On Thursday, Sept. 8, the Boyden High School class of 1936 met for its 75th reunion at the Country Club of Salisbury.
Dorothy Gantt, former class president, presided. Billy Burke played songs of the í30s and í40s during the social hour, which was followed by the class picture and dinner.
Dorothy Gantt gave the memorial for members who died since the last reunion in 2010.
Mary Lang. G. Olson attended from South Carolina. North Carolina attendees were Valerie Chandler, Annie Laurie Cooke, John B. Fisher, Dorothy B. Gantt, Billy Johnson, Edith Weant Peeler.
Billy Burke played our class song, which we sang. An enjoyable time was spent conversing with each other.
It was agreed that 75 years was probably a record for high school reunions and that it is best for us to call it quits.
It was agreed to give the leftover funds to Salisbury High School to add to their scholarship funds.
CGHS class of 1945
The China Grove High School Class of 1945 met at Garyís Barbecue on Aug. 27 to celebrate the 66th anniversary of their graduation.
Fifteen class members and spouses/guests were welcomed by Jim Stirewalt. Messages from eight classmates who were unable to attend were read by Kinard Sheeks, who also gave the addresses of two class members confined due to health problems.
Following the invocation by Jim Stirewalt, the group enjoyed the meal catered by Garyís.
Small senior class pictures of the 34 deceased class members were prepared and framed by Mable Brown.
Jim Stirewalt assisted by Kinard Sheeks remembered class members who passed away since the 2010 reunion: Viva Lee Withers Williams, Joe Cline Harris, Harry Lee Bame.
Classmates, spouses and guests attending the reunion were Cora Mae Rogers Peeler and Leo from Harrisburg, Bill Lefler and Frances from Winston-Salem, Mabel Patterson Brown and Bachman, and Harvey Trexler, Kannapolis.
China Grove: Grey Corriher and Thelma, Mildred Moose Williams, Melba Walters Funderburke, Louise Wall Shive. Faith: Howard Haynes and Arlene.
Salisbury: Sandy Harris and daughter Judy Kepley, Elvira Overcash Linder, Hazel Freeze Menius and daughter Bobbie and Earnhardt, Donald McKnight and Priscilla, Jim Stirewalt and Martha, Louise Glenn Waddell.
Jim Stirewalt led the group in singing. The next reunion is planned for 2012.
Rockwell class of í47
Rockwell High School class of 1947 held its 64th reunion on Sept. 10 at Organ Lutheran Church. Of the thirty-four present, ten were members of the class: Helen Galloway Brady, Margaret Poole Brady, Betty Ruth Sides Morgan, Gilbert Morgan, William Matthews, Millie Culp Barringer, Margaret Beaver Graves, Juanita Hahn Walters, Ray Peeler and Gilbert Sides. Twenty of the members are deceased, and two died this year, Ruth Rhinehart Sifford and Hobert Yost. Ruth Sifford and her daughter Barbara Sifford made arranements for the reunion before her death.
Special guests were Darrell Conner, Pete Conner, Mike Coates, Tracy Day, Lottie Key, Jack Key, Rick Bogle, Mary Frances Hand, Evelyn Eller, Roselyn Misenheimer, Dorothy Agner, Verlene Funderburk, Barbara Matthews, Sabrina Parker and Allen, Barbar Sifford, Linda Hartley, Eric Perry, Anna Troutman, Paul Barringer, Mary Heilig and retired teacher Jean McCombs.
Ray Peeler gave the blessing beforet the meal catered and served by Diana Hoffner. A program of music was presented by DC and the Chosen Few.
The next reunion will be in 2012.
Rockwell class of í51
Rockwell High School class of 1951 held its 60th reunion on Sept. 10 at Ryanís. Twenty-four people including 17 class members were present.
The Rev. Carl Fisher led the welcome and the invocation. After lunch speakers were Derwood Puckett on ěCuriosity has its rewards,î John H. Barringer on ěHe lives to build, not boast,î Norman Kesler on ěHe has mischief even in his eyes,î Darline Kesler on ěShe is quite modest and tells her secrets to few,î Lucille Patterson on ěI am the master of my fate,î Edna Mahaley on ěTrue, sincere, loyal and kind,î topics on things that had an impact on our lives and how we overcame them these past 60 years.
A memorial for deceased class member Kenneth Morgan, who has passed away since our last reunion, and eleven others, was given by Annie Mae Winders.
Class members and spouses from Salisbury were Annie Mae Winders, John H. Barringer and Betty, Fred Bassinger and Joann, Mary Penley, Kenneth Honeycutt, Norman Keslerand Betti, Derwood Puckett and Mary, Darline Kesler, Eddie Johnson.
