By Carolyn Johnson

We had a great time this week at the Baily County Senior Center. The Muleshoe Art Association came out and helped our participants complete a winter scene on canvas. They generously give of their time each month to come and have a “painting party” with us. So many of our participants have gained confidence in painting and have learned so much about art from these members of the Art Association. We are blessed every month with this project. If you are interested in learning more about this and all of our activities call 272-4969.

Sponsor of the Week- David Sudduth Family

Our Sponsor for the Week is one that leads by example. He is one who is usually the first to jump in and help. He is honest, a hard worker, and respectful of others. His style, manner, sense of self, and ambition has made him the man he is today. We are proud to announce that our 13th Sponsor of the Week for Bailey County Senior Citizen’s Center is the David Sudduth Family. David grew up in and graduated from high school in Crosbyton, TX. He married a hometown girl, Clara, in 1957. They were married for 60 years until her death in 2018. David and Clara raised three children: Carey, Richard, and Joni. Carey lives in Muleshoe with his wife Susan Puckett. He is a teacher at Muleshoe High School. Richard lives in McKinney with his wife Michelle Bryant. He is a CPA there. Their daughter, Joni, was also a CPA and worked for a firm in the Austin area. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. Dave and Clara went to her and lived with her for several years, giving her love and aid during her illness. She passed away in 2011. David is blessed with four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. David graduated from Texas Tech University. He worked his way through college by working at a cotton gin in the fall and attending college in the spring and summer. After graduation David took a position with a CPA firm in El Paso. But David and Clara wanted to live and raise their children in a small town. A position opened with a National Firm called Williams & Merriman, CPA in Muleshoe, TX. David got the job and Muleshoe was the small town they were looking for. The firm changed names several times but David worked there until he became self-employed. He worked as a self-employed CPA here in Muleshoe for 35 years. David comes across as a man who has had clarity of direction his entire life. He always gave his ultimate best and he knew that when it comes to work, one must always protect the business entity. David relied on a substructure of business and principles like respect, honesty, communication, and trust in his own ability. As a result, he has become a most successful businessman. In spite of all his hard work and long business hours, David also found time to be a community leader. His participation in community involvement is most impressive. In the past, David served as Director and Treasurer for the Muleshoe Jaycee’s. He was also Coach and Treasurer of the Muleshoe Little League. David is and has always been very active in the Muleshoe Church of Christ. In the past 25 years he has served as Deacon and Treasurer. He has served as President and Director of the Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce. He also served as President, Secretary, and Director of the Muleshoe Lion’s Club and as President and Director of the Muleshoe Library. But David didn’t stop at community involvement. Within his professional realm, he was a member of the American Institute of CPAs, a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, and a member of Lubbock Chapter of CPAs. David never regretted the move he and Clara made from El Paso to Muleshoe. He told me, “Muleshoe is a great town made up of friendly, neighborly people. It is a wonderful place to live.” David comes from a very musical family. He and two of his brothers were given that talent. One of his brothers is in the Western Swing Fiddlers Hall of Fame and the other was Director of the “Going Band from Raider Land.” David is very talented at playing guitar. He volunteers to entertain at our center quite often. And on the subject of the Senior Center, David is an active member. When asked why he joined the Center, David answered, “It is such a great asset to the Muleshoe area and it provides a good service to our seniors. I had the honor of speaking to a very close friend of David’s – Marilyn Wilson Nickels. She told me that not only were they neighbors for 50 years but they also went to the same church. The first thing she said to me was that when she thought about Dave Sudduth- she thought about how honest he was. According to Marilyn, he didn’t even exaggerate! She went on to tell me that their children were close to the same age and she recalls fun card games and lots of football on their dead end street. “David and Clara were absolutely the sweetest couple you would ever know,” she added. I think of David Sudduth as someone who is what a lot of people aren’t. He plays in the larger game of life which in the end shows us the true meaning of a man. It gives us great pleasure at our Center to call him our Sponsor of the Week.