WHS Class of 1972 holds 50th reunion

Warren High School Class of 1972 held its 50th reunion on April 29-30, 2022. The reunion committee composed of Wanda Ashcraft, Edith Ezell, Karen Gage, Ricky Green, Mildred Halbrook, Ginger Magby, Nancy Mcdonald, Fran Nutt, Gregg Reep, Ricky Roper, and David Taylor chose The BrINN on West Pine Street in Warren as the venue where most of the activities occurred. The BrINN offered the reunion attendees a place to gather socially in order to reflect on their many memories. Friday night, April 29, the classmates attended a Come & Go; “Meet and Greet” between 5p.m. and 10 p.m. Delicious refreshments were served, pictures were snapped and “remember” stories were shared.

On Saturday morning, April 30th, at 10:00 a.m. , some class members attended tours of the Donald W. Reynolds YMCA of Warren and Bradley County and The Bradley County Veterans Museum. Mr. David Richey, executive director of the YMCA, led the group throughout the facility visiting the computer lab, meeting rooms, swimming pool, gym, and physical fitness areas. The 1972 graduates grew up in the YMCA and took advantage of the programs that were offered in the 1960s; today, the organization is still building strong minds and bodies in the Warren and Bradley County youth. Gregg Reep, a member of the class of 1972, was instrumental in organizing the YMCA tour. The next stop was the tour of the Bradley County Veterans Museum organized by fellow classmate and veteran, David Taylor. Mr. John Little, a veteran and one of the hardest working volunteers in the organization, conducted the museum tour. As tour participants wandered throughout the building, they were able to see photos of fellow classmates, family members, and even former teachers. Overall, both tours were educational and informative. Photographs of the following 1972 class members were displayed in the museum: Jamie Baker, Ronald Blackmon, Billy Cox, Allen Hargis, Kenny Don Kelly, Bill Slaughter, Larry Stuart, and David Taylor.

At noon on Saturday, hungry classmates met at Molly’s for a dutch-treat lunch which included visiting friends and capturing photos. Following lunch, all class members were encouraged to gather at the old Warren High School lot on West Pine Street for a group photo in front of the existing sign. Also, they were allowed to tour the gym on their former high school campus to view updates that had occurred since 1972. Group pictures were taken along with photos of former athletes, cheerleaders, band, and choir members. The cheerleaders even performed a mild re-creation of one of their former cheerleader poses.

Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. the class of 1972 reconvened at the BrINN for another exciting evening. Before the meal, another group photo was taken on the outside patio. Once inside, David Taylor who was Student Council President during their senior year, thanked everyone for attending and gave a special thanks to those who helped make the 50th reunion a huge success. Classmate Jim Graham presented the heartfelt invocation before the meal. The lip-smacking and finger-licking tasty meal was prepared by Neil Wisener, another classmate. The last planned event was the skit written by Mary Catherine Armstrong. In the skit, she incorporated many memories such as Red Rover games, spelling bees, YMCA buddy checks, pee-wee basketball games, pep rallies, football games, majorette routines, homecoming parades, and track meets. Several class members participated in the skit. The Warren High School Alma Mater was also sung by the attending class members. Before the class members adjourned to continue visiting with each other, David presented a monetary donation from the Class of 1972 to the Beverly Reep Memorial Fund. Gregg, on behalf of his family, graciously accepted and wholeheartedly thanked the class. Beverly was a graduate in the Warren High School Class of 1975, but she was always a huge supporter over the years of her husband’s class.

Thirty-six classmates have passed away since May 25, 1972. A memorial table with their pictures was displayed in the venue. Classmates who will always be remembered are: Ray Alexander, Amelia Belcher, Dwane Clark, Ulysses Dailey, Marilyn Davis, Calvin Frazer, Kathleen Galloway, Trevis Hayes, Steve Howard, LaDell Hudson, Steve Huitt, Debra Humphries, Mattie Jackson, Wesley James, Teresa Johnson, Vicki Johnson, Susan Loomis, Dennis Martin, Jimmy Neal, Margie Overton, Johnny Poole, Donald Reynolds, Bruce Savage, Bruce Sparks, Mark Scobey, Becky Thomas, Kathryn Thomas, Jackie Vickers, Neal Vickers, Nancy Walker, Donna Watson, Jerry Watts, Jim White, John White, Carl Williams, and Phillip Young.

Other classmates who were not available when the group picture was taken in the gym, but did attend one or more events during the weekend were: Judson Bolland, Fran Dolle Calvert, Jimmy Haygood, Lynn Forrest Jenkins, Mary Jane Ashcraft Mann, Randy McKinney, Jimmie Walker, and Odis Young. Johnny Burch and Marianne Wynne Lignon who were unable to attend the reunion but wanted to be a part of the celebration were sent video greetings from attending class members.

Top group photo: Bottom row: Dean Calvert, Susan Lee Pennington, Angela Joyner Marsh, Laron Hayes, Barbara Doggett Dawkins, Diane Wolfe Clemens, Wanda Hargrave Ashcraft, Mary Ann Dunaway Mobley, Hal Corbett, and Larry Brown

Row 2: Ricky Roper, Jo Brown Cook, Mildred Derryberry Halbrook, Mary Catherine Huey Armstrong, Karen Reep Gage, Edith Ezell, Linda McClain Montgomery, Laurie Milton Chandler, David Taylor, and Gene Calvert

Row 3: Ricky Green, Lucinda Miles, Ginger White Magby, Vickey Hudson, Gregg Reep, Nancy Smith Mcdonald, Jerry Gates, Karen Burton Place, Jim Graham, and Chip Hairston

Row 4: Bill Slaughter, Billy Cox, Donna Dees Boone, Neil Wisener, Johnny McBee, Mary Kaye McKinney, Wallis Marsh, Pam Davis Viguerie, Crystal Johnson Langston, and Sam Curry