Our classmate, Annette (Anne) Neville Williams of Chapel Hill, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2012 at home surrounded by her family. She had fought a courageous battle with cancer for the last two and half years.

She was born on March 30, 1939 on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. She was the oldest of four children born to the late Ralph and Estelle Neville of Chapel Hill. She retired from the University of North Carolina with 30 years of service. She was very active in the community, and immensely enjoyed spending time at North Myrtle Beach with family and friends.

Anne is survived by her husband, Claudie B. Williams of the home; her son, Timothy Williams (Teresa) of Chapel Hill; her sister, Jane Hatley of Chapel Hill; and her two brothers, Bryant Neville (Sandra) and Claude Neville, both of Chapel Hill; two grandsons, Ryan Williams (Stephanie) of Burlington, and Brandon Williams of Chapel Hill; and great granddaughter, Hailey Williams of Burlington; and lots of nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Visitation will be at Antioch Baptist Church in Chapel Hill from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2012. The funeral service will be held at Antioch Baptist Church on Monday, April 2, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Antioch Baptist Church building fund at 1707 White Cross Road, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516 in memory of Anne.

Jean (Bowden) Roberson and Carolyn (Dark) Lacock are doing the arrangements again this year. There will be a $20 charge per person to cover the food and facility, as well as incidental expenses. Please let Jean know by May 10th for sure if you will attend and how many — that is the absolute “deadline” so we can provide a head count for food purchasing. And by all means, respond as soon as you are sure. Jean will be the treasurer for the event, so make your check payable to:

Jean B. Roberson

and send it to:

Jean Bowden Roberson
4756 E. Greensboro/CH Rd.
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 376-3807

Besides the website, we’ll also email everyone that we have email addresses for and will send a letter to those that have resisted the computer era. The UNC graduation is the weekend before this, so there should be motel/hotel accomodations generally available.

Directions to Jimmy Freeland’s:

From Carrboro, take NC Highway 54 West, approximately 7.5 miles, then turn left on Morrow Mill Road, go 1 mile and it is on the left. That is Jimmy Freeland, 6624 Morrow Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 for you Magellan/Garmin/TomTom fans. If you need help I’ll have my cell with me/turned on and it’s 336-258-0081, or, Jimmy Freeland’s cell number is 919-971-9126.

If anyone else wants to take the lead and plan or host another activity for Friday or Sunday, let me know soon and I’ll publicize it here and by email as well!

Hope to see you there!!

Pete Ness

From Bill:

Peter…….

Please post a notice on your web site that the class DVD project has been canceled because I had to go back to work full-time and will not have time to devote to the project.

Bill Jefferson

Well, in anticipation of our 55th class reunion in 2012, they have joined forces and are working on a project that should result in a DVD for everyone that is about us, the Class Of ‘57.

Elaini Says:

“Our plan is to to prepare a Ken-Burns-like documentary for the 55th reunion next year (probably in mid to late May). Milburn and I will do the story board and script. Bill Jefferson will put together the photos, sound, and music. We are hoping that our classmates will contribute photos as well as take the opportunity to tell us about their lives and how their lives have developed since the 50’s (or before) and what their high school experiences have meant to them and their families. To do this we need your help — send us a short, quick summary of your lives from then to now and especially, any photos you can spare.”

NOTE: You may contact Elaini, Bill, or Milburn through the information listed for them in the web page’s Class Directory at the right.

Attendees from afar included but were not limited to David Schwentker and Roy Teague.

Jimmy and his wife Joyce prepared fried chicken, barbecue, vegetables, salads and desserts enough to meet everyone’s grazing needs.

A few pictures follow so you can see how we are doing these days. For simplicity, I used the girl’s maiden names in the labels.

Pete Ness

Jean Bowden, Betty Lou Andrews, and others

Alice Jean Riggsbee, Wesley Woods, Rebecca Partin, Wayne Lacock

Robert Glosson, Bill Jefferson

Bill Jefferson, Roy (Merle) Teague, John Foushee

Glenda Andrews, Willie Fischer

Sandy Fischer

Jeanette Carlilse, Don Atwater

Ann Neville

Grey Moody, Gordon Neville

Wayne and JoAnn Poe

Jan Neville, Paula Sturdivant

Jimmy Freeland, John Foushee

Rayvon Sturdivant

Millburn Gibbs, Bill Creech, Henry Andrews

There’ll be more pictures as time permits!

