Submitted Photo These are classmates from the Norman Park High School Class of 1965. Front row, from the left are, Suzanne Holloway Haywood, Valda Roberts Mathis, Melanie Guy Carruthers and Kathryn Sears Marshall. Second row, from the left, are Charlotte Havell Sellars, Shirley Weeks Hunnicutt, Mary Donald Bennett, Judy Whisnant Peckham and Wanda Savage Vickers. Third row, from the left are, Gary Adams, Tony Bennett, Carl Horne and Jimmy Castleberry. Fourth row, from the left, are Terry Baker, Tony Purvis and Donald May.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, the Georgia Baptist Conference Center, in Norman Park, was the host for an all classes (1940-1978) reunion for graduates, faculty and guests of Norman Park High School.

This was the first “at-large” reunion held since Doerun, Norman Park and Moultrie were consolidated in 1978 to form Colquitt County High School.

The day’s events began in the early afternoon with registration and refreshments, allowing time for everyone to reminisce about their years while attending the school.

The program and dinner were held in the Dick Gresham Gymnasium, on the campus, with a Southern-style seafood buffet.

Julian Grantham (1959), former teacher and coach, served as master of ceremonies for the program.

Mickey Key (1971) served as deejay, providing music during the dinner. Carol Lewis (1957) gave the “Welcome” and Coach Walter Daniels (1967-1970) gave the invocation.

Entertainment was provided by the Rev. Andrew Hall, portraying “Cousin Arthur” with clean, country comedy. Mike Mercer (1968) shared his voice in singing two songs, “How Great Thou Art” and “Remember When.”

A candlelighting memorial service was held honoring the deceased class members. Those participating were Betty Foreman Bazemore (1944), Peggy Crosby Weeks (1955), Ginger Baker Griffin (1969), Vivian Woods Rountree (1972) and Glen Gay (1959), who said the prayer.

A roll call of classes was given, followed by comments.

Faculty and staff were also recognized including Jane Gibbs, home economics; Betty Stallings, Spanish and English; Clay Bailey, math; Betty Davis, English; Sylvil Wilson, math; Sheryl Womack, elementary; Coach Walter Daniels, physical education and math; Coach Herbert Houston, physical education and driver’s education; Bobbie Houston, business education; Coach Lowell Mulkey, physical education; Bernice Heirs, elementary; and Coach Carl Wesley Horne.

Norman Park High School produced many students who became teachers — about 30 of them were present.

Special recognition included those from Norman Park that had been inducted into the Moultrie-Colquitt County Sports Hall of Fame. They were Buddy Horne (1955), Janelle Lacey Robinson (1957), Julian Grantham (1959), Harry Spires (1960), Larry Spires (1960), Wanda Purvis Ross (1964), Carolyn Grantham Booth (1966), Pat Vaughn Johnson (1968), Mike Hamner (1969), Jill Middlebrooks Stuckey (1972), Dennis Powell (1981-CCHS) and Jo Beth Weaver (1981-CCHS).

Other special recognitions went to Edwin Norman (1942) and Juanita Waites Weeks (1943), oldest classmates; and Lamar Hale of California (1958), who traveled the greatest distance for the reunion.

Organizational meetings began in 2010 for the reunion with each class having at least two representatives. Peggy Weeks (1955) and Danny Singley (1972) served as secretary and treasurer.

The program concluded with the group singing the school alma mater with Carol Ann Norman Powell accompanying on the piano.

The states which were represented at the reunion include Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Montana and California.

The classes that had the most members attending included 1958, 1959, 1964, 1972 (with the most) and 1975.

There were 531 reservations received for this all classes reunion.