Greystone Ladies' Club History

by Mary Sue Ludwig 

On October 28, 1992, when there were less than 100 houses occupied in Greystone, a coffee was held at the home of Mary Sue Ludwig for the women in the neighborhood. The hostesses for that coffee were Mary Sue Ludwig, Marjean Brooks, Diane Brady, Jeannie Johnson, Mary Ann Nelson and Cathy Pate. At that coffee, the question was raised as to who would be interested in forming a lady’s club for the community.

Enough interest was generated, and plans were made to organize. The Asbury Methodist Church, which was located on Highway 119, near the construction entrance to Greystone, was chosen as the meeting place. On January 25, 1993, the first organizational meeting was held at the church. Mary Sue Ludwig served as acting chair. There were 35 women in attendance.

Greystone Ladies Club originally was considered for the name of the organization; however, there was discussion about Greystone Women’s Club sounding better. So, the first name was Greystone Women’s Club. Plans were made to draft by-laws. A nominating committee, all volunteers, was given the task of selecting a slate of five officers to be presented at the next meeting. Jeannie Johnson and Betty Rabenau served as co-chairs and Janet Huffman, Ginger Milam and Cindy Smith made up the committee.

Dues were set at $10 a year and the club year would run from September through May.

Kelly Wells would publish a monthly newsletter and Sarrah Rankin would compile a directory for distribution.

At the February 16, 1993 meeting the first officers were elected for a term of five months:

Mary Sue Ludwig – President

First Vice President, Membership – Ginger Milam

Second Vice President, Programs – Deborah Scruggs 

Treasurer – Janet Huffman 

Recording Secretary – Sarrah Rankin (January – March), Ann Bagley (April – May)

Committee chairs were introduced at the March 9, 1993 meeting:

Social – Jeannie Johnson and Diane Cuicchi

Sunshine – Marjean Brooks (Cards), Kay Johnson (Food)

Gardening – Betty Rabenau

Hospitality (meetings) – Kay King and Janice Blankenship

Bridge – Shirley Palmes and Eleanor Hall

Other committees were to be formed as interest arose.

A Children’s Committee was formed in April 1993: Kelly Wells, Ginger Milam, Sherry McKay, Cathy Clayton, Deborah Scruggs, Kay King and Laurie McCain. This committee planned and carried out special events for children, such as the Halloween Parade and Carnival, Breakfast with Santa, and the Easter Egg Hunt in Greystone Park.

At the May 4, 1993 meeting the name of the club was changed to the “Greystone Ladies’ Club”. The by-laws, compiled by Mary Sue Ludwig, were accepted and the membership agreed to continue the term of the first elected officers for the 1993-94 club year. A babysitter list was compiled. Bridge groups were formed. Membership numbered 56.

At the September 1993 meeting dues were increased to $12 yearly. Group captains were organized to deliver the newsletter each month and keep the club advised when new families moved into Greystone.

The gardening committee formed a group called the Greystone Garden Guild that met every third Thursday. They were members of the Botanical Gardens and sold bulbs as a fundraiser.

In October 1993, the Greystone Ladies’ Club Annual Christmas Tea was established. A Book Review group was formed, and the membership was up to 82 members.

In November 1993 club voted to have a Cullman florist, Steve Brannon, decorate all the mailboxes the same for Christmas.

December 1993 the first annual Christmas Tea was held at the home of Sarrah Rankin.