28 Feb 2022 Couple of the Month: Phyllis Jo Burns and Hal Roy Dale Breckenridge
HIS STORY:
Where Did You Grow Up: I’ve lived in El Paso all my life except for four years in the Navy.
Education: I graduated from Beebe High School.
Employment: Switchman/Brakeman for Union Pacific Railroad for 38 years. During that time and since, I’ve farmed soybeans and raised cattle.
Parents: Clifton and Lillian Breckenridge who lived in El Paso all their lives.
Community activities: I’ve served on the following boards, many for more than 40 years: El Paso Fire Department, Parks and Playground Association, White County Fair, and Southwest White County Water.
Church activities: I am a leader in the Oak Church of Christ, serving as Bible Class teacher and song leader.
Hobbies/special interests: I love baseball and football. I served as a Babe Ruth’s League coach for 25 years.
How would you describe yourself: A stable person who enjoys life and helps whenever and wherever I can.
What is one thing people don’t know about you: I used to play the piano because my mother insisted. I was the only boy with 10 girls who took lessons.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: I love to watch football. Of course, I am a Razorback fan, but other than that, I just love watching the game.
What is your motto: I try to live by Ecclesiastes 12:13 which tells us to fear God and keep his commandments.
What do you enjoy most about living in the 501: Good community, good people, and a good climate.
HER STORY:
Where Did You Grow Up: 16th Section Community of Lonoke County.
Education: I graduated from Cabot High School.
EMPLOYMENT: I drove a school bus for 34 years, and I was a teacher’s aide for 28 years in the Beebe school system.
Parents: The late A.D. and Maurine Burns of 16th Section Community.
Community activities: I was a 4-H Leader for 20 years. I am currently the volunteer scheduler for activities at the El Paso Community Center.
Church activities: I am the volunteer organizer for our church outreach for the sick and shut-ins. I also prepare communion when needed.
Hobbies/special interests: I really love to cook! I cook for family and friends, and I am always willing to take food to those in need. My sister and I prepared a cookbook, “Granny Debbie and Jo’s Favorites,” for family and friends. Most days you will find me in the kitchen.
How would you describe yourself: Friendly, outgoing, never met a stranger. I just love people and love helping others.
What is one thing people don’t know about you: I’m really afraid of the dark.
Most enjoyed weekend activity: Cooking and being with my family. They all live close, and they are often found at my dinner table on Sundays.
What is your motto: Love one another. We need more love in this country.
What do you enjoy most about living in the 501: l love our little community. We have a strong sense of family, community and faith.
Their STORY:
how we met: I first met her at a basketball game in Cabot, but I was with another girl! I knew her dad, so it wasn’t long before we started dating.
The proposal: I asked her dad first, then proposed. We were on the front lawn of her parents’ house. I had already purchased the ring.
Wedding bells: April 9, 1965 in Etta Burns’s house (Phyllis’s grandmother). We now own the 80 acres where the house was.
Children: Allan Dale, a veterinarian in Bald Knob, Carmen who works for Dassault Aviation, and Clifton Kyle who is an engineer with SALT Engineers and Planners in Searcy.
Pets: None currently, but we have always had outside dogs.
Family activities enjoyed together: Church, community and family activities.