WHEN?
May 21, 2011 at 2 p.m.

WHO?
All of us that are able to attend.

WHERE?
Jimmy Freeland’s place in the country where we have gathered before.

WHY?
Because it’s time for another reunion — that’s why!

Jean (Bowden) Roberson volunteered to take care of arrangements for this gathering. There is no charge anticipated as the class treasury will cover the cost for use of Freeland’s shelter and the planned barbecue dinner. Please let us know by May 10th for sure if you will attend and how many — that is our “deadline” so we can provide a head count for food purchasing. And by all means, respond as soon as you are sure. You can “RSVP” to Jean at:

Jean Bowden Roberson
4756 E. Greensboro/CH Rd.
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 376-3807

Or alternatively, to peteness@triad.rr.com (336-366-4224) I’ll pass the email responses on to Jean.

Besides the website, we’ll also email everyone that we have email addresses for and will send a letter to those that have resisted the computer era.

Directions to Jimmy Freeland’s:

From Carrboro, take NC Highway 54 West, approximately 7.5 miles, then turn left on Morrow Mill Road, go 1 mile and it is on the left. That is Jimmy Freeland, 6624 Morrow Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 for you Magellan/Garmin/TomTom fans. If you need help I’ll have my cell with me/turned on and it’s 336-258-0081, or, Jimmy Freeland’s cell number is 919-971-9126.

Hope to see you there!!

Pete Ness

Marilyn Watson Szilagy, Lala’s sister, left us a note here at the website with the sad news that Lala has passed away. Here is her obituary from The Garner News:

Lala A. Watson, 70, died Saturday, May 30 at Rex Hospital.

The family received friends and relatives Tuesday, June 2 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home from 1p.m. to 1:45 p.m. A prayer service and burial at Sandy Grove Church Cemetery in Angier followed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Watson’s name to St. Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Church (1008 Vandora Springs Road, Garner, NC 27529 919-772-5524).

Jesse Belle Lewis
February 24, 1915 — September 22, 2009

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Jessie Belle Lewis of Enfield, NC, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 in Raleigh. She was born Feb. 24, 1915. Miss Lewis was preceded in death by her parents, James Henry “Sam” and Frances Parker Lewis, and her brother, J. W. Lewis. She is survived by her sister, Claudeline Lewis; her nephew, James Grier Lewis, and his wife, Carol; and her grand-nephew, Josh Parker Lewis, and his wife, Laurel. Miss Lewis gave her life to teaching high school English. She taught for 32 years before retiring to Halifax County, having taught in Mooresville, Greenville and Chapel Hill. She also supervised student teachers from East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a distinguished woman educator, Miss Lewis was a member of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for 58 years and also served a term as president of the society. She had been president of the North Carolina English Teachers Association and had served as editor of its publication. One of her highest acclaims as an educator was an invitation to teach at the American University in Beirut. She traveled extensively throughout the world and was a life-long learner. Miss Lewis was actively involved in her community. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church, where she served as Church Clerk, Historian, Sunday school teacher and formerly as chairman of the Board of Deacons. She was also a member of the Antioch Adult Choir and the Building and Grounds committee. She was a lifetime member of the Hardrawee Extension Club and a member of the Enfield Tuesday Afternoon Study Club. The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Ave. in Roanoke Rapids on Friday, Sept. 25. from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and other times at the home. Funeral service will be held at Antioch Baptist Church. 4070 Heathsville Rd. Enfield, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Susan Joyce, Rev. Joy Heaton, Rev. Winfred Porter and Rev. Judith Powell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or memorial donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com.
Obituary From The Raleigh News And Observer

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Saturday, May 16, Jean and Milton Saffelle were gracious hosts, the weather cooperated with only a momentary sprinkle or two, and Ralph’s efforts to organize the get-together culminated in another interesting and enjoyable gathering of the Class of ‘57.

About 40 attended, consuming the catered barbecue, fixings and “too many desserts” ranging from banana pudding to several pies to choose from. If anyone left less than full, it was their own fault.

Henry Andrews called to say “Hello” (He had a stent added a few days before and is recovering well) so several had a chance to talk with him. Murphy Ranson and his wife Betty showed up, as did Tommy Hogan. Very good to see them both since they usually don’t make it.

Enough words. Time now for the pictures!

Pete Ness