Gathering at the reunion of employees of B&B Manufacturing, Washington Footwear, Ranick and Washington Drapery under the shade trees of the Jimmy Barnett home are (front row, l-r) Tonya Marshall, Delois Wright, Marian Shepard, Inell Bell, Carolyn Binns, Lynn Thomas, Lisa Canti and Jimmy Barnett; (second row) Freddie Campbell, Mable Smith, Terry Nation, Albert Brown, Helen Binns; (back row) Rose Mary Gresham, Mattie Walton and Esther Dawson. The home of Jimmy and Betsy Barnett on Liberty Street was the scene of the first-ever reunion of the employees of B&B Manufacturing, Washington Footwear, Ranick and Washington Drapery on Saturday, June 24.

The seed for the reunion on the companies was planted by Marian Shepard and Helen Binns and was hosted by Jimmy and Betsy Barnett and Joe Barnett Jr.

Past employees, numbering about 85, came from Wilkes, Lincoln, Clarke, Warren, McDuffie, Taliaferro and Greene counties for the celebration.

A short program was held with the lighting of a candle by Katie Evans for deceased employees. Also remembered were former employees who now reside in nursing homes.

Reflections by Jimmy Barnett, Joe Barnett Jr. and Marian Shepard were followed by a presentation by Helen Binns to honor the memory of the founder, the late Mildred Barnett.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner and time of fellowship.