Class of 1946 attends 71st High School Reunion

Some of the students from Owingsville High School enjoyed catching up with each other during their 71st class reunion last Saturday afternoon. The group has met every year since they graduated in 1946.

Seated are Aleene Foley Hutchinson, Dorothy Kincaid Ulery, Mae McQuithy, Margaret Helen Honaker Stewart, Lydia Jane Wells; standing, Alvin Mansfield, Louise Whaley Six, Lewis Donahue, Lola Bruce White Denton, Rhoda Withrow Goodpaster. Photo submitted

Every year on the third Saturday in July, Owingsville High School students from the class of 1946 have gathered for their class reunion.

This past Saturday was no different as the group met once again at Martha’s Kitchen in Owingsville to share 71 years’ worth of memories.

Classmate Dorothy Kincaid Ulery was one of several that spent the day reminiscing with close friends.

“We always have such a wonderful time catching up with each other and just remembering the good old days of our youth,” Dorothy said.

Dorothy said she went all 12 of her school years at the Owingsville and graduation day was extra special for her.

“We graduated on May 24,1946, which was also my birthday. I started school in 1934 and the school was located where the Courthouse Annex is located today. Mrs. Inez Foley Darnell was my teacher and in those days the first-grade kids would attend school until noon and go home, then the second-grade class would attend,” Dorothy said.

Good friends make getting through school extra special and create memories that last a lifetime.

“My best friend all through school was Anna Mildred Staton Sprinkle and Gladys Roberts Morris and the Tackett twins, Clara and Clarine were also good friends”, Dorothy said. “One of my favorite memories is when my friends would pool our money and go to George Lathrams grocery store, where the Bath County Florist is now, and we would buy some bananas and gingersnaps to make a sandwich. We did that when we were in the sixth grade. I can still recall the spicy taste of those gingersnaps” she said.

Dorothy said her favorite subjects were English and History and she recalled that she wasn’t much of a sports person but did play some baseball during her high school years.

“I was always the last one picked for a team. I guess because I was not very good at hitting the ball”, Dorothy chuckled then added, “Dancing was something else I wasn’t very good at, but my friends and I would still go to the sock hops so we could watch everyone else dance.”

Another vivid memory that stands out in her mind took place on the last day of school.

“Before we graduated we had to take a biology test and it was the last day of school. Well, Edith Snedegar and Lola Bruce decided they were going to go swimming before they took the test. I remember how mad our teacher, Mrs. Alma Coyle was. when they finally came to class 20 minutes late.”

Near the end of their freshman year they lost one of their most popular students, Charles Whaley, who died from complications of pneumonia.

By their sophomore year 13 classmates had dropped out of school.

At the beginning of senior year, the class sold grab boxes, sponsored an amateur program to raise money for their senior trip to Washington in the spring.

Before they graduated each student left a few possessions to their friends and underclassmen.

“We the seniors of 1946 of the Owingsville High School, being mentally well balanced and of good physical appearance, do hereby bequeath this our last will and testament.”

Margaret Helen Honaker wills her dark hair and eyes to “Dot” Shultz, who will use them to trap a “Stone”.

John Carter wills his sporty clothes to Kenny Tackett, who will use them for a worthy cause.

Anna Stephens wills her front seat by the broken window of the Shield’s bus to Bonnie Bailey and Billy Shields wills his driver’s seat to his brother Oscar.

Lola Bruce White wills her ability to get along with Mr. Jones to her fellow cheerleader, Lorraine Crump.

Raymond Staton wills his ability to play basketball to Osborne Staton.

Marjorie Boyd wills her blue evening dress to Alice Williams.

Louise Whaley wills her ability to blush to Judy Markwell.

Frank Thompson wills his good judgement to take Physics to John Scott Jones, who he is sure will take his advice.

Rhoda Withrow wills her good English grades to Paul Lyons and Gene Spratt.

Alvin Mansfield wills his ruggedness to Mr. Stiner but regrets to inform him that he has no tap dancing ability to leave him.

Gladys Barber wills her quiet, winning ways to Vesta Stull, who we hope will put them to use.

Betty Maxey wills her cheerleading uniform, with few alterations, and her ability to cheer lead to Marquetta Hartgrove, with her sincerest wishes to enjoy them as much as she has in the past four years.

Lewis Donahew wills his big blue eyes to his beloved teacher, Mrs. Paul Lewis.

Louise Belcher wills her bobby socks to Mrs. Denton.

To keep the morale of the school, Aleene Foley wills her humorous soul, practical jokes and merry laughter to the future comedians of the “joint” to Etta Shultz, Judy Markwell and Bonnie Bailey.

Dorothy Kincaid wills her ability to make reports to Jane Anderson.

Roxel Short wills his intelligence in Biology to E. L. Butcher, who he thinks will need it.

Idola Wells wills all her books to Jeff Richards, as he will need them.

Deloris Barber wills her experience in love affairs to Helen Woosley.

Freda Downs wills her job as treasurer of the class to John Robertson and hopes that he will be elected to the office next year.

Edith Snedegar wills her chewing gum and the ability to chew it and her sense of humor to Miss Darnell.

Everett Powers wills his English book to Billy Orme, as he will not abuse it by constant use.

Alafrances Goodpaster wills her office as president of the “Spy Club” to Clarance Lykins.

June Fleming wills her hysterical moods to Myrtle Brewer.