Redwood Class of 1953

Class Pages:

In these pages I have collected information, photos and memorabilia from the classes that I have been able to secure from students and social media. If you have materials from your class, please contact me. I will happily add items to the page. My email is oakes@physics.utexas.edu.

Class List:

Billy Wayne Bishop
Phone 601-831-0431

Billy and Johnnie Young Brown
1180 Roy Young Rd
Vicksburg, MS 39183-7805
Phone 601-636-5411

Phares and Dot Griffin
404 Longview St.
Vicksburg, MS, 39180
601-636-8882

Tom M. & Sue Dye
2014 Wilson St., Apt. 1
Menomonie, Wisconsin, 54751
Phone 715-309-2114
sutodye@yahoo.com

Second address: 130 Deanna St.,
Gulfport, MS, 39503
P.O. Box 2669
Ph. 228-832-1259

Mona Lee Armstrong (deceased)
Dorothy Hall Breland (deceased)
Will Breland (deceased)
J. C. Oakes (deceased)
Bill Porter (deceased)
Joyce Tompkins (deceased)
Norton Slayton (deceased) (Nov 9, 1935-May 17, 2005) Died in Davenport, Polk, Florida
James Cecil "J. C." Trusty (August 2, 1932-May 25, 1982)

History of the 1953 Graduating Class-Author Unknown

Now the history of the 1953 Graduating Class, of the High School of the City of Redwood, County of Warren, State of Mississippi, is in this wise.

In the beginning, the 50th year of our Lord, in the ninth month, there entered into this Land of Learning, 2 and 30 seekers of knowledge. 25 of this 32 young people were graduates from the Redwood Eighth Grade. These 25 were: Billy Bishop, Betty Ghettie, Raymond Hunt, Guy Barnett, Margie Ferguson, Bobby Jernigan, Patricia Hardin, Norton Slayton, Shirley Bourgoyne, Everett Burton, Phares Griffin, Bill Porter, Mona Armstrong, Red Oakes, Mildred Sadler, Eddie Ghettie, Valda Livingston, Walter Mallet, Jimmie Gaines, J.C. Trusty, Will Breland, Smiley Smith, Clarence Triplet, Vivian Smith and Gene Pough.

These 25 charming and handsome boys and girls were joined in their Freshman year by 7 more equally charming and handsome boys and girls from Oak Ridge Grammar School. Their names were: Johnnie Young, Betty Ann Moore, Dorothy Hall, James Keen, Harold Alexander, Jewell Bryant and Stanley Hannah. These 32 students had for many months been busily engaged in storing their minds with the honey of wisdom, some were green and fresh from a far country, some came from farms where they had been tillers of the soil, and some were from other halls of instruction. And it came to pass as they did enter into this land, that they were received with wild welcoming and rejoicing by those who it was decreed to henceforth lead them by the slippery by-ways of knowledge.

Likewise, it came also to pass that they were received with malicious glee by a certain band of wild beings who were called "Seniors" and who did because of their fierce taste for Freshman blood, did pounce upon them daily and nightly in their initiation, and caused the Freshman to suffer great things and to say in their hearts, "Behold, blessed be the name of Education, for because of it have we endured great torments, both of the body and of the mind. Verily, have we been martyrs to its great and noble cause!" And as they dwelt long in the land, they fell in with the customs of the inhabitants thereof, and their strangeness wore away, and they each became as one among the rest.

Now it came to pass soon after they entered the land, that they were one and all seized with a strange infirmity, which did cause them to act with much fierceness and strangeness of manner and to grapple and wrestle with their fellows in much rage and seemingly ferocity. Wise men were called to look upon them, who did finally pronounce the infirmity in the male "football" and in the female "basketball", and did assure the frightened parents, friends and leaders that the malady, while it needs must be contagious, and likewise, sometimes fatal, was yet a necessary evil, and one that even the wise men knew not the way to cure. So, with many anxious fears, and dire forebodings, did the instructors allow the disease to run its natural course and, lo, none were killed, and few were seriously injured, whereat there was great rejoicing throughout the land. In the athletic field a good many of these boys and girls during their 4 years of high school were greatly responsible for the famous name that the Redwood High School has gained in the sport field.

