Members of the Eva Class of 1972 are, from left, (front) Jo Anne Makemson Lindley of Birmingham, Bonnie Blue Woodard McDaniel of Florence, (second row) Rita Holmes McCain, Shirley Atkins Arnett, both of Cullman, Bonnie Smith Alldredge of Eva, Susie Morgan McNutt of Decatur, Wanda Holmes Hunt of Eva, Wynette Reeves Cagle of Falkville, (back) Melissia J. Taylor of Decatur, Janice Bennett Parker and Jimmy Mosteller of Hartselle, Patsy Childers George of Eva, Dr. Susan Davis Parker of Rogersville, Dianne Holmes Hartwig of Eva, Kay Black Mosteller of Hartselle, (back row) Steve Arnett of Cullman, Jerry Brown of Tanner, Buford Oden, Robbie Spratlin Smith, Michael Hartwig, all of Eva, Danny McCain of Cullman, Gwendolyn Childers Sherrill of Vinemont, Terry Childers, Rita Hipps Childers and Scott Hunt, all of Eva.

Jo Anne Makemson Lindley
Special to the Enquirer

The Eva School Gymnasium was a sea of blue and white on Saturday, July 16, as the Eva High School Alumni Association hosted the Eva High School Alumni and Friends Reunion. Huge banners announcing the event were visible all about town and in local businesses.

Eva High School’s first graduating class was in 1930 with three members. The last graduating class was in 1972 before the high school was combined with Brewer High School. Twenty-eight of the 42 graduating classes of Eva High School were represented at the reunion.

Former teachers attending the event were Dr. Rolland S. Oden, Mrs. Eloise Oden, Mr. Joe Kampis, Mr. James Maherg, Mr. Loy Greenhill, Ms. Ella Dean Nelson, and Ms. Orpha McDonald.

Inside the gym, royal blue tablecloths covered round tables with blue and white checked toppers. A red napkin dispenser was placed in the center of each table. Blue and white balloons framed the stage atop white columns with green ferns. A large sign welcoming the alumni and friends was centered directly behind the stage. Glenn Miller’s Big Band music played softly in the background.

A single candle in a crystal candlestick and a silver plated frame displaying the words “In Loving Memory” of all those who were gone but not forgotten sat on a white lace tablecloth with a beautiful vase full of red roses.

The guests arrived at 10:00 a.m. and were greeted by a line of smiling faces from the Class of 1972 who coordinated the event and manned the registration tables. Tables arranged in the shape of an E displayed merchandise for sale. The gym filled with joy and laughter and the Big Band music faded into the distance. Soon over 170 guests had arrived reaching an all-time high attendance for the Alumni Reunion.

When the guests lined up for a buffet lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs, the Class of 1972 placed oblong bowls with yellow bags of potato chips on each table along with a round matching tray with an assortment of ten different kinds of delicious cupcakes. A selection of canned drinks was available and fit nicely in the can coolers that adorned the words Eva High School 1930 – 1972.

A great day continued as Jerry Ryan of Three on a String, Birmingham, was the featured entertainment. The crowd laughed at his comedy and clapped along with his music. A highlight was when Eva School principal, Patrick Patterson, joined Ryan on the stage playing banjo.

Mr. Patterson presented a surprised to Mary Edith Thompson Stewart with a reproduced 1961 diploma to replace hers which was lost in a house fire.

The Alumni presented Dr. Rolland S. Oden of Eva, a co-founder of the Alumni Association, distinguished educator, and a veteran, with the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.

A special project planned for Eva School by the Alumni Association is the marketing and implementation of engraved pavers to provide a brick courtyard for the students to enjoy and the alumni to be remembered.

Friend us on Facebook at Eva High School Alumni and join if you are an alumnus or have ever attended Eva High School.

Jo Anne Makemson Lindley is a member of the Class of 1972 and president of the Eva High School Alumni Association.