Clearspring reunion held at Brownstown

The 61st annual Clearspring School reunion recently was held at Brownstown Elementary School with former teachers, students, families and friends attending.

President Darrell Branaman welcomed the group, giving special recognition to all veterans present. The Rev. David Fisher gave the invocation for the pitch-in dinner.

After the meal, the meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, and special thanks was given to all who volunteered with setting up, decorating and helping serve the food and drinks.

Special recognition was given to the 1962 graduating class, which was celebrating its 50th year. Those present were Dwight Fisher, Everett and Esther Hanner, Earl and Patricia Lawson Johnson, Mary Adams Louden, Carl and Janet Speer Matlock, Ed Wayne Price and Marge, Roger Sovern and Slim, Clyde and Mona Smith, Carol and Bobbie Taylor, and Lester and Rebecca Urbain.

Rose Wray, secretary-treasurer, read her reports, which were approved.

The floor was opened for nomination of officers to be elected for the coming year. The same officers will serve for another year. They are Darrell Branaman, president; Wilma Wessel, vice president, and Rose Wray, secretary-treasurer.

A candle was lit by the president as Jim Cooper played soft music on his harmonica along with Dwight Fisher playing his guitar. Wilma Wessel read the memorial roll of 19 names of teachers, students and others associated with the school who had passed away this past year. The ceremony was followed by prayer.

Past cheerleaders present were Thelma Fleenor Crider, Linda Fleetwood Helmbrecht, Sue Curry Isaacs and Reva Goen Pearson who led the group in two yells and sang the school song.

A Clearspring Warrior clock donated by The Clotheshorse was auctioned off.

Baskets were then passed to cover the expenses, and it was announced that the Houston Fall Festival is planned for Oct. 13.

Frank Cummings, Norval Cummings, Dwight Fisher, James Hanners, Larry Isaacs and Cheryl Meadows were recognized as former coaches and teachers.

Roll call was given by the classes with everyone introducing themselves, and many told stories relating to their school days. Melvin Weddell was given special recognition and a potted plant for being the oldest graduate present, graduating with the class of 1942.

Winning door prizes of purple potted asters were David Fisher, Carl Matlock and Donald Spurlock.

Myrna Timberlake Ratcliff, an original performer from the Fisher-Timberlake Circus, did an act of going through the rings.

James Cooper and Dwight Fisher then entertained with stories of school and college days and more music.

The reunion closed with singing the closing song, written by Norma Black Nichols.