Axton High School - Axtonian Yearbook (Axton, VA)

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THE A X T 0 N I A N The Prophecy of the Class of 1946 Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore, Maryland May 21, 1956 Dear Miss Norvell, You will probably be surprised to hear from me. It’s been a very long time (ten years to be exact) since I have seen or heard from you. I suppose you know by now that I am a technician in Johns Hopkins Hospital. I thoroughly enjoy my profession. I am sorty you were unable to attend the most wonderful celebration that I have ever attended — the reunion of the class of 1946 ! I am certain that you’ll be interested in hear- ing some of the high spots of it, so here goes ! When I received my invitation I hurriedly packed and left for Axton. I had no trouble getting reservations on the south-bound plane since Ramey Burgess owns the Southern Airlines. I was very happy to have Louise Davis as my airline hostess. She was most cordial to me. She also stopped off in Axton. As soon as our plane arrived in Axton, Louise and I made reservations at the New Avalon Hotel which is owned by Coleman Lawrence. It is really a lovely place. The interior decorations were done by our former Joanne Craig. She was there to welcome us. After finishing at Madison College she married, and now lives in a lovely country estate near Axton. We were delighted to find we had time to visit dear old Axton High during school hours. It has greatly improved since our school days. There is a wonderful new build- ing with a huge gymnasium, recreation rooms and an auditorium. It faces the old Mountain Valley road which is now a paved street. It was with great pleasure we found Marvin Kendall one of the mathematic teachers. While Louise and I discussed the rapid growth of the school with him, we were very happy to learn that the need of physical education had grown so that Sheila Burchell had been obtained as instructor. Her athletic ability has become useful. She was explain- ing the process of a game of softball by blackboard drawing as we passed through the gymnasium. We waited until classes were over so Marvin and Sheila could walk with us to the hotel. As we proceeded along Main Street, we met two of our classmates, Pauline Wyatt, who is an English teacher at Patrick Henry High School, and Elizabeth John- ston, who is a secretary to a business firm in Martinsville. They were window shop- ping with two good looking gentlemen in front of the big department store of Arthur Toler. Arthur came out and joined us. After having a lengthy conversation with those fine friends, we rushed on to the hotel to get ready for the great affair. The reunion was in one of the parlors and the dining room of the hotel, which were brilliant with gorgeous floral decorations and glistening chandeliers. In the I’eceiving line were the class officers of 1946 and the president of the alumni association, Pauline Wyatt. While watching the guests arrive, we practically strained our necks to see those classmates whom we had not seen for such a long time, but they soon arrived with faces shining with expectancy. Page Eighteen

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THE A X T 0 N I A N Last Will and Testament E, enlightened and dignified members of the Senior Class of Axton High School, located in Henry County, Virginia, being sound in mind and body, realize that our high school life is fast coming to an end and so we desire to make known our last bequests. We have received valuable benefits which will prepare us better for the battle of life; and, being unselfish by nature, we, therefore, will and bequeath our most valuable treasures and possessions, enumerated below, to those most deserving to receive them. To our principal, we leave our sincere appreciation, deepest respect, loyalty and an eter- nal memory picture of us as we appear when receiving our diplomas. To our beloved sponsor. Miss Norvell, we leave the friendship of the entire class and a screened-in volleyball court, so softball won’t interfere with the games she coaches. To Mrs. Barker, a permanent library assistant to take over when she is out. To Miss Clarke, a new 1946 book on the drawing of cartoons and a larger bulletin board to put them on. To Miss Lumsden, a nice big wastebasket like the one in the senior room. To Mrs. 0. W. Hairfield, a correspondence course in piano, so that she may keep on with her “hit parade” programs next year. To Mrs. Bryan, a traveling grocery store, so she will not need to overload her car when shopping for the cafeteria. To the junior class, we will the privilege of being the next successful senior class of Axton High. To the sophomores, we leave our dignified ways and studious habits that they may be- come experienced upper classmen. To the freshmen, we will the happy and tolerant attitudes of the senior class, as we think they may need them to surmount the difficulties of their future years in high school. Our individual bequests are as follows : I, Mabel Earles, leave to Norman Cassada the largest desk in the senior room in order that he may have room for his feet. I, Louise Davis, leave some of my extra weight to Peggy Billings. I, Wilbert Haley, will my bashful ways to George Barker and Mack Mc- Daniel. I, Dorothy Dillon, leave my talents in writing poetry to Gertrude Watkins. I, Arthur Toler, leave my policy of “getting by without labor” to L. C. Hankins. I, Marvin Kendall, leave my flirting habits to Ralph Wright and Charles Manning. I, Elizabeth Johnston, leave Martha Holland a large alarm clock, so she can meet the bus on time. I, Doris Elliott, leave Beatrice Burnette one thousand sheets of stationery on which to con- tinue writing her many boy friends. I, Ramey Burgess, leave my quietness to Melvin Jones, so that he can calm down and study when he becomes a senior. I, Clifton Wells, leave some of my mental gifts to Billy Lawrence and Jasper Hankins as they may need them on exams next year. I, Pauline Wyatt, leave to Evelyn Hall a four-leaf clover to bring her good luck at Mount Airy. L Joanne Craig, leave Charlie Agee a brand new car with the hopes it will get better treatment than “Little Willie” has had. I, Henry Eggles- ton, leave Mae Ashby a seventh grade boy friend. I, Virginia Holland, leave my good dis- position to Cleo Martin. I, Louise Davis, leave Mildred Holland the cast off my sprained ankle. It may be needed if she plays strenuous basketball next year. I, Sheila Burchell, leave my “tom boy” clothes to Katherine Moss. I, James Wagner, leave Dillard Gravely my weakness for brunettes and pretty automobles. I, Gerald Wilson, leave my mechanical habits to Julian Compton and Cyrial Ray Jones. I, Coleman Lawrence, leave to Lyne Starl- ing my popularity with the ladies. We, the senior class of 1946, do charge the junior class to faithfully execute this last will and testament, which is to become effective on the night of our graduation. Signed, Witnesses : RAMEY BURGESS Besse N. Barker Testator. Jean Clarke Mary Bryan May 1, 1946. Page Seventeen

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THE AXTONIAN Clifton Wells, escorted by Arthur Toler, was among the first to come. Clifton wore his major’s uniform as he has served in Germany with the occupational troops for nine years. Major Wells is remaining in the army two years longer. Henry Eggleston was seen on the threshold enjoying his old chums. He is an agricul- turist and has a warehouse, a fine home and a prosperous family of five near Axton. Dorothy Dillon was there with a beaming face. She has just returned from Africa, where she has been a missionary the past five years. She finished Averett and the Uni- versity of Richmond before going across. Wilbert Haley and Gerald Wilson came in with their wives. They now operate jointly an up-to-date barber shop and beauty parlor in Axton. I understand they have made good. Both married Henry County girls. Wilbert’s wife is two feet taller than he, and our tall Gerald’s wife is a tiny woman. Opposites often attract. Virginia Holland, who finally won the title of Radio Star, sang for us as the guests were arriving. I imagine you have heard her sing quite often on the “Hit Parade’’. Though she goes under her maiden name over the radio, she is married to her boy friend of high school days. Do you remember his name? Dr. James Wagner was toast master. He is now the chief doctor on the staff of the General Hospital in Martinsville. He graduated from the University of Virginia Medical School in 1954. Mabel Earles came in with Dr. Wagner. She is his head nurse, and it is rumored she is the power behind the throne in the hospital as she practically runs it. Coleman Lawrence was very busy trying to show everyone a good time. He had a lady by his side whom he introduced as his fiancee. She is a very sweet and beautiful bru- nette. The five course dinner interspersed by music, toasts and gayety was all that could be anticipated. Every face glowed with the fun. After dinner the orchestra and dancing were enjoyed. I am not too anxious to tell you just how late (or should I say early) it was when we finally closed the curtain on a perfect night with our old friends. The only fault I could discover was — you’ll never guess — you, the backbone of our class, were absent. I sincerely hope that you will not disappoint us at the next glorious reunion of one of the most ideal classes in the history of Axton High School — the class of 1946. Thanks for the excellent services that you rendered each of us and may I wish for you a very prosperous future! Yours sincerely, Doris Elliott Page Nineteen