Ed B. Massey, Editor December 2003 Reunion 2003: Good in the Apple The Westfield Mass Choir, directed by Carole Kirkland and accompanied on piano by The 35th Annual Westfield High School Alisha Kirkland, sang and the Praise Dancers Reunion was held in New York City and was from Faith Baptist Church of Hempstead (the a fantastic affair – it upheld the tradition. church of Anne Paschal, WHS60) performed Beginning with Thursday’s registration and inspiring dances set to spiritual music. ending with Sunday’s breakfast, the events were fun-filled and inspiring. In between, there were dances, a trip to Atlantic City and the Wildcat Banquet/Ball. The reunion was capped by an inspirational breakfast on Sunday morning. The banquet was culminated by the passing of On Friday, we took a bus trip to Atlantic City the gavel to the Los Angeles Chapter and wild where many of us deposited money to the celebration of relief by the New York Chap- local economy while a few made withdrawals. ter. A few of us also took a trip up the boardwalk to check out the lay of the land. On Sunday morning, at the inspirational breakfast the Men’s Choir from Faith Baptist Church performed and Bishop Larry Kirkland

Also, on Saturday, Westfield High Alumni Association gave $1000 scholarships each to two students, Roshunda D. Pitts and Marquita J. Hill. The scholarship awards are made possible by contributions into the Annual Reunion Scholarship fund by WHS alumni chapters. Jackie Dixon At the Saturday night banquet, State Senator (WHS 67) gave an additional $1000 in honor Malcolm Smith gave a rousing speech of her sister, the late Mary Nell Thomas, a delivered a sermon based on Psalms 107, centered around the reunion theme, “Our member of the Chapter. Mary Nell which begins “O give thanks unto the Lord, Spirit Still Stands”. He said that, after listen- was a graduate of Miles College. for He is good……” With a mixture of ing to the other The New York Chapter presented the first prayer, scripture, song, humor and preaching, speakers, he C.L. Reeves Award to Clarence Sanders, the his sermon included the following: knew that the WHSAA Alumni Chairperson. Other awards spirit of West- went to members of the NY Chapter who ß Thanks to WHSAA for closing these field still stands, made signifi- reunions by including God. he felt like he cant contribu- ß Somebody ought to tell the Lord, “Thank was in regal tions to the you”. The worst sin is the sin of lack of surroundings success of the gratitude. Sometimes we enjoy all the and he could feel the WHS spirit. Then, using reunion and to things God has done for us and we fail to several instances, Senator Smith urged us to Ed B. Massey, say “Thank you”. pass on the spirit to our children, make them Larry Kirkland ß Somebody ought to thank the Lord for dress right, educate them – its our responsi- and Luzadie saving their souls. bilities, make sure they understand the new Grant for ß Somebody ought to thank the Lord for technologies. They have to understand that services to the saving them from prison, education is the key to success. One of his last Westfield High points was, “If you think the clock is not Alumni Association. ß Somebody ought to tell the Lord, “Thank being turned back, you need to pay attention. you for your healing”.

