Not many people get the chance to reunite with childhood friends after the better part of a century, but members of the Union County High School Class of 1956 did just that in coming together for their 70th Class Reunion on June 6.
Class of ’56 graduate Bobby Jackson hosted the event out of his home on Coosa Walk, providing for a stunning view of the mountains they’ve all watched change in the decades since they started their adult lives.
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In total, the Class of 1956 had 59 members; Class President Carole Lance wasn’t sure how many were still alive, but she knew there were more who had passed away than remain.
“We’re getting along in years and we’re losing a few, sadly,” Lance observed, remarking that her class was full of “quality” personalities. “Many of those quality people have gone on, but we still have a group left who care about relationships and each other, and I just think that is a blessing.”
Organization for the reunion came in stages. The class had held regular reunions every five years until this year’s planning rolled around.
Jackson and Sylvia Dyer communicated for several months and reached out to their classmates until Dyer was beset with health challenges. Many were unable to drive or were otherwise struggling with their own health; for that reason, the reunion was nearly canceled.
Ultimately, Jackson decided that the best course of action would be to have it anyway, holding up the offer that if anyone needed some downtime to rest or a place to stay barring an immediate ride back home, they could spend the night at his home.
Guests were even treated to a full lunch courtesy of Jackson’s daughter Lisa Mashburn, granddaughter Wendy Mashburn and daughter-in-law Missy Mashburn. The menu kept in mind the foods the Class of ’56 grew up with alongside individual favorites like corn and green beans.
In the end, 12 members of the class attended that Saturday. They cruised down memory lane with photos taken from past gatherings, when the group used to meet at The Skillet restaurant in Blairsville, and one large class picture dating back to their graduation.
Jackson even had his old bicycle and prom jacket on display, complete with a pink carnation. He and his wife were noted as the only couple from that class with both parties still alive – albeit with Beverly Jackson being part of the Class of 1957.
Although the poster wall adorned with photos of their departed fellows had been lost, guests continued to keep their memories alive by telling stories about them and applauding their legacies.
Prominent ’56 graduate Bud Akins in particular was remembered not for his recent passing, but for his reputation as a legend in Union County through his hard work at the Historical Society and beyond.
Besides the numerous photos cataloging the past and present, there was a guestbook that all were encouraged to sign. Many left messages of gratitude to Jackson and his family for allowing them the space to continue a beloved tradition.
The decision to hold it at his house, Jackson said, had been made based on several factors. For one, The Skillet is no longer in business, and there were no other affordable venues that had the capacity to handle a large crowd for an extended period of time.
It helped, too, that the Jacksons had hosted a reunion for the Class of ’57 with wild success, so why not invite the Class of ’56?
Exola and Leola Rich said that, as twins, they had a unique experience compared to their classmates. It took years for the truth to come out, but one often posed as the other to teachers to pull grades up.
One twin even stood in for the other’s driving test and later taught her everything she learned. They were frequently mixed up by other students, and only sometimes did they correct the mistake “depending on the situation.”
Betty Louise Saxon enjoyed the chance to interact with her classmates in a different capacity than she had when she was in school. Describing herself as “shy and timid” before graduation, she had a chance to come out of her shell as an adult and loved the opportunity to reconnect.
“I can talk to any of them now,” Saxon admitted. “I won’t miss a class reunion if I can help it. I just like to see everybody.”
Because she drove all the way from Alpharetta, Saxon was awarded a gift for being the classmate to travel the farthest to the reunion. Jackson gave her a bottle of high-quality, apple cinnamon-scented furniture polish, much to the amusement of the rest of the class.
“We still have so many good memories from 1956 from every single classmate here,” Lance said before resolving to believe that there were still good memories for them to make in the present. All of those in attendance seemed to agree with the sentiment, and they, along with Jackson, decided to continue holding regular reunions at Jackson’s residence.
“It just confirms what I always knew about our class. We were always close,” Lance said, with Dyer agreeing, “It’s family. You know, it’s like getting together with brothers and sisters you haven’t gotten together with in a long time.”
