Williston High School - Willistonian Yearbook (Wilmington, NC)

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illistonian le noticed an old dilapidated building where Charles Hankins held daily meetings with his Society of Mistreated Preachers.” As the scenes became those of more familiar places I noticed soon that they were of the Old North State.” At Jacksonville, N. C., I saw Rosa Blocker, Jessie Comadore, and Emma Graham who had married Marines and lived in attractive houses with their families. At the nearby church Lois Grady who followed her father’s footsteps was holding evangelistic meetings. Then to my surprise and great pleasure my old home, Wilmington, came into view. First, I saw Dear Williston and in the office was the principal, Foster McNeil. Loraine Smith and Gladys Sutton coached the girls’ basketball. Across the street at Community Hospital Lue Etta Floyd was supervisor of Nurses with Thelma Hill, Marion Henry, and Willie Harper on her staff. James Faison was the newest pastor of Price Memorial Church. Thelma Blackledge owned Wilmington’s most modern Seafood market and Lillian Small was a clerk there also. Edna Foyles was secretary to the Mayor of Wil¬ mington. Nearby at the home of a very happy family, Thelma Williams, the mother, held the newest baby in her arms. Several little ones were playing in the yard. Robert Patterson, her fourth husband, was in the kitchen washing dishes. At Love Grove Azalie Benbow was following in Mrs. Williams footsteps. In the nearby town of Burgaw, Hubert Nixon and George Cromartie were practic¬ ing medicine (heart specialist). William Hill was a criminal lawyer at Warsaw, N. C. As the scenes rolled on, unfamiliar landmarks came into view. Before long, how¬ ever, I recognized New Orleans, La., where Ruth Walker was the town’s only blues singer and Buster Small managed the largest A. P. store in the South. Elnoris Brown was chief of the clerks employed there. Moving on to the fair state of Florida I saw Alcora Williams who was Home Economics Instructor at Bethune-Cookman College. Bernice Thompson was librar¬ ian there. Next, I seemed to be looking at Arkansas, the state famous for live stock. Mabel Garrett taught agriculture in the high school at Little Rock. Across the border in South America, I saw in this fantastic picture, Camille Gantt who taught to persons in Brazil, of all things, the rhumba. As the episode ended I saw before me the continent of Europe where Dorothy Faison, Evelyn Smith, and Elnora Highsmith were travelers. This was an exciting experience, but only the class of ’46 can ever make it true. Hubert Nixon, Ruth Walker, Class Prophets.

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lUislonian CLASS PROPHECY One evening I was sitting in the shade of a large spreading oak near the placid waters of a quiet brook, contemplating the future of my classmates. Much to my sur¬ prise I heard a calm and peaceful voice say to me, Young woman, cheer up! Gaze into the smooth waters of the brook and what you wish to know will be revealed to you.” Before me stood an institution of higher learning which I recognized as Howard University, with Jannie Graves the only student in the English department. Doctor James MacRae was professor of science. As the scenes unfolded, I saw George Fulton filibustering thirty-eight hours per week in the United States Congress. In the office of our great president, taking dictation, sat his stenographer, Ramona Smith. Then a great city seemed to come into the scene. Along one great street called Broadway strolled Dr. James Wright, recent winner of his Ph.D. In lights at the Paramount Theater were these words, Othello”, featuring Theodore Jones, interna¬ tionally famous Shakespearean actor. In the next block at one of the most fashionable night clubs, Doris Hankins had taken over Ella Fitzgerald’s place. Pearly Holmes was appearing there also with The Brown Dots.” Across the street I noticed a sign Swoon to the Music of Willie James Small,” and on the bottom of the sign was the name of Theodore Sharpless, accompanyist. Down the street was the Metropolitan Opera House. Marie Ryans was appearing there and winning the greatest applause ever given anyone. Thelma Sampson was featured nearby at the Ritz” in a role similar to that of Muriel Rahn in Carmen Jones.” Then I saw the Empire State Building. On the twenty- seventh floor in a window was this sign, Alea Robinson-Lawyer-Justice of the Peace.” In another section of the city, Amelia Mitchell was principal of a large high school. Across the avenue at Columbia University, Catherine Bosier headed the English Dept. Arthur Hicks was coach of the football team. Mary Haggins after teaching several years was now a graduate student of the school. In Central Park, I noticed Etta Allen with her young son, Moochie Jr.” As this city faded from view, I noticed a plane landing at the airport on the out¬ skirts of the city. It’s pilot was none other than Emanuel Headen. In the next city which was Philadelphia, as the drama went on, Elizabeth Rivers was starring in a current movie and stealing the show from Lena Horne. Roland Bradley was billed as the Tallest man in the world” with Baily Brothers Circus. (Height 9 1-2 Ft.) Auldrie Haggins was guest on Information Please.” Everywhere signs read, Vote for Robert Martin for President.” At the University of Pennsylvania, Louis BroWn was coach of the swimming team. Helen McRae was chief business ad¬ ministrator at Philadelphia General Hospital. Mildred Jones was a nurse. Not far away from the Hospital was Ruth Stokes, owner of a beauty parlor with sixteen opera¬ tors. Bernice Washington managed the smartest dress shop on Market Street. I

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9 Cv 7 ilk islo man LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT We the Senior Class of ’46 of Williston Industrial School in the port city of Wilmington, State of North Carolina being sane in mind and well prepared to face the outer world, do hereby compose, declare and publish this to be our last will and testament to the Junior Class of ’ 46 , the following assets of our class: The intelligence and dignity of Elnora Highsmith to Evelyn Coston. The golden voice of Ruth Walker to Thelma Smith. The tenacity to hold a man of Azalee Benbow to Betty Everett. The title of Miss Williston” from Elizabeth Rivers to Mercedes Jones. The executive ability of Robert Martin to Carlye Mason. The quietness of Lorraine Smith to Vivian Baker. The vivaciousness of Dorothy Faison to Edith Walker. The positions of Ace Cheerleader from Josie Owens to Gladys James. The height of Evelyn Smith to Thelma Wallace. The initiative of Alea Robinson to Esther Corbett. The innocense of Mable Garrett to Barbara Graham. The exotic appearance of Gwendolyn Howe to Gerlyn Manuel. The neatness of Doris Hankins to Barbara Smith. The pleasantness of Mary Haggins to Josephine McDuffy. The spirit of cooperation of Gladys Sutton to Barbara Smith. The style of Elvie Sneed to Vernell Smith. The business ability of Etta Allen to James Brown. The crack shooting in basketball of Mildred Jones is left to Audrey Bennett. The talent of Charles Hankins to get a girl friend to Marvin Shelton. The leadership of Helen McRae to Herbert Gantt. The brain of William Hill to David Murray. The beautiful legs of Emma Graham to Dorothy Hester. The eccentricities of Jannie Graves to Henrietta Stewart. The stoutness of Ruth Stokes to Geraldine Russell. The original hair styles of Thelma Sampson to Louise Peoples. IN WITNESS THEREOF I have set my hand and seal hereto the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-six. W. B. Hill, H. M. McRae, Attorneys at Law