Today's Featured Biography

 
Sally Thibodeaux Wiley

Toni Thibodeaux Wiley
He gave me a ticket to this dance stage of life in 1940. I was the youngest daughter of Sallie and Sidney Thibodeaux. My feet have always moved to the beat of a different drum so it was fitting that my parents owned a shoe store to keep me dancing. It was then that I began my unending search for the perfect pair of dance shoes for every dance of my life- beginning at age 3.
I began my education in Lafayette at Myrtle Place school then on to All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, MS, and graduated back home from Lafayette High in 1958- voted MOST BEAUTIFUL.

In 1955 at the age 15, I, along with my sister, graduated from Gerami’s School of Dance and opened our first dancing school in Breaux Bridge, LA. I was never good at dancing in one place, so I traveled to Miami, FL and attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL majoring in Interior Design. Yet still, back home, by 1966 we danced our hearts to the music and successfully opened seven dancing studios and one Ballet Academy. Yes, Billy Simon, I was putting my math skills to the test.

I danced right into membership of the Dance Masters of America and was privileged to teach at the National Dance Convention in Miami, FL.

In 1962 I married Thomas Bond Griffith, III and danced enough to put him through Law School. I think I still have bunions. After graduation, we moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL only to divorce in 1968. I knew I should have followed my gut and fed him to the gators in the Everglades.

In 1968 I sold all dancing schools and began modeling in New York and California. My modeling career was short lived because my best friend and father of my children – Don Wiley, Jr. danced into my life. We married in 1968 and by 1972 we had two beautiful sons Grant Kingsley Wiley and Lane Barclay Wiley. Donnie was an independent oil operator which allowed us to make homes in Lafayette, LA; Houston, TX; Palm Beach, FL; and La Jolla, CA. Dancing as a mother was a lot more difficult than I ever imagined. And in 1989 we separated – only to remain the best of friends. Inevitably, we divorced in 1994.

Billy, although I was mathematically challenged, I tapped into my God given talents and was successful as a dancer, an artist, a chorographer, a model, a costume designer, a fashion designer, a jewelry designer, and a furniture designer. I believe that is eight professions Billy. My math skills really kicked and between 1992 -1996 I decorated 25+ restaurants in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. Billy, can you imagine how many times I had to count on my fingers.

I returned home to Lafayette in 1996 to care for my ailing mother. I temporarily un-strapped my dancing shoes and began working hard to earn my angel wings. I gained enough feathers to walk my mother to the pearly gates in May 2000 with the most gorgeous pair of dancing shoes. She was proud. It was in these years that I discovered another talent – dancing and caring for those who are less fortunate – but still need to be loved and entertained. Only being able to count to 18, I remain young at heart with moves that still shock me.

I have no regrets for anyone that I have danced with and I have many more dances to attend; therefore, I will not be asking for a refund on my ticket from HIM and I will be shopping for shoes till the end. Only now, I have found a love for cowboys and boots --- ooooooo, those boots. Till next time, I’ll dance and ride high in my saddle.

Remember, there are no mistakes in life, just lessons. And we are all still in school.

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