Submitted by Jerrie Osborne Burns
On Saturday, Sept. 29, the West Rowan High School Class of 1982 held its 36th class reunion at the Millbridge Ruritan Club in Mt. Ulla. The class officers (president, Todd Graham; vice president, Willie Dunlap; secretary, Randy Schenk; reporter, Mary Melchor Smith; and treasurer, Jerrie Osborne Burns) planned the event. Twenty-three classmates and 14 guests attended. The group was welcomed by Jerrie Osborne Burns and Mary Melchor Smith.
The blessing was given by Todd Graham and dinner was barbecue pork and chicken with hushpuppies, baked beans, white and red slaw, macaroni and cheese and potato salad. For dessert was cherry yum yum, banana pudding, the 1982 West Rowan 36th Class Reunion sheet cake; and beverages. A delicious meal enjoyed by all.
Fourteen deceased classmates were remembered by name, with their picture and a candle burning in their memory: Sharon Edwards, Milton Walden, Gary Robinson, Bryan Knotts, James Carscaddon, David Wilhelm, Eric McNeely, Russell Lowe, Michael Alexander, Howard Harkey, Jeff Lipscomb, Diane Flynn Hamilton, Wanda Faggart and Bobby Leach.
Mary Melchor Smith recognized classmates who served in the military with a copy of the Veteran’s Tribute, a Veteran’s Day prayer, and a part of our American flag: “I am part of our American flag that has flown over the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that You are not forgotten.” NC Subvettes StarsFor Our Troops.org.
Veterans in attendance were: Lincoln Bonds, Navy; Greg Johnson, Navy; and Donnie Talley, Air Force.
Awards were present to the following:
Classmate who came the furthest: Greg Johnson
… changed the most, and the youngest child: Lincoln Bonds
… the most children: Todd Wilhelm
… the most grandchildren: Jackie McCoy Barnes
… changed the least: Willie Dunlap
… married the longest: Shirley Cuthbertson Hampton.
Classmates attending from out of town were:
Lincoln Bonds, Columbia, S.C.; Greg Johnson, Pace, Fla.; Patty Landon Adelman, Summerfield; Scott Link, Asheville; Kecia McNeely Robinson, Charlotte; Lowell Rhodes, High Point; Tammy Schenk, South Port; Bobby Monroe, Pfafftown.
Local classmates attending were:
• Salisbury: Todd Graham, Shelia Harvey Sapp, David Hipp, Doug Kelly, Mary Melchor Smith, Jerrie Osborne Burns, Gwen Graham Overcash, Tim Webb, Julie Reardon Webb, Todd Wilhelm • Cleveland: Shirley Cuthbertson Hampton • Spencer: Wille Dunlap, Preston Wallace • Mt. Ulla: Jackie McCoy Barnes, Randy Schenk • Woodleaf: Donnie Talley.