Rarely in Rockdale’s history has the community said farewell to two prominent residents, and wished a happy 9oth birthday to anothin the space of two days.
But that’s what happened Thursday and Friday.
Thursday afternoon a come-and-go reception for Jeff Miller was held in the rotunda at Rockdale High School.
Miller’s last day as RHS head coach and RISD athletic director was the next day.
Friday morning, Dr. Lucile Estell was honored for her 9oth birthday which she had actually observed three days previously.
The party was sponsored by the Thursday Reading Club which was hosting the monthly First Friday Mixer at the library.
The Patterson Civic Center was the site for a Friday evening reception for City Manager Chris Whittaker.
Whittaker’s final day is Friday. He is leaving Rockdale to become interim city manager, then city manager at Angleton.
MILLER—Miller is the winningest coach in RHS football history.
He won 106 games in his 14-year career, took Big Blue to the post-season 12 times, won the 2017 state championship, advanced to the regional semifinals twice and the regional quarterfinals five times.
Miller’s 156 games coached at Tigerland is also a record.
DR. ESTELL—Rockdale native Dr. Estell returned to her home town after retiring from a long and successful career in education and has been involved in numerous activities ever since.
She has authored books, immersed herself in history work and was a prime mover in establishing th El Camino Real National Historic Trail in Milam County and elsewhere.
“I could live anywhere in the world I wanted and I chose Rockdale,” she said.
Dr. Estell also voted to “live to 100,” which brought the retort “another party: from the crowd.
WHITTAKER—City Manager Whittaker’s final day in Rockdale is this Friday.
He has been city manager for six eventful years.
See pages 1A and 5A.
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