Robert Lee High School Demolition stories Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines August 2010 *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 16, 2010 Old Robert Lee ISD building will be gone, but not forgotten The photo opportunity of the "Old" Robert Lee High School last Saturday was a great event for those who came to give their last respects. There wasn't so much in quantity but, as usual, the quality was outstanding. The classmates from 1937 - 1964 were represented. Sixteen exes, showed up to re-live their youthful days while going to classes in the older building and the new building (the one built in 1950's). Attendees, their eras and recollections include: Jeffie Harmon Roberts 1943-1955 states that as a student in the Robert Lee School for 12 years, she can remember enjoying the teachers. She thought they were so smart and nice. She really enjoyed and had fun at school. As she has gotten older, she realizes they had good administrators and school trustees that hired the best teachers for the students. After graduating 55 years ago and during these years our children have graduated from RLISD, now we have grandchildren attending. She realizes how important the administrators and teachers are to our school and community. We have the best in our schools at RLISD; Bobby Roberts 1941-1953 - "What a great school, we (Bobby & Jeffie) were married in 1954 and have celebrated 56 years together. Jeffie is now on the Robert Lee School board; Dale Wojtek - 1941; Sue Wojtek - 1944 remembers playing marbles between the pillars of the old gym; Jackie Sparks Walker 1944- 956 remembered playing basketball and never beating Bronte; Billy Joe Blair 1937- 1949 was celebrating with his high school girlfriend, Eula Fay Smith Blair on their 60th Wedding anniversary; Doris Sparks Fox 1946-1958 a past cheerleader was filled with good memories; Sondra Roe Caves 1948-1960 carried Dixie Taylor's gown train across the original stage in the gym when she was in the 1st grade; Pat Fowler Clement 1948-196- remembers the gym most of all, during their senior year they only lost 2 basketball games. She scored over 247 points during her years and her best game was 34 points. "My dad was always there." So many husbands and wives met in this school. So many memories to write down; Jerry Blair 1948-1960 said he "remembered it as new". Linda Blair Porter attended 1959-1971. The younger generation were represented by Rhonda Askins, Audrey (Walker) Devoll, Kristi Aldridge 1987 and Delva (Drennan) Horne 1993. Several students who graduated in 1964 were sharing stories. These included John and Jeanette (Higginbotham) Jacobs, Mary Beth (Walker) Drennan, Bennie Boykin and Bobby Blaylock. Mary Beth Drennan wrote "Great times, great friends a whole new world for a little Silver girl." Bobby Blaylock recalled the move from the old third grade class room, which became part of the band hall, to the new elementary wing. The students were led single file, carrying their cigar boxes with pencils, crayons and paste to the new room. John Jacobs remembered the new slide and swings at the new school and Mr. Webb patrolling the playground. It seems as if Benny Boykin was always at the head of the class. Teachers put him there for some reason. Mr. Jimmy Bickley, superintendent from 1964 to 1988 came by to visit and see that all of us were behaving. Jeffie is a school board member, John Jacobs, our Mayor, and Bobby Blaylock is a County Commissioner, thought for a moment about throwing a brick through one of the school windows to be demolished. But Mr. Bickley convinced us otherwise. All of us wish to thank Mr. Aaron Hood, the current Superintendent and Mr. Tyler Mercer, with WB Kibler Construction for all their assistance. To the "OLD" schools, thanks for the memories. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 16, 2010 Congregation on the School Steps These Robert Lee High school alumni met Saturday, July 10, 2010, for one final chance to visit on their school steps. The building was scheduled for demolition on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Those former students included Doris Sparks Fox, Bobby Roberts, Dale Wojtek, Pat Fowler Clement, Jackie Sparks Walker, Sue Henson Wojtek, Jeffie Harmon Roberts, Bobby Blaylock, Mary Beth Walker Drennan, John Jacobs, Jimmy Bickley (Superintendent, 1964-1988), Jeanette Higginbotham Jacobs, Sondra Roe Caves. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 23, 2010 This Ball Won't Bounce Anymore! These two ladies, Mary Beth Drennan and Jeanette Higginbotham Jacobs, were students at Robert Lee High School together and attended the photo session Saturday, July 10, 2010, prior to the school's demolition. Pat Fowler Clement was able to get the nets from the basketball goals before the demolition of the old gym. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 23, 2010 Sisters! These two sisters, Jackie Sparks Walker and Doris Sparks Fox, were students at Robert Lee high School together and attended the photo session Saturday, July 10, 2010, prior to the school's demolition. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise July 23, 2010 Happily Ever After These two couples were students at Robert Lee High School together and are still together. Attending the photo session Saturday, July 10, 2010, prior to the schools demolition were Bobby Roberts, Dale Wojtek, Sue Wojtek and Jeffie Roberts. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 23, 2010 The Three MuskeSTEERS! Only memories remain of the time these three ladies spent at the old Robert Lee High School. Attending the photo session Saturday, July 10, 2010, prior to the schools demolition were Pat Fowler Clement, Sondra Roe Caves, and Doris Sparks Fox. *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise Friday, July 16, 2010 No More Games Here These members of the Robert Lee High School Class of 1964 organized the photo opportunity and reunion Saturday, July 10, 2010 so that RLHS alumni could meet, reminisce, and take pictures before the building's demolition. Class members attending were Bennie Boykin, Bobby Blaylock, Mary Beth Walker Drennan, Jeannette Higginbotham Jacobs, and John Jacobs. ******** Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb and/or the Coke County Archives of the USGenWeb. Copyright. All rights reserved.