On Friday, Oct. 7, East Rowan High School Class of 1961 began their reunion by gathering at Winkís Bar-B-Que for dinner and some went off to the homecoming game at East Rowan. Others went to the Holiday Inn to put the finishing touches on the 50th class reunion.
Classmates and guests attending the dinner at Winkís were: Frances Ward Jackson and her two grandchildren, Linda M. Hartley, the Rev. Gene Bruce, Ann Stoner Bostian, Glenna Safrit Sears, Lavon B. Page and friend, Betsy Towler, George Barringer and Dahle, Melvia Hall Hutchinson, Tony Misenheimer, John Wyatt, Vida Madden Myers, Joan Elium Kerns and Tommy, James (Jimmie) W. Wise and Patty, James Neal Beaver and Debbie, Dixie Bonds ZumBrunnen and Thomas, Sylvia Holshouser Alexander and James, Iola Carter Parker and Wendell, Bonnie Thomason Williams, Edward Isenhour and Janet, Floyd A. Ritchie Jr. and Pam, and Beverly Lingle Mullen.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the 50th class reunion was held at the Holiday Inn in Salisbury with a social hour at 6 and a buffet meal at 7 p.m. Just before the meal, the class went outside and released 50 red, white, and blue balloons (the school colors) imprinted with ěEast Rowan High School 1961î to celebrate their 50th reunion and in memory of all deceased class members. Also, a red balloon was released in honor of classmate Linda Fraley Fink, co-chairman of the reunion committee, and a white balloon was released in memory of her husband, Alfred, who was killed in a tragic accident on Thursday before the reunion. There were 103 people present, including 65 class members.
After returning to the banquet room, Rev. Gene Bruce, co-chairman of the reunion committee, welcomed classmates, spouses, and invited guests and gave the invocation.
Linda M. Hartley held the memorial service for the deceased class members. As each deceased classmateís name was called, a candle was lighted by a classmate in the group. Deceased classmates are Myrtle Lea Trexler, Van Lane Brown, Edith Marie Holshouser Ritchie, Martha Elaine Eller, Julia Elizabeth Bell, the Rev. Hollis Allen Miller, Gary Wilson Hall, Larry Haynes Rogers, Walter Aaron (Ronnie) Hopkins, Nancy Louvinia Roseman Morgan, William Junior Morgan, Donald Wayne Parks, Barbara Wise Drew, Brenda Lyerly Davis, Bonnie Stilley Loflin, Douglas Ray Sifford, Wayne Nelson Cline. Those since our last reunion in 2006 are Robert Thomas Williams Sr., George William Bostian, Tony Ray Brown, and Osco Lee Basinger.
Two classmates were recognized for recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary: Brenda C. Earnhardt Anderson and Robert and Shirley Frye Trexler and Jim.
Class members and guests attending from Salisbury were Iris Barger Shipton and Larry, Patricia Harris Burris and Tommy, Rev. Gene Bruce, Linda Bailey Efird, Lillie Cauble Timberman, Brenda C. Earnhardt Anderson and Robert, Brenda J. Earnhardt Bowers, Joan Elium Kerns and Tommy. Shirley Frye Trexler and Jim, Elaine Funderburk, Lonnie Goodman and Donna, Linda M. Hartley, Barbara Hawkins King and Frank, Edward Isenhour and Janet, Claude B. Lingle Jr. and Dollie, Vida Madden Myers, Darlene Parks Rogers, Diane Riley Ayash, Johnsie Stafford Taylor and Wayne, Bonnie Thomason Williams and Jim, Marie Trexler Roseman and Jerry, John C. Wyatt and Ann Wise Wallace.
Rockwell: Dale B. Basinger and Margaret, Brenda Brooks Sellers, Melvia Hall Hutchinson, Linda Sue Linker Black and Bobby, Tony Misenheimer and Joyce Rummage Misenheimer.
Faith: Sylvia Holshouser Alexander and James. Gold Hill: Agnes Hill Drye and Bob and Frances Ward Jackson. Spencer: Ann Stoner Bostian and Clarence. China Grove: Kay Brown Ritchie and Ray, Peggy Cozart Whicker and Steve, Iola Carter Parker and Wendell and Jimmie L. Lentz. Richfield: Lou Ella Boulding Morgan and Larry. Concord: Gayle Arey Furr and Richard. Charlotte: Sue Fink Washam and Mack.
Wilmington: Gurney Peeler. Raleigh: Don Huffman and Betty, Glenna Safrit Sears and Dan. Cary: Joyce Jones Faulkner and Ernie, Lavon B. Page andfriend, Betsy Towler. Winston-Salem: Judy Stiller Shaw and Dick. Lincolnton: Beverly Lingle Mullen and Al. Matthews: Roberta Hudson Kesler and Don. Ocean Isle Beachs: James (Jimmy) T. McCombs. Rock Hill, S. C.: Floyd A. Ritchie Jr. and Pam. Jackson, Ga: James N. Beaver and Debbie. Peachtree, Ga.: Judy Yates Basinger and Jim.
Tucson, Ariz.: Phyllis Roseman Taylor and Ron. Manassas, Va.: Dixie Bonds ZumBrunnen and Thomas. Butte, Mont.: Ann BrownDeal and Edmond. Little River, S. C.: George C. Barringer and Dahle. Acworth, Ga.: Susan Campbell Smith. Marietta, Ohio: Sandra Holshouser Taylor and Ron. Blacksburg, S. C.: Jerry Agner and Felicia. Woodruff, S. C.: Joseph B. Piatt Jr. and wife.
Former classmates attending from Thomasville were Nancy Shue Sebastian and Walt.
