houghten, the pastor made the presentation. Present for the ceremony were four of the six Stith children. Two could not be present. Attending were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Nolen and Olliver W. Nolen of Paris, as well as many other friends of the Stith family. The award was established several years ago by Attorney O.W. Nolen of Paris in memory of his mother, the late Mrs. Kate Nolen. It goes each year to a Monroe County couple with five or more children. The character and record of the children are used to determine the winner, on the theory that the character of the parents is reflected in the children. Entries are made by anyone who desires to suggest someone. Decision is by the mayors of Monroe City, Paris and Madison. This year the judges were Mayor Kern, Monroe City; Mayor Reed of Paris, and Mayor Dick Sullins of Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Stith are each 75 years old. They were married on October 23, 1902, and moved to Monroe County in 1913. Since then they have farmed here. Both are members of the Holliday Christian Church. Mrs. Stith was formerly Miss Bertha Lee Gordon. Mr. and Mrs. Stith in their statement to the judges, emphasized that they have always taught their children to be honest, sincere, dependable and industrious – and to love God and their fellowmen. Their children, and the information regarding each one, is: Ernest Paul Stith, 52, Seattle, Washington. Graduated from Madison High School, graduate of University of Missouri with certificate to teach in Missouri High Schools. Has been teacher, principal or superintendent in Missouri for 16 years, served as Investigator for the government 8 ½ years – spent 6 years at Sioux Indian Reservation, Rosebud, South Dakota. At present in Investigator for Washington State Un-American Activities Committee. Married, one child, Mrs. Betty Quackenbush; 3 grandchildren, Debra, Rebecca and Nancy. Mrs. Rock LaFave (Lillian), 49, Bradley, Illinois. Graduate of Madison High School, attend college 3 ½ years. Was a teacher for 25 years. At present is housewife. Married, 3 children, Judy Ann, Daisy Marie and William Rock; 2 grandchildren, Pamela, Howard William. Mrs. Charles B. Wilson (Pauline), 46, Shelbina, attended high school 3 years. With her husband owns and operates farm north of Paris. Is active in Extension Club work and deaconess in the Granville Christian Church. Married, 2 children, Evadine Wilson and Mrs. Willena Woods; 1 grandchild, Denny Woods. Mrs. Delbert N. Turner (Helen), 43, Paris, Mo. Graduate of Madison High School, 4-H Club leader, owns and operates farm south of Paris with her husband. Married, 5 children, Kathy Sue, Brenda Joyce, Paul William, Larry Delbert, and Glen Eugene. Mrs. John R. Roderick (Ruth), 36, 708 E. Harrison, Kirksville. Graduate of Madison High School and Kirksville State Teachers College, with B.S. in Education. Taught school for 2 ½ years in Monroe County, spent 3 years in St. Louis and 2 years in Kirksville as a secretary. At present is housewife and part-time office assistant to her husband, an Osteopathic physician and Surgeon; Sunday School teacher; PTA worker. Married, 2 children: Marjorie and Betty Lee. Paul Gordon Stith, 29, Madison. Graduate of Holliday High School. Spent 19 months in the U.S. Navy, Seaman 1st Class Radioman, aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey. Operates farm north of Madison. Married, 1 child, Danny Paul.” Copyright notice: All transcriptions in this email are copyrighted by their creator. They may not be reproduced on another site or on any printed or recorded media, CD, etc. without specific written permission from Kathleen Wilham. Although public information is not in and of itself copyrightable, the format in which it is presented, transcriptions, notes & comments, etc. is. It is however quite permissible to print or save the files to a personal computer for personal use only. Permission is granted to public libraries, and genealogical and historical societies to print and bind for the use of their patrons. Kathleen Wilham 2 Sharon Drive Shelbina, MO. 63468-1562