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Bays, 102, has fond memories of PHS A Cappella Choir

By Wayne Towner 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Mary Lucille Bays, now living in Virginia, may be one of the oldest surviving members of the Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir at 102 years old.

The Centennial Choir, made up of former PHS choir members under the direction of former choir director Jean Singer, will perform during the final PHS Centennial celebration at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Memorial Field House. The alumni choir will be joined by current choir members.

Mary Beth Waldeck, of Remington, Va., the daughter of Bays, said the family is native of Parkersburg. Waldeck grew up in Parkersburg and graduated from PHS in 1970 and had two brothers who also attend PHS.

Growing up, Bays attended PHS and graduated with the December 1933 class during the time when the school had both winter and spring graduations. Her maiden name was Lucille Cunningham at that time, Waldeck said.

In past years, Waldeck said, her mother told her about PHS music teacher Marie Boette starting the PHS A Cappella Choir and about Bays being a member of that first choir in 1932.

"She always told me she was in the first choir and she was proud of that," Waldeck said.

Bays turned 102 in late March. Waldeck said she has been talking with her about the Centennial Choir and about the PHS A Cappella Choir and she has reacted positively.

"It has certainly elicited fond memories for her," Waldeck said of her mother.

Waldeck said she hasn't been able to confirm it, but she believes Bays may be the oldest surviving member of the choir.

Bays won't be able to travel to Parkersburg for the event due to her age and health, but the family will be represented. Waldeck was in the choir, as was her husband, John Waldeck, during their years attending PHS. The couple will be coming back to Parkersburg for the Centennial and will be singing with the Centennial Choir, she said.

"I think it's in recognition of a long-standing program of excellent music," Waldeck said of the concert and overall celebration.

"It's going to be a lot of fun."

Waldeck said music always played a big role in the family. After graduating, Bays remained close friends with the former choir director until Boette's death years later. Many of the family's friends and associates over the years grew out of the choir connections of Bays and Waldeck.

Waldeck said she and her mother also sang together through the years, including several times participating in the annual Handel's "Messiah" performance that Singer conducted at First United Methodist Church in Parkersburg.

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