Uvalde High Class of '47 holds reunion

CLASS OF 1947 - Members of the Uvalde High School class of 1947 who attended a recent reunion are (front row, left to right) Jane Fulmer Willingham, Dolores Espadas Wilson, Celso Torres, Anita Torres Smith, Kay Coker McWilliams, Naomi Hendryx Thompson, Mary Virginia Lewis McClendon, (back) Beverly “Knoxie” Turner Johnson, Frank Ramsey, Marvin Buttler, Jane Alexander Knapik, Gracie Flowers Sneed, Gladys Ham Davidson, Bob Cummins, Ina Sutherland Mudd, Celestino Uriegas, Mona Brice Anderson and Henry Charles Casal. (Photo courtesy of Mary Virginia McClendon )

Eighteen members of the Uvalde High School Class of 1947 attended a 60th-anniversary class reunion luncheon in Uvalde on April 21. The reunion was held at Uvalde Country Club from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Marvin Buttler acted as master of ceremonies for the event. Mary Virginia McClendon made arrangements for the gathering, with assistance from Jane Knapik.

The event opened with a time for visiting among former classmates and guests. Names and photos from the 1947 yearbook decorated nametags. Tables held maroon and white decorations, including small figures of mascot coyotes.

A memorial chart held names and photos of 27 deceased class members, and another chart showed photos of class members unable to attend the reunion.

Those attending brought a variety of school photos and other memorabilia for display. Each graduate received a copy of the class graduation program from Jo Ann Farris Goodell of Austin, and rosters of current addresses of graduates were handed out.

At noon, Buttler officially opened the reunion by welcoming class members and guests. He gave the blessing before lunch was served.

After lunch, special guest Billie May Johnson Studer received a certificate in appreciation for her hosting a number of multi-class reunions for Uvalde graduates through the years.

Knapik then led a round-table discussion, when graduates recalled amusing stories from school days. Henry Charles Casal recited part of the poem he used in his graduation night address as senior class president. Jane Fulmer Willingham recalled parts of her valedictory address. Two class members who were World War II veterans, Celso Torres and Celestino Uriegas, received recognition.

Along with other matters, classmates mentioned names of teachers who were special to them. Those who attended first and second grades in the Old Getty Street School remembered teacher Wave Thompson with great affection. Mention was made of the Texas Historical Marker that is now located at that site where the first Uvalde High School building stood at the corner of West Oak and North Getty streets.

Also remembered were Mabel Hunter, who taught students to classify wild flowers; Leona Gray, the homemaking teacher; M.B. Morris and Clem Jones, who served as science teachers and principals; and Jess Bates, Reva Burns, Lois Pilgreen, Kate Whitehead, Coach Orville Etheridge and others.

Naomi Thompson honored the memory of Spanish teachers Anna Mae Ford and Orlena Clinkscales by leading the group in singing the Spanish version of “Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?” The late Bertie Chinn, Texas History teacher, was remembered with a contest that used Texas history questions.

In attendance from Uvalde were Mary Virginia McClendon, Henry Charles Casal, Bob Cummins and wife, Frank and Mary Lou Ramsey, and Knoxie Turner Johnson and husband Pat.

Others attending were Marvin Buttler and wife Margie of Kerrville; Jane Alexander Knapik, Marble Falls; Mona Brice Anderson, Pleasanton; Kay Coker McWilliams, Hondo; Dolores Espadas Wilson and husband Tom, Napa, Calif.; Grace Flowers Sneed of Longview and daughter Jaime Goff; and Jane Fulmer Willingham, Annapolis, Maryland.

Also in attendance were Gladys Ham Davidson, Albuquerque, N.M.; Naomi Hendryx Thompson and husband, Roger, Pottsville, Ark.; Ina Sutherland Mudd, Plano; Anita Torres Smith and husband, Don, Brackettville; Celso C. Torres, San Antonio; and Celestino and Josie Uriegas, San Antonio.

On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before the reunion, El Progreso Memorial Library archivist Ginger Wood Davis invited class members to visit the library to view a special display for their class and to read copies of 1947 high school newspapers and other items in the archives.