Howard Academy High School Class of 1970 celebrates 53 years of memories

Gwendolyn Hall Brady and
Shirley Saunders Gilley
Contributors

Cherry Hall Alexander, as Planning Committee General Chairwoman, coordinated outstandingly Monticello’s Howard Academy High School Class of 1970 53rd Class Reunion, June 9-11, 2023, at The Barn, 157 W. Glenn Rd. in Monticello, Fla. Chairwoman Alexander was most capably assisted by the following Planning Committee members: Ulysses Bellamy, Gwendolyn Hall Brady, Franklin Brooks, Gloria Cox, Christine Kirksey-Ford, Shirley Saunders Gilley, Alberta Gilley-Granger, Rufus Noble, Otis Norton, Joretha Nealy-Sloan, Willie B. Smith, Virgil Walker and Barbara Gamble-Williams.
Historically, the Class of 1970 was the last to graduate from Howard Academy High School, wherein the early 1970s was the official time period for full integration of Jefferson County public schools. Unfortunately, this action resulted in the closure of Howard Academy. However, during its distinguished existence from 1936 until 1970, it was the only high school for African-American students in Jefferson County. At its last location, Howard Academy High School held high school graduations for the 1960 through 1970 graduating classes.
Howard Academy’s Class of 1970 had planned to hold a 50th Reunion, but COVID-19 restrictions caused the cancellation of that celebration. Chairwoman Alexander and the Planning Committee members, with the approval of all classmates, agreed to hold a 53rd Reunion after a substantial reduction of COVID-19 cases. The theme was “Bumblebees of 1970: Celebrating 53 Years of Blessed Memories!”
During the reunion, blessed memories abounded everywhere! God was in control! He alone allowed classmates to gather for the reunion from as far away as California, Georgia and all parts of Florida! God’s amazing grace and mercy were present in every reunion event, which included opening and closing prayers at every Planning Committee meeting; during the Western-themed Fun Night on Friday, June 9, where a Candlelight Memorial Service honoring deceased classmates was held; at the Saturday, June 10, Bumblebees Reuniting Picnic; the Saturday Night, June 10, Night of Remembrance; and the Sunday, June 11, Church Service at Sweetfield Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3679 Old Lloyd Rd., Monticello, Fla., where Reverend Kassalando Brooks is Pastor. The class presented a monetary gift to Pastor Brooks and the congregation to assist Sweetfield’s ministries and missions. The presentation was given to commemorate the passing of Sweetfield’s member and former Reunion Planning Committee member, classmate Sarah Ransom Byford.
The Planning Committee proudly acknowledged that Reunion attendees and participants represented 84 percent of the remaining class members! Additionally, the Class of 1970 was very happy that former Principal George W. Pittman, Sr., and former English teacher Shirley Alexander Washington enthusiastically accepted invitations to attend the reunion. Both gave heartfelt remarks. Mr. Pittman attended all class reunion events!
A “Candlelight Memorial Service” was held on Friday, June 10, to honor the following 28 deceased classmates, who are now resting in eternal peace with God, but whose loving spirits were present throughout the Class Reunion: Brenda Austin, Hosea Baulkmon, Linda Brinson, Sandra Butler, Charles Conway, Yvonne Cuthbert, Earl Davis, Margaret Hagan, Mildred Hagan, Robert Kelly Hayes, Vernon Hill, Marjorie Huggins, Willie Johnson, Jr., John Henry King, Mildred King, Gary Leonard, Franklin Loggins, Lorene Miller, William Miller, Joe Louis Mitchell, Eugene Norton, David Peck, Sam Proctor, Jr., Sarah Ransom, Richard Russ, Harriet Tucker and Leo Tucker. The Class of 1970 knows not of Annie J. Pender’s whereabouts, yet respectfully honored her during the Candlelight Memorial Service.
The following classmates wanted to attend the 53rd Reunion, but conflicts in their schedules would not allow them to do so. They were recognized, with love, as part of the Class of 1970: Clarence Alexander, Joseph Alexander, Willie Baldwin, Diane Barrington-Day, Alice Branham, Delma Conner, Leonard Frazier, Leroy Gallon, Hodges Hall, Cornelius Hawkins, Ella Hicks-Young, Josephine Jones-Williams, Louise Macon, Harold Mathis, Jenethel McQuay-Jones, Alice Miller, Earnest Miller, Freddie Miller, Joyce Miller, Marlene Morris-Bines, Mary Philpot-Coakley, Linda Plummer-Smith, Ruby Roberts Darring, Willie Saffo, Theola Thompson-Crumity, Charles Ulee, Sallie Washington, Carolyn White-Robinson, Simon Williams and Maggie Wilson-Hall.
The Class of 1970 extends very special thanks and appreciation to Chairwoman Cherry Hall-Alexander, her husband Lorenzo, and sister Mary Hall-Bryant, for their exceptionally hard work performed to ensure the success of the 53rd Class Reunion!
Although the Howard Academy Class of 1970 53rd Reunion has drawn to a close, class members’ prayers and love for one another will always remain strong, in accordance with Psalm 133:1 (KJV): “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”