Russellville High’s class of 1951 to hold 60th reunion

The Russellville High School Class of 1951 will have the 60th Class Reunion on Friday and Saturday.

Classmates will meet on Friday at 5 p.m. at Gil’s Steak House in Muscle Shoals and on Saturday for a reservations-only catered meal at 10 a.m. at the Canteen beside the A. W. Todd Centre in Russellville.

This class has been meeting every year in June for the past five years and they expect classmates from Blue Hill, Neb., Alexandria, Va., Columbus, Ill., the Shoals area, Russellville, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa to attend.

Classmate Mallie Sue Willis Burnham said she was looking forward to the event, which was organized by Nolan Wheeler, Bob James and Leon Sparks.

“I guess when you get to the age of most of our class, which is 78, 79 or maybe 80, all memories of family and friends and past life experiences are important,” Burnham said. “I think all of us would say that we grew up in the best of times and in a quiet little Southern town. We only had one landline phone, one TV or even no TV at all. Those were good days and we enjoy remembering them.”

This year will be sad for the class as they remember their valedictorian, Jack Cox, who was killed in the April 27 tornado in Phil Campbell.

“Phil Campbell is so near to Russellville and you think that it could have been your home town and family and friends,” Burnham said. “Life is so precious and you can loose it in the blink of an eye. Just think, who would have thought on April 27 that we were only two months away from the classmates seeing each other again and seeing Jack.”

Burnham said she hoped the class could do something to honor Cox’s memory.

“I hope those who haven’t already made plans to come will make the effort to come out this weekend,” she said. “It will be great to see everybody.”