JL Mann Class of 84 Reunion News

When Patriots get to see one another by happenstance.

Look out for one another. Go Patriots.

In high school, Coy Featherston was “everyone’s friend,” a talented football player voted “Best All Around Boy.” Decades later, after falling on hard times, old friends, once long-forgotten, gave him renewed hope. Steve Hartman is “On the Road” https://cbsn.ws/31KsnpF

When I wrote the following, it was a nomination letter to the staff at JL Mann High School in support of Kelly receiving her rightful place in the Mann Hall of Fame. I share this with you all today hoping the school will recognize her tremendous career on and off the field. Dede

For #22 - Kelly Fenish
December 24, 1965 - October 18, 2024

As a former JL Mann athlete, it’s my pleasure and honor to nominate my longtime friend, Kelly Fenish, for a place in the JL Mann Hall of Fame. Her career from 1980-1984 as a JL Mann Patriot was stellar. She excelled in every sport – basketball (4), volleyball (3), softball (4), and track (4).

Kelly, a native of Parma, Ohio, moved to Greenville, SC, with her family: Bob and Jean Fenish, her brother, Rob, and her sister, Kerry, of Atlanta. When Kelly arrived in Greenville, she connected with other middle schoolers at BECK Middle and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. She quickly made friends in Henderson Forest and Gower Estates.

Kelly first appeared on the JL Mann High scene as a member of the junior varsity basketball team ( #22) under the guidance of Coach Linda Shelton. She would take the number 22 into varsity basketball seasons as a sophomore, junior, and senior capturing such accomplishments as MVP, Best Offense, All-Conference, and All-County. She also served as co-captain of the volleyball team in her senior year.

She received accolades throughout her athletic career at Mann for softball, volleyball ( #16), and track.
One of her most notable achievements included receiving the Dinky O’Neal Award which, her sister, Kerry, said, was a HUGE honor for her.

Kerry shared with me, “Kelly told me once it – the award - was the one thing she was most proud of. If I remember correctly, the award reflected sportsmanship and the athlete's character, not the ability or talent.”

Deb Osborne, Kelly’s former high school coach and a retired athletic director from JL Mann said, “Although back in the 80s there were fewer opportunities for girls in sports, Kelly made the most of every program provided and thrived. It was a rarity to have someone excel at every sport they played. Kelly was a 4-sport athlete and achieved yearly awards at the county and state levels. She made girls' sports at JL Mann equally as important as boys' sports. Kelly Fenish did not specialize in a single sport, but she sure was special in every sport she played. She was a standout athlete and leader on and off the court and field. In my opinion, Kelly is among the top five female athletes to graduate from Mann and deserves to have her jersey retired.”

Following high school graduation in 1984, Kelly was recruited to play volleyball, basketball, and softball at Erskine College where she had a successful career.

Upon leaving the college, Kelly returned to Greenville where she became a highly effective retail salesperson for Sam Wyche Sports World and later for First Team Sports. Kelly also had her own landscape maintenance company, Begin2Fenish.

Kelly, known for having a big heart and being person-centered, found her niche as a Dementia Mentor and Hands-on Care Specialist in July 2014 when she began working with Teepa Snow, a prominent dementia care specialist, and founder of the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Team. Kelly continued for 10 years in the memory care field. She served as the Memory Care Coordinator for The Gardens at Eastside in Greenville.

The former clarinetist also worked for a period at Ace Hardware where she had a reputation for grilling out. Last year, she launched Begin2Fenish Dementia Training, LLC.

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From Kerry Fenish McLaughlin

Kelly's visitation will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Southeast followed by the memorial service at 4:00 p.m.

The address for the funeral home is: 1604 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Humane Society.

If you would like to say a few words at the service, please let me know.

Hey Patriots … just reaching out to let you know we hope and pray everyone is ok following Hurricane Helene. Take good care of you and reach out if you need assistance.

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https://www.caringbridge.org/site/0e2082cc-72e1-11ef-88bd-1b66cc3b0cbc/post/0fbb6df2-72e1-11ef-b201-77e140ce8098?utm_source=share&utm_medium=webm&utm_content=copylink_post_php

If this works this should lead to a page on behalf of Kelly Fenish. Keep sending her love, light and prayers.

CaringBridge Help ensure no one goes through a health journey alone.

Coco Jones - niece to Norman Floyd- singing the National Anthem tonight for the KC/Baltimore NFL game. She did great and she’s so beautiful!!!🇺🇸🏈🇺🇸🏈

Class historians - we need your help. If you have any copies of the Mannuscript from 80-84 or any news articles about Mann athletes, especially KELLY FENISH, please let me know. DEDE - me - is wanting to collect such information for a Hall of Fame nomination on her behalf. THIS (though I'm posting it on the reunion page) needs to be confidential, please. [email protected]

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Are you all still recovering from the emotional high of such a great reunion? I know I am! Just wanted to mention that this photo folder is for everyone that attended. You can download these high resolution pics for yourself and use these for prints if you choose.
Lets stay in touch with each other! Thank you for coming and making our 40th reunion great! Love to you all ♥ Pam

2024-08-24 JL Mann 40th Reunion - Google Drive

Many Thanks to my Hubby that spent at least 8 hours with me setting up and photographing last nights event of JL Mann Class of 84 Reunion News To only be 7 weeks out from a knee replacement, it was a lot to ask, but he did a fantastic job! Thank you, I love you bunches ♥
What a fantastic night full of smiles and laughs! I know we all had a great time seeing each other again and sharing memories. We could not have asked for a better reunion. Thank you to all that helped pull this off!
Photo file ...
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18G-pHFnz45Us6ltDvQvUBjc2okhvBhXr?usp=drive_link

TOMORROW!! 6pm at W***y Taco on Laurens Road. Any questions or to still register go to www.JLMann84.com ... You can still just show up and Register / Pay tomorrow night but the price increases to cover fees, etc. Please come!

JL Mann Class of 84 Reunion August 24th, 2024, 6:00 pm at W***y Taco Feed and Seed 217 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC