St Johns High School - Blue Devil Yearbook (Darlington, SC)

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ST. JOHN'S JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Kenneth T. Patterson, Principal June 8, 1963 Mr. Carl Stokes, President Tasty Tidbit Sandwich Company 52 Rue Royale Paris, France Dear Pete: The 10th reunion of the Class of 1953 was a glorious success. When Shirley (you remember Shirley Melton; she is now my private secretary, and most efficient) and I started making plans for the reunion, we were afraid that it wouldn't be possible to get enough of our classmates to- gether to make the reunion worthwhile, since they have scattered to the four winds. But, no, it seems everyone was eager to get together again. Out of the seventy members of our class of '53, only seven were unable to be with us. Everyone expressed regret that you, the President of our Senior Class, were unable to attend; but we were delighted to get first-hand information about the phenominal success of your sand- wich business from Your General Manager, Billy Jones. There were messages from all those who couldn't be with us. We received a cablegram from Nellie Kennedy, missionary in China, wishing us success and a happy reunion. Sonny Smith, sports writer for the New York Times was unable to attend as he was covering the Davis Cup” matches at Forest Hills. Ginny Holley, Congresswoman from the 6th District, sent regrets, ex- plaining that she was tied up with a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee. Mary Sports sent a message from Florence, Italy. She is secretary to Archibald Joliet, famous novelist, who spends most of his time abroad collecting material for his books. A letter from Lucy Hoffmeyer explained that she would be unable to attend as she was on that very day receiving her P.H.D. degree in Latin from Columbia University. There was also a letter from Tommy Bryant, from Guam, saying that Uncle Sam wouldn't grant him a leave to attend a class reunion. Our classmates living here in Darlington all pitched in and helped with preparations for the reunion. Especially helpful were the members of the teaching staff here at St. John's--Elvie Tad- lock, high school librarian; Mary Ann Davis, head of the English Department; Mack Richardson and Joan Ward; coaches of football and basketball; and Billy Baldwin, Mack's able assistant in back- field coaching. Martha Britt and her husband offered free rooms in their beautiful tourist home, Southern Pines, to any members of the class looking for lodging. Mayor Lawrence Stokes turned over all of the facilities of the city for our use, and Chief of Police Leo Trapp was of inestimat- able value in handling all transportation and parking problems. Maxine Sanderson. Western Union Operator, was of great help in getting messages back and forth. Belle Sansbury - now married - invited the class to tea in her luxurously furnished country home situated a few miles from town. Thursday night, after the traditional high school class day exercises, we gathered in the dining room of the Alamo Plaza Hotel for a banquet. This beautiful edifice is owned and operated by Donald Chester Purvis, with Donald Cooke as his most efficient desk clerk. Carolyn Odom and Joanne Broach, who operate the Carol-Jo Florist Shoppe, did a wonderful job of decorating for the occasion. Janice Pope, dietitian for the Alamo Plaza Hotel, had charge of the preparation and serving of the delicious six-course dinner. In your absence, Billy Jones, Secretary of our Senior Class, acted as Master of Ceremonies. The invocation was given by Rev. William DuBose, Pastor of the First Methodist Church, of Bir- minghan, Alabama. During the banquet Anne Boatwright, last year's winner of the Pulitzer Prize, read several poems from her prize-winning book. Sara Carrigan, famous opera star, was able to get home for the reunion and she was most gracious in singing several numbers. Joyce Watford, trapeze artist, entertained the group with some of her daring feats, assisted by acrobats, Gloris Dabbs and Shirley Teal. The highlight of the program was an address by U. S. Senator Melvin Hyman (R-S.C.). Perhapsyou have heard of his complete about-face in politics. At his side was his efficient sec- retary, Eugenia Williamson, loaded down with his notes, memoranda and papers. After the banquet we repaired to the beautiful Paradise Ballroom for dancing. Furnishing music for the occasion was our old classmate, Raymond Huckabee, and his Jiving Five, featuring Doris Tindall with her singing clarinet and June Pearce (now married), soloist for the band. 22

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We all enjoyed the dance; it was a wonderful time to catch up with all that had happened in the ten years since we had left St. John's. From far and near they came, each with an interesting story of his achievements and experiences. Everyone was congratulating Eugene Baldwin on his recent election to the office of County Coronor. Clifton Hursey, pool shark of the Blue Goose” in high school days, now owns a chain of pool rooms from Maine to Miami. Katherine Kirven has opened a nursing home here in Darlington with Joan Byrd and Sadie Lou Garland heading the nursing staff. Ellie Heustessand Billy Gibson are putting their bus driving experience at St. John's to good use--they are now drivers for Greyhound and both boast of a perfect record. Donald E. Purvis and his wife—co-managers of B. C. Moore Sons—have just moved into their elegant, remodeled store. DeEtte Pipkin is most efficent in her job as head of the Ladies-Ready-To-Wear Department. Russell Stokes told us of his interesting work on Swift Creek Dam, largest civil en- gineering project in the South. We were delighted to hear Gail Davis, famous sports woman, tell of winning the Open Golf Tournament at Augusta, Georgia. Ginger Muldrow, Powers Model, looked stunning in a shimmering evening gown designed by Marilea Critcher who has made quite a name for herself in the dress designing field. Patsy Gibson, still in her WAC uniform, reported that she had just returned from two years of overseas duty. Bill Weatherly was receiving con- gratulations on his recent winning of the Darlington International 500 at a speed of 101.7 miles per hour. Bill claimed that much credit for his win should be given to his mechanic, James Tyner, Joan Taylor surprised usall by her announcement that she is now a dentist doing a rushing business in Columbia, S.C. Ann Suggs, columnist for the Chicago World Tribune took her well-earned vacation to be with us. Bonnie Jean Stevens and Olivette Abbott have married local boys and are making excellent housewives as well as civic leaders. We were very proud to hear of your brother Tommy’s success in professional baseball with the New York Yankees. H. D. Byrd, owner of Byrd’s Super Chain Stores. Inc., was talking over busi- ness with Marion Bonnoitt, who has retired from the Chicago Biddies Professional Football team to become H. D.'s managerof the Society Hill branch. We’d all heard of Betty Hudson's million- aire Texas husband and were curious to meet him. We found him a delightful person and Betty just the same. Doris Jordan and Joanne Carnes reported that their Beauty Salon is doing such a thriving busi- ness that they will soon have to move into larger quarters. Anne Jordan and her husband operate an ultra-modern diary on the Florence highway. Their specialty is goat butter. Billy Gandy, prosperous Dovesville farmer, is leading the nation in farm produce on his 4000-acre farm. Betty Self is coaching basketball in Hartsville and says it is the height of her ambition to beat St.John's just once. Jerry Blackmon, court stenographer, reported that she finds her work quite strenuous, but most interesting. Elsie Shepard is now Manager of Roses 5 and 10 and states that she has big ideas for the store's future. Elizabeth Hutchinson has a job we all envy. She advertises for Evans Motors by driving their latest models around town. Carolyn Lunn and April Flowers spend their busy days tending fifty tiny tots each day in their kindergarten. Time passed so fast and there were so many classmates to see and so many experiences to hear that it was nearing daylight when we finally bade everyone au revoir and hurried home to get a few winks of sleep before the work of another day started. Plans were already being made for a second reunion in the not too distant future. Again, let me say that we really missed you. I hope that you'll soon be able to take a deserved rest and pay us a visit. With the very best regards. Kenneth T. Patterson