Rockwell: Lucille Patterson, Bobby Beaver and Becky, Rex Holshouser and Jean, Betty J. Holshouser and granddaughter Sonya Martinez.
Charlotte: The Rev. Carl Fisher and Miriam. Kernersville: Edna Mahaley and Alfred. Teacher Mrs. Jean McCombs of Faith was special guest.
Jimmy Lefler and Mary Williams were unable to attend because of sickness.
The planning committee was Carl Fisher, Jimmy Lefler, Jean Holshouser, Becky Beaver, Jerrie N. Peeler, Lucille Patterson.
It was decided to meet every year on the second Saturday of September beginning in 2012. Planning committee for 2012 is Lucille File, Darline Kesler, Mary. L. Penley
GQHS Class of 1952
The Granite Quarry High School class of 1952 held its 59th reunion on Sept. 10 at Ryanís. Thirty-two classmates, spouses and friends celebrated with a buffet luncheon.
Pansy Poplin welcomed everyone and gave the invocation, and after the meal led a memorial service for three classmates that died in the past year.
A business meeting was also held. The following enjoyed the fellowship: Buddy and Sylvia Barger, Augustus Holshouser, Sue Eller Love, Bonnie Ervin Chandgie, Pansy G. Poplin and Bill, Fred Joyner and Barbara, Eloise Peeler, Ruth H. Beaver and Bonnie Madge H. Sifford, Ruby L. Shores, Ken and Kay M. Fisher, Naomi Y. Cates, Benny and J.J. Frick, Tony Miller, Buddy and Martha Kluttz, Peggy M. Helms, Ann R. Hodge, John W. Brady and Carlene, Loretta K. Eagle and Johnny, Delcie E. Smith and F.G. (Smitty), Anne L. Lyerly and Margaret Jacobs Misenheimer.
WRHS class of 1961
The 50th reunion of West Rowan class of 1961 was held on Sept. 2-3.
The weekend started with an informal gathering at the West Rowan/Salisbury High football game on Friday night; Saturday found old friends playing golf together. A tour of West for classmates was given with Eddie Davis as host.
The Crystal Lounge was the gathering place for a ěget reacquaintedî time. Deejay Harold Paris provided the music and a catered dinner by Debbie Suggs was served. Emcee Richard Dillon gave the class roll call. The Rev. Charles Gibbons gave the invocation and the memorials for deceased classmates.
After dinner, conversation and dancing ended the event. Around 100 people gathered for this special event.
Dukeville reunion
The annual Dukeville Village/School reunion was held Sept. 10 at the former Dukeville School building. About 125 friends and family members enjoyed a covered dish lunch and a program of reminiscing. Folks traveled from Iowa, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and throughout North Carolina.
A bulletin board displayed old photos, magazine articles and newspaper clippings. The Buck Steam plant was built in 1926 and had 85 homes in the village with a community building. Children from the village and surrounding area attended Dukeville School for grades 1-8.
The reunion is thought to have started in 1978 and is always held on the Saturday following Labor Day.
Reunion committee members were Jerry Smith, Joyce Poole, Randy Alley, Nancy and Bill McDaniel and Williams Noles.
Pinkston reunion
The 62nd family reunion for the descendants of Aaron and Esther Locke Pinkston was held on Sept. 4 at the Salem Lutheran Church fellowship hall. President Larry Pinkston welcomed 63 registered family members and friends. Fred Pinkston Jr. offered the blessing before the covered-dish luncheon.
Eva Pinkston Shipton, 94, was the oldest in attendance. She is the daughter of James Robert and Ossie Elverston Pinkston.
William Robert Thomas Shields, born Jan. 17, 2011, was the youngest in attendance. He is the adopted son of Chad Shoaf and Jeff Shields, grandson of Tom and Brenda Shoaf, great-grandson of Nellie and the late Bill Lentz, great-great grandson of James Robert and Ossie Elverton Pinkston.
Jim and Debbie Shipton of West Melbourne, Fla., traveled the greatest distance, 580 miles. Jim is the son of Fred and Eva Pinkston Shipton and the great-grandson of James Robert and Ossie Elverton Pinkston.
Linda Hartsell conducted the 2010 minutes of the previous Pinkston reunion held on Sept. 6, 2009. Peggy Pinkston Robertson will serve as president in 2012.
Scott Howard and Larry Pinkston, a local Southern Gospel duo, provided inspirational entertainment.
The next reunion will be held on Sept. 4, 2012. The tentative location will be the Salem Lutheran Church picnic shelter or fellowship hall.
