The women of "The Most Exclusive National Shopping Association" have met consistently for the past three years, but some of its members have been close for more than 50. Meet Nita Gilmore, Margaret Collins Jenkins, Margaret Wright, Ouida Muffuletto, Linda Duckworth, Sherry Downs, Gene Claire Belknap, Phyllis Smith, Betty Lynn Hammett, Linda Sellers, Boopie Beard and Susan Mason.
Friends for the ages —
The women of "The Most Exclusive National Shopping Association" have met consistently for the past three years, but some of its members have been close for more than 50. Meet Nita Gilmore, Margaret Collins Jenkins, Margaret Wright, Ouida Muffuletto, Linda Duckworth, Sherry Downs, Gene Claire Belknap, Phyllis Smith, Betty Lynn Hammett, Linda Sellers, Boopie Beard and Susan Mason.
Nita Gilmore and Sherry Downs have been friends since childhood. They competed in a local pageant in 1962.
Friends since childhood —
Nita Gilmore and Sherry Downs have been friends since childhood. They competed in a local pageant in 1962.
A decade later, Sherry Downs and Nita Gilmore celebrate homecoming in 1972.
The high school years —
A decade later, Sherry Downs and Nita Gilmore celebrate homecoming in 1972.
Margaret Collins Jenkins, Ouida Muffuletto and Margaret Wright celebrate Mardi Gras in the mid 1980s.
Mardi Gras —
Margaret Collins Jenkins, Ouida Muffuletto and Margaret Wright celebrate Mardi Gras in the mid 1980s.
Sherry Downs, left, Susan Mason, Margaret Wright and Margaret Collins Jenkins were inspired by Victorian magazines to host this tea party with their grandmothers' linens, tea pots and flowers from the yard in 1989.
Afternoon tea —
Sherry Downs, left, Susan Mason, Margaret Wright and Margaret Collins Jenkins were inspired by Victorian magazines to host this tea party with their grandmothers' linens, tea pots and flowers from the yard in 1989.
Margaret Wright, left, and Sherry Downs dance in 1993 at Wright's 50th birthday party, which had a '50s theme.
Celebrating milestones —
Margaret Wright, left, and Sherry Downs dance in 1993 at Wright's 50th birthday party, which had a '50s theme.
This group of women celebrates Sherry Down's (seated in chair, far right) 40th birthday in the late 1990s.
A 40th birthday portrait —
This group of women celebrates Sherry Down's (seated in chair, far right) 40th birthday in the late 1990s.
Courtesy Harold Head
Nita Gilmore, left, Sherry Downs and Ouida Muffuletto come together for the christening of Downs' son in the late 1990s.
Celebrating children —
Nita Gilmore, left, Sherry Downs and Ouida Muffuletto come together for the christening of Downs' son in the late 1990s.
Nita Gilmore, Sherry Downs, Margaret Collins Jenkins and Ouida Muffuletto gather in the late 1990s in an antebellum mansion in Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrounded by hat boxes and items they purchased.
Estate sale field trip —
Nita Gilmore, Sherry Downs, Margaret Collins Jenkins and Ouida Muffuletto gather in the late 1990s in an antebellum mansion in Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrounded by hat boxes and items they purchased.
Julie Abercrombie, Susan Mason, Margaret Collins Jenkins, Margaret Wright, Linda Phillips, Nita Gilmore and Sherry Downs travel to New Orleans for one of the ladies' weekend trips. <br /><br />Find more stories like this on <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2FLIVING%2F">CNN Living</a>, or take a break and join our conversation on <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCnnLiving" target="_blank" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.
A weekend in New Orleans —
Julie Abercrombie, Susan Mason, Margaret Collins Jenkins, Margaret Wright, Linda Phillips, Nita Gilmore and Sherry Downs travel to New Orleans for one of the ladies' weekend trips.

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