09-13-06

Monday evening around 7:00 p.m., Dorothy, Brockett called me and said that she had some history to share. She always has some very interesting information that is worthy of recording.

She shared with me information about the eighth grade class graduation in Aubrey in 1960. The class consisted of the following nine students: Marion Brockett, Joe Shelton, Wanda Redfearn, Earlene Deeds, Diana Hoffman, Betty Shelton, Marilyn Owens, Bill Loader and Dale Sims. The Eight Grade Graduation Program included the following: Linda Bostic played the Processional. Rev. O.R. Looper presented the Invocation. Wanda Redfearn sang "Bells of St. Mary." The Valedictorian was Marion Brockett. John Lawhon, Assistant County District Attorney delivered the address. Superintendent, L.T. Umphress presented the diplomas. The Benediction was led by Rev. O.R. Looper and Linda Bostic led the Recessional.

In Dorothy’s collection of history and family keepsakes from the past 75 years, she has a school recipe book that with all of the handling throughout the years has become very fragile. The recipes in the book were from 1968. The students at the school contributed their favorite recipes to the book Favorite recipes were shared by Waunita Beaty, Barbara Bradford, Deborah Goin, Deborah Kay Wilson, Scarlett Popko, Judy Dane, Janet Beaty, Debbie Chandler, Onor Goin, Donna Wilson, Mrs. Pam Terry.

While visiting with Dorothy, H.L. and Janice came over to her house and shared some accurate dates and facts from the school during this period. There were 150 to 160 students in the entire school. The eleventh and twelfth grades were bused to Pilot Point, where they attended their last two years of school.

In 1965, Doyle J. Hood, and his wife Mary Ruth Hood came to the Aubrey School District as superintendent. He and the school board decided that the Aubrey School should include all grades in Aubrey. A bond for $250,000 was passed during the Hood’s first year in Aubrey. The school enrollment at that time was 165.

The school enrollment has been increasing since that new school building was built. The present and past school board administration has demonstrated an excellent ability to anticipate and meet the growing school’s needs.

H.L., Marion, and Janice Brockett are Dorothy’s children. This family has demonstrated an ongoing loyalty to the community that has contributed to the growth of the community and to the Aubrey school district.

While visiting with Dorothy, she showed me a photo of the Wilson Cemetery entrance. The Wilson Cemetery is the burial ground for many pioneer families in this area.

Dorothy is hunting for one of her old Wilson photos, and if she finds it before The Town Charter is finished on Tuesday, we will share it with you. If not, we will have it next week.

The Wilson family has been in the area since the days when the area was known as Onaga.

The phot this week is from Dorothy Brockett’s collection. It is the Eighth Grade Valedictorian and Salutatorian in 1960 at Aubrey School.

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