Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993 TAG: 9311190362
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHAFIQ A. MAJIED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Lifelong friends, having shared so many binding intimacies, enjoyed their time together as no others. It was a wonder to behold the excitement and joyous exchanges as those classmates (some who hadn't seen each other since graduation) embraced. Continuous flashing cameras recorded the images on film while the warmth of these precious moments was recorded in our hearts.
The character traits that endeared people to one another were rediscovered and friendships renewed. Often it seemed that hardly a beat had been missed.
Charles Day (chairman of the Roanoke city School Board) was our guest speaker. More than 25 years ago, "Coach" Day commanded big RESPECT from all the guys in school. We definitely admired the manner in which this man carried himself. He was strictly a no-nonsense person, yet he was approachable and you felt comfortable with him. His timely and witty talk reminded us how fortunate we were to have had dedicated educators such as he. It's really strange to most of us guys how people today continually point to so-called role models who are so removed from our youth.
If ever there was a teacher who was everyone's sweetheart, Louise Fuller Prunty is the prototype. We simply adored her. She made us feel special. Her charm had not diminished one bit. This became apparent when she stated we were her favorite class, because she was with us from our freshman year until we graduated. My personal relationship with this gracious lady goes back to my early childhood. Her son, Joe Fuller, (now deceased) was one of my first playmates. In my 3-year-old child's mind, I was becoming a "big boy" because I could walk alone the half block to visit her house.
These were just two of a long line of educators from Lucy Addison High School who gave of themselves far beyond expectations. Ours was a time when this country and this city had not completely committed to the high ideals mandated in the constitution. While society and institutions were telling us one thing about our worth as human beings, these educators were telling us another. Thank God we believed them and thank God for them!
Friendships forged in one's formative years are often the yardstick by which future relationships are measured. It is when we are most pliant that these friendships stamp their impression on our very souls.
I remember standing in the Roanoke Civic Center last summer at the Grand Lucy Addison High School Reunion, which is held every three years. It was magnificent to see so many people together who had grown up with each other, many with their parents, aunts and uncles, and in some instances, grandparents. I thought in the midst of this, if I could see one person from my childhood who would be the "icing on the cake" for me at this reunion, it would be William "Nay" Thornhill.
Nay and I had begun old Gainsboro Elementary together. We walked to school with one another every day for years, remaining close friends through high school. Afterward, he moved to Michigan, and I hadn't seen him in 22 years. When I turned to respond to the tap on my shoulder, and my eyes made contact with this man with whom I had shared so much of my growing years, it was emotionally overwhelming. The embrace bruised my ribs, but absolutely soothed the yearning that beckons longtime friends to reunions.
He vowed that if he was healthy he would never miss another one. True to his word, Nay was here for the Class of '68's 25th reunion. He told me that coming home, spending time with friends, had rejuvenated and helped him refocus on the really important aspects of life.
Milton Brown echoed this sentiment moments later. He spoke of the excitement he felt as the date for the reunion drew closer. Milton traveled farther than any classmate, coming from California. I listened intently as he explained how the strength of anything is found in its foundation, and so it is with people. To me, Milton represents the person who has fine-tuned the balance in life. He's sincere and serious, yet he enjoys himself immensely when fun time comes. For good times and enjoyment of company, it would be difficult to find two people more fun and enjoyable than William "Boo Boo" Pannell and Leroy "Leechie" Logan. These guys kind of set the mood for fun and they always seem up for the occasion. Boo Pannell gives so much of himself to the youth of this city through his coaching different athletic teams.
Certainly, I could go on with more terrific things about my classmates. I should tell you of how very nice are Essie Hall Dalton, Dinah Fitzgerald Fultz, Gary Preston and Norris Kasey. How integrity is what comes to mind when I think of Mary Jackson Johnson and Roy Welcher. That Mike Bowens points the way toward family stability, and that Ruth Campbell Claytor and Freeland "Sonny" Pendleton are the consummate professionals. These classmates embody the noble and endearing qualities that lifelong friendships must have to endure. How excellent, the men and women they have become!
Happiness and fulfillment that come from the warmth of friendship is one essence of true wealth. You absolutely can't put a price tag on it. Whenever the opportunity is presented to be among old friends, take advantage of it. The time you share will be invaluable.
After two full nights of celebration, we gathered at a restaurant for brunch. In the parking lot before parting, we were asked to form a circle and join hands. Someone questioned why this was necessary. Bobby Perkins stood in the middle of the circle and gave this explanation: This may be our last time together as we were. Not one of us could guarantee we would be here for the 30th reunion. There was a mutual chorus of "Amen" to that.
None of us realized how soon one of us would leave, making Bobby's comments sadly prophetic. I'm sure my reaction mirrored my classmates' when the stunning news came two days later that Sandra Wilson Smith had been killed.
As the circle we formed at the restaurant broke after the singing of our alma mater, I overheard a classmate ask Yvonne Dudley Perry and Sandra Smith if they had enjoyed themselves. Yvonne answered in the affirmative and added that something had to be wrong with anyone who didn't. Sandra answered by saying that this reunion was one of the best times she'd ever had in her life.
I'm sure I speak for all who were there when I say we feel "Blessed" for whatever part we played in sharing that with her.
\ Shafiq A. Majied is a free-lance writer who lives in Roanoke.
by CNB