http://westfieldhigh.home.comcast.net/ ß Somebody ought to tell the Lord, “Thank Robbins, Rebinell Grayson- Florence, Mattie Jimmie Mae Clark Freeman died on you for your goodness”. Clemon, Kennedy Rice, Eddie Mae Wilkins, Sunday, December 7th and her funeral was on th Larry had a book for sale and was auto- Alease Sims, Vera White, Leon Jackson, Friday, December 12 . She was in the graphing them until they ran out. But you can Morgan Blaylock, Jeanette Render and Mrs Westfield Class of ’52 and a 1972 graduate of order one by contacting the Bishop. Randall Harris for a festive Holiday Dance. Miles College. She was raised in Wylam Former WHS Mathematics professor, Sam (Number 8 community). She is the sister of Reunion 2004 in Los Angeles "Lawson State" Moore was hanging tough the late Rev. Harold and Woodie Clark. She Hosts: WHSAA California Chapter with the Sixty-Fivers. was a retired teacher from the Birmingham School System and lived in Fairfield until her Dates: August 12-15, 2004 Without the 'Lectric Slide or the Slide, members of the Class of '65 got it on to death. Package Price: $TBD Mitty Collier's "I Had A Talk With My Man Mrs. Pearlie Bone died December 9 and the Send to: Last Night" plus several other oldie goldie, funeral was held on December 13 at St Paul Ed B. Massey squeeze your honey tunes. Methodist Church in Wylam. Pearlie had 5652 Conifer Drive celebrated her 100th Birthday this past La Palma CA 90623 Transitions August. Congratulations are in order to the former Deadline for registration is July TBD, 2004 Acy Grayson died recently. It was revealed Westfield High School majorette, Lucile The itinerary has not yet been set. It and the on December 6, but no more information was Johnson, who became Mrs. Clarence package price will be sent to the chapters and available at press time. Acy was a member of Sanders on November 21, 1953. will appear in the next newsletter. In the the Class of 1960. They were married at the Bessemer, meantime, updated reunion information will Damon Atkins died in Birmingham on Courthouse the same year that Jacqueline be available at the WHSAA web site. August 15 and Eugene Dobson, of the New Bouvier married John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Location: Westin Los Angeles Airport York Chapter died on August 18. (More on the future president of the . 5400 West Century Blvd the WHSAA web site) Los Angeles CA 90045 Mr. John Pace, a former mathematics Phone: 1-310-216-5858 or 1-800-WESTIN1. teacher at Westfield High, and the uncle of Ask for Westfield High School Reunion Sherman, Allen and Tommy Pace (all West- package. field graduates) died in June in California There is a free shuttle from the airport. after a long illness. Room Rates: $81 plus tax per room per night. Lloyd Reese died on April 27 in Paterson, Parking: $6.00 per day with in and out New Jersey. Lloyd, a Westfield High gradu- privileges, ate, graduated from Miles College with honors and was a member of the varsity Room reservations can be made immediately, basketball team. He was a gifted musician but must be received not later than July 13, and songwriter; his most notable song was "I 2004. Got To Get Away From It All", sung by Mitty Collier. His many other song-writing The Chapter is soliciting ads for its souvenir credits include gospel songs written for and book. Prices, including pictures, are performed by several nationally known groups. (more on the WHSAA web site) Full page $115.00 Half page 65.00 Myrtis Merriweather Reyes, Class of "57" passed on April 3. She lived in Hueytown. Quarter page 40.00 Lucile and Clarence in 2003 Business Card 25.00 Patron 5.00 The former football star and his young bride Picture(s) submitted and labeled properly, married at a time when a new Ford cost will be returned if self addressed, stamped $2000.00, bread cost 16 cents, gas cost 22 envelope is enclosed. cents and postage stamp cost 3 cents. Today, Please remit ads no later than June 15, 2004 the lovely couple resides in Chicago, IL to: where Lucile is a domestic engineer and Va Ellen Bowman Clarence, is a semi-retired entrepreneur, when 12408 South Elva he is not serving as Chairman of the West- Los Angeles CA 90059 field High School Alumni Association. The happy couple along with their 4 successful Twins Claudia W. Roberson and Claudette Chicago Tentatively Chosen for 2005 children, grandchildren, friends and relatives W. Gadson passed away in August 2002 and April 2003 respectively. Both sisters attended At the Executive Board meeting in New celebrated their 50 years of marital bliss on Westfield High and were long-time residents York, Clarence Sanders tentatively volun- Friday, November 28, 2003 at the Oak Lawn of Los Angeles. They had been members of teered the Chicago Chapter as host for the Hilton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Emma the California Chapter. They will be missed WHSAA reunion in 2005. More information Robinson and Rev. Charles Streight from the by family, friends and sister, Doris Anderson, will be available at the Los Angeles reunion. Wesley United Methodist Church officiated during the program. class of 1947 and a Birmingham Chapter Class of 1965 Hold Christmas Party member. Obituaries The Westfield Class of 1965 celebrated Christmas together on Saturday, December Kathleen Moore, wife of Johnny Moore, the 20, 2003. In a soulful Wildcat fashion at the president of the Detroit Chapter, succumbed WHSAA web site is now at Comcast (see Docena Community Center, guests joined on December 19 to burns she suffered earlier bottom of page 1). The ATT site is no longer updated. Wallace Simmons, Norris "The Drum Major" in the week.