And it came to pass, after some months, that their eyes were turned toward Freshman graduation, but many, with one consent, began to make excuses. The first group of boys said, "Our Country needs more men in their forces to protect the fruitful land of America so I'll join our forces instead of graduating." Some more said, "I must needs toil at home. Therefore, I cannot graduate." Others said, "I like the Freshman Class so well I think I'll stay there another year."

And still others found other territories that they liked better than they did dear old Redwood so they left empty desks that were filled by new students coming to join the Sophomore Class. The Freshmen who gave these various excuses were: Betty Ghettie, Raymond Hunt, Patricia Hardin, James Keen, Stanley Hannah, Everett Burton, Betty Ann Moore, Eddie Ghettie, Valda Livingston, Walter Mallet, J. C. Trusty and Smiley Smith. And it came to pass at the beginning of the second year that as this class did journey through the land, behold, there were two maidens and two young gentlemen who were fair to look upon, who had strayed far from the companies with which they had set forth, and were much sorrowful. These were Charlotte Boozer, Wilma Hardy, Ottis Sheffield and James Alexander. And as the members of the class did look upon them in their loneliness, their hearts were stirred in pity for them, and did open wide unto them that they should be gathered in.

Now it so happened that this land to which they had come was ruled over by one known as F. S. Franklin, a professor of much wisdom, and at the beginning of the second year, he spake unto them, saying: "Go, gather ye in a body, and organize yourselves into a class, that ye may gain in strength and that your courage may wax hot." And as he spake unto them so was it done, and they chose their wisest ones to be their leaders, and called themselves, with much pride, "The Class of 1953." The whole number of the Sophomores that graduated at the end of that second year was 19. There came more excuses and some more dropped out of the class for various reasons. Some to join the forces to protect their country, more to gain a blissful life of marriage. These who did not join the Sophomores in going on to the Junior Class were: Jimmie Gaines, Guy Barnett, Harold Alexander and Margie Ferguson.

Now in the Junior year, it so happened that another maiden come to join the class, one named Billie Gillis. About this time, a great cry went up from the throats of the greedy class: "Lo, if it doth happen that we are to graduate after many days, it appeareth that there is a need of many dollars wherewith to provide the song and dance thereof." And so thinking these things, the class made many a feast, and the public was bidden that money might be brought into the treasury, and so there would be much money. The first of these was held the 2nd and 50th year of our Lord, in the 10th month, and on the 25th day of the month, in our school where had walked many a great and famous person. And, lo, great crowds did come to the feast, and much money was taken into the treasury. And they called its name a Halloween Social, because it was held at that time. Now it so happened, that this Class of 1952, finding within themselves what nobody else had yet discovered therein — the same qualities which had made the famous Shakespeare of old so great and mighty — did also make utterance to the words of this great man, "To thine ownself be true" — and with one consent did adopt them as their motto, and they, and all their peoples, and all the land far and near, rejoiced thereat, and sang loud songs of jubilation. Now, when the 3rd day of the fifth month of the year of 1952 was fully come, this class did give yet another great feast in honor of the Senior Class of 1952, The Junior and Senior Prom. This class sent messages over all the land, east, west, north and south, to all inhabitants thereof, saying, "Come ye and make merry with us for the 1952 Senior Class is to depart to a far country, and all things are now ready for a feast."

And as they were bidden, so came they in large numbers and did rejoice with the class at the good fortune which had come to them in return for all their long and patient laboring at the tasks that had been set before them. And lo, the whole number at the end of this third year was 18. Those who went to far away places and did not return to join the 1953 Senior Class were Bobbie Jernigan, James Alexander, Vivian Smith and Ottis Sheffield.

