Welcome to the month of March, classmates. Seems like New Year's Day was last week, and we have already knocked down 2 months.  This month brings the beginning of Spring Break and many school children will have a week out of school.  Be on the lookout for them because they are not always looking out for you.  For those who follow the Christian calendar, we are in also in the midst of the Lenten season.  Praying your days are bringing you to a more meaningful relationship with Christ Jesus and that you are discovering new ways to serve him as you serve neighbors in need.

 

Condolences continue in the loss of class members, Willie McLendon and Lorenzo Monroe.  We also keep classmate Marilyn FORD Bryant and her family in prayer as they continue to mourn the passing of her Mother, Mrs. Carrie H. Ford. These passings are reminders of just how precious life is and remind us to enjoy all of our days.

 

Happy Anniversary to the following couples: Gregory and Vanessa Kato (29 years on the 10th), James and Sandra WITSELL Brookins (51 years on the 22nd) and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Solomon (51 years on the 29th).  Praying that God will continue to Bless your unions with an abundance of love and joy forever.

 

Happy Birthday to the following gentle breezes: Renee' Gadling (5th).Charles Thomas (6th), Valerie Tooley and Eugene Wainwright (15th), Alvarette COLLINS Calloway (16th) and Louise WARD Harris (18th).

 

Dates to Remember

 

June 5 - 7, 2026                       55th Class Reunion Weekend

 

Reunion Notes - Time is quickly approaching.  The Activities Committee is excited and we hope you are too.  If you have questions, Please feel free to contact, Evelyn Burnam Kimbrough (904 707 7398), Jacqueline Caldwell (904 635 8237) or Agnes Gadling-Dixon (904 343 1009).  To aid in our effort to contact as many people as possible, please share the reunion flyer on your social media page.  We are also reaching out via radio community service announcements.  Remember the fee for the weekend is $130/person due by April 1, 2026.  The photography package is $45 and payment is due by May 5, 2026.  Please include your cell phone number and email address with all payments to ease follow-up.

 

The following class members are either self-employed or work in commissioned sales.  Please consider supporting them should the opportunity arise. (Disclaimer:  These are not personal endorsements.  You are encouraged to exercise due diligence whenever seeking professional services.)

 

Eldre' Redding Allen, Certified General Contractor - The Goodly Group of NE Florida goodlygroup@comcast.net

 

James Berry - First Coast Automotive 2625 Pearl St (06) 904 356 5268

 

Harry and Debra Siplin Brown - Harry Brown Funeral Directors & Cremation Service 2719 Edgewood Av W (09) 904 252 1573

 

Linda Lockett Brown - CINET Dieticians and Wellness 191 College Av Orange Park FL 32065  904 276 8050

 

Andre' Butler, Independent Insurance Broker representing most Medicare Plans plus life and dental 877 581 5373x057 (B) or 904 210 7525 (C) adwildcats1@yahoo.com

 

Michele Cottrell - South Point Realty of Atlanta 7278 Highway 85 Riverdale GA 30271  770 991 2121

 

Darnell Cummings - D & N Restoration 25 E, 21st St (06) 904 634 8999

 

Odell Downer, poet and author downerod4@aol.com

 

Samuel Flagg - Clean Master Service 904 384 8408

 

Hattie Grant - House In The Rough Renovations 904 705 2770 Mshgrant@bellsouth.net

 

Conley Hughes, pastor - Concord Baptist Church 180 Blue Hill Av Milford MA 02186  617 698 9300

 

Brenda Streater Jackson, romance novelist https://brendajackson.com/

 

Valeria Sturrup Jenkins - Chloe' School of Etiquette and Modeling 901 383 8333

 

Gregory Kato - Greg's Homemade Cakes and Pies 904 614 6592

 

Tanya Telfair LeBlanc, Owner/Executive Editor Jane Stirling Publishing http://www.janestirlingpublishing.com 

 

Veronica White, PhD, LMHC, NCC - V. White & Associates, Inc. 501 N. Orlando Av Suite 313 Winter Park, FL 32780  407 478 5125

 

REMINDERS

 

Any announcements (birthdays, anniversaries, retirements etc) for the April newsletter should be submitted by March 25th.  If you know of persons not currently receiving communication from the class, please forward their names and email addresses to the Action Committee.  Anyone desiring to pay the Voluntary Assessment ($120), reunion fee ($120) or any other payments may do so at any meeting or class event. You may also pay by Cash App ($Rainesclassof1971) or by mailing to: Post Office Box 26640 Jacksonville FL 32226.