A couple of days ago, i sent a birthday wish to one of my almost-cousins. The Lebanon Leftwich’s and Jewell’s are possibly related through the distaff side. My mother was a Prichard. Jo Doris Leftwich a Prichard.

The Leftwich and Jewell siblings figure there has to be a connection. “Prichards” without the “t,” Tennessee. Has to be. We are still looking for the connection. Close families from pretty much the beginning of my generation. Great folks. And, of course, Coach JB Leftwich was more than just a mentor to me and one of father’s closest friends.

The cousin was Barbara Leftwich Froula. A wonderful woman. When wishing her a happy birthday, i told her there would be a bit more later. Then, i couldn’t find it. Today, i found it.

One my jobs was being the county and sports correspondent for The Nashville Banner while gathering up my life and re-pursuing my college degree at MTSU. My article below, in my opinion, reveals i was still a learning sports writer. The men’s scores of the two games were the lead. The real story was the Lebanon High School Blue Devilettes beating a superlative Murfreesboro team. That was subjugated to second tier in the story.

One of the stars for the LHS women was Barbara Leftwich, my cousin. There is a bit of redemption here as the photo with the story shows her at her best.

She’s still a star.

Happy Birthday (again), cousin.