Attending the Washington-Wilkes High School Class of l961 45th year reunion are class members, Phyllis Rhodes Drake, Joyce Brown Barden, Mary Thomas Bunch Scarborough, Joyce Chafin Brown, Nancy Arrington Hilley, Mary Olive King Ray, Vivian Ray Benton, Mike Lindsey, Marjorie Sales Gibson, Carolyn Dunaway Gammon, Richard Duke, Laverne Burdette Edwards, Jeanette Freeman Broome, George Smith, Carolyn Heard Snider, John Harvey Edwards, Jimmy Tanner, Walter (Buzzy) Turner, Judy Anderson, Johnny Gresham, Lynda Johnson Gresham, Jerrel Pharr, Bryson Rousey, Ronnie Johnson, Bryan Lyndon, Billy Chafin, Elliot Nunn, Vivian Ware Walker, Roger Walker, and faculty, Edna Lamar (front row, fifth from left) and Coach Charlie Davidson, (front, eighth from left). The Washington-Wilkes High School Class of l961 celebrated its 45th year reunion on Saturday evening, June 3, at the home of class member Phyllis Rhodes Drake, and her husband, Chan Drake, on the Thomson Road.

Clusters of balloons and a large banner reading "Welcome Class of l961" greeted members and guests as they arrived for the festive evening and barbecue. Another banner inscribed "Where have the 45 years gone?" was an extra added touch to this year's welcome.

The party area was decorated in school colors of blue and gold as the buffet was centered with a large arrangement of blue hydrangeas, roses, Shasta daisies and daylilies. Tables for seating were enhanced with blue checked overlays and cen

tered with arrangements of gardenias and lanterns. Adding to the dcor were ferns, geraniums and yellow lantana and candles in the yard and on the patio.

John Harvey Edwards welcomed members and guests and offered the blessing before the dinner of barbecued pork and chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans and cake.

Pictures and old annuals were enjoyed during the evening as class members enjoyed visiting and remembering all the good times had during the school years and catching up on the past 45 years since graduation.

Special guests included faculty members, Edna Lamar and Coach Charlie Davidson, his wife, Vickie Davidson, of Rome; former class members, Roddie and Rebecca Guin of Little River, S.C., Scott Arnold of Charlotte, N.C., and Mickey and Brenda Nichols of Jacksonville, Fla.

Class members and spouses attending were Jerrel and Rachel Pharr, Billy and Ann Chafin, George and Doris Smith, John Harvey and Laverne Edwards, Roger and Vivian Walker, Milton and Jeanette Broome, Pierce and Joyce Barden, Chan and Phyllis Drake, Jimmy and Peggy Tanner, Buzzy and Sharon Turner, Mary Olive King Ray and Judy Anderson of Washington;

Ronnie and Annette Johnson of Lincolnton; Richard and Carolyn Gammon and David and Nancy Hilley of Tignall; Cecil and Mary Thomas Scarborough of Elberton; Richard and Betty Duke of Louisville, Ky; Johnny and Lynda Gresham of Marietta; Ronald and Carolyn Snider of Martinez; Elliot and Judy Nunn of Macon; Mike and Patricia Lindsey of Kennesaw; Jim and Vivian Benton of Cave Spring; Bryan Lyndon of Anderson, S.C.; Bryson Rousey of Phoenix, Ariz.; Marjorie Sale Gibson of Dallas; and Joyce Chafin Brown of Sharon.