Photo Gallery

Charleston Victory Corps Formed

Victory Coprs Officers Named

Commencement Exercises Announcment

1944 Yearbook Photo

High School Readmission Card

High School Readmission Card

High School Readmission Card

High School Readmission Card

US Coast Guard Auxiliary

US Coast Guard Auxiliary

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Alma Tharp Flies to Carolina Ninety-Nines Annual Convention

Alma Tharp flies to Carolinas Ninety-Nines convention, Spartanburg, S.C., circa 1948. Newspaper report on the two-day annual convention of the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines. Alma Tharp flew from Charleston to Spartanburg in her nearly new Ercoupe. Other attendees included Jewell Bailey, Lucille Greenwood, Louise Smith, Bird Eaton, Emalie Stone and Edna Hartness. Exact publication date remains under investigation.

Carolina Ninety-Nines Annual Meeting in Spartanburg

Circa 1948 — Spartanburg, South Carolina. Newspaper announcement of the annual meeting of the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, the international organization of women pilots. Members were scheduled to gather in Spartanburg for a weekend meeting, including a buffet supper and the chapter's annual business meeting at the Cleveland Hotel. The article lists “Alma Thorpe” of Charleston, apparently a newspaper misspelling of Alma Tharp, along with fellow Charleston pilot Jewell Bailey. Other expected attendees included Emalie Stone, Edna Hartness, Louise Smith, Bird Eaton, Lucille Greene, Anne Fishburne and Vera Self.

Alma Tharp with Her Ercoupe

Circa 1948. Alma Tharp, at left, with another woman beside an Ercoupe aircraft. Alma was an active member of the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines and a licensed private pilot. A contemporary newspaper account records Alma flying her nearly new Ercoupe from Charleston to Spartanburg for a Carolinas Ninety-Nines convention. Exact date and location of this photograph have not yet been confirmed.

Alma Tharp in Evening Gown, Charleston Area, late 1940s

Alma Tharp Portrait in Evening Gown, Charleston Area, late 1940s

ALMA IS 9th FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

Charleston Azalea Festival Parade — Folly Beach delegation / Alma Tharp — 1948

Folly Beach delegation participating in the Charleston Azalea Festival parade. Alma Tharp represented Folly Beach after being selected queen of the Folly Beach festival float.

Charleston Azalea Festival Parade — Folly Beach delegation / Alma Tharp — 1948

April 1947 — Charleston Azalea Festival, Charleston, South Carolina

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1950 — Ninety-Nines Women Fliers to Meet Here Next Sunday

People: Alma Tharp; Jewell Bailey; Kathleen O'Brien Organization: Carolinas Chapter, The Ninety-Nines Event: Quarterly Ninety-Nines meeting / planning for the 1950 All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race ending in Greenville, SC.

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Sisterly Advice Newspaper

Alma Tharp Attends Ninety-Nines Meeting for 1950 Women’s Transcontinental Air Race

1950 — Charleston, South Carolina. Alma Tharp of Folly Beach attended a quarterly meeting of the Carolinas Chapter of the Ninety-Nines at Charleston Municipal Airport. Members discussed plans for the annual All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race, scheduled to begin in San Diego on June 11 and finish in Greenville, South Carolina, with Charleston serving as the eastern continental marker. The article lists Alma among the Carolinas Ninety-Nines members attending the meeting.

Ninety-Nines' Hostess Newspaper

Family Photo

Graham Eli Tharp on the left Alma Center Johnny on the right

Marine Core Newspaper

Graham Eli Tharp on the left Alma Center Johnny on the right

Siblings Photo

Alma on the Left Johnny on the right

Alma Back Seat Center

Marrage License

Marrage License

Aviatrix Wed

Carolina Women Pilots Held Gathering

Christmas Card

Buster's Pilot License

Christmas Card

2nd Oldest Known Picture

Christmas 54

Spooky 14 months

Alma & Spooky Swinging

Spooky 20 Months

Lancaster Girl Pilot Proves Woman's Place is in Airplane

Baby Dickey

Dickey 3 months

Santa

Spooky 3 years

Office Pic

Alma front row on the right

Dickey Baby

Dickey 5.5 months

Spooky (left) with Dickey (right) as a baby.

