Beebe Classes of ’38, ’39, ’40

Aproximately 132 members of the Beebe High School graduating classes of 1938, 1939 and 1940 gathered recently at the Fine Arts Buiilding on the campus of Beebe Branch, ASU, for a time of reminiscing and renewing friendships.

Class members, spouses and friends came from 26 cities in Arkansas and 15 came from out of state. The afternoon was spent in visiting, looking at pictures, graduation programs, and other mementoes which had been brought by members of the classes. The building rang with "You haven’t changed a bit" as former classmates greeted each other, some for the first time in 40 or more years. Refreshments were provided by members of the reunion committee made up of the following: Marilyn Westbrook Deese, Verna Morgan Latimer, Dee Barnes, John Owens, Teresa Deese Simmons, Verna Akin Corbitt, Christene Pruitt Wisdom, Geneva Helvering Walker, Harold Short, Bonnie Lee Cloninger Faulk, Ophelia Phillips Woodson.

The evening program began with a dinner at Anderson’s Restaurant with 125 persons in attendance. Dee Barnes served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced Mrs. Maree Ross Staggs and Mrs. Lucille Ferguson Palmer who taught at Beebe High School during 1938-40. Mr. Barnes read letters from Arlie Fisher and Geneva Lenderman Driscoll expressing greetings and regrets that they were unable to attend. He then presented members of the class of 1938 and asked each of them to give information about family and occupations. Dr. Harold Short introduced the class of 1939 and Bernard Renolds, the class of 1940.

A door prize was awarded to Bert Hombs, class of 1940, for having come the greatest distance. Mr. and Mrs. Hombs flew from Hesperia, California. Neeley Moore, 1940, and Floyd Harris, 1938, were given duplicate prizes for the largest number of children, six each. Dr. Harold Short was presented a special award which only he can explain!

Expressions of appreciation to the committee were voiced by many and approved by all who were there.

Class members who attended were:

1938 Class – Christene Wilson Ward, Elnora (Tom) Wilson Evans, Floyd Harris, O’Neal (Punk) Adams, Blanche Bedell McCall, Patricia Harris Chapman, Emma Flynt Bowie, Jean Gilbreath Angel, Ruth Belew Gilliam, Glen Akin, Lorene Kloss Williams, Frances Blackwood Davis, Otis Mitchell, Wilson Deese, Verna Akin Corbitt, Raymond Pate, Bonnie Benton Moncus, Nora Frances Brown Prickett, Dee Barnes, Mary Martin Bennett, Madie Boyd Westbrook, Virginia Lee Ferguson Barness, Edward Eagle, R.V. (Dick) Powell Jr.

Class of 1939 – Bob Baker, Harold Dodds, Bernice Hunter Witt, Garland Goodwin, Forrest Wisdom, Adelene Benton Queenam, Vance Tucker, Alice Jones Tate, Harold Short, Charles Dean Mitchell, JennaleaRoss Howell, Teressa Deese Simmons, Marilyn Westbrook Deese, Verna Morgan Latimer, Christene Pruitt Wisdom, Bonnie Lee Cloninger Faulk, John (Breezy) Owens, Pauline Cato Mask, Mary K. Rogers Jernigan, Lillie Mae Hill Marsh, Geneva Cox Morgan, John Smith, Ed Simmons, Martha Rogers Bradberry, Carlos Griggs, Dorothy Fawcett Olmstead, Arlene Weir McAfee, Joe Berry.

Class of 1940 – Margaret Bevill, Bert Hombs, Elizabeth Short Dodds, Goldie Smith, Kelly Jones, Irene Williams Clay, Gladine Adams Mask, Alroy Seaton, Leon McDaniel, Norma Lee Robbins Chambers, Gene Olmstead, Neeley Moore, Bernard Reynolds, Geneva Hilvering Walker, Rex Northcutt, Alma Hazel Long Howard, Rosalie Ferguson Humway, Noal Harper, Ophelia Phillips Woodson, R.E. Brians, Bernice Belew Turner, Naomi Ruth Fisher Thomas, Gussie Jones Pless, Eurlene Duncan McKinney, Evelyn Griggs Cole.

Other class graduates attending were: F.R. (Buddy) Long, Alpha Boyd Lenderman, Katherine Hawes Bailey, Inez Krig Rainey, Billie Sue Carter Kreig, Merold Shue Jr.