The Washington High School Class of l955 and faculty attending the 50-year reunion were (front row, l-r) Amos Martin, Carole Johnson Murphy, Martha Matthews Echols, Lucille Turpin Ingram, Jean Newsome Casey, Stella Lucas Swann, teacher Edna Lamar, Willie McAvoy Roberson, Dixie Scott Holt, Claudia Vinson Pitts, Mary Long Rhodes; (second row) Coach Thomas Bunch, Bob Murphy, Peggy McClearen Murdock, Joanne David Koger, Flora Ann Dunnaway McGill, Jo Broome Wills, Betty Jo Callaway Denard, Amelia Broome Ivey, Shirley West Goldman, Shirley Bennett Whitfield, June Sherrer Chafin, Christine Sherrer Wheatley, Faye Sisson McAvoy, Bettye Eubanks Rhodes, Barksdale Thomas Boyd; (third row) George Armstrong, John Long, Chris Lance, Claude Nelms, W.A. Stevens, Tommy Dunnaway, John (Buck) Greene, Jimmy Amason, James Mines and Herbert Bailey. Members of the Washington High School Class of l955, spouses and guests, celebrated their 50-year reunion at festivities at the Fitzpatrick Hotel in Washington on Saturday evening, September 25.

As members and guests entered the lobby of the Fitzpatrick, they were “greeted” by a large stuffed tiger perched on the velvet settee.

Near the ballroom entrance upstairs tables were filled with memorabilia which included annuals, graduation pictures, class pictures, sports pictures and football jackets which all enjoyed.

Inside the ballroom the school colors of blue and gold and class colors of gold and white were used in decorating. Tables, covered in white, were accented with blue and gold accent cloths and napkins. Cobalt blue vases held gold and white miniature chrysanthemums and gypsophila. Flanking the arrangements were small glass hurricanes lamps with white votives. The mantel held an arrangement of yellow roses, the class flower. Carole Johnson Murphy and Mary Long Rhodes were assisted by other class members in decorating.

Festivities began with a social hour hosted by John Greene of Anderson, S.C.

After a class picture was made in the courtyard, everyone went upstairs to the ballroom for the dinner and program. Class president Barksdale Thomas Boyd welcomed everyone and Rev. Bob Murphy offered the blessing.

After dinner, class members and guests delighted in a time of entertainment led by Carole Murphy and John Greene. Accompanied by Jo Randall, they sang “I Believe”, the song used at their graduation. They also sang a special presentation composed by Mrs. Murphy to the music of “Thanks for the Memories” done especially for the class.

Barksdale Boyd reviewed the program book made for members and filled with class and up-to-date pictures, many of members and their families; Senior Class Who’s Who; names of events and popular music of l955; and other items of special interest to the members. Each class member was presented a copy at the close of the evening.

A special time was observed to remember deceased members, Terry Bennett Saggus, Louise Brake Sherrer, Ira Brown, John Burgess, Hasso Van Hoffman, Miriam Hopkins Martin, Willie Huff and Margese Wheatley Garrett.

Special guests, Edna Lamar of Tignall, teacher, and Coach Thomas Bunch of Lincolnton, delighted the class with their remarks.

At the close all joined in singing the “Alma Mater”.

Dinner music for the evening was provided by Amos Martin and included sounds from the Big Band and 1950’s.

The planning committee, Barksdale Thomas Boyd, Jo Broome Wills, Carole Johnson Murphy, John Greene, and Cicero Lucas, was assisted by members, Faye Sisson McAvoy, June Sherrer Chafin, and Mary Long Rhodes, and LuAnn Koger Elbaum from the Class of l954.

Class members, spouses and guests attending were James F. Amason of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Dr. George and Kay Armstrong of Jacksonville, Fla., Tommy and Barksdale Thomas Boyd, Joanne David Koger and son, Rev. Mike Koger, of Columbus, James and Jean Newsome Casey of Cedartown, Albert and Betty Joe Callaway Denard of Abilene, Tex., John and Sue Greene of Anderson, S.C., Fred and Dixie Lee Scott Holt of North Augusta, S.C., Amelia Broome Ivey of Waterloo, S.C., Chris and Kathryn Lance of Griffin, John and Charlotte Long of Hinesville, James and Josie Mines of Madison, Rev. Bob and Carole Johnson Murphy of Bishop, Claude and Virginia Nelms of Montgomery, Ala., John and Claudia Vinson Pitts of Elberton, William and Stella Lucas Swann of Thomson, and daughter, Layne Hammock of Watkinsville, Peggy McClearen Murdock, also of Thomson, Thomas and Christine Sherrer Wheatley of Rayle, Don and Shirley Bennett Whitfield of Kite, Reid and Jo Broome Wills of Birmingham, Ala., Edna Lamar of Tignall, Coach Thomas Bunch and Betty McGill of Lincolnton, Herbert and Donna Bailey, Alvin and June Sherrer Chafin, Tom and Regina Dunnaway, James and Martha Jean Matthews Echols, Freddie and Shirley West Goldman, Lucille Turpin Ingram, Amos and Rosa Lee Martin, Henry Pope and Faye Sisson McAvoy, Sam and Flora Ann Dunnaway McGill, Bettye Eubanks Rhodes, Charles and Mary Long Rhodes, Gayle and Willie McAvoy Roberson, and W.A. and Johnnie Stevens of Washington.