Spooky 3 years 3 months Dickey 5.5 months

Church Christmas Party

Spooky 2nd from the left Spooky 4 years 1.5 months

Christmas party at Church

Spooky 4 years 1.5 months

Spooky's Dancing Class

Buster Holding Dickey, Spooky Front

Spooky 3 years 3 months Dickey 5.5 months

Spooky's Dancing Class

Dickey Behind Bars

Dickey 6 Months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Sleeping Dickey

Dickey 7.5 months

Spooky holding Dickey

Spooky 3 years 5.5 months Dickey 8 months

Naked Dickey

Dickey 8 months

Sleeping Baby Dickey

Dickey 9 months

Baby Portrait

Dickey 8 months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Spooky 3 years 6.5 months Dickey 9 months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Spooky 3.5 years Dickey 10 months

Myrtle Beach SC

Spooky 3 years 9 months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Spooky 3 years 9 months Dickey 11.5 months

Spooky Front Dickey Back

Spooky 3 years 9 months Dickey 11.5 months

Dickey Bathtub

Dickey at about one year old, sitting in the bathtub. The original photographic print is dated August 1957.

Dickey

Dickey 1 year

Dickey

Dickey 12.5 months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Spooky 3 years 11 months Dickey 13.5 months

Halloween Party

Spooky 4 years old

Christmas Card

Christmas

Spooky 4 years 2 months Dickey 1 year 4.5 months

Dickey Bathrobe

Dickey 1 year 4.5 months

Haircut?

Spooky 4 years 1.5 months Dickey 1 year 4 months

Christmas

Christmas

Spooky 4 years 1.5 months Dickey 1 year 4 months

Spooky Left Dickey Right

Spooky 4 years 3 months Dickey 1 year 5.5 Months

Spooky's Sunday School

Spooky Back Right w/Hat - 4 years 5 months Dickey Close Right - 1 year 7.5 months

Easter Sunday

Spooky 4 years 5 months Dickey 1 year 7.5 months

Springs Park

Spooky 4 years 7.5 months Dickey 1 year 10 months

Mrytle Beach

Spooky 4 years 7.5 months

Springs Park

Dickey 1 year 10 months

Chimney Rock (Boone NC)

Spooky 4 years 8 months

Charleston, SC

Spooky 4 years 9 months

Charleston, SC

Spooky 4 years 9 months

Charleston SC

Spooky 4 years 9 months

Spooky & Dickey Christmas Card

Christmas

Dickey 2 years 4.5 months

Christmas

Spooky 5 years 2 months

Spooky Valentine King

Spooky center right

Spooky Valentine King

Spooky 2nd from the right

Tommy Bartlett’s International Deer Ranch

Buster on the left Spooky on the right. 5 years 8.5 months Dickey Center, 2 years 11 months

Ross Allen's Reptile Institute / Seminole Indian Village

Ross Allen's Reptile Institute / Seminole Indian Village Spooky on left: 5 years 8.5 months Dickey in front: 2 years 11 months Unknown boy on right

Silver Springs

Buster in the back, Spooky in the middle, Dickey in the front, unknown boy on the right. Spooky 5 years 8.5 months Dickey 2 years 11 months

Dickey's 3rd Birthday Party

Dickey is blowing out the candles

Dickey's 3rd Birthday Party

Dickey on Tricycle:, Unknown Girl on Left

Spooky and Dickey

Spooky Left: 5 years 9.5 months Dickey Right: 3 years

Dickey On Horse

Spooky On Horse

Spooky 5 years 10 months

Dickey Age 3

Spooky 6 y/o Halloween King

Spooky back row on the left. This was taken on Halloween night at the "Armay, Avmay, Anmay" (unable to read the handwriting) in Lancaster. Spooky was the Halloween King of Erwin Farm School. The girl next to him was his queen.

Spooky's 6th Birthday Party

Spooky is in the center left with the captain's hat. Dickey is in the front center with what looks like Spooky's jacket or jumpsuit.

Christmas

Spooky Left: 6 years 2 months Dickey Right: 3 years 4-1/2 months

Dickey Asleep on the Beach

Dickey 3 years 11.5 months

Dickey's 4th Birthday Party

Spooky is in the middle of the back row, holding some food in his hand. Dickey is on the far right and is four years old.

Dickey's 4th Birthday Party

Dickey is in the front left

School portrait of Spooky Bell.