Now it so happened that there dwelt in an adjoining country, Tom Dye, Bill Weaver, Joyce Tompkins, and Gene Huskey, people of much learning and good repute who come to join the members of the Senior Class. Now this, the fourth year in the history of this great and wonderful Class of 1953 has been one of much hard labor, and but little resting by the wayside r for preparations have been making ready for them to take their final departure from the land. This band of youths did come up from the former stations in Q the new dignity of their promotion, remembered the days of their own greenness, and as the Seniors of their day had done unto them, even so did they do unto the new Freshman and did show no mercy unto their sufferings in their initiation and paid heed unto their lamentations, until all were bruised and full of much sorrow. And, behold, it did likewise come to pass, at about this same time, that the Class did aspire to present to the people a great and wonderful play, wherein each would act what he was not, and they did choose as a sacrifice a great comedy, named "Papa Says No" which was butchered to make a Senior holiday. And Lo, the awful deed was done, and the multitude did cry out in their hearts, "Heaven help them for they know not what they do". And with their lips, "How grand and wonderful this thing which ye have done," and the heads of the Class did become swelled to their fullest capacity at the praise they did receive for the murderous deed they had done. While they were yet in the Junior Class, their pride grew to a great bigness within them, that this Class did began to wish for badges befitting their station, and many messages were sent to the big cities and all the towns roundabout for samples of their fine jewelry, and at last, after much considering and reconsidering, the Class professed to be satisfied with its choice and beautiful class rings were purchased with which all the Seniors were well content.

The Juniors again honored the Seniors by giving them a very successful prom, and when the guests did at last depart from the prom they were exceedingly glad that things were as they had been proclaimed and did give thanks to the 1953 Junior Class for the pleasure they had provided for enjoying. Also the Senior Class took a three-day journey to the far away country of Biloxi and did spend their days there eating, drinking, and making merry and the trip was enjoyed by all. Another left to join his previous classmates in the field of battle. This brave lad was Norton Slayton. So the whole number at the end of this fourth year is 18. These are Gene Huskey, Mildred Sadler, Billie Gillis, Jewell Bryan Bill Weaver, Joyce Thompkins, Will Breland, Phares Griffin, Charlotte Boozer, Red Oakes, Mona Armstrong, Billy Bishop, Wilma Hardy, Bill Porter, Dorothy Hall, Tom Dye, Shirley Bourgoyne, and Johnnie Young. So it has come to pass that of the two and thirty that entered this land in 1950 only 18 will depart, for "verily, verily, I say unto you, that broad is the gate and wide is the way that leadeth to the High School, and many there be that go in thereat, but straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth to graduation and few there be that find it."

Four years hath this class of '53 sojourned in the land and gathered in large portions the fruits from the Tree of Knowledge. But it is written "In the day when ye shall have eaten of all these fruits, ye shall surely be driven forth from the land." Now, I say unto you, they must depart thence, to go each a separate way to lands they know not of, to do, they know not what. But let us not be weary in well doing, for in due time we shall reap if we faint not.

And now may the blessings that ever attend the noble and good and true follow and abide with us, each and all, now and forever more.

Left to Right: Jewell Bryant, Johnny Young, Dorothy Hall

Left to Right: Phares Griffin (1945-46), Phares Griffin, J. C. Trusty

Left to Right: Walter 'Blue" Mallett, Bob Dye, Red Oakes

Left to Right: Raymond Hunt, Raymond Hunt, J. C. Trusty

Left to Right: Phares Griffin, Phares Griffin, Walter "Blue" Mallett

Left to Right: Jimmy "Killer" Gaines, J. C. Tristy, Red Oakes

Left to Right: Will Breland, Phares Griffin, Vivian Smith

Left to Right: Bill Weaver & Billy Wayne Bishop, Bill Porter, Billy Wayne Bishop

Rockets Athletic Pictures, 1953 Class

Redwood High School Football 1952-53
Back Row: Floyd Oakes, Norton Slayton, Melvin Oakes, Johnny Griffin, Billy Wayne Bishop, Tom Dye, Billy Gene Weaver, Wilson Brent, Gene Huskey, Bill Porter, Will Breland, Coach J. C. Dorman

Front Row:, Paul Alderman, Earl Martin, Todd Huskey, James Wright, Marvin Robbins, Billy Ray Brock, Clayton Wright, ?, Phares Griffin, Bob Dye, Donnie Weaver, Crissler Fuller

Redwood High School Basketball 1952-53
Back Row: Melvin Oakes, Floyd Oakes, Tom Dye, Billy Gene Weaver, Billy Wayne Bishop, Gene Huskey, Coach J. C. Dorman

Front Row:, Allen Earl Martin, Donnie Weaver, Bob Dye, Johnny Griffin, Bill Porter, Will Breland.