The descendants of the Brown and Fisher Families met on Aug. 28 for their annual reunion at the Union Lutheran Church, Bringle Ferry Road, where the early Braun/Brown families worshipped. Members were invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning service. The church archives was also open for the reunion. President Sarah Brown welcomed the 90 plus members and guests to the reunion and luncheon. Board member Larry Brown gave the invocation. A luncheon was prepared by members of the Nathan Brown House Association.
Officers for 2011-2012 are: President: Sarah Z. Brown: Vice-president: Norman Ribelin; Secretary: Patricia Bonds Beck; Treasurer: Larry Brown, Coordinator: Juanita Fisher Lagg and Editor: Teresa Fox. The board members are Madge Brown Russell, Candace Brown, Ann Carlan Bostian, Stephen W. Brown, Todd Berg and Lane Brown. Goody bags were given to the 3 children present, Alexis Friday of Cramerton, Sarah Clifton and Emma Clifton of Salisbury.
Vice-president Norman Ribelin recognized four veterans attending for the first time: Jack Ross Taylor of Salisbury, N.C.: U.S. Air Force 1950-1953; Joe Bailey Brown, Jr., Olney, TX, U.S. Army 1952-1954; Robert Henry Brown of Conyers, GA, U.S. Army 1951-1953 and James Franklin Smith of Hartwell, GA, U.S. Army Intelligence 1953-1957. Juanita Fisher Lagg announced three new life memberships: Edward Grant Clement of Little River, S.C.; Mrs. Samuel Bowyer of Fayetteville, and Harry Miller Beeker of Norwood. Gold coins were given to the youngest person present: 3 year old Emma Clifton, daughter of Ken and Kat Clifton of Salisbury; the oldest person present: 96 year old Catherine Mahaley of Salisbury; persons traveling the furthest distance: Joe B. Brown, Jr. and son, Joe B. Brown III from Olney Texas; the most family members present and generations present: Patricia B. Beck family of Salisbury with seven members and three generations and Lane Brown family of Salisbury with six members and three generations.
The Nathan Brown House Association displayed material on the restoration of Nathan Brown House and raffled off an Old Stone House mug, won by Pam Brown Roy, and a throw of the Old Stone House, won by Alexis Friday, as a fund raiser.
Robert Henry Brown gave a talk on his research on his ancestor Jacob Brown, who moved to Washington County, Tenn. He encouraged male Brown descendants to have a DNA test made to prove their ancestral roots. He has met a number of male Brown descendants throughout the United States thru the DNA testing.
Patricia Bonds Beck gave a short history of Stephan Christian Braun/Brown, born 1703 in Niedermohr, Germany and died circa 1763 in Rowan County, N.C.
After the meeting, attendees gathered in the Union Lutheran Church Cemetery where Stephen W. Brown unveiled a pink granite monument erected to the memory of Stephan Christian and Maria Eva (Hamen) Braun/Brown. The front of the monument list info on Stephan and Maria Eva (Hamen) Braun/Brown and the back of the monument list the names of all known children. Nearby is a monument erected to the Memory of Abraham Brown and his wife, Mary (Hardmon) by John B. Fisher in the 1980s.
The 2013 reunion will be held at the Old Stone House, the home of Michael Brown, the son of Stephan and Maria Eva Brown. For information about the Brown Fisher contact Patricia B. Beck at pbbeck34@carolina.rr.com.
Labor Day picnic
Approximately 100 children, parents and adults participated in the annual Labor Day picnic and membership drive at J. C. Price American Legion Post 107 on Monday, Sept. 5. Labor Day is a day set aside for special recognition of the working man.
Children and parents were entertained by post legionnaires and auxiliary members. Children danced to music provided by post officials. Hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, pasta salad, potato chips, drinks and watermelon were served. Doorprizes were won by most of the children. School supplies were distributed to all the children which were donated by Sherie Hawthorne, president of Juneteenth, and post 107 officials.
Photos of the children were taken and distributed by comrade John Knox.
Legionnaires present included Commander Mae Carroll, C/Y chairman comrade Leonard Hall, comrades Harold Thomas, John Pharr, Daniel Haddock, John Frank, White, John Knox, Wayne Hill, Charles Wilson Sr., Charles Wilson Jr., Lewis Reid, Harold Broadway, Fred Gibson, Roy Leazer and Willie D. Moore Sr.
Auxiliary members included Barbara Blackwell, Fannie Butler and Mary Leazer. Guest helpers included Shirley Johnson and Harold Broadway Jr.
Sherri Hawthorne, president of the Juneteenth Committee, announced upcoming events: Sept. 24 is Gospel Day at Kelsey Scott Park, noon-8 p.m.; Oct. 8 at Walmart parking Lot is Kids Talent Day and face painting. Events are free and the public is invited
For details call 704-499-1197.
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