Spooky Christmas Play

Christmas play at Erwin School Spooky 7 years 1.5 months

Christmas Play at Erwin School

Spooky is second from the back left Dickey is on the front Spooky 7 years 1.5 months Dickey 4 years 4 months

Spooky and Dickey Bell at Christmas

Margaret Alice, Dickey, and Spooky Swinging

The guy looks scary!

Dickey 4ys 11-1/2 months Spooky 7yr 9months

Sporting their new bows.

Dickey 4ys 11-1/2 months Spooky 7yr 9months

Buster watching the pool.

It is always time for a nap

Dickey 4ys 11-1/2 months Spooky 7yr 9months

Alma sporting the bathing suit.

Dickey 4ys 11-1/2 months Spooky 7yr 9months

Dickey Birthday Party 5y/o

Dickey Birthday Party 5y/o

Little Dodge City, an Old West-themed attraction in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dickey 5yrs 1 month Spooky 7yrs 10-1/2 months

Little Dodge City, an Old West-themed attraction in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dickey 5yrs 1 month Spooky 7yrs 10-1/2 months

Little Dodge City, an Old West-themed attraction in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dickey 5yrs 1 month Spooky 7yrs 10-1/2 months

Spooky Price. 8 years 3-1/2 months

Spooky Price. 8 years 3-1/2 months

Spooky Crowned Price. 8 years 3-1/2 months

Easter Sunday1962

Easter Sunday1962

Spooky's 3rd Grade Report Card.

Spooky's 3rd Grade Report Card.

Spooky's 3rd Grade Perfect Attendance.

September 1962 (estimated) — School portrait of Spooky Bell.

September 1962 (estimated)

Spooky's 9th Birthday Party.

Spooky's 9th Birthday Party.

First Grade Progress Report

Dickey Valentine Prince at Erwin School.

6 years old.

Dickey Valentine Prince at Erwin School.

6 years old.

Spooky 4th Grade Perfect Attendance.

Dickey's 1st Grade Report Card

Dickey's 1st Grade Report Card

Dickey Baseball

Summer 63 estimated

Spooky Going Camping

Dickey Perfect Attendance 2nd Grade

Spooky School Pic

Dickey

Buster Middle, Spooky Right, and Dickey Left

April–May 1965 (estimated)

Buster Left, Alma Right, and Dickey Center

April–May 1965 (estimated)

Dickey Perfect Attendance 3rd Grade

Dickey Perfect Attendance 3rd Grade

Dickey 3rd Grade Report Card

Dickey 3rd Grade Report Card

Dickey is nicely dressed!

4th Grade Class Picture

Dickey 4th Grade Report Card

Dickey 4th Grade Report Card

Spooky

Estimated Summer 1966

Estimated Fall 1966 - Dickey

Dickey Shark

Dickey caught the shark and later put it in the hotel pool.

Buster Voter Registration.

Alma Voter Registration.

Spooky makes Honor Role

Essay Contest 2nd Place

Lancaster Soil & Water Conservation District

Spooky 9th Grade Honor Roll

Essay Contest Honorable Mention State

Dickey Bell — Lancaster Soil & Water Conservation District essay contest award. A $5.00 check from The Bank of Lancaster records “Essay Contest — One of Fifteen Honorable Mention — Statewide.” Signed by James M. Kirk, Treasurer.

Spooky Perfect Attendance

Circa Fall 1969 Dickey

College Entrance Exam

College Entrance Exam

Cadet Staff Sergeant Dickey Bell ROTC Drill Team.

Dickey Perfect Attendance

Spooky Graduation Congress Congratulations

Spooky Graduation Announcement

Spooky Graduation Announcement

Spooky was accepted into the Counter-Guerrilla Platoon at Clemson

Spooky Marine Corps Bag ID

Dickey is front and center.

Dickey Perfect Attendance 72.

Dickey Scholastic Achievement 72

Dickey never could drive.

Dickey was on the back row on the right.

June 22, 1973 — Dickey received a Lancaster, South Carolina summons for excessive noise while driving his 1970 Chevrolet. The case was scheduled for July 3, 1973.

Dickey awarded his first Superior Cadet Award

Dickey awarded his first Superior Cadet Award

His first Superior Cadet Award

Dickey was on the back row on the right.

Dickey was on the back row on the right.

Dickey Drill Team

Dickey Drill Team

Yes another ticket

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Dickey takes 6th place in the individual drill. The team took second place in the state.

