Look Back In Yalobusha History
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Looking Back – From 1994 – Larry Harris (left) was pretty as a picture, but brother Danny still needed a little work to get ready for the Watermelon Pageant, May 21, 1994 at the Civic Auditorium. – Photo by Jack Gurner
It’s been a mere 75 years since the Class of 1949 walked during graduation ceremonies at the old Water Valley High School auditorium. One of the seniors, Mildred Mayo “Mim” Carpenter, wrote biographies about herself and her fellow senior class members for the Herald. We don’t have space to run them all, but here is a selection of her bios:
Eva Frances Brooks – nicknamed “Evil” – was one of the class members who could be depended on to do her part. She was editor-in-chief of the Yellow Jacket, had a part in the senior play and was make-up editor of the Valley Views. She was leaning slightly toward further schooling in business.
Betty Jo Evans – nicknamed “Sis” – had only been with the class for a year, but had made her presence known as feature editor of the Yellow Jacket, took part in the senior play and was in the Who’s Who. She planned on attending Ole Miss and was considering a major in nutrition.
Betty Ruth Spurgeon – nicknamed “Lucy” – was one of the working girls of the class (in school and out), according to Mim. She worked at the picture show, but still had time for school functions. She was in the beauty section of the Valley Views yearbook, the Who’s Who and had a staring role in the senior play. She represented WV in the Miss Mississippi pageant.
Dorothy Ruth Tayor – nicknamed “Boss” – was known for her busyness because she never seemed to have a dull minute and everywhere she went, she ran. She served as fashion editor of the Yellow Jacket and was editor-in-chief of the Valley Views. During her junior year she was Annual Queen. She was Salutatorian of the class and planned a career as a housewife.
Charles Alvin Holloway – nicknamed “Jocko” – had been with the class from the beginning. He was manager of the football team and played during his sophomore year. He helped make it possible to have a senior play by planning the enlarging of the stage and doing his share of the work.
Don William Moore – nicknamed “Bill” – was always the brains of the class and was selected as Valedictorian. He showed an interest in all athletics with a partiality to tennis. He typed for Valley Views and the Yellow Jacket and was in the senior play.
David Jackson Jones – nicknamed “Wimpy” – had been with the class for three years. He was a well-liked member of the class and played tackle on the football team. He planned on doing carpenter work for the sum- mer and might make it permanent.
Ben Francis Horan – Ben had gotten just about every honor a boy could get in high school, Mim wrote. He was Mr. WVHS, King of the Valley Views, captain of the football team and played multiple sports. He planned to enter Ole Miss and take a course in law.
Billy Bryce Williamson – had been with the class all through high school and though little was seen of him during school hours, you usually saw quite a bit of him after school hours. He planned to attend Mississippi State College.
Hubert H. Sanders – had worked tirelessly for the last year on the Yellow Jacket as art editor and had done some splendid work. He was considering Ole Miss where he would study pharmacy.
Mildred Mayo Carpenter – nicknamed “Mim” and “Ugly” – seemed to be a very popular girl with the students and teachers. She had only been with the class for two-and-a-half years, but was president of the junior class, president of the “W” club for two years, president of the band, president of the Y-Teens, sports editor of the Yellow Jacket and Valley Views, elected football queen and selected as Miss WVHS. She planned to attend Millsaps College and major in religious education.
Through The Years From The Herald
• 15 years ago, May 14, 2009 – Former WVHS Band Director Stanley Crow was the first recipient of the Water Valley Arts Council Ed Shearer Memorial Award for Artistic Achievement.
• 20 years ago, May 13, 2004 – Scarlett Hart was selected Watermelon Queen.
• 30 years ago, May 12, 1994 – Dog show winners during the May Day activities downtown were “Cutest,” Jo-Jo, with owner Julie Jones; “Dog-Owner Look Alike,” Bud, with owner Mandy Mills; “Best Groomed,” Daisy, with owner Heather River; and “Best Truck,” Nikkie, with owner Lauren York.
• 40 years ago, May 17, 1984 – Valedictorian Melissa Edwards and Salutatorian Tracy Baggett led the class of 1984.
• 50 years ago, May 16, 1974 – Valedictorian for the WVHS Class of 1974 was Eddie Aune with Annie Laura Gooch, Salutatorian.
• 60 years ago, May 14, 1964 – The WVHS Band majorettes were pictured including Drum Major Eleanor Nelson and featured twirlers Bonnie Cox and Ethelyne Turnage.
• 70 years ago, May 13, 1954 – Mrs. Harry Fair was elected state vice-president at the Mississippi Jaycette Convention.
• 80 years ago, May 11, 1944 – The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the life sentence of Coffeeville poolhall operator Aaron Heafner for the murder of Pvt. Jimmy Deskin.
