After five months of meeting, planning, and working, our 40th reunion was held at the Greenville Hilton on Saturday, March 27, 2004, and it was a wonderful time. There were 70 classmates and 46 spouses or guests in attendance. The Class Roster page provides updated information which includes current mailing and email addressees. Classmates traveling the farthest distance were Donald Pierce from California and Ruth Johnson Mazurek from Texas. To those of you who attended, we're so glad you came and sincerely hope it was a pleasant evening for you. To those of you who were not with us, we missed you and hope to see you at the next reunion. There have been suggestions that we not wait 10 years for the next one.

The day started off with a golf game arranged by Parker Overton. Those playing were: Parker Overton, Larry Dunn, Denny Hardee, David Miller, Mac Roebuck (these five were the winners), Walter Batista, Richard Taft, Gene Hemby, Jack Foley, and his son Buddy. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather and a great game of golf.

Although the official starting time for the evening event was 7 p.m., lots of people arrived around 6:30. There were hugs and laughs and greetings of delight from everyone. The Hilton gave us the West Wing with a beautiful ballroom and spacious hallway to use. The welcome table, a picture collage board, and food and beverage stands were in the hallway. Eleven tables, additional chairs, the "Memory" board (a board with the pictures and names of deceased classmates), food and beverage stands, a band stand for the DJ, and a dance floor were in the ballroom which was decorated with green and white balloons and a Class of 1963 banner. Everyone was talking and mingling and enjoying the delicious food. Around 7:30 Lewis Brewer welcomed everyone, introduced the Reunion Committee, and Parker Overton gave the invocation. Then while the DJ played Elvis's version of “Memories,” Lewis read the names of the 19 classmates who have died since graduation (See Deceased Classmates page). This was a very touching and reverent moment. The main meal was set out for everyone to enjoy. Then, John Moore (Big John) began playing music from the '60s and '70s and occasionally interjecting trivia about Greenville during our high school years. I don't think the dance floor was empty during a single song until the music stopped around 11 p.m. The last guests left shortly thereafter.

Some of the comments received were “This was the best reunion ever,” “It was a wonderful event,” “I’m so glad I came,” and “Let’s not wait another ten years for the next reunion.”

Take care of yourself, keep in touch with each other, and I hope to see you at the 45th reunion.

Mary Jo Peaden Nevil

Other Reunion Committee Members: Judi Batchelor, Frank Lewis Brewer, Mattie Langley Cole-Burney, Jack Foley, Denny Hardee, Della Dail Harrell, Gene Hemby, Frances Harvey Mallison, Paula Pollard Mills, Ann Nichols Moore, Parker Overton, Richard Taft, Faye Jones Whitfield, Donna Whitley-Sebti