Reunion: RLHS Class of 1953 Reunion, September, 2003 Contributed by Jo Collier 11 October 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX-September 26. 2003 RLHS CLASS OF 1953 REUNION By: Jeffie Roberts The Robert Lee High School Class of 1953's 50th Class Reunion was a hugh success. It was held September 11-13, 2003. Thirteen of the group built their float in the Carwile's garage Thursday evening. Their slogan was "Spotlight on the Steers for 50 Years" "Class of 1953". At 9:00 pm the group joined in activities at school. Bill Carwile, Vice-President of the Class of 1953, assisted in the "Lighting of the Letters", a ten foot RL. President Bill Havins was unable to attend on Thursday but attended all of the other activities. Friday afternoon 20 class members rode in the Homecoming Parade with 18 on the float and class members Bobby Roberts driving a 1953 Chevrolet with his passenger Garland Davis, Mayor of Robert Lee. High School Principal Jill Lankford said "I guess we can call 'The Class of 1953' the Grand Marshals of the Homecoming Parade", as they were placed in line just behind the great Stompin' Steer Band. Owner of the 1953 Chevrolet and husband of Sue Parker, a 1961 RLHS graduate, Dan Laughter, drove the car to Robert Lee from Abilene. Thirty-two classmates and spouses attended the pep rally at the high school gym and were seated in a reserved section. They were recognized and asked to stand and were given a round of applause. Following the pep rally, Bobby and Jeffie Roberts hosted a reception and visitation in the high school library. Jeffie took the group on a tour of the school, several had not been back since they left Robert Lee at the age of 13 years old and younger. The school had truly made a lot of changes. Thirty-five classmates, spouses, family and friends enjoyed the Junior Class Mexican Dinner Pile-On at their reserved tables in the school cafeteria. Each table had a standing picture of the class when they were in the eighth grade. Posters of the 24 class members who were attending this reunion and a Welcome sign were prepared by Jeffie and placed on the cafeteria wall where the class sat. A group of thirty-seven attended the Homecoming Football Game (Robert Lee vs. Garden City) and sat in their reserved section. Just prior to the game 20 class members were introduced individually as they stood on the track in front of the home stands. Saturday, September 13, Annelle (Simpson) Vick and husband, Bill, hosted breakfast and dinner in their San Angelo home. The group of 47 enjoyed visiting, looking at pictures and scrapbooks, taking pictures and eating. Douglas Roberts and Bobby and Jeffie Roberts prepared the barbecued pork ribs and brisket with the others on the reunion committee furnishing all the trimmings. Wilbert Lee won the prize for traveling the most miles. He rode the bus from California for 36 hours in order to attend the reunion. Otherwise, attending were 11 of the 18 who graduated together and their spouses: Billie Dove (Allen) and Wallace Ross, Bill Carwile and Patsy (Hennington) Carwile, Garland and Rose Marie Davis, Joyce (King) and Bobby Walker, Milburn Wink, and Bobby and Jeffie Roberts all of Robert Lee; Marjorie (Calvert) Bollier of Odessa; Annelle (Simpson) and Bill Vick of San Angelo; Bill and Judy Havins of Horseshoe Bay, Eileen (Vaughan) Watson of Arlington and LaRue (Walker) Robertson of Lindsey, Oklahoma, widow of class mate Wilton Robertson. Others attending were 13 classmates and their spouses who were in the class with these 1953 graduates at some during their 12 years of school: Stanley and Christie Adams of Kerrville; Rheta (Beaver) Osborne of Streetman; Willie Faye (Gaines) and Jesse Eads, Raymond and Pat Gunnells, Jennie Lee (Burns) and Roy Tinkler, Melba (Rives) and Donald Mauldin, and Dale and Sue Wojtek all of Robert Lee; Elmer and Lillie Greathouse of Taylor; Sam and June Plumlee of Carlsbad, New Mexico; Peggy Sue (Sparks) and Edwin Evans of Great Bend, Kansas; W. T. and Bettye Sue McAdams of Fredericksburg; Margaret (Watkins) Fulks of Richland Springs and Wilbert lee of Dinuba, California. Visiting with the class at various activities were Dorene (Harmon) Mashburn, Joyce (Bagwell) Stephens, Bonita (Robertson) Hester, Cheri Vick and Jeffrey and Dennis Vick all of San Angelo; Ben and Mary Bessent, Douglas, Denise, Kacee and James Roberts, RLHS Principal - Jill Lankford, Superintendent Lindsey Wallace, and Elementary Principal - Janet Wallace all of Robert Lee, Walter, Carla (Wojtek) and Will Kristinek, James Hoskins all of Whitharral; and Dan Laughter of Abilene. The Reunion Committee are Bill and Pat Carwile, Bill and Annelle Vick, Bobby and Jeffie Roberts, Bobby and Joyce Walker, Milburn Wink, and Dale and Sue Wojtek. Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.