Classmates reunite for Richards-Stotesbury Alumni Reunion

A total of 62 alumni, family and friends enjoyed the 82nd Annual Richards-Stotesbury, Missouri Schools Reunion and Banquet May 26 at the Buck Run Community Center. The community center was opened before the catered meal for the alumni to visit and view their school photos and memorabilia. The invocation was given by Eugene Winter.

The business meeting was called to order by President Velma (Nichols) Beckford. Minutes of the 2011 meeting, treasurer's report and phone calls from alumni unable to attend were read by Secretary Treasurer Alice Allen.

Betty (Graves) Anderson a 60 year graduate was recognized. Five 50-year graduates, Larry Allen, Howard Coambes, Bill Keith, Sandra Jo (Phelps) McConnaughey and Marie (Harth) Wiley were honored.

The names and school of the deceased alumni during the last year were read by Dorothy (Bloesser) Taylor.

From Richards was Robert Poyner, class of 1941, Virginia (Poyner) Meek, class of 1942, Dorothy (Goddard) Anderson, class of 1945, Chester Carpenter, class of 1953, and Vivian (Nichols) Bloesser, class of 1961. There were no deaths from the Stotesbury classes. Dorothy Mae (Blake) McConnaughey was a death from the friends of the alumni.

President Velma Beckford read the poem "Old School Reunion."

The oldest graduate in attendance from Richards was Wayne Houston. Ray Lee and Shirley Armstrong from Jacksonville, Ark., traveled the farthest to the meeting. Gifts were given to each.

In new business, officers elected for 2013 were Harold Fritter, president, Marie (Harth) Wiley, vice president, and Alice (Goddard) Allen as secretary-treasurer.

Each alumnus introduced themselves, where they lived and the school and year they graduated.

Those attending the banquet from Richards were Betty Carpenter, Beverly Fletcher, Dena Gotchall, Wayne and Elaine Harth, Wayne and Lois Houston, Jerry Naylor, Earl and Marjorie Rogers and Bette Wadel.

Attending from Stotesbury were Saundra McConnaughey and Charles and Cheryl Swink.

Those attending from Fort Scott were Alice Allen, Larry and Rosalita Allen, Velma Beckford, Greg and Lena Brown, Ella Mae and Fred Combs, Martha Cook, Patsy Dosstter, Shirley Higgins, Bill and Ruby Keith, Catherine Shackelford, Connie Shoemaker, Dorothy and Marvin Taylor, Carey Wileman, Marie and Dale Wiley and Eugene and Margaret Winter.

Also attending from Kansas were Evelyn Brooks, Overland Park; Karen Cuendet, Pittsburg; Karen Cannon and Raymond Wallace, Prescott.

Attending from Missouri were Hattie Shaw, Bronaugh; Harry Lynn Coambes, Fordland; Linda and Eldon Verman, Independence; Lorraine Schnarre, Kansas City; Eddie and Peggy Demig and Margie Johnson, Nevada; Monya Cantwell, Rich Hill; Don and Jan Fritter, Springfield; Betty and John Anderson and Paul and Sharon Graves, St. Joseph; Bob Coambes and Howard and Mary Ann Coambes, Stockton.

And from other states Ray Lee and Shirley Armstrong, Jacksonville, Ark., and Sandra and Jake Politte, Claremore, Okla.

The 2013 banquet will be May 25 at 4 p.m. at the Buck Run Community Center.

Submitted to the Tribune by Alice Allen.