by Roma Vivas

Remembering the world of 60 years ago is not hard for Billy Brown Lees (B.B.) and his wife, Jimmie Fern, who can talk about the 1940’s and 50’s as though it were yesterday.

“Eastern is our life.  If you take a few years out, we have spent a lifetime here,” said B.B.

In 1948, Jimmie Fern first saw B.B. in the school cafeteria, which is now the post office. She said B.B. had a crew-cut and turtleneck shirt, was on the football team and in her eyes he was the “the big man on campus.”  She asked him on their first date, a Beta Barn Dance in which girls asked the boys.

B.B. came to play football at Eastern New Mexico College. He was recruited as a running back and later also played basketball and baseball. Jimmie Fern had an academic scholarship and wanted to get her degree while staying close to home in Clovis.

“My four years at Eastern were a lot of fun,” said Jimmie Fern, 1948 homecoming queen. “Eastern was a school in which you could participate in many activities. I was a cheerleader for three years and belonged to a sorority.”

Each year Eastern selected a Beauty Queen and four Yucca Blossoms who were sponsored by different associations.  While on tour in Amarillo, Bob Hope agreed to be selecting judge.

“Being on the Bob Hope show with Doris Day and Irene Ryan, as well as Les Brown’s ‘Band of Renown,’ was very exciting,” Jimmie Fern said.

After graduating in 1952, B.B. taught and coached in the public schools.  He then returned in 1956 as an instructor in physical education and assistant football coach. In total he was part of Eastern’s faculty almost four decades and athletic director for 18 of those years. It is impossible to name all of B.B.’s achievements, but along with coaching numerous sports, he is part of the NAIA Hall of Fame and Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor.

One of his most important legacies was getting Eastern into the Lone Star Conference, which was a difficult task since there were no other non-Texas schools. The Conference ensured that Eastern, previously independent, would have steady opponents with equal programs.

Jmmie Fern was a math teacher and chairperson of the mathematics department at Portales High School. In 1983 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching for New Mexico.  This award was started for all states by President Ronald Reagan and continues each year.

“The awardees spent five days in Washington, D.C., where we attended workshops and receptions. There were lots of perks and a large financial gift to use at his/her high school. The last day we were addressed by President Reagan in the East Room of the White House. Now that was exciting,” she said.  Jimmie Fern adds that Eastern prepared mathematics teachers to do well in the school systems.
She was selected to be one of the eight educators in the first Eastern New Mexico University Hall of Honors for Education in 2008.

“I am thrilled and humbled for these awards,” Jimmie Fern said.

The Lees watched Eastern go from a college to a university and grow in other ways. While enjoying retired life, they continue to be part of Eastern life.  B.B. is on the ENMU Alumni Board of Directors and Jimmie Fern makes all the meetings.

“There are Eastern alums to see and, of course, there is always shopping,” said Jimmie Fern.