Reunion Photos

1988 at Redwood: Front: Johnnie Young Brown, Shirley Bourgoyne Soverns, Mildred Sadler Pugh, Mona Armstrong, Charlotte Boozer Oakes, Billie Ruth Jeffers Barnett, Betty Ann Moore & Biiy Ray Pearce, Margie Ferguson.
Back: Jimmy Gaines, Bobby Jernigan, Billy Wayne Bishop, Wilma Hardy, Red Oakes

1988 at Redwood: Second Version
Back: Jimmy Gaines, Bobby Jernigan, Billy Wayne Bishop, Wilma Hardy, J. C. “Red” Oakes, Biily Ray Pearce

Front: Johnnie Young Brown, Shirley Bourgoyne Soverns, Mildred Sadler Pugh, Mona Lee Armstrong, Charlotte Boozer Oakes, Billie Ruth Jeffers Barnett, Betty Ann Moore, Margie Nell Ferguson.

1989 at Redwood:
Front: Biily Ray Pearce, Bobby Jernigan, Mrs. Bobby Jernigan, Sandra Bishop, Charlotte Boozer Oakes, Mona Armstrong Dukes, Patricia Harding Barker, Ms. Pat Garnett

Back: Billy Wayne Bishop, Dorothy Hall Breland, Betty Ann Pearson, Jimmy Gaines, Johnnie Young Brown, Clarence Tripplet (very back)

2008, Dot Breland’s Home: Front: Billie Ruth Jeffers Barnett, Coach J. C. Dorman, Phares Griffin, Billy Wayne Bishop
Back: Johnnie Young Brown, Jewell Bryant Hallberg, Dorothy Hall Breland, Mildred Sadler Pugh, Charlotte Boozer Oakes, Shirley Bourgoyne Soverns

1953 Candid Photos

At left: Phares Griffin, Japan, 1955. At right: Phares and Johnny Griffin in front of their home at the head mill, Highway 61 north of Vicksburg.

Phares Griffin, Oakes Auto Parts baseball team.

Norton Slayton, soldier and hunter.

At left: Norton Slayton, ca 1936. At right Norton, Norton Sr. & Malcolm Slayton.

Left: Norton & Martha Salyton, 1970. At right: Billy Wayne Bishop & Raymond Hunter, Rear Redwood high School

Norton & Martha Slayton with grandchildren, age order, Jesse Ray, Christopher John, Stephanie, Jennifer, Robert, Holly Rose (held by Martha)

Sadler Siblings
L to R: Clint, Jean, Mildred, Dorothy, Erma, Frank Jr.

Sadler Family
L to R: Clint, Mildred, Dorothy, Frank, Frank Jr., Della, Erma, Jean

Dot, Frank Jr., Erma & Mildred, Sadler Siblings

Front, L to R: Floyd & Betty Oakes, Dot and Phares Griffin, Jane Keen Griffin, Sally Cooper Porter, Bettye Oakes

Back: Mel Oakes, Johnny Griffin, Ted Porter, Donald Oakes (Photo 2010 at home of Donald & Bettye Oakes)

Bob and Jerry Dye, Jacksonville, FL

Bob Dye and wife Jerry Ann Dye,
The YMCA in Orange Park, Florida was name for Bob and the Clay Family.

At left: Earl Martin, Billy Wayne Bishop, and Johnny Griffin. At right: Phares Griffin, Earl Martin, Johnny Griffin

Left: Billy Wayne Bishop, Right: Johnny Griffin Billy Wayne Bishop and baby?

At left: Billy Wayne Bishop, Phares Griffin. Earl Martin, Clyde Segue in back

At right: Back: Betty Jean Alderman, Maud Franklin, Ann Huskey, Hermanell Hearn Front: Dorothy Hall, Mildred Sadler

Left: Billy Wayne Bishop, Johnny Griffin.
Center: Will Breland, Earl Martin, Johnny Griffin, Mel Oakes
Right: Will Breland

At left: Bobby Jack Jernigan, Macon, GA, 1963, prior to flight to Vicksburg. Bobby has been flying since 1961 and got his private license in 1972. He and several partners own two airplanes.

At right: Bob Dye and Jewell Bryant ,1953