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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
Charlotte Collins, Ken Kyre, Henry Black, Ken Shultz, Dr. Paul and Mitzi Noble, and hundreds of
others who wanted to see Shenandoah survive and prosper.
Dr. Paul B. Noble, Jr., outstanding Shenandoah graduate, was a teacher, instructor, and leader of
musical groups. Paul taught at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for about 9 years. He also organized
“The All-Student Band U.S.A.” that traveled and performed in many parts of the world. The author
traveled with “The All-Student Band U.S.A.” alumni in 1969 on an “Around the World Tour” that was
organized by Paul. Today, he is President of Noble’s Travel World, which is one of Winchester’s and
Virginia’s most outstanding business firms. Paul is a fine example of Shenandoah College’s philosophy
that every graduate must be prepared to serve mankind and contribute to the American democratic way
of life.
Dr. Troy Brady, President of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, who had the
original vision of saving Shenandoah by moving to Winchester, told me that he was under great
pressure, in ill health, and would have to resign; however, he would continue to help re-establish the
College-Conservatory in Winchester. In June 1956, Dr. Brady submitted his resignation and was later
assigned as minister of an EUB Church in Bradenton, Florida.
Forrest S. Racey. In June 1956, Rev. Forrest S. Racey, then Business Manager of Shenandoah,
was elected as the 13th President of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music. He was
encouraged by our College Project Committee and his Board of Trustees to expedite the movement to
Winchester, to keep the College-Conservatory operating in Dayton, and to work with the Winchester
Chamber of Commerce College Project Committee and the Virginia EUB Conference to meet their
obligations and financial goals. Although Forrest had to spend most of his time before 1960 in Dayton,
he worked long hours in Winchester and throughout the Virginia Conference to expedite the project.
Forrest was always ready and willing to do more than his share.
When Forrest and I were working on the EUB Virginia Conference campaign, we made many
joint talks to church and civic groups in the surrounding area. Frequently we would kid and tell jokes on
each other. One Sunday Dr. Howard Lee Fulk invited me to speak to his congregation at St. Marks
Church in Martinsburg, W.Va. Forrest was to introduce me. He got up and said, “Ladies and
Gentlemen, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce my good friend, Jim Wilkins, who is
chairman of our College Project Committee in Winchester; and I might add, he can talk anywhere,
anytime, and on any subject.” My chest swelled and I said to myself what a wonderful introduction.
Then he added, “Whether he knows anything about it or not.” This took the wind out of my sails, but
the next night I got even by telling the story of Forrest’s assignment as preacher in Harper’s Valley,
which is a good story:
It seems the Bishop had assigned a dozen or more preachers over a period of several years
to Harper’s Valley deep in an isolated Allegheny Mountain valley. Most of them only stayed a
few months and then left, vowing never to return, even threatening to resign from the ministry
unless transferred to some other assignment; while others left at the urging of the
congregations. The Bishop didn’t know what to do—he had scraped the bottom of the barrel,
and was at the end of his rope. Finally, in desperation he said, “That young fellow Racey will
finish seminary next month. By George, I will just send him to Harper’s Valley.” Six months
passed and not a word from Harper’s Valley. Then 12 months and still no word. After 18
months, the same thing. The Bishop’s curiosity got the best of him and he cranked up his
Model-T and drove to Harper’s Valley. Going down the steep mountain road, he met Mr.
Abram Harper. He said to Mr. Harper, “I have sent half a dozen preachers over here and they
all left, or you refused to keep them, but 18 months ago I sent that young fellow Racey over
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 49
Charlotte Collins, Ken Kyre, Henry Black, Ken Shultz, Dr. Paul and Mitzi Noble, and hundreds of
others who wanted to see Shenandoah survive and prosper.
Dr. Paul B. Noble, Jr., outstanding Shenandoah graduate, was a teacher, instructor, and leader of
musical groups. Paul taught at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for about 9 years. He also organized
“The All-Student Band U.S.A.” that traveled and performed in many parts of the world. The author
traveled with “The All-Student Band U.S.A.” alumni in 1969 on an “Around the World Tour” that was
organized by Paul. Today, he is President of Noble’s Travel World, which is one of Winchester’s and
Virginia’s most outstanding business firms. Paul is a fine example of Shenandoah College’s philosophy
that every graduate must be prepared to serve mankind and contribute to the American democratic way
of life.
Dr. Troy Brady, President of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, who had the
original vision of saving Shenandoah by moving to Winchester, told me that he was under great
pressure, in ill health, and would have to resign; however, he would continue to help re-establish the
College-Conservatory in Winchester. In June 1956, Dr. Brady submitted his resignation and was later
assigned as minister of an EUB Church in Bradenton, Florida.
Forrest S. Racey. In June 1956, Rev. Forrest S. Racey, then Business Manager of Shenandoah,
was elected as the 13th President of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music. He was
encouraged by our College Project Committee and his Board of Trustees to expedite the movement to
Winchester, to keep the College-Conservatory operating in Dayton, and to work with the Winchester
Chamber of Commerce College Project Committee and the Virginia EUB Conference to meet their
obligations and financial goals. Although Forrest had to spend most of his time before 1960 in Dayton,
he worked long hours in Winchester and throughout the Virginia Conference to expedite the project.
Forrest was always ready and willing to do more than his share.
When Forrest and I were working on the EUB Virginia Conference campaign, we made many
joint talks to church and civic groups in the surrounding area. Frequently we would kid and tell jokes on
each other. One Sunday Dr. Howard Lee Fulk invited me to speak to his congregation at St. Marks
Church in Martinsburg, W.Va. Forrest was to introduce me. He got up and said, “Ladies and
Gentlemen, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce my good friend, Jim Wilkins, who is
chairman of our College Project Committee in Winchester; and I might add, he can talk anywhere,
anytime, and on any subject.” My chest swelled and I said to myself what a wonderful introduction.
Then he added, “Whether he knows anything about it or not.” This took the wind out of my sails, but
the next night I got even by telling the story of Forrest’s assignment as preacher in Harper’s Valley,
which is a good story:
It seems the Bishop had assigned a dozen or more preachers over a period of several years
to Harper’s Valley deep in an isolated Allegheny Mountain valley. Most of them only stayed a
few months and then left, vowing never to return, even threatening to resign from the ministry
unless transferred to some other assignment; while others left at the urging of the
congregations. The Bishop didn’t know what to do—he had scraped the bottom of the barrel,
and was at the end of his rope. Finally, in desperation he said, “That young fellow Racey will
finish seminary next month. By George, I will just send him to Harper’s Valley.” Six months
passed and not a word from Harper’s Valley. Then 12 months and still no word. After 18
months, the same thing. The Bishop’s curiosity got the best of him and he cranked up his
Model-T and drove to Harper’s Valley. Going down the steep mountain road, he met Mr.
Abram Harper. He said to Mr. Harper, “I have sent half a dozen preachers over here and they
all left, or you refused to keep them, but 18 months ago I sent that young fellow Racey over
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 49