Dickey's second Superior Cadet Award.

Letter from U.S. Representative Tom S. Gettys to Carl F. Horten of Springs Mills confirming Gettys’s nomination of Dickey as his principal appointee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Gettys wrote that he hoped Dickey would qualify physically and scholastically for admission that July.

Dickey’s National Rifle Association Marksmanship Qualification Course certificate, earned through Lancaster JROTC at Lancaster High School. The certificate records William Bell as qualified as Pro-Marksman on the 50-foot official NRA course and is dated January 28, 1974. MSG George Quinn is listed as instructor.

JROTC Drill Meet

Caption from the Tenth Annual Southeastern Drill Meet held March 23, 1974 at Grady Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty teams from the Southeast competed. Dickey is identified as “Cadet LTC Dickey Bell, Lancaster HS, Lancaster, SC” and as the 4th-place winner. Photo credited to Frank Stokan, DAC Photo Branch, Ft. McPherson, Georgia.

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Dickey received a Lancaster High School Certificate of Award recognizing 12 years of perfect attendance.

1974 — Drill Team certificate/record from Dickey’s JROTC school years.

Graduation announcement

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HS Graduation

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Bell was nominated for three service academies. West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy.

1974 — The Citadel admission record for Dickey, Class of 1978. Dickey was admitted but did not attend.

Dickey and Deborah Lynne Faulkenberry — marriage certificate, Lancaster County, South Carolina.

Stephanie Baby

Speeding Warning

September 21, 1976

Heather 1 day 4 hours

circa September 25, 1976

Spooky & Heather at 5 days

Heather 5 days old.

Buster and Heather at 1 week.

circa October 11, 1976

Alma & Heather 3 weeks

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Rickey and Heather.

Rickey and Heather.

Dickey and Heather.

Dickey in the back, Rickey in the middle, and Dickey’s niece Heather Nicole Bell in front.

Heather 6 Months

Heather 5 Months

Buster on the left, Heather in the Middle, and Helen on the Right.

Heather 6 Months

circa April 20, 1977

Heather 7 months

circa April 20, 1977

Heather 7 months

Rickey with Santa

Helen and Spooky

Spooky putting together a table.

Dickey Seperation from Debbie.

The county messed up the scans and it is not recoverable.

Dickey Seperation from Debbie.

The county messed up the scans and it is not recoverable.

Dickey Seperation from Debbie.

The county messed up the scans and it is not recoverable.

Rickey and Heather Christmas 78

Taken at heather's home on Kaywood Dr.

Rickey and Heather Christmas 78

Taken at heather's home on Kaywood Dr.

Helen and Spooky Christmas 78

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Someones 3rd birthday

Walt Disney 1980

Dickey on the beach; James S. “Spooky” Bell III is walking in the background. Early 1980s.

Heather 5 years

Walt Disney 1980

Rickey 5 years 3 months Heather 3 years 10 months

Rickey 6 years Heather 4.5 years

Heather 4.5 years

Rickey 6 years 2 months

Rickey 5 years 2 months

circa September 20, 1981

Heather 5 years

Christmas circa 1980–1981 — Dickey with his niece Heather Nicole Bell (born September 20, 1976; died September 29, 2002).

April 10, 1982 — South Carolina State Highway Patrol warning issued to Dickey in Lancaster; family record for Dickey.

1982 Worlds Fair

1982 Worlds Fair

1982 Worlds Fair

1982 Worlds Fair

Rickey with his new Puch Dirt Bike

Rickey with his new Puch Dirt Bike

Christmas 1982 — Dickey on the back left, Sonja beside him, Rickey in front, Johnny Tharp second from right, and Buster at far right. Dickey and Sonja’s first Christmas after they began dating September 29, 1982.

Sonja on the left, Rickey in the middle, and Dickey on the right. Probably Christmas 1984, believed to be at Sonja’s parents’ home.

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Karate Party 1986

Bell Siblings

From left to right. Ethel, Buster, Emory, Dick, Sarah Alice

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From left to right Spooky, Buster, Rickey

Hurricane Hugo 1989

Left Teresa, Rickey, Stephanie, Heather B, Heather, unknown boyfriend

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Rickey 16 years old

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Taken for a newspaper article about both were JROTC LCT and Battalion Commanders.