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McLemore Shore, Arlene

Arlene McLemore Shore

My years of attending school were very difficult for me because of my extreme shyness which kept me from being active or interacting with classmates and school functions. My father’s battle with TB and cancer made it necessary for me to work while in high school. I worked at Moler Drug during high school, becoming acquainted with many people in the community and making many lasting friendships.

At eighteen I married Larry Lacy and we had three beautiful daughters. With few professional skills I set out to self-teach and to attend school as I could afford it. For five years I operated my own successful business, “Lacy’s Day Care and Play School”. Larry and I divorced after ten years of marriage. I met and married Tom Smith, a chiropractor. I became the business manager and received many achievements in the medical field. I was recognized by Governor Nigh and the state chiropractic association for initiating and promoting a state-wide scoliosis awareness program. I became a workshop leader, trained chiropractic assistants in office procedures, and served as state president for the women’s auxiliary of the Chiropractor Association for three years. I worked as the Clinic Administrator for Smith Chiropractic for thirty years.

At the age of 40 Tom and I had a son, Thomas. This birth was very “touch and go” for both mother and child with many complications. I am happy to say that through much prayer and support of many we both overcame all obstacles. My son, Thomas, is a very highly skilled computer expert. After 10 years this marriage ended in divorce, but I continued to work as the Clinic Administrator.

Still struggling with shyness and the inability to express and share feelings, a friend introduced me to Toastmasters (a communication and leadership program). During the first year I just hated it. It was a difficult challenge. But through much encouragement and steadfast determination I found myself in a leadership position and began to develop communications and leadership skills.

I earned the highest personal award; i.e. the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) twice; recognized by Toastmasters in District 16 (state of Oklahoma) as Outstanding Area Governor, Outstanding Division Governor, and Outstanding Toastmaster, Top Achiever and Fun Vest Recipient. Toastmasters International awarded me the Excellence in Marketing Award, Excellence in Education and Training Award, and Distinguished District Governor; serving in all levels of leadership in the state, with the highest level being District Governor.

Through personal growth and self confidence, I have been able to serve my community in various ways: Past chairman of Enid Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors (Ambassador of the Year, 1993); member of Kiwanis Club; member of Ambucs; Lions Club; League of Woman of Voters (president); Square Dance Association in Oklahoma (state coordinator for singles and northwest publicity chair); Queen founder of a Redhat group of 100 members; and received the March of Dimes “Salute to Women of Achievement Philanthropy” from the Garfield County Business Women of the Year. I worked with the Boy Scouts many years with Thomas receiving the Eagle Scout award with Four Palms. I owned and operated Arlene’s Stress Free Exercise business for 10 years.

I served as the director of the Northwest Area Women’s Retreat and as program chairman for the state cabinet program for the Disciples of Christ church.

I am currently married to Harold Shore, a retired Christian Church minister. I am the proud mother of four children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. I am the proud owner of a black lab (Smokey). My life is filled with working, community involvement and family. The Lord has really been good to me and has allowed me to achieve and experience many things.

Arlene
Looking forward to 50th Reunion of the 1957 Class