Friendships more precious as years pass
Friends are wonderful gifts. Throughout different stages of life, friends serve as anchors, confidants and sources of strength. While many people come and go, the ones who remain leave indelible marks on our hearts.
A good friend is someone who listens without judgment, communicates openly and encourages you. They respect your boundaries, celebrate your wins without jealousy, stand by you in tough times, and show empathy and active support.
Friendships may begin in grade school, middle school, high school, college or through careers and organizations. These are friends who enrich your life.
Through the years I have been blessed with many wonderful friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It’s wonderful anytime we can get together to talk, reminisce about the fun we used to have, and catch up on what has been happening in our lives.
I’ve enjoyed recent gatherings with friends. My graduating class, the Russellville High School Class of 1967, was the largest graduating class at that time with 143 seniors.
When we get together, we remember 43 classmates who have passed. We met recently at 43 Grill in Russellville for lunch and to talk of old times and share updates about our lives.
Our get-togethers are held twice a year — the day before Thanksgiving and the day before the Fourth of July.
Shown back row from left are Barry Pace, Jimmie Montgomery, O’Neal King, Evelyn Hester Scott, George Harper, Jimmy Malone, Ronnie Hargett, Don James and Richard Stowe; middle row from left are Dianne Pace, Sandy Montgomery, Wayne Madden, Marilyn Malone, Susie Hovater Malone, Brenda Masterson Elliott, Martha Hovater, Donnie Bordon, Janice Seal Page, Judy Bobo Williams, Kathy Blake Perren, Connie Cleere Cole, and front row from left are Kristin Williams, Ann James, Lynda Madden, Patsy Golden McDuffa, Pat Montgomery, Jimmy Montgomery, Jimmy Malone and Sherry Freeman Hulsey.
I am thankful that we have continued this tradition for so many years. Life has taken us in different directions, but these gatherings give us an opportunity to reconnect with people who share an important part of our lives.
As we approach the 60th anniversary of our graduation, I find myself thinking about how much has changed since we left Russellville High School, and how special it is that we still make time to gather together.
At the luncheon, class president Wayne Madden reminded everyone that 2027 marks the 60th anniversary of our graduation.
This milestone also marks 60 years since the first football game was played at the new RHS stadium, and the Class of 1967 became the first to graduate on the stadium field.
Classmate Evelyn Hester Scott said she is proud we have stuck together as a class and commended everyone for keeping the get-togethers a tradition.
She commended Madden for his leadership and for coordinating our activities. He requested that a committee be formed to begin planning a 60th anniversary celebration recogniz-
