special to The Star



Newton High School’s Class of 1958 celebrated their 50th reunion on May 16 and 17, 2008, at the historic Newton Depot with plenty of food and fellowship and violin music provided by Suzanne Switzer.

Dr. Jimbo Raynor, Dorothy Saxon Kidd and Larry Cochran commented on the outstanding teachers that everyone had while at the school. They were taught not only reading, writing and arithmetic, but taught Latin, English, science, Mississippi History and World History and provided good life skills such as honesty, being good friends, working hard and achieving goals. There were devotions from the Bible each day and the learning of Bible verses, and The Pledge of Allegiance was recited each day. E.L. Morgan was remembered as knowing every student’s name and being fair when dealing with students.

Sarah Griffin Glenn wrote and read a condensed history of the class of 1958. Harriett Thompson Touchstone read excerpts from the first reunion that was written by her for The Newton Record and The Meridian Star. A tiger made by Joe Mason Hunt was given as a door prize.

Members of the class that are deceased were remembered with a moment of silence. They include, Lionel Walton, Vonnie Mac Breland, Harold Bryant, O.C. Garvin, Arvis Gibbs, and the the Rev. Riley Burton.

Members present were Joe Mason and Ranate Hunt, James and Harriett Thompson Touchstone, Larry and Pat Cochran, the Rev. Malcolm and Sandra Lewis, Dr. James W. “Jimbo” and Mary Sharp Raynor, Dorothy Jean Saxon Kidd, Jarvis “Doc” and Ann Simmons, Mary Mayfield Lehman, Jack Sykes, Harold and Barbara Sullivan, Sarah Griffin Glenn, Gerald and Martha Humphries Brown, Fred and Hilda Adair Blackledge, Peggy “Kite” Harvey, Brent Mason, Geraldine Gibbs and Jerry Crosby, Mary Carol Walker and Glenn Pace, Myrna Loy Williams and Dale Boyles, Peggy Idom Sullivan and Betty Brown, William and Nancy Youngblood, Emmett and Clydene Bolton, Joe Martin, Pam Kennedy, Betty Jo Johnston Pennington, Gloria Sykes Maddox, Nathan and Diane Evans, Sadie Ruth Chapman and William Cooper.