Walker School Alumni hold reunion 2018

by Neoma Foreman

Welcoming the Walker School Alumni at the Walker Christian Church Saturday evening, June 2, was Larry Buckles, acting president. Vernille Cubbage gave a short history of the pledge to the American flag and then led in the pledge. Josh Bachand, youth minister at the Walker Christian Church asked the blessing on the food.

A delicious chicken dinner had been delivered from Chicken Annie’s while the NEVC FFA took care of serving the food and providing the drinks and dessert. Reports were given by the secretary and scholarship fund by, Linda Dorsey, and treasurer and mailing list by Jenise Burch.

Neoma Foreman, historian, told of the history of the compiling of the Walker School Book history. She presented Alberta Hays, bookkeeper of NEVC, with a check for $6,000 from the proceeds of the book to be used on the installation of the air conditioner in the gym at Northeast Vernon High School, and Linda Dorsey, $775 for the scholarship fund. Thanks to those who purchased books and made this possible. Quinton Hays, recipient of the 2018 scholarship thanked the group and told where he will attend college and his plans for the future.

Minnie Radde Spencer, Class of 1942, was the earliest graduate, Quinton Hays NEVC 2018-most recent graduate, Barbara Youngman, Class of 1968 traveled the furthest to attend being from Las Vegas, NV.

Deb Metcalf introduced the teachers present: Carl Otto, Susan Goode, Tim Mark and Jenise Burch,

Attending were Mazie Steincross Ayers, Oklahoma, Liz and Bob Bigler, Larry and Vicky Buckles, Mary Jane Walker Bertoncin, Kansas City, Kenneth and Roberta Barbour, Richard and Ron Berry, Kansas City, Alice and Joe Lee Beaty, Leta Bloesser, Jenise and Jerry Burch, Mary Ellen Brown Craig, Stover, Donald and Vernille Balk Cubbage, Linda Haines Coonrod, Barbara Winters Duty, Linda Walker Dorsey, Deland Davis, Robert and Cheryl Ellerman, Betty (Longfield) and Robert Eador, Charles and Neoma Foreman, Iris Jane Miller Fairbanks, Chet Foreman, Christine (Foreman) and Corey Graham, Arlene Hutchison Good, Hazel Austin Reedy, Susan Good-teacher, John and Patty Hallam, Donald and Joy Hill, LeRoy and Nancy Hill, Alberta (Foreman) and Glen Hays, Quinton Hays, Frank and Fern Haynes, Jim Key, Marlo Koehn, Deb Scotten Metcalf, Tim and Jeanne Mark-teacher, Carolyn and Roy Myers, Patty Milligan, George Puckett, Angela and Warren Mosely. Donna Branstetter Neil, Carl Otto-teacher, Sharyn and Eddie Perkins, Jim and Kay Phillip, Wayne and Linda Robb, Robert and Priscilla Robb, Dub and Joy Steincross, Minnie Radde Spencer, Madeline Post, Jimmy Spencer, Clarence and Nancy Schoneweather, Dale and Nancy Scism, Gene and Karen Story, Anna Lee Steincross Walker, Jody Kiner-Oklahoma, Bryon and Gayla Williams, Barbara Youngman-Las Vegas, Nevada, Steve and Greta Zaring, daughter, Anna and friend, Matthew, Colorado.

The Alumni Memorial was given by Larry Buckles with a closing prayer by Steve Zaring. WHS Deaths for 2017 and 2018 were: Class of 1937: Pauline Beeman Acker, Class of 1939: Harlan Hovey, Jane Edmiston Beach, Class of 1941: Laura Ensor Spencer, Melvin Clevenger, Class of 1942: Eva Grace Reedy Smith, Louetta Stephens Livingston, Class of 1943: Lucille Beeman Metcalf, Betty (Roggensees) Shirley, Harvey Plummer, Josephine True, Gladean Higgins, Glen Edwards. Class of 1944-Lorna Walters Mistler, Class of 1946: Betty Craig Beeman, Betty Reedy Pearcy, Class of 1948: Bob Hacker, Alma Mae Smith, Class of 1949: Pearl Shaffer Hoffman, Class of 1950: Sylvia Lavonne Covington Messick, Henry Lyle Culbertson, June Etta West Rawlings, Class of 1951: Della Bell Stark Carpenter, Betty Ann Ogle Trower, Larry Jay Skidmore, Class of 1952: Ralph Thomas “Tom” Bloesser , Class of 1953: Darrell Harden, Class of 1954: Patsy Walker Cherry,  Class of 1955: Barbara Moseley Thompson, Ronald Elliott, George Vandenburg, Class of 1956: Norma Jean Gundy, Georgia May Russell, Class of 1963: David Loyd, Delbert Johnston, Class of 1969: John Harth, Class of 1971: Ronald Hughes, Class of 1972-Debra Dianne Reedy Garner, Class of 1977: Stanley Covalt, Class of 1981-Russell McGraw, NEVC Class of 2008: Scott Arlint.

Wilma Dee Perry Kennedy, Kathron Rose (Kay) True Westerhold, Bill Craig, Richard (Dick) Horn, Richard (Dick) Craig

Teachers: Lynn Boyer, Sally Lou Brown Steve, Evelyn Stephens

The Honorable Patricia Pike, 126th District State Representative presented the NEVC FFA Adviser, Brett Neil, a flag that hung over the state capitol to be used at the NEVC High School.

Rep. Pike, and former State Representative Jerry Burch held a recognition for the veterans present which included Clarence Schoneweather, Carl Otto, Tom Harold, Dub Steincross, John Hallam, Buzz Williams, Charles Foreman, Frank Haynes, Bob Eador and Larry Buckles.

Donald Cubbage led in the closing prayer and former cheerleaders led in the school song to close a fun-filled and memorable reunion.

The next Walker Alumni Reunion will be held June 6, 2020 in the NEVC gym at Walker. The officers are Buzz Williams – president, Deb Metcalf – vice president, Linda Dorsey – secretary, Chet Foreman – treasurer and Neoma Foreman – historian,.

Barbara Kennedy Pearce, WHS Class of 1957 donated several hand-crocheted afghans which were offered at a silent auction and brought in over $200 to the Alumni Scholarship Fund.