Hybridizers Elroy E. "Roy" (1901-1976¹) and Mildred Miller Brizendine (1902-1989²)
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA (
AIS Region 18)
From The Bulletin of the American Iris Society No. 223(October 1976): Roy Brizendine, Topeka, Kansas, one of the most respected and beloved members of Region 18, passed away in his 75th year on June 3, 1976. He is survived by his wife Mildred, a daughter, Mrs. Ethel Harwood, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a grandson. The Brizendine garden, on an acre of ground surrounding the home, features a superb collection of irises, and Roy's early interest in hybridizing was with the tall beardeds. In 1960, the remarkable MILLIONAIRE brought Roy the American Iris Society's Award of Merit. Convention goers will recall the Brizendine garden on the tour of the 1962 Kansas City meeting and the performance of MILLIONAIRE which made it the overwhelming choice for the Franklin Cook Memorial Cup. This iris won for Roy yet another award when he received the Horticultural Award of the American Horticultural Society, and Roy was especially proud of this because MILLIONAIRE was the first iris to be so honored. In recent years, Roy's hybridizing interest centered exclusively on arils, and as an active member of the Aril Society International he contributed much to the knowledge of these irises and their popularity in Region 18. His achievements were impressive, and in 1974 his lovely SYRIAN MOON received the C. G. White Award. Roy, with his wife Mildred, a fine hybridizer in her own right, joyfully shared an all consuming interest in their iris hobby, and in 1971 the Brizendines were the recipients of the American Iris Society's Hybridizers' Medal.
Registrations/Introductions:
Arilbred:
'April Fresh';
'Gultecia';
'Jacob's Well',
'Salphide',
'Syrian Dawn',
'Syrian Moon',
Border Bearded: 'Kate's Cousin',
'Little Reb',
'Spring Rain'.
Intermediate Bearded: 'Ebony Embers',
'Sparkle Plenty',
'SunnySprite',
'Towncrier'.
Miniature Dwarf Bearded: 'Bold Lad',
'Brownie Boy',
'Funny Face',
'Gay Jewel',
'Wine Cup'.
Miniature Tall Bearded: 'Dancing Gold',
'Fairy Dust'.
Standard Dwarf Bearded: 'Baby Sunshine',
'Black Contrast',
'Blue Puff',
'Highland Lassie',
'Joy Bringer',
'Lime Freeze',
'Little Chestnut',
'Pretty Face',
'Shine Boy',
'Zing'.
Tall Bearded: 'Cinnamon Heart',
'Coralaire',
'Early Dusk',
'Frosted Mint',
'Golden Mink',
'Goldenaire',
'Jet Black',
'Millionaire',
'Pink Torch',
'Polar Gold',
'Royalaire',
'Ruffled Valentine',
'White Heiress'.
¹
Find A Grave, database and images (
https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 January 2019), memorial page for Elroy E. “Roy” Brizendine (21 Jun 1901–5 Jun 1976), Find A Grave Memorial no.
15941033, citing Topeka Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by Oz (contributor
46520830) .
²
Find A Grave, database and images (
https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 January 2019), memorial page for Mildred Lillian
Miller Brizendine (20 Jul 1902–28 Dec 1989), Find A Grave Memorial no.
15941054, citing Topeka Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by Oz (contributor
46520830) .
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BobPries - 2012-05-18