Musicians
This singer was born in Winchester, VA in 1932. Her hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Walkin' After Midnight,” topped both the country and pop charts. In 1960, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Patsy Cline
This English novelist is known for her timeless classics that explore themes of love, morality, and social class. Her 6 novels are Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion.
Jane Austen
This American actress and model became a pop culture icon. She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson. She became famous for her "blonde bombshell" roles in successful 1950s films.
Marilyn Monroe
Iconic American comedian best known as a long-time cast member of the Grand Ole Opry and the TV variety show Hee Haw. Renowned as the "Queen of Comedy" and her trademark straw hat with a $1.98 price tag still dangling from it.
Minnie Pearl
Born on December 13, 1925 in Northern Ireland, this famous Red Stone member majored in physical education and political science. She worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs. She was a busy minister's wife and mother of 3 girls, but always found time to volunteer in the community. She was known for being a "calendar girl" and founder of the Red Stone Antiques.
Iris Kennedy
This singing group was made up of 3 sisters. Their hits include "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else but Me)”.
The Andrew Sisters
This Romanian gymnast was famous for scoring the first perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Olympics.
Nadia Comăneci
This British actress and humanitarian rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Brussels to a Dutch baroness and an Englishman, her early aspirations were to become a ballerina. She transitioned to acting, starring in My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Audrey Hepburn
Legendary actress, comedian and producer, best known for starring in the pioneering 1950s sitcom "I Love Lucy." As a television trailblazer, she was the first woman to run a major TV studio.
Lucille Ball
This famous Red Stone member was 104 years old! She loved to travel, play card games, and host family gatherings. She was well known for her bright smile, love of butterflies, coffee and wearing a crown at any chance she got! She was also our 2025 Mardi Gras Queen.
Jean Claypoole
This American singer-songwriter and composer was born in Newport News, VA in 1917. She was sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and "Queen of Jazz". Her hits include “Love and Kisses”, “A-Tisket, A-Tasket”, “The Man I Love”.
Ella Fitzgerald
This American tennis star won 39 total Grand Slam titles (singles, doubles, and mixed) She is a champion for women's rights and equality in sports.
Billie Jean King
This actress started as a child star in the 1940s in films like Lassie Comes Home and National Velvet. By the 1950s, she was a top star of classical Hollywood cinema. She was known for her beauty, acting talent, and Hollywood lifestyle, which included multiple marriages (8). Her famous roles included Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Elizabeth Taylor
Best known for her groundbreaking, Emmy winning comedy-variety show, which aired for 11 years. Her signature sign off-tugging on her earlobe-a personal message to her grandmother. She is celebrated for her sketch comedy, iconic characters, and her breakout Broadway role in Once Upon a Mattress.
Carol Burnett
This famous Red Stone member is originally from Chicago. She is a loyal friend and dedicated member of the Red Stones that is always willing to help plan, organize and decorate signs for our events. She was also a talented singer and dancer. Her mother was a resident of WMC and she was fortunate to have 5 generations of women in her family together at one time.
Joyce Kowalski
This American singer, songwriter and pianist was born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. She is regarded as the "Queen of Soul". Her hits include “Respect”, “A Natural Woman”, and “Chain of Fools”.
Aretha Franklin
This author was born in 1890 and died in 1976. She was the best-selling novelist of all time, known as the "Queen of Crime". Her books included "And Then There Were None," "Murder on the Orient Express", and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd".
Agatha Christie
This American actress later became Princess of Monaco. Her film roles included High Noon, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, and The Country Girl.
Grace Kelly
An American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician and visual artist, best known for her eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, wild hair and clothes, and exaggerated, cackling laugh.
Phyllis Diller
This famous Red Stone member was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. She modeled and is often mistaken for actress Bea Arthur from the Golden Girls, All in the Family and Maude. She is known as the "Puzzle Lady" at WMC.
Venie Decker
This American singer and actress had a 6-decade career. She first found success in 1945 singing duets with her sister Betty. She became a household name in the 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House", followed by other pop hits like "Mambo Italiano". She starred in the 1954 film “White Christmas”.
Rosemary Clooney
This Norwegian figure skater and film star revolutionized figure skating and became one of the most popular celebrities of the 1930s. She won 3 Olympic gold medals and held the title of world champion for 10 consecutive years. She was a major Hollywood star in the late 1930s and 40s, famous for musical comedies that highlighted her skating, such as One in a Million, Thin Ice, Sun Valley Serenade, and Second Fiddle.
Sonja Henie
This American actress and singer was a popular leading lady in the 1950s and 60s. She was known for her roles in romantic comedies (Pillow Talk) and movie musicals (Calamity Jane). She sang with the bands of Barney Rapp and Bob Crosby before joining Les Brown's band in 1940 and recording hits like “Sentimental Journey”. She also had her own sitcom.
Doris Day
Best known as a trailblazing Hollywood actress, playwright, and screenwriter, famous for her sharp wit, sultry voice, and bold, risque double entendres. Her iconic one-liners: "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?" and "When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better."
Mae West
This famous Red Stone member is from Norfolk, VA, was a talented pianist but got stage fright after the first time that she faced a large audience and quickly changed her career path and became a French major. She was an excellent cook but is now really good at making reservations! She is a dedicated member of this group and has great ideas for our programs and activities.
Linda Drucker