
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 16, 1995                   TAG: 9506160041
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TONYA WOODS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

GETTING IT RIGHT - 50 YEARS AFTER THE FACT

It's been said that most people have their names in the newspaper only twice: when they're born and when they die.

If there happen to be any times in between, everyone wants his or her name spelled right.

For Helen M. Childress, her time in between was 50 years ago, when her name was listed, along with about 400 others, as a 1945 graduate of Jefferson High School.

Back then, she was Mary Helen Mays. Unfortunately, The Roanoke Times listed her as Mary Helen Hays.

"Every year when I'd see the graduates listed, I'd think about it," she said. "But I've always had people tell me, `You should write to the paper for a correction.'''

So, 49 years of marriage and three children later, she took her friends' advice and wrote to the newspaper.

Why did it take so long to write the letter? Childress says it really wasn't that big a deal.

"When you think about it, it's kind of funny," she said. "My family was probably the only ones to really notice it. I really don't think any of my high school friends even noticed it."

Childress says she almost regrets writing the letter. But on the eve of her 50-year high school class reunion, which takes place this weekend at Hotel Roanoke, all she wants is a correction.

So, Helen Childress, this is just for you:

In 1945, you ended your high school days, and you received your diploma as Mary Helen Mays.

by CNB