A class picture was made of all graduates from the East Rowan Class of 1961 attending the reunion. Those who would like order a copy, contact Sylvia Holshouser Alexander at 704-279-2256.
Joan Elium Kerns and Bonnie Thomason Williams, door prize committee chairmen, gave out door prizes.
The reunion committee consists of: the Rev. Gene Bruce and Linda Fraley Fink, co-chairman, Linda M. Hartley, treasurer, Melvia Hall Hutchinson, secretary, James Alexander, Sylvia Holshouser Alexander, Brenda Brooks Sellers, Peggy Cozart Whicker, Joan Elium Kerns, Sue Linker Black, Vida Madden Myers, Tony Misenheimer, Joyce Rummage Misenheimer and Bonnie Thomason Williams. The next reunion will be held in 2016.
RHS class of 1971
North Rowan High School Class of 1971 held its 40 year reunion Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Salisbury Country Club.
Kathy Smith Barringer was master of ceremonies for the evening. John Pridgen and Albert Johnson had a memorial time for 28 deceased classmates. A display with pictures of the deceased was displayed and as the names were called, a yellow rose was placed into a vase in honor of that person. David Hudgins lead the class in prayer before the meal.
Mike Faucette awarded the door prizes, assisted by Pam Gobbel Culp and Kathy Smith Barringer. Prizes were donated by local businesses and classmates.
Old pictures of the class of 1971 were on display and brought back a lot of memories for everyone present.
After a meal served by the Salisbury Country Club, Deejay Steve Schenk entertained the class with songs from the 70s and 80s.
Serving on the reunion planning committee were Kathy Smith Barringer, Sharron Foxx, Pam Gobbel Culp, Pam Cress Pinnix, Butch Julian, Rufty Patterson, Jim Beck and Mike Faucette.
Skip Causby from Loveville, Ohio traveled the longest distance.
Classmates attending included Gayle Sharpe Drury, Charlestown, W.Va.; Mike Hopkins, Fayetteville; Calvin Blanton, Thomas Faucette, Raleigh; Dianne Coe Baker, Plumtree; Susan Heilig Coppin, Hendersonville; John Pridgen, Kernersville; William Simmerson, Garner; Helen Marsh, Advance;
Jack Lyerly, Clemmons; Avon Long, Lewisville; David Hutchins, Jeannie Hunneycutt Hutchins, Hickory; Brenda Holbrook, Tara Lanning Lowery, Mocksville; Debby Hoover, Mooresville; Dennis Black, Lexington; Sam Spear, Charlotte;
Edna Washington McKinney, Asheville; Joy Lang Chaffin, Woodleaf; Dicy Smith McCullough, Cleveland; Jim Beck, China Grove; Nancy Barbee Goodman, Bobbie Clark Kluttz, Rockwell; Elaine Banks Holmes, Sharron Foxx, Deborah Hammond Pearson, Elizabeth Miller, East Spencer; Gail Brown Trexler, Pam Cress Pinnix, Johnny Hatley, Tommy Honeycutt, Rufty Patterson, Billy Pless, Phip Sparger, R.L. White, Arlee Thompson, Spencer;
Tommy John Costantino, Chip Crowell, Larry Chalk, Terry Eller, Mike Faucette, Rick Fesperman, Pam Gobbel Culp, Jack Goodman, Lane Graham, Arlene Hager Hankins, Sarah Haltom Hollifield, Kathy Hundley Constantino, Bob James, Albert Johnson, ArthurRay Jones, Butch Julian, Cathy Kluttz Painter, Jesse Luther, Cynthia Miller,Jack Moore, Theodosia Reid McLaughlin, Kenneth McLaughlin, Albert Neely, Terry Rainey, Connie Reid Jones, Patty Rufty Lefevers, Kathy Smith Barringer, Millie Tanner Campbell, Susan Thompson Knight, Salisbury.
Area II and CWUNC
The Area II meeting of Church Women United NC was held at Milford Hills United Methodist Church with a theme of ěEconomic Justice: Promoting Dignity for Seniors, Safety for Children and Economic Opportunity for all People.î
Sarah Byerly, State Area II Chair, presiding, recognized officers Marilyn McClain, State Finance Chair and Brenda Venning, President and State Board member.
Ann Measmer spoke on senior abuse. Nadine McKinsey spoke on the fight to end human trafficking. The Rev. Alexis Coleman spoke on poverty.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Unit provided a continental breakfast and the Salisbury-Rowan Unit provided lunch. A total of 39 persons were present and 19 churches were represented.
The CWUNC State Assembly/Leadersí Council was held on Oak Island. Representing the Salisbury-Rowan Unit were Doris Brown, Sarah Byerly, Betty Jo Hardy, Jean Kennedy, Flo Peck, Jacquelyn Sims, Cynthia Stoner, Phyllis Thomside and Brenda Venning. More than 50 women attended from across the state, and Sarah and Brenda were part of the Board Meeting which preceded the two-day Assembly.
The theme ěCalled by Name To Build A Better Tomorrow,î with keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Laura Early, Pastor of All Godís Children United Methodist Church in Aulander, NC.
Morning devotions were shared by Betty Jo Hardy with the help of Jean Kennedy and Cynthia Stoner. Success Stories were shared by Sarah Byerly and Brenda Venning with attention given to the SRCWU Wellspring Bible Study Group formed by Dellene Gudger and currently led by Genny Reed and also to the SRCWU YCWU Subgroup currently chaired by Cynthia Stoner. Sarah Byerly also presided at the Installation Service for new CWUNC officers and positions.
To become a part of the Bible Study or of the Young Church Women Unitedís subgroup, call 704-633-1089.