West Rome Graduates, 1965

Knowing my Dad, I am sure there are more pictures from my 1965 graduation from West Rome High School, but I found these few slides this week and scanned them. Daddy, who was pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church from February 1962  until June 1967, was sure to photo our Trinity graduates.

Todd Zieger and Gordon Walden, a Trinity kid. Gordon's family lived on Avenue A and his parents were still living there when Sheila and I bought our Avenue A house 1993. Mr. Walden died not too much later, but I was glad I got a chance to talk to him a little about our house and its residents.

Judy Wessinger, a Trinity kid and good friend.

Anne Ergle, another Trinity kid, with her father (and Daddy's fellow Marine and good friend) Bill Ergle. Anne's funeral just a couple of years ago was the very last time my mother preached (from a pulpit). The Ergles were close to our family -- kids near our ages and they lived just a few blocks away.

Alice Jeffries (Keel) my West Rome Highlighters partner at WIYN back in the day. Alice was such a smart and kind kid, and she and I ended up both being teachers with an interest in the environment.

Paula Craven (Dickerson) another Trinity kid. Paula's Daddy, Paul, built the new parsonage on Timothy Avenue where we lived 1962-67. He also built the Nativity scene structure each Christmas season for many years before that task was passed down to his son Frank. The Cravens lived just around the corner and down a block from us. Paula figures in a couple of my most hair-raising high school adventures. Here's one: she was with me the night I was stopped by a Georgia State Patrolman, who (Horrors!) turned out to be my uncle, Tom Baird. I see him looking into my window with wide eyes and hear his voice even now: "Terry Shaw!"  I didn't get a ticket but it that stop was an effective check on my acceleration habits; from that day forward I imagined my uncle's patrol car behind every bridge wherever I drove.

Fifty-seven years!

I really was not enthusiastic about attending the reunion tonight. I'm in the middle of getting ready for our annual Fourth of July party. As Mother's executor I have lots to do preparing for Zoom distribution sessions. I want to do some writing. I need some new stories...

But we had paid our fee, and so we got cleaned up and dressed just in time and drove down to the Marriott. 

We had a great time visiting with my West Rome High School classmates from 57 years ago. 

Here are a few pics:

Ron Kennedy is a retired teacher, and like me has a special interest in ecology.
Ron is one of my closest friends my last two years of high school.

Alice Jeffries and I were the WIYN High Lighters (Is that what we were called? Something like that.) We drove to the WIYN radio station at the corner of Broad and Second Avenue every week to broadcast the West Rome High news.

Mailon Baxley (and Donna) has remained in Rome and we have run into each other many times
during the last couple of decades. Sheila and I shared a table with Mailon and Donna,
Craig and Patricia Brewer, and Ken Gossett.

I reminded Jane McCollum of the day in 1983 0r maybe 1984 when we happened upon each other at the Riverbend Mall. I had baby Brannon in my arms and Jane had a baby in hers. I remarked to her that I was glad to see that at least one of my classmates had waited as long as we had to start a family. Turned out the baby she was holding was not her child; the baby was her GRANDchild!

Tom Powell and Jane Smallwood. 

Carol Chapman and Roger Wade

Gordon Walden with Craig and Patricia Brewer

Paula Craven and Gordon Walden were two of my MYF friends
at Trinity United Methodist Church 1962-67.

Our memorial wall has grown. 40 of our classmates have died since graduation day in 1965.

Gleaning Facebook: A Pair of Mugs

From Carol Shaw Johnston to Ruth Baird Shaw:

Mother - I left my WRHS mug sitting on your kitchen counter! I can't believe it! Please set it aside somewhere safe (don't let Terrell or Deborah steal it!) and I will get it the next time I visit.

Jenny Sills

Gotta watch those two. Does this make you the "good" sister?

Joan Shaw Turrentine

I noticed it after you left 

Ruth Baird Shaw

I could not believe you left it. I know it is something you want to keep. (So I will try to remember to put it away before Terry or Debi come over!!! ) <smile> As Always...It sure was great to have you and Ron here.

Amanda Hearn Sims

She didn't say that anyone else in the family couldn't take it...noted

Ruth Baird Shaw

Uh-Oh...wonder what Amanda has in mind???

Carol Shaw Johnston

Amanda will hold it hostage and demand a ransom!

Amanda Hearn Sims

Sounds like you know me quite well...I need to stop being so predictable

What a nice pair of mugs! Carol Shaw Johnston Oh no! Mother wasn't quick enough to hide it before you got there! Frank Norris You don't have a shot in that mug, do you Terrell? (smile.)

 

Gleaning Facebook: Those West Rome Teens

A bunch of those teenagers I knew back in the sixties... our 50th year as West Rome High graduates.