65th Anniversary of Newport High School Graduation

September 23, 2022

Gathering by the River in Jacksonport for our High School Reunion

Brenda and Rod attended the 65th Anniversary celebration of Rod's Newport High School graduation in 1957. We had a 60th Anniversary gathering in 2017, a 50th Anniversary gathering in 2007 and a 20th Anniversary gathering in 1977.

Jacksonport State Park Visitor Center

The location for the celebration was the Jacksonport State Park Visitor Center, a modern structure located about halfway to the River behind the historic Jacksonport Courthouse. Our gathering began at 10am for coffee, etc. and conversation. Our more formal lunch was scheduled at 1pm, but by 10:30 we had a sizable gathering and the conversation never stopped. It was a great gathering which reached about 45 or so.

The first arrivals at about 10am immediately jumped into conversation and the joy of fellowship was evident. In the back, Earl Don Rawlings talks with Farrell Falwell, and he, Imogean Fisher Falwell, and Merida May Hale were laying out some large photographs of the class.

In front, Henry Burge, Judi Halbert Bedell (back turned) and Jackie Rawlings visit. Behind them Charlene Burge and Brenda Nave visit.

Merida greets Maurice Knopp and his daughter Tammy Bowen. This shows the nice background of the river behind us.

Carroll Shoffner and Buddy Odom visit. In back, Earl Don Rawlings and Farrell Fallwell.

Buddy Odom, Peggy Gardner Watson, Phil McDonald. Jacksonport Courthouse grounds in the background.

Merida May Hale, Phillip "Bootie" Alvis, Judi Halbert Bedell.

Imogean Fisher Falwell visits with Maurice Knopp and Tammy Bowen at their table. Extreme left Bootie Alvis, Jackie Rawlings. At right Brenda Nave and Charlene Burge.

Henry Burge. Buddy Odom, Julia Dobbs Tomlinson, Peggy Gardener Watson, Phil McDonald, Marlow Hogue (Judi's Husband), Judi Halbert Bedell.

Tom Fife arrives and is greeted by Imogean Fisher Falwell and Julia Dobbs Tomlinson.

At about noon, several others arrived to join the celebration. Becky Morris (Wanda Wagster Anthony's daughter) is greeted by Imogean, then Wanda , Judi, Mary Carter is greeted by Julia, Carl and Dottie Lindsey are greeted by Phil.

Mary is directed to her nametag by Merida, and Cynthia Evans Young is greeted by Phil. In the background are Carl Lindsey and Henry Burge.

Becky, Peggy, Judi, Imogean, Dottie and Carl Lindsey, Henry Burge.

Carroll Shoffner, Earl Don Rawlings, Bootie Alvis, Buddy Odom.

Wanda Wagster Anthony greets Julia Holt Foll and Dorothy Jarvis Moseley is greeted by Cynthia and Judi. Imogean and Dottie are in the background.

Carl Lindsey, Phil McDonald, and Sue Carter Tiffany. Marlow Hogue (Judi's husband) is in the background.

There was a lot of this going on! Imogean takes a picture Wanda Wagster Anthony with Peggy Gardener Watson.

Rodney Nave, Julia Holt Foll, Sue Carter Tiffany, Mary Carter.

Rodney Nave and Phil McDonald

Carroll Shoffner, Earl Don Rawlings, Bootie Alvis, Charles Burrow, Farrell Falwell, Buddy Odom, Rodney Nave.

Jackie Rawlings left, Julia Holt Foll and Imogean Fisher Falwell back left.

Barbara and Tom Fife, Henry Burge.

At midday, we had groups in coversation all around the room. Brenda Nave talks with Barbara and Tom Fife. Part of the conversation was about our sister-in-law Mary Sue Nave, who is Tom's cousin.

It was an amazing time of sharing in conversation. Judi Halbert Bedell, Jackie Rawlings, John Clark, Peggy Gardner Watson, Mary Carter, Dorothy Jarvis Moseley.

Carl Lindsey, Raymond Massey, Mary Carter, Dorothy Jarvis Moseley.

Bennie Sue Massey with Peggy Watson near right, with John Clark far right.

The continuing animated conversations around the room were amazing and joyful. Bennie Sue and Raymond Massey, John Clark, Bootie Alvis, Carl Lindsey, Jackie and Earl Don Rawlings.

Carroll Shoffner greets James Dean Walton, Sue Carter Tiffany greets Ann Walton, and Tom and Barbara Fife greet Shirley Wood Baker.

Large poster prints were provided of our "Hobo Day" and outtakes from our Yearbook. James Dean Walton, Julia Holt Foll, and Bootie Alvis autograph. Raymond Massey and Carl Lindsey at end of table.

We began settling at tables as we waited for lunch. We enjoyed visiting with Buddy Odom and with Henry and Charlene Burge. At the next table were Carl and Dotti Lindsey, Bennie Sue and Raymond Massey, Gail and John Clark.

Brenda Nave with Ann and James Dean Walton.

Catherine and Charles Burrow with Farrell Falwell as we wait for lunch.

James Dean Walton sits with John and Shirley Baker in the afternoon. At left are Tom Fife and John. John is the photographer for our group picture. In the background Dorothy and Julia sit with Bobby Joe Hutchinson, a classmate who was our guest this afternoon.

As we gathered before our mealtime, we had experienced a remarkable time of celebration and fellowship. It was certainly great to visit and reminisce and to renew memories.

As we approached our meal and the final events of the day, we express our appreciation to Phil McDonald for his leadership and organization, and for working so hard to keep us all in contact. And to the team of classmates who are close enough to Newport to be of assistance to him. We honor our class President Tom Fife on this occasion as well. And thanks to Earl Don Rawlings for his words of encouragement and for the blessing on our meal. May we maintain our bond of friendship so long as the Lord blesses us with life here.